Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:52 PM AWST
22/07/2026 11:52 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Suppress urban fire
Suppress urban fire
Unit of competency
National Code
PUAFIR302B
PUAFIR302B
State Code
D2980
D2980
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Transition (Replaced)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
25/06/2013
Field of Education
039905 - Fire Technology
Original Release Date
25/06/2013
Nominal Hours
80
Description
This unit covers the competency required to work as a member of a team under limited supervision when suppressing an urban fire. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Initiate response to fire
- 1.1 Fire details are received and initial response is determined in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 1.2 Firefighting personal protective clothing and equipment requirements are determined based on available information.
- 1.3 Changes to fire condition are reported and acted on to determine firefightingtactics.
- 1.4 Firefighting considerations are taken into account when determining tactics.
2. Determine extinguishing media and equipment
- 2.1 Available static or reticulated water supplies to support firefighting operations are identified and capacity is determined.
- 2.2 Selection of hose and equipment is sufficient to support firefighting operations.
- 2.3 Extinguishing media are selected according to the type of fire within area of operation.
- 2.4 Breathing apparatus is used within its safe work limitations in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications and organisational procedures.
3. Determine structural fire behaviour
- 3.1 Combustion processes taking place in the structure are determined.
- 3.2 Tactics for terminating the combustion processes are determined.
- 3.3 Presence of hazardousmaterials located in the fire area are identified and appropriate plan of action is determined.
4. Protect people
- 4.1 Primary and secondary searches are planned, conducted and supported in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 4.2 Appropriate priority and support is allocated to fire rescue and evacuation activities.
- 4.3 Casualties are treated and/or handed to the care of medical personnel once clear of threat of fire.
5. Attack fire
- 5.1 Firefighting strategies and tactics are prioritised, implemented and monitored in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 5.2 Firefighting extinguishing media are selected according to the type of fire and to the actual or potential hazards identified within the area of operations.
- 5.3 Fire is located and access to the fire is gained in the safest and most effective manner to minimise damage to property or the risk of injury to others or self.
- 5.4 Potential fire behaviour is anticipated and action taken to protect the safety of self and others, and to achieve the determined strategies.
- 5.5 Breathing apparatus procedures are conducted in accordance with organisational requirements.
- 5.6 Fire is attacked using a range of extinguishing media and application techniques appropriate to the type and size of fire in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and organisational procedures.
- 5.7 Evidence of fire cause is protected and action taken in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 5.8 Firefighting suppression activities ensure the use of extinguishing media in containing the spread of fire is maximised and damage to the environment and property is minimised in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 5.9 Burning and smouldering material are identified and extinguished in accordance with organisational requirements.
- 5.10 Communication is maintained and monitored throughout firefighting operations in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 5.11 Firefighting ancillary activities are undertaken to avoid or minimise risk of environmental damage.
6. Ventilate structure
- 6.1 Structures are ventilated where required, using the most appropriate natural and mechanical ventilation techniques as outlined in organisational procedures.
- 6.2 Structures are ventilated without endangering personnel or increasing the spread of fire in accordance with organisational procedures.
7. Observe and react to fire conditions
- 7.1 Fire is continually monitored and significant changes affecting the status of the fire and the effectiveness of selected firefighting strategies are reported in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 7.2 Firefighting strategies and tactics are modified and adjusted according to the changing conditions at the fire and as directed by supervisor.
8. Undertake ancillary firefighting operations
- 8.1 Firefighting and ancillary activities undertaken at the incident ensure the risk of injury to the public, other personnel and self is avoid or minimised.
- 8.2 Salvage and overhaul activities are undertaken to support the conclusion of firefighting operations in accordance with organisational procedures.
9. Complete operations
- 9.1 Equipment is made up and made ready for operational use in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 9.2 Damaged or missing equipment is replaced, recorded and/or reported in accordance with organisational procedures.
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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Fire must include:
fires involving electricity
industrial complex
mobile property fires
multi-storey structures
structure and non-structure fires
and may also include:
fires involving fuels and chemicals
ship fires
Personal protective clothing and equipment must include:
breathing apparatus
chemical protective clothing
distress alarms
structural fire protective clothing
Reporting of changes to fire condition may include:
initial reports at scene
reports of achievement during firefighting (e.g. completion of rescue, fire under control etc.)
reports of significant changes in conditions
situation reports (sitreps)
status reports
Firefighting tactics must include:
cooling the fuels
interrupting the chemical chain reaction
removing fuels
excluding oxygen
ventilation
Firefighting considerations must include:
available firefighting resources
extinguishing media
fire exposures
signs of structural collapse
size of fire
topography
type of fire
weather
Equipment must include:
branches, nozzles and monitors
breathing apparatus and control equipment
fire extinguishers
forcible entry tools
hand tools
hoses and hose fittings
ladders and rope lines
portable lighting
radios
salvage gear
small gear and ancillary equipment
stand-pipes, hydrants and booster connections
ventilation equipment
Extinguishing media must include:
water
extinguishing powders
vaporising liquids
foams
gaseous extinguishing agents
Combustion processes must include:
spontaneous heating combustion and ignition
Hazardous materials must include:
those defined by the Australian Dangerous Goods Code
and may also include
other fire extinguishing substances
Firefighting strategies must include:
rescuing occupants
protecting exposures
confining the spread of fire
extinguishment
salvage and overhaul
ventilation
finding evidence of fire cause
Access may include:
forcible entry
normal entry
roof access from ladders and/or aerial appliance
Application techniques must include:
defensive mode
offensive mode
direct attack
indirect attack
direction of attack
Firefighting suppression activities must include:
locating and accessing the fire
search and rescue
anticipation of fire behaviour
ensuring safety
applying extinguishing media
applying techniques to maximise the effect and minimise the damage
identifying evidence of fire cause
Damage to the environment may include:
air pollution
hazards to flora and fauna
soil pollution
water pollution
Ancillary activities may include:
draining water run-off
guarding against hazards
making-up equipment
overhaul
patrol
protecting the ignition site
securing the area
supply of materials
Structures to be ventilated must include:
residential
commercial
mulit-storey
unfenestrated
and may also include:
high-rise buildings
mobile structures (i.e. road, rail, aviation and marine vehicles)
Ventilation techniques must include:
horizontal
hydraulic
mechanical
natural
vertical
Fire must include:
fires involving electricity
industrial complex
mobile property fires
multi-storey structures
structure and non-structure fires
and may also include:
fires involving fuels and chemicals
ship fires
Personal protective clothing and equipment must include:
breathing apparatus
chemical protective clothing
distress alarms
structural fire protective clothing
Reporting of changes to fire condition may include:
initial reports at scene
reports of achievement during firefighting (e.g. completion of rescue, fire under control etc.)
reports of significant changes in conditions
situation reports (sitreps)
status reports
Firefighting tactics must include:
cooling the fuels
interrupting the chemical chain reaction
removing fuels
excluding oxygen
ventilation
Firefighting considerations must include:
available firefighting resources
extinguishing media
fire exposures
signs of structural collapse
size of fire
topography
type of fire
weather
Equipment must include:
branches, nozzles and monitors
breathing apparatus and control equipment
fire extinguishers
forcible entry tools
hand tools
hoses and hose fittings
ladders and rope lines
portable lighting
radios
salvage gear
small gear and ancillary equipment
stand-pipes, hydrants and booster connections
ventilation equipment
Extinguishing media must include:
water
extinguishing powders
vaporising liquids
foams
gaseous extinguishing agents
Combustion processes must include:
spontaneous heating combustion and ignition
Hazardous materials must include:
those defined by the Australian Dangerous Goods Code
and may also include
other fire extinguishing substances
Firefighting strategies must include:
rescuing occupants
protecting exposures
confining the spread of fire
extinguishment
salvage and overhaul
ventilation
finding evidence of fire cause
Access may include:
forcible entry
normal entry
roof access from ladders and/or aerial appliance
Application techniques must include:
defensive mode
offensive mode
direct attack
indirect attack
direction of attack
Firefighting suppression activities must include:
locating and accessing the fire
search and rescue
anticipation of fire behaviour
ensuring safety
applying extinguishing media
applying techniques to maximise the effect and minimise the damage
identifying evidence of fire cause
Damage to the environment may include:
air pollution
hazards to flora and fauna
soil pollution
water pollution
Ancillary activities may include:
draining water run-off
guarding against hazards
making-up equipment
overhaul
patrol
protecting the ignition site
securing the area
supply of materials
Structures to be ventilated must include:
residential
commercial
mulit-storey
unfenestrated
and may also include:
high-rise buildings
mobile structures (i.e. road, rail, aviation and marine vehicles)
Ventilation techniques must include:
horizontal
hydraulic
mechanical
natural
vertical
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
work effectively in a team
recognise fire behaviour and the impact of firefighting tactics
conduct firefighting operations in accordance with organisational safe work practices
apply strategies and tactics such as rescue, exposures, confinement, extinguishment, overhaul, ventilation and salvage
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed on-the-job and/or in a simulated environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
range of controlled or simulated fires
firefighting equipment
breathing apparatus control equipment
extinguishing media
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed with the following unit/s:
PUALAW001B Protect and preserve incident scene
PUATEA002B Work autonomously
In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.
Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an agency-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:
direct observation
interviewing the candidate
journals and workplace documentation
third party reports from supervisors
written or oral questions
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
work effectively in a team
recognise fire behaviour and the impact of firefighting tactics
conduct firefighting operations in accordance with organisational safe work practices
apply strategies and tactics such as rescue, exposures, confinement, extinguishment, overhaul, ventilation and salvage
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed on-the-job and/or in a simulated environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
range of controlled or simulated fires
firefighting equipment
breathing apparatus control equipment
extinguishing media
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed with the following unit/s:
PUALAW001B Protect and preserve incident scene
PUATEA002B Work autonomously
In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.
Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an agency-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:
direct observation
interviewing the candidate
journals and workplace documentation
third party reports from supervisors
written or oral questions
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C8927 | PUAFIR302A | Suppress urban fire | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAY89 | PUAFIR302 | Suppress urban fire | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J546 | PUA30613 | Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations) | Qualification |
| C600 | PUA30601 | Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations) | Qualification |