Assessor Resource

FWPCOT3248
Dry timber in solar assisted kilns

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to dry timber in solar assisted kilns, to appropriate moisture contents and stress levels. It covers hardwood and softwood and includes evaluation of energy savings and principles of sustainability.

The unit applies to those working in a range of technical roles in the forestry and forest products industry.

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

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

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 drying

1.1 Review and check work order.

1.2 Obtains type and quantity of timber to be dried from the conversion process.

1.3 Visually assess racks to be dried for consistent drying characteristics.

1.4 Select equipment required for the work requirements and check for operational effectiveness.

1.5 Select oven sections and sample boards, cut according to standard operating procedures and measure moisture content.

1.6 Plan drying process according to organisational procedures.

2. Load kiln and control kiln conditions

2.1 Conduct pre start-up checks according to manufacturer’s instructions.

2.2 Follow emergency shutdown procedures in the case of alarm being triggered

2.3 Load kiln with racks selected for processing complete records of loading.

2.4 Position baffles and/or blankets according to standard operating procedures.

3. Monitor kiln conditions

3.1 Monitor and measure moisture content and review results against drying plan and initial measurement.

3.2 Check and adjust kiln control settings to ensure drying schedules are met.

3.3 Monitor kiln charge for drying degrade and assess the need for reconditioning or high humidity treatment.

4. Check timber quality on completion of drying

4.1 Identify drying end point and make kiln safe for entry.

4.2 Open kiln and check moisture content of processed timber.

4.3 Prepare drying stress samples and measure for specified use

4.4 Rectify unsuitable drying stresses within site procedures.

4.5 Visually assess drying quality, identify sub-standard material and direct for re-use according to site and environmental procedures.

5. Unload kiln and move or store timber

5.1 Remove moisture probes and baffles and/or blankets from timber.

5.2 Direct timber to storage or processing operations and check that packs are labelled in line with site requirements

5.3 Clean work area according to site requirements.

5.4 Complete records and reports for 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:

follow organisational procedures to safely and efficiently dry timber in solar assisted kilns

dry timber to appropriate moisture contents and stress levels

operate and monitor a solar assisted kiln, and make necessary adjustments in the course of the drying process

measure the amount of moisture content of timber or timber products during and after kiln drying

keep degrade to a minimum when drying timber

manage the safe movement of timber throughout all stages of the drying process

produce accurate reports and records of the drying process.

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

organisational procedures for drying timber

energy efficiency and savings obtained from various types of solar kilns

types of tools and equipment and procedures for their safe use, operation and maintenance in the course of drying timber in the solar assisted kilns

species identification for timbers

drying techniques including development and relief of drying stresses

identification of drying degrade including surface checks, internal checks, end splits, collapse, excessive distortion, bow, spring, twist, cup and case hardening

procedures for the operation of solar assisted kilns

the anticipated process the timber will undergo to remove moisture to target moisture content including air drying, sheltered air drying, pre-drying, reconditioning, high humidity treatments, final kiln drying, equalising, conditioning

types of timber degrades and how they develop

wood-water relationships in the drying process

methods of visual inspection

characteristics of timber including native timber species, imported timber species and preservative treated timber

quality and distribution processes

storage systems and labelling.

The following resources must be made available:

solar assisted kiln

timber for drying

personal and protective equipment required for drying timber in solar assisted kilns.

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

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

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 drying

1.1 Review and check work order.

1.2 Obtains type and quantity of timber to be dried from the conversion process.

1.3 Visually assess racks to be dried for consistent drying characteristics.

1.4 Select equipment required for the work requirements and check for operational effectiveness.

1.5 Select oven sections and sample boards, cut according to standard operating procedures and measure moisture content.

1.6 Plan drying process according to organisational procedures.

2. Load kiln and control kiln conditions

2.1 Conduct pre start-up checks according to manufacturer’s instructions.

2.2 Follow emergency shutdown procedures in the case of alarm being triggered

2.3 Load kiln with racks selected for processing complete records of loading.

2.4 Position baffles and/or blankets according to standard operating procedures.

3. Monitor kiln conditions

3.1 Monitor and measure moisture content and review results against drying plan and initial measurement.

3.2 Check and adjust kiln control settings to ensure drying schedules are met.

3.3 Monitor kiln charge for drying degrade and assess the need for reconditioning or high humidity treatment.

4. Check timber quality on completion of drying

4.1 Identify drying end point and make kiln safe for entry.

4.2 Open kiln and check moisture content of processed timber.

4.3 Prepare drying stress samples and measure for specified use

4.4 Rectify unsuitable drying stresses within site procedures.

4.5 Visually assess drying quality, identify sub-standard material and direct for re-use according to site and environmental procedures.

5. Unload kiln and move or store timber

5.1 Remove moisture probes and baffles and/or blankets from timber.

5.2 Direct timber to storage or processing operations and check that packs are labelled in line with site requirements

5.3 Clean work area according to site requirements.

5.4 Complete records and reports for 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:

follow organisational procedures to safely and efficiently dry timber in solar assisted kilns

dry timber to appropriate moisture contents and stress levels

operate and monitor a solar assisted kiln, and make necessary adjustments in the course of the drying process

measure the amount of moisture content of timber or timber products during and after kiln drying

keep degrade to a minimum when drying timber

manage the safe movement of timber throughout all stages of the drying process

produce accurate reports and records of the drying process.

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

organisational procedures for drying timber

energy efficiency and savings obtained from various types of solar kilns

types of tools and equipment and procedures for their safe use, operation and maintenance in the course of drying timber in the solar assisted kilns

species identification for timbers

drying techniques including development and relief of drying stresses

identification of drying degrade including surface checks, internal checks, end splits, collapse, excessive distortion, bow, spring, twist, cup and case hardening

procedures for the operation of solar assisted kilns

the anticipated process the timber will undergo to remove moisture to target moisture content including air drying, sheltered air drying, pre-drying, reconditioning, high humidity treatments, final kiln drying, equalising, conditioning

types of timber degrades and how they develop

wood-water relationships in the drying process

methods of visual inspection

characteristics of timber including native timber species, imported timber species and preservative treated timber

quality and distribution processes

storage systems and labelling.

The following resources must be made available:

solar assisted kiln

timber for drying

personal and protective equipment required for drying timber in solar assisted kilns.

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 and check work order. 
Obtains type and quantity of timber to be dried from the conversion process. 
Visually assess racks to be dried for consistent drying characteristics. 
Select equipment required for the work requirements and check for operational effectiveness. 
Select oven sections and sample boards, cut according to standard operating procedures and measure moisture content. 
Plan drying process according to organisational procedures. 
Conduct pre start-up checks according to manufacturer’s instructions. 
Follow emergency shutdown procedures in the case of alarm being triggered 
Load kiln with racks selected for processing complete records of loading. 
Position baffles and/or blankets according to standard operating procedures. 
Monitor and measure moisture content and review results against drying plan and initial measurement. 
Check and adjust kiln control settings to ensure drying schedules are met. 
Monitor kiln charge for drying degrade and assess the need for reconditioning or high humidity treatment. 
Identify drying end point and make kiln safe for entry. 
Open kiln and check moisture content of processed timber. 
Prepare drying stress samples and measure for specified use 
Rectify unsuitable drying stresses within site procedures. 
Visually assess drying quality, identify sub-standard material and direct for re-use according to site and environmental procedures. 
Remove moisture probes and baffles and/or blankets from timber. 
Direct timber to storage or processing operations and check that packs are labelled in line with site requirements 
Clean work area according to site requirements. 
Complete records and reports for appropriate personnel. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FWPCOT3248 - Dry timber in solar assisted kilns
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

FWPCOT3248 - Dry timber in solar assisted kilns

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: