Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:28 PM AWST
22/07/2026 3:28 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Conduct fire investigation and analysis activities
Conduct fire investigation and analysis activities
Unit of competency
National Code
PUAFIR501B
PUAFIR501B
State Code
D3771
D3771
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Transition (Replaced)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/10/2010
Field of Education
039905 - Fire Technology
Original Release Date
15/10/2010
Nominal Hours
120
Description
This unit covers the competency required to respond to an incident and to undertake a preliminary fire investigation prior to the arrival of a specialist fire investigator. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan fire/incident investigation and analysis activities
- 1.1 Roles and responsibilities of government and non-government organisations involved at a fire/incident investigation are identified.
- 1.2 Procedures and protocols for the cooperation and coordination of relevant organisations involved in the fire/incident investigation are identified, agreed and implemented.
- 1.3 Strategies required to conduct a fire/incident investigation and analysis are identified and implemented in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 1.4 Preliminary and background sources of information concerning the context of the fire/incident investigation is prepared.
- 1.5 Relevant legislative requirements that impact on the collection and recording of evidence are identified.
- 1.6 Evidence and information gathering process at the incident site is planned in accordance with organisational and legislative requirements, environmental conditions and resource availability.
- 1.7 Required fire investigation equipment and resources for the incident are identified and assembled.
2. Collect, collate and preserve evidence
- 2.1 Methods and techniques of evidence and information collection appropriate to the investigation are applied. accordance with legislative requirements
- 2.2 Various types of evidence and information pertinent to the investigation are recorded and/or collected in accordance with organisational and legislative procedures.
- 2.3 Procedures for continuity and preservation of evidence are followed in accordance with legislative requirements.
- 2.4 Appropriate packaging and identification techniques for the transportation of evidence for the purpose of laboratory testing are followed in accordance with organisational and legislative requirements.
3. Determine origin and cause of fire at incident
- 3.1 Procedures required to determine the origin and cause of fire are followed.
- 3.2 Specialist personnel are liaised with to support determination of cause of fire.
- 3.3 Assistance is rendered to laboratory personnel and specialist organisations as required, in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 3.4 Physical evidence that can lead to the determination of the origin and cause of fire is identified and examined.
- 3.5 Preliminary findings are documented and validated in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 3.6 Origin and cause of fire are determined.
- 3.7 Findings, methodologies, support data and briefing notes are documented in accordance with organisational and legislative procedures.
4. Conduct analysis of incident
- 4.1 Information relating to incident is gathered in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
- 4.2 Information relating to incident is evaluated in accordance with organisational procedures.
5. Record and report information collected
- 5.1 Information for a fire/incident investigation is recorded in accordance with the Rules of Evidence and legislative requirements.
- 5.2 Information collected for a fire/incident investigation is prepared and documented in a report in accordance with organisational requirements.
- 5.3 Report is submitted to supervisor in accordance with organisational requirements.
6. Prepare personnel for proceedings
- 6.1 Briefings are participated in with counsel as required.
- 6.2 Other personnel involved in the proceedings are briefed as required.
- 6.3 Additional information and/or clarification of fire/incident investigation procedures/findings are provided as required.
- 6.4 Protocols for giving of evidence at a coronial/civil/criminal proceeding are followed.
7. Review and evaluate fire/incident investigation
- 7.1 Outcomes of proceedings are reviewed to ensure knowledge of investigations, trends and precedents is current.
- 7.2 Changes to organisational policy and procedures arising from rulings and decisions are formulated and reported.
- 7.3 Fire/incident cause determination/documentation/ recommendations are forwarded in accordance with organisational procedures.
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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Protocols for the cooperation and coordination of relevant organisations may include:
advising and cooperating with other agencies
canvassing witnesses
collecting and securing physical evidence
collecting, collating and analysing information
conducting examinations
conducting interviews
making sketches and maps
prepairing reports
producing information
taking notes
Sources of information may include:
correspondence
databases
incidence mapping
internet
inter-organisational activities
intra-organisational activities
journals
Evidence must include:
debris
documents
drawings
electrical appliance/equipment
gas appliance/equipment
manifests
maps
personal notes
physical evidence
plans
sketches
soil
and may also include:
audio tapes
video tapes
Methods and techniques of evidence and information collection must include:
advising and cooperating with other agencies
canvassing witnesses
collecting and securing physical evidence
collecting, collating and analysing information
conducting examinations
conducting interviews
making sketches and maps
preparing reports
producing information
taking notes
Preservation of evidence must include:
maintaining chain of evidence
maintaining log of events
tagging secure encasements
Packaging may include:
glass receptacles
non-leaching bags
non-lined tins
rigid and non-rigid receptacles
Causes of fire must include:
accidental
chemical
deliberate
electrical origin
environmental or natural occurrences
flammable liquids
gas
gas explosion
lightning
matches and lighters
mechanical defect
motor vehicles
smoking
spontaneous combustion
Specialist personnel may include:
arson squad
crime scene police
forensic specialist
insurance investigators
laboratory technicians
lawyers
medical examiners
other relevant authorities
Protocols for giving evidence must include:
court practices
court procedures
pre-court briefings
rules of evidence
Protocols for the cooperation and coordination of relevant organisations may include:
advising and cooperating with other agencies
canvassing witnesses
collecting and securing physical evidence
collecting, collating and analysing information
conducting examinations
conducting interviews
making sketches and maps
prepairing reports
producing information
taking notes
Sources of information may include:
correspondence
databases
incidence mapping
internet
inter-organisational activities
intra-organisational activities
journals
Evidence must include:
debris
documents
drawings
electrical appliance/equipment
gas appliance/equipment
manifests
maps
personal notes
physical evidence
plans
sketches
soil
and may also include:
audio tapes
video tapes
Methods and techniques of evidence and information collection must include:
advising and cooperating with other agencies
canvassing witnesses
collecting and securing physical evidence
collecting, collating and analysing information
conducting examinations
conducting interviews
making sketches and maps
preparing reports
producing information
taking notes
Preservation of evidence must include:
maintaining chain of evidence
maintaining log of events
tagging secure encasements
Packaging may include:
glass receptacles
non-leaching bags
non-lined tins
rigid and non-rigid receptacles
Causes of fire must include:
accidental
chemical
deliberate
electrical origin
environmental or natural occurrences
flammable liquids
gas
gas explosion
lightning
matches and lighters
mechanical defect
motor vehicles
smoking
spontaneous combustion
Specialist personnel may include:
arson squad
crime scene police
forensic specialist
insurance investigators
laboratory technicians
lawyers
medical examiners
other relevant authorities
Protocols for giving evidence must include:
court practices
court procedures
pre-court briefings
rules of evidence
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
secure the scene and preserve the evidence
determine the point of origin and cause of fire
distinguish between fires that are caused deliberately or accidentally, negligently and naturally lit
collect evidence in accordance with legislative requirements
record incident and investigation details in accordance with organisational procedures
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed on-the-job or via simulations or exercises.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
relevant fire investigation equipment and resources
real or simulated test fire sites (forest/rural)
training building with appropriate fire investigation training rooms
fire crews and pumpers
thermal detection equipment
appropriate protective clothing and equipment
classrooms equipped with computers and appropriate training aids, text and reference materials
appropriate role play scripts for the appropriate personnel (police, witnesses, barristers, solicitors, forensic scientist, insurance adjustors and investigators).
Method of assessment
In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.
Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an agency-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:
direct observation
interviewing the candidate
journals and workplace documentation
third party reports from supervisors
written or oral questions
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
secure the scene and preserve the evidence
determine the point of origin and cause of fire
distinguish between fires that are caused deliberately or accidentally, negligently and naturally lit
collect evidence in accordance with legislative requirements
record incident and investigation details in accordance with organisational procedures
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed on-the-job or via simulations or exercises.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
relevant fire investigation equipment and resources
real or simulated test fire sites (forest/rural)
training building with appropriate fire investigation training rooms
fire crews and pumpers
thermal detection equipment
appropriate protective clothing and equipment
classrooms equipped with computers and appropriate training aids, text and reference materials
appropriate role play scripts for the appropriate personnel (police, witnesses, barristers, solicitors, forensic scientist, insurance adjustors and investigators).
Method of assessment
In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.
Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an agency-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:
direct observation
interviewing the candidate
journals and workplace documentation
third party reports from supervisors
written or oral questions
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S7288 | PUAFIR501A | Conduct fire investigation and analysis activities | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAY58 | PUAFIR501 | Conduct fire investigation and analysis activities | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAL4 | FWP50116 | Diploma of Forest and Forest Products | Qualification |
| J478 | FPI50111 | Diploma of Forest and Forest Products | Qualification |