NSW DBP Act – Fire Engineer's Perspective – On Demand

Watch this ACA NSW/ACT webinar for an insightful technical presentation exploring the NSW Design & Building Practitioners Act from the perspective of a Fire Safety Engineer. Luke Sheehy provides valuable insights into meeting regulatory expectations, enhancing coordination, and ensuring compliance with the Act, along with unpacking real-world examples. Originally held 26 February 2025.

This technical presentation offers an in-depth exploration of the Design & Building Practitioners Act (NSW) from the perspective of a Fire Safety Engineer. The session examines the legislative framework, key compliance requirements, and the responsibility of fire safety engineers in ensuring that recommendations within their reports are accurately reflected in the declared designs prepared by other practitioners.

The presentation emphasises the vital collaborative role between fire safety engineers, architects and other design professionals in preparing Design Compliance Declarations. The session covers best practices for coordination, integrating fire safety engineering requirements throughout the design process, and how multidisciplinary teams can streamline compliance to avoid costly redesigns or documentation updates during the IFC stage of a project.

The content also includes a case study of a recent audit conducted by NSW Fair Trading on a declared fire safety engineering report. This audit included a review of the Fire Engineering Report (FER) as well as design documentation from other designers, including the registered architect/design practitioner.

By unpacking real-world examples and industry best practices, the aim of the session is to provide architects and design professionals with valuable insights into meeting regulatory expectations, enhancing coordination, and ensuring compliance with the Act, particularly in relation to fire safety engineering reports and other recommendations from consultants who do not qualify as design practitioners under the Act.

OUR SPEAKER

Luke Sheehy is the Managing Director of DC Partnership, a consultancy specialising in fire safety engineering, building codes, and accessibility. With over 20 years of experience, Luke has led numerous high-profile projects and is committed to delivering practical, cost-effective fire safety solutions. His expertise includes regulatory approval processes, stakeholder engagement, performance-based building codes, and program delivery.

Luke holds a Master of Engineering (Building Fire Safety & Risk Engineering), a Graduate Certificate in Performance Building & Fire Codes & Risk Engineering, and a Graduate Diploma in Building Surveying. His leadership ensures projects meet regulatory requirements and architectural goals.

COST

Completion of this 1 hour webinar and submission of the self-checked assessment task will deliver 1 formal CPD point.

Learning outcomes –

• Understand the Design & Building Practitioners Act NSW and its impact on fire safety engineering.
• Learn how fire safety engineers, architects, and design practitioners can meet compliance requirements.
• Understand the NSW Fair Trading audit process and how to respond to audit findings.
• Recognise the importance of coordination between stakeholders to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Learn how to manage compliance within construction timelines to avoid project delays.

Units of Competency and Performance Criteria – 

• Statutory Requirements / Building Codes / Standards – PC12
• Detailed Design and Construction Documentations – PC46

APBSA Core Area – Detailed Design and Construction Documentation

Links will be provided for recording access and CPD questions. Please complete questions after viewing the webinar in its entirety. Certificates will be provided following online submission of answers to questions. Please keep your receipt, completed questions and certificate for your CPD records.

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