Unit of competency details

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.

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 single point systems.

2.1

Work permits are obtained prior to entering customer premises.

2.2

Single point systems  are inspected and tested according to requirements and procedures contained in relevant Australian standards and regulatory requirements.

2.3

Components  are replaced, as required and permitted , according to relevant Australian standards.

2.4

Defects are reported and those within technician’s level of competency and scope of responsibility are repaired.

2.5

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

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

Required skills 

• customer service skills
• 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

• interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social and cultural backgrounds
• technical skills to:

• conduct electrical circuitry testing procedures
• isolate circuit breakers

• skills to work safely when:

• applying workplace housekeeping procedures
• removing and replacing globes, tubes and starters, especially minimising exposure to electrical connections and avoiding damage to components
• using hand and power tools

Required knowledge 

• action to take when a breach of health, safety or other policy occurs
• basic operation of a central system
• basic operation of single point emergency and exit lights
• basic operation of computer monitored single point systems
• basic theory of AC and DC current
• battery types used in emergency and exit lighting and basic theory of battery operation, including charge time and ampere hour ratings
• circuit breakers to be isolated for system inspection
• common control and indicators required on any single point emergency light
• commonly used emergency and exit light fittings
• deemed to comply requirements for exit sign locations, given required egress routes and exit door locations
• definition of extra low voltage according to AS 3000 Electrical installations (known as the wiring rules)
• electrical terms associated with emergency and exit lighting
• factors affecting lifetime of batteries
• how to determine:

• minimum and maximum viewing distance of pictorial element on an exit sign
• whether tubes and globes are:

• maintained
• non-maintained
• sustained

• identification of circuit breakers to be isolated for system inspection
• inspection, testing and reporting requirements according to relevant standard, such as AS/NZS 2293 Emergency escape lighting and exit signs for buildings
• key features of legislation, regulations and codes applicable to testing and maintaining an emergency and exit lighting system, including:

• implications of not applying legislative requirements to job functions
• permissible work on emergency and exit lighting that may be undertaken without an electrical licence
• purpose of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and deemed to comply requirements relevant to installation of emergency and exit lighting

• minimum and maximum mounting height for exit signs
• purpose of an emergency and exit lighting system and examples of where it may be required or installed
• purpose of wiring diagrams
• relevant cleaning solutions and their application for cleaning lighting lenses and reflectors
• safety issues, including:

• concerns with voltages in excess of extra low voltage
• requirements for replacing globes, tubes and starters on electrical circuits that power lighting
• requirements for testing electrical circuits

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 observation of practical demonstration of inspecting and testing emergency and exit lighting systems.

Assessment of this unit must be conducted by, or in association with, a person holding a current electrician’s licence.

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:

• comply with relevant rules and regulations, including those relating to the scope and limit of the technicians’ responsibilities
• inspect and test single point systems
• replace globes and tubes on fittings
• clean and fit components, such as lenses
• complete required documentation.

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 customer premises or a simulated workplace environment
• assessment documentation
• necessary tools, specialist equipment, manuals and relevant documentation
• training and assessment record book.

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

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 building Acts, regulations and codes, such as BCA
• relevant Australian standards, such as:

• AS/NZS 2293 Emergency escape lighting and exit signs for buildings
• 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.

Checking system compliance requirements  may include:

• applying inspection, test and survey requirements according to Australian standards
• reviewing documentation to verify that installed systems 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.

Single point system  is:

• a system of emergency lighting employing self-contained emergency luminaires and exit signs that will vary from building to building.

Note: The service technician will need to become familiar with the system layout before inspection and testing procedures can be carried out.

Components  may include:

• batteries
• lenses
• light fitting globes and tubes
• starters
• other replaceable components.

Note: Replacement of these components is not restricted to any licensed trade or occupation.

Permitted  means:

• not restricted to licensed trades or occupations.

Documentation  may include:

• application for credit forms
• certificates of inspection
• corrective action reports
• customer recommendation forms
• equipment recommendation forms
• expense claims
• job cards
• maintenance record system
• motor vehicle fleet cards
• petty cash vouchers
• product documentation
• service agreements.

Customer requirements  may include:

• confirming or varying service instructions
• following sign-in and sign-out procedures for entry to or exit from premises
• providing non-routine or urgent services
• providing routine services
• providing written or verbal confirmation of services provided or future maintenance schedule
• sighting work permits.