Modification History
Release |
TP Version |
Comments |
2 |
PUA12 V2.1 |
Editorial changes. |
1 |
PUA12 V2 |
New unit. |
Unit Descriptor
This unit covers the competency required to use Class A foam to extinguish Class A carbonaceous solid fires in wildfire operations, secure against ignition or extinguish Class B shallow hydrocarbon fuel spills, and to operate and maintain the foam equipment required for its production.
Class A foam is a liquid foam solution used mostly to extinguish fires in ordinary combustible solids such as wood, fabric, paper or organic material. The foam blanket adheres to fuels and gradually releases the water in the foam to wet fuels for a longer period than water alone.
Class B shallow hydrocarbon fuel spills include incidents such as at road crash scenes where fuel tanks may have been ruptured or leaking, service station fuel pump area spills or machinery refuelling trailers.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Application of the Unit
This unit applies to personnel on the fireground responsible for preparing, handling and applying Class A foam during wildfire and non-structural firefighting operations.
Compliance with environmental and work health and safety work practices is required.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
PUAFIR204B Respond to wildfire
Employability Skills Information
This unit contains employability skills.
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency. |
Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Prepare Class A foam for use |
1.1 Type of foam for application in a wildfire or on non-structural objects is selected depending on the required effect of the foam on the components of the fire triangle and the fuel 1.2 Decision to apply Class A foam to Class A fuels at wildfire or non-structural incident is received from Incident Controller 1.3 Foam proportioning or induction rate is selected in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations or organisational guidelines to produce the solution strength required to achieve the operational objective and decision is communicated to crew preparing the foam 1.4 Foam expansion or aspiration ratio is confirmed based on fuel type, operational requirements and the need to achieve maximum operational benefit 1.5 Class A foam concentrate and equipment are prepared for use in accordance with safe work practices and in consideration of the potential environmental impact and required precautions to be complied with 1.6 Correct personal protective clothing and equipment required for working with Class A foam is donned for handling concentrate and for handling solution. |
2. Operate Class A foam system and equipment |
2.1 Type of Class A foam system is confirmed 2.2 Predetermined required amount of foam concentrate is added to the water flow using the appropriate equipment as directed by the Incident Controller 2.3 Foam system available on the tanker or appliance is operated using predetermined proportioning or induction method 2.4 Where system is manually regulated, proportioning percentage rate and flow are monitored and achievement of required operational objective is confirmed |
3. Apply Class A foam |
3.1 Foam system and equipment on the tanker or appliance is operated to produce the required solution strength suitable for its intended application as non aspirated or aspirated foam and for the type of fuel to which it is to be applied 3.2 Class A foam is applied as a direct attack to extinguish the edge of the fire using non aspirated or low expansion foam nozzles and the environmental impact of this application is minimised 3.3 Class A foam is used to wet fuels to construct a control line adjacent to the fire edge using required foam proportion rate to contribute to fuel reduction burning, burning out and back burning 3.4 Foam is applied to conduct mop-up/blacking out operations by regulating the flow to suit the required application type and rate 3.5 Class A foam is applied to non-structural objects in accordance with organisational standard operating procedures for these types of fires 3.6 Direct and indirect application of Class A foam are demonstrated in accordance with organisational operating procedures 3.7 Potential for crop contamination as a result of application of Class A foam in organic and certified properties is taken into consideration and the environmental impact and appropriate preventative measures are implemented where practicable |
4. Store and handle Class A foam and prevent damage to equipment and the environment |
4.1 Class A foam is stored on tankers and appliances in the designated storage drum, rack or tank provided 4.2 Storage arrangements in workplace and other locations for Class A drum stocks of foam concentrate are adhered to 4.3 Measures to control leaks or spills are followed in accordance with organisational procedures 4.4 Class A foam tanks are refilled or topped up using appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment, and approved foam concentrate transfer equipment in accordance with organisational procedures and environmental requirements 4.5 Cleaning and safe disposal of any foam spills is undertaken in accordance with relevant safety data sheets (SDSs) 4.6 Foam compatibility is taken into account when using Class A foam solution from different vehicles on the same fire, when mixing one manufacturer’s brand of Class A foam with another 4.7 Environmental regulations as specified in organisational procedures are adhered to when using foam and cleaning spills or foam equipment around the workplace 4.8 Procedures for foam storage, mixing and filling sites are implemented in accordance with appropriate guidelines 4.9 Practices that do not contaminate water bodies, storm water drains or agricultural areas are adhered to when cleaning equipment at an incident or other location where Class A foam is used |
Required Skills and Knowledge
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. |
Required Skills |
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Required Knowledge |
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Evidence Guide
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package. |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
Consistency in performance Competency should be demonstrated over time in either an operational environment, an industry-approved simulated workplace environment, or both. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment |
Context of assessment Competency should be assessed in an agency approved simulated and/or workplace environment. Specific resources for assessment Access is required to:
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Method of assessment |
In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook. Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment. Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an agency-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:
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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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below. |
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Type of foam may include: |
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Application in a wildfire may include: |
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Non-structural objects may include: |
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Class A foam includes: |
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Class A fuels are: |
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Foam proportioning or induction rate may include: |
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Foam expansion or aspiration ratio may include: |
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Maximum operational benefits may include: |
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Safe work practices must include: |
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Potential environmental impact of use of Class A foam may include: |
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Required precautions to be complied with when using Class A foam may include: |
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Personal protective clothing and equipment required for working with Class A foam may include: |
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Class A foam system may include: |
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Intended application of non aspirated foam includes: |
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Intended application of aspirated foam includes: |
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Applying Class A foam may include: |
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Direct attack includes: |
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Constructing a control line includes: |
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Mop-up/blacking out operations include: |
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Non-structural objects may include: |
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Organic and certified properties may include: |
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Preventative measures when using Class A foam on organic or certified properties may include: |
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Storage arrangements in workplaces may include: |
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Measures to control leaks or spills may include: |
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Unit Sector(s)
Not applicable.
Custom Content Section
Not applicable.