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.
Rules and regulations may include:
dangerous goods regulations
environmental regulations
licensing arrangements
OHS legislation, regulations and codes
relevant commonwealth and state or territory building Acts, regulations and codes, such as Building Code of Australia (BCA)
relevant Australian standards, such as:
AS 1851 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment
note: Australian standards are frequently revised and users must always check for currency and amendments
other relevant legislation relating to fire protection equipment, including:
international shipping codes
marine codes for different Australian States.
Requirements may be confirmed with:
colleagues
managers
supervisors
team leaders.
Work procedures may include:
assignment instructions
equipment manufacturers’ requirements
instructions from colleagues, supervisors and managers
personal protective equipment requirements
reporting and documentation requirements
specific customer requirements
work instructions to prevent the emission of ODS and SGG in the workplace.
ODS and SGG extinguishing agents may include:


Note list format:
product name (other names) use

Check the latest amendments to the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act for the current list of ODS and SGG extinguishing agents.
ODS and SGG extinguishing agents commonly used in Australia:
FM200 (FE-227 Heptafluoropropane, HFC-227ea) used as a total flooding extinguishing agent and as a replacement for Halon 1301
Halon 1211 (BCF, Halon 1211 BCF, Bromochlorodifluoromethane) used as a streaming agent - requires a special permit in Australia
Halon 1301 (BTM, Halon 1301 BTM, Bromotrifluoromethane) used as a total flooding agent - requires a special permit in Australia
NAF-P-III (HCFC Blend C) used as a streaming agent
NAF-P-IV (HCFC Blend E) used as a streaming agent
NAF-S-III (HCFC Blend A) used as a total flooding agent
SF6 (Sulfurhexafluoride) used as an inerting agent in sealed high voltage switchgear
ODS and SGG extinguishing agents not commonly used in Australia:
Blitz III (HCFC Blend D) used in flooding systems
CFC-11 (Trichlorofluoromethane) may be found as a propellant in some powder fire extinguishers (this product is banned in Australia but may be found on incoming foreign vessels)
FC-2-1-8 (CEA-308) used in flooding systems
FC-3-1-10 (CEA-410) used in flooding systems
FC-5-1-14 (CEA-614) used as a streaming agent
FE-13 (Trifluoromethane, HFC-23) used as a total flooding agent
FE-241 (Chlorotetrafluoroethane, HCFC-124) used as a total flooding agent for non-occupied spaces and as a streaming agent
FE-25 (Pentafluoroethane, HFC-125) used in inerting and explosion suppression applications
FE-36 (Hexafluoropropane, HFC-236fa) used in portable fire extinguishers - is a replacement for Halon 1211 and Halon 1301
FM100 (HBFC-22B1) used in portable fire extinguishers
Halon 2402 (Dibromotetrafluoroethane) limited use in military systems - requires a special permit in Australia
Halotron I (HCFC Blend B or HCFC-123) used as a total flooding agent and streaming agent
Halotron II (blend of HFC-143a and HFC-125) used as a total flooding agent and as a replacement for Halon 1301
HCFC-22 (Chlorodifluoromethane) used as a propellant in some powder fire extinguishers (this product is banned in Australia but may be found on incoming foreign vessels)
HFC-134a (Unsymmetric tetrafluoroethane) used as a propellant in some powder fire extinguishers.
Key functional requirements relate to interpreting the system functions within design limitations, such as:
gaseous flooding discharge time and holding time, and factors that can effect these key design requirements, including:
nozzle location
openings in protected enclosure
orifices
pipe blockages
system is total flooding or local gaseous system suppression of fire mechanism in relation to fire triangle
understanding of environmental and occupational hazards caused by gaseous agents.
Checking system compliance requirements may include:
applying inspection, test and survey requirements according to Australian standards
reviewing documentation to verify that installed systems comply with relevant rules and regulations.
Action may include:
advising customer
documenting non-compliance
making equipment safe
reporting, as required.
Organisational policies and procedures may be located in quality assurance and procedures manuals relating to:
documentation and information systems and processes
legal and organisational policies and guidelines, including personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles, responsibilities and delegations
legislation relevant to service operations
ODS and SGG policies, procedures and programs
OHS policies, procedures and programs
use of electronic job scheduling and communication devices.
Gaseous fire-suppression systems may include:
synthetic gaseous fire-extinguishing agents (liquefied), such as:
ODS and SGG materials
Novec 1230
inert gaseous fire-extinguishing agents (non-liquefied), such as:
Inergen
Argonite
nitrogen
carbon dioxide.
Gaseous fire-suppression system information may include:
as installed drawings
Australian standards
design drawings
manufacturers’ manuals.
Components may include:
actuators:
mechanical
pyrotechnic
solenoid
fire alarm system interface components, such as:
anti-tamper switches
gaseous system controls and indicators on control and indicating equipment (CIE), such as fire indicating panels (FIP) approved to:
AS 1603 Automatic fire detection and alarm systems
AS 4428 Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems - control and indicating equipment
positional monitoring switches
pressure switches
remote gas control points
warning system equipment, such as:
alarm bells
warning lights and strobes
warning speakers.
Installation drawings may include:
installation drawings that meet the requirements of AS 4214 Gaseous fire extinguishing systems, and fire alarm standards:
in AS 1670.1 Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems - System design, installation and commissioning - Fire
in AS 1670.4 Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems - System design, installation and commissioning - Sound systems and intercom systems for emergency purposes
including:
‘for construction’ drawings
‘as installed’ or ‘as built’ drawings.
Isolation devices may include:
CIE, including:
FIP
gas control panels
mechanical isolation devices
pneumatic isolation devices.
Work permits may include permits to:
ensure that specific OHS requirements are met before entering a work site
enter a restricted area within a work site
enter a work site
enter a work site at specific times.
Hazards may include:
environmental hazards, such as improper use of ODS and SGG, hazardous materials and other chemicals
environmental risks from ODS and SGG emissions that could be caused by:
conducting interface tests between actuators, CIE and fire alarm system during inspect, test and maintain procedures
installing and removing container valve assembly, manifold connection components and actuators
servicing and maintaining container valve assemblies
transporting, storing and manual handling ODS and SGG containers
equipment in a work site
ergonomic, such as incorrect manual-handling methods
hazards associated with electrical or mechanical faults
obstructive, such as blocked access to emergency entry or exit points
people in a work site
sources of potential harm
situations with a potential to cause loss
work methods, plans and procedures.
Tools, equipment and testing devices may include:
fire equipment spare parts, including:
aerosol test smoke
anti-tamper seals
clamps
service tags
hand tools, including:
hammers
pliers
screwdrivers
spanners
spirit levels
power tools, including:
battery powered drills
hammer drills
manual-handling aids, including:
hand trucks
lifting straps
trolleys
servicing tools and testing devices, including:
actuator simulators
barcode readers
container contents-measurement equipment
electrical multimeter
recharging and pressurising equipment
safety equipment
scales
service tag punch.
Back-to-base facilities refer to:
monitoring equipment that is connected by ASE from the CIE to a communication path (telephone line or a radio link) and then to a monitoring centre
monitoring centres, which can be operated by or on behalf of a fire authority for the purposes of mobilising and directing firefighting resources to site where CIE is installed.
Mechanical inspection tasks may include:
actions to complete mechanical inspection tasks according to AS 1851, such as:
checking enclosure for changes in openings, for example any new, unsealed service penetrations
checking that gas discharge pipe lock-off valve (if fitted) is correctly labelled and accessible
checking that gas containers are secure, accessible and free from damage
inspecting each container pressure indicator to check that pressure is within prescribed limits
where there is no container pressure indicator, checking that system discharged indicator has not operated
checking that release mechanisms, including drop weights, are undamaged, accessible and unimpeded
checking gas container enclosure is accessible, adequately illuminated, ventilated and secured against unauthorised entry
checking integrity of all pneumatic piping and fittings
checking that entire protected area enclosure complies with original design
checking that discharge nozzles are clear and unobstructed, correctly aimed and secured
checking actuating devices for any condition likely to adversely affect their operation, such as excessive deposits of dust or paint coating
inspecting all areas adjacent to protected area to ensure that migration of gas does not create a hazard to personnel
inspecting protected area to check that the risk has not changed from original design, such as computer room to combustible storage and equipment
checking that all pipework, flexible connectors and manifolds are free from damage and adequately secured
checking that discharge from all pressure relief devices and vent valves does not create a hazard to personnel
checking that all directional valves and check valves are correctly orientated
determining whether container valve overhaul is due
determining whether container hydrostatic pressure test is due according to AS 2030 Gas cylinders or AS 1851 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment
checking age of pyrotechnic actuator to determine if due for replacement.
Maintenance schedule periods may be:
monthly
six monthly
yearly
five yearly
ten yearly.
Maintenance information may include:
Australian standards
manufacturers’ specifications and recommended procedures
service manual instructions
service manuals and bulletins.
Mechanical test tasks may include:
actions to complete mechanical test tasks according to AS1851, such as:
simulating a system operation and confirming that discharge actuators and directional valves operate correctly
testing operation of all mechanical manual discharge release systems
testing operation of mechanical automatic discharge release systems not operated through CIE, such as fusible links
operating system lock-off valve and confirming that the system inoperative visual warning device (VWD) operates
confirming, by weighing, liquid level determination or pressure reading (inert gases only), that each gas container is charged with correct quantity of extinguishing agent
testing to ensure correct operation of all automatic pneumatic controls
simulating operation of agent release detection device and confirming indication of agent release at system control panel.
Documentation may include:
application for credit forms
certificates of inspection
corrective action reports
customer recommendation forms
equipment recommendation forms
expense claims
job cards
maintenance record systems
motor vehicle fleet cards
petty cash vouchers
product documentation
service agreements
service test record logbooks.
Customer requirements may include:
confirming or varying service instructions
following sign-in and sign-out procedures for entry to or exit from premises
providing non-routine or urgent services
providing routine services
sighting work permits
written or verbal confirmation of services provided and future maintenance schedule.
Mechanical preventive maintenance tasks may include:
actions to complete routine mechanical maintenance tasks according to AS 1851, such as:
checking operation of mechanical container actuator and lubricating as necessary
checking operation of remote mechanical release system and lubricating as necessary
checking operation of automatic mechanical release system and lubricating as necessary
replacing pyrotechnic container actuator that will exceed its listed lifetime prior to next scheduled maintenance
cleaning dampers and nozzles that are subject to deposit of contaminants, such as cooking oil, hot wax, etc.
actions to conduct non-routine maintenance, such as general isolation to CIE so that building works can be done, then resetting systems after works are completed.
Reinstate process may involve:
confirming all interface actuators are isolated and appropriate signage, documentation and lock-off are in place
removing transport caps on actuator outlets, plugs and locking devices according to manufacturer and organisational requirements
re-installing pneumatic actuators and pilot and slave tubes and fittings according to finalised design documentation and installation drawings
checking pneumatic actuator and pilot and slave tubes connection are free from kinks and physically checking for tightness
re-installing electrical and mechanical actuators according to finalised design documentation and installation drawings
physically checking tightness of electrical and mechanical actuators, and that they are correctly set to operate
re-installing manual actuators according to finalised design documentation and installation drawings
physically checking tightness of manual actuators, and that they are correctly set to operate with safety device engaged
activating all interfaced actuators and removing signage, documentation and lock-off for functional testing
advising relevant persons that system is fully operational and providing appropriate technical, maintenance or handover instructions on operation of system
leaving work site clean and tidy with materials disposed of or recycled according to state or territory legislative and industry requirements.

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 by observation of at least two different practical demonstrations of inspecting, testing and maintaining gaseous fire-suppression systems at customers’ premises.
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 in this unit.
In particular the person should demonstrate the ability to:
locate, interpret and apply relevant information, standards and specifications
comply with OHS and ODS and SGG regulations (where required), and state and territory legislation applicable to workplace operations
comply with organisational policies and procedures, including quality requirements
communicate and work effectively and safely with others.
Competency must be demonstrated in a minimum of two different settings, including:
identifying potential hazards and risks
identifying risk-reduction measures
adhering to safety procedures during inspect, test and maintain procedures
identifying installed gaseous fire-suppression systems
identifying and locating system components
identifying, selecting and using tools, equipment and materials effectively to perform inspect, test and maintain procedures on an installed gaseous fire-suppression system
matching installed system to installation drawings
identifying isolation devices and interface controls to other systems
switching alarm signalling equipment to test mode
physically isolating equipment and gaseous fire-suppression systems
electrically isolating equipment and interface controls to other systems
installing and calibrating test equipment
completing specified mechanical inspection tasks, documenting results and reporting faulty equipment
completing specified mechanical test tasks, documenting results and reporting faulty equipment
completing specified mechanical preventive maintenance tasks, repairing or replacing faulty equipment, and documenting results
reinstating system to operational state
completing workplace housekeeping 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:
access to customer premises or a simulated workplace environment
assessment documentation
necessary tools, specialist equipment, manuals and relevant documentation, including ODS and SGG policies and work procedures
training and assessment record books.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must:
satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Property 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.
This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.