Martin Kane of SITO looks at the new replacement for NVQ Level 3 covering installing, maintaining, commissioning and servicing
Welcome to the 9th article on National Vocational Qualifications. In this article we will look at the newly proposed NVQ for technicians, which will eventually replace the existing Level 3 1866 (covered in previous articles). No time scales have been set for the implementation of this new Level 3, but when they are the industry will be advised.

The National and Scottish Vocational Qualification (NVQ/SVQ) in Fire, Security and Emergency Alarm Systems Level 3 Award has been designed to provide the basis for assessment of competencies required in employment. The awards have been designed jointly by the industry and NTO standards setting body.

Who is the award for?
The award is for those working within the security systems industry in the disciplines of installing, maintaining, commissioning and servicing of:-

  • Closed Circuit Television
  • Intruder Alarms
  • Access Control Systems
  • Fire Alarm Systems

    Structure of the Award
    NVQs comprise a specified grouping to Units of Competence. Competence is the ability to use acquired skills consistently and to apply knowledge and understanding to routine and non-routine situations.

    The Occupational Performance Standards for the Level 3 NVQ in Security Systems Technical Services is made up of eight Units of Competence. To achieve the qualification the four core units (units 1 to 4) must be completed together with one of the optional units (units 5 to 8). This makes a total of five units to achieve the award. As you will have noticed, this level 3 award is a core plus options approach, as the level 2 1870 is. This allows candidates the flexibility to choose their specialist option.

    Below are the unit titles
    1. Contribute to the Maintenance of a Safe Working Environment
    2. Communicate Effectively with Others
    3. Audit Installed System
    4. Manage Information for Action
    5. Service and Maintain Systems
    6. Commission and hand over Operational System
    7. Install a Complete System
    8. Install and Test System Equipment which uses Data Transmission

    The Key Purpose of the qualification is to "Contribute to the Optimum Performance of Fire, Security and Emergency Systems".

    Units of Competence.
    Below are the units of competence headings broken down in to their elements.

    1. Contribute to the Maintenance of a Safe orking Environment
    1.1. Ensure safe use of temporary access equipment
    1.2. Ensure safe use of power tools
    1.3. Contribute to health and safety in the work place
    1.4.Contribute to the limitations of damage to persons and property in the event of accidents and emergencies.
    2. Communicate effectively with others
    2.1.Communicate effectively with colleagues
    2.2.Communicate effectively with customers
    2.3.Plan and organise personal work activities
    3.Audit Installed System
    3.1. Undertake technical audit of installed system
    3.2. Document systems audit results
    4. Manage Information for Action
    4.1. Gather required information
    4.2. Inform and advise others
    4.3. Hold meetings
    5. Service and Maintain System
    5.1. Plan and prepare tools, equipment and information for system repairs
    5.2. Diagnose cause of reported fault in system
    5.3. Rectify faults in system
    5.4. Record remedial actions taken and system status
    6. Commission and hand over Operational System
    6.1. Test system performance
    6.2.Commission installed systems
    6.3. Handover operational systems to client
    7. Install a Complete System
    7.1. Install wiring and containments
    7.2. Install system electronic equipment
    8.Install and Test System Equipment that uses Data Transmission Protocols
    8.1. Connect data transmission equipment
    8.2. Test data transmission system.

    As we have done in all of the other articles let us look at one of the units of competence. This is unit three and the objective of this unit, which consists of two elements, is to conduct an audit of an existing system.

    After the installation
    Unit 3: Audit Installed Systems
    Element 3.1 Undertake Technical Audit of Installed Systems
    Performance Criteria
    3.1.1. Installed systems compliance with specification is confirmed in accordance with laid down procedures
    3.1.2. Installed system meets specified technical performance criteria
    3.1.3. Installed system meets relevant industry standards, codes of practice and local regulations
    3.1.4. Non compliances are identified and recorded in accordance with laid down procedures.
    3.1.5. Changes in site details which affect system performance are correctly identified.

       Range

  • Type of Installation: New systems; Modification to existing systems; Adopted systems.

  • Documentation: Service records; Operating manuals, System records.

  • Regulations: Current industry standards and codes of practice.

    Knowledge Specification

  • Current relevant industry standards and codes of practice
  • Company technical audit procedures Relevant documentation
  • Oral and written communications

    Evidence Requirements
    Performance
    As defined in the performance criteria and range on a minimum of two separate occasions supported by trained assessor and credible witness testimony.

    Supplementary
    1. In cases where the candidate does not have the opportunity, through performance alone, to provide sufficient knowledge evidence in support of competence, supplementary oral or written questioning can be used.

    Candidates who have suitably authenticated documentation relating to activity during the previous 12 months will be acceptable for one assessment

    2. Oral questions will be required for: Current standards and codes of practice; and Current company audit procedures.

    Method of assessment
    Observation in the work place by trained assessor, Simulated skills tests, Witness testimony, Oral question and answer.

    Document Results

  • The following is the second element in the unit.

  • Unit 3: Audit Installed Systems
  • Element 3.2, Document and Report Systems
  • Audit Results
  • Performance Criteria

    3.2.1. Non-compliance of system installation is correctly and accurately documented and reported

    3.2.2. Corrective action is determined, and where appropriate, persons responsible for undertaking such action are identified and notified

    3.2.3. Audit findings are presented in accor- dance with the laid down procedures.

    Range

  • Persons responsible: Line managers, customers, component manufacturers
  • Non-Compliance: Mechanical faults; Electrical faults; Equipment siting
  • Documentation: Quality assurance records; System records; Work sheets
  • Presentation of findings: Verbal, written
  • Knowledge Specification
  • Current auditing procedures
  • Current reporting procedures
  • Limits of authority
  • System specification
  • Oral and written communications

    Evidence Requirements
    Performance
    As defined in the performance criteria and range on a minimum of two separate occasions supported by trained assessor and credible witness testimony.

    Supplementary
    1. In cases where the candidate does not have the opportunity, through performance alone, to provide sufficient knowledge evidence in support of competence, supplementary oral or written questioning can be used.

    2. Oral questions will be required for:

    Company audit procedures; Company reporting procedures; Limits of authority

    Method of assessment

  • Observation in the work place by trained assessor: Simulated skills tests;
  • Case studies: Witness testimony; Oral question and answer.

    Assessment Strategy
    Work Place
    All performance criteria must be met in the work place. The exception to this is detailed in simulation below. The principal means of assessment is by observation in the work place. Candidates who have suitably authenticated documentation relating to activity during the previous 12 months will be acceptable for one assessment. Oral questioning will be needed to establish candidate knowledge and understanding of the areas listed in the Knowledge Specifications and of those aspects of the range not dealt with through observation.

    Simulation
    Simulations must be realistic, be undertaken over a period of time and not exceed 50% of the required number of work place assessments.

  • Where simulation is not practicable, evidence in the form of credible witness statement will be acceptable.

  • For certain parts of this award it is acceptable for candidates to undertake assessment of Perfor-mance Criteria under appropriate simulated condi-tions. Any simulations used must accurately reflect a genuine industrial environment and have been agreed with the Awarding Body Partners as suitable.

  • Assessment must provide sufficient evidence of a candidate's ability to competently execute tasks in the normal place of work.

    A realistic simulation may be 'set up' or enacted away from the work place when:

  • A performance criteria rarely occurs, e.g emergency services are summoned as soon as possible in the event of situations which are threatening to personnel and property.
  • When a function is not carried out in a particular location, e. g the agreement and recording of deviations or omissions from the specification
  • It may be too dangerous to assess under normal working conditions, e.g. the erection and securing of access equipment in accordance with regulations and codes of practice
  • It may be impracticable to assess under normal working conditions, e.g the erection and securing of access equipment in accordance with regulations and codes of practice.

    • Source

    Security Installer