Amended December 2011

The FIRE DETECTION INSTALLERS ASSOCIATION (FDIA) shall be run and organised by a committee of participants from the fire detection, gaseous extinguishing or evacuation systems industry.

Membership shall be open to any company who gains its income from, or has an interest in, the supply, design, installation or servicing of fire detection systems, gaseous extinguishing systems or evacuation systems.

The FDIA consists of two divisions and two separate registration criteria:

Fire Detection Division and Gas Extinguishing Division

1.0 COMMITTEE

1.0.1 Committee members will be selected volunteers or nomination.
1.0.2 The committee shall consist of no less than three persons and be limited at the discretion of the chairperson.
1.0.3 At least one detection supplier and one gas extinguishing supplier shall sit on the committee.
1.0.4 All members shall serve for 1 year.
1.0.5 On completion of one year all committee members will resign.

1.1 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The executive committee shall meet and make decisions on extraordinary matters arising in between committee meetings. All decisions made by the executive committee shall be reported at the next general committee meeting.

An executive committee shall comprise of:-

1.1.1 Chairperson
1.1.2 Treasurer
1.1.3 Liaison Officer

1.2 CHAIRPERSON

1.2.1 Shall manage the executive, ensuring that the duties as set out by the constitution are carried out.
1.2.2 To prepare, along with the executive, a budget for the running of the Association on a year by year basis.
1.2.3 To ensure that regular meetings are carried out in an orderly manner.

1.3 TREASURER

1.3.1 Shall institute control measures for collecting membership fees.
1.3.2 Present financial statements at all committee meetings.
1.3.3 Shall be responsible for the banking of funds.
1.3.4 Ensure that issuing of cheques is as per the following protocol.
1.3.5 Chequebook kept by treasurer.
1.3.6 Any two signatures from three i.e. Chairman, Treasurer or other authorised person to sign cheques.
1.3.7 Cheques can only be signed that have been authorised and written out by the Treasurer.
1.3.8 Shall present a balance sheet at the AGM of the previous financial year.

1.4 LIASION OFFICER

Shall represent the FDIA at meetings they are requested to attend.

2.0 SECRETARY

2.1 Shall control all relevant correspondence.
2.2 All correspondence must be routed through the secretary.
2.3 Shall control the post box, e-mail facility and website.
2.4 Shall ensure that incoming correspondence is distributed.
2.5 Shall keep a record of all correspondence received.
2.6 Shall keep and distribute minutes of all meetings.
2.7 Shall register all new members once they are approved by the committee.

3.0 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

3.1 The AGM shall be held in the first quarter of each year.
3.2 30 Days notice is required – to be posted to all members.
3.3 Requests for items to be included into the agenda must be submitted 15 days before the AGM.
3.4 Nominations for a new committee must be handed in 15 days before the AGM.
3.5 Changes to the Constitution shall be received 15 days before the AGM and shall be tabled at the AGM requiring a majority vote before implementation.
3.6 The chairperson is responsible for controlling the counting of votes.
3.7 Minutes are to be kept by the secretary.

4.0 COMMITTEE MEETINGS

4.0.1 These shall be held a minimum of four times a year and more when necessary.
4.0.2 All committee members shall attend all meetings.
4.0.3 Emergency meetings may be called by any committee member at any time if approved by the Chairperson.
4.0.4 The executive committee may deem it necessary to meet in between committee meetings. If so, minutes of these meetings must be distributed to all other committee members.
4.0.5 Committee meetings may only be attended by committee members or their invited guests.

4.1 Attendance

4.1.1 Committee members shall attend ALL meetings.
4.1.2 Shall a committee member fail to attend two consecutive meetings the secretary will send him a warning.
4.1.3 Should a third meeting be missed the committee member shall be removed from the committee.
4.1.4 The secretary shall inform him of his dismissal in writing.

4.2 Voting

4.2.1 Any decisions required will be passed by a majority vote.
4.2.2 If a majority is not reached the chairperson will have the casting vote.

5.0 CONSTITUTION AMMENDMENTS

Changes to the constitution can be made as follows:
5.1 Recommended by any member and approved by a majority vote at the AGM.
5.2 Recommended by any committee member and approved by a majority vote at any committee meeting throughout the year.

6.0 MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be open to any company who gains its income from, or has an interest in, the supply, design, installation or servicing of fire detection systems, gaseous extinguishing systems or evacuation systems.
The levels of membership are as follows:

6.1 SUPPLIER

The following requirements must be met to register as a SUPPLIER
6.1.1 Registered Company (minimum CC).
6.1.2 Fire Detection Companies must have Minimum of 1 person employed having passed a SANS10139 P+1 and SANS10139 P+2 fire detection design courses.
6.1.3 Gas Extinguishing Companies must have Minimum of 1 person employed having passed a SANS 306 and SANS 14520 gas design courses.
6.1.4 Does not install fire detection, gas extinguishing, or evacuation systems.
6.1.5 Supplies recognised fire detection, gas extinguishing or evacuation products into the industry.

6.2 MEMBER

The following requirements must be met to register as a MEMBER
6.2.1 Company must be a minimum of CC.
6.2.2 Company must be registered with Workman's Compensation.
6.2.3 Fire Detection Companies must have Minimum of 1 person employed having passed an FDIA approved Introduction to Fire Detection Course.
6.2.4 Gas Extinguishing Companies must have Minimum of 1 person employed having passed either a SANS 306 or SANS 14520 FDIA approved gas design course.
6.2.5 At least one member of the company must have attended recognised supplier training.
6.2.6 Company must be a minimum of 1 year in business or the owner having 3 years detection or gas extinguishing experience.
6.2.7 Company must have completed 3 fire detection or gas extinguishing installations.
6.2.8 Company must have clean track record.
6.2.9 Company must have full office facilities.

IT MUST BE NOTED THAT IT IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT FOR ANY COMPANY CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN FIRE DETECTION TO BE REGISTERED WITH PSIRA. THIS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MEMBER COMPANY AND NOT THE FDIA.

6.3 HONORARY MEMBER

The following requirements must be met to register as an HONORARY MEMBER
6.3.1 Registered Company (minimum of CC) or recognised individual.
6.3.2 Installation or supply companies that reside outside of the boundaries of South Africa.
6.3.3 Companies or organisations that have an interest in fire detection or gas extinguishing but do not actively participate in the industry.
6.3.4 Honorary members have NO voting rights.
6.3.5 Honorary member fees are 50 % of normal rates.
6.4.6 Honorary members who wish to have voting rights shall pay the full membership fee.

6.4 GRADE 3 MEMBER

The following requirements must be met to register as a GRADE 3 member
6.4.1 Company must be a minimum of CC.
6.4.2 Company must be registered with Workman's Compensation.
6.4.3 Fire Detection Companies must have Minimum of 1 person employed having passed an FDIA approved Introduction to Fire Detection Course.
6.4.4 Gas Extinguishing Companies must have Minimum of 1 person employed having passed either a SANS 306 or SANS 14520 FDIA approved gas design course.
6.4.5 At least one member of the company must have attended recognised supplier training.
6.4.6 Company must be a minimum of 1 year in business or the owner having 3 years detection or gas extinguishing experience.
6.4.7 Company must have had 3 fire detection and/or gas extinguishing projects inspected by an FDIA approved inspection body.
6.4.8 Company must have clean track record.
6.4.9 Company must be able to raise a R 10, 000-00 performance bond.
6.4.10 Company must have full office facilities.

6.5 GRADE 2 MEMBER

The following requirements must be met to register as a GRADE 2 member.
6.5.1 All of the above and:
6.5.2 Company must be able to raise performance bonds of up to R 100, 000-00.
6.5.3 Company must have a 24 hour maintenance division.
6.5.4 Proven completed installation in excess of R 100, 000-00.
6.5.5 Company must have relevant staff compliment.

6.6 GRADE 1 MEMBER

The following requirements must be met to register as a GRADE 1 member
6.6.1 All of the above and:
6.6.2 One person having 5 years industry experience (or 5 years with previous company)
6.6.3 Fire Detection Companies must have Minimum of 2 persons employed having passed a SANS 10139 P+1 and SANS 10139 P+2 fire detection course. Gas Extinguishing Companies must have Minimum of 2 persons employed having passed the SANS 306 and SANS 14520 gas courses.
6.6.4 Company must be able to raise a performance bond of R 200, 000-00 (require proof).
6.6.5 Company must have a drawing facility with a CAD drawing package.
6.6.6 Company must have a full time project manager.
6.6.7 Proven installation of R 1m + (require proof).

6.7 COMPANY BRANCHES

For companies that have branch operations in other towns, each branch shall be registered separately to enable them to be listed and receive direct communication from the FDIA. Each branch must pay full fees for separate registration. Company grading will be reviewed every 3 months. The committee reserves the right to review or change any company grading at any time.

7.0 MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

7.1 All member companies shall sign and abide by the FDIA Code of Ethics.
7.2 All FDIA member companies must be in possession of the current edition of the relevant South African standards and work in accordance with the following standards:
SANS 10139, SANS 246, SANS 322 and SANS 7240 parts 16 &19 for Detection division members and
SANS 306-part 4, SANS 14520-part 1 and SANS 369 parts 1 and 2 for Gas division members.
A CD containing these standards is issued free to new members.
7.3 All FDIA member installation companies shall become “Member” status.
To obtain and maintain a grading, a minimum of three new installations shall be presented for compliance inspection by an FDIA appointed independent inspection authority every calendar year.
Should a graded member not comply with 7.3 in any year he will be automatically be re-graded to “Member” status at the end of that calendar year.

8.0 FEES

Entry will be approved on payment of the relevant entry fee.
8.1 A current joining fee is charged for new membership to either the Detection division or the Gas division.
8.2 To join both divisions of the Association an additional R 500.00 is charged.
8.3 The entry fee entitles all new members to a certificate of registration and a copy of SANS 10139, SANS 7240 part 16 & 19 and SANS 322 for detection members and a copy of SANS306- part 4 and SANS14520- Part 1 and SANS 369 part 1 and 2 for Gas division members.
Members shall be issued with an FDIA log book for detection and gas installations.
8.4 Membership fees will be reviewed and amended annually

9.0 DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

9.1 Should any written report be received of malpractice, not adhering to Standards or disputes with clients the Association shall appoint 3 committee members to review the reported incident, and if necessary appoint an independent assessor to inspect the installation, or problem, and produce a written report on the occurrence.
9.2 Should a system installation be found to be in contradiction to any of the industry standards or a member company is found guilty of malpractice they will be issued with a written warning.
9.3 The faulting member will be instructed to conduct repairs/upgrades based on the findings of the report.
9.4 If two occurrences are reported within two years the company shall be removed from the Association for a minimum of 1 year and notification posted in the next newsletter.
9.5 Member installers who do not present 3 projects per annum for inspection shall be re-graded to “Member” status.
9.6 Should the appointed inspection body report consistently poor and/or unacceptable design/installation/ commissioning practices from any member company the Association reserves the right to re-grade the company or remove the company from the Association.
9.7 Any person, company or committee member bringing the industry or the FDIA into disrepute or foreclose or distribute information pertaining to the FDIA that he may obtain from time to time may be removed from the Association.

10. LIABILITY

10.1 Whilst every care is taken to grade and list companies this is by no means an endorsement of such company or any of its employees.

The FDIA shall not be liable for any loss or damage of whatsoever nature and howsoever caused, whether by actual or alleged negligence or otherwise by any of its member companies or employees of such company.

This online version of the FDIA Constitution was revised in December 2011 and is available for download as a PDF document.