Who can do what in a sprinkler project? (June 2013)
The range of people that could be involved in providing a fire sprinkler system is summarised
below to show where designers and installers fit in the overall process. Not all sprinkler
system retrofits will involve all of these people / functions – some are a matter of choice for
the aged care provider.
If you are having your system designed and installed by external people, check that the
project team includes the appropriate expertise.
Function
Commonly used
name(s)
Legally
required for
sprinkler
retrofit?
No
Licence / accreditation
requirements
Source?
Not applicable
Project management /
oversight
Project manager
(internal or external)
Design the sprinkler
system (pressure and
flows, placement of
sprinkler heads etc)
Approve sprinkler
retrofit plan
Hydraulic design
consultant / hydraulic
engineer
No
Not applicable
Council or accredited
private certifier*
Yes
Yes – accredited by NSW
Building Professionals Board
Sprinkler system
installation
Plumber / installer /
contractor
Yes
Yes – licence from NSW Fair
Trading as plumber, or water
plumber (fire protection
systems), or water plumber
(fire sprinkler systems).
Carry out physical
inspections at critical
stages of installation
Principal certifying
authority (council or
accredited private
certifier)*
Certify
Yes
Yes – accredited by NSW
Building Professionals Board
No. This check
is good practice.
The original
designer could
perform this
check.
Yes
Not applicable
Check that installation
occurred as per design
Principal certifying
Yes – accredited by NSW
authority (council or
Building Professionals Board
accredited private
certifier)*
*Essentially an expert on the Building Code of Australia; usually not someone with expert knowledge
of hydraulic design. The Principal Certifying Authority (PCA) will usually rely on certificates from the
system designer and installer.
Check that installation is
suitable for use