This unit of competency supports the role of fire systems' designers with responsibility for creating detailed designs for sprinkler fire suppression systems.

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. Set up fire systems design drawings.

1.1. Relevant project drawings and documentation are requested, received, named and filed according to workplace procedures.

1.2. Drawings are cleaned to leave minimal essential information.

1.3. Layers showing designs of other services are imported into clean architectural or structural drawings.

1.4. Details from drawings of the floor of the level above are added, if these affect the design.

1.5. The detailed design drawings are named, filed and backed up according to workplace procedures.

2. Lay out the fire sprinkler system design.

2.1. A site visit is conducted if possible to confirm dimensions and assess installation risks and constraints.

2.2. The exact location of sprinklers is determined and notated on the drawing according to relevant codes and standards.

2.3. The most efficient and workable layout and location of sprinkler system components are determined and notated on the drawing according to workplace procedures.

2.4. Dimensions are calculated, checked and notated on the drawing according to workplace procedures.

3. Submit drawings for approval and finalise design process.

3.1. Fire sprinkler system design drawings are submitted to relevant personnel within the scheduled timeframe.

3.2. Required amendments to design drawings are made or negotiated as required.

3.3. Final approved design drawings are processed and distributed according to project and workplace requirements.

3.4. Fittings and components are selected and ordered according to project and workplace requirements.

Required skills

accurate measuring

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

proprietary hydraulic calculation software

parametric modelling of services coordination using proprietary software, such as Navis-Works or MEP-REVIT

numeracy skills for:

calculating dimensions and pipe lengths

performing fluid mechanic calculations

language and literacy skills for:

listening to and communicating clearly with colleagues, installers, suppliers and contractors

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

researching, accessing, reading, interpreting and applying current relevant legislation, codes and standards

letter writing, especially to formalise:

recognition of conflicts and errors on drawings supplied by other service contractors

agreements with other services, for example whichever service is fitted last must fit around existing services

updating knowledge of products, software systems and technology

reading and interpreting drawings, plans and specifications, including:

architectural

structural

mechanical

hydraulic

electrical

researching and evaluating competing technologies in new products and systems

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

negotiation and conflict management

initiating and running meetings with lead contractor and other service contractors

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

lateral thinking and problem solving

maintaining concentration, focus and attention to detail for long periods

managing detailed input to concurrent fire systems design projects at different stages of the process and with diverse sets of regulatory requirements

Required knowledge

workplace design tools and processes

level of accuracy required in detailed design drawings

naming conventions for design drawings and drawing register

fire science, including:

fire behaviour and dynamics

impact of fire on structures and materials

products of combustion

fire control strategies

fire retardants

fire detection technologies

fire suppression technologies

fire containment

computer software functions and operation, including:

word processing

spreadsheet

email

internet

proprietary project management software

proprietary hydraulic calculation software

parametric modelling software, such as Navis-Works or MEP-REVIT

relevant current legislation, codes and standards, including:

building Acts

building regulations

infrastructure supply regulations

the Building Code of Australia

Australian standards for fire systems

international standards for fire systems

other fire system standards commonly required by building insurers

protection requirements for different buildings

fire systems' technology and components for 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)

purpose and operation of fire systems, including:

layout

system operation

performance requirements

maintenance standards

system activation and operation

characteristics and limitations of products and materials used in fire systems and issues relating to material compatibility

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

interconnection of fire systems, including:

cause and effect matrix

interface with other services

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

installation methods, including:

access requirements

health and safety requirements

fluid mechanics and hydraulics relating to pipe range

sustainability requirements and ratings, including:

energy conservation

water conservation

pipe fabrication methods and constraints

mathematic principles, equations and calculation methods, including:

financial calculations, for example to assess cost-effectiveness of fire systems

trigonometry, for example to amend dimensions of pipe allowing for fittings

flow calculations, including:

area of operations

discharge rates and quantities

discharge times

pressure gain and loss

K-factors

pressure, temperature and volume relationship

Hazen-Williams equation

Darcy-Weisbach equation

computational fluid dynamics

principles of organic and inorganic chemistry

principles of physical sciences, including:

Boyle's Law

Charles' Law

Dalton's Law

Henry's Law

principles of thermodynamics, including:

effects of heat

stratification of gases

smoke and heat dynamics

human psychology, especially fire avoidance behaviour

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 effective performance and application of principles relating to the design of fire sprinkler systems for a range of different types of buildings.

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:

the ability to:

read and interpret a range of design drawings

create, manipulate, save, file and share design drawings

identify, interpret and apply relevant current legislation, codes, standards and regulatory requirements impacting on fire sprinkler system designs

interpret and apply fire engineer's designs for alternative solutions

an understanding of technical issues impacting on fire sprinkler system designs

an understanding of the relevant regulatory approval and fire systems design certification processes

the ability to produce fully compliant designs for fire sprinkler systems which also meet client requirements, including:

wet pipe

dry pipe

pre-action

early suppression fast response (ESFR)

combination systems

the ability to produce fully compliant designs for fire sprinkler systems for a range of types of sites, 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:

design briefs, drawings, plans and specifications

copies of codes, standards, legislation and regulatory requirements

access to information and communications technology - hardware and software

access to relevant manufacturer's information regarding fittings and components.

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 drawings and documentation may include:

architectural

structural

mechanical

electrical

hydraulic

fire engineer's or estimator's specifications.

Codes and standards may include:

the Building Code of Australia

current relevant Australian standards for fire systems

current relevant international standards for fire systems

codes and standards stipulated by the building insurer.

Efficient and workable layout and location relate to:

selection of cost-effective components and materials

consideration of:

penetrations

conflict with other services

occupational health and safety risks

access constraints

installation problems

aesthetic requirements

efficiencies to facilitate work on site and reduce labour costing.

Sprinkler system components may include:

discharge nozzles

pipework

brackets

system valves

zone valves

fire panels

specific components for:

wet pipe sprinkler systems

deluge and drencher systems

dry pipe sprinkler systems

pre-action sprinkler systems

early suppression fast response (ESFR) systems.

Negotiations regarding amendments to design drawings may arise due to:

non-compliance with applicable legislation, codes and standards

impact on installation risks and constraints

impact on cost-effectiveness.

Fittings and components may include:

hangers

sprinkler heads

elbows

tees

control valves.

Unit sector

Fire systems design

Nil

This unit contains employability skills.