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.
Legislative and industry requirements may include:
dangerous goods regulations
environmental regulations
extinguishing agent handling licences (EAHL)
licensing arrangements
occupational health and safety (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
AS 4214 Gaseous fire extinguishing systems
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.
Organisational requirements may be located in quality assurance and procedures manuals relating to:
customer-specific contractual requirements
documentation and information systems and processes
legal and organisational policy and guidelines
legislation relevant to service operation
personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles, responsibilities and delegations
use of electronic job scheduling and communication devices.
Checking for compliancemay include:
providing the coverage and protection needed to meet original design and performance requirements
suitability for fire hazard or risk being protected, whether change has occurred in use of the protected area since equipment or system was installed or last modified
reviewing documentation to verify that installed systems comply with legislative and industry requirements, such as:
building’s essential services or fire safety measures listing
environmental regulations
relevant commonwealth and state or territory building Acts, regulations and codes
relevant Australian standards listed on essential service listing
undertaking commissioning tests detailed in Australian standards and manufacturers’ documentation to verify performance of an installed, repaired or altered piece of equipment or system
applying inspection, test and survey requirements according to Australian standards.
Action may include:
advising customer
documenting non-compliance
making equipment safe
reporting, as required.
Gaseous agent fire-suppression systems may include:
total flood systems which use a variety of extinguishing agents, such as:
inert gaseous fire-extinguishing agents
liquefied gaseous agent, such as carbon dioxide
synthetic gaseous fire-extinguishing agents (note: EAHL is required)
major components of these systems may include:
actuators
alarm system devices
automatic fire detection devices
containers of extinguishant agent
local control stations
nozzles connected to the pipework
pipework connected to extinguishant containers
warning devices and signs at entry points to protected space.
Enclosures may include:
electrical switch rooms
rooms where total flooding gaseous agent protection is installed and a suitable doorway is fitted, such as:
computer rooms
machinery spaces in vessels.
Systeminterfaces may include:
components, such as:
directional valves
pressure switches
tamper switches
devices that operate signals between the gaseous fire-suppression system and other services, such as:
building heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) services
fire brigade monitoring providers
other life safety systems, such as:
alarm systems
fire detection systems
warning systems.
Integritytestingequipment may include:
floor panel lifter for false floors
measuring devices and tapes
proprietary equipment and software
smoke pencils
step ladders
temporary patching material.
Test methods may include:
identifying gaseous agent in use
calculating mass of gaseous agent
identifying return air flow path
measuring room and calculating room volume
fitting fan unit to door frame
proprietary equipment procedures
identifying mechanical ventilation, including air conditioning in room
identifying agent retention mode:
descending interface
recirculating.

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 practical demonstration on customer premises or in simulated workplace environment.
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 conduct tests on enclosures where total flooding gaseous agent protection is installed and a doorway is fitted. Enclosures should include:
computer room
electrical switch room
machinery space in a vessel.
Note: Tests must be conducted according to the current Australian standard relevant to inspection, test and preventive maintenance of the gaseous agent fire-suppression system.
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:
fan integrity-testing equipment
suitable enclosures to demonstrate required test conditions.
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.