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 planning, preparing, implementing and reviewing a maintenance plan for a swimming pool or spa.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person should demonstrate the ability to:

determine maintenance requirements for swimming pools and spas

develop a maintenance plan for a swimming pool or spa that includes procedures for selecting maintenance contractors and maintaining safety and security of clients

implement a maintenance plan for a swimming pool or spa

review the maintenance plan for a swimming pool or spa.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context and is to comply with relevant regulatory and Australian Standards’ requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

relevant codes, standards and government regulations

a technical reference library with current publications on maintenance plans for swimming pools and spas.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the CPP07 Property 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.

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.

Guidance information for assessment

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.

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.

Required skills

communication skills to interact in an ethical manner with clients from diverse social, economic and cultural backgrounds

analytical skills to interpret documents, such as legislation, regulations, building plans and swimming pool and spa maintenance reports and specifications

decision-making and problem-solving skills to:

analyse situations and make decisions regarding swimming pool and spa maintenance consistent with legislative, safety and ethical requirements

apply risk-management strategies associated with swimming pool and spa maintenance

literacy skills to:

access and interpret a variety of texts, including legislation, regulations and building and safety codes

prepare general information, papers, formal and informal letters, reports and applications

complete standard and statutory forms

negotiation skills to establish contracts with tradespeople and service providers for provision of maintenance and repair services

numeracy skills to calculate and interpret data on maintenance costs, such as the annual level of maintenance expenditure required to sustain swimming pool or spa at its current condition

planning, organising and scheduling skills to provide routine, seasonal and preventative maintenance services for swimming pools and spas

research skills to identify and locate documents and information relating to the maintenance of swimming pools and spas

technology skills to:

access the internet and web pages and search online databases

prepare and complete online forms

Required knowledge

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission product safety guidelines

chemical safety:

principles, practices and benefits

possible consequences of not adhering to chemical-safety principles

commonwealth, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations, Australian standards, and codes of practice impacting on maintenance plans for swimming pool and spas related to:

dangerous goods

electrical and plumbing regulations controlling conduct of electrical and plumbing work

environment protection

environmental health

work health and safety

private and public swimming pools and spas

waste disposal

factors to consider in designing a maintenance plan based on:

design and type of facility

length of the operating season

nature, purpose, goals or mission of the sponsoring agency

need to generate revenue

number and age of the pools and spas

size and capabilities of the staff

contents of maintenance plans for swimming pools and spas:

advantages

preventative maintenance

procedures:

inspection

replacement

service

routine maintenance:

brushing

opening and closing checklist: pool and spa deck, and pump room

tile cleaning

vacuuming

seasonal maintenance:

deterioration of equipment and materials

disassembling and assembling equipment

hydrostatic pressure

pool covers

pool water chemistry: chemical composition, chemical imbalance and its consequences, and ways of rectifying chemical imbalance

start-up procedures

utilities

vandalism prevention

maintenance strategies relevant to private and public swimming pools and spas

procedures for reporting repairs and maintenance to owners and operators

procedures for selecting tradespeople and specialist service providers

risks and management strategies associated with swimming pool and spa maintenance

systems for implementing swimming pool and spa maintenance requirements

tendering procedures

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.

Relevant documentation mayinclude:

equipment inventory

feedback from users

inspection reports

maintenance specifications

owner or operator instructions

risk assessment data

swimming pool and spa usage data.

Maintenance requirements may include:

preventative

routine

seasonal.

Industry benchmarks may include:

age of swimming pool or spa with allowance for mid-life upgrades and refurbishments

annual level of maintenance expenditure required to sustain swimming pool or spa at its current condition

compliance with safety codes

compliance with environmental health guidelines

expenditure on repairs and maintenance as a percentage of asset value

functionality and amenity of swimming pool or spa

structural soundness.

Regulatory requirements may include:

relevant federal, and state or territory legislation and local government regulations relating to:

environmental health

environmental issues

property and facility management

public safety

swimming pools and spas

waste.

Safety and security requirements mayinclude:

emergency situations, including fire, flood, drowning, bomb threats, suicide attempts or other actions likely to lead to property or bodily threat

potential safety and health hazards, such as physical, mechanical, bacterial, viral or chemical agents that are already in the swimming pool or spa, or are brought to the pool or spa, or created as a by-product of use or management of the pool or spa.

Criteria may include:

cost

quality of work

service standards

specialist expertise.

Specialist services may include:

chemicals

computer systems

electrical systems

electronic systems

engineering

environmental health

information technology

landscaping

leak detection and repair

lighting systems

plumbing systems

pool and spa surfacing

public health

risk assessment

security

specialist equipment

water quality.

Business equipment and technology may include:

data storage devices

electronic tablet

email

facsimile machine

laptop computer

photocopier

printer and scanner

smart phone

software applications, such as databases and word applications.