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 heated water supply and distribution 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 must include:
architectural plans
builder specifications
fire rating of penetrations
flue requirements
owner requirements
pipework identification
specialist heated water use applications.

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:
design styles
energy costs
expected design life
labour costs
material costs
safety factors
speed of installation
suitable materials
system choices.

Statutory and regulatory requirements must include:
Acts and regulations
National Construction Code
relevant Australian standards and codes, including AS/NZS3500 National plumbing and drainage
local government and health department requirements.

Manufacturer requirements may include:
material specifications
heater maintenance and servicing
provision for heater pressure and temperature discharge
pump tables
sizing tables
recommended specific fixings for pipework
technical and trade manuals.

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

Performance requirements must include:
those established using relevant Australian standards, building codes and other relevant documents.

Layout of pipework systems may include:
dead leg
pressurised
thermo convection
circulating.

Fittings and valves may include:
fittings:
bends
tees
unions
valves:
backflow prevention
cold water expansion
isolating
non-return, including high pressure non-return
pressure limiting
pressure relief
strainers
temperature control.

Thermostatic mixing and tempering valves may include:
bimetallic types
wax capsule.

Circulating heated water supply system details may include:
circulating pump specification
dead leg minimisation
flow and return pipework
circulation
pipe insulation
thermal convection circulating.

Heat trace systems may include:
installation requirements
running costs
serviceability.

Calculations for sizing water heaters may include:
coefficient of expansion
daily flows
energy consumption
heat losses
mixed temperatures
peak demand
recovery times
size and quantity of heated water required
standby versus continual flow
tariffs
water expansion.

Methods for the control of expansion may include:
U-bends
coiled loop
lyre bend
offset bends
proprietary expansion control devices.

Pipe support may include:
anchors
bracket spacing
corrosion protection
hanging brackets
material requirements
provision for expansion
saddles
wall and ceiling brackets.

Manifolding heated water units must include:
balanced flow conditions and valves
pressure relief requirements.

Water heaters:
may include:
continuous flow
heat transfer
pressure storage systems
open vented storage systems
heated source may include:
electricity
gas
heat pump
solar
solid fuel
waste heat.

Safe trays and overflows must include:
design
discharge
materials
sizes.

Materials may include:
pipe materials as specified, including:
copper
composite
polymer
other approved materials
flue materials, including stainless steel
ancillary material, including:
air relief valve
heaters
fittings and fixtures
insulation
pumps
valves.

Jointing methods may include:
brazing
compression
electrofusion welding
flaring
mechanical joints
threading.

Insulation materials may include:
fibre glass
foam
metal sheathing
rock wool
other approved materials.

Installation requirements must include:
fire rating of penetrations
level of workmanship
manufacturer-recommended specific fixings
pipe support
provision for expansion
serviceability and access.

Circulating systems may include:
approved pressure pipes and fittings
balancing valves
circulating pump and controls
isolating valves
thermo cycle
temperature gauge
pump sizing to meet calculated flow conditions.

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
selection of energy efficient water heater
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:
support
jointing
flow requirements
manufacturer requirements
materials
residual pressures and temperature
safety (WHS)
specialised components
testing
valve selection
water treatment
workmanship.

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

Commissioning schedule may include:
balancing the system
checking and flushing the system
disinfection
flow test
flue operation
leak check
pressure test
system certification
system defects
system functions as per design
system purge
temperature setting
valve operation.

Operation and maintenance manual may include:
as installed drawings
results of commissioning test
certification documentation
heater details, settings and operations
maintenance schedules
manufacturer brochures and technical information
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 principles used to design complex (non-solar) heated water systems.
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 heated water system, one to be gas only and one to incorporate an alternative energy efficient heat source
evaluate and document design parameters, including client, regulatory, manufacturer and relevant Australian standard and code requirements for a range of heated water supply and distribution systems
evaluate health risks associated with heated water supplies
plan and detail system components, including:
heat source
flue arrangements
flow and return systems
insulation requirements
manifolding systems
provision for expansion
temperature control device
comply with WHS regulations applicable to workplace operations
apply organisational quality procedures and processes within context of designing complex heated water systems
design and size a range of heated water supply and distribution systems
design and size a range of circulating systems
prepare plans for a range of heated water supply and distribution systems
prepare specification for a heated water supply and distribution system
prepare a testing and commissioning schedule
prepare an operation and maintenance manual
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 work site 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.