Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to test and maintain fire hydrant and hose reel installations in commercial and domestic situations.

The unit requires the conduct of routine testing and maintenance of fire hydrant and hose reel installations in the full range of domestic and commercial situations.

Application of the unit 

Site location for work application may be either domestic or commercial, and may be a new work site or an existing structure being renovated, extended, restored or maintained.

Prerequisite units 

CPCPCM2023A

Carry out OHS requirements

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for work.

1.1. Plans, specifications, maintenance manuals, previous maintenance reports and equipment data are obtained.

1.2. Safety  (OHS ) requirements associated with testing and maintaining fire hydrant and hose reel installations and workplace environmental requirements  are adhered to throughout the work.

1.3. Quality assurance  requirements are identified and adhered to in accordance with workplace requirements.

1.4. Tasks are planned and sequenced in conjunction with others involved in or affected by the work.

1.5. Tools , equipment  and materials  for testing and maintaining fire hydrant and hose reel installations, including personal protective equipment, are selected and checked for serviceability.

1.6. Work area is prepared to support efficient testing and maintenance of fire hydrant and hose reel installations.

2. Perform routine maintenance.

2.1. Maintenance tasks detailed in maintenance schedule are performed to specification.

2.2. Mechanical equipment and system components are checked with appropriate instruments in accordance with standards and job specifications.

2.3. Faulty items or components are identified and appropriate service procedure is selected.

3. Repair and replace faulty components and test job.

3.1. Equipment is safely isolated according to regulations and health and safety requirements.

3.2. Faulty items or components are removed using appropriate tools, equipment and procedures.

3.3. Replaceable items are selected from manufacturers' catalogue.

3.4. Replacement or service items are fitted in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and site specifications.

3.5. Adjustments are made to equipment or components to ensure specifications are met.

3.6. Operational check of system is carried out to ensure compliance with job specifications.

3.7. Maintenance report is documented in format required by maintenance specification.

4. Clean up.

4.1. Work area is cleared, with materials disposed of or recycled in accordance with state or territory statutory and regulatory authority  legislation.

4.2. Tools and equipment are cleaned, checked, maintained and stored in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and workplace procedures.

4.3. Information  is accessed and documentation completed in accordance with regulatory authorities and workplace requirements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

Required skills for this unit are:

• communication skills to:

• access information
• complete workplace documentation
• determine requirements
• enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand
• follow and give instructions
• plan and sequence tasks with others
• read and interpret:

• documentation from a variety of sources
• drawings and specifications

• record test results in writing
• use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences
• use and interpret non-verbal communication, such as hand signals

• conducting operational checks to confirm system is operating to specification
• diagnosing faults and undertaking necessary repairs or replacement of faulty components
• identifying and accurately reporting to appropriate personnel any faults in tools, equipment or materials
• numeracy skills to apply measurements and calculations
• organisational skills, including the ability to plan and set out work
• teamwork skills to work with others to action tasks and relate to people from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities
• technological skills to:

• access and understand site-specific instructions in a variety of media
• use mobile communication technology.

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge for this unit is:

• function and operation of system components
• job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements (SWMS)
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Factory Mutual Performance based codes of practice
• process of testing and maintaining fire hydrant and hose reel installations
• relevant statutory and authority requirements related to testing and maintaining fire hydrants and hose reel installations
• SI system of measurement
• structural systems, building materials and building services
• test apparatus and procedures
• workplace and equipment safety requirements.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment providing that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate plumbing and services workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:

• locating, interpreting and applying relevant information, standards and specifications to test and maintain fire hydrants and hose reel installations
• applying safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including the use of personal protective clothing and equipment
• as a minimum the ability to, given four faulty fire hydrants and hose reel installations, conduct routine testing and maintenance to diagnose and repair faults and perform component service, ensuring:

• correct identification of the requirement and conduct of testing and maintaining the installations
• correct selection and use of appropriate processes, tools and equipment
• completing all work to specification
• compliance with regulations, standards and organisational quality procedures and processes
• communicating and working effectively and safely with others.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

• an induction procedure and requirement
• realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the minimum task requirements
• relevant specifications and work instructions
• tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices
• support materials appropriate to activity
• workplace instructions relating to safe working practices and addressing hazards and emergencies
• material safety data sheets
• research resources, including industry related systems information.

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment 

Assessment methods must:

• satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package
• include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application
• reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles
• confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

• competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
• where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge
• all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Safety  (OHS ) is to be in accordance with commonwealth, state and territory legislation and regulations and may include:

• handling of materials
• hazard control
• personal protective clothing and equipment prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices
• safe operating procedures, including recognising and preventing hazards associated with:

• hazardous materials and substances
• service lines
• surrounding structures and facilities
• trip hazards
• use of tools and equipment
• work site visitors and the public
• working in proximity to others

• use of firefighting equipment
• use of first aid equipment
• workplace environment and safety.

Environmental requirements  include:

• clean-up protection
• waste management.

Quality assurance  requirements may include:

• Australian standards
• Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
• internal company quality assurance policy and risk management strategy
• International Standards Organisation
• site safety plan
• workplace operations and procedures.

Tools and equipment  may include:

• elevated work platforms
• hand and power tools
• ladders
• scaffolds
• testing equipment.

Materials  include:

• fire hydrants
• fittings and connections
• hoses
• hose reels.

Statutory and regulatory authorities  include:

• state or territory statutory authority
• statutory plumbing authority.

Information  may include:

• charts and hand drawings
• diagrams or sketches
• instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel
• manufacturer specifications and instructions
• material safety data sheets (MSDS)
• memos
• NFPA and Factory Mutual Performance based codes of practice
• organisation work specifications and requirements
• regulatory and legislative requirements, particularly those pertaining to:

• building codes
• OHS and environmental requirements
• plumbing regulations

• relevant Australian standards
• safe work procedures relating to testing and maintaining fire hydrant and hose reel connections
• signage
• verbal, written and graphical instructions
• work bulletins
• work schedules, plans and specifications.

Unit sector 

Plumbing and services

Co-requisite units 

Nil

Functional area