Assessor Resource

FWPSAW3206
Dry softwood

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to prepare timber racks for processing, load and unload conventional and high temperature kilns and to monitor and control kiln conditions to dry and recondition softwood. Work is completed in a forest products factory setting.

The unit applies to those who dry softwood using a kiln in a forest products factory setting.

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 drying

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

1.2 Select appropriate personal protective and other equipment and use in line with manufacturer's recommendations.

1.3 Identify and obtain type and quantity of softwood to be dried from conversion process.

1.4 Plan drying process in line with work order.

2. Load and control kiln conditions

2.1 Assess racks visually to ensure consistent drying requirements for timber and adjust as required.

2.2 Measure moisture content and routinely compare with anticipated levels in line with organisational procedures.

2.3 Complete pre start-up equipment checks to ensure operational effectiveness.

2.4 Load kiln with racks selected for processing and report to appropriate personnel.

2.5 Position baffles and blankets in line with manufacturer’s instructions.

2.6 Adjust and check kiln control settings regularly in line with drying schedules and organisational safety procedures.

2.7 Follow emergency shutdown procedures when alarm is triggered.

3. Unload kiln and process softwood

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

3.2 Open kiln and identify moisture content of processed softwood.

3.3 Remove moisture probes and baffles from timber.

3.4 Direct and move softwood to storage or processing operations in line with organisational procedures.

3.5 Identify sub-standard material and re-process or direct for lower value usage.

3.6 Keep work area clean and clear of debris in line with organisational safety procedures.

3.7 Identify routine processing and equipment faults and resolve or report 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 kiln to dry one or more different types of softwood as listed below in line with an individual work order for each job:

imported timber species

dressed timber

in-the-rough timber

preservative treated timber.

visually assess racks and make necessary adjustments for:

stability

spacing of strips

support to minimise warping.

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

environmental protection practices for forest products factory settings:

reducing water and energy use

disposing of, recycling and reusing timber

purpose of kiln drying softwood and meaning of equilibrium moisture content (EMC)

characteristics of softwood and effects of the drying process

issues considered when visually assessing racks to ensure consistent drying requirements for timber:

stability

spacing of strips

support to minimise warping

methods used to measure moisture content of timber before and after drying process

typical work flow processes used to dry timber using kilns

typical flow of timber board supply in and out of the drying area

purpose, features and operation of equipment used for drying softwood:

different types of drying kilns:

conventional

high temperature

very high temperature

extremely high temperature

vaccum dryer

different types of lifting equipment:

fork lifts

slings

trolley jacks

gantry cranes

loaders

baffles and blankets

moisture probes

organisational procedures specific to drying softwood:

workplace health and safety with particular emphasis use of personal protective and other equipment

kiln operation

communication reporting lines

recording and reporting processing and equipment faults.

The following resources must be made available:

one or more of the following types of drying kiln:

conventional

high temperature

very high temperature

extremely high temperature

vacuum dryer

heat source which must be either steam, hot oil or gas

one or more of the following types of lifting equipment:

fork lifts

slings

trolley jacks

gantry cranes

loaders

baffles and blankets

moisture probes

a diverse, comprehensive and commercial product range of softwood timber

personal protective equipment suitable for kiln operation

manufacturers’ instructions and recommendations for use of equipment

work order with specific instructions for the types and quantity of timber to be dried

template documents for recording processing and equipment faults

organisational procedures for drying softwood.

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 drying

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

1.2 Select appropriate personal protective and other equipment and use in line with manufacturer's recommendations.

1.3 Identify and obtain type and quantity of softwood to be dried from conversion process.

1.4 Plan drying process in line with work order.

2. Load and control kiln conditions

2.1 Assess racks visually to ensure consistent drying requirements for timber and adjust as required.

2.2 Measure moisture content and routinely compare with anticipated levels in line with organisational procedures.

2.3 Complete pre start-up equipment checks to ensure operational effectiveness.

2.4 Load kiln with racks selected for processing and report to appropriate personnel.

2.5 Position baffles and blankets in line with manufacturer’s instructions.

2.6 Adjust and check kiln control settings regularly in line with drying schedules and organisational safety procedures.

2.7 Follow emergency shutdown procedures when alarm is triggered.

3. Unload kiln and process softwood

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

3.2 Open kiln and identify moisture content of processed softwood.

3.3 Remove moisture probes and baffles from timber.

3.4 Direct and move softwood to storage or processing operations in line with organisational procedures.

3.5 Identify sub-standard material and re-process or direct for lower value usage.

3.6 Keep work area clean and clear of debris in line with organisational safety procedures.

3.7 Identify routine processing and equipment faults and resolve or report 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 kiln to dry one or more different types of softwood as listed below in line with an individual work order for each job:

imported timber species

dressed timber

in-the-rough timber

preservative treated timber.

visually assess racks and make necessary adjustments for:

stability

spacing of strips

support to minimise warping.

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

environmental protection practices for forest products factory settings:

reducing water and energy use

disposing of, recycling and reusing timber

purpose of kiln drying softwood and meaning of equilibrium moisture content (EMC)

characteristics of softwood and effects of the drying process

issues considered when visually assessing racks to ensure consistent drying requirements for timber:

stability

spacing of strips

support to minimise warping

methods used to measure moisture content of timber before and after drying process

typical work flow processes used to dry timber using kilns

typical flow of timber board supply in and out of the drying area

purpose, features and operation of equipment used for drying softwood:

different types of drying kilns:

conventional

high temperature

very high temperature

extremely high temperature

vaccum dryer

different types of lifting equipment:

fork lifts

slings

trolley jacks

gantry cranes

loaders

baffles and blankets

moisture probes

organisational procedures specific to drying softwood:

workplace health and safety with particular emphasis use of personal protective and other equipment

kiln operation

communication reporting lines

recording and reporting processing and equipment faults.

The following resources must be made available:

one or more of the following types of drying kiln:

conventional

high temperature

very high temperature

extremely high temperature

vacuum dryer

heat source which must be either steam, hot oil or gas

one or more of the following types of lifting equipment:

fork lifts

slings

trolley jacks

gantry cranes

loaders

baffles and blankets

moisture probes

a diverse, comprehensive and commercial product range of softwood timber

personal protective equipment suitable for kiln operation

manufacturers’ instructions and recommendations for use of equipment

work order with specific instructions for the types and quantity of timber to be dried

template documents for recording processing and equipment faults

organisational procedures for drying softwood.

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 work order and where required check with appropriate personnel. 
Select appropriate personal protective and other equipment and use in line with manufacturer's recommendations. 
Identify and obtain type and quantity of softwood to be dried from conversion process. 
Plan drying process in line with work order. 
Assess racks visually to ensure consistent drying requirements for timber and adjust as required. 
Measure moisture content and routinely compare with anticipated levels in line with organisational procedures. 
Complete pre start-up equipment checks to ensure operational effectiveness. 
Load kiln with racks selected for processing and report to appropriate personnel. 
Position baffles and blankets in line with manufacturer’s instructions. 
Adjust and check kiln control settings regularly in line with drying schedules and organisational safety procedures. 
Follow emergency shutdown procedures when alarm is triggered. 
Identify drying end point and make kiln safe for entry. 
Open kiln and identify moisture content of processed softwood. 
Remove moisture probes and baffles from timber. 
Direct and move softwood to storage or processing operations in line with organisational procedures. 
Identify sub-standard material and re-process or direct for lower value usage. 
Keep work area clean and clear of debris in line with organisational safety procedures. 
Identify routine processing and equipment faults and resolve or report to appropriate personnel. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FWPSAW3206 - Dry softwood
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

FWPSAW3206 - Dry softwood

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: