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:

design, size and document the layout details, including a specification for a high-rise mixed development building and a wide span project, such as a school or industrial complex.

evaluate and document design parameters, including rainfall, client, regulatory, manufacturer and relevant Australian standard requirements and storage capacity for a range of rainwater harvesting systems

plan and detail system components, including:

authority connection

backflow prevention requirements

filters

fixtures and fitments

piping systems

pumps

storage

water treatment

design and size rainwater harvesting and reuse systems

prepare plans and specifications for a range of rainwater harvesting and reuse systems to industry standards

prepare testing and commissioning schedules

prepare operation and maintenance manuals

apply sustainability principles and concepts throughout the design to achieve a green star rating

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, 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:

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 rainwater collection, storage, distribution and re-use 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 systems for the collection, storage, distribution and reuse of rainwater for drinking and non-drinking uses

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 the design of rainwater collection, storage, distribution and re-use

key features of work plans and specifications

nature of materials used and effects of performance under various conditions

organisational quality procedures and processes

principles of technology in the design of rainwater collection, storage, distribution and reuse for residential, commercial and industrial applications to include water treatment and backflow protection of drinking and non-drinking water supply systems

relevant Australian standards, codes, manufacturer specifications, National Construction Code and operating procedures relevant to the sector

terminology and definitions used in hydraulic design

work health and safety (WHS) 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

rainfall analysis

sizing and documenting layout of rainwater harvesting systems for residential, commercial and industrial applications to include water treatment and backflow protection of drinking and non-drinking water supply systems

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

Design requirements must include:

architectural plans

building specifications

owner requirements

pipework identification

sizing of pipework

backflow protection of drinking and non-drinking water supply systems

water treatment

specialist water use applications.

Contamination may include:

bacterial

heavy metal

inorganic

odour

organic

taste

silt

viral

vermin.

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

may include:

design styles

energy costs

expected design life

labour costs

material costs

safety factors

speed of installation

suitable materials.

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

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

AS/NZS3500 National plumbing and drainage

AS2200 Design charts for water supply and sewerage

National Construction Code.

Manufacturer requirements may include:

material specifications

pipe sizing

pump installation

storage system

technical and trade manuals

other relevant documents.

Desktop study may include collection and interpretation of data for design purposes in:

architectural and building plans

developer plans

manufacturer data

other documents, which may include:

applications

brochures

forms

policies

other reports as available.

Performance requirements must include:

compliance limits for:

bacteria levels

nutrients

pH

silt control

vermin protection

overflow discharge requirements

requirements established using relevant Australian standards, codes and local authority plans, including:

cover

discharge

flow conditions

pipe grades.

Tank type and location may include:

tank type:

concrete

fibreglass

metal

polymer

other approved materials

tank location may include:

above-ground

in-ground.

Layout of pipework systems:

may include:

gravity systems

pumped systems

should not unduly affect building integrity and aesthetic appeal

should have principles of economy, serviceability, durability and fit for use.

Fittings, valves and controls include:

backflow prevention devices

inspection openings

irrigation control systems

isolating valves

level indicators

pump controls.

First-flush systems may include:

electronic

float-activated

mechanical

volume-activated.

Filtration systems may include:

overflow devices

sand

screens

settlement tanks

strainers.

Water contamination solutions may include:

disinfection

ultraviolet.

Pipe size calculations must include:

determination of flow

interpretation of design charts and tables

pipe sizing calculations

reduced level calculations.

Materials may include:

copper (Cu)

polyethylene (PE)

polypropylene (PP)

polybutylene (PB)

unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U)

other approved material.

Jointing methods may include:

brazing

compression joints

electrofusion welding

mechanical joints

solvent cement

threading

other approved jointing methods.

Pipe supports may include:

anchors

bedding

bracket spacing

concrete support

corrosion protection

manufacturer-recommended specific fixings

material requirements

provision for expansion

saddles.

Pump and ancillary requirements may include:

automatic controls

pump duties

corrosion-resistant materials

level controls and alarms

pump selection and pump sizing, based on:

flow

velocity

lift

probable simultaneous demands.

Installation requirements may include:

pipe protection, which may include:

cover

corrosion

impact

fire rating

level of workmanship

manufacturer-recommended specific fixings

pipe support

provision for expansion

serviceability and access.

Rainwater reuse systems must include:

roof water collection

storage may include:

tanks

open in-ground (dam)

water treatment

pumps

approved drinking and non-drinking use.

Sustainability principles and concepts:

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

may include:

efficient use of material

efficient energy use/capital outlay comparison

water use

evaporation

local environment consideration

overflow disposal/reuse

consideration of the Green Building Council of Australia rating scheme

selecting appropriate components to ensure minimal environmental impact.

Plans:

may include:

axonometrics

cross-sections

details

elevations

isometrics

schematics

may be produced using:

computer generation

drawing equipment.

Specification may include:

backflow prevention

flow requirements

jointing

manufacturer requirements

materials

residual pressures

safety (WHS)

specialised components

storage

support

testing

valve selection

water treatment

workmanship.

Testing must include:

air pressure

backflow protection

defect inspection

drainage inspection

hydrostatic

performance:

flow

pressure

water quality

quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule must include:

balancing disposal system

flow and pressure adjustments

leak check

pressure test

pump settings

safety requirements

system certification

system defects

system flushing

system functions as per design

system purge

valve operation

ventilation

vermin control.

Operation and maintenance manual may include:

as installed drawings

certification documentation

maintenance schedules

manufacturer brochures

ongoing maintenance requirements

pump maintenance

regular inspections

results of commissioning test

safety management system

system detail, setting and operations

valve function

system operational parameter adjustments and checks, including:

disinfection

first flush devices

pH

silt control

suspended solids

water quality.