Have your say: New licensing in Queensland

Comments

1. Kristof Skawinski CPEng RPEQ

   June 21, 2019

   I will refer to Queensland regulations and in more general terms to HVAC engineering (design, installation) and related certifications.
   I have 37 years of experience as a professional engineer and project manager in mechanical and HVAC fields and I would like to make few points.
   # Substandard design practices and non-compliant installation work in HVAC systems is at the endemic proportion in Queensland now. I suspect the same in other states.
   # So called QBCC licencing for limited and unlimited design is a joke. In addition, it undermines and it makes mockery of mandatory RPEQ registrations and other professional registrations in Australia (CPEng, NER etc).
   # Forms 15 and 16 with non-compliant and substandard design and installation work are everywhere.
   # About 50% of my own income as a professional engineer is through attending and fixing complains related to substandard design or installation on commercial and residential building. In some cases it goes up to 7-8 years after original installation completion and handover.
   # Majority of cases are related to non-compliant, badly designed or lack of any design in relation to: a) kitchen exhaust systems, b) car-park ventilation systems, c) stair pressurisation systems d) excessive noise and e) general issues with AC and ventilation systems design and installation.
   # In large proportion the above problems relate to technical incompetence of individuals – often with QBCC licences.
   # In my opinion, to fix the problem I would propose the following legislation for QLD (same for all other states): Form-15 certifications should be done by people doing their own design and RPEQs only …and b) Form-16 certifications should be done only by RPEQs who are business independent from construction teams.
   Thank you.
   # There is no policing and execution of prosecution on non-compliant design and substandard installations.

   Reply
   1. Barry Dever

      June 23, 2019

      Barry Dever.Mechanical contractor .Toowoomba, Queensland. Firstly, I totally support the comments of our industry colleague. Kristof.
      Secondly, I believe at the start of the mining boom when tradesmen were in short demand by modular construction companies, the poorly legislated Certificate II industry was born. Poorly qualified RTO’s popped up on every street corner to issue these certificates to eager workers who had only to invest a few days of their time to be presented with a certificate II.Unfortunately as all fully trained refrigeration and air conditioning tradespeople who have come through 4 years of the correct trade training colleges and field work will confirm that since the mining boom ended many certificate II workers are in mainstream contracting damaging the reputation of the industry. I firmly believe all certificate II workers have their licences revoked immediately until the complete the correct 4 year industry recognised training process is completed leading back to the time when a tradesperson was just that.The powerful electrical and plumbing industries would never have allowed a system to be introduced in their industry devaluing their trade and placing the public at risk as it has done in the HVACR industries.
      And finally I totally agree that until all building works and the mechanical services installed within developments are inspected and certified by independent government certifiers not affiliated with any mechanical contractors or building contractors in any way will projects be delivered to documented Australian Standards.

      Reply