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.

Select appropriate special hazard fire suppression solutions

1.1.

Research is conducted to determine appropriate fire suppression solutions that address building or facility’s risk profile and special hazard standards that have been identified for use.

1.2.

Cost-benefit and efficiency analyses of the range of fire suppression systems are conducted.

1.3.

Recommendations for selection of preferred solutions are reported to appropriate personnel.

2.

Select appropriate special hazard fire detection and occupant warning solutions.

2.1.

Research is conducted to determine appropriate fire detection and occupant warning solutions that address building or facility’s risk profile, ambient conditions and the selected fire suppression solution.

2.2.

Cost-benefit and efficiency analyses of the range of fire detection and occupant warning systems are conducted.

2.3.

Recommendations for selection of preferred solutions are made to appropriate personnel.

3.

Set up special hazard fire systems design drawing.

3.1.

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

3.2.

Drawings are cleaned to leave minimal essential information.

3.3.

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

3.4.

Details from drawings of floor or building adjacent to the areas under design consideration are added if these affect the design.

3.5.

Detailed design drawing is named, filed and backed up according to workplace procedures.

4.

Lay out the special hazard fire systems design.

4.1.

Site visit is conducted where possible to confirm dimensions and assess installation risks and constraints.

4.2.

Interactions between various systems are identified and planned.

4.3.

Exact locations of sprinklers and other fittings are determined and notated on the drawing according to relevant codes and standards.

4.4.

Most efficient and workable layout and location of system components are determined and notated on the drawing.

4.5.

Dimensions are calculated, checked and notated on the drawing.

5.

Calculate the requirements for the special hazard fire system solutions.

5.1.

Calculations to identify and confirm required capacity of the special hazard fire systems are undertaken.

5.2.

Infrastructure to support special hazard fire system solution is identified and quantified.

5.3.

Shortfalls in water pressure are determined and sizes of pumps and tanks required for water spray systems are calculated.

6.

Evaluate and implement special hazard fire system solutions.

6.1.

Components of special hazard fire system solution are gathered from relevant expert personnel as required.

6.2.

Special hazard system design drawings are evaluated for efficiency and effectiveness.

6.3.

Design drawings are submitted to relevant personnel within scheduled timeframe.

6.4.

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

6.5.

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

6.6.

Fittings and components are selected and ordered.

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

select and use a range of ICT tools for fire systems design, file and project management and research

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

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

Numeracy skills to:

interpret and apply mathematical principles, equations and calculation methods to special hazard fire systems design, including performing calculations for electrical systems

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

Oral communication skills to:

listen to and communicate clearly with colleagues, fitters, suppliers and contractors

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

Reading skills to:

access, interpret and apply current relevant legislation, codes and standards to the design and evaluation of complex special hazard fire systems

recognise conflicts and errors on drawings supplied by other service contractors.

Writing skills to:

write to construction and fire safety specialists using technical vocabulary 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.

Fire suppression solutions must include two of the following:

chemical systems

detection and warning systems

special hazard foam systems

special hazard gaseous agent systems

water-based deluge or pre-action sprinkler systems.

Risk profile of the building or facility will reflect its use and must include details of:

users of and visitors to the site and the need to protect them

value of the equipment, facility or goods stored

susceptibility of the stored goods to water or other forms of damage resulting from the use of different types of system.

Special hazard standards must include at least one standard from the following list:

relevant Australian standards, including:

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

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

United States National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, including:

NFPA 2001 Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems

NFPA 11 Low, Medium and High Expansion Foam Systems

NFPA 11A Medium and High Expansion Foam Systems

NFPA 13 The Installation of Sprinkler Systems

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

Fire detection and occupant warning solutions must include:

fire alarms

fire gas detectors

flame detectors

heat-sensing detectors

smoke-sensing detectors.

File naming must include:

accurate naming and filing of drawings, including formal document control and amendments:

history

transmittal notices

naming conventions for design drawings and drawing registers.

Interactions between multiple systems on a complex site must be analysed to:

ensure most effective selection of systems to protect different assets

maximise effectiveness of systems

maximise efficiency of installation process.

Efficient and workable layout and location must consider:

access constraints

aesthetic requirements

conflict with other services

efficiencies to facilitate work on site

installation problems

penetrations

reduction of labour costing

work health and safety risks.

System components must include:

brackets

discharge nozzles

fire panels

pipework

system valves

zone valves.

Calculations that relate to the special hazard fire systems must include:

foam system calculations.

gaseous system calculations

hydraulic calculations to assess pressure requirements and confirm pipe sizes

water-spray system calculations.

Infrastructure for special hazard fire system solutions must include:

delivery systems for the suppression agent

pipework

storage containers

tanks.

Negotiated change must include one made due to:

impact on cost-effectiveness

impact on installation risks and constraints

non-compliance with applicable legislation, codes and standards.

Fittings and components must include:

control valves

elbows

hangers

pipe fabrication methods and constraints

pumps

sprinkler heads

tanks

tees.