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:
interpreting plans and specifications
sizing and documenting layout of vacuum sewage systems, including residential, commercial and industrial
may be for new projects or an existing structure being renovated, extended, restored or maintained.

Design requirements must include:
acoustic performance
architectural plans
building specifications
fire safety requirements
flow requirements and sizing of pipework
odour control
owner requirements
pipework identification
Sewerage Code of Australia
vacuum pumping station
ventilation requirements.

Vacuum sewerage system attributes must include:
availability
cost
flexibility
installation requirements
low water usage
risks
sewerage loading
site conditions.

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

Statutory and regulatory requirements and relevant Australian standards and codes may include:
Acts, regulations and commonwealth, state or territory, and local government requirements
Sewerage Code of Australia
AS/NZS3500 National plumbing and drainage
AS2200 Design charts for water supply and sewerage
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)
National Construction Code
other relevant Australian standards or codes.

Manufacturer requirements may include:
material specifications
collection and storage systems
design and installation
equipment installation
pump installation
selection of compatible sanitary fixtures
technical manuals.

Desktop study may include collection and interpretation of data for design purposes in:
architectural and building plans
developer plans
manufacturer data
documents, which may include:
applications
brochures
forms
policies
sewer detail maps
other reports as available.

Performance requirements may include:
discharge requirements
durability
emergency storage and/or power backup
longevity
noise level
self-cleaning ability
sufficient capacity.

Layout of pipework systems:
sewer infrastructure systems must include consideration of:
cover
grade
location of vacuum pump station
location vacuum sewage collection chambers
odour control
pipe access
ventilation
high-rise building projects must include consideration of:
acoustic performance
amenity of the building
clipping and pipe support
location of pipework (fire rating of enclosure)
function of the building
impingement on floor heights
materials to be used
size of penetrations
type of building structure
should not unduly affect building integrity and aesthetic appeal
should include principles of economy, serviceability, durability and fit for use should be applied.

Fittings, valves and controls include:
fittings:
bends
elbows
inspection and maintenance access
tees
unions
valves:
backflow prevention
isolating
non-return
strainers
vacuum diaphragm valve
controls:
pneumatic control switch assembly
vacuum management system.

Pipe size calculations must include:
determining flow and fixture loadings
EP density
calculating gradient
interpreting design charts and tables
determining self-cleaning velocities
manufacturer requirements
probable simultaneous demand.

Pipe supports may include:
bedding
bracket spacing
concrete support
corrosion protection
cover
hanging brackets
manufacturer-recommended specific fixings
material requirements
provision for expansion
thrust blocks
wall and ceiling brackets.

Vacuum pumping station and pump control requirements may include:
access covers
automatic controls
capacity
corrosion-resistant materials
detailing
emergency storage
emergency power supply
high and low-level water controls and alarms
impeller sizing
inlet and outlet design requirements
installation and mounting requirements
macerator requirements
odour control
pneumatic control switch assembly
pump selection
pump sizing
pumpwell sizing
space requirements
vacuum pump systems
valve requirements
ventilation
warning system.

Materials:
appropriate materials specified based on:
compatibility
cost effectiveness
durability
fit for purpose
may include:
copper (Cu)
polyethylene (PE)
polypropylene (PP)
polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
stainless steel
other approved material.

Jointing methods may include:
brazing
electrofusion welding
flanged
mechanical joints
rubber ring
solvent cement welding
threading.

Installation requirements may include:
acoustic performance
bedding
pipe protection, which may include:
cover
corrosion
impact
grade
level of workmanship.
fire rating
manufacturer-recommended specific fixings
pipe support
provision for pipe movement
serviceability and access.

Computer software packages may include:
manufacturer software
proprietary design software.

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
capital outlay/energy usage comparison
positive effect on the environment in regard to no potential overflow or leakage
water efficient
consideration of the Green Building Council of Australia rating scheme
local environment consideration overflow disposal/reuse.

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

Specification includes:
access chambers (manholes)
bedding
commissioning
concrete support and detailing specialised components
jointing
manufacturer requirements
materials
odour control
pump rising main
safety (WHS)
selection of compatible sanitary fixtures
support
testing
vacuum pump station
vacuum sewage collection chambers
vacuum sewer mains
ventilation
workmanship.

Testing may include:
compressed air test
flow testing
hydrostatic test
inspection checklist
performance
vacuum
quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule must include:
system certification
check for foreign material
checking leaks
emergency procedures
system defects
system functions as per design.

Operation and maintenance manual includes:
as installed drawings
results of commissioning test
certification documentation
maintenance schedules
manufacturer brochures and technical information
operating procedures.

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.
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 as a minimum, provide evidence of the ability to:
design, size and document the installation and layout details for a vacuum infrastructure sewer system for a:
residential development of 50 properties, incorporating:
vacuum sewage collection chambers
vacuum sewer mains
vacuum pump station
pump rising main
ventilation
odour control
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), incorporating:
vacuum pump station
vacuum sanitary drainage system
pump rising main
ventilation
odour control
apply sustainability principles and concepts throughout to achieve a star rating under the Green Building Council of Australia rating scheme
evaluate and document design parameters, including client, regulatory and manufacturer requirements and relevant Australian standards and codes for a range of complex sanitary plumbing and drainage systems
evaluate health risks associated with the sanitary plumbing and drainage system
calculate pipe sizes according to regulations and manufacturer requirements
design and size vacuum sewerage systems using appropriate calculations and computer software
select materials and components for compliance, fit for purpose, durability, compatibility and cost-effectiveness
prepare a testing and commissioning schedule
produce an operation and maintenance manual
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, including design brief drawings, specifications, codes, design concepts and construction schedules
tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices, including computers, software and calculators
workplace instructions relating to safe working 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.