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:
building surveyor requirements
dangerous goods regulations
environmental regulations, including ODS and SGG codes and regulations
licensing arrangements
OHS legislation, codes and regulations
relevant Australian and international standards, such as:
AS 4214 Gaseous fire extinguishing systems
ISO 14520 Gaseous fire-extinguishing systems - Physical properties and system design
NFPA 12 Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems (US)
NFPA 12A Standard on Halon 1301 Fire Extinguishing Systems (US)
NFPA 2001 Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems (US)
note: Australian standards are frequently revised and users must always check for currency and amendments
relevant federal, state and territory building Acts, regulations and codes, such as:
Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989
BCA
other relevant legislation relating to fire protection equipment, including:
international shipping codes
marine codes for different Australian States.
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
ODS, SGG and OHS requirements
personal protective equipment 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.
Checking compliance requirements may include:
applying inspection, test and survey requirements according to Australian standards
undertaking checks to ensure procedures are followed according to codes of practice relating to decommissioning.
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 the 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.
Work permits may include permits to:
enter a work site
enter a work site at specific times
enter a restricted area within a work site
ensure that specific OHS requirements are met before entering a work site.
Decommissioning guidelines may include:
electrical system
inhibit switch
lock-off valve
manifolds and valves, including:
check valves
directional valves
discharged indicators
joints and fastenings
pressure reduction devices
manual release devices
nozzles
pneumatic equipment
release mechanisms, including:
actuating pressure lines
connections
location
mechanical release
remarks
system configuration
types and features of gaseous agent containers, such as:
charge quantity
label
location
marking
mounting
number
orientation
size
warning signs and notices.
Customer requirements may include:
confirming or varying decommissioning instructions
following sign-in and sign-out procedures for entry to or exit from premises
providing non-routine or urgent services
providing routine services
sighting work permits
written or verbal confirmation of services provided and future services, such as maintenance.
Safety procedures may include:
confirmed acceptable floor loading
job safety analysis (JSA) performed for decommissioning, in particular, manual-handling tasks.
Hazards may include:
environmental, including:
improper use of hazardous material and other chemicals
improper use or emission of ODS and SGG; emissions may be caused by:
transporting, storing and manually handling containers containing ODS and SGG agents
removing gaseous agent container valve assembly, manifold connection components and actuators
conducting interface tests during decommissioning procedures between container activating mechanisms and control and indicating equipment (CIE) and fire alarm system
ergonomic, such as incorrect manual-handling methods
any source of potential harm
equipment in a work site
hazards associated with electrical or mechanical faults
obstructive, such as blocked access to emergency entry or exit points
people in a work site
transport caps and safety devices
work methods, plans and procedures.
Tools, equipment and materials may include:
hand tools, including:
hammers
pliers
power tools, including battery drills
screwdrivers
spanners
manual-handling aids, including:
hand trucks
hooks
lifting magnets
lifting straps
suction grips
trolleys
wheelbarrows
fire equipment spare parts, including:
anti-tamper seals
hoses
labels
nozzles
pressure indicators
seals
service tags
valves
non-licensed mechanical-handling aids, including:
cranes
hoists
manually-operated forklifts and pallet trucks.
System components and materials may include:
actuators
agent discharge nozzles
agent distribution pipework and hose networks
control equipment
detection devices
fittings between container valves
flexible discharge hose and fittings, including hose check valve connected between container valve and fixed pipework manifold arrangement
gaseous agent container bank manifold connections
gaseous agent container discharge valves
gaseous agent containers, such as tanks and cylinders
pilot and slave tubes.
Actuators (also known as actuation control devices) may include:
electrical operation: signal generated from CIE panel as part of a fire alarm detection system
manual operation: by direct push lever or pull cable system
mechanical operation
pneumatic operation.
Documentation may include:
corrective action reports
customer recommendation forms
equipment recommendation forms
expense claims
job cards
maintenance record system
manufacturers’ system documentation
product documentation
service agreements
test results and test reports.

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 decommissioning operations for gaseous agent containers and actuators at customers’ premises or in a simulated workplace.
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 organisational policies and procedures, including quality requirements
comply with site safety plan, OHS regulations and ODS and SGG regulations (where required) and state and territory legislation applicable to workplace operations
decommission gaseous agent containers and actuators in a minimum of two different settings, including:
identifying risk reduction measures
identifying system components and materials
identifying, selecting and using tools, equipment and materials to perform decommissioning procedures on installed gaseous agent containers and actuators
identifying potential hazards and risks
reviewing decommissioning guidelines with relevant persons
adhering to safety procedures during decommissioning procedures
decommissioning installed gaseous agent containers and actuators using decommissioning guidelines
creating records and documentation
completing workplace housekeeping requirements
locate, interpret and apply relevant information, standards and specifications.
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 and installed gaseous agent containers and actuators
decommissioning guidelines and procedures
assessment documentation, including training and assessment record books
necessary tools, specialist equipment, materials and spare parts
relevant manuals and other documentation, including Australian standards.
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.