Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit of competency in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below.

Key features of legislation, Australian Standards, manufacturers' and building code requirements relating to inspection of passive fire and smoke containment.

Key features of legislation, Australian Standards and building code requirements relating to fire and smoke containment.

The implications of not applying legislative requirements to job functions.

The dangers of incorrect installation of passive fire and smoke containment.

Principles of passive fire protection related to overall fire safety systems.

Key physical features, definition of, and purpose of, passive fire and smoke containment.

Technical terms relating to passive fire and smoke containment inspection and testing.

Passive fire and smoke containment variables including types, products and solutions.

Operational requirements for inspecting and testing passive fire and smoke containment.

Procedures for determining fire resistance levels.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These relate to the ability to:

identify, select and comply with appropriate Australian Standard(s) and related legislation

recognise and identify components of passive fire and smoke containment

inspect and test a range of passive fire and smoke containment system components that are fixed into or onto building materials to protect services, structural elements and/or openings in or through fire compartments

plan and organise work according to organisational requirements

communication skills conducive to developing positive customer relationships

follow safe work procedures and identify potential and existing risks or hazards

apply principles of workplace housekeeping

apply literacy and language skills to:

use technical terminology relating to inspection and testing of passive fire and smoke containment

access information from manuals

communicate technical information to customers and colleagues

report on defects and complete and distribute relevant documentation.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

actual or simulated work environment

access to relevant standards and legislation

access to a variety of passive fire and smoke containment products, installations and solutions

assessment documentation

training and assessment record book.

Gaining evidence to assess this unit

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, the competency should be demonstrated over a period of time and be observed by the assessor (or assessment team working together to conduct the assessment). The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations, which may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.

Consideration should be given to assessing consistency of outcome over an adequate period of time.

Candidates should also be given the opportunity to practise and undertake self-assessment of performance before requesting formal assessment.

All safety requirements must be adhered to during all practical activities.

Performance and assessment of this unit must be carried out within the relevant requirements of the following legislative and industry framework:

building Acts/regulations/codes

Australian Standards identified as relevant to the work procedure

environmental regulations

manufacturers' specifications

organisational requirements, including OHS policies and procedures

OHS legislation, codes and regulations.

Oral questioning or a written assessment may be used to assess underpinning knowledge. (In assessment situations where the candidate is offered a preference between oral questioning and written assessment, questions are to be identical.)

Assessment of evidence should establish the candidate's ability to perform the job to the standard required in the workplace. Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence or reports from supervisors or team leaders.

Key competency levels

There are a number of processes learnt throughout work and daily life that are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work environments. Some of these work processes are covered by the key competencies listed below. Information provided to each question highlights how these processes are applied in this unit of competency.

The number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency should be demonstrated.

Refer to Evidence Guide

The range statement links the required knowledge and organisational and technical requirements to the workplace context. It describes any contextual variables that will be used or encountered when applying the competency in work situations. It allows for different work practices and work and knowledge requirements as well as for differences between organisations and workplaces. The following variables may be present for this particular unit.

Legislative and industry requirements may include:

relevant Commonwealth and state/territory building Acts/regulations/codes

OHS legislation, codes and regulations

relevant current Australian Standards

Building Code of Australia

manufacturers' documentation

dangerous goods regulations

licensing arrangements

environmental regulations

building surveyor requirements

other relevant legislation relating to passive fire protection.

Work procedures may include:

instructions from colleagues/supervisor/manager

specific customer requirements

assignment instructions

equipment manufacturers' requirements

reporting and documentation requirements

personal protective equipment requirements.

Relevant persons may include:

building surveyor

fire safety engineer

regulatory authority representative

building supervisor/manager

team leaders

supervisors

managers

colleagues

customers.

Potential and actual breaches of legislative and industry requirements could be identified by:

direct observation

as part of workplace quality assurance teams.

Organisational requirements may be located in quality assurance and/or procedures manuals relating to:

legal and organisational policy/guidelines

personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles, responsibilities and delegations

legislation relevant to the service operation

OHS policies, procedures and programs

documentation and information systems and processes

use of electronic job scheduling and communication devices

OHS policies and procedures may relate to:

employer/employee rights and responsibilities

the OHS hierarchy of control

assessing the worksite for hazards and risks prior to preparing the worksite for the work procedure

displaying signs and/or utilising barriers in the work area

hazard and risk identification and reporting

risk assessment and control measures

incident/accident investigation

OHS audits and safety inspections

safe operating procedures/instructions including:

working safely around electrical wiring, cables and overhead powerlines

working safely around tools and equipment

working safely on ladders and raised platforms

risk and hazard recognition

emergency procedures

awareness of electrical hazards

following confined spaces procedures

utilising personal protective equipment including:

safety glasses or goggles

safety boots or shoes

hard hat

ear muffs or plugs

appropriate gloves and overalls

sun hat

dust mask

equipment maintenance and use

use and storage of hazardous substances

First Aid.

Customer requirements may include:

provision of routine services

provision of non-routine or urgent services

confirmation of, or variations to, service instructions

sighting work permits

sign-in/out procedures for entry to or exit from premises

written or verbal confirmation of services provided and/or future maintenance schedule.

Passive fire and smoke containment systems include:

passive fire and smoke containment products including:

fabric and timber protection (impregnated or sprayed)

fire rated air transfer grilles

mechanical and intumescent fire dampers

smoke dampers

fire resistant boards (calcium silicate, vermiculite, etc)

fire stop collars (cast in, retrofit, wall, etc)

fire rated sealants, caulks and putties (acrylic, polyurethane, silicone, etc)

linear gaps seals (impregnated foams, tapes, intumescent gaskets, sealants)

fire resistant pillows (intumescent, non-intumescent)

fire resistant mortars and grouts (load bearing, non-load bearing)

intumescent paints and coatings (other than those used for fireproofing structural steel)

materials into or onto which passive fire and smoke containment products are installed including:

masonry

concrete

timber

steel

plasterboard

UPVC

fire resistant board

passive fire and smoke containment solutions including:

structural steel fireproofing/protection

duct fireproofing/protection

duct/damper penetration protection

ceiling and partition systems

penetration solutions

fire rated sealants

UPVC/plumbing penetrations

access panels and hatches

intumescent dampers and seals

protection against spread of flame

industrial fire protection

openings in structural elements

control joints/expansion joints.

Marking and labelling requirements as set out in the relevant legislation or Australian Standard.

Defects may include items that do not comply with the requirements of:

necessary legislation

Australian Standards

manufacturers' instructions.

Documentation may include:

job card

customer recommendation form

service agreements

equipment recommendation form

corrective action report

certificate of inspection

product documentation/installation instructions

maintenance record system.

Note: Australian Standards are frequently revised and users must always check for currency.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist