Test the operational performance of mechanical fire protection
Overview
This standard is aimed at those who install mechanical fire protection systems, and sets out the skills, knowledge and understanding for you to test and maintain the operational performance of a mechanical fire protection system. This will involve you diagnosing and rectifying faults, returning the system to working order and signposting any modification work that requires to be taken once the testing is complete.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1. *agree testing arrangements with clients and any relevant third parties *
P2. * *check that test apparatus is working properly and is calibrated before starting tests
P3.* * establish if the mechanical fire protection system is integrated with other systems incorporating any incoming and onward signals
P4.* * test that any incoming and onward signals are functional
P5.* * schedule and carry out testing activities at times that are convenient to clients
P6.* * carry out required testing in line with agreed schedules, current relevant legislation and regulations, industry standard guidelines, your organisation's quality management procedures and health and safety codes of practice
P7.* * record the results of testing activities, following your organisation's recording methods and procedures
P8. report details of actual or potential deterioration in system performance to the relevant responsible person
P9.* * undertake a hazard review to evaluate and report any changes impacting the effectiveness of the installed system
P10.* * report any changes to the client's use and purpose to the site
*P11. *follow your organisation's procedures when responding to notification of faults with the installed system
*P12. *obtain help to diagnose causes of unsatisfactory performance from appropriate persons for matters outside the parameters of your responsibilities
*P16. *record details of proposals offered and corrective actions to be taken
*P17. *inform clients of the nature of the fault and proposed corrective actions
P18.* * obtain any necessary authorisation needed in order to effect the corrective action
P19.* *give clients sufficient details of any reduction of system integrity during testing actions to enable suitable contingency arrangements to be made
P20. carry out corrective action relevant to your role and check that corrective actions to restore operational performance of the system have been completed by those responsible for these tasks.
P21. confirm that all appropriate records required by your organisation are complete, accurate and have been confirmed as accurate
P22. comply with relevant health and safety requirements
*P23. *remove any replaced components from the client's premises in line with approved procedures
P24. carry out tests to confirm the integrity of the corrective action taken in accordance with the relevant health and safety codes of practice
*P25. *check that all maintenance records required by your organisation are complete, accurate and passed to the relevant person before confirming to the client that the system is operational.
P26. check for any changes which may influence the effectiveness of the system
P27. prepare proposals for modifications that are required to maintain the effectiveness of the existing system which meet the relevant regulations and health and safety codes of practice
*P28. *present proposals for mechanical fire protection system modifications to the client
P29. obtain authorisation for modifications to the systems from appropriate persons in line with your organisation's procedures
*P30. *implement authorised changes to the systems
*P31. *carry out testing and commissioning of any modifications made
P32. provide clients with instructions and demonstrations pertinent to any changes made to the system
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1. *the manufacturer's instructions and relevant organisational guidelines for carrying out tests and maintenance procedures *
*K2. *what specific components are to be tested
K3. why you may need to identify the presence of an electrical supply, and how it can be isolated safely
*K4. *how to interpret test results
*K5. *the communication protocols to discuss and agree work activities that are mutually acceptable to you and clients
*K6. *changes in sites that may impact on the effectiveness of the installed system
K7. * *the principles of operation of the system being tested, including the expected results of the tests you carry out
*K8. *why it is important to obtain sufficient information about system performance before starting to identify unsatisfactory performance
*K9. *how to confirm whether systems and their performance meet the required operational specification
*K10. *the limits of your authority and responsibility in taking direct action to deal with systems that do not meet operational requirement
*K11. *how to discuss and negotiate fault finding arrangements with clients, including the likelihood of any potential disruptions
*K12. *what actions you can take to minimise disruption to the client and third parties
*K13. *the anticipated issues that may arise and the action you would need to take to deal with them during corrective action operations
*K14. *the processes and procedures you must use to bring systems back into operation, and why you must apply them
*K15. *what documentation you are required to complete
*K16. *why it is important to record details of unsatisfactory performance of systems
*K17. *the action you must take to make the system safe
*K18. *what corrective actions you are authorised to take, and how to carry them out
*K19. *what information you must give clients or users about the corrective actions you have carried out
K20. how system performance can be affected by operational changes
K21. any associated systems and services that relate to the installed system
K22. records that you are required to complete, timescales for completion and who should be in receipt of completed documentation
*K23. *how and why it is important to determine client requirements when preparing modifications to clients' installed systems
*K24. *how and why it is important to identify and record factors that may impact on the proposed modification
K25. the importance of having sufficient valid, accurate and up to date source information on which to base proposals for modifications
K26. how to negotiate and present proposals for modifications to clients
*K27. *why it is important to maintain positive and professional relationships with clients, including confirming what post-modification support is available to them
K28. what you must do to ensure that the modification is ready to be demonstrated and handed over to clients, including what documentation is needed
K29. how to give instructions and demonstrations in a supportive, positive, logical and methodical manner
K30. current relevant legislation and regulations, industry standard guidelines, your organisation's quality management procedures and health and safety codes of practice relating to installed systems
K31. appropriate testing methods and procedures
K32. why it is important to make sure that test equipment is working properly, and calibrated where necessary
K33. how to record accurate details of test results and maintenance activities
K34. who should be in receipt of information relating to the outcome of testing and maintenance activities
K35. the relationship between types of fire and appropriate extinguishing mediums
K36. characteristics of different environments to which the mechanical fire protection system is being provided
K37. the requirements of different fire certification bodies and third-party certifications
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
associated systems and services: equipment that can be part of the mechanical fire protection system such as pumps, water supply, detection panel, and alarms
reduction: a condition which stops the mechanical fire system operating to its maximum potential
maintenance activities: scheduled and non-scheduled maintenance visits and fault-finding procedures
mechanical fire protection system: a non-electrical device used for fire protection such as, sprinklers; gas systems; water mist and powder; foam and chemical systems; dry and wet risers; fire mains. This will incorporate the electrical systems required to operate the mechanical fire protection system.
reduction of system integrity: an occasion when the mechanical fire protection system is not covering the stated fire rating risk assessment
designated responsible person: could include, but not limited to, duty holder; building management; fire marshal/warden; maintenance engineer