Recommended Study Sequence

Click unit name to reveal description:

Advanced Standing

Subject to UWS policy

Admission

Applications to this course must be made through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). International applicants should contact UWS International for details on admission. Contact information for the International Office is available from the University's website.

Candidates must posess a degree in either building, architecture, engineering or science. Candidates without a degree but with an Associate Diploma in building or related area or full corporate membership of the Institute of Fire Engineers must have at least five years relevant professional work experience in the field or a related profession. Applicants with ten years post qualification experience and employment in a senior position will be considered for admission on the basis that they can demonstrate the ability to undertake postgraduate study. This may involve a written submission and/or an interview or, alternatively, the submission of evidence of general or professional qualifications and experience.

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points as per the recommended sequence below. All units are compulsory. The course structure comprises the following units. In some instances due to resource and demand, there may be a need to rearrange the pattern set down below:

Session 1

Fire and Building Regulations

To familiarise students with the BCA and in particular those aspects of fire engineering incorporated within the regulations. To provide students with an opportunity to relate current research to the BCA. Topics: Building Code of Australia General Provisions, Structure, Fire Resistance Services and Equipment, Health and Amenity Ancillary Provisions, Philosophy, performance versus prescriptions, testing, produce accreditation, processes. Relationship of research to the regulations, authorities, fire hazard assessment, for detection and prevention, material and people behaviour during fire.

Fire Engineering 1 (Fire Dynamics)

This unit aims to develop a detailed knowledge of fire behaviour and dynamics in order to apply the basis of fire safety engineering calculations and fire safety systems. Fuels and combustion process; chemistry of combustion in fire; flammability limits; premixed flames; laminar jet diffusion flames; turbulent jet diffusion flames; flames from natural fires; fire plumes; burning of liquids; burning of solids; ignition of flammable vapour/air mixtures; ignition of liquids; piloted ignition of solids; spontaneous ignition; smouldering and glowing combustion; extinction and extinguishment; the phenomenology of flame spread; models of flame spread; flames spread through open fuel beds; pre flashover compartment fires; growth to flashover; post flashover fires; fire resistance and fire severity; projection of flames from burning compartments; spread of fire from a compartment; production and measurement of smoke; smoke movement.

Session 2

Fire Safety Systems 1 (Property)

To develop a high level of knowledge of fire safety systems relevant to property protection and of the design and assessment of such systems. To develop an understanding of risk assessment and cost benefit analysis applicable to protection from fire. Fire spread, fire severity, heat transfer and FRL by calculation, passive systems and performance, risk assessment for insurance purposes; cost benefit analysis.

Building Fire Services

The unit develops the student's understanding of various types of building services and fire safety systems, their types and their application and introduces methods of applying recommendations of fire engineering assessments with respect to building services and systems.

Session 3

Fire Engineering 2 (Fire Models)

This unit aims to develop an understanding of various types of computational tools used in engineering design of fire safety systems. Its aims to develop an understanding of the basic phenomena being modelled and the limitations of the models in representing the real phenomena. Single room zone models; multi room zone models; field models for fire growth; field models for smoke movement; structural ethics in research and the methods for writing a scientific thesis and presentation.

Fire Safety Systems 2 (Life Safety)

To develop a high level of knowledge of fire safety systems relevant to life protection and of the design and assessment of such systems. Timeline analysis; design fires, regulatory objectives, unfavourable conditions; detection and alarm systems, smoke movement and control; life risk analysis; human behaviour and performance; evacuation systems; sprinklers and life safety.

Session 4

Built Environment Research Project

The unit will help students to solve problems in a focused professional context. The skills that are acquired can be applied to a wide range of issues in the construction industry since the method of problem solving does not change overly with the problem. The unit requires the student to identify a problem, review current literature, critically appraise the literature, develop a research question, prepare a research plan, analyse the research findings and communicate the findings and recommendations.

Master in Fire Safety Engineering

This course is designed to provide professionals with the skills and knowledge to assess, evaluate and recommend fire safety solutions. The course caters for the growing need to understand fire safety engineering principles, is relevant to professionals developing alternative solutions using the Building Code of Australia and the Fire Engineering Guidelines and is a recognised qualification for professionals seeking accreditation as a Fire Safety Engineer.

Fire and Safety at UWS

This is one of two Masters courses in this area available in Australia. It has 12 years history and is well regarded by the building industry nationally and internationally.

The Master of Fire Safety Engineering takes a balanced approach to training in fundamental knowledge and problem solving skills. Students will gain a sound understanding of building regulations, fire dynamics, building response to fires, human behaviour and risk assessment. They will also gain knowledge in the practical design process adopted by the industry as well as experience in conducting a research project on an individual basis.

This course is taught by leading industrial experts as well as academics at the University. It is a distance learning course, with flexible modes offered to cater for students’ needs.

It’s all about career opportunities

Graduates will have the opportunity to become accredited fire safety engineer or pursue careers as fire safety project managers or fire safety inspectors. Students may be exposed to more employment opportunities while enrolled in the course.

Industry Accreditation

This is a recognised qualification for professionals seeking accreditation as a Fire Safety Engineer.

Duration

Two years part-time

Location

Penrith

How to Apply

All domestic applications for entry to UWS postgraduate courses must be made through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Step by step instructions are available on on How to Apply pages.

Admission Requirements

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points.

Do you need more information?

Request a course and application information pack:
Course Enquiry Form
International Course Enquiry Form

Alternatively you are welcome to contact us.