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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare to recover refrigerants, pressure and leak test, evacuate and charge refrigeration appliance
  2. Safety hazards which have not previously been identified are noted and risk control measures implemented in accordance with workplace procedures
  3. Extent of work to be completed is determined from documentation and/or discussion with supervisor/appropriate person/s in accordance with workplace procedures
  4. Work is sequenced in accordance with job schedule and workplace procedures
  5. Appropriate person/s is consulted, as required, to ensure work is coordinated with others
  6. Refrigerants, lubricants and cleaning materials are obtained in accordance with workplace procedures
  7. Tools, equipment and testing devices are obtained in accordance with workplace procedures and checked for operational safety
  8. Recover refrigerants, pressure and leak test, evacuate and charge refrigeration appliance
  9. Circuits, machines and plant are checked as being isolated, where necessary, in accordance with workplace procedures and WHS/OHS requirements
  10. Refrigerant is removed from appliance safely and is placed into labelled containers in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements
  11. Precautions are taken in accordance with workplace procedures to prevent damage to components while pressure testing appliance
  12. Pressure testing is conducted in accordance with workplace procedures using dry nitrogen at a pressure relative to refrigerant used
  13. Leaks are located and rectified using testing methods appropriate to the appliance under test in accordance with workplace procedures
  14. Appliance is evacuated to required level and is cleaned of all moisture and other contaminates in accordance with workplace procedures
  15. A 'drop test' is used to test effectiveness of evacuation in accordance with workplace procedures using an appropriate electronic vacuum gauge
  16. Components and lubricants are checked and maintained in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturer specifications
  17. Appliance is charged with appropriate refrigerant in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturer specifications
  18. Problematic situations are resolved in accordance with workplace procedures and are referred to a supervisor
  19. Appliance is pressure and leak tested, evacuated and charged without waste of materials or damage to apparatus, the surrounding environment and/or services using relevant sustainable energy practices in accordance with workplace procedures
  20. Complete and report on refrigerants recovery pressure and leak test and evacuate and charge work
  21. Contaminated refrigerant is dealt with in accordance with workplace procedures and legislative/regulatory requirements
  22. Completion of work is documented and an appropriate person/supervisor is notified in accordance with workplace procedures

Range Statement

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Recovering, pressure testing, evacuating, charging and leak testing refrigerants must include testing and charging refrigeration or air conditioning appliances using vacuum measuring instruments and include the following:

recovering refrigerant from an existing appliance that may contain contaminants

pressure and leak testing a newly installed or repaired appliance

evacuating an appliance in preparation for charging with refrigerant

charging an appliance with refrigerant with minimal loss

flammable and non-flammable refrigerants

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least two separate occasions and include:

applying legislation, industry standards, codes of practice and regulations

applying relevant work, health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements, including:

applying safe working practices

identifying hazards

implementing safe handling procedures

using risk control measures

completing and reporting on work activities

preparing to recover refrigerants, pressure and leak test, evacuate and charge refrigeration appliances

recovering refrigerants, pressure and leak testing, evacuating and charging refrigerant appliance, including:

completing documentation

conducting pressure testing at appropriate pressure level without damaging components

dealing with unplanned events/situations in accordance with workplace procedures in a manner that minimises risk to personnel and equipment

evacuating system to required level

evacuating system to required standard using vacuum measuring instruments

locating and rectifying leaks

removing and storing refrigerant

using flammable and non-flammable refrigerants

selecting materials and equipment

using manufacturer specifications and manuals.

Knowledge Evidence

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

flammable and non-flammable refrigerants

recover, pressure and leak test, evacuate and charge refrigerant appliances, including:

refrigerant properties

safe handling practices

refrigeration oil recovery and reclaim procedures

pressure testing

leak detection

evacuation and dehydration

refrigerant and oil charging

system contamination

refrigeration component replacement

relevant legislation, industry standards, codes of practice and regulations

relevant manufacturer specifications

relevant risk mitigation processes, including:

safe working practices

potential hazards

risk control measures

relevant WHS/OHS legislated requirements

relevant workplace documentation

relevant workplace policies and procedures.