Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:05 AM AWST
22/07/2026 7:05 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Evaluate thermal loads for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration
Evaluate thermal loads for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration
Unit of competency
National Code
MEM23129A
MEM23129A
State Code
WE942
WE942
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
16/04/2013
Field of Education
030703 - Industrial Engineering
Original Release Date
16/04/2013
Nominal Hours
70
Description
This unit of competency covers the evaluation of thermal load estimates for a commercial refrigeration system and a multiple zone commercial/industrial building. It includes work health and safety (WHS) and related safety compliance requirements, and system evaluation, including the use of software and validation, thermodynamic concepts and laws.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Determine scope of evaluation of thermal loads and HVAC/R systems
- 1.1 Establish type, location and scope of HVAC/R systems, building and refrigerated enclosures from plans, data sheets, specifications and site inspections
- 1.2 Identify stakeholders to be consulted during evaluation
- 1.3 Establish software and software techniques required for evaluation analysis
- 1.4 Determine WHS, regulatory and environmental requirements relevant to evaluation
- 1.5 Investigate sustainability implications of HVAC/R and building management systems
2 Prepare for thermal loads and HVAC/R systems evaluation
- 2.1 Review thermal load analysis techniques for multiple zone commercial or industrial buildings, including use of tabulations and computer software
- 2.2 Identify sources of heat gains for building
- 2.3 Review room sensible and latent heat, including peak values
- 2.4 Review thermal load analysis techniques for commercial refrigeration systems, including use of tabulations and computer software
- 2.5 Identify heat load sources for refrigerated enclosures or zones
- 2.6 Determine tools, equipment, testing devices and materials required for evaluation
- 2.7 Determine required measurements and measurement techniques
- 2.8 Calibrate, set up, and test measurement equipment and procedures
- 2.9 Identify appropriate analysis techniques, analysis and simulation software and software validation techniques
3 Evaluate thermal loads and HVAC/R systems
- 3.1 Evaluate thermal load for a commercial refrigeration system
- 3.2 Evaluate thermal load for a multiple zone commercial or industrial building
- 3.3 Evaluate the effects of internal and external parameter changes on refrigeration system performance
- 3.4 Evaluate thermal performance of a building and options for design improvements
- 3.5 Evaluate building to identify and mitigate high thermal loads
- 3.6 Evaluate performance of refrigeration and air conditioning system against specifications and determine optimum operational settings
- 3.7 Evaluate equipment size, including coil and air handling unit capacities for constant and variable volume systems, and central refrigeration and boiler capacities
- 3.8 Evaluate and validate software for refrigeration and building thermal performance analysis and system simulation
4 Report results
- 4.1 Record results of evaluation, including recommendations for design and system setting optimisation
- 4.2 Provide relevant documentation, such as thermal load audits, calculations for heating and cooling loads, building and refrigeration layouts, heating and cooling system and component arrangements, and system improvement diagrams
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.
Sustainability
Sustainability is used to mean the entire sustainable performance of the organisation/plant, including:
meeting all regulatory requirements
conforming to all industry covenants, protocols and best practice guides
minimising ecological and environmental footprint of process, plant and product
maximising economic benefit of process plant and product to the organisation and the community
minimising the negative WHS impact on employees, community and customer
Appropriate technical and professional assistance
Appropriate technical and professional assistance may include:
technical support and advice relating to elements which have intrinsic dangers, such as:
high pressure
energised fluid vessels
high temperatures and heat energy capacity
wiring with high current control voltages above extra low voltage
professional support for technologies, such as:
specialist electric motor drives and controllers
specialist materials, plastics, metal alloys and nano materials
special processes, alloy welding, heat treatment, sealing and fastening
WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures
WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures may include:
WHS Acts and regulations
relevant standards
codes of practice from Australian and overseas engineering and technical associations and societies
risk assessments
registration requirements
safe work practices
state and territory regulatory requirements
Standards and codes
Standards and codes refer to all relevant Australian and international standards and codes applicable to a particular task
Building heat gains
Buidling heat gains are affected by:
external, internal and system heat gains
U values and infiltration rates for various wall and roof constructions
sun, Azimuth and altitude angles, and overall shade factors for various windows
Commercial refrigeration cabinets
Characteristics of commercial refrigeration cabinets include:
defrost systems/heat
temperature control
air flows (refrigeration)
air screens (refrigerated and ambient store)
types of evaporation
lighting
Miscellaneous heat
Miscellaneous heat loads on refrigeration systems include:
electrical load
human load
defrost load
machinery load
Relevant documentation
Relevant documentation may include:
thermal load audits
calculations for heating and cooling loads
building and refrigeration layouts
heating and cooling system and component arrangements
system improvement diagrams
Sustainability
Sustainability is used to mean the entire sustainable performance of the organisation/plant, including:
meeting all regulatory requirements
conforming to all industry covenants, protocols and best practice guides
minimising ecological and environmental footprint of process, plant and product
maximising economic benefit of process plant and product to the organisation and the community
minimising the negative WHS impact on employees, community and customer
Appropriate technical and professional assistance
Appropriate technical and professional assistance may include:
technical support and advice relating to elements which have intrinsic dangers, such as:
high pressure
energised fluid vessels
high temperatures and heat energy capacity
wiring with high current control voltages above extra low voltage
professional support for technologies, such as:
specialist electric motor drives and controllers
specialist materials, plastics, metal alloys and nano materials
special processes, alloy welding, heat treatment, sealing and fastening
WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures
WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures may include:
WHS Acts and regulations
relevant standards
codes of practice from Australian and overseas engineering and technical associations and societies
risk assessments
registration requirements
safe work practices
state and territory regulatory requirements
Standards and codes
Standards and codes refer to all relevant Australian and international standards and codes applicable to a particular task
Building heat gains
Buidling heat gains are affected by:
external, internal and system heat gains
U values and infiltration rates for various wall and roof constructions
sun, Azimuth and altitude angles, and overall shade factors for various windows
Commercial refrigeration cabinets
Characteristics of commercial refrigeration cabinets include:
defrost systems/heat
temperature control
air flows (refrigeration)
air screens (refrigerated and ambient store)
types of evaporation
lighting
Miscellaneous heat
Miscellaneous heat loads on refrigeration systems include:
electrical load
human load
defrost load
machinery load
Relevant documentation
Relevant documentation may include:
thermal load audits
calculations for heating and cooling loads
building and refrigeration layouts
heating and cooling system and component arrangements
system improvement diagrams
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
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to evaluate the thermal loads for a commercial refrigeration system and for a multiple zone commercial or industrial building.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:
determine HVAC/R system parameters
investigate sustainability implications of HVAC/R systems
identify relevant thermodynamic principles and techniques for particular HVAC/R system thermal load evaluations
review features and functions of HVAC/R systems and components
test and measure HVAC/R systems and component performance parameters
evaluate system and component performance with tabulated and software generated data
apply and validate software for analysis and simulation
report and document results.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job, then a simulated working environment must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Method of assessment
Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the MEM05 Metal and Engineering Training Package.
Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge.
Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure correct interpretation and application.
Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is not only able to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.
Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
Overview of assessment
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to evaluate the thermal loads for a commercial refrigeration system and for a multiple zone commercial or industrial building.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:
determine HVAC/R system parameters
investigate sustainability implications of HVAC/R systems
identify relevant thermodynamic principles and techniques for particular HVAC/R system thermal load evaluations
review features and functions of HVAC/R systems and components
test and measure HVAC/R systems and component performance parameters
evaluate system and component performance with tabulated and software generated data
apply and validate software for analysis and simulation
report and document results.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job, then a simulated working environment must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Method of assessment
Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the MEM05 Metal and Engineering Training Package.
Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge.
Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure correct interpretation and application.
Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is not only able to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.
Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEW51 | MEM23129 | Evaluate thermal loads for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J368 | MEM60112 | Advanced Diploma of Engineering | Qualification |