PRMPFES20B
Service wheeled fire extinguishers in the field

This unit of competency covers the servicing procedures for wheeled fire extinguishers, which are conducted at a customer's premises. All work in this area must be completed in accordance with relevant legislative, industry, customer and organisational requirements, including occupational health and safety (OHS) policies and procedures.

Application

Not Applicable


Prerequisites

Not Applicable


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1 Interpret and comply with legal and industry requirements relating to service operations

1.1 Apply knowledge and understanding of legislative and industry requirements, including relevant state/territory building codes, to work procedures

1.2 Confirm or clarify knowledge and understanding of legislative and industry requirements, including state/territory building codes, where necessary, with relevant persons

1.3 Identify potential and actualbreaches of legislative and industry requirements and take action according to organisational requirements and OHS policies and procedures

2 Service wheeled fire extinguishers

2.1 Obtain all necessary work permits prior to entering customer premises

2.2 Service wheeled fire extinguishers according to the appropriate maintenance schedule of relevant current Australian Standards and according to customer requirements

2.3 Inspect and repair or replace the carriage assembly (where fitted) where necessary according to manufacturers' specifications

2.4 Complete discharge tests, recharging procedures and leak tests in accordance with relevant current Australian Standards, organisational requirements and environmental regulations

2.5 Complete hydrostatic tests, where permitted, according to relevant current Australian Standards and organisational requirements and OHS policies and procedures

2.6 Report, repair and replace faulty wheeled fire extinguishers in accordance with relevant current Australian Standards, technical specifications and policy guidelines

2.7 Inspect maintenance equipment and tools for faults, wear or damage and repair or replace according to technical specifications and work procedures

2.8 Leave customer premises in a clean and tidy condition on completion of maintenance functions

2.9 Complete and distribute relevant documentation according to relevant current Australian Standards and organisational requirements

Required Skills

Refer to Evidence Guide

Evidence Required

Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit of competency in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below.

The key features of legislation, regulations and codes applicable to servicing wheeled fire extinguishers.

The purpose of the Building Code of Australia.

The implications of NOT applying legislative requirements to job functions.

Action to take when a breach of health, safety and other policies occurs.

Types and quantity of spare parts that should be carried in the service vehicle.

Implications of incorrect servicing procedures for the customer and the organisation.

Reasons for informing customers of changes to Australian Standards.

Reasons for conforming to the customer's workplace procedures and guidelines.

Reasons for conforming to EPA regulations (or equivalent) with respect to discharge tests.

Reasons for ensuring gauges and scales are calibrated regularly.

Disposal of waste products.

The meaning of 'aggressive environments'.

The dangers of mixing extinguishants.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These relate to the ability to:

use correct manual handling techniques

be aware of OHS issues and requirements in order to work safely

use tools with dexterity

report and record information neatly and legibly when completing documentation

plan and organise work in order to estimate time to complete activities and prioritise tasks

utilise effective customer service skills and relate to people from a range of social and cultural backgrounds

apply language, literacy and numeracy skills to:

communicate with others in a clear and concise manner in both written and verbal modes

read, understand and comply with work instructions/specifications

read, understand and record measurements

use appropriate workplace housekeeping procedures.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

The following units of competency must be assessed prior to this unit:

PRMPFES04B Identify fire protection equipment

PRMPFES06C Prepare for installation and servicing operations.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

access to customer premises or a simulated workplace environment

assessment documentation

all necessary tools, specialist equipment, manuals and relevant documentation

training and assessment record book.

Gaining evidence to assess this unit

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, the competency should be demonstrated over a period of time and be observed by the assessor (or assessment team working together to conduct the assessment). The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations, which may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.

Assessment of competence over the full range of performance criteria should be made through practical demonstrations at a customer's premises. However, at times this may not be practicable, and in these situations, the conditions normally available to the candidate may be simulated in an environment suitable for assessment.

Candidates should also be given the opportunity to practise and undertake self-assessment of performance before requesting formal assessment.

All safety requirements must be adhered to during all practical activities.

Oral questioning or a written assessment may be used to assess underpinning knowledge. (In assessment situations where the candidate is offered a preference between oral questioning and written assessment, questions are to be identical.)

Assessment of evidence should establish the candidate's ability to perform the job to the standard required in the workplace.

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence or reports from supervisors or team leaders. A demonstrated understanding of both stored pressure and cartridge units is required.

Competency in this unit may be inferred from at least one practical demonstration in each of the following three categories:

Any one from water, foam or wet chemical types.

Any powder type.

Any CO2 or vaporising liquid type (the demonstration does not include hydrostatic testing).

Note: The candidate should be encouraged to compile a portfolio of examples of completed documentation relevant to the candidate's organisation. One accurate example of each completed document is suggested as sufficient to infer competency and the ability to transfer the appropriate skills to each document type when required in the workplace. (Oral questioning may contribute as evidence of this ability.)

Information derived from enterprise policy and practices must be treated as commercial-in-confidence.

Performance and assessment of this unit must be carried out within the relevant requirements of the following legislative and industry framework:

building Acts/regulations/codes

Australian Standards identified as relevant to the required maintenance procedure

environmental regulations

manufacturers' specifications

organisational requirements, including OHS policies and procedures

OHS legislation, codes and regulations.

Key competency levels

There are a number of processes learnt throughout work and daily life that are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work environments. Some of these work processes are covered by the key competencies listed below. Information provided to each question highlights how these processes are applied in this unit of competency.

The number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency should be demonstrated.

1

Perform the process

2

Perform and administer the process

3

Perform, administer and design the process

How can information be collected, analysed and organised (2)?

Gather information from a number of sources, including regulatory, manufacturers and customers in order for accurate servicing to occur.

How can communication of ideas and information (2) be applied?

Discuss and confirm customer requirements and complete administrative documentation.

How are activities planned and organised (2)?

Plan servicing activities with regard to assembling appropriate tools and hardware.

How can teamwork (2) be applied?

Provide support and assistance to work group.

How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques (1) be applied?

Apply basic mathematical techniques to maintenance activities while adhering to designated work schedules required in the field.

How can problem-solving skills (2) be applied?

Identify potential problems in servicing activities with regard to ambiguous information received from information sources and processes to be followed when unusual faults are detected.

How can the use of technology (1) be applied?

Demonstrate understanding of technological principles for testing requirements.


Range Statement

The range statement links the required knowledge and organisational and technical requirements to the workplace context. It describes any contextual variables that will be used or encountered when applying the competency in work situations. It allows for different work practices and work and knowledge requirements as well as for differences between organisations and workplaces. The following variables may be present for this particular unit.

Legislative and industry requirements may include:

relevant Commonwealth and state/territory building Acts/regulations/codes

OHS legislation, codes and regulations

relevant current Australian Standards e.g. AS1851

Building Code of Australia

dangerous goods regulations

licensing arrangements

environmental regulations

building surveyor requirements

other relevant legislation (including international and shipping/marine codes) relating to fire protection equipment

Australian petroleum industries' requirements.

Work procedures may include:

instructions from colleagues/supervisor/manager

specific customer requirements

assignment instructions

equipment manufacturers' requirements

reporting and documentation requirements

personal protective equipment requirements.

Relevant persons may include:

team leaders

supervisors

managers

colleagues

customers.

Potential and actual breaches of legislative and industry requirements could be identified by:

direct observation

as part of workplace quality assurance teams.

Organisational requirements may be located in quality assurance and/or procedures manuals relating to:

legal and organisational policy/guidelines

personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles, responsibilities and delegations

legislation relevant to the service operation

OHS policies, procedures and programs

documentation and information systems and processes

use of electronic job scheduling and communication devices.

OHS policies and procedures may relate to:

employer/employee rights and responsibilities

the OHS hierarchy of control

assessing the worksite for hazards and risks prior to preparing the worksite for the work procedure

displaying signs and/or utilising barriers in the work area

hazard and risk identification and reporting

risk assessment and control measures

incident/accident investigation

OHS audits and safety inspections

safe operating procedures/instructions including:

working safely around electrical wiring, cables and overhead powerlines

working safely around tools and equipment

working safely on ladders and raised platforms

risk and hazard recognition

emergency procedures

awareness of electrical hazards

following confined spaces procedures

utilising personal protective equipment including:

safety glasses or goggles

safety boots or shoes

hard hat

ear muffs or plugs

appropriate gloves and overalls

sun hat

dust mask

equipment maintenance and use

use and storage of hazardous substances

First Aid.

Wheeled fire extinguishers may include:

stored pressure

reversible

cartridge operated.

Extinguishant types may include:

water

foam

dry chemical

CO2

vaporising liquid.

Servicing operations for wheeled fire extinguishers include:

visual inspections

discharge tests

hydrostatic (pressure) tests (except CO2 and vaporising liquid)

recharging procedures

leak testing.

Customer requirements may include:

provision of routine services

provision of non-routine or urgent services

confirmation of, or variations to, service instructions

sighting work permits

sign-in/out procedures for entry to or exit from premises

written or verbal confirmation of services provided and/or future maintenance schedule.

Maintenance equipment and tools may include:

hand tools

power tools

safety cage

personal protective equipment

test equipment

recharge equipment

hydrostatic test equipment.

Documentation may include:

job card

customer recommendation forms

service agreements

expense claims

application for credit form

equipment recommendation form

Fleetcard

corrective action report

petty cash voucher

certificate of inspection

product documentation

maintenance record system.

Note: Australian Standards are frequently revised and users must always check for currency.


Sectors

Not Applicable


Employability Skills

Not Applicable


Licensing Information

Not Applicable