This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to operate a portable pump and/or appliance mounted pump at an incident.

The unit is applicable to personnel who are responsible for operating centrifugal appliance mounted pumps, portable pumps and foam systems at an incident. Typically, this work requires the application of basic principles hydraulics and involves working as a member of a team under limited supervision.

The fire sector is those sections of government departments, statutory authorities or organisations that have responsibility under jurisdictional arrangements for the delivery of firefighting and fire management services.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare pump to deliver water

1.1

Type of pump and hose selected is appropriate to the operation and/or incident

1.2

Suitability of water supply for operational purposes is determined

1.3

Pump is sited and positioned to receive and deliver water supply, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

1.4

Pump and primer are engaged, in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturers' guidelines

1.5

Appropriate agents and equipment are prepared for production of foam at an incident, as required

2

Operate pump

2.1

Pump components and ancillary equipment are utilised to draught water, to boost water from a reticulated supply or to deliver and relay water from an appliance tank, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements of incident

2.2

Pump operation is in accordance with organisational procedures, manufacturers' specifications, and Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines

2.3

Pump settings are determined, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements of the incident

2.4

Pumps are operated and observed to ensure that pressure and flow of water meets operational requirements and that safety to personnel is maintained

2.5

Pump performance is monitored and maintained to ensure maximum efficiency of operation, to detect and correct pumping and safety problems and to take appropriate action, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.6

Pump operations are carried out avoiding injury to personnel and damage to equipment and facilities

2.7

Mechanical malfunctions are reported, in accordance with organisational procedures

3

Conclude pump operations

3.1

Pump operations are concluded, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.2

Ancillary equipment is collected, reinstated and stowed, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.3

Maintenance procedures and checks are undertaken to ensure pump and ancillary equipment is serviceable, in accordance with organisational requirements

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

type of pump must include

appliance mounted pump

portable pump

suitability of water supply must include

capacity

pressure

foam agents must include

Class A foams

Class B foams

foam equipment must include

Class A foams and Class B foams and systems

water supply must include

reticulated supply

static supply

principles of hydraulics must include three or more of the following

discharge and flow rates

friction loss

head pressure calculations

jet reaction

required branch and nozzle pressures

observed must include three or more of the following

branch operator activities checking water supply levels

monitoring of gauges and warning lights

pump operators working on other units when relay pumping

use of pressure relief valves and transfer valves

use of pump performance charts or tables illustrating information such as optimum nozzle pressure and friction loss

Fire

Fire