Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 3:19 AM AWST

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Determine origin and cause of mobile property fire

Determine origin and cause of mobile property fire

Unit of competency
National Code
PUAFIR605A
State Code
WG157
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Current Release Number
3.00
Current Release Date
02/05/2013
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
21/03/2013
Field of Education
039905 - Fire Technology
Original Release Date
21/03/2013
Nominal Hours
25
Description
This unit covers the competency required to manage, inspect and assess a mobile property fire to determine the origin and the cause.It includes identifying, collecting, preserving and securing evidence relevant to the investigation; conducting a thorough analysis of evidence; and making an informed cause determination. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Coordinate mobile fire investigation
  • 1.1 Roles and responsibilities of multi-agency and support personnel involved in a mobile property fire investigation are confirmed
  • 1.2 Cooperation with multi-agency personnel in the conduct of the investigation consistent with designated roles and responsibilities is achieved
  • 1.3 Information required by a fire investigator from multi-agency personnel is identified, sought and received
  • 1.4 Protective clothing and equipment are used in accordance with agency procedures
  • 1.5 Occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures appropriate to the incident are followed
2. Secure fire scene and preserve evidence
  • 2.1 Legal obligations of fire scene investigators are adhered to throughout the investigation
  • 2.2 Methods of scene security prior to examination are implemented
  • 2.3 Procedures to monitor and log access to a fire scene are established and applied
  • 2.4 Strategies for locating, collecting and processing evidence are implemented
  • 2.5 Methods of preservation of evidence at a fire scene are implemented
  • 2.6 Scene is protected from unnecessary damage, destruction or contamination
3. Conduct scene investigation
  • 3.1 External and internal survey of scene is conducted to identify hazards and action is taken to mitigate risk
  • 3.2 Scene is reviewed to determine areas of interest and to record observation which may have a bearing on origin, cause or development of the fire
  • 3.3 Burn patterns and effects of fire suppression are identified and assessed
  • 3.4 Areas or items of evidence that have a potential bearing on origin, cause or development of the fire are identified
  • 3.5 Effects of construction and other factors on fire development and spread are identified
  • 3.6 Nature, combustibility and reactivity of materials involved in fire cause are identified and indicators of fire spread, in conjunction with other sources of evidence, are confirmed
  • 3.7 Effects of environmental conditions are assessed
  • 3.8 Effects of topographical conditions are assessed
  • 3.9 Witness information is obtained in accordance with the rules of evidence and agency requirements
  • 3.10 Significance of evidence observed is assessed and prioritised for further review
  • 3.11 Origin and cause determination options are assessed
  • 3.12 Evidence to indicate or exclude a particular cause of fire is assessed
  • 3.13 Area/likely point of origin and possible causes of fire are determined
4. Collect and analyse evidence from a fire scene
  • 4.1 Appropriate sampling areas and items are identified using required sampling equipment and resources
  • 4.2 Appropriate collection techniques are applied eliminating contamination and loss of evidence
  • 4.3 Best available samples and items including control samples are collected
  • 4.4 Continuity of collected exhibits is maintained
  • 4.5 Evidence from a fire scene is analysed and processed using a range of recording and technological media
  • 4.6 Product recall and material safety data sheet databases are researched, as appropriate
  • 4.7 Findings are reported and documented according to required practice and agency policy
  • 4.8 Evidence is secured for subsequent action
  • 4.9 Investigation report is completed and forwarded to appropriate authorities/stakeholders
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.
Agencies may include:
Coroner
Electrical authorities
Forensic scientists
Gas authorities
Insurance investigators and assessors
Other statutory authorities
Peak bodies
Support personnel may include:
Government and private forensic chemists
Insurance investigators and assessors and construction companies
Statutory bodies
Technical specialists
Mobile property fire incidents may include:
Aircraft
Caravan and campervan fires
Farm machinery
Marine craft
Motor vehicle fires
Trains/trams
Truck and bus fires
Causes of fire may include:
Chemical reaction
Electrical wiring
Engine fire
Fuel line and systems
Fuel types/mixtures
Incendiary devices (commercial, manufactured devices for other purposes, home-made, industrial, military)
Mechanical failure/damage
Transmission fire
Witnesses may include:
Emergency services personnel
Members of statutory agencies
Members of the public
Owners/occupants
Origin and cause determination must include:
Analysing
Identification of origin
Interpretation
Processing
Vehicle indicators:
accidental
arcing
arson
friction
heating from conduction, convection and radiation
impact damage
incipient
manufacturing faults
melt rates
overload
oxidation of metal
paint work
radial
repair faults
spring compression
vapour explosion
Sampling equipment and resources may include:
Accelerant detecting canine
Field-based sampling devices e.g. photo ionisation detectors
Appropriate collection techniques may include:
Mobile property relocation to workshop for further analysis (car carriers, marine salvage, low loaders)
Preservation of evidence
Search techniques
Security of environment
Recording and technological media may include:
Audio
Computers
Log books
Note taking
Photography (digital, multimedia, closed circuit television [CCTV], other media images)
Sketches
Video
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
apply safe work practices at a fire scene
collect and maximise the potential evidentiary value of physical evidence
identify area/point of origin and possible cause of fire
apply evidence and forensic scientific principles to assess possible area/point of origin and causes.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time and across a range of workplace and/or simulated situations.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace and in a simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to gathering and managing evidence
case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of causes likely to occur for which evidence needs to be gathered and managed.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit may include a combination of:
case studies
demonstration
observation
questioning
scenarios
authenticated evidence from the workplace.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OAY39 PUAFIR605 Determine origin and cause of mobile property fire Unit of competency
No information