A scheme called The Bushfire Planning and Design Accreditation (BPAD) was developed and commenced in 2006 to meet the requirements of industry, government, and community. The objective was to establish a recognition program for BPAD practitioners known as FPAA bushfire consultants to assist people conducting development projects on bushfire-prone lands. The program was developed for consultants who provide advising services as well as bushfire assessment, planning, and design.
It accredits individuals who meet the parameters based on particular competency and accreditation requirements. These requirements comprise a thorough knowledge of planning, development, construction laws and policies, and Australian Standard AS 3959. In addition to this, the consultant needs to be able to put their theoretical knowledge into practice. The scheme provides an increased assurance to the community and government that FPAA bushfire consultants are accredited by a sturdy recognition program governed by the topmost national department for fire safety. These accredited consultants are acknowledged as competent providers of bushfire advising services, evaluation, planning, and designing by regulatory bodies, industries, end-users, communities, and fire agencies.
Accreditation Requirements of FPAA Bushfire Consultants
In order to participate in the BPAD scheme, bushfire consultants need to fulfil a number of competency requirements. Accreditation is an official acknowledgment by the Fire Protection Association of Australia (FPAA) that an accredited consultant has met the criteria of the BPAD scheme. Apart from the competency parameters, a few other requirements have to be met as follows:
- Adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct
- Align your activities with the Conditions of Accreditations
- Implement Quality Assurance Processes
- Demonstrate relevant knowledge, experience, and skills
- Make sure the required insurance is maintained.
- Participate in Continuing Professional Development
Categories of FPAA Bushfire Consultants
The BPAD accreditation is supported by a country-level framework comprising three levels of accreditation as follows:
Level 1 – This accreditation level recognizes bushfire consultants who ascertain the Bush Attack Level (BAL) and suggest suitable construction and design requirements.
Level 2 – The next level of accreditation recognizes bushfire consultants who apply authorized design requirements in alignment with native governing requirements to develop planning and building implementations. It is permitted for the professionals operating at this level to take on the tasks associated with Level 1.
Level 3 – The last accreditation recognizes FPAA bushfire consultants who generate alternative development solutions in alignment with native government requirements to generate planning and building implementations. In addition to this, they are permitted to take on the obligations associated with achieving accreditation at levels 1 and 2.
If you are doubtful about an accredited practitioner suitable for your requirements, you can consult FPAA, the fire service, or the local council.
Planning and Construction in Bushfire-Prone Lands
In most territories and states, governments restrain the construction and subdivision of homes and other structures in areas classified as bushfire-prone. It is difficult work to get the assessment of BAL to align with the planning, development, and building standards for terrain that is prone to bushfires. It requires top-level skill, experience, and knowledge. These responsibilities can be undertaken only by FPAA bushfire consultants to ensure your property is not susceptible to bushfire attacks.
How Does an Accredited Bushfire Consultant Help?
The ways through which an accredited bushfire consultant helps are as follows:
- Reliable and Competent Assessment of Bushfire Attack Risks – An accredited, experienced, and professionally trained bushfire consultant will competently ascertain the bushfire risks at your location. He will provide you with pragmatic solutions for protecting your house and family.
- Make Sure You are Following the Planning, Development, and Construction Parameters – They will ensure your suggested construction layout aligns with every bushfire-associated planning, development, and construction law and fulfill the parameters of fire services and the local council.
- Save Your Money – You might save thousands of dollars in building costs by conducting an accurate assessment of the risk of a blaze occurring on your land.
- Can Get You into Your New Dwelling Faster – Your construction project will be approved quickly without any hassle because the fire services, certifiers, and local council recognize and trusts the work undertaken by FPAA bushfire consultants. It might help save a few dollars.
- Provide Suggestions to Secure Existing Structures – Accredited bushfire specialists will evaluate existing structures and make recommendations regarding the most effective means to secure them, such as the installation of sprinklers, landscaping, and protective shelters. You will be getting a bushfire-ready report for your property.
Conclusion
Many a time, you might consider it a hassle to get your property assessed through bushfire risk parameters. The alternative of self-assessment might allure you. However, you should be aware that it takes years of experience to accurately assess the risk of bushfires. Therefore, visit the FPAA site and consult an accredited practitioner for better results.
