Elements and Performance Criteria

Legislative and industry requirements may include
relevant Commonwealth and state/territory building Acts/regulations/codes
OHS legislation, codes and regulations
relevant current Australian Standards e.g. AS1851
Building Code of Australia
dangerous goods regulations
licensing arrangements
environmental regulations
building surveyor requirements
other relevant legislation (including international and shipping/marine codes) relating to fire protection equipment
Australian petroleum industries' requirements.

Work procedures may include
instructions from colleagues/supervisor/manager
specific customer requirements
assignment instructions
equipment manufacturers' requirements
reporting and documentation requirements
personal protective equipment requirements.

Relevant persons may include
team leaders
supervisors
managers
colleagues
customers.

Potential and actual breaches of legislative and industry requirements could be identified by
direct observation
as part of workplace quality assurance teams .

Organisational requirements may be located in quality assurance and/or procedures manuals relating to
legal and organisational policy/guidelines
personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles, responsibilities and delegations
legislation relevant to the service operation
OHS policies, procedures and programs
documentation and information systems and processes
use of electronic job scheduling and communication devices.

OHS policies and procedures may relate to
employer/employee rights and responsibilities
the OHS hierarchy of control
assessing the work site for hazards and risks prior to preparing the work site for the work procedure
displaying signs and/or utilising barriers in the work area
hazard and risk identification and reporting
risk assessment and control measures
incident/accident investigation
OHS audits and safety inspections
safe operating procedures/instructions including:
working safely around electrical wiring, cables and overhead powerlines
working safely around tools and equipment
working safely on ladders and raised platforms
risk and hazard recognition
emergency procedures
awareness of electrical hazards
following confined spaces procedures
utilising personal protective equipment including:
safety glasses or goggles
safety boots or shoes
hard hat
ear muffs or plugs
appropriate gloves and overalls
sun hat
dust mask
equipment maintenance and use
use and storage of hazardous substances
First Aid.

Customer requirements may include
provision of routine services
provision of non-routine or urgent services
confirmation of, or variations to, service instructions
sighting work permits
sign-in/out procedures for entry to or exit from premises
written or verbal confirmation of services provided and/or future maintenance schedule.

Documentation may include
job card
customer recommendation forms
service agreements
expense claims
application for credit form
equipment recommendation form
Fleetcard
corrective action report
petty cash voucher
certificate of inspection
product documentation
maintenance record system.

Fasteners for fire extinguishers and fire cabinets are to be appropriate to the location and may include
screws
plugs
expanding bolt
explosive powered fasteners.

Fire cabinets may include types that
accommodate one extinguisher
accommodate more than one.

Fasteners for fire blankets are to be appropriate to the locating surface and may include
screws
cup hooks.

Locating surfaces may include
brick
plaster
wood
plastic
metal
concrete.
Note: Australian Standards are frequently revised and users must always check for currency.

Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria
Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit of competency in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below.
The key features of legislation, regulations and codes applicable to installing portable fire extinguishers, fire blankets and battery powered smoke alarms.
The purpose of the Building Code of Australia.
The implications of NOT applying legislative requirements to job functions.
Action to take when a breach of health, safety and/or other policy occurs.
The meaning of 'aggressive environments'.
The implications of incorrectly locating fire extinguishers, fire blankets and smoke alarms.
Methods of locating hidden 240-volt power cables, gas pipes, water pipes and other relevant utilities.
Methods of determining the location of fire blankets.
Implications of incorrectly determining the installation site of a fire blanket.
Reasons for installing a portable fire extinguisher in a fire cabinet.
Limitations of applications for battery powered smoke alarms.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These relate to the ability to:

use tools with dexterity
use hand and power tools safely
be aware of OHS issues and requirements in order to work safely
display effective customer service skills
report and record information neatly and legibly when completing documentation

apply language, literacy and numeracy skills to:

communicate with others in a clear and concise manner in both written and verbal modes
read, understand and comply with work instructions/specifications
read, understand and record measurements
utilise effective customer service skills and relate to people from a range of social and cultural backgrounds
plan and organise work in order to estimate time to complete activities and prioritise tasks
use appropriate workplace housekeeping techniques.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

The following units of competency must be assessed prior to this unit:

PRMPFES04B Identify fire protection equipment
PRMPFES06B Prepare for installation and servicing operations.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available :

access to a customer's premises or a simulated workplace environment
assessment documentation
all necessary tools, specialist equipment, manuals, spare parts and relevant documentation
training and assessment record book.

Gaining evidence to assess this unit
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, the competency should be demonstrated over a period of time and be observed by the assessor (or assessment team working together to conduct the assessment). The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations, which may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.
Assessment of competence over the full range of performance criteria should be made through practical demonstrations at a customer's premises. However, at times this may not be practicable, and in these situations, the conditions normally available to the candidate may be simulated in an environment suitable for assessment.
Assessment on at least one installation of a fire extinguisher, fire extinguisher and fire cabinet combination, smoke alarm and a fire blanket is required as the ability to transfer skills is inferred from this assessment. (Oral questioning may also be used to provide evidence of this ability.)
Candidates should also be given the opportunity to practise and undertake self-assessment of performance before requesting formal assessment.
All safety requirements must be strictly adhered to during all practical activities.
Oral questioning or a written assessment may be used to assess underpinning knowledge. (In assessment situations where the candidate is offered a preference between oral questioning and written assessment, questions are to be identical.)
Assessment of evidence should establish the candidate's ability to perform the job to the standard required in the workplace.
Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence or reports from supervisors or team leaders. Other forms of evidence may include audit reports, client/customer survey reports and appraisal reports.
Note: The candidate should be encouraged to compile a portfolio of examples of completed documentation relevant to the candidate's organisation. One accurate example of each completed document is suggested as sufficient to infer competency and the ability to transfer the appropriate skills to each document type when required in the workplace. (Oral questioning may also contribute as evidence of this ability.)
Information derived from enterprise policy and practices must be treated as commercial-in-confidence.
Performance and assessment of this unit must be carried out within the relevant requirements of the following legislative and industry framework:
building Acts/regulations/codes
Australian Standards identified as relevant to the required maintenance procedure
environmental regulations
manufacturers' specifications
organisational requirements, including OHS policies and procedures
OHS legislation, codes and regulations.

Communicating ideas and information
Gather information - both verbally and in writing - from a number of sources including regulatory and manufacturer sources with regard to accurately installing portable fire equipment. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Discuss and confirm customer requirements and record administration documentation. Administrative documentation may also be completed at customer premises. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Prepare planning requirements for servicing activities in the field considering customer requirements and adhering to designated work schedule. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Communicate with customers or colleagues, ensuring understanding of requirements to be applied. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Apply basic mathematical techniques including fieldwork and maintenance schedules are adhered to, and meeting work outcomes within designated timelines. (1)

Solving problems
Discuss with colleagues or supervisors, any problems that may arise with installation activities including steps and processes to be followed when unusual faults are detected. (2)

Using technology
Apply technical fire protection principles when installing portable fire equipment. (2)