Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1.

Establish relevant project management details and protocols.

1.1.

Nature and purpose of the special hazard fire systems design project are determined.

1.2.

Project management roles, responsibilities and lines of communication are established.

1.3.

Required project outcomes are consulted, clarified and finalised with the client.

1.4.

Relevant project scheduling and sequencing information is established.

1.5.

Tasks in the design process are assigned to relevant personnel, and mechanisms to coordinate their input are established and communicated.

1.6.

Project file storage, sharing and communication systems and tools are determined.

1.7.

Workplace quality assurance checks are determined and procedures to ensure that they are conducted are established.

1.8.

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

2.

Interpret fire systems design concepts, briefs and specifications.

2.1.

Project documentation is gathered, analysed, assessed for completeness, and stored and shared for use in the design of effective special hazard fire systems.

2.2.

Structural characteristics of special hazard site are identified and analysed.

2.3.

Functions and occupancies of building or facility are determined from initial project documentation.

2.4.

Clarification of specific building details is sought from client or relevant contractors and consultants.

2.5.

Appropriate hazard classification for building or facility is researched and confirmed.

3.

Complete risk assessment of the project.

3.1.

Regulatory requirements and applicable standards for the special hazard fire system are determined.

3.2.

Insurance requirements impacting on applicable codes and standards for the special hazard fire system project are determined.

3.3.

Prior to commencing design work, risk assessment report is documented that identifies or confirms the type or types of special hazard detection and suppression system that will be used.

This section describes core skills that are essential to performance and not explicit in the performance criteria. Employment skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Skill

Performance feature

Learning skills to:

attempt complex tasks requiring sophisticated conceptualisation and analysis over an extended period and employ lateral thinking and problem solving strategies

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

select and use a range of ICT tools for file and project management and research.

Numeracy skills to:

interpret and apply complex mathematical principles, equations and calculation methods to the design of special hazard fire systems

read, measure and interpret dimensions, ratios and scales on drawings.

Oral communication skills to:

lead and participate in project meetings and consultations with a range of service contractors

listen to and communicate clearly with clients, colleagues and contractors using specialised vocabulary specific to fire systems.

Reading skills to:

recognise distinguishing structures, layout, features and conventions of a range of complex texts and use them to locate information

use a range of reading strategies to maintain comprehension and integrate concepts relating to SHFSD projects.

Writing skills to:

prepare risk assessment reports with content organised in a clear and logical structure, using technical vocabulary and explanations where required

write to construction and fire safety specialists about such things as notifications of incompleteness, and conflicts and errors in drawings supplied by other service contractors.

This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.

Special hazard fire systems design projects must include:

at least one of the following systems:

foam systems

gaseous agent systems

water spray systems

projects developed as a fire risk solution preventing business interruption by providing fire protection to specific equipment or a special facility, where the performance-based principles are not covered by the NCC

compliance with the requirements specified by the client or the client’s insuring body, including the application of Australian and international standards for fire systems.

File storage must include:

accurate naming and filing of drawings

formal document control and amendments, including:

history

transmittal notices.

Project documentation must include:

construction drawings and plans detailing the specific equipment or special facility requiring the special hazard fire system

fire engineer’s design concepts and recommendations

specific layout plans for other services, including plumbing, electrical and air conditioning.

Structural characteristics of building or facility must include:

fabrication materials and methods used

size and layout of building or facility.

Special hazard site must include at least two different sites from the following list:

aeroplane hangars

computer rooms

chemical factories

data centres

documents and other collections in buildings, including libraries, archives storage, art galleries and museums

electrical substations

fuel and gas storage and refineries

warehouses containing highly volatile materials

any other storage facility for very high value individual items that would be destroyed by water-based fire suppression systems.

Regulatory requirements and applicable standards must include at least one standard from the following list:

Australian standards:

AS ISO 14520.1 Gaseous fire-extinguishing systems - Physical properties and system design - General requirements

AS1670 Fire detection, warning control and intercom systems - System design, installation and commissioning

AS1940 The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids

AS2118 Automatic fire sprinkler systems Parts 1 to 6

AS2941 Fixed fire protection installations - Pumpset systems

AS4360 Risk management

AS4487 Condensed aerosol fire extinguishing systems - Requirements for system design, installation and commissioning and test methods for components

AS4587 Water mist fire protection systems

United States National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards:

NFPA 2001 Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems

NFPA 11 Low, Medium and High Expansion Foam Systems

NFPA 13 The Installation of Sprinkler Systems

NFPA 15 Water Spray Fixed Systems for Fire Protection

NFPA 16 Deluge Foam-Water Sprinkler and Foam-Water Spray Systems

NFPA 750 Water Mist Fire Protection Systems.

Documentation for risk assessment must include drawings that detail:

layout

section

detail

external references

freezing layers.