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.
Hydraulic systems include:
fire services
gas services
mechanical services
sanitary plumbing and drainage
stormwater drainage
trade waste
water supply.

Approved materials are identified from Australian and New Zealand standards and include:
fittings
fixtures
pipes.

Administrative procedures must include:
file management
inspection allocation
inspection records
logging inspections.

Inspection projects include:
hydraulic consultant
local authority
plumbing supervisor.

Inspection checklists:
include:
approved installation methods
authorised materials
project section
comply with:
Australian and New Zealand standards
distances
limitations
National Construction Code
other regulatory requirements.

Sustainability principles and concepts:
cover the social, economic and environmental use of resources to meet current and future needs
may include:
selecting appropriate components and material
choosing efficient products
using material efficiently
storing and disposing of hazardous material to ensure minimal environmental impact.

As-constructed plans include layout of:
fire services pipework
gas pipework
mechanical services pipework
sanitary plumbing and drainage pipework
stormwater pipework
trade waste drainage systems
water supply pipework.

Dispute-resolution techniques include:
active listening techniques
non-threatening body language
power neutral relationships
other recognised dispute avoidance and resolution techniques.

Testing procedures include:
air pressure tests
compliance checklist
gas leak detection
hydrostatic tests
mirror tests
quality assurance (QA) audit
sound testing.

Inspection reports include:
defect
inspection
performance
quality assurance.

Enforcement action includes:
fines
legal action
notification to plumbing licensing body
penalties.

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:
specifying local authority inspection requirements for hydraulic systems according to legislation and standards
developing administrative procedures for inspection projects
implementing dispute-resolution techniques
conducting compliance inspections
taking relevant measurements and sketching on-site as-constructed plans
implementing testing procedures
preparing inspection reports
detailing breaches to regulations or standards
maintaining an inspection diary.

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.