Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit of competency in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below.

The key features of legislation, regulations and codes applicable to servicing portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets.

The purpose of the Building Code of Australia.

The implications of NOT applying legislative requirements to job functions.

Action to take when a breach of health, safety and other policies occurs.

Reasons for conducting a periodic maintenance schedule.

Types and quantity of spare parts that should be carried in the service vehicle.

Implications of incorrect servicing procedures for the customer and the organisation.

Reasons for informing customers of changes to Australian Standards.

Reasons for conforming to the customer's workplace procedures and guidelines.

Reasons for ensuring gauges and scales are calibrated regularly.

Reason why fire blankets must be folded according to manufacturers' instructions.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These relate to the ability to:

find and use information

report and record information neatly and legibly when completing documentation

apply language, literacy and numeracy skills to:

communicate with others in a clear and concise manner in both written and verbal modes

read, understand and comply with work instructions/specifications

read, understand and record measurements

utilise effective customer service skills and relate to people from a range of social and cultural backgrounds

plan and organise work in order to estimate time to complete activities and prioritise tasks

solve problems that may arise

use correct manual handling techniques

be aware of OHS issues and requirements in order to work safely

use tools with dexterity

use appropriate workplace housekeeping procedures.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

The following units of competency must be assessed prior to this unit:

PRMPFES04B Identify fire protection equipment

PRMPFES06C Prepare for installation and servicing operations.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

access to a customer's premises or a simulated workplace environment

assessment documentation

all necessary tools, specialist equipment, manuals, spare parts and relevant documentation

training and assessment record book.

Gaining evidence to assess this unit

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, the competency should be demonstrated over a period of time and be observed by the assessor (or assessment team working together to conduct the assessment). The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations, which may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.

Assessment of competence over the full range of performance criteria should be made through practical demonstrations at a customer's premises. However, at times this may not be practicable, and in these situations, the conditions normally available to the candidate may be simulated in an environment suitable for assessment.

Candidates should also be given the opportunity to practise and undertake self-assessment of performance before requesting formal assessment.

All safety requirements must be adhered to during all practical activities.

Oral questioning or a written assessment may be used to assess underpinning knowledge. (In assessment situations where the candidate is offered a preference between oral questioning and written assessment, questions are to be identical.)

Assessment of evidence should establish the candidate's ability to perform the job to the standard required in the workplace.

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence or reports from supervisors or team leaders. Other forms of evidence may include audit reports, client/customer survey reports and appraisal reports.

Note: The candidate should be encouraged to compile a portfolio of examples of completed documentation relevant to the candidate's organisation. One accurate example of each completed document is suggested as sufficient to infer competency and the ability to transfer the appropriate skills to each document type when required in the workplace. (Oral questioning may contribute as evidence of this ability.)

Information derived from enterprise policy and practices must be treated as commercial-in-confidence.

Performance and assessment of this unit must be carried out within the relevant requirements of the following legislative and industry framework:

building Acts/regulations/codes

Australian Standards identified as relevant to the required maintenance procedure

environmental regulations

manufacturers' specifications

organisational requirements, including OHS policies and procedures

OHS legislation, codes and regulations.

Key competency levels

There are a number of processes learnt throughout work and daily life that are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work environments. Some of these work processes are covered by the key competencies listed below. Information provided to each question highlights how these processes are applied in this unit of competency.

The number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency should be demonstrated.

Refer to Evidence Guide

The range statement links the required knowledge and organisational and technical requirements to the workplace context. It describes any contextual variables that will be used or encountered when applying the competency in work situations. It allows for different work practices and work and knowledge requirements as well as for differences between organisations and workplaces. The following variables may be present for this particular unit.

Legislative and industry requirements may include:

relevant Commonwealth and state/territory building Acts/regulations/codes

OHS legislation, codes and regulations

relevant current Australian Standards e.g. AS1851

Building Code of Australia

dangerous goods regulations

licensing arrangements

environmental regulations

building surveyor requirements

other relevant legislation (including international and shipping/marine codes) relating to fire protection equipment

Australian petroleum industries' requirements.

Work procedures may include:

instructions from colleagues/supervisor/manager

specific customer requirements

assignment instructions

equipment manufacturers' requirements

reporting and documentation requirements

personal protective equipment requirements.

Relevant persons may include:

team leaders

supervisors

managers

colleagues

customers.

Potential and actual breaches of legislative and industry requirements could be identified by:

direct observation

as part of workplace quality assurance teams.

Organisational requirements may be located in quality assurance and/or procedures manuals relating to:

legal and organisational policy/guidelines

personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles, responsibilities and delegations

legislation relevant to the service operation

OHS policies, procedures and programs

documentation and information systems and processes

use of electronic job scheduling and communication devices.

OHS policies and procedures may relate to:

employer/employee rights and responsibilities

the OHS hierarchy of control

assessing the work site for hazards and risks prior to preparing the work site for the work procedure

displaying signs and/or utilising barriers in the work area

hazard and risk identification and reporting

risk assessment and control measures

incident/accident investigation

OHS audits and safety inspections

safe operating procedures/instructions including:

working safely around electrical wiring, cables and overhead powerlines

working safely around tools and equipment

working safely on ladders and raised platforms

risk and hazard recognition

emergency procedures

awareness of electrical hazards

following confined spaces procedures

utilising personal protective equipment including:

safety glasses or goggles

safety boots or shoes

hard hat

ear muffs or plugs

appropriate gloves and overalls

sun hat

dust mask

equipment maintenance and use

use and storage of hazardous substances

First Aid.

Portable fire extinguisher types include:

water

foam

wet chemical

powder

CO2

vaporising liquid.

Maintenance schedule procedures for extinguishers include:

visual inspections

discharge tests

hydrostatic test

recharging procedures

leak tests

updating tags on equipment

referring to manufacturers' specifications.

Customer requirements may include:

provision of routine services

provision of non-routine or urgent services

confirmation of, or variations to, service instructions

sighting work permits

sign-in/out procedures for entry to or exit from premises

written or verbal confirmation of services provided and/or future maintenance schedule.

Documentation may include:

job card

customer recommendation forms

service agreements

expense claims

application for credit form

equipment recommendation form

Fleetcard

corrective action report

petty cash voucher

certificate of inspection

product documentation

maintenance record system.

Maintenance equipment and tools may include:

hand tools

power tools

safety cage

personal protective equipment

test equipment

recharge equipment

hydrostatic test equipment

leak detection equipment or products.

Portable fire extinguisher Level 4 maintenance items refer only to:

water

foam

wet chemical types.

Note: Australian Standards are frequently revised and users must always check for currency.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist