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 of inspecting and testing specified fire hydrant systems.

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 inspection and testing tasks specified in the six-monthly and yearly schedule of AS 1851 (Section 4), excluding:

inspection and testing functions associated with pressure-reducing equipment in high rise buildings, fire pumpset systems or water supply tanks

water supply proving tests.

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:

operational hydrant system

adequate water supply and draining or recycling arrangements to operate hydrant system

pictures or cut-away sections of control assemblies and valves to show operation

necessary tools, specialist equipment, manuals and relevant documentation.

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, for example:

CPPFES2030A Conduct basic functional testing of water-based fire-suppression systems

CPPFES2031A Inspect and test fire pumpsets

CPPFES3033A Conduct annual functional testing of complex water-based fire-suppression systems

CPPFES3034A Conduct functional water flow testing.

Required skills

customer service skills

language, literacy and numeracy skills to:

communicate with others clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing

read and comply with work instructions and specifications

read and record measurements

record and report information neatly and legibly

planning and organising skills to:

estimate time to complete activities

prioritise tasks

interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social and cultural backgrounds

technical skills to:

identify system components

operate valves, switches and levers to test system operation

skills to work safely when applying workplace housekeeping procedures

Required knowledge

basic principles of hydraulics, such as pressure scales (metric and imperial)

general operation of hydrant system components, including:

backflow prevention devices

booster valve arrangements

control valves

interface connections to fire indicating panel and/or warning systems by pressure and flow switches

landing valves

pumpset and interface controls

towns main reticulated water supplies

valve anti-tamper controls

water pressure and flow through a system to activate pumpsets

water tank water supply infill and outlet valve arrangement

hydrant system applications, as defined in AS 2419 and AS 2118, such as:

combined sprinkler and hydrant system

town main system hydrant points

key features of legislation, regulations and codes applicable to inspecting and testing hydrant systems

systems and components, including:

circulation and system pressure relief valves

controls on pumpset controller panel, such as:

fuel gauges

indicators

main isolating switch

equipment that can be fitted to a landing valve, such as:

delivery lay flat hoses

types of couplings

flow switches and associated testing equipment

isolating valves associated with hydrant system

main water supply underground key-operated valve location

pressure gauges

pumpsets associated with hydrant system

pump starting switches

system block plan

system main alarm bell and/or alarm strobe

water-based fire-suppression system control and alarm valves and ancillary equipment for control and alarm operation indication/interface

water supply tanks, water level indicators and automatic inflow valves

terminology used in relation to water-based fire-suppression systems, such as:

aggressive environments

control assembly and pump area

critical defect

frequency and tolerances of maintenance intervals

installation and system pressure

pressure-reducing valve

preventive maintenance

pump controller status

sprinkler system interface controls

stop cocks and main stop valves

system pressure gauge schedule

water supply proving tests

water supply stop valves

water supply tanks: atmospheric and pressure

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:

environmental regulations

OHS legislation, codes and regulations

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, supervisor or manager

personal protective equipment requirements

reporting and documentation requirements

specific customer requirements.

Checking system or equipment 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 include:

job scheduling systems and communication devices

personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles, responsibilities and delegations

recording and reporting documentation and systems

relevant OHS policies, procedures and programs

relevant rules and regulations

standard operating procedures, work instructions and manuals.

Fire hydrant systems include:

privately owned independent systems designed and installed for use by emergency personnel for fighting purposes, and:

designed, installed and commissioned to a ministerial specification or Australian standard, such as AS 2419 Fire hydrant installations

not forming part of a combined water-based fire-suppression system, as defined in AS 2118 Automatic fire sprinkler systems

not forming part of town’s main reticulated water supply.

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

providing written or verbal confirmation of services provided and future maintenance schedule

sighting work permits.

Documentation may include:

application for credit forms

certificates of inspection

corrective action reports

customer recommendation forms

equipment recommendation forms

expense claims

job cards

motor vehicle fleet cards

maintenance record system

petty cash vouchers

product documentation

service agreements.