Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Evaluate design parameters.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to

communicate with others to ensure safe and effective work practices

confirm job specifications and client requirements

enable clear and direct communication using questioning to identify and confirm requirements share information listen and understand

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

use and interpret nonverbal communication such as hand signals

initiative and enterprise skills to develop creative and responsive approaches

literacy skills to

prepare documentation including

operation and maintenance manual

plans specifications and schedules

read and interpret

plans specifications drawings and design briefs

standards and manufacturer requirements and manuals

statutory and regulatory requirements

numeracy skills to

apply measurements and calculations

interpret data

planning and organising skills to

research collect organise and understand information relating to the design of vacuum sewerage systems

take initiative and make decisions

problemsolving skills to analyse requirements consider options and design an appropriate system

teamwork skills to work with others to action tasks and relate to people from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

technical skills to

determine installation details for vacuum sewerage systems

prepare specifications for vacuum sewerage systems

technology skills to

access and understand sitespecific instructions in a variety of media

use mobile communication technology

Required knowledge

relevant Australian standards including Sewerage Code of Australia

manufacturer specifications including hazards identified in relation to devices and systems used

fire safety requirements

other codes or standard operating procedures

pipesizing procedures

pump selection and rising main requirements

ventilation requirements

odour control

regulatory authorities requirements

nature of materials used and effects of performance under various conditions

common terminology and definitions used in the design of vacuum sewer systems

principles of technology in the design of sewer infrastructure systems

work health and safety WHS requirements including relevant statutory regulations codes and standards

Evidence Required

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 in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment providing that simulated or projectbased assessment techniques fully replicate plumbing and services workplace conditions materials activities responsibilities and procedures

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to as a minimum provide evidence of the ability to

design size and document the installation and layout details for a vacuum infrastructure sewer system for a

residential development of properties incorporating

vacuum sewage collection chambers

vacuum sewer mains

vacuum pump station

pump rising main

ventilation

odour control

highrise mixed development building to a minimum of floors inclusive of a basement to include fixtures on each floor level fixtures are included in the basement incorporating

vacuum pump station

vacuum sanitary drainage system

pump rising main

ventilation

odour control

apply sustainability principles and concepts throughout to achieve a star rating under the Green Building Council of Australia rating scheme

evaluate and document design parameters including client regulatory and manufacturer requirements and relevant Australian standards and codes for a range of complex sanitary plumbing and drainage systems

evaluate health risks associated with the sanitary plumbing and drainage system

calculate pipe sizes according to regulations and manufacturer requirements

design and size vacuum sewerage systems using appropriate calculations and computer software

select materials and components for compliance fit for purpose durability compatibility and costeffectiveness

prepare a testing and commissioning schedule

produce an operation and maintenance manual

communicate with others to ensure safe and effective workplace operations

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices safety requirements and environmental constraints

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an offsite context

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards requirements

Resource implications for assessment include

an induction procedure and requirement

realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the minimum task requirements

relevant specifications and work instructions including design brief drawings specifications codes design concepts and construction schedules

tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices including computers software and calculators

workplace instructions relating to safe working practices and addressing hazards and emergencies

material safety data sheets

research resources including industryrelated systems information

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

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction Plumbing and 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

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the persons demonstrated ability and applied knowledge

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct indirect and supplementary evidence

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

Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties such as existing supervisors team leaders or specialist training staff


Range Statement

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.

Scope of work:

must include:

interpreting plans and specifications

sizing and documenting layout of vacuum sewage systems, including residential, commercial and industrial

may be for new projects or an existing structure being renovated, extended, restored or maintained.

Design requirements must include:

acoustic performance

architectural plans

building specifications

fire safety requirements

flow requirements and sizing of pipework

odour control

owner requirements

pipework identification

Sewerage Code of Australia

vacuum pumping station

ventilation requirements.

Vacuum sewerage system attributes must include:

availability

cost

flexibility

installation requirements

low water usage

risks

sewerage loading

site conditions.

Cost-benefit analysis:

compares the range of suitable materials and system choices available to enable cost-effective choices to be made without compromising integrity of project

may include:

energy costs

expected design life

labour costs

material costs

safety factors

speed of installation

suitability of design.

Statutory and regulatory requirements and relevant Australian standards and codes may include:

Acts, regulations and commonwealth, state or territory, and local government requirements

Sewerage Code of Australia

AS/NZS3500 National plumbing and drainage

AS2200 Design charts for water supply and sewerage

Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)

National Construction Code

other relevant Australian standards or codes.

Manufacturer requirements may include:

material specifications

collection and storage systems

design and installation

equipment installation

pump installation

selection of compatible sanitary fixtures

technical manuals.

Desktop study may include collection and interpretation of data for design purposes in:

architectural and building plans

developer plans

manufacturer data

documents, which may include:

applications

brochures

forms

policies

sewer detail maps

other reports as available.

Performance requirements may include:

discharge requirements

durability

emergency storage and/or power backup

longevity

noise level

self-cleaning ability

sufficient capacity.

Layout of pipework systems:

sewer infrastructure systems must include consideration of:

cover

grade

location of vacuum pump station

location vacuum sewage collection chambers

odour control

pipe access

ventilation

high-rise building projects must include consideration of:

acoustic performance

amenity of the building

clipping and pipe support

location of pipework (fire rating of enclosure)

function of the building

impingement on floor heights

materials to be used

size of penetrations

type of building structure

should not unduly affect building integrity and aesthetic appeal

should include principles of economy, serviceability, durability and fit for use should be applied.

Fittings, valves and controls include:

fittings:

bends

elbows

inspection and maintenance access

tees

unions

valves:

backflow prevention

isolating

non-return

strainers

vacuum diaphragm valve

controls:

pneumatic control switch assembly

vacuum management system.

Pipe size calculations must include:

determining flow and fixture loadings

EP density

calculating gradient

interpreting design charts and tables

determining self-cleaning velocities

manufacturer requirements

probable simultaneous demand.

Pipe supports may include:

bedding

bracket spacing

concrete support

corrosion protection

cover

hanging brackets

manufacturer-recommended specific fixings

material requirements

provision for expansion

thrust blocks

wall and ceiling brackets.

Vacuum pumping station and pump control requirements may include:

access covers

automatic controls

capacity

corrosion-resistant materials

detailing

emergency storage

emergency power supply

high and low-level water controls and alarms

impeller sizing

inlet and outlet design requirements

installation and mounting requirements

macerator requirements

odour control

pneumatic control switch assembly

pump selection

pump sizing

pumpwell sizing

space requirements

vacuum pump systems

valve requirements

ventilation

warning system.

Materials:

appropriate materials specified based on:

compatibility

cost effectiveness

durability

fit for purpose

may include:

copper (Cu)

polyethylene (PE)

polypropylene (PP)

polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

stainless steel

other approved material.

Jointing methods may include:

brazing

electrofusion welding

flanged

mechanical joints

rubber ring

solvent cement welding

threading.

Installation requirements may include:

acoustic performance

bedding

pipe protection, which may include:

cover

corrosion

impact

grade

level of workmanship.

fire rating

manufacturer-recommended specific fixings

pipe support

provision for pipe movement

serviceability and access.

Computer software packages may include:

manufacturer software

proprietary design software.

Sustainability principles and concepts:

cover the current and future social, economic and environmental use of resources

may include:

selecting appropriate material to ensure minimal environmental impact

efficient use of material

capital outlay/energy usage comparison

positive effect on the environment in regard to no potential overflow or leakage

water efficient

consideration of the Green Building Council of Australia rating scheme

local environment consideration overflow disposal/reuse.

Plans:

may include:

axonometrics

cross-sections

details

elevations

isometrics

schematics

site

sections

may be produced using:

computer generation

drawing equipment.

Specification includes:

access chambers (manholes)

bedding

commissioning

concrete support and detailing specialised components

jointing

manufacturer requirements

materials

odour control

pump rising main

safety (WHS)

selection of compatible sanitary fixtures

support

testing

vacuum pump station

vacuum sewage collection chambers

vacuum sewer mains

ventilation

workmanship.

Testing may include:

compressed air test

flow testing

hydrostatic test

inspection checklist

performance

vacuum

quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule must include:

system certification

check for foreign material

checking leaks

emergency procedures

system defects

system functions as per design.

Operation and maintenance manual includes:

as installed drawings

results of commissioning test

certification documentation

maintenance schedules

manufacturer brochures and technical information

operating procedures.