Elements and Performance Criteria

Stream: Production Plant
Field: Operations
Equivalencies: This unit of competency is mapped to Schedule C, intermediate and
advanced boiler operation of the Worksafe Australia standards
[nohsc:1006(1992)]
Plant and equipment may include boiler and auxiliary plant; fuel and fuel delivery system plant; fuel management system; flame detection equipment; steam temperature control plant; boiler heating surfaces dust removal system; combustion waste extraction system; electric motor; electricity distribution system AC and DC; diesel engine driven auxiliary plant; station water distribution systems; hydraulic power oil system; compressed air systems; computers with equipment control functions; and supervisory, protection, alarm and control equipment
Safety standards may include relevant sections of occupational health and safety legislation, enterprise safety rules, relevant state and federal legislation, national standards for plant and Australian standards
Information and documentation sources may include verbal or written communications; enterprise safety rules documentation; enterprise operating instructions; dedicated computer equipment; enterprise/site standing instructions and plant notes; enterprise log books; manufacturer's operation and maintenance manuals; and equipment and alarm manuals
Technical and operational indicators may include stimuli (audio, smell, touch, visual), remote or local indicators and recorders, computers and alarms (visible and or audible)
Communications may be by means of telephone, two way radio, pager, computer (electronic mail) and operating logs (written or verbal)
Tests may include loss of a major auxiliary controls response checks, stand-by plant "cut-in" tests, dampers/valves operating checks and pre and post start tests
Appropriate personnel to consult, give or receive direction may include supervisor/team leader or equivalent; other coordinators of energy production or equivalent; technical and engineering officers or equivalent; maintenance staff; other operating staff; and contractor staff
Operating environment may be remote from plant and equipment being operated; (operation is assisted by remote indicators of plant status and other parameters monitored); during inclement or otherwise harsh weather conditions, in wet/noisy/dusty/hot areas or during continuous operation
Plant operations (systems requirements) may include cold/hot, start return to service; boiler chemical clean; and raising pressure for safety valve setting
Faults and abnormal operating conditions may include loss of a major auxiliary; loss of electrical supply to switchboard(s), motors; boiler water chemical operating limits exceeded; automatic control loop(s) malfunctions; boiler heating surfaces dust removal system malfunctions; high temperatures on/in, boiler heating surfaces/tubes/headers, boiler exhaust (back end), steam to turbine, ex superheater or reheater, motor, fan, pump bearings and lubricating oil, motor windings; boiler tube leaks; air heater cold end temperatures low; air heater/combustion air ductwork fires; fuel preparation and delivery systems fires; fuel system malfunction; excessive drum water level split; excessively high heating/cooling rates; high/low furnace dp; high dp's on oil/air filters and strainers; failed field devices; failed/malfunctioning actuators/dampers/valves; boiler feedwater pumps malfunctions; and boiler protection operation

Critical aspects of evidence
The knowledge and application of relevant sections of: Occupational, health and safety legislation; Statutory legislation; Enterprise/site safety procedures; Enterprise/site emergency procedures
The preparation and planning of work
The operation of boiler plant and equipment
Operationally testing plant
Analysing plant faults
The system components and interaction with other plant and equipment
The temperature and pressure raising requirements
The ability to prepare plant/equipment for operation
The principles of relevant fuel combustion
The principles of boiler and feedwater chemical treatment
Context of assessment
Competency Standards should be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions
Assessment of this unit will be supported with documentary evidence, by means of endorsement stating type and application of equipment operated.
Interdependent assessment of unit
Nil
Knowledge and Skills
A knowledge of:
Relevant occupational health and safety regulations; Relevant statutory legislation; Relevant enterprise/site safety procedures; Enterprise/site emergency procedures and techniques; Relevant plant and equipment, its location and operating parameters; Plant status; Environmental legislation; Enterprise recording procedures; Communication principles ; Control and data acquisition systems; Computers and software; Supervisory, alarm, protection and control equipment; Emergency procedures; Motor characteristics; Pump and compressor characteristics; Fan characteristics; Valve, damper and actuator types and characteristics; The system components and their interaction with other plant and equipment external to that covered by this competency; Principles of air heater operation; Principles of relevant fuel combustion; Electricity distribution system, AC and DC; Station water distribution systems; Fire protection control systems; Compressed air systems; Principles of boiler and feedwater chemical treatment; Temperature and pressure requirements; Introduction to power production plant; Typical arrangements of power production plant; Mathematics; Mechanics; Properties of matter; General responsibilities for power production plant operations; Coal handling plant; Bunkering; Steam power plant boiler water and steam systems; Boiler draft system; Fuels; Principles governing efficient combustion; Fuel conditioning and fuel firing equipment; Control of a boiler start up; Boiler efficiency; Electrical principles; Transformers; Electric motors; Switchgear; Heating of electrical equipment; Electrical protection; Schematic diagrams; Auxiliary supply systems; Safe operating principles
The ability to:
Apply relevant occupational health and safety regulations; Apply relevant statutory legislation; Apply relevant enterprise/site safety procedures; Apply enterprise/site emergency procedures and techniques; Apply enterprise recording procedures; Identify plant status; Prepare plant/equipment for operation; Organise resources; Operate boiler plant and equipment; Apply temperature and pressure raising techniques and principles; Apply diagnostic and testing techniques; Identify and respond to abnormal plant operating conditions; Plan and prioritise work; Use relevant hand tools; Communicate effectively ; Apply data analysis techniques and tools; Use diagrams, drawings and symbols; Co-ordinate the operation of equipment to maintain plant integrity, personnel safety, continuity of supply and optimum efficiency.