Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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.
Fire systems may include:
water-based systems, including:
wet pipe sprinkler systems
deluge and drencher systems
dry pipe sprinkler systems
pre-action sprinkler systems
early suppression fast response (ESFR)
hydrants, hose reels and monitors
detection and warning systems, including:
emergency warning and intercommunications systems (EWIS)
fire detection and alarm systems
smoke control systems
emergency lighting systems.
Engineered or innovative solutions may include those defined in the Building Code of Australia as:
'solutions which comply with the Performance Requirements other than by reason of satisfying the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions'.
Relevant drawings, plans and schedules for the building project may include:
drawings, including:
architectural
structural
mechanical
hydraulic
electrical
layout
section
detail
external references
project plan
project schedule
design brief
design specifications.
Legislation may include:
international, state and territory, or local legislation relevant to various sites of major fire systems design projects and impacting on detailed designs for specific locations.
Regulatory requirements may include:
mandatory requirements
design approval
fire brigade requirements
certification of installation
infrastructure supply regulations.
Codes and standards may include:
the Building Code of Australia
the Plumbing Code of Australia
Australian standards for fire systems
international standards for fire systems
other fire system standards commonly required by building insurers.
Types of buildings and situations may include:
different types of buildings, including:
residential
commercial
industrial
mixed classification
buildings in different locations, including:
local
involving more than one state or territory
international
classifications of buildings in the Building Code of Australia:
occupancy classes
multiple classifications
parts with more than one classification
fire hazard properties of materials and smoke growth rate
classifications of buildings specified in relevant Australian or international standards
classifications of buildings relating to standards or codes applied by building insurers.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, provided that the simulated or project-based assessment fully replicates workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.
This unit could be assessed as an activity involving the establishment of the detailed design requirements of a range of fire systems design projects, including discretionary client requirements. The activity should also include researching and interpreting the specifics of applicable legislation, regulatory processes and relevant codes and standards for a range of types of buildings in different project locations.
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 within this unit.
In particular the person should demonstrate:
an ability to interpret the detailed requirements of fire systems design specifications
an understanding of the extent of compliance requirements and procedures to which fire systems design projects are subject, for a range of projects, including:
low-rise buildings
medium-rise buildings
high-rise buildings (over 25 metres)
buildings over 45 metres in height
the ability to discern mandatory and discretionary requirements and to research the detailed compliance requirements for a range of fire systems design projects in different locations
the ability to gather, research and interpret information that may differ in only the slightest of details from one design or location to another
the ability to present research findings to relevant stakeholders and conduct negotiations regarding detailed design changes imposed by:
compliance requirements
detailed designs of other services
aesthetic requirements.
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:
design briefs, drawings, plans and specifications
copies of codes, standards, legislation and regulatory requirements
access to information and communications technology hardware and software.
Method of assessment
Assessment must:
satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and 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.