This 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.

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. Refer to the UEE Electrotechnology Companion Volume Implementation Guide for a list of Standards relevant to this unit.

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. Where a licence or permit to practice is not held, skills and knowledge described in this unit require a relevant contract of training, such as an Australian Apprenticeship.

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.