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
rainfall analysis
sizing and documenting layout of rainwater harvesting systems for residential, commercial and industrial applications to include water treatment and backflow protection of drinking and non-drinking water supply systems
may be for new projects or an existing structure being renovated, extended, restored or maintained.

Design requirements must include:
architectural plans
building specifications
owner requirements
pipework identification
sizing of pipework
backflow protection of drinking and non-drinking water supply systems
water treatment
specialist water use applications.

Contamination may include:
bacterial
heavy metal
inorganic
odour
organic
taste
silt
viral
vermin.

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
may include:
design styles
energy costs
expected design life
labour costs
material costs
safety factors
speed of installation
suitable materials.

Statutory, regulatory requirements and relevant Australian standards and codes include:
Acts and regulations, commonwealth, state or territory and local government requirements
AS/NZS3500 National plumbing and drainage
AS2200 Design charts for water supply and sewerage
National Construction Code.

Manufacturer requirements may include:
material specifications
pipe sizing
pump installation
storage system
technical and trade manuals
other relevant documents.

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

Performance requirements must include:
compliance limits for:
bacteria levels
nutrients
pH
silt control
vermin protection
overflow discharge requirements
requirements established using relevant Australian standards, codes and local authority plans, including:
cover
discharge
flow conditions
pipe grades.

Tank type and location may include:
tank type:
concrete
fibreglass
metal
polymer
other approved materials
tank location may include:
above-ground
in-ground.

Layout of pipework systems:
may include:
gravity systems
pumped systems
should not unduly affect building integrity and aesthetic appeal
should have principles of economy, serviceability, durability and fit for use.

Fittings, valves and controls include:
backflow prevention devices
inspection openings
irrigation control systems
isolating valves
level indicators
pump controls.

First-flush systems may include:
electronic
float-activated
mechanical
volume-activated.

Filtration systems may include:
overflow devices
sand
screens
settlement tanks
strainers.

Water contamination solutions may include:
disinfection
ultraviolet.

Pipe size calculations must include:
determination of flow
interpretation of design charts and tables
pipe sizing calculations
reduced level calculations.

Materials may include:
copper (Cu)
polyethylene (PE)
polypropylene (PP)
polybutylene (PB)
unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U)
other approved material.

Jointing methods may include:
brazing
compression joints
electrofusion welding
mechanical joints
solvent cement
threading
other approved jointing methods.

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

Pump and ancillary requirements may include:
automatic controls
pump duties
corrosion-resistant materials
level controls and alarms
pump selection and pump sizing, based on:
flow
velocity
lift
probable simultaneous demands.

Installation requirements may include:
pipe protection, which may include:
cover
corrosion
impact
fire rating
level of workmanship
manufacturer-recommended specific fixings
pipe support
provision for expansion
serviceability and access.

Rainwater reuse systems must include:
roof water collection
storage may include:
tanks
open in-ground (dam)
water treatment
pumps
approved drinking and non-drinking use.

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

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

Specification may include:
backflow prevention
flow requirements
jointing
manufacturer requirements
materials
residual pressures
safety (WHS)
specialised components
storage
support
testing
valve selection
water treatment
workmanship.

Testing must include:
air pressure
backflow protection
defect inspection
drainage inspection
hydrostatic
performance:
flow
pressure
water quality
quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule must include:
balancing disposal system
flow and pressure adjustments
leak check
pressure test
pump settings
safety requirements
system certification
system defects
system flushing
system functions as per design
system purge
valve operation
ventilation
vermin control.

Operation and maintenance manual may include:
as installed drawings
certification documentation
maintenance schedules
manufacturer brochures
ongoing maintenance requirements
pump maintenance
regular inspections
results of commissioning test
safety management system
system detail, setting and operations
valve function
system operational parameter adjustments and checks, including:
disinfection
first flush devices
pH
silt control
suspended solids
water quality.

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, as a minimum, provide evidence of the ability to:
design, size and document the layout details, including a specification for a high-rise mixed development building and a wide span project, such as a school or industrial complex.
evaluate and document design parameters, including rainfall, client, regulatory, manufacturer and relevant Australian standard requirements and storage capacity for a range of rainwater harvesting systems
plan and detail system components, including:
authority connection
backflow prevention requirements
filters
fixtures and fitments
piping systems
pumps
storage
water treatment
design and size rainwater harvesting and reuse systems
prepare plans and specifications for a range of rainwater harvesting and reuse systems to industry standards
prepare testing and commissioning schedules
prepare operation and maintenance manuals
apply sustainability principles and concepts throughout the design to achieve a green star rating
communicate 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, 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.