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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below. |
Type of foam may include: | dry fluid solution wet |
Application in a wildfire may include: | asset protection blacking out control line construction direct attack mop-up |
Non-structural objects may include: | coal fires hydrocarbon fuels machinery fires (dozers, graders) motor vehicles small and shallow hydrocarbon fuel spills tyre dumps |
Class A foam includes: | Combination of synthetic detergent surfactants that reduce the surface tension of water Foaming agents, corrosion inhibitors that reduce corrosion of metals and preservative to prolong shelf life |
Class A fuels are: | flammable solids including: forest flammable and grassland fuels wood paper plastics and rubber |
Foam proportioning or induction rate may include: | production of foam with properties within effective range use of foam chemicals at safe concentrations |
Foam expansion or aspiration ratio may include: | low expansion foam high expansion foam medium expansion foam non-aspirated foam |
Maximum operational benefits may include: | application visible from ground and air easily proportioned effective for use on all Class A fuel extension of the useful life of water increase in the effectiveness of water reduction in suppression and mop-up time short-term fire barrier simple application |
Safe work practices must include: | avoiding contamination from exposure being alert to concentrate and solution as it contributes to creating slippery conditions on vehicle decks and on the ground being alert to the presence of trip hazards, holes and hot ash beds can be concealed beneath the foam blanket |
Potential environmental impact of use of Class A foam may include: | adverse impact on aquatic systems such as swamps, dams, waterways, particularly where water flow rates are low adverse impact of synthetic chemicals on organic and certified properties breaching of environmental regulations at fire stations and other foam and mixing storage sites by: releasing foam into drains, waterways and aquatic systems affecting the performance of interceptors by inhibiting the separation of fuels and oils contained in interceptor pits plastic foam containers taking up valuable landfill space and contamination of the contents |
Required precautions to be complied with when using Class A foam may include: | avoiding the use of foam 50 metres from waterways conducting foam training at a location away from waterways, storm water drains or agricultural areas containing and disposing of, where practicable, fire-water run-off containing Class A foam or wetting agent prior to its use minimising the use of foam and wetting agent notifying and seeking advice from the environment protection authority if there is substantial or significantly polluted fire-water run-off or where Class A foam or wetting agent enters a waterway where Class A foam or wetting agent enters a domestic water storage, flushing the water storage before re-use where possible, using alternatives to foam and wetting agent to suppress fires where there is a risk of contaminating waterways |
Personal protective clothing and equipment required for working with Class A foam may include: | in all situations rubber or leather boots safety goggles wildfire or structural helmet wildfire overalls or structural firefighter clothing as appropriate for specialist use applications in addition, when handling concentrate handling nitrile or neoprene gloves p2 nuisance level organic vapour respirator (non cartridge type) in addition, when handling solution barrier cream for hands leather gloves |
Class A foam system may include: | low energy high energy |
Intended application of non aspirated foamincludes: | cools isolates penetrates |
Intended application of aspirated foam includes: | cools isolates insulates penetrates smothers |
Applying Class A foam may include: | direct application indirect application |
Direct attack includes: | constructing a control line immediately adjacent to the fire edge directly extinguishing the fire’s edge using water, foam, earth or by beating out the flames |
Constructing a control line includes: | using a natural or constructed barrier or treated fire edge to limit the spread of fire |
Mop-up/blacking out operations include: | making a fire safe after it has been controlled by extinguishing or removing burning material along or near the control line, felling stags, trenching logs to prevent rolling and the like |
Non-structural objects may include: | coal conveyor belts power station cable ducts ships holds underground mining vehicles |
Organic and certified properties may include: | properties that meet the requirements of national standards such as the national standard for organic and bio-dynamic produce (NSOBDP) 2002 |
Preventative measures when using Class A foam on organic or certified properties may include: | wherever practicable, using alternatives to foam and wetting agent to suppress fires on organic or certified properties alerting organic and certified property owner/occupier to potential issues that may arise as a result of the contamination from Class A foam or wetting agent confirming properties in the local area that are organic or certified installing signage at all access points to a property, identifying it as organic or certified |
Storage arrangements in workplaces may include: | storing foam to minimise the risk of foam entering drains locating foam mixing and loading areas away from waterways |
Measures to control leaks or spills may include: | bunding stockpiles of Class A foam concentrate where there is a risk of spilled concentrate entering drains or waterways bunding with the capacity to contain the contents of 2-3 containers exercising care to avoid spills at mixing and loading areas avoiding contamination of interceptor pits with foam or wetting agent cleaning and safely disposing of any foam spills in accordance with the SDS |