Elements and Performance Criteria

handling of materials
hazard control
personal protective clothing and equipment prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices
safe operating procedures, including recognising and preventing hazards associated with:
hazardous materials and substances
service lines
surrounding structures and facilities
trip hazards
use of tools and equipment
work site visitors and the public
working in proximity to others
use of firefighting equipment
use of first aid equipment
workplace environment and safety.

clean-up protection
waste management.

Australian standards
Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
internal company quality assurance policy and risk management strategy
International Standards Organisation
site safety plan
workplace operations and procedures.

elevated work platforms
hand and power tools
ladders
scaffolds
testing equipment.

actuating devices
alarms
control valve assemblies
fittings and connections
sprinkler heads.

state or territory statutory authority
statutory plumbing authority.

charts and hand drawings
diagrams or sketches
instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel
manufacturer specifications and instructions
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
memos
NFPA and Factory Mutual Performance based codes of practice
organisation work specifications and requirements
regulatory and legislative requirements, particularly those pertaining to:
building codes
OHS and environmental requirements
plumbing regulations
relevant Australian standards
safe work procedures relating to testing and maintaining automatic fire sprinklers
signage
verbal, written and graphical instructions
work bulletins
work schedules, plans and specifications.

Overview of assessment
This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment providing that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate plumbing and services workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

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:

locating, interpreting and applying relevant information, standards and specifications to test and maintain automatic fire sprinklers
applying safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including the use of personal protective clothing and equipment

as a minimum the ability to, given a faulty automatic fire sprinkler system in an office complex, conduct routine testing and maintenance to diagnose and repair faults and perform component service, ensuring:

correct identification of the requirement and conduct of testing and maintaining the system
correct selection and use of appropriate processes, tools and equipment
completing all work to specification
compliance with regulations, standards and organisational quality procedures and processes
communicating and working effectively and safely with others.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.
Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.
Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

an induction procedure and requirement
realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the mandatory task requirements
relevant specifications and work instructions
tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices
support materials appropriate to activity
workplace instructions relating to safe working practices and addressing hazards and emergencies
material safety data sheets
research resources, including industry related systems information.
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.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Integrated Framework 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.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge
all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.
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.
Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.