Elements and Performance Criteria

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, 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.
Fire systems may include:
water-based systems, including:
wet pipe sprinkler systems
deluge and drencher systems
dry pipe sprinkler systems
pre-action sprinkler systems
early suppression fast response (ESFR)
hydrants, hose reels and monitors
water supply tanks
fire pump sets
detection and warning systems, including:
emergency warning and intercommunications systems (EWIS)
fire detection and alarm systems
smoke control systems
emergency lighting systems
special hazard fire systems, including:
foam systems (low expansion, medium expansion and high expansion)
gaseous agent systems (carbon dioxide, inert gas and halocarbon gases)
water spray systems (deluge, medium/high velocity water spray and high speed deluge)
chemical systems, including:
powder
wet chemical.
Relevant stakeholders may include:
owners
agents
occupants
local authority.
Current and historical legislation, codes and standards may include:
current, or earlier versions of:
the Building Code of Australia
relevant Australian standards for fire systems
relevant international standards for fire systems
codes and standards stipulated by the regulatory authority or building insurer
obsolete legislation, regulations, codes and standards.
Compliance documentation may include:
fire safety schedules
inspection and testing logbooks
maintenance, repair and replacement documentation.
Relevant professional personnel may include:
fire engineer
fire brigade personnel
building surveyor
persons with regulatory authority
architect
structural engineer
fire systems' designer.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, provided that the simulated or project-based assessment fully replicates workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.
This unit could be assessed as an activity involving preparing for, conducting and reporting on annual fire systems inspections for a range of types of fire systems in a variety of buildings with different construction and modification histories.
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 within this unit.
In particular the person should demonstrate:
an understanding of the range of relevant current and historical legislation, codes, standards and regulatory requirements for the certification of existing fire systems
an understanding of the function and operation of the full range of fire systems, including water-based fire systems, detection and warning systems and special hazard fire systems used in a wide variety of types of buildings, including:
low-rise buildings
medium-rise buildings
high-rise buildings (over 25 metres)
buildings over 45 metres in height
the ability to apply the relevant current and historical compliance requirements to annual inspections of a range of fire systems installed and modified at different dates, in a variety of types of buildings
the visual acuity required to perceive anomalies in fire systems' compliance arising from building modifications, repairs or adjustments; or a lack of fire systems maintenance
the ability to report and communicate findings effectively to ensure that the gravity of non-compliance of fire systems is understood and works required to remedy the situation may be expedited.
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:
documents, drawings, plans and specifications
copies of codes, standards, legislation and regulatory requirements
access to information and communications technology - hardware and software.
Method of assessment
Assessment must:
satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and 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.