A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Built Environment Branch (BEB), specifically concerning the Perth Arena's fire alarm system, engineer qualifications, and staffing levels. The response clarifies the Arena does have a direct brigade alarm, explains the disclaimer, addresses engineer qualifications, confirms no fees, and details staffing levels.

AnsweredQoN 599Legislative Council
Asked
19 November 2013
Portfolio
Emergency Services

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the Department of
Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Built Environment Branch (BEB), compliance
and operating procedures, and ask: (a) under what legislation is it justified that the
Perth Arena has been denied a direct brigade alarm; (b) in the interest of public safety, would it not
be responsible for DFES to provide a direct brigade alarm for the Perth Arena; (c) if no to (b), why not; (d) why does DFES BEB’s advice for compliance with
their operating procedures, as part of the building licence submissions
process, carry a disclaimer notice that they will not be held responsible or
liable for the advice they give; (e) are any of the DFES BEB fire engineers
professionally chartered engineers; (f) if yes to (e), how many; (g) if no to (e), why not; (h) what levees do DFES BEB charge for fire
safety submissions; (i) have DFES BEB staff numbers decreased or
increased since their role under clause 18B(1) of Building Regulations 2012, as
amended, legislation diminished, whereby they are now only required to comment
on matters relating to DFES operating procedures; and (j) if yes to (i), how much have they decreased or
increased by?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
10 December 2013
Responded by
Attorney General representing the Minister for Emergency Services
Response time
21 days
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) advises:
(a) - (c)The Perth Arena is connected by Direct Brigade Alarm (DBA). The DBA was connected in July of 2013. (DFES Legislation, Fire Brigades Act).
(d) The purpose of disclaimers is to limit the Department and the State's liability in the event of loss or damage.
(e) -(f) No.
(g) There is no legislative requirement for engineers to be 'chartered engineers'.
(h) There are no fees or charges applied to fire safety submissions.
(i) -(j)  DFES Built Environment Branch full time employee numbers have remained at 22 since 2012. There are presently two additional staff under contract.

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