Modification History
Not Applicable
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required for a service technician to complete mechanical inspection, testing and maintenance tasks on installed gaseous fire suppression systems. All work in this area must be completed in accordance with relevant legislative, industry, customer and organisational requirements, including policies and procedures relating to ozone depleting substances (ODS) and synthetic greenhouse gases (SGG) emissions and occupational health and safety (OHS).
Note : The service technician is not permitted to undertake any installation, replacement, maintenance and repair functions that are restricted to licensed trades or occupations (subject to relevant state and territory regulations). This unit of competency does not cover all requirements of AS 1851.
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit
This unit of competency supports one or more extinguishing agent handling licences prescribed under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 .
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not Applicable
Pre-Requisites
Not Applicable
Employability Skills Information
Not Applicable
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. |
Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1 Interpret and comply with legal and industry requirements relating to service operations. |
1.1 Apply knowledge and understanding of legislative requirements , including relevant state and territory building codes, manufacturer documentation and Australian standards to work procedures and clarify where necessary with relevant persons . 1.2 Apply knowledge and understanding of ODS and SGG legislative and industry requirements to inspect and test gaseous fire suppression systems. 1.3 Apply knowledge and understanding of the operation of fire protection systems to determine system key functional requirements and operation within design limitations. |
1.4 Identify potential and actual breaches of legislative and industry requirements and take action according to organisational requirements , and ODS, SGG and OHS policies and procedures . |
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2 Identify requirements and components of the gaseous fire suppression system. |
2.1 Identify gaseous fire suppression system application and method of operation. 2.2 Identify and locate system components of the gaseous fire suppression system according to function, manufacturer manuals, Australian standards and installer documentation. 2.3 Verify system layout is in accordance with installation drawings . 2.4 Identify isolation devices for gaseous fire suppression systems and interface controls to other systems. 2.5 Identify potential and actual breaches of the gaseous fire suppression equipment and system performance according to Australian standards, relevant state and territory building codes, and manufacturer documentation. |
3 Prepare to inspect, test and maintain gaseous fire suppression systems. |
3.1 Organise all necessary work permits prior to entering customer premises. 3.2 Advise relevant persons and occupants of protected areas and areas surrounding test site, of intended test and procedures required by Australian standards and manufacturer recommendations. 3.3 Assess system and surrounding work area for hazards . 3.4 Identify and assemble tools , equipment and testing devices for inspect, test and maintain procedures according to work procedures and organisational requirements . 3.5 Switch alarm signalling equipment (ASE) to test mode where back -to -base facilities transmit a signal to monitoring centre during test tasks. |
3.6 Physically isolate equipment and gaseous fire suppression function to ensure testing or maintenance procedures do not cause discharge of extinguishing agent. 3.7 Electrically isolate equipment and interface controls to other systems so no alarms are unduly generated. 3.8 Install and calibrate test equipment to verify operation of components and system. |
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4 Inspect installed gaseous fire suppression system. |
4.1 Identify and locate system components of gaseous fire suppression system according to function and manufacturer manuals. 4.2 Complete mechanical inspection tasks specified for maintenance schedule periods described in the current Australian standards, manufacturer specifications and procedures, service manual instructions and service bulletins. 4.3 Follow all safety procedures during inspection. 4.4 Complete documentation , record inspection results and report faulty equipment according to Australian standards, work procedures , technical specifications and customer requirements . |
5 Test installed gaseous fire suppression system. |
5.1 Complete mechanical test tasks specified for maintenance schedule periods described in the current Australian standards, manufacturer specifications and procedures, service manual instructions and service bulletins. 5.2 Follow all safety procedures during testing. 5.3 Complete documentation , record test results and report faulty equipment according to Australian standards, work procedures , technical specifications and customer requirements. |
6 Conduct preventive maintenance on installed gaseous fire suppression system. |
6.1 Complete the mechanical preventive maintenance tasks specified for maintenance schedule period described in the current Australian standard, according to legislative requirements , manufacturer specifications and procedures, service manual instructions and service bulletins. 6.2 Repair or replace faulty equipment according to Australian standards, work procedures , technical specifications and customer requirements. 6.3 Organise transportation and refilling of gaseous agent containers by authorised refilling station. 6.4 Follow all safety procedures during preventive maintenance. 6.5 Complete documentation and record preventive maintenance results, repairs and replacements of faulty equipment according to Australian standards, work procedures , technical specifications and customer requirements. |
7 Reinstate installed gaseous fire suppression system. |
7.1 Reinstate installed gaseous fire suppression system to fully operational state. 7.2 Leave customer premises in a clean and tidy condition on completion of work. |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.
Required skills :
- use hand and power tools safely and with dexterity
- conduct visual mechanical inspection, test and maintenance tasks as specified in AS 1851
- handle and transport gaseous containers according to legislation (including ODS and SGG requirements) and manufacturer and work procedures
- identify if gaseous agent is still suitable for existing occupancy risk
- operate standardised control functions on a fire alarm panel that interfaces with the gaseous system to conduct functional tests as specified in AS 1851
- operate actuation control devices to determine that operation is within design parameters for installed equipment
- conduct function system tests with other system interfaces as specified in AS 1851
- conduct routine mechanical maintenance on equipment as specified in AS 1851
- interpret information on engineering drawings, such as installation drawings
- verify visually that system complies with original installation requirements
- operate manual controls of gaseous fire suppression system
- remove and replace container actuation control devices (note: the technician may require manufacturer endorsement for specific actuation control devices)
- remove and replace containers from container bank manifold
- report and record information neatly and legibly when completing documentation
- plan and organise work in order to estimate time to complete activities and prioritise tasks
- apply language, literacy and numeracy skills to:
- communicate with others in a clear and concise manner in verbal, non-verbal and written modes
- read, understand and comply with work instructions and specifications
- read, understand and record measurements
- use appropriate workplace housekeeping procedures
- use effective customer service skills and relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.
Required knowledge :
- key features of legislation, regulations and standards, including ODS and SGG, applicable to inspecting, testing and maintaining gaseous fire suppression systems
- implications of not applying legislative requirements to job functions
- action to take when a breach of OHS, ODS and SGG or other policies occurs
- reasons for preventing ODS and SGG emissions in the workplace
- industry best practice methods used to isolate actuation control devices to prevent ODS and SGG emissions in the workplace
- extent to which pressures and liquid levels in extinguishing agent containers vary according to temperature change
- container handling, moving and transporting requirements
- pressures generated during release of gaseous agents, pressure rating requirements of pipework and fittings, and the need for adequate support bracing
- principles of operation of gaseous agent discharge nozzles
- difference between various types of extinguishing gaseous agents used
- operation of different types of equipment used to store and release gaseous extinguishant agent
- fire suppressant action of gaseous agents in terms of smothering, cooling and reacting chemically with the fire radical
- concentration and holding time requirements of various gaseous agents to extinguish a fire in relation to flooding factor and agent storage requirements
- how building structures, services and service penetration within and through protected area enclosures influence the holding time of a gaseous agent
- occupational hazards of gaseous agent in terms of:
- no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL)
- lowest observable adverse effect level (LOAEL)
- by-products of combustion associated with gaseous agent in a fire condition
- various gaseous fire suppression agents and their operation, including total flooding and local application
- operating principles of lock-off, directional and pressure release valves
- operating principles of pneumatic and mechanical actuation systems interfaced with gaseous systems
- operating principles of fire alarm components interfaced with gaseous fire suppression system
- working principles and relevant Australian standards in respect of gaseous fire suppression systems
- relevant international codes of practice
- safety requirements relevant to inspect, test and maintain procedures
- Environment Protection Authority, ODS and SGG emission requirements
- relevant federal, state or territory legislation that affects organisational operations, including:
- anti-discrimination and diversity
- equal employment opportunity
- industrial relations.
KEY COMPETENCIES
The seven key competencies represent generic skills considered necessary for effective participation by an individual in the workplace.
Performance level 1 - at this level the candidate is required to undertake tasks effectively.
Performance level 2 - at this level the candidate is required to manage tasks.
Performance level 3 - at this level the candidate is required to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping tasks.
Key competency |
Example of application |
Performance level |
How are ideas and information communicated? |
Gather information from a number of sources, including regulatory, manufacturer, organisational and customer sources, to enable accurate inspecting, testing and maintenance activities to occur. |
2 |
How can information be collected, analysed and organised? |
Discuss and confirm customer requirements and complete administrative documentation. |
2 |
How are activities planned and organised? |
Plan mechanical inspection and maintenance activities to assemble appropriate tools and hardware for on-site services and organise work schedules to suit customer and organisational requirements. |
2 |
How is teamwork used? |
Apply consultative and collaborative approaches through support and assistance provided to customers and work groups. |
1 |
How are mathematical ideas and techniques used? |
Apply mathematical techniques to on-site mechanical inspection, test and maintenance tasks. |
2 |
How are problem-solving skills applied? |
Identify potential problems throughout mechanical inspect and test activities especially with regard to ambiguous information received from information sources, and identify processes to be followed when unusual faults are detected. |
3 |
How is the use of technology applied? |
Demonstrate sound technical knowledge of equipment functions to allow accurate inspection, testing and maintenance to occur. |
2 |
Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Overview of assessment |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
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Specific resources for assessment |
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Context of assessment |
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Range Statement
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 in the performance criteria is detailed below. Add any 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.
Note : Australian standards are frequently revised and users must always check for currency.
Legislative requirements may include: |
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Work procedures may include: |
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Relevant persons may include: |
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ODS and SGG materials are listed using the format: Product name (other names); use. Check the latest amendments to the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act for the current list of ODS and SGG extinguishing agents which may include: |
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Key functional requirements relate to interpreting the system functions within design limitations, such as: |
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Potential and actual breaches could be identified by: |
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Organisational requirements may be located in quality assurance and/or procedures manuals and relate to: |
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OHS policies and procedures may relate to: |
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Gaseous fire suppression systems : |
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System components may include: |
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Installation drawings may include: |
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Isolation devices may include: |
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Work permits may include permits to: |
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Hazards may include: |
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Tools , equipment and testing devices may include: |
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Back -to -base facilities : |
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Mechanical inspection tasks may include: |
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Maintenance schedule periods may be: |
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Documentation may include: |
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Customer requirements may include: |
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Mechanical test tasks may include: |
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Mechanical preventive maintenance tasks may include: |
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Reinstate process may involve: |
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Unit Sector(s)
Sector
Fire Protection Equipment
Competency field
Competency field
Asset Maintenance