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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Type of foam may include:
dry
fluid
solution
wet
Application in a wildfire may include:
asset protection
blacking out
control line construction
direct attack
mop-up
Non-structural objects may include:
coal fires
hydrocarbon fuels
machinery fires (dozers, graders)
motor vehicles
small and shallow hydrocarbon fuel spills
tyre dumps
Class A foam includes:
Combination of synthetic detergent surfactants that reduce the surface tension of water
Foaming agents, corrosion inhibitors that reduce corrosion of metals and preservative to prolong shelf life
Class A fuels are:
flammable solids including:
forest flammable and grassland fuels
wood
paper
plastics and rubber
Foam proportioning or induction rate may include:
production of foam with properties within effective range
use of foam chemicals at safe concentrations
Foam expansion or aspiration ratio may include:
low expansion foam
high expansion foam
medium expansion foam
non-aspirated foam
Maximum operational benefits may include:
application visible from ground and air
easily proportioned
effective for use on all Class A fuel
extension of the useful life of water
increase in the effectiveness of water
reduction in suppression and mop-up time
short-term fire barrier
simple application
Safe work practices must include:
avoiding contamination from exposure
being alert to concentrate and solution as it contributes to creating slippery conditions on vehicle decks and on the ground
being alert to the presence of trip hazards, holes and hot ash beds can be concealed beneath the foam blanket
Potential environmental impact of use of Class A foam may include:
adverse impact on aquatic systems such as swamps, dams, waterways, particularly where water flow rates are low
adverse impact of synthetic chemicals on organic and certified properties
breaching of environmental regulations at fire stations and other foam and mixing storage sites by:
releasing foam into drains, waterways and aquatic systems
affecting the performance of interceptors by inhibiting the separation of fuels and oils contained in interceptor pits
plastic foam containers taking up valuable landfill space and contamination of the contents
Required precautions to be complied with when using Class A foam may include:
avoiding the use of foam 50 metres from waterways
conducting foam training at a location away from waterways, storm water drains or agricultural areas
containing and disposing of, where practicable, fire-water run-off containing Class A foam or wetting agent prior to its use
minimising the use of foam and wetting agent
notifying and seeking advice from the environment protection authority if there is substantial or significantly polluted fire-water run-off or where Class A foam or wetting agent enters a waterway
where Class A foam or wetting agent enters a domestic water storage, flushing the water storage before re-use
where possible, using alternatives to foam and wetting agent to suppress fires where there is a risk of contaminating waterways
Personal protective clothing and equipment required for working with Class A foam may include:
in all situations
rubber or leather boots
safety goggles
wildfire or structural helmet
wildfire overalls or structural firefighter clothing as appropriate for specialist use applications
in addition, when handling concentrate
handling nitrile or neoprene gloves
p2 nuisance level organic vapour respirator (non cartridge type)
in addition, when handling solution
barrier cream for hands
leather gloves
Class A foam system may include:
low energy
high energy
Intended application of non aspirated foamincludes:
cools
isolates
penetrates
Intended application of aspirated foam includes:
cools
isolates
insulates
penetrates
smothers
Applying Class A foam may include:
direct application
indirect application
Direct attack includes:
constructing a control line immediately adjacent to the fire edge
directly extinguishing the fire’s edge using water, foam, earth or by beating out the flames
Constructing a control line includes:
using a natural or constructed barrier or treated fire edge to limit the spread of fire
Mop-up/blacking out operations include:
making a fire safe after it has been controlled by extinguishing or removing burning material along or near the control line, felling stags, trenching logs to prevent rolling and the like
Non-structural objects may include:
coal conveyor belts
power station cable ducts
ships holds
underground mining
vehicles
Organic and certified properties may include:
properties that meet the requirements of national standards such as the national standard for organic and bio-dynamic produce (NSOBDP) 2002
Preventative measures when using Class A foam on organic or certified properties may include:
wherever practicable, using alternatives to foam and wetting agent to suppress fires on organic or certified properties
alerting organic and certified property owner/occupier to potential issues that may arise as a result of the contamination from Class A foam or wetting agent
confirming properties in the local area that are organic or certified
installing signage at all access points to a property, identifying it as organic or certified
Storage arrangements in workplaces may include:
storing foam to minimise the risk of foam entering drains
locating foam mixing and loading areas away from waterways
Measures to control leaks or spills may include:
bunding stockpiles of Class A foam concentrate where there is a risk of spilled concentrate entering drains or waterways
bunding with the capacity to contain the contents of 2-3 containers
exercising care to avoid spills at mixing and loading areas
avoiding contamination of interceptor pits with foam or wetting agent
cleaning and safely disposing of any foam spills in accordance with the SDS

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
apply Class A foam on a range of fuels using nominated proportioning or induction rates
select the correct foam proportioning rate and foam expansion or aspiration ratio for the fuel to be treated
implement the procedures for operating and flushing the Class A foam system and minimising the risk of equipment or environmental contamination
implement safe work practices and environmental precautions when working with Class A foam
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time in either an operational environment, an industry-approved simulated workplace environment, or both.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in an agency approved simulated and/or workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
pumper or tanker fitted with a Class A foam system and associated equipment
training site where activity can be undertaken with minimum impact to the environment
Method of assessment

In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.
Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an agency-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:
direct observation
interviewing the candidate
journals and workplace documentation
third party reports from supervisors
written or oral questions