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, including hazardous materials and substances
hazard control
personal protective equipment, including that prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices
safe operating procedures, including recognising and preventing hazards associated with:
electricity
other machines
surrounding structure 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.

Quality assurance requirements may include:
Environment Protection Authority
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.

Commissioning firefighting appliances covers testing and commissioning firefighting appliances, including:
delivery lay flat fire hose
fire blankets
fire hose reel systems
portable fire appliances
wheeled fire extinguishers.

Statutory and regulatory authorities include:
commonwealth, state or territory, and local authorities administering applicable Acts, regulations and codes of practice.

Relevant standards may include:
AS/NZS1841 Portable fire extinguishers - general requirements
AS/NZS1850 Portable fire extinguishers - classification, rating and performance testing
AS1851 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment
AS2441 Installation of fire hose reels
AS2444 Portable fire extinguishers and blankets -selection and location
AS/NZS3504 Fire blankets
AS3565 Meters for water supply
AS4077 Fire protection - fire extinguishing media: halogenated hydrocarbons
AS4078 Fire protection - fire extinguishing media: carbon dioxide
AS4265 Wheeled fire extinguishers
AS/NZS4353 Portable fire extinguishers - aerosol type.

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

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.
It may be assessed on its own or as part of an integrated assessment activity involving preparing, planning and conducting commissioning procedures for firefighting appliances for a residential building of four storeys and completing all associated documentation.

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 the commissioning of firefighting appliances
applying safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including electrical safety requirements and the use of personal protective clothing and equipment
commissioning firefighting appliances, including portable fire appliances, wheeled fire extinguishers, delivery lay flat hose and fire hose reel systems, ensuring:
application of sustainability principles and concepts
correctly identifying location, design specification and details of system
correctly selecting and using appropriate processes, tools and equipment
completing all work to specification
complying with regulations, standards and organisational quality procedures and processes.

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.