Fire protection upskilling requirements | Queensland Building and Construction Commission

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On 1 May 2021, the new fire licensing framework commenced. As part of the changes, some licence classes required upskilling.  If you held or applied for an affected fire protection licence class listed on this page prior to 1 May 2021, you are required to complete an upskilling qualification and submit evidence to the QBCC by the due date.

Upskilling requirements

Click on a licence class below for more information about the upskilling requirements.

There are some exemptions from having to meet the following criteria, and these are noted below the relevant classes.

Trade contractor or nominee licence holders

(Former licence: Special hazard suppression systems—certify—restricted to gaseous and water mist and reticulated foam proportioning systems)

You were required to complete both of the following courses by 1 May 2023:

  • Certify wet and dry chemical suppression systems (installation) (QLD344HCI11A)
  • Certify wet and dry chemical suppression systems (maintenance) (QLD344HCM14A)

New qualifications QBCC will accept:

  • Certify the installation of wet and dry chemical suppression systems (NAT11002010 )
  • Certify the maintenance of wet and dry chemical suppression systems (NAT11002013) 
New licence class: Fire protection—special hazard fire system stream—certify 

(Former licence: Special hazard suppression systems—certify—restricted to chemical and foam special hazard systems)

You were required to complete both of the following courses by 1 May 2023:

  • Certify gaseous fire suppression systems (installation) (QLD344HGI12A)
  • Certify gaseous fire suppression systems (maintenance)(QLD344HGM15A)

New qualifications QBCC will accept:

  • Certify the installation of gaseous fire suppression systems (NAT11002011)
  • Certify the maintenance of gaseous fire suppression systems (NAT11002014) 
     
Exception: those who held an unrestricted Special hazard suppression system—certify licence prior to 1 May 2021 are not required to upskill

(Former licence: Special Hazard Suppression Systems—maintain—restricted to gaseous, water mist and reticulated foam proportioning systems)

Complete the following course by 1 May 2025:

  • Certificate III in fire protection (CPC32813)

New qualifications QBCC will accept:

  • Certificate III in fire protection (CPC32820)

(Former licence: Fire detection, alarm and warning systems—install and maintain—extra low voltage)

Complete the following course/s by 1 May 2025:

  • Certificate III in fire protection control (UEE31011); and
  • if the licensee has not successfully completed the certificate on or before 1/5/2021-the competency unit Inspect and test emergency and exit lighting systems (CPPFES2026A):
  • or if the licensee is the holder of an electrical mechanic licence, successful completion of the following competency units: 
    • Prevent ozone depleting substance and synthetic greenhouse gas emissions (CPPFES2043A) 
    • Enter and verify programs for fire protection systems (UEEEC0026)
    • Install fire detection and warning system apparatus (UEEEC0041)
    • Repairs basic electronic apparatus faults by replacement of components (UEEEC0060)
    •  Verify compliance and functionality of fire protection system installation (UEEEC0076)
    • Install and maintain cabling for multiple access to telecommunication services (UEEDV0005)

New qualifications QBCC will accept:

  • Certificate III in fire protection control (UEE31020); and
  • if the licensee has not successfully completed the certificate on or before 1/5/2021-the competency unit Inspect and test emergency and exit lighting systems (CPPFES2026A):
  • or if the licensee is the holder of an electrical mechanic licence, successful completion of the following competency units: 
    • Prevent ozone depleting substance and synthetic greenhouse gas emissions (CPPFES2043A) 
    • Enter and verify programs for fire protection systems (UEEEC0026)
    • Install fire detection and warning system apparatus (UEEEC0041)
    • Repairs basic electronic apparatus faults by replacement of components (UEEEC0060)
    • Verify compliance and functionality of fire protection system installation (UEEEC0076)
    • .Install and maintain cabling for multiple access to telecommunication services (UEEDV0005)

(Former licence: Emergency lighting—certify)

Complete the following course by 1 May 2027:

  • Certificate IV in Fire Systems Compliance—Fire Detection Systems stream 30903QLD—fire detection including the following competency units:
    • Provide photometric data for illumination system design (UEENEEG184A) 
    • Select effective and efficient light sources and luminaries for given locations and designs (UEENEEG185A)

New qualifications QBCC will accept:

  • Certificate IV in fire systems compliance—(11002NAT) fire detection-including the following competency units:
    • Provide photometric data for illumination system design (UEEEL0Certificate IV in Fire Systems Compliance – Fire Detection 
      Systems stream 30903QLD063) 
    • Select effective and efficient light sources and luminaries for given locations and designs (UEEEL0070)

Occupational licence holders

(Former licence: Special hazard suppression systems—certify—restricted to gaseous and water mist and reticulated foam proportioning systems Occupational)

You were required to complete the following course by 1 May 2023:

  • Certify wet and dry chemical suppression systems (installation) (QLD344HCI11A) & Certify wet and dry chemical suppression systems (maintenance) (QLD344HCM14A)

New qualifications QBCC will accept:

  • Certify the installation of wet and dry chemical suppression systems (NAT11002010) & Certify the maintenance of wet and dry chemical suppression systems (NAT11002013)
New licence: Fire protection special hazard fire system stream—occupational—certify 

(Former licence: Special hazard suppression systems—certify—restricted to chemical and foam special hazard systems—occupational)

You were required to complete the following course by 1 May 2023:

  • Certify gaseous fire suppression systems (installation) (QLD344HGI12A) & Certify gaseous fire suppression systems (maintenance)(QLD344HGM15A)

New qualifications QBCC will accept:

  • Certify the installation of gaseous fire suppression systems (NAT11002011) & Certify the maintenance of gaseous fire suppression systems (NAT11002014) 
Exception: those who held an unrestricted Special hazard suppression system—certify licence prior to 1/5/2021 are not required to upskill

(Former licence: Special hazard suppression systems—maintain—restricted to gaseous, water mist and reticulated foam proportioning systems—occupational)

Complete the following course by 1 May 2025:

Certificate III in fire protection (CPC32813)

New qualifications QBCC will accept:

Certificate III in fire protection (CPC32820)

(Former licence: Fire detection, alarm and warning systems—install and maintain—extra low voltage—occupational)

Complete the following course/s by 1 May 2025:

  • Certificate III in fire protection control (UEE31011); and
  • if the licensee has not successfully completed the certificate on or before 1/5/2021—the competency unit Inspect and test emergency and exit lighting systems (CPPFES2026A).

New qualifications QBCC will accept:

  • Certificate III in fire protection control (UEE31020); and
  • if the licensee has not successfully completed the certificate on or before 1/5/2021—the competency unit Inspect and test emergency and exit lighting systems (CPPFES2026A).
Note: if the licensee holds and electrical mechanic licence issued by the Electrical Safety Office, the licensee is not required to meet any upskilling requirements.

(Former licence: Emergency lighting—certify—occupational)

Complete the following course/s by 1 May 2027:

  • Certificate IV in Fire Systems Compliance—Fire Detection Systems stream 30903QLD—fire detection including the following competency units:
    • Provide photometric data for illumination system design (UEENEEG184A)
    • Select effective and efficient light sources and luminaries for given locations and designs (UEENEEG185A)

New qualifications QBCC will accept:

  • Certificate IV in fire systems compliance—(11002NAT) fire detection-including the following competency units:
    • Provide photometric data for illumination system design (UEEEL0063)
    • Select effective and efficient light sources and luminaries for given locations and designs (UEEEL0070)

You can fulfil your upskilling requirement by completing the relevant training course/s with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). See Training.gov.au.

Once complete, you must lodge the qualifications with the QBCC by the due date to meet the upskilling requirement.

Lodge your qualifications

Are alternative competencies acceptable?

We will accept newer versions of the prescribed requirements as detailed above. In addition, we may accept qualifications that are at least equivalent to the above qualifications. For a list of acceptable qualifications, please refer to Training.gov.au.

When to contact the QBCC

You can contact the fire upskilling team for assistance if you:

  • are having difficulty enrolling in the required qualification or you do not believe you will complete the qualification by the due date
  • have qualifications that you believe are at least equivalent to the prescribed qualifications as the QBCC can provide advice as to whether they are acceptable
  • have completed the prescribed qualification and wish to confirm compliance with the requirements.
Last reviewed: 19 Sep 2023 Last published: 19 Sep 2023
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