PUAFIR314B
Utilise installed fire safety systems

This unit covers the competency required to operate and restore installed fire safety systems, and to operate building evacuation systems and emergency procedures. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Application

This unit applies to personnel required to locate fire safety systems in a building and to operate these systems to support fire suppression activities. These personnel will also be required to utilise these systems to support the evacuation of occupants and other emergency services personnel from a building.

Work at this level may be performed without direct supervision and may require some limited supervision of other members of the team.


Prerequisites

PUAFIR206B Check installed fire safety systems


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Locate installed fire safety system/s and any associated controls and panels

1.1 Installed fire safety system/s are located for pre-fire planning, inspection, reports and/or onsite cues.

1.2 Installed fire safety system’s control/indicating panels, where applicable, are located, used and monitored in accordance with procedures, to facilitate their use in supporting firefighting operations.

2. Utilise installed fire safety system/s to maximise effectiveness of firefighting operations and occupant evacuation

2.1 Installed fire safety system/s are used in accordance with organisational procedures to facilitate locating the fire; to support occupant evacuation, rescue and fire suppression; and to minimise damage.

2.2 Any faults with the system are reported to supervisor.

3. Utilise building evacuation systems and procedures

3.1 Building emergency procedures and emergency response structures are identified and implemented in accordance with organisational procedures.

3.2 Wardens are consulted in accordance with organisational procedures.

3.3 Building evacuation systems are effectively operated in consultation with appropriate building facility personnel.

4. Reinstate installed fire safety system/s to service

4.1 System is reinstated to service after operation.

4.2 Any faults with the system are reported in accordance with organisational procedures.

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

identify fire suppression and detection systems

operate a smoke control system

operate an emergency warning and intercommunication system (EWIS)

operate an installed hydrant system

operate an installed suppression system

report fire safety system equipment faults

Required Knowledge

components of a fire detection/suppression system (controls, dampers, EWIS panel, fans and motors, fire indicator panel, heat and smoke detectors, sprinkler controls and components, sprinkler heads)

function and components of hydrant systems

function of component parts of smoke control systems

operating principles of air handling systems

operating principles of an EWIS

operation of fire detection/suppression systems

organisational procedures for reinstating fire safety systems

organisational responsibility regarding fire detection and suppression systems

purpose of control and indicating equipment

safety procedures relating to chemical/gaseous suppression systems

warden roles and responsibilities

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

locate, identify, operate and restore fire detection systems, fire suppression systems, hydrant systems, evacuation systems, smoke hazard management systems

implement organisational operating procedures relating to fire suppression

check, operate and reinstate fire safety systems under supervision.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed on-the-job or in a simulated workplace environment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

appropriate equipment and systems

Method of assessment

In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an agency-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:

direct observation

interviewing the candidate

journals and workplace documentation

third party reports from supervisors

written or oral questions


Range Statement

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Fire safety system/s may include:

alarms and communications, which must include:

emergency warning

emergency warning and intercommunication

fire phones

WIP phones

fire detection systems, which must include:

flame

gas

heat

smoke

fire hydrant systems, which must include:

boosters

high rise hydrant systems

pumps

ring main hydrant systems

street hydrants

fire sprinkler

fire suppression systems, which must include:

foam

gaseous (carbon dioxide, nitrogen and inert gas)

vaporising liquid

fire suppression systems, which may include:

aerosol

powder

water mist

gas detection

smoke control

Pre-fire planning may include:

hydrant location

identification of hazards onsite/nearby

location of fire safety systems

maps, floor plans

site features

structural features
utilities

Using fire safety systems must include:

interrelated activities utilising the installed fire safety systems in the presence of smoke, heat or fire including:

alarm systems

communication systems

fire suppression systems

fire detection systems

hydrant systems

smoke control systems (which may include control and indicating equipment, mechanical venting, natural venting, zone/stair pressurisation)

Evacuation systems must include:

emergency control organisation as set out in Australian Standard 3745–2010 Planning for emergencies in facilities

health care emergency management structures as set out in Australian Standard AS 4083–2010 Planning for emergencies–Health care facilities

Operating evacuation systems must include compliance with:

organisational procedures

relevant standards

and may also include:

manufacturer specifications

site fire safety strategy


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.