Assessor Resource

PUAFIR607A
Apply electrical_electronic knowledge to fire investigations

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Application of this unit applies to fire investigators who are required to assess a fire scene and to identify whether the presence of an electrical circuit, equipment or appliance may have contributed to the cause of fire.

This unit covers the competency required to inspect and assess a fire scene to determine whether the origin and possible cause of fire is related to the presence of electrical installations and appliances, in accordance with agency procedures.

It includes identifying sources of evidence, collecting and documenting that evidence in preparation for analysis, and developing findings and conclusions.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

PUAFIR605A Determine origin and cause of mobile property fire (Fire sector specific)

PUAFIR609A Collect, record and coordinate the analysis of physical evidence (Fire sector specific)

And either

PUAFIR603A Determine origin and cause of wildfire (Fire sector specific)

OR

PUAFIR604A Determine origin and cause of structure fire (Fire sector specific)

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

methodically examine fire scenes in which electrical installations may have a potential relationship

demonstrate knowledge of basic electrical circuitry

apply relevant laws, legislation, codes of practice and relevant standards to fire investigation

document findings identifying components of electrical equipment (prior to and post fire) and relationships (or not) to any possible electrical causes of ignition to a fire scene.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time and across a range of workplace and/or simulated situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

various electrical circuitry, electrical equipment and appliances

fire scene or simulation

electrical circuitry, electrical equipment and appliances damaged by electrical faults which resulted in fire

legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to gathering and managing evidence

case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of offences likely to occur for which evidence needs to be gathered and managed.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit may include a combination of:

case studies

demonstration

observation

questioning

scenarios

authenticated evidence from the workplace.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

analyse expert findings

apply methods, techniques and equipment for handling and storing evidence

apply principles of investigation based on scientific method

identify potential ignition sources and process of elimination

package, label and store evidence for transport

preserve and avoid damage or contamination of evidence

research product information such as price, product recall, manufacturers’ information

undertake an external and internal assessment of scene

use information technology to access and enter internal and external information and data

use visual and electric recording equipment

Required Knowledge

agreed protocols, agency procedures, legal, regulatory or organisational stated procedures and requirements for the investigation of incidents involving fire

basic circuit diagrams and electrical plans relating to electric components and equipment

laboratory or specialist testing sequence of electrical items

OHS legislation and its application

operation of electrical/electronic equipment and appliances

procedures for conducting excessive heat stress tests on electrical equipment and appliances

relevant Australian Standards and international standards relating to electrical installations and appliances

rules of evidence

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.

Agencies may include:

Coroner

Electrical authorities

Forensic scientists

Gas authorities

Industry peak bodies

Insurance investigators, assessors and construction companies (to ‘make safe’ properties)

Other statutory authorities

Police investigators

Support personnel may include:

Government and private forensic chemists

Insurance investigators and assessors

Local knowledge

Statutory bodies

Fire scene may include:

Cable insulation

Circuit and component failure

Circuit mapping

Components

Evidence electrical tracking

Flame propagation in hazardous locations

Operation of protective devices

Wire overheating

Electrical circuitry includes:

Design

Installations

Overload protection

Power supply

Resistance

Short circuit/fault currents

Voltage – current – kilowatts in different appliances

Electrical equipment and appliances may include:

Electronics

Fans

Heaters

Installed wiring

Kitchen appliances such as toaster, electric kettle, microwave

Lights and fittings

Motors and switch gear

Socket outlets and switch gear

Electrical circuitry components, equipment and appliances of evidential value must be protected from:

Contamination

Damage

Destruction

Spoliation

Unauthorised removal

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

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Roles and responsibilities of multi-agency and support personnel involved in fire investigation are confirmed 
Cooperation with multi-agency personnel in the conduct of the investigation consistent with designated roles and responsibilities for the fire investigation is achieved 
Information required for the fire investigation from multi-agency personnel is identified, sought and received 
Protective clothing and equipment are used 
Occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures appropriate to the incident are followed 
External and internal survey of fire scene is conducted to identify and assess electrical circuitry, electrical equipment and appliances 
Relevance of electrical circuitry, electrical equipment and appliances to fire cause is assessed and established 
Arrangements are made for the attendance of a specialist electrical fire investigator, or government or private specialist investigators, where it is believed that electrical systems, components or appliances may have contributed to the fire 
Local expertise is sourced, where required 
Interviews are conducted 
Circuitry plans/layouts are sourced 
Areas or items of evidential value relevant to the investigation at the fire scene are identified and preserved 
Evidence is recorded and collected at the fire scene and relevant observations are documented 
Electrical circuitry components, equipment and appliances of evidential value are protected 
Advice is received from the specialist fire investigator (electrical), or government or private specialist investigator, as to the tests required of evidence relating to electrical systems or appliances 
Arrangements are made for laboratory and specialist testing and assessment of electrical items of evidential value 
Circuitry components on site plans are documented to support evidence and conclusions 
Basic circuit diagrams and electrical plans relating to building, components and equipment are interpreted 
Report providing expert opinion concerning the potential of electrical circuitry or equipment failure to contribute to the cause of fire is obtained 
Expert findings relating to potential electrical circuit component or appliance contributions to ignition are considered in conjunction with other observations and evidence from the fire 
Product recall and material safety data sheet databases are researched, as appropriate 
Recommendations are forwarded to appropriate authorities/ stakeholders, as required 
Findings are interpreted and recorded according to required practice and agency policy 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PUAFIR607A - Apply electrical_electronic knowledge to fire investigations
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

PUAFIR607A - Apply electrical_electronic knowledge to fire investigations

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: