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 provide evidence of:

evaluating and documenting design parameters, including:

client

Gas Act 1965 and amendments

manufacturer and Australian and New Zealand standard requirements for a range of industrial gas systems

regulatory

planning and detailing system components, including:

burners

controls

regulators

designing and sizing industrial gas systems

preparing plans for a range of industrial gas systems to industry standards

preparing specifications for industrial gas systems

preparing testing and commissioning schedules

producing operation and maintenance manuals.

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, including design brief drawings, specifications, codes, design concepts and construction schedules

tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices, including computers, software and calculators

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

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

literacy skills to:

prepare documentation, including:

operation and maintenance manual

plans, specifications and schedules

read and interpret:

documentation from a variety of sources

plans, specifications, drawings and design briefs

standards and manufacturer requirements and manuals

statutory and regulatory requirements

initiative and enterprise skills to develop creative and responsive approaches

numeracy skills to apply measurements and calculations

planning and organising skills to:

research, collect, organise and understand information relating to the design of industrial gas 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 design industrial gas systems and components in compliance with IEC requirements

Required knowledge

application of:

Australian standards, including AS5601 (AG601) Gas installations

manufacturer specifications, including hazards identified in relation to devices and systems used

other codes or standard operating procedures

state regulatory authorities’ requirements

common terminology and definitions used in the design of industrial gas systems

principles of technology in the design of industrial gas systems

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:

interpreting plans and specifications

sizing and documenting layout of industrial gas systems for applications, including:

characteristics

compatibility

dimensions

location

patterns

quantities

sizes

surfaces

types of product and service.

Design requirements must include:

architectural specifications

builder specifications

owner requirements

specialist use applications.

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 project.

Statutory, regulatory requirements, codes and Australian and New Zealand standards include:

Acts, regulations and local and state government policies, including group and strata titling

AS/NZS1596 The storage and handling of LP gas

AS5601 (AG601) Gas installations

Gas Act 1965 and amendments

gas regulations

National Construction Code

other Australian and New Zealand standards.

Manufacturer requirements include:

material specifications

pump tables

sizing tables

technical and trade manuals.

Desktop study includes collection and interpretation of existing data for design purposes in:

architectural and building plans

council plans

developer plans

other documents, including:

forms

applications

other reports as available.

Performance requirements include:

pipe grades, cover, flow conditions and discharge requirements, established using Australian and New Zealand standards and local authority plans.

Layout of pipework systems must:

have principles of economy, serviceability, durability and fit for use applied

not unduly affect building integrity and aesthetic appeal.

Fittings and valves include:

meters

regulators

relief valves.

Valve trains must include:

analysing the operation of valve components

sizing and selecting components using manufacturer data.

System calculations must include:

calculation of explosion relief

calculation of purge times

determination of flow and consumption

interpretation of design charts and tables

pipe sizing calculations.

Materials include:

copper (Cu)

fittings and appliances, including measures to prevent the spread of fire

high density polyethylene (HDPE).

Jointing methods include:

brazing

gluing

mechanical joints

solvent cement welding

threading.

Pipe fixings include:

anchors

bracket spacing

corrosion protection

hanging brackets

material requirements

saddles

wall and ceiling brackets.

Installation requirements include:

clipping

installation details

jointing requirements

level of workmanship.

Plans include:

axonometrics

cross-sections

details

elevations

isometrics

schematics, which may be produced using:

computer generation

drawing equipment

sections.

Specification includes:

clipping

details of specialised components

jointing

manufacturer requirements

materials

valves

workmanship.

Testing includes:

air pressure test

gas leak test

quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule must include:

flow testing

leak check

vaporisation rate check.

Operation and maintenance manual may include:

leak detection

regular maintenance requirements

safety inspection

yearly inspection.