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.

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, as a minimum, provide evidence of the ability to:

apply sustainability principles and concepts throughout the design of the system

design, size and document layout details, including a specification for a 100-bed three-storey hospital incorporating a laundry

evaluate and document design parameters to relevant Australian standards, codes, regulations, and client and manufacturer requirements for a steam generation and distribution system

design and size a steam generation and distribution system using appropriate software

prepare testing and commissioning schedules

produce operation and maintenance manuals

communicate with others to ensure safe and effective workplace 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 work 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

communication skills to:

communicate with others to ensure safe and effective work practices

confirm job specifications and client requirements

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

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

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

initiative and enterprise skills to develop creative and responsive approaches

literacy skills to:

prepare written documentation, including:

operation and maintenance manual

plans, specifications and schedules

read and interpret:

manufacturer requirements and manuals

plans, specifications, drawings and design briefs

statutory and regulatory requirements and standards

numeracy skills to apply measurements and calculations

planning and organising skills to:

plan and set out work

research, collect, organise and understand information relating to the design of steam generation and distribution systems

take initiative and make decisions

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

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.

technical skills to prepare and specify steam distribution system plans

technology skills to:

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

use mobile communication technology

Required knowledge

common terminology and definitions used in design of steam generation and distribution systems for all classes of building, including industry terminology such as:

absolute pressure

enthalpy

enthalpy of evaporation and of saturated steam

enthalpy of saturated water

gauge pressure

heat and heat transfer

latent heat

specific enthalpy

specific heat capacity

principles of technology in the design of steam generation and distribution systems

requirements of commonwealth, state or territory regulatory authorities, relevant Australian standards, codes and manufacturer specifications, including hazards identified in relation to devices and systems used

SI system of units related to steam

terms, including relevant Australian standard and code definitions, manufacturer terms and naming conventions

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 must include:

barriers to heat transfer

effects of air in a steam system

heat transfer

interpreting plans and specifications, and sizing and documenting layout of steam generation and distribution systems for residential, commercial and industrial applications for either new projects or an existing structure being renovated, extended, restored or maintained

principles and properties of steam systems, including:

characteristics of condensation

methods of condensate removal

steam applications, including commercial, manufacturing, institution and machinery and equipment operation

working with types of steam and steam quality, including:

dry steam

flash steam

properties of steam at varying pressures

superheated steam

wet steam.

Design requirements may include:

architectural plans

builder specifications

boiler selection

fire safety requirements

flow requirements and sizing of pipework

owner requirements

pipework identification

ventilation requirements.

Cost-benefit analysis:

compares the range of suitable materials and system choices available to enable cost-effective choices to be made without compromising integrity of the project

may include:

design styles

energy costs

expected design life

labour costs

material costs

safety factors

speed of installation

suitable materials.

Statutory and regulatory requirements and relevant Australian standards and codes may include:

Acts, regulations and commonwealth, state or territory, and local government requirements

National Construction Code

relevant Australian standards and codes.

Manufacturer requirements may include:

material specifications

recommended specific fixings for pipework

sizing tables

technical and trade manuals.

Desktop study must include:

architectural and building plans

developer plans

documents, including:

applications

brochures

forms

other reports as available

manufacturer data

policies.

Performance requirements may include:

steam generation and consumption, and steam and pressure quality, established using relevant Australian standards, codes and manufacturer information.

Layout of pipework systems:

must include:

principles of economy, serviceability, durability and fit for use

location of pipework (fire rating of enclosure)

should not unduly affect building integrity and aesthetic appeal.

Fittings and valves may include:

fittings:

bends

couplings

condensate traps

steam traps

steam headers

steam strainers

tees

unions

valves:

isolating valves

pressure relief valves.

Pipe size calculations must include:

energy

pressure

sizing

storage

volume.

Steam appliances:

may include:

calorifiers

industrial applications

kitchen and laundry appliances

sterilisers

water heaters

details must include:

components

construction

electronic controls

methods of temperature and pressure control.

Boilers:

may include:

coal

electric

fire tube

gas

oil

packaged

solid fuel

water tube

factors to be considered when selecting a boiler must include:

advantages and disadvantages of boiler types

capacity and size

designs based on anticipated use

energy sources

methods of reducing heat losses

pressure controls and components

storage requirement calculations

suitable time period between refilling

valves.

Steam circuits must include:

condensate return

feed pumps

feed tanks

headers

steam distribution

water treatment.

Steam trap types and their operation:

types, which may include:

mechanical

thermodynamic

thermostatic

other applicable types

operation, which must include:

installation

location.

Steam injection must include:

noise control

open ended pipe

proprietary

sparge pipe.

Insulation:

may include:

fibreglass

rock wool

insulation protection, including:

plastic

sheet metal.

Pipe supports may include:

anchors

bracket spacing

corrosion protection

hanging brackets

manufacturer-recommended specific fixings

material requirements

provision for expansion.

Materials may include:

copper

steel

other approved materials.

Jointing methods may include:

brazing

mechanical joints

threading

welding.

Installation requirements may include:

pipe protection:

cover

corrosion

impact

fire rating

level of workmanship

manufacturer-recommended specific fixings

pipe support

provision for expansion

provision for drainage of condensation

serviceability and access.

Designed may include:

cost relating to performance, including:

milestones

standard procedures

standards of work

work schedules

prescriptive designs, including detail relating to:

materials and quality of work

nominated subcontractors

provision of on-site facilities and site access

quality assurance.

Sustainability principles and concepts:

cover the current and future social, economic and environmental use of resources

may include:

selecting appropriate material to ensure minimal environmental impact

efficient energy usage

water usage

efficient use and recycling of material

disposing of waste material to ensure minimal environmental impact.

Plans:

may include:

axonometrics

cross-sections

details

elevations

isometrics

schematics

sections

may be produced using:

computer generation

drawing equipment.

Specification may include:

boiler selection

fire safety

flow requirements

jointing

manufacturer requirements

materials

residual pressures

specialised components

support

testing

valve selection

workmanship

work health and safety (WHS).

Testing may include:

defect inspection

flow

inspection checklist

leak

pressure

performance

quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule may include:

boiler

check for foreign material

containment

leak check

operation

pump

system certification

system defects

system functions as per design

treatment system.

Operation and maintenance manual may include:

as installed drawings

certification documentation

maintenance schedules

manufacturer brochures and technical information

system operational procedures

regular water quality testing

results of commissioning test.