Shane Douglas Francis — Licensed Fire Protection Technician (Queensland)
Licence Details
| Licence Number | 14176 |
|---|---|
| Licence Class | Passive Fire Protection - Fire and Smoke Walls and Ceilings - Occupational |
| Status | Active |
| Financial Category | Category 2 |
| Source | QBCC |
This data is sourced from public government registers and may not reflect real-time changes. Always confirm licence details with Queensland Building and Construction Commission directly. Full disclaimer.
What a Fire Protection Technician Licence Means in Queensland
Fire protection technicians install, inspect, test, and maintain fire safety systems including fire sprinklers, fire hydrant systems, fire detection and alarm systems, portable extinguishers, fire hose reels, emergency lighting, passive fire protection (fire doors, fire-rated walls, penetration seals), and special hazard suppression systems. In Australia, fire protection is heavily regulated — all fire safety equipment must comply with the relevant Australian Standards (AS 1851 for routine maintenance, AS 2118 for sprinklers, AS 1670 for detection and alarm systems) and the National Construction Code. Building owners and occupiers have a legal obligation to maintain fire safety systems to the required standard, with annual fire safety statements required in most states. Homeowners and commercial property managers most commonly engage a fire protection technician for annual fire safety inspections, extinguisher testing and replacement, smoke alarm upgrades, emergency lighting testing, and fire door inspections.
Hiring a licensed fire protection technician means you are protected by the state's regulatory framework. Licensed tradespersons must comply with industry standards, maintain appropriate insurance, and can be held accountable through the licensing body's complaint and disciplinary processes.
The Category 2 financial category assigned to this licence determines the maximum value of work the licensee can have under contract at any one time. This category is set by Queensland Building and Construction Commission based on the licensee's assessed financial capacity.
Hiring a Licensed Fire Protection Technician in QLD
Before hiring any fire protection technician in Queensland, use this five-point checklist to protect yourself and ensure you're working with a properly licensed and insured professional.
- Verify their fire protection licence and relevant accreditations — In Queensland, fire protection work requires a QBCC licence (Fire Protection — Portable and Special Hazard, or Fire Protection — Fixed). In NSW, fire protection installers must be accredited with the relevant industry body. Across all states, technicians testing fire systems must hold competencies aligned with AS 1851. Ask for their licence number and specific accreditations — fire protection is a life-safety trade where unlicensed work can have fatal consequences.
- Ask whether they test to AS 1851 and provide compliant reports — AS 1851-2012 (Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment) specifies the frequency and scope of testing for every type of fire protection system. Your technician should test to this standard and provide a written report identifying any defects, non-conformances, and required corrective actions. This report forms part of your Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) obligations.
- Confirm they can service all fire safety systems in your building — Fire protection encompasses many sub-disciplines — a technician who services portable extinguishers may not be qualified to test hydrant systems or sprinklers. For commercial buildings with multiple fire safety measures, ask whether the company can service all systems under one contract, or whether separate specialists are needed. Consolidating services reduces the risk of items being missed.
- Ask about their response time for urgent defect rectification — When a fire safety system has a critical defect (e.g. a failed sprinkler pump, inoperable fire panel, or blocked hydrant), it must be rectified promptly to maintain building compliance and occupant safety. Ask the technician what their response time is for critical defects and whether they provide 24/7 emergency service for essential fire safety measures.
- Check they understand your Annual Fire Safety Statement obligations — In NSW, building owners must submit an AFSS to the local council and Fire and Rescue NSW each year certifying that all essential fire safety measures have been inspected and are performing to the required standard. In other states, similar obligations exist. Your fire protection technician should be able to advise on your AFSS obligations and provide the inspection reports needed to support your statement.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Provides a "pass" report without physically testing each system — AS 1851 requires hands-on testing of fire safety equipment — not just a visual walk-through. If a technician spends 20 minutes "inspecting" a building with sprinklers, hydrants, a fire panel, emergency lighting, and fire doors, they have not tested anything properly. Each system has specific test procedures that take time. A superficial inspection puts lives at risk and exposes the building owner to legal liability.
- Cannot explain AS 1851 testing requirements for your systems — A competent fire protection technician should be able to explain the routine service schedule (monthly, 6-monthly, annual, 5-yearly) for each fire safety measure in your building. If they are unfamiliar with AS 1851 or cannot describe what each service visit involves, they may not have the training or competency to perform compliant inspections.
- Does not provide a written defect report after inspection — Every fire safety inspection must result in a detailed written report listing each system tested, the outcome (pass/fail), and any defects requiring rectification. A technician who gives only a verbal "all good" and no written documentation leaves you without the evidence needed for your AFSS and exposes you if a fire occurs and the system fails.
Typical Fire Protection Technician Costs in Queensland
| Hourly Rate | $85 – $140 |
|---|---|
| Callout Fee | $80 – $130 |
| Smoke alarm installation (per unit) | $80 – $200 |
| Fire extinguisher supply and install | $100 – $250 |
| Fire sprinkler system service | $300 – $800 |
View full fire protection technician pricing guide for Queensland →
Your Rights — Complaints & Disputes in Queensland
Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
How to Lodge a Complaint
- 1 Write to the tradesperson detailing the issue and requesting rectification within a reasonable timeframe (usually 14 days)
- 2 If unresolved, lodge a complaint online via the QBCC website or call 139 333
- 3 QBCC will assess the complaint and may arrange an inspection
Read our full guide to hiring a licensed fire protection technician →