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 irrigation systems and documenting layout irrigation systems for applications, including residential, sporting and agricultural properties
may be for new projects or an existing structure being renovated, extended, restored or maintained.

Design requirements must include:
architectural plans
backflow requirements
interpretation and application of irrigation services, drawings and symbols
irrigation management system
owner requirements
precipitation and evaporation rates
pumping requirements
required water application to establish and maintain plant life
source of irrigation water
sprinkler head spacings
system requirements
water storage 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 project
may include:
design styles
expected design life
labour costs
material costs
required water application to establish and maintain plant life
safety factors
speed of installation
suitability of materials
system choices
use of recycled or alternative water.

Statutory and regulatory requirements and relevant Australian standards and codes may include:
Acts, regulations and 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
state or territory health department requirements
other relevant Australian standards or codes.

Manufacturer requirements may include:
irrigation management system
material specifications
pump tables
sprinkler head performance
sub-surface irrigation
technical and trade manuals.

Desktop study may include collection and interpretation of data for design purposes in:
architectural and building plans
site layout plans, which may include:
sports ovals
golf courses
residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural properties
local government parks
manufacturer data
documents, which may include:
applications
brochures
forms
policies
other reports as available.

Flow and pressure tests may include:
interpretation of flow and pressure tests
on-site measurement of flows (l/s), velocity (m/s) and pressure (kPa).

Water sources, volumes and areas to be irrigated may include:
sources:
drinking water
non-drinking (recycled) water
rain water
grey water
creeks
dams
lakes
rivers
streams
tanks
other approved water sources
volumes and areas:
amount and duration of water supply
areas to be irrigated
number of control stations required
total amount and flow rate required for each control station.

Soil types may include:
gravels
light, medium and heavy clays
loams
rock
sands.

Performance requirements may include:
flow, velocity, pressure and discharge requirements, established using relevant Australian standards, codes and manufacturer information
required water application to establish and maintain plant life.

Layout of pipework systems:
may include:
distribution
dual feed systems
range pipes
ring main
single pipe
control stations
should not unduly affect aesthetic appeal and building integrity
should have principles of economy, serviceability, durability and fit for use applied.

Fittings, valves and controls may include:
fittings:
bends
elbows
sprinkler heads
tees
unions
valves:
backflow prevention
excess pressure
isolating
pressure limiting
pressure reduction
strainers
controls:
irrigation management system
control stations
control wiring
nodes.

Backflow prevention devices may include:
double-check valve assembly (DCV)
dual-check valve with intermediate vent (DuCV)
pressure type vacuum breaker (PVB)
reduced pressure zone device (RPZD)
registered air gap (RAG)
registered break tank (RBT)
reduced pressure detector assembly (RPDA)
reduced pressure zone device (RPZD)
other approved backflow prevention devices
may be located as:
individual protection
zone protection
containment protection.

Materials may include:
composite pipework
copper (Cu)
cross-linked polyethylene (PE-X)
polypropylene (PP)
polybutylene (PB)
polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
other relevant materials.

Jointing methods include:
brazing
compression
electrofusion welding
flaring
mechanical joints
rubber ring joints
screwing
soldering
other approved jointing methods.

Sections and components of the irrigation system must include:
irrigation stations:
number, size, area, volume of water required, delivery requirements, operation and activation of stations, sprinkler patterns, location and distribution of sprinkler heads, obstacle avoidance, water minimisation, waste minimisation and timing
manifold systems:
manifolds to stations, headers, branches, timers, isolators, servo valves, electronics, power supplies and manual activation
sensors:
moisture sensors, soil sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, weather stations and computer automation
automatic controls:
station controllers, servo valves, isolating valves, water tractors and timers
sprinklers, drippers and irrigators:
sprinkler heads, sprinkler flows, impact sprinklers, gear-driven sprinklers, water tractors, water cannons, tape drippers, individual drippers, flow controlled drippers, in-ground irrigation tapes and root inhibitor systems
sprinkler patterns:
head to head, square, triangular, circular, quarter overlap, half overlap, full overlap, double overlap and other overlap patterns.

Pipe supports may include:
thrust blocks
bedding
bracket spacing
corrosion protection
cover
manufacturer-recommended specific fixings
material requirements
provision for pipe movement.

Pump enclosure and control requirements may include:
acoustic performance
automatic change-over
automatic controls
dual-pump provision
impeller sizing
inlet and outlet design requirements
installation and mounting requirements
irrigation management control system
pressure gauges
pump contols
pump selection
pump sizing
pump housing
space requirements
valve requirements
variable speed control.

Installation requirements may include:
pipe connection:
bedding and backfilling
corrosion
cover
ground stability
impact
level of workmanship
manufacturer recommendations
pipe support
provision for pipe movement
serviceability and access.

Applications:
may include:
agricultural crops
garden irrigation
golf courses
greenhouses
lawn watering
local government parks
nurseries
sports ovals
should also cover:
individual crop water requirements
types of plants and their respective crop factors.

Delivery systems and layout may include:
main delivery
number and design of control stations
design includes:
avoiding obstacles
irregular shapes
minimising water wastage
range of irrigation applications
range pipes
ring mains
size and water delivery of sprinklers
sprinkler head patterns and placement.

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
water efficiency
reuse of water, such as rainwater, grey water and recycled non-drinking water
consideration of the Green Building Council of Australia rating scheme.

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

Specification may include:
bedding
flow requirements
irrigation management control system
jointing
manufacturer requirements
materials
pumps
residual pressures
safety (WHS)
specialised components
sprinkler head selection
storage tanks
support
testing
valve selection
water treatment
workmanship.

Testing may include:
defect inspection
hydrostatic
mains pressure
performance
quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule may include:
system certification
flow test
leak check
pressure test
system purge
system defect
system functions as per design
valve and system operation.

Operation and maintenance manual includes:
as installed drawings
results of commissioning test
certification documentation
maintenance schedules
manufacturer brochures and technical information
operational procedures
valve function.

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 layout details of an irrigation system, including a specification for a:
sports oval incorporating stormwater collection and use, with a mains pressure drinking water top-up and with chemical additives
a landscaped area for a mixed development site connected to a main pressure recycled (non-drinking) water main
evaluate and document design parameters to relevant Australian standards and codes, and regulatory, client and manufacturer requirements.
plan and detail system components that include:
backflow prevention devices
irrigation management-control system
pumping requirements
water delivery outlets
piping requirements
design and size two irrigation systems, using appropriate calculations and computer software for specific applications
prepare testing and commissioning schedules
prepare operation and maintenance manuals
apply sustainability principles and concepts throughout the design
communicate with others to ensure safe and effective work site 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.