Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Apply compliance requirements to service operations.
  2. Conduct inspections and record results.
  3. Conduct testing and record results.

Required Skills

Required skills

customer service skills

language literacy and numeracy skills to

communicate with others clearly and concisely verbally and in writing

read and comply with work instructions and specifications

read and record measurements

record and report information neatly and legibly

planning and organising skills to

estimate time to complete activities

prioritise tasks

interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social and cultural backgrounds

technical skills to

operate valves switches and levers to test system operation

work safely when applying workplace housekeeping procedures

Required knowledge

definitions of basic principles of operation and purpose of components of complex waterbased fire protection systems

general operation of a gauge

general operation of complex waterbased firesuppression systems

metric and imperial pressure gauge readings

systems

air compressors fitted to systems

circulation and system pressure relief valves

controls on the pumpset controller panel

fuel gauges

indicators

main isolating switch

flow switches and associated testing equipment

isolating valves associated with waterbased firesuppression system

pressure gauges

pressure reducing equipment

pumpsets associated with waterbased firesuppression system

pump starting switches

purpose and key requirements of system block plan for installations installed since

suction inlet strainers and screens on a static water supply for waterbased firesuppression system

system main alarm bell andor alarm strobe indicating building entry point for emergency personnel

system pressure gauge schedules where required

waterbased firesuppression system control and alarm valves and ancillary equipment for control and alarm operation indicationinterface

water supply tanks water level indicators and automatic inflow valves

water supply underground keyoperated valve location

terminology used in relation to waterbased firesuppression systems

waterbased firesuppression system applications as defined in AS Automatic fire sprinkler systems or AS Fire hydrant installations

Evidence Required

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 observation of practical demonstration of the inspection and testing procedures to verify that complex waterbased firesuppression system equipment functions as intended

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 sustainability principles and concepts when conducting annual functional testing of complex waterbased firesuppression systems

apply safety requirements throughout the work sequence including electrical safety personal protective clothing and equipment

conduct relevant annual inspection and test requirements other then water flow testing according to the current Australian standard on waterbased fire suppression systems including complex components for the following systems

general sprinkler systems with no pumpset system

general sprinkler systems with pumpset system and tank

combined sprinkler and hydrant systems

deluge systems

preaction or recycle systems

pressure reducing valves

pressure relief valves

perform an installation and design survey on a Class to building of at least stories or greater then square metre building to produce an inspection report on

pipework external condition

sprinkler head condition

sprinkler head obstructions

sprinkler head location and spacing

sprinkler head compatibility and ambient conditions RTI and sprinkler head and spray pattern

external sprinkler requirements

design standard suitable for current building occupation requirements such as classification and storage heights

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an offsite context It is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards requirements

Resource implications for assessment include

adequate water supply and draining or recycling arrangements to operate waterbased firesuppression system

necessary tools specialist equipment manuals and relevant documentation

operational waterbased firesuppression system

pictures and cutaway sections of control assemblies and valves to show operation

training and assessment record book

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 for example

CPCPFSA Conduct basic functional testing of waterbased firesuppression systems

CPCPFS3020A Conduct basic functional testing of water-based fire-suppression systems

CPCPFSA Inspect and test fire pumpsets

CPCPFS3021A Inspect and test fire pumpsets

CPCPFSA Conduct functional water flow testing

CPCPFS3023A Conduct functional water flow testing.


Range Statement

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.

Legislative and industry requirements may include:

dangerous goods regulations

environmental regulations

licensing arrangements

OHS legislation, regulations and codes

relevant commonwealth and state or territory building Acts, regulations and codes, such as Building Code of Australia (BCA)

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

other relevant legislation relating to fire protection equipment, including:

international shipping codes

marine codes for different Australian states

requirements of Australian petroleum industry.

Organisational requirements may be located in quality assurance and procedures manuals and may include:

client-specific contractual requirements

documentation and information systems and processes

legal and organisational policy and guidelines

legislation relevant to service operation

personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles, responsibilities and delegations

use of electronic job scheduling and communication devices.

Checking for compliance may include:

applying inspections, tests and survey requirements to equipment and systems, according to relevant Australian standards, to determine that they are:

capable of operating as intended when originally installed

still suitable for the fire hazard or risk being protected, as no change in occupancy or use of the area protected has occurred since the equipment or system was installed or last modified

providing the coverage and protection needed to meet original design and performance requirements

reviewing documentation to verify that installed systems comply with legislative and industry requirements, such as:

building's essential services or fire safety measures listing

relevant commonwealth and state or territory building Acts, regulations and codes

relevant Australian standards listed on essential service listing

environmental regulations.

Action may include:

advising client

documenting non-compliance

making equipment safe

reporting, as required.

Annual functionaltesting:

is inspection, testing and surveying according to AS 1851 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment for water-based fire-suppression systems

includes:

annual frequency inspection, testing and surveying activities, except water flow proving testing

operating:

pressure reducing valves to verify operation is at required pressures

pressure relief valves to verify operation is at required pressures

accelerator/exhauster and double interlock valves to verify operation is at required pressures and delivery time on dry pipe or pre-action systems.

Complex components may include:

components of a water-based fire-suppression system associated with:

double interlock systems

pressure reducing systems

accelerator/exhauster systems.

Water-based fire-suppression systems include systems defined in:

AS 2118 Automatic fire sprinkler systems (known as the SAA code for automatic fire sprinkler systems)

AS 2419 Fire hydrant installations, including systems such as:

alternate wet and dry systems

combined sprinkler and hydrant systems

deluge systems

dry systems

hydrant systems

pre-action or recycle systems

residential and domestic systems

tail-end systems.

Key control valves may include those:

specified in AS 2118 Automatic fire sprinkler systems

installed in the:

associated control valve trim

activation small bore pipework to the alarm and control valve assembly.

Installation and design survey may include:

annual survey required by AS 1851 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment to determine that water-based fire-suppression system's design and installation are not impaired by changes to:

building structure

occupant use

environment

conducted from floor level to identify:

design standard suitable for current building occupation requirements:

building classification

storage heights

external sprinkler requirements

pipework corrosion or damage

sprinkler head:

compatibility and ambient conditions

head condition

head location and spacing

head obstructions

spray pattern

temperature rating and response time index (RTI).

Sustainability principles and concepts:

cover the social, economic and environmental use of resources to meet current and future needs

may include:

efficient use of material

efficient energy and water use

rain harvesting and disposal.

System interfaces may include:

components, such as:

flow switches

pressure switches

tamper switches

valve positioning switches

devices that operate signals between the water-based fire-suppression system and other services, such as:

building heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) services

fire brigade monitoring providers

other life safety systems, such as:

warning systems

fire indicator panel.

Frequency schedules are:

schedules of work conducted at regular frequencies as defined in AS 1851 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment (general section) that relate to the work scope for annual inspection, and testing and survey maintenance schedules.