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 state/territory requirements (where specified) 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.

Australian Standards must cover
portable fire extinguishers
wheeled fire extinguishers
fire hose reels
delivery lay flat fire hoses
fire hydrant installations
storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids
gas cylinder test stations
road tank vehicles for dangerous goods
fire blankets
smoke alarms.

Fire protection equipment may include
portable and wheeled fire extinguishers
hose reels
delivery lay flat fire hoses
fire hydrants
fire blankets and containers
battery-operated smoke alarms
hinged fire and smoke doors.

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.

Hazards may be
ergonomic, for example improper manual handling methods
environmental, for example improper use of hazardous materials/chemicals
obstructive, for example blocked access to emergency entry/exit points
associated with electrical or mechanical faults.

Tools and equipment relevant to cover the range of installation and servicing procedures may include
hand tools including:
pliers
spanners
screwdrivers
level
hammer
power tools including:
battery drill
hammer drill
nail gun
manual handling aids including:
lifting magnets
suction grips
lifting straps
hooks
wheelbarrows
hand trucks
trolleys
servicing tools and equipment including:
service tag punch
scales
hydrostatic test equipment
recharging/pressurising equipment
safety equipment
fire equipment spare parts including:
service tags
anti-tamper seals
pressure indicators
valves
seals
labels
hose
nozzles
non-licensed mechanical handling aids including:
cranes
hoists and manually operated forklifts
pallet trucks.

Hardware relevant to the wall surface and type of product to be installed/serviced may include
screws
plugs
bolts
explosive powered fasteners
locks
locksets
identifying signs
liquid adhesives
nails
double-sided tape.

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 fire protection equipment servicing procedures.
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 purpose, function and structure of Australian Standards.
Awareness of on-site work permit requirements.
Appropriate tools and equipment selection for fire protection equipment servicing operations.
The types and purposes of relevant hardware items.
Methods of using liquid adhesives for attaching location signs.
Types of electrical safeguards used to protect persons and property.
Maintenance requirements for relevant hand and power tools.
Safety requirements for using tools and equipment
Methods of holding work when using power tools.
Methods of using detection equipment for finding hidden utilities.
Methods of converting basic units of measurement and pressure.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

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

identify hazards in the work area in preparation for service operation
select and use equipment appropriately for the task at hand
use tools and equipment safely
access and use information
plan and organise work in order to estimate time to complete activities and prioritise tasks
remove any debris caused by servicing operation in the work area.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

Competency in this unit underpins competency in other aspects of servicing fire protection equipment. This unit is a prerequisite for the following technical fire protection units in the PRM04 Asset Maintenance Training Package:

PRMPFES09B Service portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets in the field
PRMPFES10B Inspect, test and replace fire hose reels in the field
PRMPFES11B Install portable fire extinguishers, fire blankets and battery powered smoke alarms
PRMPFES14B Service portable fire extinguishers in the workshop
PRMPFES15B Service delivery lay flat fire hoses in the workshop
PRMPFES16B Inspect and service delivery lay flat fire hoses and nozzles in the field
PRMPFES19B Install and service portable foam liquid proportioning equipment
PRMPFES20B Service wheeled fire extinguishers in the field
PRMPFES21B Service wheeled fire extinguishers in the workshop
PRMPFES37A Inspect and maintain fire hydrants
PRMPFES38A Inspect and maintain portable fire monitors.

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function, for example:

PRMPFES04B Identify fire protection equipment
PRMPFES05B Use portable fire fighting equipment.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available :

actual or simulated work environment
all necessary tools, specialist equipment, manuals, spare parts and relevant documentation, including Australian Standards
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 competency may be made through practical demonstration in the work environment or in a simulated work environment.
Evidence of competency is best obtained by observing relevant activities in the working environment. Oral questioning or a written assessment may be used to assess competence for underpinning knowledge. (In assessment situations where the candidate is offered a preference between oral questioning and written assessment, questions are to be identical.)
Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from supervisors and team leaders.
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
Information is gathered from a number of sources including Australian Standards relating to portable fire fighting equipment in order for accurate preparations to occur. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Discuss own role and responsibilities and confirm with work group compliance requirements of the Australian Standards and the organisation. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Prepare for maintenance activities especially with regard to assembling appropriate tools and hardware. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Provide support and assistance within work groups. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Discuss basic mathematical techniques including measuring pressure and adhering to designated timelines. (1)

Solving problems
Prepare activities to identify problem-solving techniques to ensure safeguards for persons and property. (2)

Using technology
Discuss and apply technological principles, including electrical safeguards and the preparation process. (2)