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:
interpreting plans and specifications
sizing and documenting layout of industrial gas systems for applications, including:
characteristics
compatibility
dimensions
location
patterns
quantities
sizes
surfaces
types of product and service.

Design requirements must include:
architectural specifications
builder specifications
owner requirements
specialist use applications.

Cost-benefit analysis:
compares the range of suitable materials and system choices available to enable cost-effective choices to be made without compromising integrity of project.

Statutory, regulatory requirements, codes and Australian and New Zealand standards include:
Acts, regulations and local and state government policies, including group and strata titling
AS/NZS1596 The storage and handling of LP gas
AS5601 (AG601) Gas installations
Gas Act 1965 and amendments
gas regulations
National Construction Code
other Australian and New Zealand standards.

Manufacturer requirements include:
material specifications
pump tables
sizing tables
technical and trade manuals.

Desktop study includes collection and interpretation of existing data for design purposes in:
architectural and building plans
council plans
developer plans
other documents, including:
forms
applications
other reports as available.

Performance requirements include:
pipe grades, cover, flow conditions and discharge requirements, established using Australian and New Zealand standards and local authority plans.

Layout of pipework systems must:
have principles of economy, serviceability, durability and fit for use applied
not unduly affect building integrity and aesthetic appeal.

Fittings and valves include:
meters
regulators
relief valves.

Valve trains must include:
analysing the operation of valve components
sizing and selecting components using manufacturer data.

System calculations must include:
calculation of explosion relief
calculation of purge times
determination of flow and consumption
interpretation of design charts and tables
pipe sizing calculations.

Materials include:
copper (Cu)
fittings and appliances, including measures to prevent the spread of fire
high density polyethylene (HDPE).

Jointing methods include:
brazing
gluing
mechanical joints
solvent cement welding
threading.

Pipe fixings include:
anchors
bracket spacing
corrosion protection
hanging brackets
material requirements
saddles
wall and ceiling brackets.

Installation requirements include:
clipping
installation details
jointing requirements
level of workmanship.

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

Specification includes:
clipping
details of specialised components
jointing
manufacturer requirements
materials
valves
workmanship.

Testing includes:
air pressure test
gas leak test
quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule must include:
flow testing
leak check
vaporisation rate check.

Operation and maintenance manual may include:
leak detection
regular maintenance requirements
safety inspection
yearly inspection.

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.

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:
evaluating and documenting design parameters, including:
client
Gas Act 1965 and amendments
manufacturer and Australian and New Zealand standard requirements for a range of industrial gas systems
regulatory
planning and detailing system components, including:
burners
controls
regulators
designing and sizing industrial gas systems
preparing plans for a range of industrial gas systems to industry standards
preparing specifications for industrial gas systems
preparing testing and commissioning schedules
producing operation and maintenance manuals.

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.