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

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Identify source and use of all utilities on plant
   • Obtain current services diagram or schematic for plant
   • Identify all items of equipment using utilities
   • Identify source of each utility
   • Identify utility properties (e.g. pressure, voltage, current) as supplied
   • Determine required utility properties (e.g. from engineering specification) for each item of equipment using each utility
2. Determine actual consumption of utilities
   • Get information showing consumption of utilities by the plant and plant equipment
   • Get information showing actual utility properties as used by each plant item
   • Physically check each item of equipment for signs of inefficient utility use (e.g. faulty steam traps and leaks)
   • Compile report/database showing actual usage of utilities and observed problems
3. Determine efficiency of use
   • Determine theoretical consumption of utilities for equipment items from engineering specifications, by calculation or other methods
   • Compare actual consumption of utilities with theoretical consumption
   • Determine inefficient users of utilities
   • Compile report/database showing efficiency of use of utilities
4. Take required action to improve utility efficiency
   • Rank inefficient users in priority order for remediation based on costs and business requirements
   • Investigate and determine causes of inefficiency in the higher ranked users
   • Develop plans to remove the causes of inefficiency
   • Identify any health, safety and environmental (HSE) implications of planned actions and address prior to any implementation of changes
   • Consult with relevant stakeholders regarding HSE implications and the implementation of these plans
   • Initiate appropriate action for items within scope of authority
   • Follow through on items to facilitate a timely completion
   • Report/make recommendations on required improvements which are beyond scope of authority to action

Range Statement

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.
Regulatory framework	The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used, and include one or more of the following: legislative requirements, including work health and safety (WHS) industry codes of practice and guidelines environmental regulations and guidelines Australian and other standards licence and certification requirements All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.
Hazards	Hazards include one or more of the following: heat electricity fluids under pressure plant services (steam, condensate and cooling water) flammability and explosivity hazardous products and materials unauthorised usage other hazards that might arise
Procedures	All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures. Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, include one or more of the following: emergency procedures work instructions standard operating procedures (SOPs) safe work method statements (SWMS) formulas/recipes batch sheets temporary instructions any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant

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Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include the ability to:

analyse and interpret schematics, technical information, performance data and operational practices to determine actual and theoretical consumption of utilities for the site/plant being examined

isolate the causes of problems and to be able to distinguish between causes of problems/alarm/fault indications, such as:

poor/inappropriate quality supply of utility

equipment failure (e.g. faulty steam trap and fouled heat exchanger)

operational problem (inappropriate usage pattern of utility)

set priorities for action that take into consideration factors, including plant key performance indicators, health, safety and environmental (HSE) implications, the hierarchy of control, options for simple/quick solutions versus those requiring a capital project and other relevant business factors

develop plans to improve utility efficiency

communicate and consult effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

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Knowledge Evidence

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:

methods for calculating theoretical consumption

plant equipment, its characteristics and limitations

problem isolation techniques

problem analysis techniques

usage of utilities by plants and equipment

requirements for utilities, properties, usage patterns and supply

typical causes of inefficiencies at the plant or equipment and possible solutions

systems operating parameters and system integrity limits.

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