This unit of competency supports the role of fire systems' designers with responsibility for creating specifications and drawings for the fabrication of pipework sections for fire sprinkler systems.

Fire systems 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. Determine the impact on fabrication plans of installation risks and constraints.

1.1. On-site health and safety risks relating to the installation of sprinkler systems are identified.

1.2. Constraints relating to access to on-site installation locations for sprinkler system pipes and components are identified.

1.3. Impact of installation risks and constraints on fabrication plans for fire sprinkler system pipes and components is considered and cost-effective and manageable solutions are determined.

2. Plan and specify pipes, fittings and components.

2.1. Current accurate drawingsand documentation are obtained and analysed, and measurements are taken on-site during construction if possible to confirm the accuracy of building dimensions.

2.2. The dimensions and design drawing locations of the selected fittings and components are checked and confirmed.

2.3. Fittings and components are planned and specified for ease and safety of installation and to provide cost-effective solutions.

2.4. Pipe lengths are calculated, specified and numbered on relevant drawings.

3. Produce fabrication documentation.

3.1. Appropriate pipe materials and features are confirmed and specified.

3.2. Supplier is consulted as necessary to discuss and negotiate efficient and cost-effective pipe fabrication options.

3.3. Individual pipe specifications are numbered and detailed on fabrication lists.

3.4. Drawings are supplied to support fabrication specifications, as required.

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

fluent, detailed hand-drawing and sketching ability to convey information to on-site workers

numeracy skills for:

calculating dimensions, pipe lengths and piping friction loss

performing fluid mechanic calculations

language and literacy skills for:

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

negotiation and conflict management

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

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, including water-based systems, such as:

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

special products and hazards

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

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

water supplies, including:

common water sources

conservation requirements

in-ground reticulation

booster configurations

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

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 production of pipe fabrication documentation for a range of fire sprinkler system design projects.

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

an understanding of technical issues impacting on fire sprinkler systems designs

an understanding of installation risks and constraints impacting on pipe fabrication specifications for fire sprinkler systems

the ability to produce safe, efficient and cost-effective solutions and accurate drawings and documentation for pipe fabrication work for fire sprinkler systems, including:

wet pipe

deluge and drencher

dry pipe

pre-action

early suppression fast response (ESFR)

combination systems

the ability to produce safe, efficient and cost-effective solutions and accurate drawings and documentation for pipe fabrication work for fire sprinkler systems in a range of project types, 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 manufacturer's information.

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.

On-site health and safety risks may include:

manual handling

confined spaces

working at height.

Constraints relating to access may include:

height of pipe

length of pipe

distance from beams

distance from walls.

On-site installation locations may include:

ceiling space

roof space

under-floor

under-soffit.

Current accurate drawings and documentation must be obtained from consultants, lead contractor and other service contractors and should include:

architectural

structural

mechanical

electrical

hydraulic

fire engineer's or estimator's specifications if available.

Fittings and components may include:

hangers

sprinkler heads

elbows

tees

pumps

tanks.

Pipe specifications may include:

length

dimension

pap size

thread

material, including:

black steel

galvanised

hot dip galvanised

flange.

Unit sector

Fire systems design

Nil

This unit contains employability skills.