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 providing that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate plumbing and services workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

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

A person should demonstrate the ability to:

locate, interpret and apply relevant information, standards and specifications to test and maintain automatic fire sprinklers

apply safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including the use of personal protective clothing and equipment

as a minimum, given a faulty automatic fire sprinkler system, the ability to conduct routine testing and maintenance to diagnose and repair faults and perform component service or replacement, ensuring:

application of sustainability principles and concepts

conduct of operational checks to confirm system is operating to specification

isolation and draining down of the system, as required

diagnosis of faults and conduct of necessary repairs or replacement of faulty components

identification and accurate reporting of faults in tools, equipment or materials to appropriate personnel

identification of the requirement for, and then the conduct of, system testing and maintenance

selection and use of appropriate processes, tools and equipment

completion of work to specification

compliance with regulations, standards and organisational quality procedures and processes

effective communication with others

safe work practices.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit:

must be in the context of the work environment

may be conducted in an off-site context, provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills

must meet relevant compliance requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

an induction procedure

realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the minimum task requirements

relevant specifications and work instructions

tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices

support materials appropriate to activity

workplace instructions relating to safe work practices and addressing hazards and emergencies

safety data sheets, job safety analyses and safe work method statements

research resources, including industry-related systems information.

Method of assessment

Assessment for this unit must verify the practical application of the required skills and knowledge, using one or more of the following methods:

direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions

questioning to confirm the ability to identify and interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application.

Guidance information for assessment

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.

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.

Required skills

communication skills to:

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

follow and give instructions

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

use and interpret non-verbal communication, such as hand signals

numeracy skills to apply measurements and calculations

planning and organisational skills to:

plan and sequence tasks with others

plan and set out work

problem-solving skills to determine safe draining down methods

reading skills to interpret drawings and specifications

teamwork skills to work with others to action tasks

technical skills to use tools and equipment required to test and maintain automatic fire sprinklers

technology skills to:

access site-specific instructions in a variety of media

use mobile communication technology

writing skills to:

record test results

complete workplace checklists and forms

Required knowledge

function and operation of automatic fire sprinkler systems and components

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Factory Mutual performance-based codes of practice

relevant statutory and authority requirements relating to testing and maintaining automatic fire sprinkler systems

requirements of job safety analyses (JSA) and safe work method statements (SWMS)

SI system of measurement

structural systems, building materials and building services that support or surround automatic fire sprinkler systems

automatic fire sprinkler test apparatus and procedures

workplace and equipment safety requirements that apply to testing and maintaining automatic fire sprinklers

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.

Work health and safety requirements must comply with commonwealth, state and territory legislation and regulations, and may include:

handling of materials

hazard control

personal protective clothing and equipment prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices

safe operating procedures, including recognising and preventing hazards associated with:

electricity

hazardous materials and substances

service lines

surrounding structures and facilities

trip hazards

use of tools and equipment

work site visitors and the public

working at heights

working in proximity to others

use of firefighting equipment

workplace environmental health and safety.

Environmental requirements:

cover water quality management

may include:

clean-up protection

stormwater protection

waste management.

Quality assurance requirements may include:

Australian standards

Environment Protection Authority (EPA) requirements

internal company quality assurance policy and risk management strategy

International Standards Organisation (ISO) standards

site safety plans

workplace operations and procedures.

Tools and equipment may include:

elevated work platforms (EWPs)

hand and power tools

ladders

scaffolds

testing equipment.

Materials may include:

actuating devices

alarms initiating devices

control valve assemblies

fittings and connections

sprinkler heads.

Isolation and draining down must include:

identifying the correct system

isolating:

alarm initiating devices

alarm signalling equipment

control and indicating equipment (CIE)

emergency warning system

water supply

operating the main drain valve

identifying and operating low drain point valves, if present

checking system for residual water pressure

applying drain-down water management techniques to prevent water damage.

Sustainability principles and concepts:

cover the current and future social, economic and environmental use of resources

may include efficient:

energy use

use and recycling of material

water use, harvesting and disposal.

Statutory and regulatory authorities may include:

state or territory statutory authority

statutory gasfitting authority

statutory plumbing authority.

Information may include:

charts, drawings and sketches

instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel

memos

organisation’s work requirements

regulatory and legislative requirements, particularly those relating to:

building codes

WHS and environmental requirements

plumbing regulations

relevant Australian standards

safe work procedures relating testing and maintaining automatic fire sprinklers

safety data sheets (SDS)

signage

verbal, written and graphical instructions, including manufacturer specifications and instructions where specified

work bulletins

work schedules, plans and specifications.