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. Confirm water-based fire systems designs.
  2. Calculate pipe sizes and pump and tank requirements.
  3. Lay out the water supply design.
  4. Submit drawings for approval and finalise design process.

Required Skills

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 hydraulic calculation software

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

numeracy skills for

calculating

dimensions

pipe lengths

piping friction loss

tank size

pump capacity

motor output

performing fluid mechanic calculations

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

updating knowledge of products software systems and technology

reading and interpreting drawings plans and specifications including

fire systems design

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

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 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 hydraulic calculation software

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 systems technology and components including

waterbased systems including

wet pipe sprinkler systems

deluge and drencher systems

dry pipe sprinkler systems

preaction sprinkler systems

early suppression fast response ESFR

hydrants hose reels and monitors

water supply tanks

fire pump sets

fire system water supply technology and components including

electric pumps

diesel pumps

tanks

pressure vessels

booster configurations

purpose and operation of fire systems including

layout

high hazard products

system operation

performance requirements

maintenance standards

system activation and operation

characteristics and limitations of products and materials used in water supplies for 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

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 fire systems water supplies and other services

installation methods including

access requirements

health and safety requirements

water supplies including

common water sources

conservation requirements

inground reticulation

booster configurations

fluid mechanics and hydraulics relating to

water supply

pressure

pump selection

tank selection

pressure vessels

pipe range

sustainability requirements and ratings including

energy conservation

water conservation

pipe fabrication methods and constraints

mathematic principles equations and calculation methods including

financial calculations for example to assess costeffectiveness of water supply

trigonometry for example to amend dimensions of pipe allowing for fittings

flow calculations including

area of operations

discharge rates and quantities

discharge times

pressure gain and loss

Kfactors

pressure temperature and volume relationship

HazenWilliams equation

DarcyWeisbach equation

computational fluid dynamics

basic principles of organic and inorganic chemistry

basic principles of physical sciences including

Boyles Law

Charles Law

Daltons Law

Henrys Law

contractual processes

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 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 water supplies for fire 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

an understanding of fluid dynamics hydraulics and the calculations required for the design of water supplies for fire systems

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 the design of water supplies for fire systems

interpret and apply fire engineers designs for alternative solutions

the ability to produce fully compliant designs which meet requirements for water supplies for fire systems in a range of types of buildings 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

design briefs drawings plans and specifications

copies of codes standards legislation and regulatory requirements

access to information and communications technology hardware and software

access to 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


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.

Project drawings and documentation may include:

proposed water-based fire systems designs

mechanical

electrical

hydraulic.

Fire system components may include:

discharge nozzles

pipework

system valves

zone valves

fire panels

hose reels

hydrant valves

booster valves.

Codes and standards may include:

the Building Code of Australia

current relevant Australian standards for fire systems

current relevant international standards for fire systems

codes and standards stipulated by the building insurer.

Efficient and workable layout and location relate to:

consideration of a range of sustainable options for producing the required water pressure for water-based fire systems

selection of cost-effective components and materials

consideration of:

penetrations, especially through passive fire safety elements

conflict with other services

occupational health and safety risks

access constraints

installation problems

aesthetic requirements

efficiencies to facilitate work on site and reduce labour costing.

Water supply components may include:

electric pumps

diesel pumps

tanks

pressure vessels

booster configurations

components for water recovery systems.

Negotiations regarding amendments to design drawings may arise due to:

non-compliance with applicable legislation, codes and standards

impact on installation risks and constraints

impact on cost-effectiveness.