This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to inspect building fire safety systems. It includes interpreting building plans and associated documentation for fire safety systems; locating and noting variations to systems; assessing the operation and maintenance of the systems and to report on the findings of the inspection in accordance with organisational requirements.

The unit is applicable to personnel who are authorised by their organisation to enter buildings to conduct inspections of installed fire safety systems and to report on any matters arising in relation to their location, operation, maintenance and compliance.

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

Determine scope of inspection

1.1

Class of building is identified, in accordance with National Construction Code (Building Code of Australia)

1.2

Methodology for conducting inspection is determined

2

Identify fire safety systems on documentation and locate in building

2.1

Fire safety systems and components are identified on building plans and associated documentation

2.2

Fire safety systems are located in building and any variations between plans and actual locations are recorded

3

Verify fire safety systems on building plan and associated documentation

3.1

Building plans and associated documentation are compared with the actual location of the building’s fire safety systems

3.2

Variations between the building plans and associated documentation and actual locations are recorded

4

Review compliance of building'sfire safety systems

4.1

Building fire safety systems are checked against design requirements and relevant industry standards

4.2

Building's emergency organisational structure is checked against design requirements and relevant industry standards

4.3

Variations to design requirements and relevant standards are noted and reported

5

Inspect operation and maintenance of fire safety systems

5.1

Maintenance requirements are identified and examined

5.2

Maintenance records are located and examined

5.3

Maintenance procedures and log books are checked against design requirements and relevant standards

5.4

Fire safety systems are tested in conjunction with a building representative and results are recorded and reported, in accordance with organisational procedures and owner or occupier requirements

6

Report onoperation and maintenance of fire safety systems

6.1

Variations to building plans and associated documentation are identified and outlined in report

6.2

Information on review of the building’s fire safety systems' compliance is provided to relevant personnel

6.3

Reports are distributed, in accordance with organisational procedures, legislation and/or owner or occupier 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.

fire safety systems must include two or more of the following

alternative fire suppression system

building control system

building design requirements

emergency egress system

emergency vehicle access system

fire and emergency control centres and rooms

fire detection systems

fire hydrant and hydrant booster system

fire indicator panels, occupant warning and communications systems

fire resisting structures and compartmentations

fire sprinkler and sprinkler booster system

smoke hazard management and ancillary system

Fire

Fire