Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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.
Fire-rated systems include:
all fire systems are to be certified in a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) approved laboratory
quality assurance of fire-rated lining systems covers walls, ceilings, openings, penetrations, air handling, structural encasement, escape systems, mechanical service shafts and relief joints
quality assurance processes are to include detail of responsibilities, types of certification and essential aspects of inspection, recording and reporting procedures
worksheets are to include work area sheets, inspection plans and non-conformance sheets or equivalent
fire technology includes:
effect and movement of smoke and combustion products
fire triangle
flash over
fire resistance levels and resistance to incipient spread of fire
char factors (timber framing)
fire resistance level (FRL) covers the grading period in minutes determined in accordance with the specification for structural adequacy, integrity and insulation
resistance to incipient spread of fire (RISF) covers the ability of a ceiling membrane to insulate the space between the ceiling and the roof, or ceiling and floor above, to limit the temperature rise of combustibles in this space during the standard fire test to 180C above the initial temperature, expressed in terms of 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes resistance.
Safety (OHS) is to be in accordance with state and territory legislation and regulations and project safety plan and may include:
emergency procedures, including extinguishing fires, organisational first aid requirements and evacuation
handling activities that may require the assistance of others or the use of manual or mechanical lifting devices where size, weight or other issues, such as disability are a factor
hazard control
hazardous materials and substances
organisational first aid
personal protective equipment (PPE) prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices
safe operating procedures, including the conduct of operational risk assessment and treatments associated with:
lighting
power sources and leads
treatments associated with manual handling
trip hazards
working at heights
working in confined spaces
working in proximity to others
work site visitors and the public
use of firefighting equipment
use of tools and equipment
workplace environmental requirements and safety.
Tools and equipment include:
inspection support tools
measuring equipment.
Environmental protection requirements include:
acoustic conformance
waste management.
Authorised materials include:
fire compliant steel furring channel and suspension components
fire grade metal studs and track
fire grade plasterboard sheeting
fire sealants:
base compound coats
finishing coats
perforated paper tapes
vermiculite or equivalent product.
Relevant standards and codes include:
BCA
Australian standards AS1530, 1684 and 2785
documents detailing the responsibilities and authorities in relation to design, installation and supervision of fire-rated lining systems; they define and explain fire-rated protection, the principles of compartmentation, fire resistance levels, standard fire tests and the dangers of incompatible mix and match solutions.
Walls include:
acoustic capabilities:
double wall advantages for impact sound resistance
flanking
impact of live and/or dead slab
loads deflection
staggered stud
thermal expansion of stud in fire rated partitions
weighted sound reduction index (RW)
fire rated wall systems:
chase walls
D-stud walls
exterior walls
partition walls
shaft walls
staggered stud partitions
load and non-load bearing timber and steel types and related acoustic systems and components
partitions and components:
column and beam
exterior
high performance wall
inter-tenancy
shaft.
Ceilings include:
direct fix, furred and suspended ceilings
impact of excessive moisture on fire-rated ceiling materials
methods of ensuring compliance with incipient spread of fire requirements.
Openings include:
fire doors (steel and timber framed)
local strengthening of walls
rating and fitting of windows hatches and appropriate glass
treatment of door heads
types of fire doors, which may include single hinged, double hinged and sliding
types of fire-rated glass, which may include glaze, borosilicate drawn and heat-treated, clear ceramic and wire glass
types of hatches, which may include those tested for vertical or horizontal positioning.
Penetrations:
services include:
ducts for power and heating or cooling systems
metal and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plumbing in groups or singles
power outlets
types of service penetrations include:
baffles
encasement/enclosures and blocking systems
fire-rated box
springs
system integrity maintenance includes:
board
collars
impregnated foams
mastic
mortar
pillows
use of tested and approved intumescent seals.
Other special needs include:
fire escape systems, including escalators, fire tunnels and stairways
fire-rated air handling systems, including fire dampers, direct protection and insulation
fire-rated structural member encasement, which may be timber, steel or concrete and may be void or require filling.
Fasteners include:
30mm, 40mm or 50mm D type screws
30mm S type screws
30mm and 40mm L type screws
30mm and 45mm W type screws
30 mm, 40 mm, 50mm or 60mm plasterboard nails
metal masonry anchors
wafer head screws.
Appropriate authority includes:
statutory/regulatory authorities, including federal, state and local authorities administering the applicable Acts, regulations and codes of practice.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 inspecting a total fire-rated system and compiling a detailed report, or by selecting a total fire-rated system which complies with all codes and standards.
This unit of competency can be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, provided that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate construction workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.
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:
locate, interpret and apply relevant information, standards and specifications
comply with site safety plan and OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice applicable to workplace operations
comply with organisational policies and procedures, including quality requirements
inspect and report on, or select, a total fire-rated system that complies with all codes and standards and covers, at a minimum, a commercial multi-floor site involving compartmentation, plant rooms, access ladders, escalators, lifts, shafts, columns and beams
communicate effectively and work safely with others.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.
Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.
Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.
Resource implications for assessment include:
workplace location or simulated workplace
materials relevant to the quality assurance of fire-rated lining systems
tools and equipment appropriate to the quality assurance of fire-rated lining systems
realistic activities covering the mandatory task requirements
specifications, plans, building codes, Australian standards and work instructions.
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.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must:
satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and 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.
Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:
competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge
all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.
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.
Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.