Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 12:15 AM AWST

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Manage utilities

Manage utilities

Unit of competency
National Code
PMAOPS520
State Code
AXM73
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
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
080301 - Business Management
Original Release Date
05/08/2016
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to manage utilities used by a whole site or group of plants in order to improve the efficiency of usage. It applies to utilities, such as:steam (saturated and/or superheated)air (instrument, safety, process and/or mechanical)water (cooling and/or process)fuel (gas and oil)other heating/cooling mediums (oil, 'Dowtherm' and brine)electricityother reticulated utilities.The utilities will typically be centrally produced and/or controlled.This unit of competency applies to senior technicians or those in similar roles who are required to apply in-depth knowledge of process and plant operations and problem solving in order to determine utilities requirements and actual consumption, compare actual to theoretical consumption, and initiate actions which will lead to a more efficient use of these utilities. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Identify source and use of all utilities on plant
  • 1.1 Obtain current services diagram or schematic for plant
  • 1.2 Identify all items of equipment using utilities
  • 1.3 Identify source of each utility
  • 1.4 Identify utility properties (e.g. pressure, voltage, current) as supplied
  • 1.5 Determine required utility properties (e.g. from engineering specification) for each item of equipment using each utility
2 Determine actual consumption of utilities
  • 2.1 Get information showing consumption of utilities by the plant and plant equipment
  • 2.2 Get information showing actual utility properties as used by each plant item
  • 2.3 Physically check each item of equipment for signs of inefficient utility use (e.g. faulty steam traps and leaks)
  • 2.4 Compile report/database showing actual usage of utilities and observed problems
3 Determine efficiency of use
  • 3.1 Determine theoretical consumption of utilities for equipment items from engineering specifications, by calculation or other methods
  • 3.2 Compare actual consumption of utilities with theoretical consumption
  • 3.3 Determine inefficient users of utilities
  • 3.4 Compile report/database showing efficiency of use of utilities
4 Take required action to improve utility efficiency
  • 4.1 Rank inefficient users in priority order for remediation based on costs and business requirements
  • 4.2 Investigate and determine causes of inefficiency in the higher ranked users
  • 4.3 Develop plans to remove the causes of inefficiency
  • 4.4 Identify any health, safety and environmental (HSE) implications of planned actions and address prior to any implementation of changes
  • 4.5 Consult with relevant stakeholders regarding HSE implications and the implementation of these plans
  • 4.6 Initiate appropriate action for items within scope of authority
  • 4.7 Follow through on items to facilitate a timely completion
  • 4.8 Report/make recommendations on required improvements which are beyond scope of authority to action
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
W8898 PMAOPS520C Manage utilities Unit of competency