Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:59 PM AWST

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Operate and monitor heating furnace

Operate and monitor heating furnace

Unit of competency
National Code
PMAOPS323
State Code
AXN04
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
02/06/2016
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
05/08/2016
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
05/08/2016
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to operate and monitor a fired heating furnace and ancillary equipment.This unit of competency applies to operations technicians who are required to demonstrate a significant understanding of the process and the equipment operation in order to identify and rectify operational problems, predict the potential impact of the heating furnace on the operation of the whole plant, and facilitate output changes within legislative and other requirements.The unit applies to furnaces used for heating heat transfer fluids which may include natural and synthetic oils or other media and other industrial uses as required in the workplace. It applies to furnaces that are: singular or in a battery of furnacesmodulating combustion air supply modulating single heat source modulating firing rate.This unit of competency applies to an individual operating independently in a plant with local control or in liaison with the control room operator in a plant with a centralised control panel, such as distributed control system (DCS) type controls. In the case of large complex plant, the operations technician would be part of a team during start-up and shutdown procedures. This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members and the control room operator, as appropriate.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Prepare for work
  • 1.1 Receive and give shift handover
  • 1.2 Identify work requirements
  • 1.3 Identify and control hazards
  • 1.4 Coordinate with appropriate personnel
  • 1.5 Check for recent work undertaken on furnace
  • 1.6 Note any outstanding/incomplete work
  • 1.7 Check operational status of furnace
2 Start up furnace
  • 2.1 Perform pre-start-up checks
  • 2.2 Start up individual items of equipment and the entire furnace system
  • 2.3 Start up from standby and after maintenance
  • 2.4 Increase temperature steadily with no surges or lulls
  • 2.5 Stabilise furnace to produce required heat within required time
3 Monitor and control the heating furnace
  • 3.1 Complete routine checks, logs and paperwork
  • 3.2 Recognise the signs of potential and actual problems
  • 3.3 Take action to minimise the impact of potential and actual problems
  • 3.4 Monitor condition of heat transfer components (if any) and take action required by procedures
  • 3.5 Monitor fuel/air supplies and ratios and take action in accordance with procedures
  • 3.6 Trim furnace in accordance with procedures
4 Change heating rates
  • 4.1 Predict from rates and schedule when a transition will be required
  • 4.2 Give advanced notice of transition to work team
  • 4.3 Trim plant in a manner which prepares it for the change
  • 4.4 Manage changes smoothly and in a timely manner
5 Maintain furnace effectiveness
  • 5.1 Monitor furnace and its component plant items frequently and critically throughout shift using measured/indicated data and senses
  • 5.2 Describe impacts of any changes upstream and downstream
  • 5.3 Recognise actual and developing situations which may require action
  • 5.4 Apply operational knowledge to resolve problems
  • 5.5 Take other appropriate actions on abnormal situations which cannot be resolved during the shift to ensure safety and the resolution of the situation
  • 5.6 Follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred
6 Shut down furnace
  • 6.1 Determine type of shutdown required
  • 6.2 Give advance warning of shutdown where possible
  • 6.3 Changeover individual items of equipment
  • 6.4 Shut down individual items of equipment and the entire furnace system
  • 6.5 Shut down to a stand-by condition, if required
  • 6.6 Shut down in an emergency, when required.
7 Isolate and de-isolate furnace system and individual items
  • 7.1 Isolate furnace system and or any component plant item
  • 7.2 Make safe for required work
  • 7.3 Check furnace/plant item is ready to be returned to service
  • 7.4 De-isolate and prepare furnace/plant item for return to service
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
W8877 PMAOPS323A Operate and monitor heating furnace Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OCK72 PMAOPS328 Operate and troubleshoot heating furnace Unit of competency