CPCPFS3023A
Conduct functional water flow testing

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to complete functional water flow proving and load tests on water-based fire-suppression systems. The unit covers working safely while conducting water flow testing. It involves satisfying mandatory reporting requirements as well as general isolations and resetting the water-based fire-suppression system.The fire protection technician is not permitted to undertake any installation, replacement, maintenance and repair functions that are restricted to licensed trades or occupations (subject to relevant state or territory regulations).Different states and territories may have regulatory mechanisms that apply to this unit. Candidates are advised to check for regulatory limitations.

Application

This unit of competency supports fire protection technicians responsible for functional testing of water-based fire protection systems.

Individuals operate within the scope of their defined roles and responsibilities and perform the functional water flow tests as part of their work duties to verify that equipment functions as intended, according to work procedures and relevant Australian standards.

The unit must be applied strictly according to relevant state or territory legislative and industry requirements.


Prerequisites

CPCPCM2023A

Carry out OHS requirements

OR BOTH:

CPPCMN2002A

Participate in workplace safety arrangements

AND

CPPFES2006A

Prepare for installation and servicing operations


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Apply compliance requirements to service operations.

1.1. Legislative and industry requirements are confirmed and applied to organisational requirements.

1.2. Location and equipment are checked for compliance with legislative and industry requirements and action is taken according to organisational requirements.

2. Prepare system and equipment to conduct functional water flow proving test.

2.1. Workplace procedures are followed and risk control measures applied when setting up on water-based fire-suppression systems.

2.2. Appropriate test points are identified.

2.3. Water flow test equipment required is identified according to manufacturer instructions and legislative and industry requirements.

2.4. Required water flow test equipment is attached according to manufacturer instructions and organisational requirements.

2.5. Relevant plant and other system interfaces are identified and isolated according to organisational requirements.

2.6. Water supply isolating valves are located, types of valves identified, and valves operated as required to isolate water supplies according to organisational requirements.

2.7. Sustainability principles and concepts are applied to work preparation and application.

3. Conduct functional water flow proving and load test, and record results.

3.1. Test methods are implemented according to frequency schedule and legislative and industry requirements.

3.2. Tests are conducted on each water supply, as required, to verify that systems function as intended.

3.3. Test results are compared with legislative and industry requirements.

3.4. Results are documented according to legislative and industry requirements.

3.5. Report is prepared and forwarded to relevant persons for action according to legislative and industry requirements.

3.6. System is reinstated according to organisational requirements.

Required Skills

Required skills

language, literacy and numeracy skills to:

communicate with others clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing

interpret data from a range of flow testing equipment

read, understand and comply with work instructions and specifications

read, understand and record measurements

record and report information neatly and legibly

planning and organising skills to:

estimate time to complete activities

prioritise tasks

technical skills to:

attach flow and pressure test equipment according to manufacturer specifications

check test equipment for calibration and operation according to manufacturer specifications

interconnect test equipment into recording devices

operate valves, switches and levers to test system operation

use:

portable tachometer on pump shaft to read speed

clamp or tong current meter to read motor operating current

throttling control valve to control water flow

work safely when applying workplace housekeeping procedures

Required knowledge

basic principles of hydraulics

basic principles of operation and purpose of components of a water-based fire protection system:

alarm 'dry' (i.e. deluge) control valve assembly components

alarm 'wet' control valve assembly components

booster valve assembly

circulation and system pressure relief valves

compression ignition engine governing controls

differential pressure gauges

hand tachometers

hydrant landing valve assembly

isolation and control valves

manometers

orifice plates

Pitot tube water flow test instrument

pressure and flow switches

pressure gauges

pump controllers and ancillary equipment for control and indication

pumpsets

solenoid valves

system block plans

system pressure gauge schedules

throttling valves

ultrasonic flow measuring equipment

ultrasonic thickness gauges

Venturi devices

water supply tanks: atmospheric, pressure and suction with priming tanks

general operation of a pumpset, covering:

compression ignition engine governing control devices

cooling systems

design speed requirements

exhaust systems

fuel systems

full load operation

normal running operation

pre-start and post-start checks

pumpset performance curve

pumpset controllers

starting and stopping methods

suction and discharge connections and pressures readings

general operation of water-based fire-suppression systems

terminology used in relation to water-based fire-suppression systems

water-based fire-suppression system components:

air compressors fitted to control valves

circulation and system pressure relief valves

controls on the pumpset controller panel:

fuel gauges

indicators

main isolating switch

electric motor specification plate

flow switches and associated testing equipment

isolating valves associated with water-based fire-suppression system

mains water supply underground key-operated valve location

most hydraulically disadvantaged testing point on a system hose reel and hydrant system

pressure gauges

pumpsets associated with water-based fire-suppression systems

pump starting switches

suction inlet strainers or screen on a static water supply for water-based fire-suppression system

system block plans

system main alarm bell or alarm strobe indicating building entry point for emergency personnel

system pressure gauge schedules

water supply tanks, water level indicators and automatic inflow valves

water-based fire-suppression system control and alarm valves and ancillary equipment for control and alarm operation indication or interface

water-based fire-suppression system applications, as defined in AS 2118

Evidence Required

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 observation of practical demonstration of basic functional water flow testing of a range of water-based fire-suppression systems.

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 required skills and knowledge specified in this unit.

In particular the person should demonstrate the ability to:

apply sustainability principles and concepts when conducting functional water flow testing

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

conduct functional water-flow testing of the following water-based fire-suppression systems:

deluge systems

hydrant systems

pre-action or recycle systems

residential and domestic systems

wet and general systems with no pumpset system

wet and general systems with pumpset system and tank.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context. It is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

adequate water supply and draining or recycling arrangements to operate the water-based fire-suppression system

calibrated water flow measuring and pressure gauge equipment

operational water-based fire-suppression systems.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Property 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.

Guidance information for assessment

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.

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function, for example:

CPCPFS3021A Inspect and test fire pumpsets.


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, 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.

Legislative and industry requirements may include:

relevant commonwealth and state or territory building Acts, regulations and codes, such as Building Code of Australia (BCA)

relevant Australian standards, such as:

AS 1851 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment

note: Australian standards are frequently revised and users must always check for currency and amendments

relevant legislation relating to testing of fire protection equipment, including:

dangerous goods regulations

environmental regulations

international shipping codes

licensing arrangements

marine codes for different Australian states

occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation, regulations and codes

requirements of Australian petroleum industry.

Organisational requirements may be located in quality assurance and procedures manuals and may include:

client-specific contractual requirements

documentation and information systems and processes

legal and organisational policies and guidelines, including personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles, responsibilities and delegations

legislation relevant to service operation

using electronic job scheduling and communication devices.

Checking for compliance may include:

undertaking commissioning tests detailed in relevant Australian standards and manufacturers' documentation to verify performance of an installed, repaired or altered piece of equipment or system

applying inspections, tests and survey requirements to equipment and systems, according to relevant Australian standards, to determine that they are:

capable of operating as intended when originally installed

still suitable for the fire hazard or risk being protected, as no change in occupancy or use of the area protected has occurred since the equipment or system was installed or last modified

providing the coverage and protection needed to meet original design and performance requirements

reviewing documentation to verify that installed systems comply with legislative and industry requirements, such as:

building's essential services or fire safety measures listing

environmental regulations

relevant commonwealth and state or territory building Acts, regulations and codes

relevant Australian standards listed on essential service listing.

Action may include:

advising client

documenting non-compliance

making equipment safe

reporting, as required.

Water-based fire-suppression systems are defined in AS 2118 Automatic fire sprinkler systems and AS 2419 Fire hydrant installations, and may include:

alternate wet and dry systems

combined sprinkler and hydrant systems

deluge systems

dry systems

hydrant systems

pre-action or recycle systems

residential and domestic systems

tail-end systems

alternate wet and general systems.

Test points are:

specific locations where test equipment can be attached to measure and record water flow and pressure to meet legislative and industry requirements.

Water flow test equipment may include:

differential pressure gauges

hand tachometers

manometers

orifice plates

Pitot tube water flow test instrument

ultrasonic flow measuring equipment

ultrasonic thickness gauges

Venturi devices.

System interfaces may include:

components such as flow, pressure, tamper and valve positioning switches that operate signals between the water-based fire-suppression system and other services, such as:

building heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) services

fire brigade monitoring providers

other life safety systems, such as:

warning systems

fire indicator panel.

Sustainability principles and concepts:

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

may include:

efficient use of material

efficient energy and water use

rain harvesting and disposal.

Frequency schedules include:

schedules conducted at regular frequencies, as defined in AS1851, and relating to weekly, monthly, and six-monthly inspection and testing activities.


Sectors

Unit sector

Plumbing and services


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not Applicable