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 inspecting a total fire-rated system and compiling a detailed report, or by selecting a total fire-rated system which complies with all codes and standards.

This unit of competency can be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, provided that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate construction workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

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:

locate, interpret and apply relevant information, standards and specifications

comply with site safety plan and OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice applicable to workplace operations

comply with organisational policies and procedures, including quality requirements

inspect and report on, or select, a total fire-rated system that complies with all codes and standards and covers, at a minimum, a commercial multi-floor site involving compartmentation, plant rooms, access ladders, escalators, lifts, shafts, columns and beams

communicate effectively and work safely with others.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

workplace location or simulated workplace

materials relevant to the quality assurance of fire-rated lining systems

tools and equipment appropriate to the quality assurance of fire-rated lining systems

realistic activities covering the mandatory task requirements

specifications, plans, building codes, Australian standards and work instructions.

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.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods 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.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.

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.

Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

Required skills

Required skills for this unit are:

communication skills to:

enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand

read and interpret:

codes and standards

documentation from a variety of sources

plans, specifications and drawings

report faults

provide feedback and advice

use and interpret non-verbal communication

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

written skills to record and report results of inspections

numeracy skills to apply measurements and calculations

organisational skills, including the ability to plan for and set out work.

Required knowledge

Required knowledge for this unit is:

Building Code of Australia (BCA) and Australian standards related to fire-rated lining systems

fire technology, combustion theory and terminology relevant to the inspection of fire-rated systems

methods for ensuring compliance with incipient spread of flame requirements

quality systems, including inspection, compliance and reporting or recording requirements

range of materials commonly used in the installation of fire-rated lining systems

regulatory/legislative requirements pertaining to installation of fire-rated systems

safe work procedures related to the inspection of fire-rated systems

types, specifications and installation techniques for fire-rated ceiling systems related to direct fix, furred, suspended and spanning types

types, specifications and installation techniques for fire-rated wall systems related to steel stud and timber stud walls, shaft walls and timber joists

types, specifications and installation techniques for openings, penetrations, air handling, structural encasement and fire escape systems.

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-rated systems include:

all fire systems are to be certified in a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) approved laboratory

quality assurance of fire-rated lining systems covers walls, ceilings, openings, penetrations, air handling, structural encasement, escape systems, mechanical service shafts and relief joints

quality assurance processes are to include detail of responsibilities, types of certification and essential aspects of inspection, recording and reporting procedures

worksheets are to include work area sheets, inspection plans and non-conformance sheets or equivalent

fire technology includes:

effect and movement of smoke and combustion products

fire triangle

flash over

fire resistance levels and resistance to incipient spread of fire

char factors (timber framing)

fire resistance level (FRL) covers the grading period in minutes determined in accordance with the specification for structural adequacy, integrity and insulation

resistance to incipient spread of fire (RISF) covers the ability of a ceiling membrane to insulate the space between the ceiling and the roof, or ceiling and floor above, to limit the temperature rise of combustibles in this space during the standard fire test to 180C above the initial temperature, expressed in terms of 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes resistance.

Safety (OHS) is to be in accordance with state and territory legislation and regulations and project safety plan and may include:

emergency procedures, including extinguishing fires, organisational first aid requirements and evacuation

handling activities that may require the assistance of others or the use of manual or mechanical lifting devices where size, weight or other issues, such as disability are a factor

hazard control

hazardous materials and substances

organisational first aid

personal protective equipment (PPE) prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices

safe operating procedures, including the conduct of operational risk assessment and treatments associated with:

lighting

power sources and leads

treatments associated with manual handling

trip hazards

working at heights

working in confined spaces

working in proximity to others

work site visitors and the public

use of firefighting equipment

use of tools and equipment

workplace environmental requirements and safety.

Tools and equipment include:

inspection support tools

measuring equipment.

Environmental protection requirements include:

acoustic conformance

waste management.

Authorised materials include:

fire compliant steel furring channel and suspension components

fire grade metal studs and track

fire grade plasterboard sheeting

fire sealants:

base compound coats

finishing coats

perforated paper tapes

vermiculite or equivalent product.

Relevant standards and codes include:

BCA

Australian standards AS1530, 1684 and 2785

documents detailing the responsibilities and authorities in relation to design, installation and supervision of fire-rated lining systems; they define and explain fire-rated protection, the principles of compartmentation, fire resistance levels, standard fire tests and the dangers of incompatible mix and match solutions.

Walls include:

acoustic capabilities:

double wall advantages for impact sound resistance

flanking

impact of live and/or dead slab

loads deflection

staggered stud

thermal expansion of stud in fire rated partitions

weighted sound reduction index (RW)

fire rated wall systems:

chase walls

D-stud walls

exterior walls

partition walls

shaft walls

staggered stud partitions

load and non-load bearing timber and steel types and related acoustic systems and components

partitions and components:

column and beam

exterior

high performance wall

inter-tenancy

shaft.

Ceilings include:

direct fix, furred and suspended ceilings

impact of excessive moisture on fire-rated ceiling materials

methods of ensuring compliance with incipient spread of fire requirements.

Openings include:

fire doors (steel and timber framed)

local strengthening of walls

rating and fitting of windows hatches and appropriate glass

treatment of door heads

types of fire doors, which may include single hinged, double hinged and sliding

types of fire-rated glass, which may include glaze, borosilicate drawn and heat-treated, clear ceramic and wire glass

types of hatches, which may include those tested for vertical or horizontal positioning.

Penetrations:

services include:

ducts for power and heating or cooling systems

metal and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plumbing in groups or singles

power outlets

types of service penetrations include:

baffles

encasement/enclosures and blocking systems

fire-rated box

springs

system integrity maintenance includes:

board

collars

impregnated foams

mastic

mortar

pillows

use of tested and approved intumescent seals.

Other special needs include:

fire escape systems, including escalators, fire tunnels and stairways

fire-rated air handling systems, including fire dampers, direct protection and insulation

fire-rated structural member encasement, which may be timber, steel or concrete and may be void or require filling.

Fasteners include:

30mm, 40mm or 50mm D type screws

30mm S type screws

30mm and 40mm L type screws

30mm and 45mm W type screws

30 mm, 40 mm, 50mm or 60mm plasterboard nails

metal masonry anchors

wafer head screws.

Appropriate authority includes:

statutory/regulatory authorities, including federal, state and local authorities administering the applicable Acts, regulations and codes of practice.