Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to test, commission and maintain special hazard fire suppression systems.

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

NOTE: All technicians performing work described in this unit that involves the handling of prescribed ozone depleting substances (ODS) and synthetic greenhouse gases (SGG) extinguishing agents must hold an appropriate extinguishing agent handling licence (EAHL).

Application of the unit 

Site location for work application may be either domestic or residential, and 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 commissioning special hazard fire suppression systems, and the 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. Apply knowledge and understanding of ODS and SGG legislative and industry requirements to commission, inspect, test and maintain activities for special hazard fire suppression systems.

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

1.6. Tools , equipment  and materials  for commissioning and maintaining special hazard fire suppression systems , including personal protective equipment, are selected and checked for serviceability.

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

2. Identify system requirements.

2.1. Service design requirements are identified and confirmed from job specifications and are in accordance with standards.

2.2. Testing and commissioning requirements of special hazard fire suppression systems are identified in accordance with standards, authorities' requirements and job specifications.

3. Test and commission system.

3.1. Special hazard fire suppression systems are checked to ensure type and installation conform to standards, job specifications, manufacturer recommendations and authorities' requirements.

3.2. Operation of system is tested in accordance with job specifications, manufacturer recommendations and authorities' requirements, including ODS and SGG legislative requirements, and is adjusted as required.

3.3. System is commissioned to ensure correct operation in accordance with standards, and manufacturer and job specifications.

4. Maintain system.

4.1. Service and maintenance requirements are identified from manufacturer specifications or authorities' requirements.

4.2. Replacement components are checked and fitted periodically and as required in accordance with specifications.

4.3. Maintenance and repair of system are conducted observing maintenance schedule described in current Australian standard, and manufacturer and/or authorities' requirements, including ODS and SGG legislative requirements.

5. Clean up work area.

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

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

5.3. 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

• testing, commissioning and maintaining a special hazard protection system consisting of an extinguishing agent, piping, actuating devices and sprinkler delivery.

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge for this unit is:

• accessing information and the processes for calculating material requirements
• Environment Protection Authority (EPA) requirements, particularly in relation to ODS
• function and operation of components and qualities of materials of special hazards systems
• hazard categories, classes of fire hazard, extinguishing agents and application methods
• job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements (SWMS)
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Factory Mutual Performance based codes of practice
• pressure test systems and procedures
• process of installing, testing and commissioning special hazard systems
• relevant statutory and authority requirements related to commissioning domestic and residential fire suppression sprinkler systems
• SI system of measurements
• standards applicable to the service
• 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 testing and commissioning special hazard fire suppression systems
• applying safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including the use of personal protective clothing and equipment
• as a minimum, the ability to test and commission one special hazard fire suppression system (not prescribed ODS or SGG extinguishing agent), being a gaseous, chemical or fluid-based system; and inspect, test and maintain one prescribed ODS or SGG system, ensuring:

• correct identification of location, design specification and details of proposed service
• correct selection and use of appropriate processes, tools and equipment
• completion of 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
• other machines
• surrounding structures 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.

Environmental requirements  cover water quality management and may include:

• clean-up protection
• complying with ODS and SGG legislation, codes and regulations, e.g. Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989
• preventing emissions of prescribed ODS and SGG extinguishing agents
• stormwater 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:

• hand and power tools
• test equipment.

Materials  include:

• actuating devices
• alarms
• control valve assemblies
• unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U), steel or copper pipes or other approved materials
• special hazard fire suppression agents, including prescribed ODS and SGG materials
• sprinkler heads.

Special hazard fire suppression systems  may include:

• carbon dioxide and other gases (such as inergen and argonite)
• chemical reaction and explosion suppression systems
• dry chemical
• foam
• prescribed ODS and SGG extinguishing agents (such as halon and NAF S-III)
• water
• water mist.

Statutory and regulatory authorities  include:

• statutory plumbing authority
• state or territory statutory authority.

Information  may include:

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

• building codes
• OHS and environmental requirements, including ODS and SGG legislation, codes and regulations
• plumbing regulations

• relevant Australian standards, including AS2118 Automatic fire sprinkler systems and AS1851 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment
• safe work procedures relating to testing and commissioning special hazard fire suppression systems
• signage
• verbal, written and graphical instructions
• work bulletins
• work schedules, plans and specifications.

Unit sector 

Plumbing and services

Co-requisite units 

Nil

Functional area