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.

This unit of competency could be assessed by:

developing an air conditioning and ventilation system for a given project, including the schedule of works and job specification

preparing a graphical presentation of an air conditioning or ventilation system solution with specifications.

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 for an air conditioning and ventilation system for a 10 storey residential building with ground floor shops and basement car park

evaluate and document design parameters to relevant Australian standards, codes, regulatory, client and manufacturer requirements for system components, including:

air conditioning units

ducting systems

controls

fans

zones

develop an appropriate checklist for tests to be carried out on the system, including formulas required to carry out an air balance

conduct tests, record and evaluate test results, and prepare a report

prepare testing and commissioning schedules for air conditioning and ventilation systems

prepare operation and maintenance manuals for air conditioning and ventilation systems

apply sustainability principles and concepts throughout the air conditioning and ventilation system design

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.

Required skills

communication skills to:

communicate with others to ensure safe and effective work practices

confirm job specifications and client requirements

enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

use and interpret non-verbal communication

literacy skills to:

prepare written documentation, including:

operation and maintenance manual

plans, specifications and schedules

read and interpret:

plans, specifications, drawings and design briefs

manufacturer requirements and manuals

statutory and regulatory requirements and standards

initiative and enterprise skills to develop creative and responsive approaches

numeracy skills to:

apply formulas and calculate air displacements and returns

calculate heat loads

planning and organising skills to:

research, collect, organise and understand information relating to the design of air conditioning and ventilation systems

take initiative and make decisions

problem-solving skills to analyse requirements, carry out tests, consider options and design an appropriate system

teamwork skills to be able to work with others and action tasks and relate to people from a range of cultural ethnic backgrounds and varying physical and mental abilities.

technology skills to:

access and understand site-specific instructions in a variety of media

use mobile communication technology

Required knowledge

air psychometrics and the use of psychometric charts

requirements of the National Construction Code, relevant Australian standards and other applicable codes or standard operating procedures relevant to the sector

compliance with WHS and organisational quality procedures and processes

hazards associated with devices used in air conditioning and ventilation systems

heat load calculations

installation methods used in air conditioning and ventilation systems

nature of materials and effect of performance

plans and specifications

terminology and definitions used in air conditioning and ventilation systems

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 may include:

interpreting plans and specifications

sizing and documenting layout for air conditioning and ventilation systems, including residential and commercial systems

new projects or an existing structure being renovated, extended, restored or maintained.

Design requirements must include:

architectural plans

building specifications

fire safety

National Construction Code

owners

tenants

air-flow requirements and sizing of duct work.

Specific use conditions may include:

age and activity of occupants

computer requirements

food preparation

smoke exhaust

wet-bulb and dry-bulb temperature and humidity.

Psychometric evaluation may include:

absolute, specific and relative humidity

air composition

air properties, including:

density

expansion coefficient

kinematic viscosity

Prandtl number

specific heat

temperature

thermal conductivity

altitude, density and volume

determination of the air condition using a psychometric or Mollier chart, showing:

dewpoint temperature

dry-bulb temperature

enthalpy

humidity ratio

relative humidity

specific volume

wet-bulb temperature.

Calculation of heat loads must include:

assessment of factors affecting heat load, including:

building materials

insulation

number of personnel

number of windows

room dimensions

usage

weather effects

using:

calculations and computer software systems

heat load calculation methods and formulas.

Building heat losses may include:

construction materials

insulation materials

maintaining plenum

occupancy

room sizes.

Desktop study may include collection and interpretation of data for design purposes in:

architectural and building plans

developer plans

manufacturer data

documents:

applications

brochures

forms

policies

other reports as available.

Legislation, standards and other relevant documentation is to be according to commonwealth, state and territory legislation and regulations and may include:

WHS requirements, such as:

growth and distribution of Legionella pneumophila bacteria and other water and airborne infectious bacterial agents

handling of materials, including hazardous materials and substances

hazard control

organic and inorganic contaminants

personal protective clothing (PPE) and equipment

use of first aid equipment

use of tools and equipment

workplace environment and safety

environmental requirements, including water quality management, which may include the breeding of mosquitoes

quality assurance requirements, including:

AS1100 Technical drawing materials

AS/NZS1668 Ventilation systems: Parts 1 and 2

AS/NZS1677 Refrigerating systems

AS/NZS 3666 Handling microbial systems

Environment Protection Authority (EPA)

internal company quality assurance policy and risk management strategy

International Standards Organisation

site safety plan

workplace operations and procedures

specifications and operational manuals for:

commissioning and testing

components installation

fittings

manufacturer specifications, literature and data

materials

pumps

systems

valves.

Specifications may include:

air-flow requirements

equipment selection

fire safety

jointing

manufacturer requirements

materials

safety (WHS)

specialised components

support

testing

workmanship.

Plans:

may include:

axonometrics

cross-sections

details

elevations

isometrics

schematics

sections

may be produced using:

computer generation

drawing equipment.

Design and sizing:

may include designs that are prescriptive and include detail relating to:

cost

materials and quality of work

milestones

nominated subcontractors

provision of on-site facilities and site access

quality assurance

space allowances

standard procedures

work schedules

design parameters must include:

client requirements

legislative requirements

WHS requirements

user requirements in relation to zoning

design and sizing may be produced using:

computer generation

drawing equipment

with reference to calculations, tables, regulations and manufacturer specifications.

Applications may include:

amenities

basement carpark

food preparation

residential and commercial premises.

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.

Tests and testing equipment must include:

air pressure

air velocity

air volume

humidity

Pitot tubes

sound power levels

temperature.

Testing may include:

air flow

climate control

defect inspection

inspection checklist

performance quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule may include:

acoustic performance

balancing

system certification

check for foreign material

leak check

system defects

system functions as per design.

Operation and maintenance manual may include:

as installed drawings

certification documentation

results of commissioning test

maintenance schedules

manufacturer brochures and technical information

regular water quality testing

system operation.