Unit of competency details

1

Apply rules and regulations to service operations.

1.1

Requirements of relevant rules and regulations  are confirmed  and applied to work procedures .

1.2

Compliance requirements are checked  and action  is taken according to organisational policies and procedures .

2

Inspect and test fire extinguishers.

2.1

Fire extinguishers  are inspected and tested  according to organisational policies and procedures, Australian standards and environmental regulations .

2.2

Wheeled extinguisher carriage assemblies are inspected and maintained as necessary according to relevant Australian standards.

2.3

Extinguisher valve rebuild is conducted according to manufacturers’ listing requirements and Australian standards.

2.4

Extinguisher valve replacement is conducted according to manufacturers’ listing requirements and Australian standards.

2.5

Defects are reported and repairs or replacement conducted according to relevant Australian standards, technical specifications and work procedures.

2.6

Documentation  is completed according to organisational requirements and relevant Australian standards.

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• technical skills to discharge or depressurise extinguisher according to workplace safety and environmental procedures
• language, literacy and numeracy skills to:

• communicate with others clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing
• read and comply with work instructions and specifications
• read and record measurements
• record and report information neatly and legibly

• planning and organising skills to:

• estimate time to complete activities
• prioritise tasks

• skills to work safely when:

• applying manual-handling techniques
• applying workplace housekeeping procedures
• using equipment according to operating procedures
• using hand and power tools

Required knowledge 

• action to take when a breach of health, safety or other policy occurs
• key features of legislation, regulations, codes and standards applicable to servicing fire extinguishers, including:

• consequences of not applying legislative requirements to job functions
• disposal of waste products
• implications of incorrect servicing procedures for the customer and the organisation
• OHS issues and requirements, such as dangers of mixing extinguishants

• purpose of:

• certificates of inspection
• corrective action reports
• equipment recommendation forms
• job cards
• maintenance record systems
• product documentation

• technical information, including:

• concept of hydrostatic pressure testing
• handling, decanting, reclaiming and storage requirements of extinguishing agents
• identification and purpose of specialised testing equipment
• identification of:

• componentry and agent fill requirements for an extinguisher to be maintained at original approval requirements
• containers that do not comply with applicable Australian standards, and regulations and codes
• different powder extinguishing agents
• spare parts for extinguishers serviced, including how and where the spare part is applied

• methods of converting imperial units of measurement to metric
• methods used to prevent ODS and SGG emissions in the workshop
• purpose and operation of major extinguisher components
• purpose of the safety cage
• reasons for preventing ODS and SGG emissions in the workshop
• test pressures for different extinguishers

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 by practical demonstration of inspecting, testing and maintaining fire extinguishers.

Oral questioning may be used to assess underpinning knowledge of procedures for preventing emission of ODS and SGG in the workplace.

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 the required skills and knowledge specified in this unit.

In particular the person should demonstrate the ability to:

• conduct inspection, testing and servicing activities scheduled at three, five and six-yearly intervals, as specified in AS 1851 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment, on fire extinguishers in each of the following categories:

• water, foam or wet chemical
• powder
• carbon dioxide (excluding hydrostatic pressure testing)
• vaporising liquid (must have the relevant EAHL)
• wheeled extinguisher of any type (excluding hydrostatic pressure testing)

• follow procedures to prevent the emission of ODS and SGG vaporising liquid type extinguishing agents
• conduct an extinguisher valve rebuild according to manufacturers’ listing requirements and Australian standards.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context. It is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards’ requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

• access to workshop facilities or a simulated workplace environment
• assessment documentation, including training and assessment record books
• necessary tools, equipment, spare parts and relevant documentation.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must:

• satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Property 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.

Guidance information for assessment

Information derived from enterprise policies and practices must be treated as commercial in confidence.

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.

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.

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.

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.

Rules and regulations  may include:

• dangerous goods regulations
• environmental regulations
• licensing arrangements
• OHS legislation, regulations and codes
• relevant commonwealth and state or territory regulations and codes
• relevant Australian standards, such as:

• AS 1851 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment
• note: Australian standards are frequently revised and users must always check for currency and amendments.

Requirements may be confirmed  with:

• colleagues
• managers
• supervisors
• team leaders.

Work procedures  may include:

• assignment instructions
• equipment manufacturers’ requirements
• instructions from colleagues, supervisor or manager
• personal protective equipment requirements
• reporting and documentation requirements
• specific customer requirements
• work instructions to prevent the emission of ODS and SGG in the workplace.

Checking compliance requirements  may include:

• applying inspection, test, and preventive maintenance requirements according to Australian standards
• reviewing documentation to verify that extinguishers comply with relevant rules and regulations.

Action  may include:

• advising customer
• documenting non-compliance
• making equipment safe
• reporting, as required.

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• job scheduling systems and communication devices
• personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles, responsibilities and delegations
• recording and reporting documentation and systems
• relevant OHS policies, procedures and programs
• relevant rules and regulations
• standard operating procedures, work instructions and manuals.

Fire extinguishers  may include:

• portable extinguishers as defined in AS/NZS 1841 Portable fire extinguishers
• wheeled extinguishers as defined in AS 4265 Wheeled fire extinguishers.

Inspection and testing :

• include additional and permissible inspection and testing activities specified in AS 1851 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment, to be conducted only at three, five and six-yearly intervals, which are:

• inspecting the condition of all parts for damage, corrosion and blockages
• testing the discharge action and actuating devices
• depressurising and dismantling extinguishers
• repairing and replacing components and seals
• hydrostatic pressure testing of extinguishers as permitted
• reassembling, filling or recharging, pressurising and leak testing extinguishers
• reinstating extinguishers ready for use

• do not include hydrostatic pressure testing of the following extinguishers, which must be tested at an approved gas cylinder test station:

• carbon dioxide portable extinguishers
• all wheeled extinguishers.

Environmental regulations  may be located in:

• appropriate Australian standards covering environmental safeguards
• procedures and work instructions to prevent the emission of ODS and SGG in the workplace.

Documentation  may include:

• certificates of inspection
• corrective action reports
• equipment recommendation forms
• job cards
• maintenance record systems
• product documentation.