Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Scope of work:
must include interpretation of plans and specifications
must include sizing and documenting layout of complex cold water systems for applications, including residential, commercial, industrial and health
may be for new projects or an existing structure being renovated, extended, restored or maintained.

Design requirements may include:
architectural plans
building specifications
effect of water quality on pipework, plant and equipment
owner requirements
pipework and valve identification
soil quality
specialist water use applications
unstable or water-charged ground.

Cost-benefit analysis:
compares the range of suitable materials and system choices available to enable cost-effective choices to be made without compromising the integrity of the project
may include:
expected design life
labour costs
material costs
safety factors
speed of installation
suitability of materials
system choices.

Statutory and regulatory requirements may include:
local and state government requirements
preparation of documentation for authorities’ approval
requirements of Acts and regulations.

Australian standards and codes may include:
AS/NZS3500 National plumbing and drainage
AS2200 Design charts for water supply and sewerage
National Construction Code
state or territory requirements
other relevant Australian standards or codes.

Manufacturer requirements may include:
flow and pressure requirements for fixtures and appliances
material specifications
pump tables
sizing tables
recommended specific fixings for pipework
technical and trade manuals.

Desktop study may include collection and interpretation of existing data for design purposes, such as:
architectural and building plans
manufacturers’ data
developer plans
documents, which may include:
applications
brochures
forms
policies
other reports as available.

Flow and pressure tests must include:
on-site measurement of flow (l/s), velocity (m/s) and pressure (kPa)
interpretation of flow and pressure tests conducted by a contractor.

Performance requirements may include:
flow, velocity, pressure and discharge requirements, established using relevant Australian standards, codes, and state, territory and local government authorities’ plans.

Layout of pipework systems may include:
principles of economy, serviceability, durability and fit for use
dual feed
gravity feed
main pressure
pumped system
ring main.

Fittings and valves may include:
fittings:
bends
elbows
tees
unions
valves:
backflow prevention
excess pressure
isolating
pressure limiting
pressure reduction
strainers.

Backflow prevention devices may include:
registered break tank (RBT)
registered air gap (RAG)
double-check valve assembly (DCV)
dual-check valve with intermediate vent (DuCV)
reduced pressure detector assembly (RPDA)
reduced pressure zone device (RPZD)
other approved devices.

Flush valve system types may include:
backflow prevention requirements
gravity
mains pressure
pipe sizing requirements
storage requirements.

Cold water system components may involve:
meter assemblies that may be:
direct and indirect
electronic
inferential
magnetic
thrust blocks and their design elements, including:
design details for tees, elbows and valves
keying and anchorage points
sizes
soil characteristics
velocity and flow forces to be resisted
pipe supports, including:
anchors
bedding
bracket spacing
corrosion protection
cover
hanging brackets
manufacturer-recommended specific fixings
material requirements
provision for expansion
saddles
wall and ceiling brackets
water storage systems, including:
air gap
automatic controls
drain down provision
inlet valve design and sizing
outlet sizing
overflow requirements
provision to maintain service while cleaning
provision to maintain service while servicing
safe tray requirements
tank access
tank maintenance
tank sizes
water treatment, including:
filtration
reverse osmosis (RO)
softening.

Pump, pump controls and pumproom requirements must include:
acoustic performance
automatic changeover
automatic controls
drain down provision
dual pump provision
impeller sizing
inlet and outlet design requirements
installation and mounting requirements
pressure gauges
pump selection
pump sizing
space requirements
valve requirements
variable speed control.

Materials may include:
acrilonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
composite pipework
copper (Cu)
cross-linked polyethylene (PE-X)
polypropylene (PP)
polybutylene (PB)
ductile iron cement lined (DICL)
other approved materials
fittings and fixtures
protective coatings.

Jointing methods may include:
brazing
compression
electrofusion welding
flaring
mechanical joints
rubber ring joints
screwing
soldering
solvent cement welding
other approved jointing methods.

Installation requirements must include:
bedding
fire rating of penetrations
clipping
installation details
jointing requirements
level of workmanship
manufacturer-recommended specific fixings
pipe support.

Delivery systems may include:
constant flow variable speed pumps
gravity feed
hydropneumatic
mains pressure system.

Sustainability principles and concepts:
cover the current and future social, economic and environmental use of resources
may include:
selecting appropriate material to ensure minimal environmental impact
efficient use of material
efficient energy usage/capital outlay comparison
effect on the environment due to overflow or leakage
water efficiency
consideration of the Green Building Council of Australia rating scheme.

Plans:
may include:
axonometrics
cross-sections
details
elevations
isometrics
schematics
sections
may be produced using:
computer generation
drawing equipment.

Specification may include:
bedding
flow requirements
jointing
manufacturer requirements
materials
residual pressures
safety (WHS)
specialised components
support
testing
valve selection
water treatment
workmanship.

Testing may include:
air pressure
defect inspection
hydrostatic
mains pressure
performance
quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule may include:
disinfection
flow test
leak check
pressure test
system certification
system defects
system functions as per design
system purge
valve operation.

Operation and maintenance manual may include:
as installed drawings
certification documentation
maintenance schedules
manufacturer brochures and technical information
results of commissioning test
valve function.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment providing that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate plumbing and services workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.
It may be assessed on its own or as part of an integrated assessment activity involving effective performance and application of drainage principles and detailing of system components used in the drainage industry.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to:
design, size and document the layout details, including a specification for a high rise mixed development building to a minimum of 29 floors, inclusive of a basement, to include fixtures on each floor level (fixtures are included in the basement) to include:
using two methods of providing a cold water supply
a non-drinking supply system
a flush valve system
evaluate and document design parameters, including client, regulatory, manufacturer and Australian standard and code requirements for a range of complex water supply systems
evaluate health risks associated with the drinking and non-drinking water supplies
apply regulatory, manufacturer and relevant Australian standard and code requirements for a range of complex cold water distribution systems
plan and detail system components, including:
authority’s connection
backflow prevention requirements
fixtures and fitments
flush valves
meter assemblies
storage tanks
piping systems
pumps
comply with WHS regulations applicable to workplace operations
apply organisational quality procedures and processes
design and size cold water distribution and delivery systems
design and size flush valve systems
prepare a specification for the cold and non-drinking water distribution system
prepare a testing and commissioning schedule
prepare an operation and maintenance manual
apply correct design principles and techniques
apply sustainability principles and concepts throughout to achieve a star rating under the Green Building Council of Australia rating scheme
communicate with others to ensure safe and effective workplace operations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.
Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.
Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.
Resource implications for assessment include:
an induction procedure and requirement
realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the minimum task requirements
relevant specifications and work instructions
tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices
support materials appropriate to activity
workplace instructions relating to safe work practices and addressing hazards and emergencies
material safety data sheets
research resources, including industry-related systems information.
Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment
Assessment methods must:
satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package
include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application
reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles
confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.
Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:
competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge
all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.
Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.
Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.