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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 (eg pressure, voltage, current) as supplied
   • Determine required utility properties(eg 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, eg faulty steam traps, 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 cause(s) of inefficiency in the higher ranked users
   • Develop plans to remove the causes of inefficiency
   • Identify any safety, health 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.

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Required skills

Ability to identify all utility consuming items on a schematic of the plant describe the function of each and the purpose of the utility supplied describe the naturecondition of the utility entering and leaving each stage of the process the changes which have occurred in that stage and why they have occurred describe the causes and remedies of common problems in the use of each utility used Competence also includes the ability to isolate the causes of problems and to be able to distinguish between causes of problemsalarmfault indications such as poorinappropriate quality supply of utility equipment failure eg faulty steam trap fouled heat exchanger operational problem inappropriate usage pattern of utility

Required knowledge

The knowledge referred to in the Evidence Guide for this unit includes schematics and flow diagrams for the utilities distribution system usage of utilities by plants and equipment sources of utilities utility properties requirements for utilities properties usage patterns supply efficiencies and usage at the plant or equipment Competence includes an understanding of the utility usage of the plant and its equipment It also requires an understanding of each utility used and how its use may be more or less efficient

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria Required Skills and Knowledge the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package
Overview of assessment	Assessment of this unit should include demonstrated competence on actual plant and equipment in a work environment The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency Typically this unit will be assessed by a project aimed at improving the efficiency of use of utilities It may not be appropriate to wait until implementation of change in Element is complete and it is acceptable to assess from the plans for implementation This unit of competency requires a significant body of knowledge which will be assessed through questioning and the use of whatif scenarios both on the plant during demonstration of normal operations and walkthroughs of abnormal operations and off the plant
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit	Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to undertake a structured analysis of the use of utilities and to justify the recommendations for improvement based on the data Consistent performance should be demonstrated In particular look to see that plant data is obtained in a manner which does not interfere with production plant drawings eg PampIDs and engineering specifications are interpreted correctly health safety and environmental implications of any changes are identified and addressed by applying the hierarchy of control prior to any changes being implemented priorities for action consider all relevant factors such as plant key performance indicators health safety and environmental implications simple quick solutions versus those requiring a capital project and other relevant business factors This will typically be assessed by one or more utilities improvement projects on an operating plant One complex project or a number of simple projects are required to demonstrate competence
Context of and specific resources for assessment	Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations A bank of scenarioscase studieswhatifs will be required as will a bank of questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions
Method of assessment	In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units It may be appropriate to coassess this unit with PMAOPSB Determine energy transfer loads PMAOPS511B Determine energy transfer loads PMAOPSB Determine mass transfer loads PMAOPS512B Determine mass transfer loads. However these are not prerequisites or corequisites as there are other ways of obtaining the data
Guidance information for assessment	Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed

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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. Add any 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.
Codes of practice/ standards	Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.
Context	This unit of competency includes all such items of equipment and unit operations which use utilities.
Health, safety and environment (HSE)	All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment requirements, which may be imposed through State 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.

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