Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 6:47 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.

Transfer bulk fluids into/out of storage facility

Transfer bulk fluids into/out of storage facility

Unit of competency
National Code
PMAOPS307
State Code
AXN11
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
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
089901 - Purchasing, Warehousing And Distribution
Original Release Date
05/08/2016
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to transfer bulk fluids into/out of storage facility. The storage facility may be a land-based tank farm or a tanker at sea. The storage facility will integrate several plant items (single unit operations). Operation of the storage facility includes the operation of ancillary equipment that is integral to the operation of the production unit, such as:pumps (e.g. transfer and circulation pumps, and stripping pumps)compressors (e.g. boil-off gas compressors)gaugesdeluge systems and other fire protection systems, such as flares, fire pumps, jockey pumps, fire monitors and sub-surface foam injectiongas detection systems and equipmentfire detection and reporting systemsemergency shutdown systemstank dipping and measurement equipmentinstrumentation.The unit of competency applies to storage facilities, such as:tanks, such as concrete bunded storage tanks, atmospheric pressure tanks, floating roof tanks, and temperature controlled tanks (heated, chilled and refrigerated)vessels (e.g. pressure storage vessels).This unit of competency applies to operations technicians who are required to demonstrate a significant understanding of the process and the equipment operation in order to identify and rectify operational problems, prepare for and undertake load-out/transfer, and ensure effective safety and communications systems are applied.In a typical scenario involving land-based tank farms or tankers at sea transferring liquefied gas, the control room operator, from the main panel, will monitor and control the transfer of product into storage facilities, including controlling product levels, flows, temperatures and pressures. The operations technician will also prepare and complete all necessary documentation for the control, transfer and calculation of product volumes.The storage facility or vessel will be monitored through the use of gas and fire detection (or other safety) equipment. Automatic sprinkler systems, deluges or other emergency response equipment will be activated in the event of fire/emergency detection and emergency shutdown systems will operate.The equipment to be used in the transfer of product will be checked and tested before use. In some cases, before transferring, the circulation of product through pipelines will commence. This is usually for the purpose of pipeline chilldown and is required to minimise vapour pressure build-up in warm pipework.A comprehensive fire water supply main may encompass the facility and/or be located on the vessel, and a suitable fire pump would be able to provide fire water requirements in emergencies.This unit of competency applies to an individual operating independently in a plant with local control or in liaison with the control room operator in a plant with a centralised control panel such as distributed control system (DCS) type controls. This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members and the control room operator, as appropriate.This competency does not require the operation of a central control panel. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Prepare for work
  • 1.1 Receive and give shift handover
  • 1.2 Identify work requirements
  • 1.3 Identify and control hazards
  • 1.4 Coordinate with appropriate personnel
  • 1.5 Check for recent work undertaken on storage/transfer facilities
  • 1.6 Note any outstanding/incomplete work
  • 1.7 Check operational status of storage/transfer facilities
2 Prepare storage/transfer facilities
  • 2.1 Manage products within the tank farm or at the platform in accordance with the site/enterprise's storage types, products and locations
  • 2.2 Inspect storage and/or docking facilities for leaks or damage
  • 2.3 Check and test safety systems to verify their operational condition and status, and report on all equipment faults
  • 2.4 Conduct critical inspections of storage and tank farms (and ascertain seaworthiness of vessels at sea, if required) and transfer facilities ensuring areas are safe, clean and equipment can’t be compromised by debris
  • 2.5 Identify and report all equipment requiring maintenance, follow-up to satisfactory conclusion
3 Monitor storage facilities
  • 3.1 Confirm tank mixes, capacities and quality, and determine if these are being maintained within the agreed product requirements prior to transfer
  • 3.2 Monitor gas detection/environmental/safety systems to ensure the storage area is a safe environment and that the safety of the area or vessel is not compromised
  • 3.3 Communicate storage conditions to transfer or other personnel to inform them of the operational condition and status of the storage facilities or vessel
4 Monitor load-out/transfer platform or facility in accordance with procedures
  • 4.1 Monitor load-out/transfer systems on the platform or in the terminal load-out/transfer area
  • 4.2 Monitor gas detection/environmental/safety systems to ensure the load-out/transfer area is a safe environment
  • 4.3 Inform appropriate personnel of the load-out/transfer area status, and conditions of the storage facilities
5 Conduct load-out/transfer in accordance with procedures
  • 5.1 Communicate operational status to required personnel prior to loading
  • 5.2 Ensure that all start-up permissives have been satisfied and product is ready for transfer
  • 5.3 Set and adjust pump flow rates to keep within agreed capacities
  • 5.4 Monitor loading pump performance to keep within stated operational ranges and vibration is in limits
  • 5.5 Take and record product shipping/transfer samples if required
6 Isolate and de-isolate plant
  • 6.1 Isolate storage/transfer facility or its component parts
  • 6.2 Make safe for required work
  • 6.3 Check storage/transfer facility/plant item is ready to be returned to service
  • 6.4 De-isolate and prepare plant for return to service
7 Resolve problems
  • 7.1 Identify possible problems in equipment and process
  • 7.2 Determine problems needing action
  • 7.3 Determine possible fault causes
  • 7.4 Rectify problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility
  • 7.5 Follow up items until resolved
  • 7.6 Report problems outside area of responsibility to designated person
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
W8870 PMAOPS307B Transfer bulk fluids into/out of storage facility Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OCK89 PMAOPS343 Transfer bulk fluids into/out of storage facility Unit of competency