Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to commission firefighting appliances.

It covers preparation for the work, identification and confirmation of system specifications and requirements, physical testing and commissioning of appliances, and work finalisation processes, including records and documentation.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency supports the needs of experienced tradespeople with responsibility for testing and commissioning firefighting appliances.

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

Prerequisite units 

Nil

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. Drawings and specifications are obtained.

1.2. Safety  (OHS ) requirements associated with workplace environment and commissioning firefighting appliances 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 and equipment  for commissioning firefighting appliances , including personal protective equipment, are selected and checked for serviceability.

1.6. Work area is prepared to support efficient commissioning process.

2. Identify system requirements.

2.1. Equipment requirements are identified and confirmed from job specifications and in accordance with relevant standards .

2.2. Requirements of firefighting appliance commissioning are identified in accordance with standards, statutory and regulatory authority  requirements and job specifications.

3. Test and commission system.

3.1. Firefighting appliances are checked to ensure type and installation conform to standards, job specifications, manufacturer recommendations and authorities' requirements.

3.2. Operation of appliances is tested in accordance with standards, job specifications, manufacturer recommendations and authorities' requirements and is adjusted as required.

3.3. Appliances are commissioned and maintained to ensure correct operation in accordance with standards, and manufacturer and job specifications.

4. Clean up work area.

4.1. Work area is cleared and materials disposed of or recycled in accordance with federal, state and territory legislation and workplace procedures.

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 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

• use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences
• use and interpret non-verbal communication, such as hand signals

• 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:

• Australian standards applicable to relevant appliances
• components and materials of firefighting equipment and appliances
• job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements (SWMS)
• pressure requirements of hose reel systems
• process of installing, testing and commissioning firefighting equipment and appliances
• relevant statutory and authority requirements related to commissioning firefighting equipment and appliances
• SI system of units
• sources of information and processes for the calculation of requirements
• 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.

It may be assessed on its own or as part of an integrated assessment activity involving preparing, planning and conducting commissioning procedures for firefighting appliances for a residential building of four storeys and completing all associated documentation.

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 the commissioning of firefighting appliances
• applying safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including the use of personal protective clothing and equipment
• commissioning firefighting appliances, including portable fire appliances, wheeled fire extinguishers, delivery lay flat hose and fire hose reel systems, ensuring:

• correctly identifying location, design specification and details of system
• correctly selecting and using appropriate processes, tools and equipment
• completing all work to specification
• complying with regulations, standards and organisational quality procedures and processes.

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 federal, state and territory legislation and regulations and may include:

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

• other machines
• surrounding structure and facilities
• trip hazards
• underground services
• use of tools and equipment
• work site visitors and the public
• working at heights
• working in confined spaces
• working in proximity to others

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

Quality assurance  requirements may include:

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

Tools and equipment  may include:

• hand and power tools
• test equipment.

Commissioning firefighting appliances  covers testing and commissioning firefighting appliances, including:

• delivery lay flat fire hose
• fire blankets
• fire hose reel systems
• portable fire appliances
• wheeled fire extinguishers.

Relevant standards  include:

• AS/NZS1841 Portable fire extinguishers - general requirements
• AS/NZS1850 Portable fire extinguishers - classification, rating and performance testing
• AS1851 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment
• AS2441 Installation of fire hose reels
• AS2444 Portable fire extinguishers and blankets -selection and location
• AS/NZS3504 Fire blankets
• AS3565 Meters for water supply
• AS4077 Fire protection - fire extinguishing media: halogenated hydrocarbons
• AS4078 Fire protection - fire extinguishing media: carbon dioxide
• AS4265 Wheeled fire extinguishers
• AS/NZS4353 Portable fire extinguishers - aerosol type.

Statutory and regulatory authority  includes:

• Building Code of Australia
• state or territory regulations.

Unit sector 

Plumbing and services

Co-requisite units 

Nil

Functional area