Assessor Resource

FWPCOT3232
Operate heat plant

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to start up, operate and store an energy producing heat plant.

The unit applies to heat plant operators in a timber processing plant setting and includes shutting down and cleaning equipment.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements 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.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. Prepare for operation

1.1 Review operational order and where required check with appropriate personnel.

1.2 Select appropriate personal protective equipment and check for operational effectiveness.

1.3 Identify and set quantity of energy to be generated for allocated process.

1.4 Plan heat generation in line with work order.

2. Operate and monitor heat plant

2.1 Use equipment in line with organisational safety procedures, manufacturer’s instructions and environmental protection practices.

2.2 Complete pre-operational safety and pre start-up checks to ensure operational effectiveness.

2.3 Start plant and bring safely on line; communicate recent performance to appropriate personnel.

2.4 Assess continued operation of heat plant against pre-operational checks, maintenance requirements and operating conditions.

2.5 Monitor heat plant operation, diagnose status and adjust to maintain safe and efficient operation.

2.6 Follow emergency shutdown procedures in cases of fire.

2.7 Complete operating log, record fuel efficiency and report to appropriate personnel.

3. Shut down and store heat plant

3.1 Follow organisational safety procedures to shut down equipment.

3.2 Remove or replace valves and fittings in line with organisational safety procedures if required

3.3 Maintain cleanliness of heat plant and plant room in line with environmental protection practices

3.4 Select storage mode and store heat plant in line with organisational safety procedures.

3.5 Record and report and equipment faults and maintenance requirements to appropriate personnel.

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. If a specific volume or frequency is not stated below, then evidence must be provided that the following requirements have been performed on at least one occasion:

operate a heat plant, in line with operating orders for each period prescribing different energy generation requirements

after the above jobs:

complete operating logs and fuel efficiency records

maintain cleanliness of plant and plant room.

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

environmental protection practices for heat plant operations:

cleaning plant, tools and equipment

disposing of hazardous substances

characteristics and dangers of heat and energy generated by heat plants

purpose, features and operation of energy generating heat plants

processes for heat plant startup, shutdown, cleaning and storage

range of data used to evaluate heat plant performance:

heat levels

pressure levels

energy generation levels

heat build-up

system overload information

monitor fuel usage

past performance records

methods used to:

remove valves and fittings

clean plant and plant room

organisational procedures specific to operating heat plants:

workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on equipment lock out and use of personal protective equipment

communication reporting lines

recording and reporting operating logs, fuel efficiency records, equipment faults and maintenance requirements.

The following resources must be made available:

energy generating heat plant

personal protective equipment suitable for operating heat plants

manufacturers’ instructions for use and maintenance of equipment

operational order with specific instructions for required heat generation levels and quantities and operating times

template documents:

operating logs

fuel efficiency records

records of equipment faults and maintenance requirements

organisational procedures for operating heat plants.

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must:

hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and

be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and

be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.


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.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. Prepare for operation

1.1 Review operational order and where required check with appropriate personnel.

1.2 Select appropriate personal protective equipment and check for operational effectiveness.

1.3 Identify and set quantity of energy to be generated for allocated process.

1.4 Plan heat generation in line with work order.

2. Operate and monitor heat plant

2.1 Use equipment in line with organisational safety procedures, manufacturer’s instructions and environmental protection practices.

2.2 Complete pre-operational safety and pre start-up checks to ensure operational effectiveness.

2.3 Start plant and bring safely on line; communicate recent performance to appropriate personnel.

2.4 Assess continued operation of heat plant against pre-operational checks, maintenance requirements and operating conditions.

2.5 Monitor heat plant operation, diagnose status and adjust to maintain safe and efficient operation.

2.6 Follow emergency shutdown procedures in cases of fire.

2.7 Complete operating log, record fuel efficiency and report to appropriate personnel.

3. Shut down and store heat plant

3.1 Follow organisational safety procedures to shut down equipment.

3.2 Remove or replace valves and fittings in line with organisational safety procedures if required

3.3 Maintain cleanliness of heat plant and plant room in line with environmental protection practices

3.4 Select storage mode and store heat plant in line with organisational safety procedures.

3.5 Record and report and equipment faults and maintenance requirements to appropriate personnel.

Not Applicable

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. If a specific volume or frequency is not stated below, then evidence must be provided that the following requirements have been performed on at least one occasion:

operate a heat plant, in line with operating orders for each period prescribing different energy generation requirements

after the above jobs:

complete operating logs and fuel efficiency records

maintain cleanliness of plant and plant room.

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

environmental protection practices for heat plant operations:

cleaning plant, tools and equipment

disposing of hazardous substances

characteristics and dangers of heat and energy generated by heat plants

purpose, features and operation of energy generating heat plants

processes for heat plant startup, shutdown, cleaning and storage

range of data used to evaluate heat plant performance:

heat levels

pressure levels

energy generation levels

heat build-up

system overload information

monitor fuel usage

past performance records

methods used to:

remove valves and fittings

clean plant and plant room

organisational procedures specific to operating heat plants:

workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on equipment lock out and use of personal protective equipment

communication reporting lines

recording and reporting operating logs, fuel efficiency records, equipment faults and maintenance requirements.

The following resources must be made available:

energy generating heat plant

personal protective equipment suitable for operating heat plants

manufacturers’ instructions for use and maintenance of equipment

operational order with specific instructions for required heat generation levels and quantities and operating times

template documents:

operating logs

fuel efficiency records

records of equipment faults and maintenance requirements

organisational procedures for operating heat plants.

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must:

hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and

be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and

be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.

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
Review operational order and where required check with appropriate personnel. 
Select appropriate personal protective equipment and check for operational effectiveness. 
Identify and set quantity of energy to be generated for allocated process. 
Plan heat generation in line with work order. 
Use equipment in line with organisational safety procedures, manufacturer’s instructions and environmental protection practices. 
Complete pre-operational safety and pre start-up checks to ensure operational effectiveness. 
Start plant and bring safely on line; communicate recent performance to appropriate personnel. 
Assess continued operation of heat plant against pre-operational checks, maintenance requirements and operating conditions. 
Monitor heat plant operation, diagnose status and adjust to maintain safe and efficient operation. 
Follow emergency shutdown procedures in cases of fire. 
Complete operating log, record fuel efficiency and report to appropriate personnel. 
Follow organisational safety procedures to shut down equipment. 
Remove or replace valves and fittings in line with organisational safety procedures if required 
Maintain cleanliness of heat plant and plant room in line with environmental protection practices 
Select storage mode and store heat plant in line with organisational safety procedures. 
Record and report and equipment faults and maintenance requirements to appropriate personnel. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FWPCOT3232 - Operate heat plant
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

FWPCOT3232 - Operate heat plant

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: