Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Work health and safety is to be according to commonwealth, state and territory legislation and regulations and may include:
handling of materials
hazard control
personal protective clothing and equipment prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices
safe operating procedures, including recognising and preventing hazards associated with:
electricity
hazardous materials and substances
other machines
surrounding structures and facilities
trip hazards
underground services
use of tools and equipment
work site visitors and the public
working at heights
working in confined spaces
working in proximity to others
use of firefighting equipment
use of first aid equipment
workplace environment and safety.

Environmental requirements cover water quality management and may include:
clean-up protection
complying with ODS and SGG legislation, codes and regulations, e.g. Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989
preventing emissions of prescribed ODS and SGG extinguishing agents
stormwater protection
waste management.

Quality assurance requirements may include:
Australian standards
Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
internal company quality assurance policy and risk management strategy
International Standards Organisation
site safety plan
workplace operations and procedures.

Tools and equipment may include:
hand and power tools
test equipment.

Materials may include:
actuating devices
alarms
control valve assemblies
unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U), steel or copper pipes or other approved materials
special hazard fire suppression agents, including prescribed ODS and SGG materials
sprinkler heads.

Special hazard fire suppression systems may include:
carbon dioxide and other gases (such as inergen and argonite)
chemical reaction and explosion suppression systems
dry chemical
foam
prescribed ODS and SGG extinguishing agents (such as halon and NAF S-III)
water
water mist.

Sustainability principles and concepts:
cover the current and future social, economic and environmental use of resources
may include:
efficient energy use
disposing of waste material to ensure minimal environmental impact
selecting appropriate components to ensure minimal environmental impact.

Information may include:
charts and hand drawings
instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel
job drawings
manufacturer specifications and instructions
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
memos
organisation work specifications and requirements
plans and sketches
regulatory and legislative requirements, particularly those pertaining to:
building codes
WHS and environmental requirements, including ODS and SGG legislation, codes and regulations
plumbing regulations
relevant Australian standards, including AS2118 Automatic fire sprinkler systems and AS1851 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment
safe work procedures relating to testing and commissioning special hazard fire suppression systems
signage
verbal, written and graphical instructions
work bulletins
work schedules, plans and specifications.

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 providing that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate plumbing and services workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.
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:
locating, interpreting and applying relevant information, standards and specifications to testing and commissioning special hazard fire suppression systems
applying safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including electrical safety requirements and the use of personal protective clothing and equipment
testing and commissioning one special hazard fire suppression system (not prescribed ODS or SGG extinguishing agent), being a gaseous, chemical or fluid-based system; and inspect, test and maintain one prescribed ODS or SGG system, ensuring:
application of sustainability principles and concepts
correct identification of location, design specification and details of proposed service
correct selection and use of appropriate processes, tools and equipment
completion of all work to specification
compliance with regulations, standards and organisational quality procedures and processes
communicating and working effectively and safely with others.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.
Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.
Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.
Resource implications for assessment include:
an induction procedure and requirement
realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the minimum task requirements
relevant specifications and work instructions
tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices
support materials appropriate to activity
workplace instructions relating to safe work practices and addressing hazards and emergencies
material safety data sheets
research resources, including industry-related systems information.
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.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods 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.
Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:
competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge
all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.
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.
Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.