SESSIONS

Installers’ voices matter

This session explores controversial and high-debate installation issues across key Australian fire protection standards, highlighting recent updates, TAC interpretations, and real-world challenges, followed by an open Q&A focused on practical, onsite experience. Key learning outcomes included:

  • Identify the most debated and commonly misunderstood installation issues across key Australian fire protection standards
  • Understand recent and upcoming Australian Standards changes and how they affect on-site installation practices
  • Interpret relevant TAC guidance in practical, real-world contexts
  • Apply compliant installation solutions to complex or grey-area scenarios encountered in the field
  • Engage confidently in technical discussions with industry experts, designers, and certifiers using standards-based reasoning
PRESENTER(S)
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David Isaac

Director, Fire and Safety Technologies

David is a systems application specialist in his field and an industry veteran with more than 50 years of experience in electrical systems design installation and commissioning for building services, heavy industrial installations, and essential services systems including fire detection, warning, and smoke control systems.

David is an Accredited Practitioner Fire Safety F011196D ‘Detection & Alarm Systems’ – Advanced Level 3 under the FPA Australia Fire Systems Design Accreditation Scheme for NSW and Victoria.

David holds post-trade electrical engineering certificates in ‘Building Services’ and ‘Heavy Industrial Installations’.

David is an Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Registered cabler and holds electrical licenses in NSW, Queensland, and New Zealand.

In 2016 the Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia) awarded David with the AV Viscogliosi award which recognises “Excellence for outstanding service to fire protection”.

In 2019, David was elected to the Board of Directors of the Fire Protection Association of Australia.

David is a participating member of:

Australian Standards Committee FP002 – ‘Fire Detection, Warning, Control & Intercom Systems’ which writes the suite of Australian Standards on fire detection and alarm systems.

Australian Standards Sub-Committee ME-062 advising the committee on the electrical performance and compliance for AS 1668.1 ‘The use of ventilation and air-conditioning in buildings Part 1: Fire and smoke control in buildings.’

Australian Standard Committee FP-004 – Automatic Fire Sprinkler Installations – Electrical liaison position between committees FP-002 and FP-004.

Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia) Technical Advisory Committee TAC/2.

A former FPA Australia representative to Australian Communications Industry Forum Cabling Advisory Group (ACIF/CAG) telecommunications industry cabling Standards.

David served as a volunteer in the NSW Rural Fire Service from 1978 to 1989.

In the last 30 years, David has held senior management roles for major international fire detection system manufacturers and operated in private consulting, advising corporations on building fire safety measures (safety services).

In the last 20 years, David has been an active participant in Fire Industry Associations and the Standards writing processes in Australia.

David is a consumer advocate and has published several articles on the imperative of uniformity and Code compliance of fire safety measures. David is well known for his technical expertise and has had several engagements as an expert witness.

David is a major stakeholder in regulatory reform for residential smoke alarm installations and has appeared in several Television and ABC radio programs since 2006.

Carmelo Scaffidi

Carmelo Scaffidi

EH & Product Compliance Leader, Kidde Global Solutions

Carmelo Scaffidi has over 35 years of experience in the fire industry, beginning his career as a development engineer designing fire panels to meet Australian Standards, before progressing to lead research and development and national product compliance functions.

Carmelo has played a key role in strengthening adherence to fire product standards, supporting safer and more reliable fire protection solutions across Australia.

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Nat Andrews

Director, Certifiers 2U

Nat Andrews is a leading Australian building certifier and fire safety professional known for his direct, practical approach to fire compliance and regulation. Following a strong presentation at Fire Australia 2025, Nat returns for Fire Australia 2026 with fresh insights drawn from frontline certification experience and regulatory reform discussions.

He was a keynote speaker at the building compliance conferences in New Zealand in 2024 and 2025, where his forthright views on compliance integrity, and regulatory consistency challenged conventional thinking and sparked industry-wide debate.

Highly active on LinkedIn, Nat is widely followed for his candid commentary, industry insights, and willingness to tackle the uncomfortable conversations shaping the future of fire safety and regulatory compliance across Australia and New Zealand.

Registrations closing soon 

Limited tickets remain for Australia’s largest fire protection conference. Conference sessions, networking and a free tradeshow included.

FIRE AUSTRALIA 2026 TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!