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:
compiling reports
identifying:
procedures, practices and products to reduce water and energy consumption
wasted water
water-saving initiatives
producing a cost-benefit analysis.

Client requirements must include:
compliance with regulatory requirements
more efficient use of water resources
reduction in water and energy costs
maintaining satisfactory system performance.

Types of flow and pressure-measuring devices include:
applications, which may include:
domestic cold and heated water supply
cooling towers
industrial processes
irrigation
mechanical
sanitation
trade waste
measuring methods, which may include:
direct
electronic
hand-held
indirect
in-line
mechanical.

Flow and pressure tests may include:
interpretation of flow and pressure tests conducted by a contractor
on-site measurement of flow (l/s), velocity (m/s) and pressure (kPa).

Statutory and regulatory requirements may include:
Acts, regulations and commonwealth, state or territory, and local government regulations
National Construction Code
other relevant Australian standards and codes.

Manufacturer requirements must include:
flow and pressure requirements.

Desktop study includes:
comparison of range of suitable materials and system choices available to enable cost-effective choices to be made without compromising integrity of project
research and evaluation of water-saving products, processes and procedures currently available.

Performance requirements must include:
maintenance of flow, velocity, pressure and discharge requirements of the client, using relevant Australian standards, National Construction Code, or other relevant codes and standards.

Leak identification processes may include:
electronic leak detection
listening devices
measuring equipment
cameras.

Sensors may include:
pressure switches
flow switches
high and low level
moisture.

Automatic systems may include:
electronic and mechanical timer
pressure-activated
user-activated.

Alternative processes and practices may include:
change in personal water habits
change in timing
discontinuation of a process
irrigation before sunrise and after sunset
lower water pressures
modifying a process
modifying wash-down cleaning procedures and order of operation
rainwater harvesting and usage
running dishwashers and washing machines with full loads
testing pipe systems with air instead of water
using water-efficient appliances and fixtures
waste water collection and reuse.

Alternative fixtures and fittings may include:
drip systems
irrigation systems
low-energy and water-use appliances, such as:
air cooling towers
dishwashers
dual flush low volume toilet flushing systems
tapware
waterless and sensor control urinals
washing machines
low-flow shower roses
outlet-flow control devices
pressure control devices.

Rainwater harvesting must include:
collection, storage and distribution of rainwater, including the use of tanks and dams.

Recycling and re-use processes may include:
black water treatment and reuse options
industrial processes
grey water treatment and reuse options
recovery of test water, such as fire.

Sustainability principles and concepts:
cover the current and future social, economic and environmental use of resources
may include:
efficient energy usage/capital outlay comparison
selecting water efficient appliances and fixtures
using alternative water supplies
consideration of the Green Building Council of Australia rating scheme.

Cost-benefit analysis compares:
installation, set-up and running costs against the capital investment to determine the cost recovery period
the range of suitable materials and system choices available to enable cost-effective choices to be made without compromising integrity of project.

Water and energy audit report is a comprehensive report written to industry standards that includes:
client brief
analysis
results
methodology
conclusions
recommendations.

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 could be assessed on its own or as part of an integrated assessment activity involving audit of water and energy use in at least two different types of building and the preparation of comprehensive reports.

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:
conduct a water audit and identify water saving initiatives for a:
50 unit residential building
20 floor commercial office building
a commercial laundry
including:
applying sustainability principles and concepts throughout the audit and identifying water-saving initiatives
conducting pressure and flow measurements
interpreting and applying statutory and local government requirements for the use of water
reporting water wasting practices and processes, including leaks
specifying sensors and automatic systems for a range of applications
recommending recycling and re-use processes
preparing a water and energy audit report
conducting a cost-benefit analysis, including investment return period
identifying and reporting on environmental benefits and water savings
applying sustainability principles and concepts throughout the water audit and identify water-saving initiatives
communicating with others to ensure safe and effective work site 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.