❓ A parliamentary question addresses the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) regarding fire safety engineering design reviews, approval processes, compliance checks, and communication practices, with FESA providing detailed responses clarifying its advisory role and procedures.
AnsweredQoN 8715Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority's (FESA) Built Environment Branch (BEB), and I ask:
(a) how many reviews of fire safety engineering designs were undertaken by the BEB in 2008–2009, 2009–2010, 2010–2012;
(b) of those reviews, how many resulted in the designs not being approved;
(c) what is the average wait time before a mandatory compliance check is performed by a FESA governance officer; and
(d) if it is a requirement of the Building Regulations 2012 that FESA provide comment on submissions not less than 15 days before signing of the Certificate of Design Compliance by the BEB, why did FESA in its BEB Autumn 2012 newsletter stipulate that it will be imperative for applicants to liaise with FESA well before this time to ensure all aspects are considered?
(a) how many reviews of fire safety engineering designs were undertaken by the BEB in 2008–2009, 2009–2010, 2010–2012;
(b) of those reviews, how many resulted in the designs not being approved;
(c) what is the average wait time before a mandatory compliance check is performed by a FESA governance officer; and
(d) if it is a requirement of the Building Regulations 2012 that FESA provide comment on submissions not less than 15 days before signing of the Certificate of Design Compliance by the BEB, why did FESA in its BEB Autumn 2012 newsletter stipulate that it will be imperative for applicants to liaise with FESA well before this time to ensure all aspects are considered?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
23 October 2012
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services
Response time
33 days
The Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) advises:
(a)
· Total Alternative Solutions Assessed 01/07/2008 - 30/06/2009 = 326
· Total Alternative Solutions Assessed 01/07/2009 - 30/06/2010 = 256
· Total Alternative Solutions Assessed 01/07/2010 - 30/06/2011 = 287
· Total Alternative Solutions Assessed 01/07/2011 - 30/06/2012 = 346
(b) FESA does not 'approve' or 'disapprove' fire safety engineering designs. FESA has an advisory role only, as part of the Building Approvals Process. Therefore FESA offers support and/or advice to Building Certifiers/Surveyors/Permit Issuing Authorities as applicable.
Where disagreement exists during design development, FESA Fire Engineers continue to engage with external practitioners providing advice and assistance until common agreement is achieved regarding the application of sound and robust fire engineering principles to the respective design.
(c) For the purposes of responding to this question, mandatory compliance checks is taken to mean Fire Brigade Booster Testing undertaken by operational crews and Built Environment Officers at the completion of a project.
This testing is undertaken using Operational Response Appliances and crews that are decommissioned and/or deemed as "delayed turnout" for the period of the test. To maintain timely emergency response services during this time, forward planning for alternative response from adjacent areas to mitigate all risk dictates a waiting time of at least 2 weeks for this type of test.
(d) It is not a requirement of the Building Regulations 2012 that FESA provide comment on submissions not less than 15 days before the Certificate of Design Compliance (CDC) is signed. Also FESA has no authority to sign and/or issue a CDC as this is the responsibility of the Building Certifier.
The FESA BEB newsletter simply encourages engagement with FESA in the earliest stages of project design development. Early engagement enables matters in dispute to be resolved in an environment where a client's urgent time and financial constraints don't influence an acceptable and safe outcome for building occupants and firefighters.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
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(a)
· Total Alternative Solutions Assessed 01/07/2008 - 30/06/2009 = 326
· Total Alternative Solutions Assessed 01/07/2009 - 30/06/2010 = 256
· Total Alternative Solutions Assessed 01/07/2010 - 30/06/2011 = 287
· Total Alternative Solutions Assessed 01/07/2011 - 30/06/2012 = 346
(b) FESA does not 'approve' or 'disapprove' fire safety engineering designs. FESA has an advisory role only, as part of the Building Approvals Process. Therefore FESA offers support and/or advice to Building Certifiers/Surveyors/Permit Issuing Authorities as applicable.
Where disagreement exists during design development, FESA Fire Engineers continue to engage with external practitioners providing advice and assistance until common agreement is achieved regarding the application of sound and robust fire engineering principles to the respective design.
(c) For the purposes of responding to this question, mandatory compliance checks is taken to mean Fire Brigade Booster Testing undertaken by operational crews and Built Environment Officers at the completion of a project.
This testing is undertaken using Operational Response Appliances and crews that are decommissioned and/or deemed as "delayed turnout" for the period of the test. To maintain timely emergency response services during this time, forward planning for alternative response from adjacent areas to mitigate all risk dictates a waiting time of at least 2 weeks for this type of test.
(d) It is not a requirement of the Building Regulations 2012 that FESA provide comment on submissions not less than 15 days before the Certificate of Design Compliance (CDC) is signed. Also FESA has no authority to sign and/or issue a CDC as this is the responsibility of the Building Certifier.
The FESA BEB newsletter simply encourages engagement with FESA in the earliest stages of project design development. Early engagement enables matters in dispute to be resolved in an environment where a client's urgent time and financial constraints don't influence an acceptable and safe outcome for building occupants and firefighters.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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