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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare Class A foam for use
  2. Operate Class A foam system and equipment
  3. Apply Class A foam
  4. Store and handle Class A foam and prevent damage to equipment and the environment

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Required Skills

calculate proportioning or induction rates

flush the foam system

indirectly apply medium expansion foam plumbing lay out

operate Class A foam system

select and operate branch nozzle to create a jet stream or fog pattern

top up and refill replacement of drums

Required Knowledge

application of Class A foam

circumstances in which it can be used

direct application of low expansion foam

indirect application of low expansion foam

benefits of using Class A foam

class A foam system types and their operating components

classes of fire

components of the Class A foam system

concentrate

density

effects of Class A foam on the fire triangle

environmental impacts of Class A foams and precautions

equipment cleaning

expansion

flame heat and burn back

foam application methods

foam concentrate storage and handling

foam expansion or aspiration

foam expansion ratio

foam proportioning or induction rates

foam storage mixing and filling sites

foam types and their use for wildfire application

foam types for nonstructural applications and reason for restricting the use of Class A foam on structures

fuel pick up

ghosting

personal protective clothing and equipment

properties of Class A foam

proportioning rate versus foam type versus drain time

solution

surface tension

safe work practices

use of Class A foam on Class B hydrocarbon fuels flammable liquids such as petrol diesel and fuel oils and their impact

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria Required Skills and Knowledge the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to

apply Class A foam on a range of fuels using nominated proportioning or induction rates

select the correct foam proportioning rate and foam expansion or aspiration ratio for the fuel to be treated

implement the procedures for operating and flushing the Class A foam system and minimising the risk of equipment or environmental contamination

implement safe work practices and environmental precautions when working with Class A foam

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time in either an operational environment an industryapproved simulated workplace environment or both

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in an agency approved simulated andor workplace environment

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to

pumper or tanker fitted with a Class A foam system and associated equipment

training site where activity can be undertaken with minimum impact to the environment

Method of assessment

In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision andor mentoring which is typically recorded in a competency workbook

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an agencyapproved simulated work environment Forms of assessment that are typically used include

direct observation

interviewing the candidate

journals and workplace documentation

third party reports from supervisors

written or oral questions

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Type of foam may include:

dry

fluid

solution

wet

Application in a wildfire may include:

asset protection

blacking out

control line construction

direct attack

mop-up

Non-structural objects may include:

coal fires

hydrocarbon fuels

machinery fires (dozers, graders)

motor vehicles

small and shallow hydrocarbon fuel spills

tyre dumps

Class A foam includes:

Combination of synthetic detergent surfactants that reduce the surface tension of water

Foaming agents, corrosion inhibitors that reduce corrosion of metals and preservative to prolong shelf life

Class A fuels are:

flammable solids including:

forest flammable and grassland fuels

wood

paper

plastics and rubber

Foam proportioning or induction rate may include:

production of foam with properties within effective range

use of foam chemicals at safe concentrations

Foam expansion or aspiration ratio may include:

low expansion foam

high expansion foam

medium expansion foam

non-aspirated foam

Maximum operational benefits may include:

application visible from ground and air

easily proportioned

effective for use on all Class A fuel

extension of the useful life of water

increase in the effectiveness of water

reduction in suppression and mop-up time

short-term fire barrier

simple application

Safe work practices must include:

avoiding contamination from exposure

being alert to concentrate and solution as it contributes to creating slippery conditions on vehicle decks and on the ground

being alert to the presence of trip hazards, holes and hot ash beds can be concealed beneath the foam blanket

Potential environmental impact of use of Class A foam may include:

adverse impact on aquatic systems such as swamps, dams, waterways, particularly where water flow rates are low

adverse impact of synthetic chemicals on organic and certified properties

breaching of environmental regulations at fire stations and other foam and mixing storage sites by:

releasing foam into drains, waterways and aquatic systems

affecting the performance of interceptors by inhibiting the separation of fuels and oils contained in interceptor pits

plastic foam containers taking up valuable landfill space and contamination of the contents

Required precautions to be complied with when using Class A foam may include:

avoiding the use of foam 50 metres from waterways

conducting foam training at a location away from waterways, storm water drains or agricultural areas

containing and disposing of, where practicable, fire-water run-off containing Class A foam or wetting agent prior to its use

minimising the use of foam and wetting agent

notifying and seeking advice from the environment protection authority if there is substantial or significantly polluted fire-water run-off or where Class A foam or wetting agent enters a waterway

where Class A foam or wetting agent enters a domestic water storage, flushing the water storage before re-use

where possible, using alternatives to foam and wetting agent to suppress fires where there is a risk of contaminating waterways

Personal protective clothing and equipment required for working with Class A foam may include:

in all situations

rubber or leather boots

safety goggles

wildfire or structural helmet

wildfire overalls or structural firefighter clothing as appropriate for specialist use applications

in addition, when handling concentrate

handling nitrile or neoprene gloves

p2 nuisance level organic vapour respirator (non cartridge type)

in addition, when handling solution

barrier cream for hands

leather gloves

Class A foam system may include:

low energy

high energy

Intended application of non aspirated foamincludes:

cools

isolates

penetrates

Intended application of aspirated foam includes:

cools

isolates

insulates

penetrates

smothers

Applying Class A foam may include:

direct application

indirect application

Direct attack includes:

constructing a control line immediately adjacent to the fire edge

directly extinguishing the fire’s edge using water, foam, earth or by beating out the flames

Constructing a control line includes:

using a natural or constructed barrier or treated fire edge to limit the spread of fire

Mop-up/blacking out operations include:

making a fire safe after it has been controlled by extinguishing or removing burning material along or near the control line, felling stags, trenching logs to prevent rolling and the like

Non-structural objects may include:

coal conveyor belts

power station cable ducts

ships holds

underground mining

vehicles

Organic and certified properties may include:

properties that meet the requirements of national standards such as the national standard for organic and bio-dynamic produce (NSOBDP) 2002

Preventative measures when using Class A foam on organic or certified properties may include:

wherever practicable, using alternatives to foam and wetting agent to suppress fires on organic or certified properties

alerting organic and certified property owner/occupier to potential issues that may arise as a result of the contamination from Class A foam or wetting agent

confirming properties in the local area that are organic or certified

installing signage at all access points to a property, identifying it as organic or certified

Storage arrangements in workplaces may include:

storing foam to minimise the risk of foam entering drains

locating foam mixing and loading areas away from waterways

Measures to control leaks or spills may include:

bunding stockpiles of Class A foam concentrate where there is a risk of spilled concentrate entering drains or waterways

bunding with the capacity to contain the contents of 2-3 containers

exercising care to avoid spills at mixing and loading areas

avoiding contamination of interceptor pits with foam or wetting agent

cleaning and safely disposing of any foam spills in accordance with the SDS