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:
interpretation of plans and specifications
sizing and documenting layout of complex sanitary plumbing and drainage systems for applications, including residential, commercial and industrial
may be for:
existing structure being renovated, extended, restored or maintained
new projects.

Design requirements may include:
architectural plans
building specifications
fire rating of penetrations
owner requirements
pipework identification
soil quality
specialist waste applications
unstable or water-charged ground.

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 the project
may include:
design styles
expected design life
labour costs
material costs
safety factors
speed of installation
suitability of materials
system choices.

Statutory and regulatory requirements may include:
Acts and regulations
local and state government requirements
preparation of documentation for authorities’ approval.

Australian standards and codes may include:
AS/NZS3500 National plumbing and drainage
state or territory requirements
National Construction Code
other relevant Australian standards and codes.

Manufacturer requirements may include:
material specifications
pump tables
sizing tables
recommended specific fixings for pipework
technical and trade manuals.

Desktop study may include collection and interpretation of data for design purposes, such as:
architectural and building plans
developer plans
manufacturers’ data
documents, which may include:
applications
brochures
forms
policies
other reports as available.

Performance requirements must include:
flow, velocity, pressure and discharge requirements, established using relevant Australian standards, codes and local authority plans.

Layout of pipework systems:
will be based on principles of economy, serviceability, durability and fit for use
may include:
drainage
elevated pipework
low pressure pump
vacuum
vented stack systems.

Fittings and valves may include:
bends
junctions
air admittance valves
reflux valves
inspection openings
expansion joints.

Access chamber details may include:
benching requirements
flow
gradient requirements
inlet and outlet connections
ladder access
lids
open and closed channel
sizing.

Gullies can cover details such as size, location, bedding and concrete support, and also include:
boundary traps
disconnector gullies (DG)
floor waste (FW)
overflow relief gullies (ORG).

Calculations for complex sanitary plumbing and drainage systems may include:
determination of flow and fixture loadings
gradient calculations
interpretation of design charts and tables
pipe sizing calculations
reduced level calculations
self-cleaning velocities.

Anchor blocks design elements may include:
flow forces to be resisted
keying and anchorage points
sizes
soil characteristics.

Pipe supports may include:
anchors
bedding
bracket spacing
concrete support
corrosion protection
cover
hanging brackets
manufacturer-recommended specific fixings
material requirements
provision for expansion
saddles
wall and ceiling brackets.

Pumpwell, pump and pump control requirements may include:
access covers
automatic controls
capacity
chains
corrosion-resistant materials
detailing
emergency storage
high and low-level water controls and alarms
impeller sizing
inlet and outlet design requirements
installation and mounting requirements
ladder access
macerator requirements
odour control
pump selection
pump sizing
pumpwell sizing
space requirements
step irons
valve requirements
ventilation
warning system.

Materials may include:
cast iron (CI)
concrete
copper (CU)
earthenware (VCP)
high density polyethylene (HDPE)
unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U)
other approved material
fittings and fixtures, including:
measures to prevent the spread of fire
sound attenuation requirements.

Jointing methods may include:
brazing and threading
electrofusion welding
mechanical joints
rubber ring
solvent cement welding.

Installation requirements must include:
bedding
clipping
concrete support
fire rating of penetrations
installation details
jointing requirements
level of workmanship.

Rising main systems may include:
approved pressure pipe and fittings
calculated rise and pump delivery requirements
pipe velocities
pump sizing to meet calculated flow conditions.

Sustainability principles and concepts:
cover the current and future social, economic and environmental use of resources
may include:
selecting appropriate material to ensure minimal environmental impact
efficient use of material
efficient energy usage/capital outlay comparison
effect on the environment due to overflow or leakage
water efficiency
consideration of the Green Building Council of Australia rating scheme
local environment consideration regarding overflow, disposal and reuse.

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

Specification may include:
bedding
commissioning
concrete support and detailing specialised components
jointing
access chambers (manholes)
manufacturer requirements
materials
pumps
safety (WHS)
support
testing
workmanship.

Testing may include:
air pressure
drainage inspection
hydrostatic
performance
quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule may include:
charging traps
checking leaks
checking for foreign material
checking for system defects
checking that system functions as per design
checking trap water seal retention
cleaning grates
system certification.

Operation and maintenance manual may include:
construction drawings
results of commissioning test
certification documentation
maintenance schedules
manufacturer brochures and technical information
manufacturer warranties.

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 may be assessed on its own or as part of an integrated assessment activity involving carrying out the effective performance and application of drainage principles and detailing system components used in the drainage industry.

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 the ability to:
design, size and document the layout details of a complex sanitary plumbing and drainage system, including a specification for a high rise mixed development building; using two approved sanitary plumbing systems, to an effective height above 25 metres, inclusive of a basement, to include fixtures on each floor level (fixtures are included in the basement) and:
applying sustainability principles and concepts throughout to achieve a star rating under the Green Building Council of Australia rating scheme
evaluating and documenting design parameters, including client, regulatory, manufacturer and relevant Australian standard and code requirements for a range of complex sanitary plumbing and drainage systems
evaluating health risks associated with the sanitary plumbing and drainage system
planning and detailing system components, including:
access chambers (manholes)
gullies
anchorage blocks
pumpwells
piping systems
designing and sizing a complex sanitary plumbing and drainage system
applying drainage principles in the design and sizing of a complex elevated pipe system
designing and sizing a rising main
designing and sizing a fully vented or fully vented modified system
designing and sizing a single stack or single stack modified system
preparing plans to industry standards for a range of complex sanitary plumbing and drainage systems
preparing a specification for a complex sanitary plumbing and drainage system
preparing a testing and commissioning schedule
preparing an operation and maintenance manual
complying with WHS regulations applicable to workplace operations
communicating with others to ensure safe and effective workplace 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
tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices
support materials appropriate to activity
workplace instructions relating to safe work 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.