This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to install fire detection and warning system apparatus.

It includes installing electronic fire detection and warning systems in buildings and premises. It also includes working safely and to industry standards, following oral and written instructions and workplace procedures, and securely placing and connecting fire detection system and warning components.

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 to assemble fire detection and warning apparatus

1.1

Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and workplace procedures for a given work area are identified and applied

1.2

WHS/OHS risk control measures are followed in preparation for work

1.3

Safety hazards that have not previously been identified are reported and advice on risk control measures sought from the work supervisor

1.4

Nature and location of the work is obtained from work supervisor or appropriate person/s to determine the scope of work to be undertaken

1.5

Advice is sought from work supervisor or other relevant person/s to ensure the work is coordinated effectively with others

1.6

Sources of materials required for work activities are determined in accordance with workplace procedures

1.7

Tools, equipment and testing devices needed to carry out work activities are obtained and checked for correct operation and safety

2

Assemble and set up fire detection and warning system

2.1

WHS/OHS risk control measures for carrying out the work are followed

2.2

Circuits/machines/plant are checked and isolated in accordance with WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures

2.3

Fire protection controller and detection and warning devices are located for optimum performance in accordance with customer requirements, industry standards and regulations

2.4

Accessories are installed straight and square in the required locations and within acceptable tolerances

2.5

Cables and conductors are terminated at accessories in accordance with manufacturer specifications and regulatory requirements

2.6

Unplanned situations are responded to in accordance with workplace procedures in a manner that minimises risk to personnel and equipment

2.7

Fire protection installation is carried out efficiently without waste of materials or damage to apparatus, circuits or the surrounding environment using sustainable energy practices

3

Complete fire detection and warning system apparatus installation

3.1

WHS/OHS work completion risk control measures and workplace procedures are followed

3.2

Worksite is cleaned and made safe in accordance with established procedures

3.3

Fire protection system is documented in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least two separate occasions and include:

apply sustainable energy principles and practices

applying industry standards and codes of practice for fire protection systems and equipment

applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (WHS/OHS) requirements, including using of risk control measures

dealing with unplanned events/situations in accordance with workplace procedures in a manner that minimises risk to personnel and equipment

documenting installation

maintaining fire integrity

placing and securing devices and accessories accurately

reading and interpreting relevant documents with apparatus/device locations and connection arrangements

terminating cable and conductors correctly.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions and include knowledge of:

common operation and interface connections to other systems

common operation and types of field data gathering equipment

common operational requirements and types of control and indicating equipment

effective and ineffective locations for fire detection devices and common causes of false alarms

fire protection and warning system installations regulations

fire protection technologies, fire detection and warning systems, technical industry standards and regulations

hazards associated with low voltage (LV), extra-low voltage (ELV) and high currents

input devices, including conventional alarm zones, analogue or analogue addressable fire detectors, flow switch connections or switch connections

interface communication devices, including warden in communication phones and remote public address (PA) inputs

operating principles and characteristic of the various warning system components

operating principles and characteristic of types of fire alarm detectors

output devices, including shutdown signal, door or system release controls and solenoid valve controls

purpose and interface requirements of smoke hazard management system

purpose and operating principles of fire detection and warning systems

purpose of fire alarm and warning systems

relevant job safety assessments or risk mitigation processes, including:

relevant risk control measures used for dealing with the hazards related to fire protection systems

risks and control measures associated with fire protection equipment

relevant manufacturer specifications

relevant WHS/OHS legislated requirements

relevant workplace documentation

relevant workplace policies and procedures, including:

interface procedures to isolate control functions between different fire protection building service systems

procedures for isolating/reinstating fire protection systems to inhibit back-to-base signals to monitoring station

procedures for isolating/reinstating fire protection systems to inhibit alarms operating fire protection suppression equipment

procedures for isolating/reinstating sections or parts of a fire protection system to inhibit alarms during building maintenance or system testing

relevant workplace procedures for isolating/reinstating and disconnection and reconnection of supplies in excess of ELV

system interface controls, including communication signals to remote control and indicating equipment, building monitoring systems, paging system and colour graphics

warning devices and their operating parameters

warning indicators, including flashing lights for hearing impaired persons and fire brigade building indication.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment

Assessment must occur in suitable workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in suitable simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, facilities, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry

resources that reflect current industry practices in relation to positioning and terminating fire detection and warning system apparatus

applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, equipment specifications, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

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 UEE Electrotechnology Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Installing fire detection and warning system apparatus must include at least the following:

two fire alarms and warning systems, including:

one fire alarm system with at least one control and indicating panel, 50 input devices, five output devices and two system interface controls on at least one of the following:

analogue addressable system

addressable system

conventional system

one fire warning system with at least one control and indicating panel, 50 speakers, five interface communication devices and two warning indicators on at least one of the following:

analogue addressable system

addressable system

conventional system

Electrotechnology

Electronics and Communications