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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare for annual fire systems certification inspections.
  2. Conduct annual fire systems certification inspections.
  3. Produce annual fire systems certification reports and communicate findings.

Required Skills

Required skills

operating computer software packages and systems including

word processing

spreadsheet

email

internet

proprietary project management software

language and literacy skills for

listening to and communicating clearly with stakeholders colleagues and contractors

explaining the gravity of fire systems inspection findings to owner

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

letter writing

updating knowledge of products software systems and technology

reading and interpreting drawings plans and specifications including

architectural

structural

fire systems design

block plans

tactical fire plans

report writing

developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with stakeholders colleagues and clients

negotiation and conflict management

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

inspecting multiple fire systems with different applicable standards concurrently including

attention to detail

visual acuity to perceive for example that the distance between sprinklers is too great

maintaining a professional detached authority

Required knowledge

auditing processes and protocols

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

fire engineering principles including

engineered solutions

innovative fire systems

fire modelling

computer software functions and operation including

word processing

spreadsheet

email

internet

proprietary project management software

relevant current and historical 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

detection and warning systems including

emergency warning and intercommunications systems EWIS

fire detection and alarm systems

smoke control systems

emergency lighting systems

special hazard fire systems including

foam systems low expansion medium expansion and high expansion

gaseous agent systems carbon dioxide inert gas and halocarbon gases

water spray systems deluge mediumhigh velocity water spray and high speed deluge

chemical powder systems

wet chemical systems

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

interconnection of fire systems including

cause and effect matrix

interface with other services

passive fire safety elements

identification of passive elements

requirements for safeguarding the integrity of passive fire element performance where penetrations have been made

basic principles of structural engineering

characteristics of building materials

construction industry terminology

sustainability requirements and ratings including

energy conservation

water conservation

human psychology especially fire avoidance behaviour

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 preparing for conducting and reporting on annual fire systems inspections for a range of types of fire systems in a variety of buildings with different construction and modification histories

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 the range of relevant current and historical legislation codes standards and regulatory requirements for the certification of existing fire systems

an understanding of the function and operation of the full range of fire systems including waterbased fire systems detection and warning systems and special hazard fire systems used in a wide variety of types of buildings including

lowrise buildings

mediumrise buildings

highrise buildings over metres

buildings over metres in height

the ability to apply the relevant current and historical compliance requirements to annual inspections of a range of fire systems installed and modified at different dates in a variety of types of buildings

the visual acuity required to perceive anomalies in fire systems compliance arising from building modifications repairs or adjustments or a lack of fire systems maintenance

the ability to report and communicate findings effectively to ensure that the gravity of noncompliance of fire systems is understood and works required to remedy the situation may be expedited

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

documents drawings plans and specifications

copies of codes standards legislation and regulatory requirements

access to information and communications technology hardware and software

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.

Fire systems may include:

water-based systems, including:

wet pipe sprinkler systems

deluge and drencher systems

dry pipe sprinkler systems

pre-action sprinkler systems

early suppression fast response (ESFR)

hydrants, hose reels and monitors

water supply tanks

fire pump sets

detection and warning systems, including:

emergency warning and intercommunications systems (EWIS)

fire detection and alarm systems

smoke control systems

emergency lighting systems

special hazard fire systems, including:

foam systems (low expansion, medium expansion and high expansion)

gaseous agent systems (carbon dioxide, inert gas and halocarbon gases)

water spray systems (deluge, medium/high velocity water spray and high speed deluge)

chemical systems, including:

powder

wet chemical.

Relevant stakeholders may include:

owners

agents

occupants

local authority.

Current and historical legislation, codes and standards may include:

current, or earlier versions of:

the Building Code of Australia

relevant Australian standards for fire systems

relevant international standards for fire systems

codes and standards stipulated by the regulatory authority or building insurer

obsolete legislation, regulations, codes and standards.

Compliance documentation may include:

fire safety schedules

inspection and testing logbooks

maintenance, repair and replacement documentation.

Relevant professional personnel may include:

fire engineer

fire brigade personnel

building surveyor

persons with regulatory authority

architect

structural engineer

fire systems' designer.