FAQs

  • Do I need a Fire Safety Adviser?

    A Fire Safety Adviser is required in a high occupancy building as per the Qld Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008.

  • What is a high occupancy building?

    A high occupancy building is defined by the Qld Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008 as one of the following:

    • a class 2 or 3 building more than 25m high;
    • a class 2, 3, 5, 6, 7b, 8, 9a, or 9b building that is a workplace- (i) prescribed under the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008, section 56; and (ii) where 30 or more workers are normally employed within the meaning of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995, section 93(5); or
    • a class 6 or 9b building that the commissioner has decided is an at risk licensed building under section 104KD of the Fire Service Act.

  • We are an aged care facility. Do we need a Fire Safety Adviser?

    A Fire Safety Adviser is required in Class 9a and 9b buildings.  Class 9c buildings do not require a Fire Safety Adviser.  You will need to find out which class of building you are in to determine whether or not you require a Fire Safety Adviser.

  • We manage a shopping centre. Do we need to have a Fire Safety Adviser?

    The Qld Building Fire Safety Regulation requires a Fire Safety Adviser to be appointed where there are 30 or more workers (not employees).  It is DELTRA Australia's opinion that managing entities within shopping centres which comprise of more than 30 workers are required to appoint a Fire Safety Adviser.

  • As well as the Asset Maintenance qualification, what else do I need to do to get a BSA licence?

    You need to visit the BSA (Building Services Authority) website and look at the licence class "Fire Fighting Appliances".  The website address is www.bsa.qld.gov.au.  The direct web address is http://www.bsa.qld.gov.au/Home/BuildersContractors/LicensingInformation/NewClasses/FTFA.htm.   
    Alternatively, call the BSA for assistance on ph. 1300 272 272.

  • If I do the Asset Maintenance course, am I able to service my own fire extinguishers?

    The QFRS has advised DELTRA Australia that you must be licensed to be able to service or maintain your own fire fighting equipment in Queensland.

  • Where can I get information about licensing?

    DELTRA Australia is an RTO, and not a licensing organisation.  We are unable to provide licensing information.  We recommend that you contact the following:

    • Qld Building Services Authority (BSA) ph. 1300 272 272 or www.bsa.qld.gov.au;
    • Fire Protection Industry Board (FPIB)   ph. 07 3272 0263.

  • Do I need evacuation signs/plans?

    Yes.  Evacuation plans are a requirement of the Qld Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008.

  • How many evacuation signs/plans do I need, and where do I put them?

    Evacuation signs must be located in conspicuous positions along paths of egress (escape).

  • Do my staff need fire extinguisher training?

    Yes.  Fire extinguisher instruction is required for all staff every two years.  In high occupancy buildings, this instruction must be given by a Fire Safety Adviser or an RTO (Registered Training Organisation). 

  • Do my staff need Warden training?

    Yes.  Warden (Emergency Control Organisation/ ECO) training is required once per year.  In high occupancy buildings, this training must be given by a Fire Safety Adviser or a person appointed by the Fire Safety Adviser. 

  • How many Wardens do I need?

    The number of Wardens (Emergency Control Organisation/ ECO members) appointed for a building must be determined by a risk analysis of the building, which includes analysis of the layout of the building and the number of staff within the building during operating hours.  There are no solid rules on determining the number of Wardens for a building.  A suitable number of Wardens must be appointed to the ECO to ensure that their duties may be carried out effectively.

  • What sort of training do I have to give my staff (ie induction and staff session training)?

    All staff within a building must be given the following instruction: 

    • induction training (general evacuation instructions) once per year;
    • fire extinguisher training (first-response evacuation instruction) once every two years; and
    • evacuation practice once per year.

  • What is general evacuation instruction?

    Instructions about:

    • the location of the fire safety reference points for the building (ie. location of exits, WIP phones, manual call points or emergency alarm buttons, fire extinguishers, hose reels and blankets, the designated assembly area/s and how to get to the designated assembly area/s); and
    • the procedures for evacuating the building safely in the event of a fire or hazardous materials emergency.

  • What is first-response evacuation instruction?

    Training about the method of operation of manually operated fire alarms and fire fighting equipment (fire extinguishers, hose reels, fire blankets) in the building.

  • What is evacuation coordination instruction?

    Instructions on procedures for:

    • alerting and communicating with people in the building;
    • alerting the fire service, including using manually operated fire alarms;
    • evacuating people with special needs, members of the public and other people in the building to a designated assembly area;
    • checking whether all people have been evacuated from the building;
    • informing the Evacuation Coordinator of the number of people evacuated and those not accounted for; and
    • meeting the fire brigade. 

  • What is an Evacuation Coordinator?

    An Evacuation Coordinator is defined in Section 21 Part 3(h) of the Qld Building Fire Safety Reglation 2008.  It is the person in charge of evacuating a building.  It is the same person as a Chief Warden (AS3745-2002) and Emergency Coordinator (AS4083-1997).

  • How often do I need to run evacuation exercises?

    Evacuation exercises must be conducted once per year.

  • What sort of fire equipment do I need?

    You need to consult with a fire equipment installation company.  DELTRA Australia recommends:

    • Olympic Fire Services ph. (07) 3390 8337
    • Fire Service Professionals ph. (07) 3843 3433
    • Action Fire Extinguishers  ph. (07) 3277 6159