The evidence guide identifies the requirements to be demonstrated to confirm competence for this unit. Assessment must confirm sufficient ability to use appropriate skills and knowledge to communicate effectively with fire safety system personnel. Assessment of performance should be conducted within an agreed timeframe, covering all categories within the range statement applicable to normal work requirements.

Critical aspects of competency

Communicate effectively with fire safety system clients and other stakeholders to determine documentation requirements and to ensure that regulatory, client and other stakeholder requirements are addressed.

Access information from appropriate sources and ensure compliance with relevant standards, codes and legislative requirements.

Communicate technical information and details of fire safety system documentation effectively to clients and other stakeholders by verbal, written or appropriate electronic medium.

Communicate effectively with others in the workplace, and apply appropriate conflict resolution techniques to resolve issues of conflict.

Facilitate meetings with clients and other stakeholders.

Record, store securely, maintain and update client and other stakeholder data and documentation in accordance with relevant standards, codes, legislative requirements and workplace procedures.

Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements embedded in performance include those listed below.

Principles of the communication process.

Type and content of relevant standards, codes and legislative requirements applicable to the inspection and compliance of fire safety system and associated fire safety sub-systems.

How to source and access documentation required to meet the requirements of the relevant standards, codes, and legislation.

Impact of the relevant standards, codes, and legislative requirements on the client and other stakeholder data and documentation.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These include the following.

Active listening techniques.

Verbal communication with clients and stakeholders.

Facilitating meetings.

Effectively presenting information.

Asking questions to clarify understanding and to lead discussion to determine client and other stakeholder concerns.

Conflict resolution techniques.

Producing accurate and legible reports and other forms of written communication.

Effective telephone techniques.

Recording and storing information.

Organising, collecting and collating information.

Basic word-processing skills.

Sourcing and recording feedback provided by others in the workplace.

Responding to requests from clients and other stakeholders.

Recording and securing storage of client and other stakeholder data and documentation.

Language, literacy and numeracy skills necessary to process written and verbal information and perform basic calculations related to the job.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

This unit of competency can be assessed on its own or in conjunction with any practical unit.

Gaining evidence to assess this unit

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, the competency should be demonstrated over a period of time and be observed by the assessor.

The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations, which may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.

Assessment of competency may be made through practical demonstration in the work environment or in a simulated work environment.

Key competency levels

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life that are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added.

Information below highlights how these processes are applied in this unit of competency.

Refer to Evidence Guide

The range statement links the required knowledge and organisational and technical requirements to the workplace context. It describes any contextual variables that may be used or encountered when applying the competency in work situations. It allows for different work practices and work and knowledge requirements as well as for differences between organisations and workplaces. The following variables are listed in alphabetical order and may be present for this particular unit.

Appropriate sources may include:

Australian Communications Authority - cabling provider rules

Australian Dangerous Goods Code

Australian Standards

Building Code of Australia

building surveyor requirements

clients and other stakeholders

dispensations from fire and other regulatory authorities

enterprise operating procedures

federal/state/territory/local government authority legislation and regulations, including:

state or territory building legislation and regulations

state or territory environmental regulations

state or territory fire service legislation and regulations

industry codes of practice

international fire system and equipment standards

plumbing codes

product manufacturer's technical manuals and data sheets

updates and interpretations of the Building Code of Australia

workplace codes of practice.

Clients and other stakeholders may include:

agents/agent representatives

builders

building architects

building owners/occupiers

building surveyors

federal/state/territory/local government authorities

fire and other regulatory authorities

fire engineers

fire safety system designers

fire safety system installers

industry associations

maintenance providers

other appropriate bodies or organisations

project managers/site managers.

Communicating in an appropriate manner may include:

company message pads

completion of pre-drafted templates

email

formal and informal reports

memorandums

verbal communication with written follow-up.

Methods of documenting, recording and storing client data may include:

client invoicing

computer files and online data

daily work planner

hard copy client history files

project documentation and workplace documentation.

Relevant standards, codes and legislative requirements may include:

Australian Communications Authority - cabling provider rules

Australian Dangerous Goods Code

Australian Standards

Building Code of Australia

building surveyor requirements

client and other stakeholder requirements

dispensations from fire and other regulatory authorities

enterprise operating procedures

federal/state/territory/local government authority legislation and regulations, including:

state or territory building legislation and regulations

state or territory environmental regulations

state or territory fire service legislation and regulations

industry codes of practice

international fire system and equipment standards

plumbing codes

product manufacturer's technical manuals and data sheets

updates and interpretations of the Building Code of Australia

workplace codes of practice.

Types of client records may include:

computer files and online data

hard copy client history files.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist