Unit of competency details

Modification History

Not Applicable

Unit Descriptor

Unit descriptor 

The unit prepares the individual for servicing and installation procedures by being able to accurately identify fire protection products and their purpose of use. All work in the area of identification must be completed in accordance with relevant legislative, industry, customer and organisational requirements, including occupational health and safety (OHS) policies and procedures.

Application of the Unit

Not Applicable

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Not Applicable

Pre-Requisites

Not Applicable

Employability Skills Information

Not Applicable

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

Not Applicable

Elements and Performance Criteria

Required Skills and Knowledge

Refer to Evidence Guide

Evidence Guide

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria 

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit of competency in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below.

• Definition and purpose of portable and wheeled fire extinguishers.
• Purpose of pictographs.
• Purpose and range of the Australian colour-coding system for wheeled and portable fire extinguishers.
• Purpose of hose reels, delivery lay flat fire hoses, fire blankets and smoke alarms (battery-operated).
• Purpose and types of fire hydrant system components.
• Purpose and type of fire pump sets.
• Purpose and types of automatic fire suppression systems
• Purpose and type of detection and alarm systems.
• Purpose and types of hinged and non-hinged smoke and fire doors.
• Awareness of other types of non-battery powered smoke alarms.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria 

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These relate to the ability to:

• use effective and appropriate questioning/listening techniques
• recognise, analyse and identify portable fire equipment products and fixed automatic fire systems equipment
• apply language, literacy and numeracy skills to:

• communicate with others in a clear and concise manner in both written and verbal modes
• read, understand and comply with work instructions/specifications
• read, understand and record measurements.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit 

Competency in this unit underpins competency in other aspects of servicing fire protection equipment. This unit of competency is a prerequisite for the following technical fire protection units in the PRM04 Asset Maintenance Training Package:

• PRMPFES09B Service portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets in the field
• PRMPFES10B Inspect, test and replace fire hose reels in the field
• PRMPFES11B Install portable fire extinguishers, fire blankets and battery powered smoke alarms
• PRMPFES14C Service portable fire extinguishers in the workshop
• PRMPFES15B Service delivery lay flat fire hoses in the workshop
• PRMPFES16B Inspect and service delivery lay flat fire hoses and nozzles in the field
• PRMPFES19B Install and service portable foam liquid proportioning equipment
• PRMPFES20B Service wheeled fire extinguishers in the field
• PRMPFES21C Service wheeled fire extinguishers in the workshop
• PRMPFES37A Inspect and maintain fire hydrants
• PRMPFES38A Inspect and maintain portable fire monitors.

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function, for example:

• PRMPFES05B Use portable fire fighting equipment
• PRMPFES06C Prepare for installation and servicing operations.

Resources required to assess this unit 

The candidate and the assessor should have access to the appropriate documentation and resources normally utilised in the workplace. This includes access to:

• an actual or simulated work environment
• product examples or clear photographs/drawings of relevant products
• assessment documentation
• training and assessment record book.

Gaining evidence to assess this unit 

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, the competency should be demonstrated over a period of time and be observed by the assessor (or assessment team working together to conduct the assessment). The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations, which may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.

Assessment of underpinning knowledge is best obtained by either oral questioning or a written assessment. (In both assessment methods the questions should be identical in context.)

Evidence of competency is based on the candidate's ability to identify and explain the purpose of each item described in the range statement.

Assessment may be conducted in any environment that conforms to the basic principles of assessment (flexible, fair, etc).

Performance and assessment of this unit must be carried out within the relevant requirements of the following legislative and industry framework:

• building Acts/regulations/codes
• Australian Standards identified as relevant
• environmental regulations
• manufacturers' specifications
• organisational requirements, including OHS policies and procedures
• OHS legislation, codes and regulations.

Key competency levels 

There are a number of processes learnt throughout work and daily life that are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work environments. Some of these work processes are covered by the key competencies listed below. Information provided to each question highlights how these processes are applied in this unit of competency.

The number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency should be demonstrated.

Range Statement

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement links the required knowledge and organisational and technical requirements to the workplace context. It describes any contextual variables that will be used or encountered when applying the competency in work situations. It allows for different work practices and work and knowledge requirements as well as for differences between organisations and workplaces. The following variables may be present for this particular unit.

Portable fire extinguisher  types include:

• stored pressure
• rechargeable/non-rechargeable
• reversible
• cartridge operated.

Wheeled fire extinguisher  types include:

• stored pressure
• cartridge
• reversible.

Extinguishants  may include:

• water
• foam
• wet chemical
• powder
• CO2 
• vaporising liquid.

Expellants  may include:

• CO2 
• nitrogen
• dry air.

Hose reel types  may include:

• wall-mounted
• swing-hinged
• vehicle-mounted.

Delivery lay flat fire hoses  may include:

• percolating/non-percolating
• low, medium and high classes
• a range of different hose diameters.

Delivery lay flat fire hose couplings  may include:

• BIC
• STORZ
• threaded.

Fire hydrant system components  may include:

• internal hydrant valve (points, landing valves, outlets)
• external hydrant valve
• hydrant valves that are incorporated in a fire cabinet
• pressure reducing valve (ratio valve)
• water supply system (tanks, pump sets)
• fire brigade booster connections
• reticulating pipe work.

Fire blanket containers  may include:

• plastic/vinyl covers
• metal tubes.

Battery-operated smoke alarms  may include:

• ionisation
• photoelectric.

Fire doors  may include:

• 1 hour or 2 hour fire rated assemblies
• self-closing or sliding
• automatic closing.

Smoke doors  may include:

• solid core or fire resistance rated
• self-closing or sliding
• automatic closing.

Fire pump sets  may include dedicated pump set driven by electric or diesel or a combination of both motors that supply fire systems such as hydrants and sprinklers.

Automatic fire suppression systems  may include:

• automatic sprinkler systems
• pre-engineered fire suppression systems
• gaseous fire suppression systems.

Automatic detection and alarm systems  may include:

• automatic detection systems
• automatic evacuation and warning intercommunion systems.

Unit Sector(s)

Not Applicable