Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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.
Industry networks and mechanisms include:
participation in professional associations
reviewing industry websites
subscribing to and reading professional journals
attendance at industry workshops and conferences
attendance at vendor presentations and displays of new fittings and components.
Relevant legislation, codes and standards include:
building Acts
building regulations
infrastructure supply regulations
the Building Code of Australia
Australian standards for fire systems
international standards for fire systems
other fire system standards commonly required by building insurers, including the U.S. NFPA standards.
Fire suppression and detection solutions include:
water-based systems, including:
wet pipe sprinkler systems
deluge and drencher systems
dry pipe sprinkler systems
pre-action sprinkler systems
early suppression fast response (ESFR)
hydrants, hose reels and monitors
water supply tanks
fire pump sets
detection and warning systems, including:
emergency warning and intercommunications systems (EWIS)
fire detection and alarm systems
smoke control systems
emergency lighting systems
special hazard fire systems, including:
foam systems (low expansion, medium expansion and high expansion)
gaseous agent systems (carbon dioxide, inert gas and halocarbon gases)
water spray systems (deluge, medium/high velocity water spray and high speed deluge)
chemical systems, including:
powder
wet chemical.
Documentation and drawings include:
architectural
structural
mechanical
electrical
hydraulic
fire engineer's or estimator's specifications.
Options for securing personnel may include:
selecting existing team members
recruiting new personnel
contracting external personnel.
Overhead costs apportioned to the project include:
WorkCover costs
environmental protection agency fees
waste management site fees
professional indemnity insurance
other business insurances
travel costs
cost of financing the project
cost of seeking approvals and lodging designs
external consulting costs.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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, provided that the simulated or project-based assessment fully replicates workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.
This unit could be assessed as an activity involving the development and submission of tenders for fire systems design projects. This entails researching the capacities of a range of fire system components, preparing detailed schedules of costs for labour and materials, identifying and applying profit margins, and preparing the business proposal or tender response. Integral to the process is the capacity to work with the potential client, build relationships and conduct negotiations leading up to the finalisation of the tender or bid process.
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 within this unit.
In particular the person should demonstrate:
knowledge of tendering, bid and contractual processes
numeracy skills sufficient to ensure accurate calculations of system capacities and performance and their costs
the ability to read and interpret a range of design documents, including concept briefs, design briefs, drawings, plans and specifications
an understanding of and ability to apply legislation, codes, standards, regulatory and insurance requirements that may apply to fire systems design projects, including U.S. NFPA standards
the ability to research appropriate fire detection and warning systems
the ability to prepare tender or bid documentation that meets the bid specification requirements
the ability to build relationships with potential clients and conduct business negotiations.
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 relevant Australian and international codes and standards
access to legislation relevant to the jurisdiction
project documentation, including tender or bid specification, design brief, design drawings, construction schedules and other supporting documents
research resources, including product information and data
theoretical texts and other information to support the assessment of the unit's required skills and knowledge
relevant computer software packages and suitable hardware.
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.
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.