Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit of competency in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below.

The key features of legislation, regulations and codes applicable to inspecting and maintaining fire hydrants and portable fire monitors.

The purpose of the Building Code of Australia.

The implications of NOT applying legislative requirements to job functions.

Action to take when a breach of health, safety and other policies occurs.

Purpose of fire monitors (including fixed and portable).

Operating principles of fire monitors (including fixed and portable).

Limitations of maintenance functions in regards to fire monitors.

Operating principles of various pumps associated with hydrants and monitors.

Purpose of foam proportioning equipment relating to portable fire monitors.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These relate to the ability to:

use hand and power tools safely and with dexterity

report and record information neatly and legibly when completing documentation

plan and organise work in order to estimate time to complete activities and prioritise tasks

communicate with others in a clear and concise manner in both written and verbal modes

use appropriate workplace housekeeping procedures

utilise effective customer service skills and relate to people from a range of social and cultural backgrounds.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

The following units of competency must be assessed prior to this unit:

PRMPFES04B Identify fire protection equipment

PRMPFES06C Prepare for installation and servicing operations.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

access to customer premises or a simulated workplace environment

assessment documentation

all necessary tools, specialist equipment, manuals and relevant documentation

training and assessment record book.

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 (or assessment team working together to conduct the assessment). 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 competence over the full range of performance criteria should be made through practical demonstrations at a customer's premises. However, at times this may not be practicable, and in these situations, the conditions normally available to the candidate may be simulated in an environment suitable for assessment.

Competency is to be demonstrated through a single, practical demonstration covering the full range of performance criteria. The ability to transfer skills to other situations described in the range statement is inferred from this assessment. (Oral questioning may be used to provide evidence of this ability.)

Candidates should also be given the opportunity to practise and undertake self-assessment of performance before requesting formal assessment.

All safety requirements must be strictly adhered to during all practical activities.

Oral questioning or a written assessment may be used to assess underpinning knowledge. (In assessment situations where the candidate is offered a preference between oral questioning and written assessment, questions are to be identical.)

Assessment of evidence should establish the candidate's ability to perform the job to the standard required in the workplace.

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence or reports from supervisors or team leaders. Other forms of evidence may include audit reports, client/customer survey reports and appraisal reports.

Note: The candidate should be encouraged to compile a portfolio of examples of completed documentation relevant to the candidate's organisation. One accurate example of each completed document is suggested as sufficient to infer competency and the ability to transfer the appropriate skills to each document type when required in the workplace. (Oral questioning may contribute as evidence of this ability.)

Information derived from enterprise policy and practices must be treated as commercial-in-confidence.

Performance and assessment of this unit must be carried out within the relevant requirements of the following legislative and industry framework:

building Acts/regulations/codes

Australian Standards identified as relevant to the required maintenance procedure

environmental regulations

manufacturers' specifications

organisational requirements, including OHS policies and procedures.

Key competency levels

There are a number of processes learnt throughout work and daily life that are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work environments. Some of these work processes are covered by the key competencies listed below. Information provided to each question highlights how these processes are applied in this unit of competency.

The number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency should be demonstrated.

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 will 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 may be present for this particular unit.

Legislative and industry requirements may include:

relevant Commonwealth and state/territory building Acts/regulations/codes

relevant current Australian Standards e.g. AS1851

Building Code of Australia

dangerous goods regulations

licensing arrangements

environmental regulations

municipal building surveyor requirements

other relevant legislation relating to fire control equipment

Australian petroleum industries' requirements.

Work procedures may include:

instructions from colleagues/supervisor/manager

specific customer requirements

assignment instructions

reporting and documentation requirements

personal protective equipment requirements.

Relevant persons may include:

team leaders

supervisors

managers

colleagues

customers.

Potential and actual breaches of legislative and industry requirements could be identified by:

direct observation

as part of workplace quality assurance teams.

Organisational requirements may be located in quality assurance and/or procedures manuals relating to:

legal and organisational policy/guidelines

personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles, responsibilities and delegations

legislation relevant to the service operation

OHS policies, procedures and programs

documentation and information systems and processes.

OHS policies and procedures may relate to:

hazard and risk identification and reporting

risk assessment and control measures

incident/accident investigation

OHS audits and safety inspections

safe operating procedures/instructions

use and maintenance of personal protective equipment

equipment maintenance and use

use and storage of hazardous substances

First Aid.

Fire monitors to cover portable types only.

Customer requirements may include:

provision of routine services

provision of non-routine or urgent services

confirmation of, or variations to, service instructions

sighting work permits

sign-in/out procedures for entry to or exit from premises

written or verbal confirmation of services provided and/or future maintenance schedule.

Documentation may include:

job card

customer recommendation forms

service agreements

expense claims

application for credit form

equipment recommendation form

Fleetcard

corrective action report

petty cash voucher

certificate of inspection

product documentation

maintenance record system.

Note: Australian Standards are frequently revised and users must always check for currency.

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