Fire protection equipment servicing registration/licensing deadline extended
The Plumbing Regulations 2018 clarified that the routine servicing of fire protection equipment is considered plumbing work and must be carried out by an appropriately qualified practitioner. In response, following consultation with industry, the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) introduced four new restricted classes for the routine servicing of fire protection equipment.
Anyone working on the routine servicing of fire protection equipment must be registered or licensed with the VBA. After 31 July 2021, unregistered or unlicensed practitioners carrying out this work will be subject to VBA enforcement action.
Due to COVID-19, the date for registration/licensing was extended from 31 December 2020 to 31 July 2021.
The routine servicing of fire protection equipment is an important part of a building’s essential safety measures that help keep Victorians safe.
Ongoing restricted classes
The following restricted classes will be available on an ongoing basis for people who gain registration or a licence:
- Fire Protection restricted to the routine servicing of fire hose reels
- Fire Protection restricted to the routine servicing of unpumped hydrants and valves
Transitional restricted classes
The following restricted classes will be available on a temporary basis up until 31 July 2021:
- Fire Protection restricted to the routine servicing of pumped hydrants and valves
- Fire Protection restricted to the routine servicing of fire sprinkler systems
All other restricted fire protection classes not mentioned above are not impacted by this change and practitioners operating under those licenses/registrations can continue to carry out that work as usual.
People who gain registration or a licence in either of the transitional restricted classes will be eligible to work until 31 July 2021. After this time, to continue working in this area they will need to be enrolled in the Certificate III in Fire Protection. The cut-off date to complete the Certificate III in Fire Protection in order to keep working is 31 December 2025.