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:
barriers to heat transfer
effects of air in a steam system
heat transfer
interpreting plans and specifications, and sizing and documenting layout of steam generation and distribution systems for residential, commercial and industrial applications for either new projects or an existing structure being renovated, extended, restored or maintained
principles and properties of steam systems, including:
characteristics of condensation
methods of condensate removal
steam applications, including commercial, manufacturing, institution and machinery and equipment operation
working with types of steam and steam quality, including:
dry steam
flash steam
properties of steam at varying pressures
superheated steam
wet steam.

Design requirements may include:
architectural plans
builder specifications
boiler selection
fire safety requirements
flow requirements and sizing of pipework
owner requirements
pipework identification
ventilation requirements.

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
energy costs
expected design life
labour costs
material costs
safety factors
speed of installation
suitable materials.

Statutory and regulatory requirements and relevant Australian standards and codes may include:
Acts, regulations and commonwealth, state or territory, and local government requirements
National Construction Code
relevant Australian standards and codes.

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

Desktop study must include:
architectural and building plans
developer plans
documents, including:
applications
brochures
forms
other reports as available
manufacturer data
policies.

Performance requirements may include:
steam generation and consumption, and steam and pressure quality, established using relevant Australian standards, codes and manufacturer information.

Layout of pipework systems:
must include:
principles of economy, serviceability, durability and fit for use
location of pipework (fire rating of enclosure)
should not unduly affect building integrity and aesthetic appeal.

Fittings and valves may include:
fittings:
bends
couplings
condensate traps
steam traps
steam headers
steam strainers
tees
unions
valves:
isolating valves
pressure relief valves.

Pipe size calculations must include:
energy
pressure
sizing
storage
volume.

Steam appliances:
may include:
calorifiers
industrial applications
kitchen and laundry appliances
sterilisers
water heaters
details must include:
components
construction
electronic controls
methods of temperature and pressure control.

Boilers:
may include:
coal
electric
fire tube
gas
oil
packaged
solid fuel
water tube
factors to be considered when selecting a boiler must include:
advantages and disadvantages of boiler types
capacity and size
designs based on anticipated use
energy sources
methods of reducing heat losses
pressure controls and components
storage requirement calculations
suitable time period between refilling
valves.

Steam circuits must include:
condensate return
feed pumps
feed tanks
headers
steam distribution
water treatment.

Steam trap types and their operation:
types, which may include:
mechanical
thermodynamic
thermostatic
other applicable types
operation, which must include:
installation
location.

Steam injection must include:
noise control
open ended pipe
proprietary
sparge pipe.

Insulation:
may include:
fibreglass
rock wool
insulation protection, including:
plastic
sheet metal.

Pipe supports may include:
anchors
bracket spacing
corrosion protection
hanging brackets
manufacturer-recommended specific fixings
material requirements
provision for expansion.

Materials may include:
copper
steel
other approved materials.

Jointing methods may include:
brazing
mechanical joints
threading
welding.

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

Designed may include:
cost relating to performance, including:
milestones
standard procedures
standards of work
work schedules
prescriptive designs, including detail relating to:
materials and quality of work
nominated subcontractors
provision of on-site facilities and site access
quality assurance.

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 energy usage
water usage
efficient use and recycling of material
disposing of waste material to ensure minimal environmental impact.

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

Specification may include:
boiler selection
fire safety
flow requirements
jointing
manufacturer requirements
materials
residual pressures
specialised components
support
testing
valve selection
workmanship
work health and safety (WHS).

Testing may include:
defect inspection
flow
inspection checklist
leak
pressure
performance
quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule may include:
boiler
check for foreign material
containment
leak check
operation
pump
system certification
system defects
system functions as per design
treatment system.

Operation and maintenance manual may include:
as installed drawings
certification documentation
maintenance schedules
manufacturer brochures and technical information
system operational procedures
regular water quality testing
results of commissioning test.

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:
apply sustainability principles and concepts throughout the design of the system
design, size and document layout details, including a specification for a 100-bed three-storey hospital incorporating a laundry
evaluate and document design parameters to relevant Australian standards, codes, regulations, and client and manufacturer requirements for a steam generation and distribution system
design and size a steam generation and distribution system using appropriate software
prepare testing and commissioning schedules
produce operation and maintenance manuals
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
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.