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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Identify plastic pipe materials as being suitable for specific pressure applications
   • Identify plastic materials from national standards, job specifications and work site instructions
   • Determine plastic material properties from national standards and material data sheets
   • Identify job needs from work site instructions and specifications
2. Identify applications for alternative jointing technologies
   • Identify properties and limitations of mechanical jointing systems
   • Identify properties and limitations of thermal welding jointing systems
   • Identify properties and limitations of chemical bonding jointing systems
   • Perform trial jointing for mechanical jointing and thermal fusion methods, identify non-conformance, report and rectify
   • Assess quality against specification requirements
3. Determine requirements for working with of plastics pipeline components
   • Identify requirements for handling and transport of plastics materials
   • Determine requirements for long-term storage
   • Determine requirements for installation including additional materials
4. Connect and repair plastic pressure pipelines
   • Determine connection requirements
   • Identify possible alternative material connection methods to meet specified requirements
   • Connect pipework to meet requirements
   • Determine repair requirements
   • Identify alternative repair options
   • Repair installation to meet requirements
5. Assess quality of completed installation
   • Test installation
   • Identify alternative test procedures to meet requirements
   • Assess quality of completed installation
   • Refer problems outside area of responsibility to appropriate person
   • Solve problems within area of responsibility
   • Maintain quality records

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. Applicable legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice include: health, safety and environmental (HSE) legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to the workplace, manual handling and hazardous materials Australian/international standards relevant to the materials being used and products being made, including one or more of: AS/NZS 2642.2:2008 Polybutylene (PB) plumbing pipe systems - Polybutylene (PB) pipe for hot and cold water applications or its replacement AS/NZS 2642.3:2008 Polybutylene (PB) plumbing pipe systems - Mechanical jointing fittings for use with polybutylene (PB) pipes for hot and cold water applications or its replacement AS/NZS 2492:2007 Cross-linked polyethylene (PE-X) pipes for pressure applications or its replacement AS 4176.1-2010 Multilayer pipes for pressure applications - Multilayer piping systems for hot and cold water plumbing applications – General other relevant parts of AS 4176 and their replacements any relevant licence and certification requirements. All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent 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 such requirements the legislative requirements take precedence.
Plastic pressure pipe materials	Plastic pressure pipe materials include: polybutylene (PB) polypropylene (PP) cross linked polyethylene (PEX) A1/PEX composites polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC).
Joining methods	Joining methods for installers include one or more of: mechanical thermal chemical bond.
Installation	Installation can be one or more of: above ground below ground.
Procedures	All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures. Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, and include one or any combination of: 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.
Tools and equipment	Tools and equipment include one or more of: jointing equipment service connection and repair equipment jigs and fixtures calculators hand tools used in this process hoists/lifting equipment not requiring any special permits or licences manual handling aids, such as hand carts and trolleys relevant safety equipment relevant personal protective equipment (PPE).
Measurement devices	Measurement devices include one or more of: pressure gauges timers callipers temperature probes computer-based monitors.
Hazards	Hazards must be identified and controlled. Identifying hazards requires consideration of: pipe material handling heavy stationary and moving machinery cutting and heating equipment hazardous products and materials sharp edges, swarf and scrap protrusions or obstructions slippery surfaces, spills or leaks rotational equipment or vibration smoke, dust, vapours or other atmospheric hazards high temperatures electricity gas gases and liquids under pressure structural hazards equipment failures machinery, equipment and product mass other hazards that might arise.
Problems	Problems include one or more of: variable PE materials, pipes and components as supplied equipment malfunction or wear and tear variable field site conditions limitations in available data on specific job requirements variations in quality emergency situations intermittent faults.

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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 demonstrate the ability to:

read and interpret procedures, national standards, job specifications, material labels and safety data sheets (SDS)

identify materials being used in the installation as being suitable for specific applications

identify applications for alternative jointing technologies

determine appropriate methods of handling, storage and transport of PB, PEX, PP, A1/PEX composites, PVDF and CPVC plastics components

select and perform mechanical and chemical jointing methods to meet specifications

perform trial jointing

monitor key variables, including:

alignment

materials and conditions for joint

integrity of joint

general conformance to specification

determine service connection requirements and make connections

determine repair requirements and make repairs

assess quality of completed installation

make adjustments to remedy faults and non-conformity

apply safety procedures

apply housekeeping procedures

apply waste management procedures

recognise early warning signs of equipment/processes needing attention or with potential problems

distinguish between causes of problems, including:

operational problems

materials properties

process variables

procedural errors

recognise and prioritise problems requiring action

resolve routine and non-routine problems

communicate effectively with team/work group and supervisors

complete workplace records

do basic calculations, including additions, subtractions, divisions, fractions and percentages.

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Knowledge Evidence

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

safe working requirements

PB, PP, PEX A1/PEX, PVDF and CPVC materials and pipeline components as described in national standards to recognise suitability for specific installation

range of methods relevant to types of materials/components for:

mechanical jointing

chemical bonding

service connections

repairs

factors which may affect product quality or production output and appropriate remedies

storage, handling and transport procedures for PE equipment

quality requirements and tests

routine and non-routine problems that may arise, the range of possible causes and appropriate actions

organisation procedures relevant to the work environment/job role

hierarchy of control

hazards that may arise in the job/work environment the range of possible causes, potential consequences and appropriate risk controls.

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