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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for drying
   • 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.
2. Load kiln and control kiln conditions
   • 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.
3. Monitor kiln conditions
   • 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.
4. Check timber quality on completion of drying
   • 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.
5. Unload kiln and move or store timber
   • 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.

Range Statement

Not Applicable

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Performance Evidence

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.

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Knowledge Evidence

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.

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