Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

1) Scope: 

1.1) Descriptor 

This unit deals with the skills and knowledge required to operate, inspect and monitor fixed fire protection systems.

Application of the Unit 

2) 

This unit is intended to augment formally acquired competencies. It is suitable for employment-based programs under an approved contract of training.

License to practice 

3)  

The skills and knowledge described in this unit do not require a licence to practise in the workplace. However, practice in this unit is subject to regulations directly related to Occupational Health and Safety and where applicable contracts of training such as apprenticeships.

Prerequisite Unit(s) 

4)  

Competencies 

4.1) 

Granting of competency in this unit shall be made only after competency in the following unit(s) has/have been confirmed.

Where pre-requisite pathways have been identified. All competencies in the Common Unit Group must be have been completed.

There are no pre-requisite units.

Literacy and numeracy skills 

4.2)  

Participants are best equipped to achieve this unit if they have reading, writing and numeracy skills indicated by the following levels. A description of what each level entails is provided in Section 2.3.1 Language, Literacy and Numeracy.

Reading

3

Writing

3

Numeracy

3

Employability Skills 

5)  

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of Employability Skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged will assist in identifying Employability Skill requirements.

6)  Elements describe the essential outcomes of a competency standard unit

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

Plan and prepare work

1.1

Safety issues are identified to comply with enterprise/site requirements

1.2

Work requirements are identified from relevant personnel and documentation

1.3

Documentation to determine plant status is assessed and evaluated

1.4

Localised plant inspection and field preparations for service are carried out in accordance with manufacturer and enterprise procedures

1.5

Plant operational pre-requisites are established in accordance with manufacturer and enterprise procedures

1.6

Sequence for recommissioning of plant is determined to suit existing circumstances in accordance with enterprise requirements

1.7

Where appropriate, the teams and individuals roles and responsibilities within the team are identified and, where required, assist in the provision of the on-the-job training

2

Operate plant

2.1

Plant is operated in accordance with enterprise and manufacturer operating procedures

2.2

Plant is monitored and observed to detect deviations from normal operating conditions

2.3

Corrective actions are taken to rectify abnormalities in accordance with manufacturer and enterprise procedures

3

Test plant operation

3.1

Tests are performed in accordance with defined procedures applicable to the operational test

3.2

Plant is observed for correct operational response in accordance with enterprise / manufacturers requirements

3.3

Correct action is taken in accordance with enterprise procedures

3.4

Plant is returned to required operational status upon completion of test

4

Analyse system faults

4.1

Causes of abnormal plant operating conditions are identified by analysing the technical and operational information in a logical and sequential manner

4.2

Corrective action taken is in accordance with enterprise procedures

4.3

Plant integrity and personnel safety are maintained through consultation with appropriate personnel, and with reference to plant, technical and operational documentation

5

Monitor and inspect plant

5.1

Plant to be monitored/inspected is physically identified

5.2

Plant is monitored/inspected for normal operation or to detect deviations

5.3

Corrective action taken is in accordance with enterprise procedures

5.4

Appropriate personnel are notified when defects are detected

6

Complete Documentation

6.1

Documentation is updated and plant problems, movements, abnormalities and status are reported and logged in accordance with enterprise/site procedures

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Evidence must show that knowledge has been acquired of safe working practices and operate and monitor fixed fire protection systems.

All knowledge and skills detailed in this unit should be contextualised to current industry practices and technologies.

KS01-PO317B Operate and monitor fixed fire protection systems

Evidence shall show an understanding of how to operate and monitor fixed fire protection systems, to an extent indicated by the following aspects:

T1 Principles of combustion

• Fire triangle
• Agents used to control and extinguish fires.
• Fire hazards in electricity generation plants.

T2 Fire suppression systems:

• Types:

• Water deluge;
• Foam;
• Halon;
• Gas;
• CO2.

• Theory of operation
• Hazards of gas fire suppression systems

T3 Interpretation of documentation:

• Hard-copy and computer-based documentation;

• Enterprise/site safety and emergency documentation;
• Equipment and alarm manuals;
• Enterprise/site log books;
• Manufacturers’ manuals.

T4 Fire protection system testing:

• Communication with Central Controller and other staff;
• Isolation of alarm system;
• Remote communications and data-logging systems testing;
• Stand-by power supply testing;
• Lamp indicator testing;
• Alarm testing;
• Valve testing.

T5 Confirmation of operational status of fire fighting and fire prevention equipment:

• Currency of inspection tags and log book entries;
• Fire and smoke detectors;
• Inventory and visual checks of extinguishers, fire blankets, hydrant reels, signage and other on-site fire fighting and fire prevention equipment;
• Valves, actuators and dampers in correct operating position;
• Availability of emergency water supply;
• Fire doors, fire walls and fire barriers;
• Fire pump engine

• fuel supply;
• lubrication;
• starter battery;
• coolant.

T6 Reporting, record and log keeping:

• as per Statutory, Enterprise and manufacturers’ requirements;
• reporting of non-compliant fire protection or fire suppression systems or equipment.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

9)  This provides essential advice for assessment of the unit of competency and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria and the Range Statement of the unit and the Training Package Assessment Guidelines.

The Evidence Guide forms an integral part of this Competency Standard Unit and shall be used in conjunction with all components parts of this unit and, performed in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Overview of Assessment 

9.1) 

Longitude competency development approaches to assessment, such as Profiling, require data to be reliably gathered in a form that can be consistently interpreted over time. This approach is best utilised in Apprenticeship programs and reduces assessment intervention. It is the Industry’s preferred model for apprenticeships. However, where summative (or final) assessment is used it is to include the application of the competency in the normal work environment or, at a minimum, the application of the competency in a realistically simulated work environment. It is recognised that, in some circumstances, assessment in part or full can occur outside the workplace. However, it must be in accord with Industry and, Regulatory policy in this regard.

Methods chosen for a particular assessment will be influenced by various factors. These include the extent of the assessment, the most effective locations for the assessment activities to take place, access to physical resources, additional safety measures that may be required and the critical nature of the competencies being assessed.

The critical safety nature of working with electricity, electrical equipment, gas or any other hazardous substance/material carries risk in deeming a person competent. Hence, sources of evidence need to be ‘rich’ in nature so as to minimise error in judgment.

Activities associated with normal every day work have a bearing on the decision as to how much and how detailed the data gathered will contribute to its ‘richness’. Some skills are more critical to safety and operational requirements while the same skills may be more or less frequently practised. These points are raised for the assessors to consider when choosing an assessment method and developing assessment instruments. Sample assessment instruments are included for Assessors in the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Critical aspects of evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

9.2) 

Before the critical aspects of evidence are considered all pre-requisites shall be met.

Evidence for competence in this unit shall be considered holistically. Each element and associated Performance Criteria shall be demonstrated on at least two occasions in accordance with the “Assessment Guidelines – UEP12”. Evidence shall also comprise:

• A representative body of work performance demonstrated within the timeframes typically expected of the discipline, work function and industrial environment. In particular this shall incorporate evidence that shows a candidate is able to:

• Implement Occupational Health and Safety workplace procedures and practices including the use of risk control measures as specified in the Performance Criteria and Range Statement
• Apply sustainable energy principles and practices as specified in the Performance Criteria and Range Statement
• Demonstrate an understanding of the essential knowledge and associated skills as described in 6) Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills of this unit
• Demonstrate an appropriate level of employability skills
• Conduct work observing the relevant Anti Discrimination legislation, regulations, polices and workplace procedures

• Demonstrated performance across a representative range of contexts from the prescribed items below:

• Knowledge and application of relevant sections of: Occupational Health and Safety legislation; Statutory legislation; Enterprise/site safety procedures; Enterprise/site emergency procedures
• Preparation and planning of work
• Operation of fixed fire protection systems
• Operationally testing plant
• Analysing plant faults
• Monitoring plant operation
• Dealing with an unplanned event by drawing on essential knowledge and skills to provide appropriate solutions incorporated in the holistic assessment with the above listed items

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

9.3) 

This unit should be assessed as it relates to normal work practice using procedures, information and resources typical of a workplace. This should include:

• OHS policy and work procedures and instructions.
• Suitable work environment, facilities, equipment and materials to undertake actual work as prescribed by this unit.

Competency Standards should be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions.

Assessment of this unit will be supported with documentary evidence, by means of endorsement stating type and application of work.

In addition to the resources listed above in Context of assessment’, evidence should show competency working, in limited spaces, with different types of plant and equipment as well as different structural/construction types and methods and in a variety of environments.

Method of assessment 

9.4) 

This unit shall be assessed by methods given in Section 1.3.00 Assessment Guidelines..

Note:

Competent performance with inherent safe working practices is expected in the Industry to which this unit applies. This requires that the specified essential knowledge and associated skills are assessed in a structured environment which is primarily intended for learning/assessment and incorporates all necessary equipment and facilities for learners to develop and demonstrate the essential knowledge and skills described in this unit.

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units 

9.5) 

There are no recommended concurrent assessments with this unit, however in some cases efficiencies may be gained in terms of learning and assessment effort being concurrently managed with allied competency standard units where listed.

Nil

RANGE STATEMENT 

10)  This relates to the unit of competency as a whole providing the range of contexts and conditions to which the Performance Criteria apply. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

Systems may include fire control, supervisory, alarm and control equipment; valves, actuators and dampers (electric, hydraulic, pneumatic and manual); storage plant; detectors water deluge; detection systems; foam, halon, gas and CO2 suppression systems.

Safety standards may include relevant sections of Occupational Health and Safety legislation enterprise safety rules, relevant state and federal legislation, national standards for plant and environmental legislation.

Information and documentation sources may include verbal and written communications, enterprise/site safety rules documentation/form(s), equipment and alarm manuals, dedicated computer equipment, enterprise/site standing and operating instructions, enterprise/site log book and manufacturer operation and maintenance manuals.

Technical and operational indicators may include stimuli (audio, smell, touch, visual), local indicators and recorders, computers and alarms (visible and or audible).

Communications may be by means of telephone, two way radio, pager, public address system, facsimile, computer (electronic mail) and operating log (written or verbal).

Tests may include stand-by plant tests, post maintenance operating tests and alarm tests.

Appropriate personnel to consult, give or receive direction may include supervisor/team leader or equivalent, power system control personnel or equivalent, contractor and specialist personnel, maintenance staff and power plant operations personnel.

Test, fault finding and operating tools may include hand and power tools and CO2 equipment.

Operating environment may be during inclement or otherwise harsh weather conditions, in wet/noisy/dusty/hot areas, during night periods and during continuous operation.

Faults and abnormal operating conditions may include motor/pump/ actuator/valve/damper failure/malfunction, control equipment failure/ malfunctions, loss of electrical supply to plant and equipment, loss/ low air, water, lubricating oil to plant/ equipment, CO2 system faults/ malfunctions, CO2 leaks, high filter/ strainer dp, and excessive vibration pumps/ motors.

Generic terms are used throughout this Training Package for vocational standard shall be regarded as part of the Range Statement in which competency is demonstrated. The definition of these and other terms are given in Section 2.1 Preliminary Information and Glossaries.

Competency Field 

11)  

Operations.