Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Refer to Evidence Guide

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 and regulations relevant to fixed aqueous fire suppression systems.

Manufacturers' requirements and standards applicable to inspecting, testing and maintaining a pre-engineered aqueous fire suppression system.

The implications of NOT applying legislative requirements to job functions.

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

Purpose of aqueous fire suppressions systems.

Procedures for inspection, testing and maintenance of the system to verify operation to manufacturers' requirements.

Identification and purpose of the major components in an aqueous fire suppression system for different manufacturers' proprietary systems.

Limitations of maintenance and repair functions by the service technician.

Implications of not adhering to safety procedures.

Implications of incorrect inspection, testing and maintenance functions.

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 hand and power tools safely and with dexterity

operate standard controls on proprietary systems to verify system operation to manufacturers' requirements

handle and transport cylinders in accordance with legislation, manufacturers' procedures and work practices

replace aqueous solution and component in a manner that conforms to OHS requirements, environmental requirements and manufacturers' specifications

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

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

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

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function.

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.

Competency is to be demonstrated through a single, practical demonstration covering the full range of performance criteria for each proprietary system. The ability to transfer skills to other situations described in the range statement is inferred from this assessment. (Oral questioning may be used to provide evidence of this ability.)

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

All safety requirements must be strictly 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 and meet manufacturers' endorsement of training to inspect, test and maintain their proprietary system.

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence or reports from supervisors or team leaders and manufacturers' endorsement of competency on their proprietary system. Other forms of evidence may include audit reports, client/customer survey reports and appraisal reports.

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.

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

Building Code of Australia

system approval listing (SSL, FM and UL)

manufacturers' system manuals

dangerous goods regulations

licensing arrangements

environmental regulations

building surveyor requirements

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

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.

Aqueous fire suppression systems may include those fitted to fixed plant installations such as generators, air compressors and small machinery spaces.

Customer requirements may include:

system specification

insurance requirements

industry requirements

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.

System components may include:

extinguishing agent containers (tanks/cylinders)

container valves

actuation devices

support brackets

control equipment

agent distribution pipe-work and hose

agent discharge nozzles

detection devices.

Documentation may include:

system manufacturers' documentation

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.

Maintenance schedules may include:

system manufacturers'

Australian Standards

customers'.

Safety procedures may include:

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

First Aid

utilising personal protective equipment including:

safety glasses or goggles

safety boots or shoes

hard hat

ear muffs or plugs.

Testing procedures may include:

discharge

pressure

leak

visual inspection

recharging.

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

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable