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

This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment providing that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate plumbing and services workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

It may be assessed on its own or as part of an integrated assessment activity involving effective performance and application of principles used to design complex (non-solar) heated water systems.

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:

evaluating and documenting design parameters, including client, regulatory, manufacturer and Australian and New Zealand standard requirements for a range of heated water supply and distribution systems

planning and detailing system components, including:

tempering valves

manifolding systems

insulation requirements

flow and return systems

complying with OHS regulations applicable to workplace operations

applying organisational quality procedures and processes within context of designing complex heated water systems

designing and sizing a range of heated water supply and distribution systems

designing and sizing a range of circulating systems

sound preparation of plans for a range of heated water supply and distribution systems

sound preparation of a specification for a heated water supply and distribution system

sound preparation of a testing and commissioning schedule

preparing an operation and maintenance manual

interactive communication with others to ensure safe and effective work site operations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

an induction procedure and requirement

realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the minimum task requirements

relevant specifications and work instructions

tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices

support materials appropriate to activity

workplace instructions relating to safe working practices and addressing hazards and emergencies

material safety data sheets

research resources, including industry related systems information.

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package

include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application

reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles

confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

Required skills

Required skills for this unit are:

communication skills to:

confirm job specifications and client requirements

communicate with others to ensure safe and effective work practices

enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand

prepare written documentation, including plans, specifications and schedules

produce an operation and maintenance manual

read and interpret:

plans, specifications, drawings and design briefs

standards and manufacturer requirements and manuals

statutory and regulatory requirements

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

use and interpret non-verbal communication, such as hand signals

identifying and accurately reporting to appropriate personnel any faults in tools, equipment or materials

innovation skills to develop creative and responsive approaches

planning and organisational skills to:

research, collect, organise and understand information relating to the design of complex (non-solar) heated water systems

take initiative and make decisions

problem solving skills to analyse requirements, consider options and design an appropriate system

technical skills, including the ability to apply design concepts and principles

teamwork skills to work with others to action tasks and relate to people from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

technological skills to:

access and understand site-specific instructions in a variety of media

use mobile communication technology.

Required knowledge

Required knowledge for this unit is:

application of Australian and New Zealand standards and manufacturer specifications

common terminology and definitions used in design of complex (non-solar) heated water systems

installation methods and hazards identified in relation to devices and systems used according to Australian and New Zealand standards and other codes or standard operating procedures

nature of materials used and effects of performance under various conditions

workplace safety requirements, including relevant statutory regulations, codes and standards.

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.

Scope of work:

includes interpretation of plans and specifications

includes sizing and documenting layout of heated water supply and distribution systems for applications including residential, commercial and industrial

may be for new projects or an existing structure being renovated, extended, restored or maintained.

Design requirements may include:

architectural specifications

builder specifications

owner requirements

specialist heated water use applications.

Cost-benefit analysis refers to comparison of a range of factors to enable cost-effective choices to be made without compromising the integrity of the project, which may include:

design styles

durability and available design life

energy costs

labour costs

material costs

safety factors

speed of installation

suitable materials

system choices.

Statutory and regulatory requirements may include:

Acts and regulations

Australian and New Zealand standards, including AS/NZS3500 National plumbing and drainage set: Parts 4.1 and 4.2

Building Code of Australia

local and state government policies, including group and strata titling.

Manufacturer requirements may include:

material specifications

pump tables

sizing tables

technical and trade manuals.

Desktop study can include collection and interpretation of existing data for design purposes from:

architectural and building plans

council plans

developer plans

other documents, including:

applications

forms

sewer detail maps

other reports as available.

Performance requirements include:

those established using Australian and New Zealand standards and local authority plans.

Layout of pipework systems may include:

dead leg systems

pumped systems

thermo convection systems.

Fittings and valves may include:

fittings:

bends

tees

unions

valve trains

valves:

backflow prevention

cold water expansion

isolating

non-return, including high pressure non-return

pressure limiting

pressure relief

strainers.

Thermostatic mixing valves and tempering valves may include:

alcohol

bimetallic types

wax capsule.

Circulating heated water supply system details may include:

circulating pump specification

dead leg minimisation

flow and return pipework

speed of circulation

thermal convection circulating systems.

Heat trace systems may include:

cost

installation requirements.

Calculations for sizing water heaters may include:

coefficient of expansion

daily flows

energy calculations

heat loss calculations

mixed temperature calculations

peak demand

recovery times

size and quantity of heated water required

standby versus continual flow

tariff calculations

water expansion calculations.

Methods for the control of expansion may include:

bends

lyre loops and full loops

offsets

proprietary expansion control devices.

Pipe fixings may include:

anchors

bracket spacing

corrosion protection

hanging brackets

material requirements

saddles

wall and ceiling brackets.

Manifolding heated water units may include:

balanced flow conditions and valves

pressure relief requirements.

Water heaters may include:

continuous flow

electric

gas

heat transfer

high pressure

low pressure

other fuel sources

solar

storage

vented atmospheric pressure systems.

Safe trays and overflows may include:

above habitable areas

heights

materials

sizes

space requirements.

Materials may include:

composite pipe materials and other pipe materials as specified

copper

fittings and fixtures

polybutylene.

Jointing methods may include:

brazing

compression

flaring

mechanical joints

threading.

Insulation materials may include:

density

diameter

felt

fibre glass

foam

heat losses

heat transmission processes

rock wool

thickness.

Installation requirements may include:

clipping

installation details

jointing requirements

level of workmanship.

Circulating systems may include:

approved pressure pipes and fittings

calculated rise and pump delivery requirements

pump sizing to meet calculated flow conditions.

Plans:

may include:

axonometrics

cross-sections

details

elevations

isometrics

schematics

sections

may be produced using:

computer generation

Indian ink

pencil

pigment liner.

Specification may include:

bedding

clipping

concrete support

jointing

manholes

manufacturer requirements

materials

workmanship.

Testing may include:

air pressure test

hydrostatic test

quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule may include:

balancing the system

checking and flushing the system

temperature setting.

Operation and maintenance manual may include:

check for blockages

leak detection

pump maintenance

water auditing

yearly inspection

yearly maintenance requirements.