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
licensing arrangements
environmental regulations
WHS legislation, regulations and codes
relevant commonwealth and state or territory building Acts, regulations and codes, such as National Construction Code (NCC)
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 suppression equipment, including:
international shipping codes
marine codes for different Australian states
requirements of Australian petroleum industry.

Organisational requirements may be located in quality assurance and procedures manuals and may include:
client-specific contractual requirements
documentation and information systems and processes
legal and organisational policies and guidelines, including personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles, responsibilities and delegations
legislation relevant to service operation
use of electronic job scheduling and communication devices.

Water-based fire-suppression systems are defined in AS 2118 Automatic fire sprinkler systems, and include:
alternate wet or dry systems
combined sprinkler or hydrant systems
deluge systems
dry systems
pre-action or recycle systems
residential and domestic systems
tail-end systems
wet and general systems.

Key control valves may include those:
specified in AS 2118 Automatic fire sprinkler systems
installed in:
associated control valve trim
activation small bore pipework to the alarm and control valve assembly.

System interfaces may include:
components, such as:
flow switches
pressure switches
tamper switches
valve positioning switches
devices that operate signals between the water-based 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:
warning systems
fire indicator panel (FIP).

Sustainability principles and concepts:
cover the social, economic and environmental use of resources to meet current and future needs
may include:
efficient use of material
efficient energy and water use
rain harvesting and disposal.

Testing procedures may include:
organisational procedures for conducting testing activities according to AS 1851 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment, including procedures for:
checking desiccant condition (air dryer or crystals, water separator bowl) and cleaning or replacing as required
checking oil level and visually assessing condition of oil on air compressor.

Frequency schedules may include:
schedules of work conducted at regular frequencies as defined in AS 1851 (general section) that relate to the work scope for weekly, monthly, and six-monthly inspection and testing schedules.

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 basic functional testing of a range of water-based fire-suppression systems.
If all relevant aspects of evidence cannot be demonstrated in a work environment, the remainder should be assessed through realistic simulations, projects, or oral questioning on case study scenarios.
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 ability to:
apply sustainability principles and concepts when conducting basic functional testing of water-based fire-suppression systems
apply safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including electrical safety requirements and the use of personal protective clothing and equipment
complete tasks according to the relevant Australian standard
conduct inspection and testing tasks specified in the weekly, monthly and six-monthly frequency schedule
perform functional testing of the following water-based fire-suppression systems:
alternate wet or general systems with no pumpset system
alternate wet or general systems with pumpset system and tank
residential or domestic systems
combined sprinkler and hydrant systems
deluge systems
pre-action or recycle systems.

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:
adequate water supply and draining or recycling arrangements to operate water-based fire-suppression systems
operational water-based fire-suppression systems
pictures and cut-away sections of control assemblies and valves to show operation.
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:
CPCPFS3041A Inspect and test fire pumpsets
CPCPFS3042A Conduct annual functional testing of complex water-based fire-suppression systems
CPCPFS3043A Conduct functional water flow testing.