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

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the Elements, Performance Criteria, Required Skills, Required Knowledge and include:

working as part of a team

being aware of own ability and limits.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Performance is demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

Resources for assessment include access to:

industry-approved marine operations where fighting and extinguishing fires in a simulated environment using live fire and smoke can be conducted

tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry

relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on work activities

range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessments

appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace.

In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

relevant and appropriate materials and equipment

applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

Method of assessment

Practical assessment must occur in an:

appropriately simulated workplace environment and/or

appropriate range of situations in the workplace.

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate to this unit:

direct observation of the candidate fighting and extinguishing fires

direct observation of the candidate applying relevant WHS/OHS requirements and work practices.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess Required Knowledge.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language and literacy requirements of the work being performed and the capacity of the candidate.

Required Skills:

Apply extinguishing media to fire

Apply safe working practices at all times

Assist in the setting up and use of foam making equipment

Correctly don and use SCB while undertaking fire extinguishment and rescue in a heated smoke filled compartment

Enter and move through a compartment filled with high expansion foam with the aid of a lifeline and without breathing apparatus

Extinguish a fire with a fire blanket

Log SCBA wearers correctly on a control board

Operate charged hose-lines and nozzles

Operate portable firefighting extinguishers

Perform after use maintenance on SCBA

Required Knowledge:

Action to be taken:

in an emergency

on board ship

Alarms and signals during onboard emergencies

Chemistry of fire, including the fire tetrahedron and its relationship to materials typically found on vessels

Classification of fire and applicable extinguishing agents

Correct use of all lifesaving appliances and firefighting appliances

Different classes of fire, their characteristics and strategies and equipment needed for their extinguishment

Elements of fire and explosion (the fire triangle)

Extinguishing media including firefighting foams

Fire and smoke detection and automatic alarm systems

Firefighting tactics, techniques and procedures

Flammable materials, fire hazards and spread of fire

Hazards and threats to life or health during onboard firefighting operations

Lifeline signals

Location of firefighting appliances and emergency escape routes

Maintenance of lifesaving appliances and firefighting appliances

Need for constant vigilance

Onboard Emergency Response Organisation and procedures

Portable fire extinguishers

Principles and methods of fire extinguishment

Principles underlying the spread of fire

Relevant Australian Standards

Safe working practices

Shipboard firefighting organisation

Statutory requirements pertaining to lifesaving appliances and firefighting appliances

Types and sources of ignition

Types of fire detection, firefighting equipment and systems used on vessels, their features, principles of operation, procedures for their use and problems that can occur

Ventilation procedures

Vessel construction as it relates to fire prevention/protection

Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices

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.

Fire hazards must cover:

Accommodation

Cargo areas

Engine rooms

Electrical distribution systems

Fuel handling systems

Galleys

Lack of maintenance

Laundry

Poor housekeeping

Smoking

Stores areas

Classes of fire include:

A Carbonaceous Solids

B Flammable Liquids

C Flammable Gases

D Combustible Metals

E Energised Electrical Equipment

F Cooking Oils and Fats

Firefighting equipment and systems must include:

Hoses

Fixed fitted detection and suppression systems

Foam applicators

International ship-to-shore connection

Nozzles

Portable and semi-portable extinguishers

Stretchers/ropes and lines

Protective clothing and equipment must include:

Head protection/helmet

Hand protection/gloves

Radiant heat protection/coat

Foot protection/ boots

Firefighter outfit as per current Fire Safety Systems Code (as applicable)

SCBA

Extinguishing media/agent must include:

Extinguishing powder

Foam

Gaseous extinguishing agents

Water

Firefighting activities must include:

Boundary control

Containing the spread of fire

Evacuation of casualties from heated smoke filled environments

Extinguishment

Overhaul/fire watch

Firefighting tactics must include:

Combination of attack

Cooling the fuels

Direct offensive (attack team)

Direction of attack

Exclusion of oxygen – smothering

Indirect defensive (fixed system)

Interrupting the chemical chain reaction

Removal of fuels - starvation

Restored must include:

Cleaning

Re-stowing

Recharging according to Australian Standards

Servicing