Assessor Resource

AHCIRG310
Operate and maintain irrigation pumping systems

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to operate an irrigation pumping system and maintain pumps and pumping equipment.

It applies to individuals who take responsibility for own work and for the quality of the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources. All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare to maintain pumps

1.1 Obtain and interpret work requirements for the satisfactory completion of operations

1.2 Select and use materials, tools, equipment and machinery as required by the work activity

1.3 Identify work health and safety hazards, assess risks and implement suitable controls

1.4 Select, use and maintain suitable safety and personal protective equipment

1.5 Identify and arrange support required for the safe completion of the servicing and maintenance tasks

1.6 Carry out isolation and lock-out of all equipment necessary for the safe execution of tasks

2. Carry out pump maintenance

2.1 Inspect pumps and report any faults

2.2 Service and maintain pumps

2.3 Dispose of used oil, lubricant and other waste

2.4 Maintain servicing and maintenance records

3. Prepare the pumping system

3.1 Check operation and function of pump and driver

3.2 Conduct pre-start-up checks on the pumping system to ensure valves are correctly sequenced and filters are clear before commencing pumping operations, and that all safety requirements are met

4. Start up and shutdown pumping system

4.1 Operate ancillary equipment

4.2 Start up and shut down pump

4.3 Implement emergency shutdown procedures when required

5. Operate and monitor pumping and ancillary systems

5.1 Check and maintain flanges, gaskets and seals within stated operational tolerances and to avoid environmental damage

5.2 Monitor pump pressures and flows for conformance

5.3 Use amperage testing equipment to monitor and identify variations in the operating conditions of the pumping systems and equipment

5.4 Monitor pumping systems and equipment performance as well as all components to identify any signs of excessive wear and a reduction of performance

5.5 Check operational valves and valve assemblies for possible leakages

5.6 Check filter systems periodically and clean to remove any potential blockages or impurities entering the pumping system and equipment which may cause it to cavitate or malfunction during operation

5.7 Inspect and sample lubrication oil to check that operating levels are correct and to determine if any contamination has taken place which may affect the operational capacity of the pumping system and equipment

5.8 Take appropriate action resulting from checks and monitoring

6. Shut down the pumping system

6.1 Shut down injection equipment and pump

6.2 Clean pumping equipment

6.3 Collect, treat and dispose of or recycle waste generated by both the pumping process and cleaning procedures

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

adjust pump settings

check and clear or replace filters

check and top-up fluids, including coolants, lubricants and hydraulic oils

check oil quality and levels

clear blockages

inspect and clean pumps

lubricate pumps

monitor pressures and flows

prime a pump

replace belts

replace worn components, including pump seals, liners and impellers

set valves and check for wear and leakages

tension fasteners and y-belts

use amperage testing equipment

The candidate must explain:

advantages and disadvantages of each pump type

automatic pump switches including timers, pressure switches, irrigation controllers and flow switches

basic principles of hydraulics (flow vs. pressure)

discharge and flow rates

impellers, rotors and stators

properties of water including pressure and flow rates

pump components and their principles of operation

pump performance and fault finding

pumps and their application in irrigation, such as centrifugal, vertical turbine, submersible and propeller

pumps that are suitable as booster and floating pumps

reading pump gauges and controls

service requirements of pumps

valves and their uses

workplace and equipment safety requirements

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare to maintain pumps

1.1 Obtain and interpret work requirements for the satisfactory completion of operations

1.2 Select and use materials, tools, equipment and machinery as required by the work activity

1.3 Identify work health and safety hazards, assess risks and implement suitable controls

1.4 Select, use and maintain suitable safety and personal protective equipment

1.5 Identify and arrange support required for the safe completion of the servicing and maintenance tasks

1.6 Carry out isolation and lock-out of all equipment necessary for the safe execution of tasks

2. Carry out pump maintenance

2.1 Inspect pumps and report any faults

2.2 Service and maintain pumps

2.3 Dispose of used oil, lubricant and other waste

2.4 Maintain servicing and maintenance records

3. Prepare the pumping system

3.1 Check operation and function of pump and driver

3.2 Conduct pre-start-up checks on the pumping system to ensure valves are correctly sequenced and filters are clear before commencing pumping operations, and that all safety requirements are met

4. Start up and shutdown pumping system

4.1 Operate ancillary equipment

4.2 Start up and shut down pump

4.3 Implement emergency shutdown procedures when required

5. Operate and monitor pumping and ancillary systems

5.1 Check and maintain flanges, gaskets and seals within stated operational tolerances and to avoid environmental damage

5.2 Monitor pump pressures and flows for conformance

5.3 Use amperage testing equipment to monitor and identify variations in the operating conditions of the pumping systems and equipment

5.4 Monitor pumping systems and equipment performance as well as all components to identify any signs of excessive wear and a reduction of performance

5.5 Check operational valves and valve assemblies for possible leakages

5.6 Check filter systems periodically and clean to remove any potential blockages or impurities entering the pumping system and equipment which may cause it to cavitate or malfunction during operation

5.7 Inspect and sample lubrication oil to check that operating levels are correct and to determine if any contamination has taken place which may affect the operational capacity of the pumping system and equipment

5.8 Take appropriate action resulting from checks and monitoring

6. Shut down the pumping system

6.1 Shut down injection equipment and pump

6.2 Clean pumping equipment

6.3 Collect, treat and dispose of or recycle waste generated by both the pumping process and cleaning procedures

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

adjust pump settings

check and clear or replace filters

check and top-up fluids, including coolants, lubricants and hydraulic oils

check oil quality and levels

clear blockages

inspect and clean pumps

lubricate pumps

monitor pressures and flows

prime a pump

replace belts

replace worn components, including pump seals, liners and impellers

set valves and check for wear and leakages

tension fasteners and y-belts

use amperage testing equipment

The candidate must explain:

advantages and disadvantages of each pump type

automatic pump switches including timers, pressure switches, irrigation controllers and flow switches

basic principles of hydraulics (flow vs. pressure)

discharge and flow rates

impellers, rotors and stators

properties of water including pressure and flow rates

pump components and their principles of operation

pump performance and fault finding

pumps and their application in irrigation, such as centrifugal, vertical turbine, submersible and propeller

pumps that are suitable as booster and floating pumps

reading pump gauges and controls

service requirements of pumps

valves and their uses

workplace and equipment safety requirements

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Obtain and interpret work requirements for the satisfactory completion of operations 
Select and use materials, tools, equipment and machinery as required by the work activity 
Identify work health and safety hazards, assess risks and implement suitable controls 
Select, use and maintain suitable safety and personal protective equipment 
Identify and arrange support required for the safe completion of the servicing and maintenance tasks 
Carry out isolation and lock-out of all equipment necessary for the safe execution of tasks 
Inspect pumps and report any faults 
Service and maintain pumps 
Dispose of used oil, lubricant and other waste 
Maintain servicing and maintenance records 
Check operation and function of pump and driver 
Conduct pre-start-up checks on the pumping system to ensure valves are correctly sequenced and filters are clear before commencing pumping operations, and that all safety requirements are met 
Operate ancillary equipment 
Start up and shut down pump 
Implement emergency shutdown procedures when required 
Check and maintain flanges, gaskets and seals within stated operational tolerances and to avoid environmental damage 
Monitor pump pressures and flows for conformance 
Use amperage testing equipment to monitor and identify variations in the operating conditions of the pumping systems and equipment 
Monitor pumping systems and equipment performance as well as all components to identify any signs of excessive wear and a reduction of performance 
Check operational valves and valve assemblies for possible leakages 
Check filter systems periodically and clean to remove any potential blockages or impurities entering the pumping system and equipment which may cause it to cavitate or malfunction during operation 
Inspect and sample lubrication oil to check that operating levels are correct and to determine if any contamination has taken place which may affect the operational capacity of the pumping system and equipment 
Take appropriate action resulting from checks and monitoring 
Shut down injection equipment and pump 
Clean pumping equipment 
Collect, treat and dispose of or recycle waste generated by both the pumping process and cleaning procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCIRG310 - Operate and maintain irrigation pumping systems
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

AHCIRG310 - Operate and maintain irrigation pumping systems

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: