This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to select, don, operate and maintain breathing apparatus equipment in a hazardous atmosphere. It includes conducting pre-donning checks and tests of breathing apparatus; donning and checking of breathing apparatus; operating breathing apparatus and concluding breathing apparatus operations.

The unit applies to personnel who work as a member of a team. Work at this level is undertaken under direct supervision and instruction.

The fire sector is those sections of government departments, statutory authorities or organisations that have responsibility under jurisdictional arrangements for the delivery of firefighting and fire management services.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Conduct pre-donning checks and tests on breathing apparatus

1.1

Breathing apparatus is inspected for immediate use, in accordance with the organisational procedures

1.2

Faulty or damaged equipment is reported and recorded, in accordance with the organisational procedures

2

Don and check breathing apparatus

2.1

Breathing apparatus is donned, in accordance with the organisational procedures

2.2

Breathing apparatus is started and checked, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.3

Ancillary equipment required for tasks is selected for use

3

Operate breathing apparatus

3.1

Hazards are identified, monitored and controlled, in accordance with the organisational procedures

3.2

Communication is established and maintained with team members and other appropriate personnel throughout activity

3.3

Response activities are undertaken as a member of a team, demonstrating effective application of breathing apparatus, in accordance with the organisational procedures

3.4

Breathing apparatus control procedures are followed, in accordance with the organisational procedures

3.5

Entrapment procedures are implemented, in accordance with the organisational procedures

3.6

Personal safety is maintained, in accordance with organisational procedures

4

Conclude operations

4.1

Breathing apparatus set is shut down, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.2

Breathing apparatus set is removed, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.3

Cleaning and maintenance of breathing apparatus is undertaken, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.4

Equipment is made ready for operational use, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.5

Participating in debriefing sessions

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

type of breathing apparatus must include

open circuit

breathing apparatus is inspected must include

ancillary equipment

cylinder pressure

integrity of air flow system

serviceability and integrity of components

breathing apparatus control procedures must include

entry or exit control officer

entry or exit control point

organisational procedures

principles of breathing apparatus control

stage one (one entry point) and stage two (multiple entry points)

timing device

breathing apparatus control equipment must include

breathing apparatus set tallies

control boards

entry control officer identification

guideline and branch line tallies

personal lines

procedures

hazards must include

disorientation in smoke/darkness or confinement

entrapment

exhaustion of air supply (regular gauge monitoring)

failure to maintain a face seal

fire

hazardous atmospheres

malfunction of equipment

manual handling

structural hazards and/or hazardous materials

communications must include

communications sets

distress signal unit

hand signals

portable radio

signal lines

entrapment procedures must include

activating the distress signal unit

calling for assistance

ceasing all strenuous activity

operating breathing apparatus

relocating to safest available place

remaining calm

Fire

Fire