Release 2.0  This is the second release of this unit of competency in the PUA Public Safety Training Package.

Editorial update.

Release 1.0  This is the first release of this unit of competency in the PUA Public Safety Training Package.

This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to select, don, operate and maintain breathing apparatus equipment in a hazardous atmosphere. It includes conducting pre-donning checks and tests of breathing apparatus; donning and checking of breathing apparatus; operating breathing apparatus and concluding breathing apparatus operations.

The unit applies to personnel who work as a member of a team. Work at this level is undertaken under direct supervision and instruction.

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.

It is essential that the prerequisite units listed below are obtained prior to the issuance of this unit to individuals within the fire sector or the units contributing to the attainment of a fire qualification.

PUAFIR210 Prevent injury

Fire

Fire

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1  

Conduct pre-donning checks and tests on breathing apparatus 

1.1 

Breathing apparatus is inspected for immediate use, in accordance with the organisational procedures

1.2 

Faulty or damaged equipment is reported and recorded, in accordance with the organisational procedures

2 

Don and check breathing apparatus 

2.1 

Breathing apparatus is donned, in accordance with the organisational procedures

2.2 

Breathing apparatus is started and checked, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.3 

Ancillary equipment required for tasks is selected for use

3 

Operate breathing apparatus 

3.1 

Hazards are identified, monitored and controlled, in accordance with the organisational procedures

3.2 

Communication is established and maintained with team members and other appropriate personnel throughout activity

3.3 

Response activities are undertaken as a member of a team, demonstrating effective application of breathing apparatus, in accordance with the organisational procedures

3.4 

Breathing apparatus control procedures are followed, in accordance with the organisational procedures

3.5 

Entrapment procedures are implemented, in accordance with the organisational procedures

3.6 

Personal safety is maintained, in accordance with organisational procedures

4 

Conclude operations 

4.1 

Breathing apparatus set is shut down, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.2 

Breathing apparatus set is removed, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.3 

Cleaning and maintenance of breathing apparatus is undertaken, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.4 

Equipment is made ready for operational use, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.5 

Participating in debriefing sessions

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.

type of breathing apparatus must include

• open circuit

breathing apparatus is inspected must include

• ancillary equipment
• cylinder pressure
• integrity of air flow system
• serviceability and integrity of components

breathing apparatus control procedures must include

• entry or exit control officer
• entry or exit control point
• organisational procedures
• principles of breathing apparatus control
• stage one (one entry point) and stage two (multiple entry points)
• timing device

breathing apparatus control equipment must include

• breathing apparatus set tallies
• control boards
• entry control officer identification
• guideline and branch line tallies
• personal lines
• procedures

hazards must include

• disorientation in smoke/darkness or confinement
• entrapment
• exhaustion of air supply (regular gauge monitoring)
• failure to maintain a face seal
• fire
• hazardous atmospheres
• malfunction of equipment
• manual handling
• structural hazards and/or hazardous materials

communications must include

• distress signal unit
• hand signals
• portable radio

entrapment procedures must include

• activating the distress signal unit
• calling for assistance
• ceasing all strenuous activity
• operating breathing apparatus
• relocating to safest available place
• remaining calm

This unit replaces and is equivalent to PUAFIR207B Operate breathing apparatus open circuit.

Release 2.0  This is the second release of this unit of competency in the PUA Public Safety Training Package.

Editorial update.

Release 1.0  This is the first release of this unit of competency in the PUA Public Safety Training Package.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least one occasion and includes

• applying Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) organisational requirements
• conducting pre-donning checks and tests on breathing apparatus
• donning and checking breathing apparatus
• following organisational policies and procedures including implementing entrapment and breathing apparatus emergency procedures
• inspecting breathing apparatus after its use
• inspecting breathing apparatus and concluding breathing apparatus operations
• moving in conditions of reduced visibility
• operating breathing apparatus
• participating in debriefing sessions
• returning breathing apparatus to operational status
• complying with organisational procedures for breathing apparatus use and maintenance

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

• characteristics, component parts, operation of compressed air breathing apparatus
• how breathing apparatus supports personal protection
• industry standards for breathing apparatus
• operation of breathing apparatus
• operational testing, operating procedures and safe work practices when wearing breathing apparatus
• organisational documentation, policies and procedures including entrapment procedures
• performance of breathing apparatus control equipment
• personal protective clothing and equipment
• respiratory system and effects of hazardous atmospheres on the body
• types of hazardous atmospheres including heated, smoke or other suspended particles
• use of personal lines and tallies
• utilisation of distress signal unit
• Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) organisational requirements including safety assessments and risk mitigation

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 operational situations or in simulated operational training situations that reflect 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, equipment, tools and personal protective clothing and equipment currently used in industry including

• range of controlled or simulated scenarios, breathing apparatus and associated equipment

• applicable documentation including organisational procedures, industry standards, equipment specifications, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.