Chapter History
SFPE Australia was established to provide a dedicated professional community for fire protection and fire safety engineering professionals within Australia.
Initially, the Chapter focused on supporting and collaborating with allied industry associations while building awareness of SFPE’s global technical resources and professional network. Over time, the Australian Chapter expanded its role within the industry, becoming an increasingly active contributor to technical discussions, professional education, and industry engagement.
A significant milestone in the Chapter’s development was its transition into an Incorporated Association in Australia. This step marked the maturity and long-term commitment of the organisation to supporting the Australian fire protection engineering community.
Today, SFPE Australia continues to evolve with a strong emphasis on:
- Fire safety engineering
- Fire protection systems and technologies
- Industrial fire and risk management
- Technical leadership and knowledge sharing
- Professional collaboration across industry sectors
Connection to Global SFPE
SFPE Australia is proudly connected to the international Society of Fire Protection Engineers network.
As an official chapter of SFPE, the Australia Chapter provides members with direct access to global expertise, technical resources, and international collaboration opportunities. Through this connection, Australian members can participate in:
- International conferences and symposiums
- Global research initiatives
- Technical committees and working groups
- Continuing education programs
- Worldwide networking opportunities
- Access to industry-leading publications and standards discussions
Leadership Committee
Leadership Team
SFPE Australia is led by a dedicated Board and Committee of industry professionals committed to advancing fire safety engineering and supporting the professional community across Australia.
Dr Jonathan Barnett
President SFPE Australia
- Current Role: Managing Director, Basic Expert Pty Ltd
- Industry Experience: 40+ years in fire safety engineering across Australia, US, Europe, and NZ
- Areas of Expertise: Fire safety engineering, forensic investigation, combustible cladding, structural fire protection
- Contribution to SFPE Australia: Leads the chapter as President, supporting technical direction and industry engagement
- Qualifications & Achievements:
- PhD in Mechanical Engineering
- Chartered Professional Engineer
- Fellow of Engineers Australia & SFPE
- Inducted into Society of Fire Safety Hall of Fame
Dr Frank Mendham
Vice President SFPE Australia
- Current Role: Director, Mendham Consultants Pty Ltd
- Industry Experience: Extensive experience in industrial fire engineering, hazardous chemicals, and high-risk facilities
- Areas of Expertise: Dangerous goods, fire safety systems, hazard analysis, risk engineering, emergency planning
- Contribution to SFPE Australia: Supports leadership and technical development as Vice President
- Qualifications & Achievements:
- PhD in Industrial Fire Engineering
- Chartered Engineer (CEng), RPEQ
- Companion Fellow, Institution of Fire Engineers
- Professional Member, SFPE (PMSFPE)