Required skills

accurate measuring

accurate naming and filing of drawings including

formal document control

formal amendments including

history

transmittal notices

editing and creating drawings including

layout

section

detail

external references

freezing layers

operating computer software packages and systems including

word processing

spreadsheet

email

internet

proprietary project management software

proprietary estimating software

parametric modelling of services coordination using proprietary software such as NavisWorks or MEPREVIT

using BASIC computer programming language to write logic for electronic system interfaces

numeracy skills for calculating

voltage drops

battery capacity

battery backup

power supplies

cabling sizes and types

language and literacy skills for

listening to and communicating clearly with colleagues installers suppliers and contractors

participating in meetings such as negotiations with fire engineering consultant architect builder or other service contractors

researching accessing reading interpreting and applying current relevant legislation codes and standards

letter writing especially to formalise

recognition of conflicts and errors on drawings supplied by other service contractors

agreements with other services for example whichever service is fitted last must fit around existing services

updating knowledge of products software systems and technology

reading and interpreting drawings plans and specifications including

architectural

structural

mechanical

hydraulic

electrical

researching and evaluating competing technologies in new products and systems

developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with project team members workplace colleagues suppliers installers and clients

negotiation and conflict management

initiating and running meetings with lead contractor and other service contractors

organising own work including creating personal systems and checklists for planning managing and checking work

lateral thinking and problem solving

maintaining concentration focus and attention to detail for long periods

managing detailed input to concurrent fire systems design projects at different stages of the process and with diverse sets of regulatory requirements

Required knowledge

workplace design tools and processes

level of accuracy required in detailed design drawings

naming conventions for design drawings and drawing register

fire science including

fire behaviour and dynamics

impact of fire on structures and materials

products of combustion

fire control strategies

fire retardants

fire detection technologies

fire suppression technologies

fire containment

computer software functions and operation including

word processing

spreadsheet

email

internet

proprietary project management software

proprietary estimating software

parametric modelling software such as NavisWorks or MEPREVIT

BASIC computer programming language

relevant current legislation codes and standards including

building Acts

building regulations

infrastructure supply regulations

the Building Code of Australia

Australian standards for fire systems

international standards for fire systems

other fire system standards commonly required by building insurers

protection requirements for different buildings

fire detection and warning systems technology and components including

emergency warning and intercommunications systems EWIS

fire detection and alarm systems

smoke control systems

emergency lighting systems

purpose and operation of fire systems including

layout

special products and hazards

system operation

performance requirements

maintenance standards

system activation and operation

characteristics and limitations of products and materials used in fire systems and issues relating to material compatibility

passive fire safety elements

identification of passive elements

impact of fire systems design on passive elements

specifications required to safeguard integrity of passive fire element performance where penetrations are necessitated by the fire systems design

interconnection of fire systems including

cause and effect matrix

interface with other services

basic principles of structural engineering

characteristics of building materials

construction industry terminology

roles and responsibilities of relevant building project personnel including

architect

lead contractor

mechanical engineer

hydraulic engineer

electrical engineer

onsite issues that can arise during the construction phase and impose changes to the designs of fire systems and other services

installation methods including

access requirements

health and safety requirements

sustainability requirements and ratings including

energy conservation

water conservation

mathematic principles equations and calculation methods including

financial calculations for example to assess costeffectiveness of fire systems

electrical calculations including

voltage drops

battery capacity

battery backup

power supplies

cabling sizes and types

electrical and electronics theory including

units used to measure current AC and DC power capacitance inductance and sound attenuation

effects of AC and DC current in series and parallel circuit paths that includes resistive inductive and capacitive loads

relationship between voltage drops around a circuit and applied voltage

definition of voltage ratings as defined in communication and electrical safety regulations including extra low voltage low voltage and hazardous voltages

layout of electrical wiring systems to meet communication and electrical safety regulations applicable to fire detection and warning systems

basic operation of common electronic and electrical components used in fire detection and warning systems

basic operation of communication protocols on addressable systems peripheral devices printers and highlevel interfaces to other communication devices used in fire detection and warning systems

communication technologies including

data transfer

networking

communication protocols

radio frequency technologies

acoustics and speech intelligibility for occupant warning systems

human psychology especially fire avoidance behaviour

financial management including

budgeting

costeffectiveness

contractual processes

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 in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment provided that the simulated or projectbased assessment fully replicates workplace conditions materials activities responsibilities and procedures

This unit could be assessed as an activity involving the effective performance and application of principles relating to the design of fire detection and occupant warning systems for a range of different types of buildings

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 within this unit

In particular the person should demonstrate

the ability to

read and interpret a range of design drawings

create manipulate save file and share design drawings

identify interpret and apply relevant current legislation codes standards and regulatory requirements impacting on fire detection and warning system designs

interpret and apply fire engineers designs for alternative solutions

a comprehensive understanding of technical issues impacting on fire detection and occupant warning system designs

a comprehensive understanding of the relevant regulatory approval and fire systems design certification processes

the ability to produce fully compliant designs which also meet client requirements for fire detection and warning systems for a range of types of sites including

lowrise buildings

mediumrise buildings

highrise buildings over metres

buildings over metres in height

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

relevant design briefs drawings plans and specifications

copies of relevant codes standards legislation and regulatory requirements

access to relevant information and communications technology hardware and software

access to relevant manufacturers information regarding fittings and components

Method of assessment

Assessment must

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction Plumbing and 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

Project drawings and documentation may include:

Codes and standards may include:

Efficient and workable layout and location relate to:

Detection and warning system components may include:

Electrical calculations may include the calculation of:

Negotiations regarding amendments to design drawings may arise due to:

Fittings and components may include: