This unit of competency supports the role of fire systems' designers who manage their own work and take responsibility for ensuring that detailed designs of fire systems are produced within required timeframes and to the standards required for approval of such designs.

Fire systems designs are limited to those within the deemed-to-satisfy provisions of the Building Code of Australia or detailed fire systems designs for alternative solutions designed by fire engineers. This unit does not apply to fire systems for special hazard locations.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Establish relevant project management details.

1.1. Project management roles, responsibilities and lines of communication for fire systems design projects are identified and agreed with project team members in line with project timelines.

1.2. Relevant project scheduling and sequencing information is identified and confirmed.

1.3. Project file-sharing and communication systems and tools are identified and any necessary familiarisation activities are undertaken to ensure efficient and effective operation.

2. Establish procedures for initiating fire systems design projects.

2.1. Project and file-naming systems are established according to workplace and project requirements.

2.2. Efficient and effective document filing and storage systems are established according to workplace and project requirements.

2.3. Systems for efficient tracking and filing of project communications are established according to workplace and project requirements.

2.4. A system is established for ensuring that relevant project documentation is requested, received, named and filed according to workplace procedures.

3. Develop a plan for setting up fire systems design projects.

3.1. Procedures for setting up correct CAD backgrounds are established according to workplace and project requirements.

3.2. Systematic processes for identifying and importing the correct layer drawings into CAD are established according to workplace and project requirements.

3.3. Systematic processes for naming, notating and filing drawings are established according to workplace and project requirements.

4. Develop a plan and methodology for designing fire systems.

4.1. Steps and timeframes in the design process for fire systems are established according to workplace and project requirements.

4.2. Workplace quality assurance checks to ensure accuracy and validity of design are determined and procedures are established to ensure that these are conducted.

4.3. Stages where regulatory or other approval is required for the design are determined and procedures are established to ensure that these are obtained.

5. Develop a plan and methodology for finalising fire systems design projects.

5.1. Steps and timeframes in the fabrication support process are established according to workplace and project requirements.

5.2. Steps and timeframes in the installation support process are established according to workplace and project requirements.

5.3. Final drawing and documentation requirements are established according to workplace and project requirements.

Required skills

accurate naming and filing of drawings, including:

formal document control

formal amendments, including:

history

transmittal notices

editing and creating drawings, including:

layout

section

detail

external references

freezing layers

operating computer software packages and systems, including:

word processing

spreadsheet

email

internet

proprietary project management software

numeracy skills for calculating timeframes

language and literacy skills for:

listening to and communicating clearly with colleagues and contractors

participating in meetings, such as negotiations with fire engineering consultant, architect, builder or other service contractors

reading and interpreting drawings, plans and specifications, including:

architectural

structural

mechanical

hydraulic

electrical

developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with project team members, workplace colleagues, suppliers, installers, fitters and clients

project management

organising own work, including creating personal systems and checklists for planning, managing and checking work

lateral thinking and problem solving

Required knowledge

workplace design tools and processes

level of accuracy required in detailed design drawings

naming conventions for design drawings and drawing register

computer software functions and operation, including:

word processing

spreadsheet

email

internet

proprietary project management software

fire systems' technology and components, including:

water-based systems, including:

wet pipe sprinkler systems

deluge and drencher systems

dry pipe sprinkler systems

pre-action sprinkler systems

early suppression fast response (ESFR)

hydrants, hose reels and monitors

water supply tanks

fire pump sets

detection and warning systems, including:

emergency warning and intercommunications systems (EWIS)

fire detection and alarm systems

smoke control systems

emergency lighting systems

purpose and operation of fire systems, including:

layout

special products and hazards

system operation

performance requirements

maintenance standards

system activation and operation

passive fire safety elements:

identification of passive elements

impact of fire systems design on passive elements

specifications required to safeguard integrity of passive fire element performance where penetrations are necessitated by the fire systems design

basic principles of structural engineering

characteristics of building materials

construction industry terminology

roles and responsibilities of relevant building project personnel, including:

architect

lead contractor

mechanical engineer

hydraulic engineer

electrical engineer

on-site issues that can arise during the construction phase and impose changes to the designs of fire systems and other services

contractual processes

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, provided that the simulated or project-based assessment fully replicates workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

This unit could be assessed as an activity involving the development of a project plan and methodology for several different types of fire systems design projects. This should include the establishment of team member responsibilities, administrative and communications procedures, document management, scheduling, timelines and arrangements for project finalisation activities.

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 within this unit.

In particular the person should demonstrate:

an understanding of the roles of project team members

appropriate consultation and negotiation with project team members, including lead contractor, architect and other services' designers and installation contractors

an understanding of project management processes and the ability to use project management tools effectively for scheduling, communications and file sharing

the ability to plan, organise and conduct fire systems design activities, including installation support and finalisation in line with project timelines, and compliance and quality requirements for a range of fire systems design projects, including:

low-rise buildings

medium-rise buildings

high-rise buildings (over 25 metres)

buildings over 45 metres in height.

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:

project documentation, including plans, schedules, design briefs and specifications

copies of codes, standards, legislation and regulatory requirements

access to information and communications technology - hardware and software.

Method of assessment

Assessment 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.

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.

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.

Project management roles may include:

client

lead contractor or builder

fire engineering consultant

architect

mechanical engineer or contractor

structural engineer or contractor

electrical engineer or contractor

hydraulic engineer or contractor.

Fire systems may include:

water-based systems, including:

wet pipe sprinkler systems

deluge and drencher systems

dry pipe sprinkler systems

pre-action sprinkler systems

early suppression fast response (ESFR)

hydrants, hose reels and monitors

detection and warning systems, including:

emergency warning and intercommunications systems (EWIS)

fire detection and alarm systems

smoke control systems

emergency lighting systems.

Project documentation may include:

drawings, including:

architectural

structural

mechanical

hydraulic

electrical

layout

section

detail

external references

project plan

project schedule

design brief

design specifications.

Regulatory or other approval may include sign-off by:

building surveyor

fire brigade

fire engineer.

Final drawing and documentation requirements may include:

'as installed' drawings

block plans

tactical fire plans

commissioning benchmarks

operations and maintenance manuals.

Unit sector

Fire systems design

Nil

This unit contains employability skills.