Assessor Resource

SUGPCWS2A
Operate a cooling water system

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Not applicable.

This is a Specialist unit. It covers the skills and knowledge required to operate cooling towers or spray ponds to supply treated, cool water for factory requirements.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

Not applicable.




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.

The assessment process must address all of the following items of evidence.

Ability to:

1. Access workplace information on cooling water requirements

2. Select, fit and use personal protective clothing and/or equipment

3. Confirm status of equipment, that it is clean ready for operation and services are available

4. Prepare and handle chemicals safely. This includes following correct preparation, handling and storage procedures and use of appropriate protective clothing and equipment

5. Conduct pre-start checks. This typically include checking:

raw water supply

tower condition and cleanliness

spray and pond condition

all safety guards and covers are in place and operational

drains are closed

chemicals are available

6. Liaise with other work areas to advise of users of cooling system status

7. Demonstrate set up and start up procedures in both manual and automatic modes

8. Monitor cooling water system operation. This typically includes visual inspections and conducting tests to monitor characteristics such as:

chemical addition rates and residuals

water quality

blow down rate

temperatures

water distribution

signs of fouling and corrosion

equipment condition including fans, sprays and pumps

water level and make-up flow

9. Take corrective action in response to out-of-specification results

10. Report and/or record corrective action as required

11. Demonstrate procedure to clean and shut down cooling water system

12. Demonstrate use of emergency cooling water supply system

13. Maintain workplace records including cleaning records and chemical usage

14. Maintain work area to meet housekeeping standards

May include ability to:

15. Use process control systems

Knowledge of:

16. Relevant state OHS legislation, standards and codes of practice relating to work responsibilities

17. Purpose and basic principles of evaporative cooling and water treatment in order to prevent corrosion and microbiological fouling

18. Cooling water system layout

19. The effect of make up water quality on blow down rates and fouling rates

20. The impact of variables including cooling water failure and high water temperature and plant operation

21. Purpose of chemicals used

22. Consequences of system fouling and typical causes

23. Safe work procedures including awareness of health and safety hazards related to cooling water system operation and associated control measures. Hazards typically include handling chemicals, manual handling, risks of working with warm water systems (Legionella)

24. Hierarchy of hazard control measures

25. Purpose and limitations of protective clothing and equipment

26. Methods used to render equipment safe to inspect, maintain and/or clean including lock-out, tag-out and isolation procedures

27. Water quality test procedures

28. Typical causes of water contamination and corrective action required

29. Equipment purpose and basic operating principles of cooling water system and related equipment. This includes pumps, valves, tower and fans. It may also include the dosing system

30. Operating requirements and parameters

31. Cleaning methods and procedures

32. Procedures for operating emergency cooling water system

33. Environmental issues and controls. Includes those relating to chemical and/or container disposal and any overflow of the system to waters of the state

34. Requirements to liaise/advise related work areas

35. Housekeeping standards for the work area

36. Reporting and recording systems. This includes both statutory and workplace requirements

May include knowledge of:

37. Basic operating principles of process control where relevant. This includes the relationship between control panels and systems and the physical equipment

Relationship with other standards

Pre-requisite units

There are no pre-requisite units for this competency standard.

Co-assessment of related units

Other units of competency relevant to the work role should be assessed in conjunction with this unit. This may include:

SUGZPCI2A Operate a process control interface

Resources required for assessment

Assessment must occur in a real or simulated workplace where the assessee has access to:

Cooling water system and related equipment

Chemicals

Relevant codes and standards

Operating procedures and related advice on equipment operation

Personal protective clothing and equipment

Communication systems and equipment

Housekeeping standards and procedures

Workplace information recording systems, requirements and procedures

Assessment requirements

For information on how to assess this competency standard and who can assess, refer to the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.


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.

Not applicable.

The range statement indicates the context for demonstrating competence. This statement is a guide and unless otherwise indicated, items may or may not apply as required by the work context.

Work is carried out in accordance with company policies and procedures, manufacturer's recommendations, licensing requirements, codes of practice, legislative requirements, industrial awards and agreements and Australian Standard AS3666, parts I, II and III. Codes of practice include the Sugar Milling Operations Industry Code of Practice

Workplace information can include Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and manufacturer's specifications

Equipment may include the tower, spray ponds supply pump and return pump, chemical addition systems and blow down system. Typically a number of cooling towers would be located on site. They may be integrated or stand-alone

Operation and monitoring of equipment and processes may require the use of control panels and systems

Typical tests may include pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity, standard plate count (SPC), Legionella and tests specific to chemicals used

Work may require the ability to work within a team environment

Information systems may be equipment-based or remote from the cooling tower

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
Tower cleaning procedures are followed and cleaning records completed 
Chemicals are available and delivery systems are ready for operation 
Make up water supply is available and meets quality requirements 
Pre-operational checks are conducted 
Health and safety hazards / maintenance requirements are identified and reported to appropriate personnel according to workplace reporting procedures 
The cooling tower system is started according to workplace procedures and manufacturer's recommendations 
Plant is operated within limits of manufacturer's specifications to meet workplace requirements 
Equipment is monitored to confirm operating condition and cleanliness 
Water quality is monitored, tested and adjusted as required 
The workplace meets housekeeping standards 
Water condition and plant operating conditions are analysed to identify causes of abnormal performance 
Corrective action is taken in accordance with workplace procedures in response to Hazards, out-of-specification test results and/or abnormal plant performance 
Emergency procedures are implemented as required according to workplace procedures and manufacturer's recommendations 
The cooling water system is cleaned according to workplace cleaning schedule and to meet legal requirements 
The timing and sequencing of cooling water system shut down meets production requirements 
Maintenance requirements are identified and reported according to workplace reporting procedure 
Workplace information is recorded according to workplace recording requirements 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SUGPCWS2A - Operate a cooling water system
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

SUGPCWS2A - Operate a cooling water system

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: