Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1.

Select appropriate special hazard fire suppression solutions

1.1.

Research is conducted to determine appropriate fire suppression solutions  that address building or facility’s risk profile  and special hazard standards  that have been identified for use.

1.2.

Cost-benefit and efficiency analyses of the range of fire suppression systems are conducted.

1.3.

Recommendations for selection of preferred solutions are reported to appropriate personnel.

2.

Select appropriate special hazard fire detection and occupant warning solutions.

2.1.

Research is conducted to determine appropriate fire detection and occupant warning solutions  that address building or facility’s risk profile, ambient conditions and the selected fire suppression solution.

2.2.

Cost-benefit and efficiency analyses of the range of fire detection and occupant warning systems are conducted.

2.3.

Recommendations for selection of preferred solutions are made to appropriate personnel.

3.

Set up special hazard fire systems design drawing.

3.1.

Relevant project drawings and documentation are requested, received, named and filed  according to workplace procedures.

3.2.

Drawings are cleaned to leave minimal essential information.

3.3.

Layers showing designs of other services are imported into clean architectural or structural drawings.

3.4.

Details from drawings of floor or building adjacent to the areas under design consideration are added if these affect the design.

3.5.

Detailed design drawing is named, filed and backed up according to workplace procedures.

4.

Lay out the special hazard fire systems design.

4.1.

Site visit is conducted where possible to confirm dimensions and assess installation risks and constraints.

4.2.

Interactions  between various systems are identified and planned.

4.3.

Exact locations of sprinklers and other fittings are determined and notated on the drawing according to relevant codes and standards.

4.4.

Most efficient and workable layout and location  of system components  are determined and notated on the drawing.

4.5.

Dimensions are calculated, checked and notated on the drawing.

5.

Calculate the requirements for the special hazard fire system solutions.

5.1.

Calculations  to identify and confirm required capacity of the special hazard fire systems are undertaken.

5.2.

Infrastructure  to support special hazard fire system solution is identified and quantified.

5.3.

Shortfalls in water pressure are determined and sizes of pumps and tanks required for water spray systems are calculated.

6.

Evaluate and implement special hazard fire system solutions.

6.1.

Components of special hazard fire system solution are gathered from relevant expert personnel as required.

6.2.

Special hazard system design drawings are evaluated for efficiency and effectiveness.

6.3.

Design drawings are submitted to relevant personnel within scheduled timeframe.

6.4.

Required amendments to design drawings are made or negotiated  as required.

6.5.

Final approved design drawings are processed and distributed according to project and workplace requirements.

6.6.

Fittings and components  are selected and ordered.

This section describes core skills that are essential to performance and not explicit in the performance criteria. Employment skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Skill 

Performance feature 

Learning skills to:

• attempt complex tasks requiring sophisticated conceptualisation and analysis over an extended period and employ lateral thinking and problem solving strategies
• select and use a range of ICT tools for fire systems design, file and project management and research
• organise own work, including creating personal systems and checklists for planning, managing and checking work
• manage detailed input to concurrent fire systems design projects at different stages of the process and with diverse sets of regulatory requirements.

Numeracy skills to:

• interpret and apply mathematical principles, equations and calculation methods to special hazard fire systems design, including performing calculations for electrical systems
• read, measure and interpret dimensions, ratios and scales on drawings.

Oral communication skills to:

• listen to and communicate clearly with colleagues, fitters, suppliers and contractors
• lead and participate in project meetings and consultations with a range of service contractors.

Reading skills to:

• access, interpret and apply current relevant legislation, codes and standards to the design and evaluation of complex special hazard fire systems
• recognise conflicts and errors on drawings supplied by other service contractors.

Writing skills to:

• write to construction and fire safety specialists using technical vocabulary about such things as notifications of incompleteness, and conflicts and errors in drawings supplied by other service contractors.

This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.

Fire suppression solutions  must include two of the following:

• chemical systems
• detection and warning systems
• special hazard foam systems
• special hazard gaseous agent systems
• water-based deluge or pre-action sprinkler systems.

Risk profile  of the building or facility will reflect its use and must include details of:

• users of and visitors to the site and the need to protect them
• value of the equipment, facility or goods stored
• susceptibility of the stored goods to water or other forms of damage resulting from the use of different types of system.

Special hazard standards  must include at least one standard from the following list:

• relevant Australian standards, including:

• AS ISO 14520.1 Gaseous fire-extinguishing systems - Physical properties and system design - General requirements
• AS4487 Condensed aerosol fire extinguishing systems -  Requirements for system design, installation and commissioning and test methods for components

• United States National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, including:

• NFPA 2001 Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems
• NFPA 11 Low, Medium and High Expansion Foam Systems
• NFPA 11A Medium and High Expansion Foam Systems
• NFPA 13 The Installation of Sprinkler Systems
• NFPA 16 Deluge Foam-Water Sprinkler and Foam-Water Spray Systems.

Fire detection and occupant warning solutions  must include:

• fire alarms
• fire gas detectors
• flame detectors
• heat-sensing detectors
• smoke-sensing detectors.

File naming  must include:

• accurate naming and filing of drawings, including formal document control and amendments:

• history
• transmittal notices

• naming conventions for design drawings and drawing registers.

Interactions  between multiple systems on a complex site must be analysed to:

• ensure most effective selection of systems to protect different assets
• maximise effectiveness of systems
• maximise efficiency of installation process.

Efficient and workable layout and location  must consider:

• access constraints
• aesthetic requirements
• conflict with other services
• efficiencies to facilitate work on site
• installation problems
• penetrations
• reduction of labour costing
• work health and safety risks.

System components  must include:

• brackets
• discharge nozzles
• fire panels
• pipework
• system valves
• zone valves.

Calculation s that relate to the special hazard fire systems must include:

• foam system calculations.
• gaseous system calculations
• hydraulic calculations to assess pressure requirements and confirm pipe sizes
• water-spray system calculations.

Infrastructure  for special hazard fire system solutions must include:

• delivery systems for the suppression agent
• pipework
• storage containers
• tanks.

Negotiated  change must include one made due to:

• impact on cost-effectiveness
• impact on installation risks and constraints
• non-compliance with applicable legislation, codes and standards.

Fittings and components  must include:

• control valves
• elbows
• hangers
• pipe fabrication methods and constraints
• pumps
• sprinkler heads
• tanks
• tees.