Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Certificate in Fire Protection Systems Technology (Testing)
(Level 3)
Version
1
Qualification type
Certificate
Level
3
Credits
150
NZSCED
1730
Engineering and Related Technologies > Other Engineering and
Related Technologies > Fire Technology and Rescue Services
DAS classification
1351
Engineering and Technology > Mechanical Engineering > Fixed
Fire Protection Systems
Qualification developer
Competenz
Next review
December 2019
Approval date
Dd Mmmm YYYY
Strategic purpose statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the Fire Protection
industry with individuals (Testers) who will be able to test active
fire protection systems in accordance with the New Zealand
Building Code, current Standards, regulations and ordinances,
and other internationally accepted standards.
Graduate profile
*Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
- Perform routine testing of fire protection systems (fire detection
and alarm systems and fixed fire protection systems) in
accordance with instructions, the New Zealand Building Code,
current Standards, regulations and ordinances, and other
internationally accepted standards.
- Prepare, distribute and retain appropriate records and reports in
accordance with company procedures, the New Zealand
Building Code, current Standards regulations and ordinances,
and other internationally accepted Standards.
- Identify and report on any deficiencies that impair performance
of the fire protection systems.
- Identify hazards and ensure that safety is maintained on and
around the work site.
Outcome Statement
- Apply skills and knowledge relevant to the effective
performance of tasks relevant to their role within a team
environment.
Education pathway
This qualification may lead to the New Zealand Certificate in
Fixed Fire Protection Systems (Level 4) or New Zealand
Certificate in Passive Fire Protection Systems (Building Consent
Inspections and Means of Escape) (Level 4).
Employment pathway
*This is an entry level qualification to the Fire Protection industry.
On completion of this qualification graduates will be equipped to
work as testers of fire detection and alarm systems and fixed fire
protection systems. It also recognizes the achievement of
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relevant knowledge and skills of those who are already employed
in the sector.
Graduates may upgrade to a tradesman by completing the New
Zealand Certificate in Fire Detection and Alarm Systems (Level
4) [NQF Ref:0569] or the New Zealand Certificate in Fixed Fire
Protection Systems (Level 4) [NQF Ref: 0570].
Graduates who wish to become Inspectors by achieving the New
Zealand Certificate in Fire Protection Systems Technology (with
strands in Fire Detection and Alarm Systems and Fixed Fire
Protection Systems) (Level 4) [NQF Ref: 0864] would have
achieved some credits towards that qualification.
Qualification specifications
Qualification award
This qualification can be awarded by an organisation which
has an approved programme of study or industry training
programme leading to the qualification.
The certificate will display the logo of the NZQF and may
display the name and/or logo of the awarding body.
Arrangements for managing
consistency
Programme owners are responsible for ensuring the
consistency of assessment within their programmes and
must be able to demonstrate alignment with the outcomes of
the qualification.
The qualification developer will establish and maintain a
consistency management panel made up of relevant
stakeholders. This panel will meet annually or more
frequently if required, and will be responsible for:

Agreeing on an annual consistency plan

Agreeing on any actions required to address
inconsistency.
The annual plan will include relevant methodologies for
managing consistency which may include – portfolios of
evidence, benchmarking visits, graduate and employer
surveys, peer reviews, and moderation of assessment
standards. The qualification developer will action the plan
and report to the panel on findings.
The costs associated with managing consistency will be
shared by the participants in the process.
Competenz encourages on-going feedback from industry
and programme owners on the design and continued
relevance of this qualification and the programmes leading
to it. This feedback will inform future qualification reviews
and may also be used to guide the panel in setting portfolio
requirements.
Credit transfer and recognition of
prior learning arrangements
Organisations seeking approval to award the qualification
are expected to have RCC (Recognition of Current
Competencies) or RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning)
assessment processes in place.
Credit transfer will be automatic where assessment
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Standards are used for assessment within programmes of
study or training leading to this qualification.
Minimum standard of achievement
and standards for grade
endorsements
Achievement of all outcomes. There are no grade
endorsements for this qualification.
Entry requirements (including
prerequisites to meet regulatory body
or legislative requirements)
Entry is open however it is recommended candidates hold
the National Certificate in Educational Achievement (Level 2)
[Ref: 0973].
Qualification conditions
Overarching conditions relating to the qualification
Conditions for programme
This qualification will typically be achieved in a combination of on-job
structure
learning and assessments, and distant training mode (e-learning
and/or correspondence).
Conditions for programme
context
Should unit standards be specified in a programme of study or
industry training programme leading to this qualification, please
consult the explanatory notes section of the unit standards concerned,
as there may be legislative and health and safety requirements such
as the New Zealand Building Code, Industry Standards NZS 4541 and
NZS 4512, regulations and ordinances, and Territorial Authority bylaws in relation to the testing of active fire protection systems.
Other conditions
Each qualification outcome can be met by achieving the unit
standard(s) listed against it in the table below.
Qualification outcomes (include indicative credit values
Conditions
Mandatory
or
Optional
Conditions
Mandatory
or
Optional
for each outcome. Note when including indicative credits don’t
round up for each outcome if using standards – round the final
credit total)
Specific conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
1
Perform routine testing of fire protection
systems (fire detection and alarm systems
and fixed fire protection systems) in
accordance with instructions, the New
Zealand Building Code, current Standards,
regulations and ordinances, and other
internationally accepted Standards. (115
Credits)
This outcome may be demonstrated
through assessment against these
unit standards (or their
replacements): 57, 2395, 4432, 4433,
and 4647, 15845, 15847, 15851,
17729, 17730, 17731, 17732, 23258,
23259, 23262, 23263, and new unit
standard FPST1.
O
2
Prepare, distribute and retain appropriate
records and reports in accordance with
company procedures, the New Zealand
Building Code, current Standards.
(Regulations and ordinances, and other
This outcome may be demonstrated
through assessment against these
unit standards (or their
replacements): 17712, 23262, 23263,
and new unit standard FPST 1
O
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internationally accepted Standards. (10
Credits)
3
Identify and report on any deficiencies that
impair performance of the fire protection
systems. (15 Credits)
This outcome may be demonstrated
through assessment against these
unit standards (or their
replacements): 26422, 23262, 23263,
and new unit standard FPST 1, and
Passive
O
4
Identify hazards and ensure that safety is
maintained on and around the work site. (5
Credits)
This outcome may be demonstrated
through assessment against these
unit standards (or their
replacements): 497, 3271, 26551,
and26552
O
5
Apply skills and knowledge relevant to the
effective performance of tasks relevant to
their role within a team environment. (5
Credits)
This outcome may be demonstrated
through assessment against these
unit standards (or their
replacements): 57, 26422, 23262,
23263, and new unit standard
FPST1.
O
Transition information
Replacement information
This is a new qualification and does not replace any qualification.
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