Fire Protection, Inspection and Testing Qualifications Forums Presenters: Jeremy Rose (Artibus Innovation) Chris Wyborn (FPA Australia)
Welcome Agenda New arrangements for training package development Business case and drivers for change New Qualifications, units and skill sets Feedback process Q&A
Training Package Development Structure and Governance New model and new standards Industry at the forefront AISC and IRC Skill Service Organisations Artibus support IRC and Optimise training packages 2012 standards strengthen assessment and streamline training packages
Enable New Arrangements for Training Product Development From 1 January 2016 VET Advisory Board Commonwealth Assistant Minister for Education & Training COAG Industry & Skills Council State/Territory Ministers for Industry & Skills Governance Arrangements Skills Senior Officials Network (SSON) Commonwealth Dept. of Education & Training State/Territory Depts. of Education & Training Oversees & supports training product development process Australian Industry & Skills Committee (AISC) Advises Ministers on the implementation of national training policies and provides direction on research priorities across the VET sector Prioritises, schedules, quality assures & endorses training product development Provides advice on training provider and regulator standards Coordinates industry engagement through COAG Industry & Skills Council meetings Drives Employers & their representatives / peak bodies Skills Service Organisations (SSOs) Provide support & related services to IRCs Industry Reference Committees (IRCs) Forum for industry engagement & feedback on industry trends Determine industry need for & oversight of training product development Voluntary committees representing all business sizes Input to Training Package Development Employees & their representatives / unions Commonwealth, State & Territory Governments (including licencing and regulatory bodies) Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) Students Publicly available at www.training.gov.au General Public
Training Package Development arrangements Skills Forecast CPSISC legacy projects Transition to new Standards
Business Case Review of two Fire Protection, Inspection and Testing qualifications in the CPP Property Services Training Package: CPP20511 Certificate II Fire, Protection, Inspection and Testing; and CPP30811 Certificate III - Fire, Protection, Inspection and Testing
Objectives and Outputs To identify and where required develop, units of competency to cover the routine service and inspection of every fire safety related essential safety measure identified by state and territory governments. To ensure that qualifications / skill sets reflect the needs of all stakeholders involved in the routine service / inspection of fire safety related essential safety measures including fire protection companies, building owners and occupiers and their agents and regulators / licensing bodies. To identify the skills and knowledge required by individuals responsible for performing routine service / inspection of fire safety related essential safety measures to ensure such measures continue to perform to a level that is commensurate with community expectations.
Objectives and Outputs Develop qualifications and where applicable skill sets that reflect the current and future job roles performed by individuals undertaking routine service / inspection of fire safety related essential safety measures. To ensure that appropriate Units of Competency within the reviewed qualifications reflect the skills and knowledge required to perform routine service / inspection that is commensurate with the: The complexity of the tasks / actions to be performed; and The risk to community safety that could arise if the essential safety measure failed to perform in accordance with its intended design. To upgrade existing units of competency identified to be retained within the revised qualifications to the 2012 Standards for Training Packages. To establish qualifications, skills sets and packaging requirements that supports industry, provides appropriate recognition of individuals undertaking these vital services and supports government to implement systems for accreditation / licensing of individuals involved in the routine service / inspection of fire related essential safety measures.
Development Process Stage 1 Determine Scope of Qualifications Stage 2 Assessment of skill and risk associated with routine service and inspection of safety measures Stage 3 Identification of deficiencies in current training package Stage 4 CPSISC stakeholder review findings and recommendations Stage 5 Unit Development Plan Stage 6 Qualification and Skill Set Development
Stage 1 - Scope of qualifications Building construction and occupancy Construction Stage - prior to occupancy approval Design Install Commission System Certification Occupancy Stage - Post construction Routine Service Rectification Maintenance Annual Assessment
Stage 2 Assessment of skill and risk associated with Routine Service An assessment of skill, knowledge, complexity and consequence of failure was undertaken for a range of Safety Measures. Safety Measure is a generic term used to identify fire protection systems and equipment and other provisions designed to protect people from illness, injury and loss of amenity. Up until 2014 they were listed in Part I of the BCA. Each state and territory maintains its own list and often uses a different term, for example: Directors Specified List in Tasmania refers to Essential Safety and Health Features / Measures Ministers Specification SA76 in South Australia refers to Essential Safety Provisions MP6.1 in Queensland refers to Prescribed Fire Safety Installations NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation refers to Essential Fire Safety Measures
Stage 2 Assessment of skill and risk associated with Routine Service Four criteria were used to assess the complexity and consequences associated with each measure and determine the proposed AQF level 1. Skills and knowledge to undertake routine service requires limited judgement and is performed in structured and stable contexts and within narrow parameters. 2. Skills and knowledge to undertake routine service requires the application of judgement to determine performance and the application of limited responsibility in known and stable contexts. 3. Type of system /equipment varies widely from site to site requiring a high level of skills and knowledge to undertake routine service. 4. The impact on community safety in the event of failure of the system or equipment is high, medium or low
Stage 2 Assessment of skill and risk associated with Routine Service
Stage 3 - Identifying Deficiencies in Training Package Identified all Safety Measures referenced in BCA and state and territory regulatory documents Identified prescribed service regime / methodology (where available) Identified all required service or inspection intervals Matched existing Units of Competency to each prescribed frequency Identified preferred pathway to address gaps in current training package
Analysis and decision making
Safety Measures not covered by current training package Fire hazard properties Fire windows & glazing Solid core doors Proscenium walls / curtains Paths of travel to exits Discharge from exits Exits - including stairways, ramps and handrails associated with exits Smoke lobbies to fire-isolated exits Doors in a required exit or path of travel to exit Signs warning against use of lifts Signs required on doors, in alpine areas, alerting people that they open inwards Standby power supply system Open space around buildings Fire order notices required in alpine areas Water Storage Tanks for Fire Protection Fire control centres (or rooms) Smoke hazard management systems Carpark mechanical ventilation system Atrium smoke control system Smoke and heat alarm system Stretcher facilities in lifts Emergency lifts Passenger lift fire service controls Bushfire protection measures Classification and use of building Occupancy hazard Emergency Planning in Facilities Vehicular access around buildings
Stage 4 - CPSISC stakeholder review findings and recommendations Several comments received recommending a Certificate III should apply to routine service activities Certificate II qualification should only apply to less complex equipment Qualifications and units need to consider that fire technicians generally work autonomously, require detailed knowledge of different fire systems in a wide range of environments More skill sets are required (several comments)
Stage 4 - CPSISC stakeholder review findings and recommendations Split or restructure CPPFES2027A and CPPFES3042 into different units covering different types of systems Qualifications should include additional areas such as: water supplies installation, installation standards, system performance requirements, NCC/BCA requirements for building classifications, pumpset installation methodologies and performance requirements, complex report writing, fault diagnosis Develop units on routine service of mechanical smoke exhaust systems, air pressurisation systems and smoke control systems
Stage 5 Unit Development Plan Outcomes from training package deficiency analysis Outcomes from CPSISC Stakeholder Review including detailed analysis at unit level Analysis of industry and stakeholder feedback from Business Case Alignment with project objectives Input from TAG members Iterative process that developed over several months to arrive at the final draft
Stage 5 Unit Development Plan
Stage 6 - Qualification and Skill Set Development Tightening the assessment requirements and evidence for all units Focus on regulatory compliance Section 1 AS1851 including baseline data Working in a regulated environment Enhanced flexibility and expansion of skills and knowledge Coverage expanded to the majority of Safety Measures Career pathway options improved
Key Developments and Changes Workplace Health and Safety Developed a new unit specifically focussed on WHS related to routine service and building inspections. The unit is a core unit in both qualifications. CPPFES2003A Safely move loads and dangerous goods has been modified to be specific to the handling of gaseous containers. Imported specific manual handling unit TLID1001 Shift materials safely using manual handling methods
Key Developments and Changes Administrative and Regulatory Compliance Significantly enhanced focus on regulatory compliance including the administrative requirements from AS1851 and the regulatory obligations of owners and occupiers Core unit in both qualifications that covers the majority of Section 1 of AS1851 Core unit in Certificate III that covers development of service schedules and completion of service records and yearly condition reports Elective unit in Certificate III that covers the regulatory requirements to undertake routine service and inspect safety measures and the reporting obligations of owners and occupiers
Key Developments and Changes Customer Service and Organisational Skills Core units in both Certificate II and III that cover customer service (BSB units) Core units in both Certificate II and Certificate III that cover organising work activities and organising personal work priorities and development Elective unit in Certificate II on working effectively with others Elective unit in Certificate II on carrying out a vehicle inspection
Key Developments and Changes Water Based Fire Protection Systems Modified existing unit on the annual testing of fire sprinkler systems. Enhanced the evidence requirements and relocated survey functions to a new unit Three new flow testing units, that replace the single flow testing unit in the current package. The new units cover: Flow testing using fixed flow measuring devices Flow testing using portable flow measuring devices Specific unit on flow testing using externally mounted ultrasonic flow meters
Key Developments and Changes Water Based Fire Protection Systems New unit to cover routine service of atmospheric water supply tanks used for fire protection Existing fire hydrant unit has been modified and the survey function moved to a new specific unit Monthly and six-monthly routine service of sprinklers and pumpsets requires further review as the units proposed to be drawn in from the Construction, Plumbing and Services training package cannot be drawn in in their current form New unit on conducting routine service of fixed foam-generating equipment
Changes to Sprinkler Systems Current Proposed Sprinklers Up to 6 Monthly Sprinklers Up to 6 Monthly Pumpsets Up to 6 Monthly Sprinklers Annual Flow Testing Sprinklers & Hydrants Pumpsets Up to 6 Monthly Sprinklers Annual Flow Testing Fixed Devices (Sprinklers) Sprinklers Survey Flow Testing Using Ultrasonic New Skill Set Water Storage Tank Annual
Changes to Hydrant Systems Current Proposed Hydrants Up to Annual Hydrants Up to Annual Hydrants Survey Pumpsets Up to 6 Monthly Flow Testing Sprinklers & Hydrants Pumpsets Up to 6 Monthly Flow Testing Portable Devices (Hydrants) Flow Testing Using Ultrasonic Water Storage Tank Annual New Skill Set
Key Developments and Changes Detection and Warning Systems New unit to cover up to and including annual routine service of emergency warning and intercommunication systems. Content removed from fire detection unit (2029) New unit to cover five-yearly routine service of fire detection and alarm systems and emergency warning systems including speech intelligibility and sensitivity testing of detectors New unit to cover battery capacity testing as per Appendix F of AS1851 New unit to cover routine service and installation of smoke and heat alarms. Installation restricted to battery operated devices.
Key Developments and Changes Pre-engineered systems Routine service of pre-engineered systems has been split into two units. One for fixed installations in buildings and one for vehicular systems Adapt, install and commission pre-engineered systems has been split into two units. One for cooking equipment and one for vehicular systems
Key Developments and Changes Portable equipment and hose reels Replacement and repair of hose reels downstream of stop valve removed from routine service unit and relocated to new unit Inspect, test and maintain fire extinguishers (Unit 2021) has been modified to make it clear that unit only applies to recharging and hydrostatic testing. New unit on conducting routine service of fire hose reel pumpsets
Key Developments and Changes Passive fire protection Existing inspection unit split into two units, one for fire and smoke stopping products and one for fire proofing materials and systems Existing install passive fire and smoke containment systems has been modified to only include installation and certification of fire and smoke stopping products and systems New unit on routine service of fire shutters and curtains New unit on routine service of fire windows
Key Developments and Changes Building Fire Safety New unit covers the inspection and verification of fire hazard properties of building linings, materials, assemblies and finishes New unit on the inspection and verification of means of egress from buildings A new unit that covers inspection and verification of fire control centres, perimeter vehicle access and open space around buildings A new unit on the inspection and testing of a facilities Emergency Plan specifically the critical evacuation elements
Key Developments and Changes General improvements and modifications to units New unit on the preparation and coordination of the systems interface test in accordance with Appendix D of AS1851 New unit on sourcing, extracting and interpreting baseline data Unit on identifying fire safety equipment and systems includes content on principles of fire, previously included in unit 2005 Old unit 2005 (Demonstrate first attack firefighting equipment) no longer a core unit Old unit 2006 (Prepare for installation and servicing operations) deleted. Content moved to the new WHS unit and to the unit on installing portable fire extinguishers etc.. (old unit 2011)
Treatment of Safety Measures in draft proposal Safety Measure Included Safety Measure Included Fire hazard properties Yes (new) Fire order notices required in alpine areas Yes (new) Fire windows & glazing Yes (new) Water Storage Tanks for Fire Protection Yes (new) Solid core doors Yes (amend) Fire control centres (or rooms) Yes (new) Proscenium walls / curtains Yes (amend) Smoke hazard management systems No (deferred) Paths of travel to exits Yes (new) Carpark mechanical ventilation system No (deferred) Discharge from exits Yes (new) Atrium smoke control system No (deferred) Exits - including stairways, ramps and handrails associated with exits Yes (new) Smoke and heat alarm system Yes (new) Smoke lobbies to fire-isolated exits Yes (new) Stretcher facilities in lifts No (deferred) Doors in a required exit or path of travel to exit Yes (new) Emergency lifts No (deferred) Signs warning against use of lifts Yes (new) Passenger lift fire service controls No (deferred) Signs required on doors, in alpine areas, alerting people that they open inwards Yes (new)
Treatment of Safety Measures in draft proposal Safety Measure Included Safety Measure Included Standby power supply system No (deferred) Bushfire protection measures No (deferred) Open space around buildings Yes (new) Classification and use of building No (deferred) Vehicular access around buildings Yes (new) Occupancy hazard No (deferred) Emergency Planning in Facilities Yes (new)
Qualifications and Skill Sets Certificate II in Fire Protection and Safety Measures (Routine Service) Certificate III in Fire Protection and Safety Measures (Routine Service) Eighteen Skill Sets (including 5 skill sets for EAHL Licensing) 61 units in total across the two qualifications, compared with 48 units in the current qualifications
Unit development breakdown 3 units deleted completely. 6 units deleted and replaced with new units 19 units developed excluding those replacing deleted units 11 units replaced with updated version of the same unit 4 new units imported from other training packages and 11 imported units replaced with updated version of the same unit 15 units transitioned to new standards with content generally retained 8 units transitioned to new standards with content modified 10 new units created after splitting content from 5 existing units
Certificate II Entry level qualification primarily for technicians undertaking routine service of: Extinguishers, Hose Reels and Blankets Gaseous fire suppression systems Non gaseous pre-engineered systems Single point emergency lighting and exit signs Smoke and Heat Alarms Emergency Planning in Facilities
Certificate II Packaging Rules To achieve a qualification, competency must be demonstrated in 9 units of competency: 5 core units 4 elective units The elective units are to be chosen as follows: up to 4 elective units may be chosen from Group A (Technical units) up to 1 elective unit may be chosen from Group B (Non technical units) up to 4 elective units may be chosen from Group A (Technical units) in Certificate III in Fire Protection and Safety Measures (Routine Service)
Certificate III Senior technician level qualification that covers skill sets for: Building fire safety inspections Fire detection, alarm and warning systems Fire hydrant systems Fire sprinkler systems Passive fire and smoke systems Team leader
Certificate III Packaging Rules To achieve a qualification, competency must be demonstrated in 14 units of competency: 7 core units 7 elective units The elective units are to be chosen as follows: A minimum of 4 elective units must be chosen from Group A (Technical units) up to 2 elective units may be chosen from Group B (Non technical units) or from other Certificate III or IV qualifications in Property Services, Construction Plumbing and Services or Electrotechnology training packages up to 2 elective units may be chosen from Certificate II in Fire Protection and Safety Measures (Routine Service)
Skill Sets 18 Skill Sets proposed linked to licensing requirements and job roles / outcomes 5 skill sets related to Extinguishing Agent Handling Licences (EAHL) 10 skill sets related to routine service of fire protection systems and equipment is generally aligned with current licensing and accreditation schemes 2 skill sets related to building fire safety inspections 1 skill set for Team Leader job role
Skill Sets Common units contained in the majority of the fire protection equipment and systems related skill sets includes: Deliver a service to customers Organise and complete daily work activities Identify types of installed fire safety equipment and systems Apply administrative and record keeping requirements Apply Work Health and Safety requirements EAHL related skills sets have been affected by the movement of content across units, however there is limited impact on the skills and knowledge required to attain a skill set related to each respective EAHL licence.
The look and feel of a new UoC Key changes in 2012 Standards Performance Evidence Performance Criteria Knowledge Evidence Assessment Conditions Foundation Skills
How to provide feedback Qualification and Skill Set feedback form (on your tables) Online Survey www. Qualification Units General Feedback. Email Jeremy@
Q&A Qualification structure and a AQF alignment Core and elective options and streams Skills sets General questions
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