This unit has been developed by AIRAH and Superior Training Centre. The unit involves the skills and knowledge required to inspect, test and repair all safety measures relating to fire and smoke control features of mechanical services systems.

On the 9th of November 2023 FPA Australia received formal approval from the NSW Department of Customer Service for a Certificate III Pathway for the four mechanical fire safety assessment measures, encompassing fire dampers, smoke dampers, smoke and heat vents and mechanical air handling. This alternative pathway is a result of collaborative efforts with the air-conditioning and mechanical industry reflecting FPA Australia’s dedication to industry engagement and consultation. 

The Certificate III Pathway requires the applicant to hold any Certificate III level qualifications or higher in the fields of engineering, construction, plumbing, electrical, fire safety or air conditioning, plus the following specified units of competency:

1) BSBOPS304 Deliver and monitor a service to customers

2) CPPFES2004 Identify and report on types of installed fire safety equipment and systems

3) PUAFIR403 Assess building plans

4) PUAFIR507 Inspect building fire safety systems

5) *UEERA0098 Inspect, test and repair fire and smoke control features of mechanical services systems 

*UEERA0098 – has two required prerequisites, UEECD0007 Apply work health and safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace and UEERA0051 Install, commission, service and maintain air conditioning systems. If you don’t already hold a Certificate III in air conditioning and refrigeration it may be difficult to meet the pre requisite requirements of this unit. 

Superior Training Centre can deliver the UEERA0098 unit individually with online delivery. The remaining units can be delivered by FPA Australia, or you can visit training.gov.au to find a list of RTO’s that can deliver each required unit. 

Please be advised, if you hold other measures as well as the mechanical you may be required to complete additional units depending on the requirements for those measures. If  you hold level 2 measures you will still be required to complete the Diploma pathway. 

Mechanical services refers to equipment required to operate or switch off as an active part of a building’s fire and smoke hazard management system, not limited to the following: vents and dampers including fire, smoke and air dampers, smoke and heat vents, motorised relief openings, windows and shutters, and outdoor intakes; fire and smoke curtains; exhaust systems, including kitchen exhaust systems; fire fan control panel and fire indicator panel; fire isolated exit pressurisation systems; smoke exhaust systems; system shutdown; and smoke reservoirs.

It includes relevant Australian Standards and Building Code responsibilities and statutory requirements of building owners, contractors and service technicians related to fire and smoke control features of mechanical services systems.

This unit is suitable for trade and post trade training in the refrigeration and air conditioning sectors.

Although this unit does not include designing systems, it includes understanding the different types of systems and their installation, relevant parts of the associated Australian Standards, the Building Code of Australia and Building Regulations.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit require a licence or permit to practice in the workplace where work is carried out on electrical installations which are designed to operate at voltages greater than 50 V alternating current (a.c.) or 120 V direct current (d.c.).

Competency development activities in this unit are subject to regulations directly related to licensing.

Additional licences, permits and/or other conditions may apply in some jurisdictions subject to regulations related to fire and smoke control features of mechanical services systems work. Practice in the workplace and during training is also subject to work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations.

Permits may also be required for some work environments, such as confined spaces, working aloft, near live electrical apparatus and site rehabilitation.