Course Title: Chemical and Fire Safety

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Chemical and Fire Safety

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

PUBH1099

City Campus

Undergraduate

135H Applied Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2009

Course Coordinator: Mr Leo Ruschena

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99251982

Course Coordinator Email: leo.ruschena@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: City 13.D.18

Course Coordinator Availability: ad hoc


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Students should have a basic understanding of Chemistry and of law as it applies to the work place.
Suitable pre-requisites are CHEM 1242, CHEM1243 ‘Chemistry Principles’, JUST2286 ‘Law and Rehabilitation’ and ENVI1106 ‘Environmental Toxicology’, an equivalent course or provide evidence of equivalent capabilities.


Course Description

The course provides students with the skills and knowledge for the recognition, evaluation and management of chemical hazards. Emphasis is placed on the legislative requirements (national and state) for the safe transport, storage, handling of hazardous chemicals. A number of specific chemicals will be used to examine toxicology issues.
The course also introduces the concepts of chemical basis of fire and explosion initiation, the development of fire in buildings, preventative aspects of construction and protection, and the means of extinguishment.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

At the completion of the course, students should be able to appreciate the correct handling, use and storage requirements for a range of chemicals, the application of relevant fire protection design to building constructions.
• Develop, implement and evaluate effective prevention programs for the work place.
• Identify potential health hazards in the work place and recommend systematic assessment and control of them.
• Evaluate, interpret and provide OH&S information.



Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities included in this course are:
• attendance at lectures where syllabus material will be presented and explained, and the subject will be illustrated with demonstrations and examples;
• completion of tutorial questions and laboratory projects designed to give further practice in the application of theory and procedures, and to give feedback on student progress and understanding;
• completion of written assignments consisting of numerical and other problems requiring an integrated understanding of the subject matter; and
• private study, working through the course as presented in classes and learning materials, and gaining practice at solving conceptual and numerical problems.


Overview of Learning Resources

Students will be provided with lists of relevant texts, library resources (Including appropriate journals) and freely accessible Internet sites. Other material will be provided in class.
Students will be able to access course information and learning material through the Learning Hub (also known as online@RMIT).
Students will be directed to various Worksafe Australia Standards, Codes of Practice and Guidance notes and to various Australian Standards


Overview of Assessment

Chemical Safety Section: 50% of total marks.

Assignments 30% of marks
Exam - 20% of course assessment.

Fire & Safety Section: 50% of total marks.

Examination - end of Semester - 30%
Assignment based on use and application of the Building Code of Australia - 20%