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Required Skills

Required skills

language literacy and numeracy skills to

communicate with others clearly and concisely verbally and in writing

interpret data from a range of flow testing equipment

read understand and comply with work instructions and specifications

read understand and record measurements

record and report information neatly and legibly

planning and organising skills to

estimate time to complete activities

prioritise tasks

technical skills to

attach flow and pressure test equipment according to manufacturer specifications

check test equipment for calibration and operation according to manufacturer specifications

interconnect test equipment into recording devices

operate valves switches and levers to test system operation

use

portable tachometer on pump shaft to read speed

clamp or tong current meter to read motor operating current

throttling control valve to control water flow

work safely when applying workplace housekeeping procedures

Required knowledge

basic principles of hydraulics

basic principles of operation and purpose of components of a waterbased fire protection system

alarm dry ie deluge control valve assembly components

alarm wet control valve assembly components

booster valve assembly

circulation and system pressure relief valves

compression ignition engine governing controls

differential pressure gauges

hand tachometers

hydrant landing valve assembly

isolation and control valves

manometers

orifice plates

Pitot tube water flow test instrument

pressure and flow switches

pressure gauges

pump controllers and ancillary equipment for control and indication

pumpsets

solenoid valves

system block plans

system pressure gauge schedules

throttling valves

ultrasonic flow measuring equipment

ultrasonic thickness gauges

Venturi devices

water supply tanks atmospheric pressure and suction with priming tanks

general operation of a pumpset covering

compression ignition engine governing control devices

cooling systems

design speed requirements

exhaust systems

fuel systems

full load operation

normal running operation

prestart and poststart checks

pumpset performance curve

pumpset controllers

starting and stopping methods

suction and discharge connections and pressures readings

general operation of waterbased firesuppression systems

terminology used in relation to waterbased firesuppression systems

waterbased firesuppression system components

air compressors fitted to control valves

circulation and system pressure relief valves

controls on the pumpset controller panel

fuel gauges

indicators

main isolating switch

electric motor specification plate

flow switches and associated testing equipment

isolating valves associated with waterbased firesuppression system

mains water supply underground keyoperated valve location

most hydraulically disadvantaged testing point on a system hose reel and hydrant system

pressure gauges

pumpsets associated with waterbased firesuppression systems

pump starting switches

suction inlet strainers or screen on a static water supply for waterbased firesuppression system

system block plans

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

system pressure gauge schedules

water supply tanks water level indicators and automatic inflow valves

waterbased firesuppression system control and alarm valves and ancillary equipment for control and alarm operation indication or interface

waterbased firesuppression system applications as defined in AS

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 basic functional water flow testing of a range of waterbased firesuppression systems

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 ability to

apply sustainability principles and concepts when conducting functional water flow testing

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

conduct functional waterflow testing of the following waterbased firesuppression systems

deluge systems

hydrant systems

preaction or recycle systems

residential and domestic systems

wet and general systems with no pumpset system

wet and general systems with pumpset system and tank

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 the waterbased firesuppression system

calibrated water flow measuring and pressure gauge equipment

operational waterbased firesuppression systems

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 Inspect and test fire pumpsets

CPCPFS3041A Inspect and test fire pumpsets.


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:

relevant commonwealth and state or territory building Acts, regulations and codes, such as National Construction Code (NCC)

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

relevant legislation relating to testing of fire protection equipment, including:

dangerous goods regulations

environmental regulations

international shipping codes

licensing arrangements

marine codes for different Australian states

work health and safety (WHS) legislation, regulations and codes

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 policies and guidelines, including personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles, responsibilities and delegations

legislation relevant to service operation

using electronic job scheduling and communication devices.

Checking for compliance may include:

undertaking commissioning tests detailed in relevant Australian standards and manufacturers’ documentation to verify performance of an installed, repaired or altered piece of equipment or system

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

environmental regulations

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

relevant Australian standards listed on essential service listing.

Action may include:

advising client

documenting non-compliance

making equipment safe

reporting, as required.

Water-based fire-suppression systems are defined in AS 2118 Automatic fire sprinkler systems and AS 2419 Fire hydrant installations, and may include:

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

alternate wet and general systems.

Test points are:

specific locations where test equipment can be attached to measure and record water flow and pressure to meet legislative and industry requirements.

Water flow test equipment may include:

differential pressure gauges

hand tachometers

manometers

orifice plates

Pitot tube water flow test instrument

ultrasonic flow measuring equipment

ultrasonic thickness gauges

Venturi devices.

System interfaces may include:

components such as flow, pressure, tamper and valve positioning switches 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.

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.

Frequency schedules include:

schedules conducted at regular frequencies, as defined in AS1851, and relating to weekly, monthly, and six-monthly inspection and testing activities.