Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 6:07 PM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Apply electrical/electronic knowledge to fire investigations

Apply electrical/electronic knowledge to fire investigations

Unit of competency
National Code
PUAFIR607A
State Code
WG159
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
3.00
Current Release Date
02/05/2013
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
21/03/2013
Field of Education
039905 - Fire Technology
Original Release Date
21/03/2013
Nominal Hours
35
Description
This unit covers the competency required to inspect and assess a fire scene to determine whether the origin and possible cause of fire is related to the presence of electrical installations and appliances, in accordance with agency procedures.It includes identifying sources of evidence, collecting and documenting that evidence in preparation for analysis, and developing findings and conclusions. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Coordinate fire investigation
  • 1.1 Roles and responsibilities of multi-agency and support personnel involved in fire investigation are confirmed
  • 1.2 Cooperation with multi-agency personnel in the conduct of the investigation consistent with designated roles and responsibilities for the fire investigation is achieved
  • 1.3 Information required for the fire investigation from multi-agency personnel is identified, sought and received
  • 1.4 Protective clothing and equipment are used
  • 1.5 Occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures appropriate to the incident are followed
2. Identify, assess and collect circuitry components and appliances
  • 2.1 External and internal survey of fire scene is conducted to identify and assess electrical circuitry, electrical equipment and appliances
  • 2.2 Relevance of electrical circuitry, electrical equipment and appliances to fire cause is assessed and established
  • 2.3 Arrangements are made for the attendance of a specialist electrical fire investigator, or government or private specialist investigators, where it is believed that electrical systems, components or appliances may have contributed to the fire
  • 2.4 Local expertise is sourced, where required
  • 2.5 Interviews are conducted
  • 2.6 Circuitry plans/layouts are sourced
  • 2.7 Areas or items of evidential value relevant to the investigation at the fire scene are identified and preserved
  • 2.8 Evidence is recorded and collected at the fire scene and relevant observations are documented
  • 2.9 Electrical circuitry components, equipment and appliances of evidential value are protected
3. Arrange for tests on electrical evidence collected
  • 3.1 Advice is received from the specialist fire investigator (electrical), or government or private specialist investigator, as to the tests required of evidence relating to electrical systems or appliances
  • 3.2 Arrangements are made for laboratory and specialist testing and assessment of electrical items of evidential value
4. Interpret and record findings
  • 4.1 Circuitry components on site plans are documented to support evidence and conclusions
  • 4.2 Basic circuit diagrams and electrical plans relating to building, components and equipment are interpreted
  • 4.3 Report providing expert opinion concerning the potential of electrical circuitry or equipment failure to contribute to the cause of fire is obtained
  • 4.4 Expert findings relating to potential electrical circuit component or appliance contributions to ignition are considered in conjunction with other observations and evidence from the fire
  • 4.5 Product recall and material safety data sheet databases are researched, as appropriate
  • 4.6 Recommendations are forwarded to appropriate authorities/ stakeholders, as required
  • 4.7 Findings are interpreted and recorded according to required practice and agency policy
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.
Agencies may include:
Coroner
Electrical authorities
Forensic scientists
Gas authorities
Industry peak bodies
Insurance investigators, assessors and construction companies (to ‘make safe’ properties)
Other statutory authorities
Police investigators
Support personnel may include:
Government and private forensic chemists
Insurance investigators and assessors
Local knowledge
Statutory bodies
Fire scene may include:
Cable insulation
Circuit and component failure
Circuit mapping
Components
Evidence electrical tracking
Flame propagation in hazardous locations
Operation of protective devices
Wire overheating
Electrical circuitry includes:
Design
Installations
Overload protection
Power supply
Resistance
Short circuit/fault currents
Voltage - current - kilowatts in different appliances
Electrical equipment and appliances may include:
Electronics
Fans
Heaters
Installed wiring
Kitchen appliances such as toaster, electric kettle, microwave
Lights and fittings
Motors and switch gear
Socket outlets and switch gear
Electrical circuitry components, equipment and appliances of evidential value must be protected from:
Contamination
Damage
Destruction
Spoliation
Unauthorised removal
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
methodically examine fire scenes in which electrical installations may have a potential relationship
demonstrate knowledge of basic electrical circuitry
apply relevant laws, legislation, codes of practice and relevant standards to fire investigation
document findings identifying components of electrical equipment (prior to and post fire) and relationships (or not) to any possible electrical causes of ignition to a fire scene.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time and across a range of workplace and/or simulated situations.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
various electrical circuitry, electrical equipment and appliances
fire scene or simulation
electrical circuitry, electrical equipment and appliances damaged by electrical faults which resulted in fire
legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to gathering and managing evidence
case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of offences likely to occur for which evidence needs to be gathered and managed.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit may include a combination of:
case studies
demonstration
observation
questioning
scenarios
authenticated evidence from the workplace.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OAY36 PUAFIR607 Apply electrical/electronic knowledge to fire investigations Unit of competency
No information