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
Fire Protection Australia Code of Good Practice for the Reduction of Emission of Vaporising Liquid Fire Suppression Agents - EPA recognised
manufacturers' system manuals
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 worksite for hazards and risks prior to preparing the worksite 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.

Gaseous fire suppression systems may include
liquefied gas extinguishing agents
non-liquefied gas extinguishing agents.
The amount of extinguishant in each container may be determined by weighing methods or using liquid level detectors.
Gaseous extinguishants may vary according to the specific installation.

Maintenance schedule periods may include
weekly
monthly
six monthly
yearly.
The amount of extinguishant in each container may be determined by weighing methods or using liquid level detectors
Gaseous extinguishants may vary according to the specific installation.

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.
Note: Australian Standards are periodically 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 standards applicable to inspecting and testing a gaseous fire suppression system.
The purpose of the Building Code of Australia.
Interpretation and purpose of 'as installed' drawings to verify that visually the system still complies with original installation.
The implications of NOT applying legislative requirements to job functions.
Action to take when a breach of health, safety and other policies occurs.
Extent to which pressures and liquid levels in extinguishing agent containers vary according to temperature change.
Different types of extinguishing agent used.
Concepts and operation of different type of extinguishing agent and manufacturers' equipment used.
Concepts and operation of fire alarm and warning systems interfaced with gaseous fire suppression system.
Endorsement on manufacturers' proprietary equipment for each type of gaseous system.
Interpretation of information given on engineering drawings.
Working principles and relevant Australian Standards in respect of gaseous fire suppression systems.
Relevant international codes of practice.
Safety requirements relevant to inspection and servicing procedures.
Purpose and methods of charging requirements.
EPA requirements.

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 hand and power tools safely and with dexterity
handle and transport gaseous containers in accordance with legislation, manufacturers' and work procedures
operate standardised control functions on a fire alarm panel that interfaces with the gaseous system
operate manual controls of the gaseous system
remove and replace container release actuators (Note: The technician may require a manufacturers' endorsement for specific release actuators)
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

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
utilise effective customer service skills and relate to people from a range of social and cultural backgrounds.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit
This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available :

access to customer premises or a simulated workplace environment
assessment documentation
all necessary tools, specialist equipment, manuals 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.
Competency is to be demonstrated through at least one practical demonstration covering the full range of performance criteria. The type of gaseous fire suppression system (e.g. high-pressure, low-pressure, refrigerated, etc) tested should correlate to the workplace setting of the candidate. The ability to transfer skills to other situations described in the range statement may be inferred from this assessment. (Oral questioning may 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
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 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, manufacturer, organisational and customer sources in order for accurate inspecting and maintenance activities to occur. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Discuss and confirm customer requirements and complete administrative documentation. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Plan inspection and maintenance activities to assemble appropriate tools and hardware for on-site services and organise work schedules to suit customer and organisational requirements. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Apply consultative and collaborative approaches through support and assistance provided to customers and work groups. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Apply mathematical techniques through inspection and testing on-site activities and apply time management principles while adhering to designated work schedules. (2)

Solving problems
Identify potential problem throughout inspection and testing activities especially with regard to ambiguous information received from information sources and identify processes to be followed when unusual faults are detected. (3)

Using technology
Demonstrate sound technical knowledge and design features of equipment to allow accurate inspection and testing to occur. (2)