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.

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, calculate and record measurements

record and report information neatly and legibly

technical skills to operate valves, switches and levers to isolate and reset systems to normal operation

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

skills to work safely when:

applying workplace housekeeping procedures

conducting enclosure integrity testing

Required knowledge

features of gaseous agent fire-suppression systems, testing equipment and testing parameters, including:

gaseous agent hold time

general operation of a fan test unit

installation of equipment

operation of equipment

pass or fail against AS 4214 Gaseous fire extinguishing systems (10 minute/100mm against highest protected risk)

key features of legislation, regulations and codes applicable to conducting tests

terminology used in relation to integrity testing, such as:

agent loss

agent recirculation

descending interface (height)

highest protected risk (minimum protected equipment height)

retention time

total leakage area

upper and lower leaks

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.