Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

AHCIRG310A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Operate and maintain irrigation pumping systems

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCIRG310A - Operate and maintain irrigation pumping systems
Description This Unit covers the process of operating and maintaining irrigation pumping systems and defines the standard required to: maintain pumps and pumping equipment; operate an irrigation pumping system; monitor pumping operations; isolate the pumping system; carry out basic repairs and replacement of parts; and dispose of waste.
Employability Skills This Unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This Unit applies to skilled workers in the irrigation servicing, food and fibre production and amenity horticulture industries, and is likely to be carried out under routine supervision within enterprise guidelines.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare to maintain pumps
  • Work requirements for the satisfactory completion of operations are obtained and interpreted
  • 1.2 Site, manufacturer's and legislative requirements and procedures necessary to complete the allocated work are accessed and interpreted
  • Items and tools required for the safe, effective and efficient conduct of servicing and maintenance tasks are identified
  • Support required for the safe completion of the servicing and maintenance tasks are identified and arranged
  • Isolation and lock-out of all equipment necessary for the safe execution of tasks is carried out in accordance with site requirements and procedures
       
Element: Carry out pump maintenance
  • 2.1 Pumps are inspected and any faults reported in accordance with site and manufacturer's requirements and procedure
  • Maintenance tools and equipment are selected and used safely
       
Element: 2.3Servicing and maintenance of pumps is carried out in accordance with the work requirements, manufacturer's current specifications and site requirement
       
Element: 2.4Hazardous and emergency situations are recognised and responded to in accordance with legislative, site and manufacturer's requirements and procedures
  • Used oil, lubricant and other waste is disposed of in accordance with legislative and site requirements
  • Servicing and maintenance records are maintained in accordance with site requirements
       
Element: Prepare the pumping system
  • Operation and function of pump and driver is checked by applying principles of operation and procedures
  • The operational area is checked to ensure that any potential hazards which may affect the operation of the equipment are removed
  • Pre-start-up checks are conducted on the pumping systemto ensure valves are correctly sequenced and filters are clear before commencing pumping operations, and that all safety requirements are met
       
Element: Start up and shutdown pumping system
  • Ancillary equipment is operated in accordance with procedures.
  • Pump is started up and shutdown in line with procedures
  • Emergency shutdown procedures are implemented when required
       
Element: Operate and monitor pumping and ancillary systems
  • Flanges, gaskets and seals are checked and maintained within stated operational tolerances and to avoid any environmental damage
  • Pump pressures and flows are monitored for conformance
  • Amperage testing equipment is used to monitor and identify variations in the operating conditions of the pumping systems/equipment
  • Pumping systems/equipment performance and all components are monitored and regularly checked to identify any signs of excessive wear and diminution of performance
  • Operational valves and valve assemblies are checked for possible leakages
  • Filter systems are periodically checked and cleaned to remove any potential blockages or impurities entering the pumping system/equipment and causing it to cavitate or malfunction during operation
  • Lubrication oil is inspected and sampled to check that operating levels are correct and to determine if any contamination has taken place which may affect the operational capacity of the pumping system/equipment
  • Appropriate action is taken resulting from checks and monitoring
       
Element: Shut down the pumping system
  • Injection equipment is shut down according to workplace procedures
  • The pump is shut down according to workplace procedures
  • Pumping equipment is cleaned according to workplace procedures
  • Waste generated by both the pumping process and cleaning procedures is collected, treated, disposed of or recycled according to workplace procedures
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

maintain pumps and pumping equipment

operate an irrigation pumping system

monitor pumping operations

isolate the pumping system

carry out basic repairs and replacement of parts

dispose of waste.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills include:

Ability to:

inspect and clean pumps

clear blockages

lubricate pumps

check and top-up fluids, including:

coolants

lubricants

hydraulic oils

replace wear components, including pump seals, liners and impellers

replace v belts

tension fasteners and y-belts

adjust pump settings

set valves and check for wear and leakages

monitor pressures and flows

use amperage testing equipment

check and clear or replace filters

check oil quality and levels

use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record information collected accurately and legibly, and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of:

properties of water including pressure and flow rates

types of pumps and application in irrigation

centrifugal

vertical turbine

submersible

propeller

advantages and disadvantages of each pump type

pumps suitable as booster and floating pumps

basic principles of hydraulics (flow vs. pressure)

discharge and flow rates

pump components and their principles of operation

automatic pump switches

timers

pressure switches

irrigation controllers

flow switches

impellers, rotors, stators

pump gauges and controls

pump performance and fault finding

types of valves

opening and closing valves

monitoring performance of valves

priming and operating pumps

servicing requirements

workplace and equipment safety requirements.

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. 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) may also be included.

Maintenance of pumps may include:

replacing wear components, including pump seals, liners and impellors

replacing v-belts

tensioning fasteners and v-belts

adjust pump settings.

Servicing of pumps may include:

inspection

cleaning

clearing blockages

greasing

check and top-up fluids, including:

coolants

lubricants

hydraulic oils.

Hazardous and emergency situations may include:

confined spaces

working alone

personal injury

electrical

dust

noise

environmental

chemical

fire.

Pumping systems may include:

all types of pumps and components (including filters and valves) used to move water to or through an irrigation system.

Ancillary equipment may include:

any systems that are part of the irrigation system (such as computerised scheduling) or work with the irrigation system (such as fertigation).

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Work requirements for the satisfactory completion of operations are obtained and interpreted 
1.2 Site, manufacturer's and legislative requirements and procedures necessary to complete the allocated work are accessed and interpreted 
Items and tools required for the safe, effective and efficient conduct of servicing and maintenance tasks are identified 
Support required for the safe completion of the servicing and maintenance tasks are identified and arranged 
Isolation and lock-out of all equipment necessary for the safe execution of tasks is carried out in accordance with site requirements and procedures 
2.1 Pumps are inspected and any faults reported in accordance with site and manufacturer's requirements and procedure 
Maintenance tools and equipment are selected and used safely 
 
Used oil, lubricant and other waste is disposed of in accordance with legislative and site requirements 
Servicing and maintenance records are maintained in accordance with site requirements 
Operation and function of pump and driver is checked by applying principles of operation and procedures 
The operational area is checked to ensure that any potential hazards which may affect the operation of the equipment are removed 
Pre-start-up checks are conducted on the pumping systemto ensure valves are correctly sequenced and filters are clear before commencing pumping operations, and that all safety requirements are met 
Ancillary equipment is operated in accordance with procedures. 
Pump is started up and shutdown in line with procedures 
Emergency shutdown procedures are implemented when required 
Flanges, gaskets and seals are checked and maintained within stated operational tolerances and to avoid any environmental damage 
Pump pressures and flows are monitored for conformance 
Amperage testing equipment is used to monitor and identify variations in the operating conditions of the pumping systems/equipment 
Pumping systems/equipment performance and all components are monitored and regularly checked to identify any signs of excessive wear and diminution of performance 
Operational valves and valve assemblies are checked for possible leakages 
Filter systems are periodically checked and cleaned to remove any potential blockages or impurities entering the pumping system/equipment and causing it to cavitate or malfunction during operation 
Lubrication oil is inspected and sampled to check that operating levels are correct and to determine if any contamination has taken place which may affect the operational capacity of the pumping system/equipment 
Appropriate action is taken resulting from checks and monitoring 
Injection equipment is shut down according to workplace procedures 
The pump is shut down according to workplace procedures 
Pumping equipment is cleaned according to workplace procedures 
Waste generated by both the pumping process and cleaning procedures is collected, treated, disposed of or recycled according to workplace procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCIRG310A - Operate and maintain irrigation pumping systems
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

AHCIRG310A - Operate and maintain irrigation pumping systems

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: