Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate and check firefighting equipment in accordance with manufacturers instructions and workplace emergency procedures, including identifying and selecting the appropriate equipment, using the firefighting equipment to fight a fire, and checking that the firefighting equipment is operational. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application of the Unit 

Work must be carried out in compliance with the relevant codes of practice, regulations and workplace requirements concerning the operation and checking of firefighting equipment.

Work is performed under some supervision generally within a team environment. It involves the application of workplace procedures and regulatory requirements to the operation and maintenance of firefighting equipment as part of work activities in the transport, distribution and/or allied industries.

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Check firefighting equipment 

1.1 Firefighting equipment is checked for serviceability as per manufacturers specifications and regulatory requirements

1.2 Non-functioning equipment or equipment which is past its service date is identified and reported to designated personnel for replacement or service

2 Use firefighting equipment 

2.1 Equipment and personal safety equipment used for fighting fires are correctly selected for type of fire in accordance with manufacturers instructions

2.2 Fire is controlled using firefighting equipment according to manufacturers instructions and workplace emergency procedures

2.3 Equipment is stored safely according to manufacturers instructions and workplace procedures

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

This describes the essential knowledge and skills and their level required for this unit.

Required knowledge :

• Australian codes of practice, regulations and safeworking systems relevant to the use and checking of firefighting equipment

• Relevant OH&S and environmental protection procedures and guidelines

• Workplace procedures and policies for the use and checking of firefighting equipment

• The chemistry of fire, the effects of different types of material in a fire and the principles underlying the spread of fire and its extinguishment

• The different classes of fire, their characteristics and strategies and equipment needed for their extinguishment

• Types of firefighting appliances, equipment and systems, their identifying features, principles of operation and the procedures for their use and basic checking of serviceability

• Fixed fire prevention and extinguishing installations and their principles of operation

• Firefighting techniques, agents and precautions applicable to different classes of fire

• Typical problems that can occur with firefighting equipment and operations and appropriate action and solutions

• Manufacturers instructions for the checking of firefighting equipment

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others when fighting fires using firefighting equipment

• Read and comprehend simple statements in English

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures, regulations, signs and labels relevant to the use of firefighting equipment and apply them to work activities

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Work safely and collaboratively with others when fighting fires using firefighting equipment

• Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

• Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions that may arise when using firefighting equipment in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Implement contingency plans for unanticipated situations that may occur when using firefighting equipment

• Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

• Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

• Modify firefighting activities and take appropriate initiatives depending on limits of responsibility, differing workplace contexts, risk situations and environments

• Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

• Identify and correctly select, use and carry out basic checks on firefighting equipment relevant to own work functions

• Operate and adapt to differences in firefighting equipment and emergency procedures in the workplace

• Monitor performance of firefighting equipment and take appropriate action is required

• Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

• The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:

• the underpinning knowledge and skills
• relevant legislation and workplace procedures
• other relevant aspects of the range statement

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
• Resources for assessment include:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
• access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

• In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

• relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment 

• Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation
• As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
• Practical assessment must occur:

• through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or
• in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

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.

Work may be conducted:

• in a range of work environments
• by day or night

Customers may be:

• internal or external

Workplaces may comprise:

• large, medium or small worksites

Work may be conducted in:

• limited or restricted spaces
• exposed conditions
• controlled or open environments

Types of fires which may occur include:

• Classes A, B, C and F in the standard classification of fires

Firefighting equipment, appliances and systems may include:

• portable fire extinguishers including foam, water, CO2, dry chemical and wet foam
• sprinkler systems
• fire hoses and hydrants
• fire blankets

Hazards in the work area may include exposure to:

• chemicals
• dangerous or hazardous substances
• live electrical circuits
• movements of equipment, goods, materials, trains and vehicular traffic

Consultative processes may involve:

• other employees and supervisors
• current and potential customers
• suppliers, customers and clients
• relevant authorities and institutions
• management and union representatives
• industrial relations and OH&S specialists

Communication in the work area may include:

• phone
• electronic data interchange (EDI)
• fax
• email
• internet
• RF systems
• oral, aural or signed communications

Dependent of the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

• standard operating procedures
• company procedures
• enterprise procedures
• organisational procedures
• established procedures

Personal protective equipment may include:

• gloves
• safety headwear and footwear
• safety glasses
• two-way radios
• protective clothing
• high visibility clothing

Information documents may include:

• workplace fire emergency procedures and policies
• relevant OH&S and environmental protection regulations
• codes of practice and regulations relevant to fire emergencies, including safeworking regulations and local authority regulations and procedures
• Australian regulations and codes of practice for the transport of dangerous goods and hazardous substances
• operations manuals, job specifications and induction documentation
• manufacturers specifications for firefighting equipment
• technical instructions
• electrified territory regulations
• dangerous goods declarations and material safety data sheets (where applicable)
• goods manifest
• award, enterprise bargaining agreement, and other industrial arrangements
• relevant Australian standards and certification requirements
• quality assurance procedures
• emergency procedures

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

• relevant codes, regulations and safeworking systems for the use and checking of firefighting equipment
• the Code of Practice for the Defined Interstate Rail Network in situations where fire emergencies occur on that network
• Australian and international regulations and codes of practice for the transport of dangerous goods and hazardous substances
• relevant state/territory OH&S and environmental protection legislation
• workplace relations regulations

Competency Field 

F - Safety Management