Unit of competency details

Modification History

Not Applicable

Unit Descriptor

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to identify, locate and match an installed fire safety system and associated fire safety sub-systems against appropriate fire safety system documentation.

These work functions are carried out without supervision.

Fire safety system inspectors are not expected to determine which sub-systems should be installed for the total certification of the building to comply with the relevant legislation.

Note: It is a prerequisite of this unit of competency that fire safety system inspectors demonstrate the relevant technical skills and knowledge prior to inspecting fire safety systems and associated fire safety sub-systems.

Application of the Unit

Not Applicable

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Not Applicable

Pre-Requisites

Not Applicable

Employability Skills Information

Not Applicable

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

Not Applicable

Elements and Performance Criteria

Required Skills and Knowledge

Refer to Evidence Guide

Evidence Guide

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide identifies the requirements to be demonstrated to confirm competence for this unit. Assessment must confirm sufficient ability to use appropriate skills and knowledge to identify, locate and match installed fire safety system to documentation. Assessment of performance should be conducted within an agreed timeframe, covering all categories within the range statement applicable to normal work requirements.

Critical aspects of competency 

• Identify and confirm the physical characteristics of buildings that contain installed fire safety systems and associated fire safety sub-systems.
• Identify the type and mode of operation of installed fire safety sub-systems.
• Locate, identify and match installed fire safety systems and associated fire safety sub-systems with a list of appropriate fire safety system documentation.
• Record on-site modifications to installed fire safety systems and associated fire safety sub-systems on original fire safety system documentation.
• Identify, describe and report issues of non-compliance to clients and other stakeholders using appropriate procedures.

Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria 

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements embedded in performance include those listed below.

• Methods of identifying and confirming the physical characteristics and classification of buildings that contain installed fire safety systems and associated fire safety sub-systems.
• Methods of identifying relevant building elements that require an FRL.
• Operating principles of fire safety systems and associated fire safety sub-systems.
• Installation requirements of fire safety systems and associated fire safety sub-systems.
• Methods of identifying non-compliance issues related to installed fire safety systems and associated fire safety sub-systems.
• Methods of locating installed fire safety systems and associated fire safety sub-systems identified in fire safety system documentation.
• Methods and procedures for matching installed fire safety systems and associated fire safety sub-systems to a list of appropriate fire safety system documentation.
• Methods of identifying and recording on-site modifications to fire safety systems and associated fire safety sub-systems on original fire safety system documentation.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria 

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These include the following.

• Effective networking.
• Basic computer skills.
• Recording and storing information.
• Active listening techniques.
• Effectively presenting information.
• Effective telephone techniques.
• Identifying and locating sub-system in situ.
• Organising, collecting and collating information.
• Matching required documentation to each sub-system.
• Identify and documenting non-compliance issues within scope of work.
• Identify relevant building elements that form the FRL barrier for a range of fire compartments' sizes and purposes.
• Language, literacy and numeracy skills necessary to process written and verbal information and perform basic calculations related to the job.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit 

This unit of competency can be assessed on its own or in conjunction with any practical unit.

Gaining evidence to assess this unit 

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, the competency should be demonstrated over a period of time and be observed by the assessor.

The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations, which may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.

Assessment of competency may be made through practical demonstration in the work environment or in a simulated work environment.

Key competency levels 

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life that are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added.

Information below highlights how these processes are applied in this unit of competency.

Range Statement

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement links the required knowledge and organisational and technical requirements to the workplace context. It describes any contextual variables that may be used or encountered when applying the competency in work situations. It allows for different work practices and work and knowledge requirements as well as for differences between organisations and workplaces. The following variables are listed in alphabetical order and may be present for this particular unit.

Building classification  may include:

• as defined by the BCA
• BCA specification C1.1
• building clients.

Building elements  may include:

• ceilings
• doors
• floors
• roof
• walls
• windows.

Fire safety sub-systems  may include:

• dry chemical powder systems
• emergency evacuation lighting systems
• emergency luminaries and exit signs
• emergency warning and intercommunication systems
• external wall-wetting sprinklers
• fire and smoke control systems
• fire brigade hydrant and water supply booster and feed connections
• fire brigade intervention plans
• fire detection and alarm systems
• fire fighting equipment
• fire hydrants and fire hose reels
• fire pump set systems
• fire resistant door-sets and roller shutters
• fire resistant sealing service penetrations and control joints
• fire resistant separating building elements
• fire sprinkler deluge systems
• fire sprinkler pre-action and dry pipe systems
• fire sprinkler systems - domestic, residential, commercial and industrial
• gaseous agent suppression systems
• high and medium velocity water spray systems
• high expansion foam systems
• low expansion foam systems
• emergency warning and intercommunication system
• portable fire extinguishers
• smoke and heat venting systems
• water mist systems
• wet chemical systems.

Occupancy types and classification rise  may include:

• commercial
• hospitals/medical
• industrial
• residential
• single function and multi-functional
• single-level and multi-level
• special purpose structure.

Type and mode of operation  may include automatic systems and manual systems.

Unit Sector(s)

Not Applicable