Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement links the required knowledge and organisational and technical requirements to the workplace context. It describes any contextual variables that will be used or encountered when applying the competency in work situations. It allows for different work practices and work and knowledge requirements as well as for differences between organisations and workplaces. The following variables may be present for this particular unit.

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.

Portable fire extinguishers include
stored pressure
reversible
gas container operated.

Maintenance schedule procedures for extinguishers include
visual inspections
discharge tests
hydrostatic test
recharging procedures
leak tests.

Workshop procedures may include
instructions from colleagues/supervisor/manager
following assignment instructions
reporting and documentation requirements
personal protective equipment requirements.

Environmental regulations

may be located in the appropriate Australian Standard covering environmental safeguards.

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.

Servicing operations for portable and mobile fire extinguishers include
visual inspections
discharge tests
hydrostatic (pressure) tests (except CO 2 or gas container types)
recharging procedures
leak testing.

Workshops may be
fixed building
mobile vehicle workshop.
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 servicing portable fire extinguishers.
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 other policies occurs.
The meaning of 'aggressive environments'.
The dangers of mixing powder extinguishants.
Types and quantity of spare parts that should be carried in the service workshop.
Implications of incorrect servicing procedures for the customer and the organisation.
Reasons for informing customers of changes to Australian Standards.
Reasons for ensuring gauges and scales are calibrated regularly.
Disposal of waste products.
The concept of hydrostatic testing.
Identification and purpose of specialised testing equipment.
The purpose of the safety cage.
The purpose of each item of documentation.
Methods of converting imperial units of measurement and pressure to metric.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

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

plan and organise work in order to estimate time to complete activities and prioritise tasks
follow maintenance schedule requirements
use tools and equipment with dexterity
access information from manuals
solve problems that may arise
report and record information neatly and legibly when completing documentation
plan and organise work in order to estimate time to complete activities and prioritise tasks
utilise effective customer service skills and relate to people from a range of social and cultural backgrounds

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
use appropriate workplace housekeeping procedures
be aware of OHS issues and requirements in order to work safely.

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 workshop or a simulated workplace environment
access to workshop facilities and all necessary tools, equipment, spare parts and relevant documentation
assessment 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 may be made through practical demonstrations in the workshop environment. Consideration should be given to assessing consistency of outcome over an appropriate period of time.
Candidates should also be given the opportunity to practise and undertake self-assessment of performance before requesting formal assessment.
All safety requirements must be 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. A demonstrated understanding of both stored pressure and cartridge units is required.
Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence or reports from supervisors or team leaders.
Competency in this unit may be inferred from at least one practical demonstration in each of the following three categories:
Any one from water, foam or wet chemical types.
Any powder type.
Any CO 2 type (the demonstration does not include hydrostatic testing).
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 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.

There are a number of processes learnt throughout work and daily life that are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work environments. Some of these work processes are covered by the key competencies listed below. Information provided to each question highlights how these processes are applied in this unit of competency.

The number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency should be demonstrated.

1. Perform the process
2. Perform and administer the process
3. Perform, administer and design the process
Communicating ideas and information
Gather information from a number of sources including regulatory and manufacturer sources with regard for accurate servicing to occur. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Discuss and confirm servicing arrangements and work procedures and complete administrative documentation. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Participate in servicing activities with regard to assembling appropriate tools and hardware in the workshop environment. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Provide support and assistance to work group. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Apply basic mathematical techniques within testing requirements, converting imperial to metric and adhering to designated work schedules. (1)

Solving problems
Discuss with colleagues or supervisors any problems that may arise due to ambiguous information received from different sources. (2)

Using technology
Demonstrate technological principles used for testing requirements in the servicing process. (2)