Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Rules and regulations may include:
dangerous goods regulations
environmental regulations
licensing arrangements
OHS legislation, regulations and codes
relevant commonwealth and state or territory building Acts, regulations and codes, such as Building Code of Australia (BCA)
relevant standards, such as:
AS 1851 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment
AS 4214 Gaseous fire extinguishing systems
ISO 14520 Gaseous fire-extinguishing systems - Physical properties and system design
note: Australian standards are frequently revised and users must always check for currency and amendments
other relevant legislation relating to fire protection equipment, including:
international shipping codes
marine codes for different Australian States
requirements of Australian petroleum industry.
Requirements may be confirmed with:
colleagues
managers
supervisors
team leaders.
Work procedures may include:
assignment instructions
equipment manufacturers’ requirements
instructions from colleagues, supervisors and managers
manual-handling techniques
ODS, SGG and OHS requirements
PPE requirements
reporting and documentation requirements
specific customer requirements.
ODS and SGG extinguishing agents may include:


Note list 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.
ODS and SGG extinguishing agents commonly used in Australia:
FM200 (FE-227 Heptafluoropropane, HFC-227ea) used as a total flooding extinguishing agent and as a replacement for Halon 1301
Halon 1211 (BCF, Halon 1211 BCF, Bromochlorodifluoromethane) used as a streaming agent - requires a special permit in Australia
Halon 1301 (BTM, Halon 1301 BTM, Bromotrifluoromethane) used as a total flooding agent - requires a special permit in Australia
NAF-P-III (HCFC Blend C) used as a streaming agent
NAF-P-IV (HCFC Blend E) used as a streaming agent
NAF-S-III (HCFC Blend A) used as a total flooding agent
SF6 (Sulfurhexafluoride) used as an inerting agent in sealed high voltage switchgear
ODS and SGG extinguishing agents not commonly used in Australia:
Blitz III (HCFC Blend D) used in flooding systems
CFC-11 (Trichlorofluoromethane) may be found as a propellant in some powder fire extinguishers (this product is banned in Australia but may be found on incoming foreign vessels)
FC-2-1-8 (CEA-308) used in flooding systems
FC-3-1-10 (CEA-410) used in flooding systems
FC-5-1-14 (CEA-614) used as a streaming agent
FE-13 (Trifluoromethane, HFC-23) used as a total flooding agent
FE-241 (Chlorotetrafluoroethane, HCFC-124) used as a total flooding agent for non-occupied spaces and as a streaming agent
FE-25 (Pentafluoroethane, HFC-125) used in inerting and explosion suppression applications
FE-36 (Hexafluoropropane, HFC-236fa) used in portable fire extinguishers - is a replacement for Halon 1211 and Halon 1301
FM100 (HBFC-22B1) used in portable fire extinguishers
Halon 2402 (Dibromotetrafluoroethane) limited use in military systems - requires a special permit in Australia
Halotron I (HCFC Blend B or HCFC-123) used as a total flooding agent and streaming agent
Halotron II (blend of HFC-143a and HFC-125) used as a total flooding agent and as a replacement for Halon 1301
HCFC-22 (Chlorodifluoromethane) used as a propellant in some powder fire extinguishers (this product is banned in Australia but may be found on incoming foreign vessels)
HFC-134a (Unsymmetric tetrafluoroethane) used as a propellant in some powder fire extinguishers.
Action may include:
advising customer
documenting non-compliance
making equipment safe
reporting, as required.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
job scheduling systems and communication devices
personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles, responsibilities and delegations
procedures and work instructions to prevent emission of ODS and SGG in the workplace
recording and reporting documentation and systems
relevant OHS policies, procedures and programs
relevant rules and regulations
standard operating procedures, work instructions and manuals.
ODS and SGG containers may be identified by:
colour and markings of container
container label:
chemical name
country of origin
product name
size and shape of container
type of container:
hand-held fire extinguishers
pressure vessels, such as half tonne storage vessels
system.
Hazards may include:
ergonomic, such as incorrect manual-handling methods
environmental, such as improper use of ODS and SGG or hazardous materials
obstructive, such as blocked access to emergency entry or exit points
hazards associated with electrical or mechanical faults
any situation with a potential to cause loss
any source of potential harm
equipment in a work site
people in a work site
work methods, plans, procedures and work instructions.
Risk control measures may include:
hierarchy of control preferred order of control measures for risks:
elimination of hazard: controlling the hazard at source
substitution of hazard: for example, replacing one substance or activity with a less hazardous one
engineering solution to hazard: for example, installing safety guards on machinery
administration solution to hazard: policies and procedures directed at safe work practices
PPE solution to hazard: for example, gloves or safety boots.
Containers may be checked for:
appropriate dangerous goods declarations and markings, where applicable
appropriate material safety data sheets (MSDS), where applicable
condition
labelling
quantity of containers
type.
Discrepancies may include:
damaged ODS and SGG containers
errors in paperwork
incorrect quantity of containers received
wrong containers received.
Documentation may include:
Australian and international regulations and codes of practice for the handling and transport of dangerous goods and hazardous substances
codes of practice and regulations relevant to receiving goods
condemned ODS and SGG container reports
corrective action reports
customer or supplier instructions
dangerous goods declarations
emergency procedures
equipment manufacturers’ specifications
goods identification numbers and codes
job cards
MSDS
ODS and SGG container classification reports
quality assurance procedures
receiving and dispatching documentation
receiving record system
service agreements
workplace procedures and policies.
Container defects may include:
faulty gauges
incorrectly capped or pinned container heads
leaking seals and gaskets
leaking seams
physical damage
rust or corrosion.
Condemned containers may include:
containers with faulty gauges
damaged or faulty container heads
incorrectly capped or pinned container heads
leaking containers
physically damaged containers.
Making safe unplugged or uncapped ODS and SGG containers may include:
replacing locking pins
fitting transport, discharge and actuation caps.
Manual-handling techniques and aids may include:
aids:
hand trucks
hooks
lifting magnets
lifting straps
mechanical-handling aids, including:
cranes
hoists
forklifts
pallet trucks
suction grips
trolleys
wheelbarrows
techniques:
carrying
lifting
pulling
pushing.
Storing containers may include:
caged storage facility
protection from harm
secure storage
stable location
upright position.

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 by observation of practical demonstration of receipt and dispatch of ODS and SGG containers.
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 in this unit.
In particular the person should demonstrate the ability to:
communicate and work effectively and safely with others
comply with OHS regulations, ODS and SGG regulations (where required) and state and territory legislation applicable to workplace operations
comply with organisational policies and procedures, including quality requirements
locate, interpret and apply relevant information, standards and specifications
receive and dispatch ODS and SGG containers on a minimum of two different occasions and including:
identifying, selecting and using appropriate documentation to receive ODS and SGG containers into a work site
using tools, equipment and materials effectively to receive and move containers in a work site
using tools, equipment and materials effectively to dispatch containers from a work site
checking, inspecting, classifying and receiving containers and completing workplace documentation
labelling, isolating and storing condemned containers
making safe containers according to work procedures
creating and modifying workplace records and documentation
identifying hazards and risks at work site
using PPE
using manual-handling techniques and aids to transport and store containers
selecting and using workplace communication technologies and language in the workplace, including technical language.
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:
actual or simulated work environment
assessment documentation, including training and assessment record books
necessary safety equipment and PPE
necessary tools, equipment and materials
range of ODS and SGG containers with different contents, including damaged and faulty containers
relevant procedure manuals and receiving documentation.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must:
satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Property 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.
This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.