The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed by oral or written questioning covering:

underpinning knowledge of the effects of ODS and SGG emissions and current arrangements

workplace examples of action taken to reduce risk of emissions and responses to potential or actual breaches of legislation.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the required skills and knowledge specified in this unit.

In particular the person should demonstrate the ability to:

apply understanding of ozone layer depletion and global warming for:

discussing the effect of ODS and SGG emissions on the ozone layer and global warming

describing the impact of ozone depletion and global warming on human health and the environment

assessing impact on fire protection industry work practices

proposing changes to fire protection industry work practices to meet ODS and SGG legal requirements

taking action to respond to potential and actual breaches of ODS and SGG regulations

locate, interpret and explain:

ODS and SGG legal requirements for handling extinguishing agents in the fire protection industry

EAHL types, associated responsibilities, usage permits and trading authorisations

agreements, protocols, regulatory requirements, fire protection industry code of practice, and Australian standards relevant to EAHL.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context. It is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards’ requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

assessment documentation

necessary legislation and regulatory documents, manuals, textbooks and other relevant documentation

training and assessment record books.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Property Services Training Package

include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application

reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles

confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Guidance information for assessment

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.

Required skills

language, literacy and numeracy skills to:

communicate with others clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing

read and comply with work industry regulations and codes of practice

interpret information

initiative and enterprise skills to:

seek advice on license requirements

apply understanding of ozone layer depletion and global warming to change and improve fire protection industry work practices

identify and act upon learning opportunities

technology skills to use technology to access information

Required knowledge

effect of ozone layer

actions to take where a breach of ODS and SGG policies and procedures occurs

effect of:

ODS and SGG emissions on ozone depletion and global warming

ozone depletion and global warming on environment and human health

factors involved in global warming

implications of not applying ODS and SGG legislative requirements to the workplace

key features of:

legislation, regulations and standards applicable to ozone protection in the fire protection industry

fire protection industry codes of practice

ODS and SGG substances used in the fire protection industry

ODS and SGG EAHL features and requirements, authorisations and permit requirements

relevant federal, state or territory legislation that affects organisational operations

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Rules and regulations may include:

dangerous goods regulations

environmental regulations

fire protection industry codes of practice

licensing arrangements, such as EAHL

manufacturers’ system manuals

ODS and SGG legislation, codes and regulations, including penalties and policing

OHS legislation, regulations and codes

other relevant legislation relating to fire protection equipment, including:

international shipping codes

marine codes for different Australian States

requirements of Australian petroleum industry

relevant agreements and protocols

relevant Australian standards, such as:

AS 1851 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment

note: Australian standards are frequently revised and users must always check for currency and amendments

relevant federal, state and territory Acts, regulations and codes.

Requirements may be confirmed with:

colleagues

managers

supervisors

team leaders.

Work procedures may include:

assignment instructions

equipment manufacturers’ requirements

instructions from colleagues, supervisor or manager

personal protective equipment requirements

reporting and documentation requirements

specific customer requirements.

Checking compliance requirements may include ensuring that:

persons trading in ODS and SGG hold the appropriate trading authorisation or ODS and SGG permit

scope of work to be undertaken is covered by the appropriate license.

Action may include:

advising customer

documenting non-compliance

making equipment safe

reporting, as required.

Types of extinguishing agent handling licence include:

control systems installation, commissioning and decommissioning

fixed system installation and decommissioning

fixed system testing and maintenance

portable fire extinguisher maintenance

recovery, reclamation, fill and recycling

warehouse maintenance.

Entitlements of licensees include:

portable fire extinguisher maintenance licence entitles holder:

to charge and recharge a portable fire extinguisher with non-ODS and SGG agent

note: a reclaim and refill licence is required to charge or recharge a portable extinguisher with ODS or SGG

repair the extinguisher valve

fixed system installation and decommissioning licence entitles holder to:

install and decommission a gaseous fire-extinguishing system (fire protection equipment) including to:

install and disconnect actuation devices (mechanisms) to and from container valves

install and disconnect gaseous agent containers

install and disconnect interconnections to other gaseous system containers

install and disconnect ancillary equipment connections to manifold and pipework

attach and remove transport equipment, such as valve outlet and actuator port caps, plugs and locking devices installed to prevent accidental discharge

commission actuation control devices set to operate and engage safety devices as needed and decommission these devices

fixed system testing and maintenance licence entitles holder to:

test and maintain a gaseous fire-extinguishing system (fire protection equipment), including to:

test actuation release systems

disconnect and reconnect actuation devices (mechanisms)

disconnect and reconnect interconnections to other gaseous system containers

disconnect and reconnect ancillary equipment connections from containers to manifold and pipework

test actuation devices (mechanisms)

perform tests and maintenance on any fire detection and alarm system, including any remote operation panel and actuation and control system that interfaces with or forms part of a gaseous fire-extinguishing system

perform tests and maintenance on gaseous agent containers and ancillary equipment connections from containers to manifold and pipework

recovery, reclamation, fill and recycling licence entitles holder to:

recover, reclaim, fill and recycle an extinguishing agent into and from a fire extinguisher and gaseous fire-extinguishing system container, from and to a bulk agent container

warehouse maintenance licence entitles holder to:

monitor for leakage stocks of extinguishing agent bulk agent containers in a warehouse and, as needed, to transfer extinguishing agent from a leaking storage container

control systems installation, commissioning and decommissioning licence entitles holder to:

install, commission and decommission a fire detection and alarm system, including any remote operation panel and actuation and control system that interfaces with or forms part of a gaseous fire-extinguishing system.

Ozone layer facts include:

composed of ozone (O3), which is a form of oxygen in which the oxygen molecule contains three atoms of oxygen instead of the usual two

ozone forms less than 0.4 parts per million of the atmosphere

about 90% of ozone is in upper part of atmosphere (stratosphere)

most ozone is in the layer from 20 to 25 km above the earth’s surface.

Global warming involves:

carbon dioxide found in small quantities (about 350 parts per million) in the atmosphere

carbon dioxide trapping infra red (heat) radiation and warming the atmosphere – the greenhouse effect.

ODS and SGG extinguishing agents may include:

Note list format:

product name (other names) use

Check the latest amendments to the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act for the current list of ODS and SGG extinguishing agents.

ODS and SGG extinguishing agents commonly used in Australia:

FM200 (FE-227 Heptafluoropropane, HFC-227ea) used as a total flooding extinguishing agent and as a replacement for Halon 1301

Halon 1211 (BCF, Halon 1211 BCF, Bromochlorodifluoromethane) used as a streaming agent – requires a special permit in Australia

Halon 1301 (BTM, Halon 1301 BTM, Bromotrifluoromethane) used as a total flooding agent – requires a special permit in Australia

NAF-P-III (HCFC Blend C) used as a streaming agent

NAF-P-IV (HCFC Blend E) used as a streaming agent

NAF-S-III (HCFC Blend A) used as a total flooding agent

SF6 (Sulfurhexafluoride) used as an inerting agent in sealed high voltage switchgear

ODS and SGG extinguishing agents not commonly used in Australia:

Blitz III (HCFC Blend D) used in flooding systems

CFC-11 (Trichlorofluoromethane) may be found as a propellant in some powder fire extinguishers (this product is banned in Australia but may be found on incoming foreign vessels)

FC-2-1-8 (CEA-308) used in flooding systems

FC-3-1-10 (CEA-410) used in flooding systems

FC-5-1-14 (CEA-614) used as a streaming agent

FE-13 (Trifluoromethane, HFC-23) used as a total flooding agent

FE-241 (Chlorotetrafluoroethane, HCFC-124) used as a total flooding agent for non-occupied spaces and as a streaming agent

FE-25 (Pentafluoroethane, HFC-125) used in inerting and explosion suppression applications

FE-36 (Hexafluoropropane, HFC-236fa) used in portable fire extinguishers – is a replacement for Halon 1211 and Halon 1301

FM100 (HBFC-22B1) used in portable fire extinguishers

Halon 2402 (Dibromotetrafluoroethane) limited use in military systems – requires a special permit in Australia

Halotron I (HCFC Blend B or HCFC-123) used as a total flooding agent and streaming agent

Halotron II (blend of HFC-143a and HFC-125) used as a total flooding agent and as a replacement for Halon 1301

HCFC-22 (Chlorodifluoromethane) used as a propellant in some powder fire extinguishers (this product is banned in Australia but may be found on incoming foreign vessels)

HFC-134a (Unsymmetric tetrafluoroethane) used as a propellant in some powder fire extinguishers.

Effect of ozone depletion and global warming on human health and the environment may include:

changes to work practices, including those in the fire protection industry

constraints on:

aquatic ecosystems

human immune system

increased:

incidence of photochemical smog

risk of:

cataracts

skin cancer

inhibited growth of plants

reduced production of agriculture.