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, regulatory, manufacturer and Australian and New Zealand standard requirements for a range of gas reticulation systems

producing an appropriate layout for gas reticulation systems planned according to manufacturer and regulatory requirements

calculating pipe sizes according to regulations and manufacturer requirements

designing and sizing gas reticulation systems using appropriate software

preparing plans for a range of gas reticulation systems

preparing specifications for gas reticulation 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

analysing and interpreting relevant gas codes and standards

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 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

numeracy skills to apply measurements and calculations

planning and organising skills to:

research, collect, organise and understand information relating to the design of gas reticulation 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:

determine material, placement and ventilation requirements for a gas reticulation system

prepare documentation for testing and commissioning a gas reticulation system

test a gas reticulation system for safe operation

Required knowledge

common terminology and definitions used in design of gas reticulation systems for all classes of building

principles of technology used in design of gas reticulation systems

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

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:

interpretation of plans and specifications

sizing and documenting layout of gas reticulation 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 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 and regulatory requirements 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

gas utility and supplier information and requirements

industry standards

manufacturer requirements

National Construction Code.

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:

applications

forms

other reports as available.

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:

bends

couplings

regulators

tees

unions.

Calculations must include:

energy

gas volume

pressure

sizing

storage.

Ventilation and flue requirements must include:

appliance flue design and ventilation requirements according to standards, regulations and gas authorities’ requirements.

Specifications of regulators include:

adjustment procedures of regulators

excessive pressure protection types of regulators

gas regulation method

identification, analysis and documentation of regulator faults

principles of operation

selection and installation requirements

sizing of regulators

types of gas regulators.

Specifications of appliances include:

commercial appliances

components

construction of the appliance

domestic appliance design

electronic controls

industrial appliances.

Design of cylinder and tank systems is based on:

anticipated use

appropriate time period between refilling

gas storage requirements calculations.

Pipe fixings include:

anchors

bracket spacing

corrosion protection

cover

hanging brackets

material requirements

saddles

wall and ceiling brackets.

Materials include:

copper (Cu)

fittings and fixtures

galvanised steel

polyethylene (PE)

unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U).

Jointing methods include:

brazing and threading

gluing

mechanical joints

rubber ring

solvent cement welding.

Installation requirements include:

clipping, bedding and installation detail

installation requirements for mobile, marine installation and portable appliances (high and low-pressure)

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:

appliances

bedding

clipping

details of specialised components

jointing

manufacturer requirements

materials

valves

workmanship.

Testing includes:

bubble leak testing

electronic gas leak detection

flow testing

inspection checklist

pressure testing

quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule must include:

checking for burrs and obstructions

commissioning appliances

confirming fit for purpose

purging system

removing contaminants.

Operation and maintenance manual includes:

check for blockages

leak detection

regular inspection

regular maintenance requirements.