Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 6:49 AM AWST
23/07/2026 6:49 AM 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.
Operate breathing apparatus open circuit
Operate breathing apparatus open circuit
Unit of competency
National Code
PUAFIR207B
PUAFIR207B
State Code
D3768
D3768
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Transition (Replaced)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
07/11/2014
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
07/11/2014
Nominal Hours
16
Description
This unit covers the competency required to select, don, operate and maintain breathing apparatus equipment in an irrespirable atmosphere. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Conduct pre-donning checks and tests on breathing apparatus
- 1.1 Breathing apparatus is inspected for immediate use in accordance with the organisation's procedures
- 1.2 Faulty or damaged equipment is reported and recorded in accordance with the organisation's procedures
2. Don and check breathing apparatus
- 2.1 Breathing apparatus is donned in accordance with the organisation's procedures
- 2.2 Breathing apparatus is started and checked in accordance with organisational procedures
- 2.3 Breathing apparatus control procedures are followed in accordance with the organisation's procedures
- 2.4 Ancillary equipment required for the task is selected for use
3. Operate breathing apparatus
- 3.1 Hazards are identified, monitored and controlled in accordance with the organisation's procedures
- 3.2 Communication is established and maintained with members and other appropriate personnel throughout the activity
- 3.3 Activities are undertaken as a member of a team, demonstrating effective application of breathing apparatus in accordance with the organisation's procedures
- 3.4 Entrapmentprocedures are implemented in accordance with the organisation's procedures
- 3.5 Personal safety is maintained at all times
4. Conclude operations
- 4.1 Breathing apparatus set is closed down in accordance with organisational procedures
- 4.2 Breathing apparatus set is removed in accordance with the organisation's procedures
- 4.3 After use cleaning and maintenance of breathing apparatus is undertaken in accordance with the organisation's procedures
- 4.4 Equipment is made ready for operational use 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.
Types of breathing apparatus must include:
open circuit
and may also include:
airline equipment
escape sets
Breathing apparatus is inspected must include:
ancillary equipment
cylinder pressure
integrity of air flow system
integrity of components
serviceability of components
Breathing apparatus control procedures must include:
principles of breathing apparatus control
organisational procedures
stage 1 (one entry point)
stage 2 (multiple entry points)
entry/exit control point
entry/exit control officer
timing device
Breathing apparatus control equipment must include:
control boards
breathing apparatus set tallies
entry control officer identification
guideline and branch line tallies
procedures
personal lines
Hazards must include:
disorientation in smoke/darkness or confinement
entrapment
exhaustion of air supply (regular gauge monitoring)
failure to maintain a face seal
fire
malfunction of equipment
manual handling
structural hazards and/or hazardous materials
Communications must include:
distress signal unit
portable radio
and may also include:
communications sets
hand signals
signal lines
Entrapment procedures must include:
activating the distress signal unit
calling for assistance
ceasing all strenuous activity
relocating to safest available place
remaining calm
Types of breathing apparatus must include:
open circuit
and may also include:
airline equipment
escape sets
Breathing apparatus is inspected must include:
ancillary equipment
cylinder pressure
integrity of air flow system
integrity of components
serviceability of components
Breathing apparatus control procedures must include:
principles of breathing apparatus control
organisational procedures
stage 1 (one entry point)
stage 2 (multiple entry points)
entry/exit control point
entry/exit control officer
timing device
Breathing apparatus control equipment must include:
control boards
breathing apparatus set tallies
entry control officer identification
guideline and branch line tallies
procedures
personal lines
Hazards must include:
disorientation in smoke/darkness or confinement
entrapment
exhaustion of air supply (regular gauge monitoring)
failure to maintain a face seal
fire
malfunction of equipment
manual handling
structural hazards and/or hazardous materials
Communications must include:
distress signal unit
portable radio
and may also include:
communications sets
hand signals
signal lines
Entrapment procedures must include:
activating the distress signal unit
calling for assistance
ceasing all strenuous activity
relocating to safest available place
remaining calm
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:
comply with relevant Australian Standards /New Zealand Standards (AS/NZS) such as AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment and AS/NZS 1716:2003 Respiratory protective devices
appropriately conduct pre-donning tests
correctly don breathing apparatus
operate breathing apparatus
move in conditions of reduced visibility
implement breathing apparatus emergency procedures
follow organisational procedures
correctly remove breathing apparatus
return breathing apparatus to operational status
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 range of simulated environments.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
range of controlled or simulated scenarios
breathing apparatus and associated equipment
Method of assessment
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 industry-approved simulated workor 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:
comply with relevant Australian Standards /New Zealand Standards (AS/NZS) such as AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment and AS/NZS 1716:2003 Respiratory protective devices
appropriately conduct pre-donning tests
correctly don breathing apparatus
operate breathing apparatus
move in conditions of reduced visibility
implement breathing apparatus emergency procedures
follow organisational procedures
correctly remove breathing apparatus
return breathing apparatus to operational status
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 range of simulated environments.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
range of controlled or simulated scenarios
breathing apparatus and associated equipment
Method of assessment
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 industry-approved simulated workor 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| C3829 | PUAFIR207A | Operate breathing apparatus open circuit | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAY98 | PUAFIR207 | Operate breathing apparatus open circuit | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J679 | RII30713 | Certificate III in Mine Emergency Response and Rescue | Qualification |
| AZD6 | RII30715 | Certificate III in Mine Emergency Response and Rescue | Qualification |
| J522 | PUA20613 | Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations) | Qualification |
| C167 | PUA20601 | Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations) | Qualification |
| J523 | PUA20713 | Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations) | Qualification |