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
sizing and documenting layout of sewer infrastructure systems
may be for either new projects or existing sewer mains being extended.

Design requirements may include:
architectural plans
builder specifications
Sewerage Code of Australia
fire safety requirements
owner requirements
pipework identification
flow requirements and sizing of pipework
ventilation requirements.

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.

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

Manufacturer requirements may include:
material specifications
collection and storage systems
design and installation
equipment installation
pump installation
technical manuals.

Desktop study may include collection and interpretation of data for design purposes, such as:
architectural and building plans
developer’s plans
equivalent population (EP) density
manufacturer’s data
other documents, including:
forms
brochures
applications
policies
regulations
other reports as available.

Safety procedures and regulations for trench safety:
may include:
analysing factors that determine tunnelling
assessing and identifying types of soil requiring tunnel excavation and shoring procedures
defining methods of trench installation
defining procedures for trench rescue
specify safety procedures with reference to:
advisory standards
compliance standards
industry standards
Work Health and Safety Act
other Acts, codes or regulations relating to trenching
working in confined spaces.

Performance requirements are established using relevant Australian standards, codes and local authorities’ requirements may include:
discharge requirements
durability
emergency storage backup
longevity
self-cleaning ability
sufficient capacity.

Trenching safety procedures may include:
conditions affecting trench stability
condition of soils disturbed by previous excavations
effect of water on excavations
effects of moisture content on excavated trenches
traffic and vibrations
confined space safety requirements, e.g. for exhaust emissions
prevention of trench collapse
trench collapse procedures
trench inspection procedures
trench excavation methods used for different:
backfilling methods
bedding methods
depth
slope
support systems
types.

Layout of pipework systems may include:
gravity
pumped and rising mains
vacuum
identification of easements and location for sewer infrastructure systems, including pumping rising mains
layout, which must:
not unduly affect building integrity and aesthetic appeal
have principles of economy, serviceability, durability and fit for use applied.

Fittings, valves and controls may include:
fittings, including:
bends
flanges
junctions
inspection openings
unions
valves, including:
non-return
isolation
controls, including:
level
alarms
management communication systems.

Pipelaying may include:
cutting, handling and storage procedures
fittings used for sewerage work
jointing methods and procedures
laying procedures for pipework
methods of dewatering trenches methods of grading and maintaining pipe direction and reduced levels
methods of placing bedding materials, encasing pipes, backfilling and compacting
methods of testing sewer drains
methods of pressure testing pump rising mains.

Pipe size, pipe grade and ventilation requirement calculations may include:
determination of flow and loadings
gradient calculations
equivalent population (EP) density
interpretation of design charts and tables
pipe sizing calculations
projected flows
pumping flow rates
reduced level calculations
self-cleaning pipe velocities
stormwater infiltration
system ventilation.

Access chamber details must include:
access
benching
connections
covers
flow and gradient
open and closed channel
sizing.

Pump station, pumps, controls and equipment requirements may include:
access covers
access ladders
automatic controls
capacity
corrosion-resistant materials
emergency storage and power supply
impeller sizing and selection
inlet and outlet design
installation and mounting
odour control
macerator requirements
management communication system
provision for servicing
pump selection
pumpwell sizing
space requirements
valves
ventilation
warning system.

Materials may include:
cast iron (CI)
concrete
vitrified clay pipes (VCP)
polyethylene (PE)
polypropylene (PP)
unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U)
other approved material.

Jointing methods may include:
electrofusion welding
mechanical joints
rubber ring
solvent cement welding
other approved jointing methods.

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

Rising main systems may include:
approved pressure pipe and fittings
calculated rise and pump delivery requirements
environmental protection
pump sizing to meet calculated flow conditions
self-cleaning pipe velocities
odour control.

Computer software packages 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
efficient energy usage/capital outlay comparison
consideration of the Green Building Council of Australia rating scheme.

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

Specification may include:
bedding
commissioning
excavation requirements
support
concrete support and detailing specialised components
jointing
access chambers (manholes)
manufacturer requirements
materials
piping
pumps
pumping stations
safety (WHS)
testing
workmanship.

Testing may include:
air pressure
drainage inspection
hydrostatic
performance
compliance with authorities discharge requirements
quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule must include:
system certification
check for foreign material
containment
leak check
operational
pumping
system defects
system functions as per design
ventilation
odour control
WHS compliance.

Operation and maintenance manual may include:
as installed drawings
certification documentation
emergency procedures
results of commissioning test
maintenance schedules
manufacturer brochures and technical information
odour control
WHS requirements
ventilation.

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 preparation of designs for two sewer systems for different applications, including plans, specifications and all associated documentation.

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 installation and layout details for a sewer infrastructure system of a residential development of 50 properties, incorporating a gravity system and pumping station, to include:
sewer reticulation mains
pump station
pump rising main
ventilation
odour control
evaluate and document design parameters to relevant Australian standards and codes, and regulatory, client and manufacturer requirements
specify soil identification and trench safety procedures
prepare plans and specifications
prepare testing and commissioning schedules
prepare operation and maintenance manuals
apply sustainability principles and concepts throughout the process
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.