Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

FPICOT3231B Mapping and Delivery Guide
Operate steam boiler

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency FPICOT3231B - Operate steam boiler
Description This unit describes the outcomes required to start up, operate, shut down and store a steam-generating boiler, including tasks associated with handover, maintenance, inspection and safetyGeneral workplace legislative and regulatory requirements apply to this unit; however there are no specific licensing or certification requirements at the time of publicationThis unit replaces FPICOT3231A Operate steam boiler
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills
Learning Outcomes and Application The unit involves operating a steam boiler in a timber treatment plant settingThe skills and knowledge required for competent workplace performance are to be used within the scope of the person's job and authority
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not Applicable
Competency Field Common Technical
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare for operation
  • Applicable occupational health and safety (OHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to operating a steam boiler are identified and followed
  • Work order is reviewed and clarified with appropriate personnel
  • Quantity of steam to be generated is assessed and set for the allocated process
  • Equipment is selected appropriate to work requirements and checked for operational effectiveness in line with manufacturer recommendations
  • Steam generation is planned in line with site procedures and environmental requirements
  • Communication with others is established and maintained in line with OHS requirements
       
Element: Operate and monitor boiler
  • Pre-operational safety and pre-startup checks are carried out on equipment in line with statutory requirements, manufacturer recommendations and plant operating procedures
  • Boiler is started and brought safely on line and recent boiler performance is clearly communicated to other personnel
  • Continued operation of boiler is assessed against pre-operational checks, maintenance requirements and operating conditions
  • Boiler operation and status are monitored and diagnosed and adjustments conducted to maintain safe and efficient operation
  • Boiler house chemicals are stored, recorded and handled in line with statutory and environmental requirements
  • Emergency shutdown procedures are followed in case of a fire
  • Fuel efficiency recordings, calculations, operating log, boiler operation and equipment faults are recorded and reported to the appropriate personnel
       
Element: Shut down and store boiler
  • Shutdown and lock-out procedures are followed in line with OHS legislation and statutory regulations
  • Condition of boiler is checked and maintenance requirements are recorded and reported
  • Boiler is prepared for inspection process, with valves and fittings removed, in line with statutory requirements
  • Boiler is cleaned internally and externally in line with statutory and environmental requirements
  • Mode of storage is selected and boiler is stored in line with statutory requirements
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can safely and efficiently operate a steam boiler in line with organisational requirements

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to, and satisfy, all of the requirements of the elements of this unit and include demonstration of:

following applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice relevant to operating a steam boiler

following organisational policies and procedures relevant to operating a steam boiler

starting, operating, monitoring and shutting down a steam boiler in line with statutory requirements and standard operating procedures

handing over operation of a steam boiler to other personnel

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or realistically simulated workplace

Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints

Assessment of required knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context

Assessment is to follow relevant regulatory or Australian Standards requirements

The following resources should be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace

materials and equipment relevant to undertaking work applicable to this unit

specifications and work instructions

Method of assessment

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the FPI11 Training Package

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of required knowledge

Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills

Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access and correctly interpret and apply the required knowledge

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate

Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language backgrounds other than English

Where the participant has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment

Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Required skills

Technical skills sufficient to use and maintain relevant tools, machinery and equipment; efficiently and safely operate a steam boiler

Communication skills sufficient to use appropriate communication and interpersonal techniques with colleagues and others

Literacy skills sufficient to record and report workplace information; maintain documentation

Numeracy skills sufficient to measure, estimate and calculate time required to complete a task

Problem solving skills sufficient to identify problems and equipment faults; demonstrate appropriate response procedures

Required knowledge

Applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices relevant to the full range of processes for operating a steam boiler

Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material, the safe use and storage of chemicals, the minimisation of carbon emissions, and the cleaning of plant, tools and equipment

Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for operating a steam boiler

Environmental risks and hazards

Using energy effectively and efficiently

Steam boiler operating procedures

Characteristics and dangers of steam

Procedures for assessing, diagnosing and testing boilers

Startup and shutdown procedures

Established communication channels and protocols

Problem identification and resolution strategies, and common fault finding techniques

Types of tools and equipment, and procedures for their safe use and maintenance

Appropriate mathematical procedures for estimating and measuring, including calculating time to complete tasks

Procedures for recording and reporting workplace information

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.

OHS requirements:

are to be in line with applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:

personal protective equipment and clothing

safety equipment

first aid equipment

fire fighting equipment

hazard and risk control

fatigue management

elimination of hazardous materials and substances

safe forest practices, including required actions relating to forest fire

manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying

Environmental requirements may include:

legislation

organisational policies and procedures

workplace practices

Legislative requirements:

are to be in line with applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation, regulations, certification requirements and codes of practice and may include:

award and enterprise agreements

industrial relations

Australian Standards

confidentiality and privacy

OHS

the environment

equal opportunity

anti-discrimination

relevant industry codes of practice

duty of care

Organisational requirements may include:

legal

organisational and site guidelines

policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility

quality assurance

procedural manuals

quality and continuous improvement processes and standards

OHS, emergency and evacuation procedures

ethical standards

recording and reporting requirements

equipment use, maintenance and storage requirements

environmental management requirements (waste minimisation and disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)

Work order is to include:

instructions for:

steam generation

quantity

time-span

and may include:

instructions for the environmental monitoring of work and procedures

environmental care requirements relevant to the work

Appropriate personnel may include:

supervisors

suppliers

clients

colleagues

managers

Steam

is energy derived from boiling water creating expansion within the boiler and therefore pressure

Equipment is to include:

steam-generating boilers, including:

liquid or vapour restricted to water or steam

fuel and fuel supply system

boiler operations in conjunction with other plant

Communication may include:

verbal and non-verbal language

constructive feedback

active listening

questioning to clarify and confirm understanding

use of positive, confident and cooperative language

use of language and concepts appropriate to individual social and cultural differences

control of tone of voice

Pre-startup checks

are conducted to ensure:

equipment has been set up correctly

systems are performing accurately

equipment is operating to optimum performance

Diagnosis is to include:

use of:

audio

visual

written information

together with:

water quality

chemical testing

Boiler house

is normally the isolated room or building where the boiler is located

Emergency shut down

is the immediate shutting off of the equipment to prevent an accident or prevent damage to the machine or product

Records and reports may include:

fuel efficiency recordings

calculations

operating logs

storage location

quality outcomes

hazards

incidents

equipment malfunctions

and may be:

manual

a computer-based system

other appropriate organisational communication system

Storage is to include:

close down time the boiler is inactive

procedures for shutdown

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Applicable occupational health and safety (OHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to operating a steam boiler are identified and followed 
Work order is reviewed and clarified with appropriate personnel 
Quantity of steam to be generated is assessed and set for the allocated process 
Equipment is selected appropriate to work requirements and checked for operational effectiveness in line with manufacturer recommendations 
Steam generation is planned in line with site procedures and environmental requirements 
Communication with others is established and maintained in line with OHS requirements 
Pre-operational safety and pre-startup checks are carried out on equipment in line with statutory requirements, manufacturer recommendations and plant operating procedures 
Boiler is started and brought safely on line and recent boiler performance is clearly communicated to other personnel 
Continued operation of boiler is assessed against pre-operational checks, maintenance requirements and operating conditions 
Boiler operation and status are monitored and diagnosed and adjustments conducted to maintain safe and efficient operation 
Boiler house chemicals are stored, recorded and handled in line with statutory and environmental requirements 
Emergency shutdown procedures are followed in case of a fire 
Fuel efficiency recordings, calculations, operating log, boiler operation and equipment faults are recorded and reported to the appropriate personnel 
Shutdown and lock-out procedures are followed in line with OHS legislation and statutory regulations 
Condition of boiler is checked and maintenance requirements are recorded and reported 
Boiler is prepared for inspection process, with valves and fittings removed, in line with statutory requirements 
Boiler is cleaned internally and externally in line with statutory and environmental requirements 
Mode of storage is selected and boiler is stored in line with statutory requirements 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FPICOT3231B - Operate steam boiler
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

FPICOT3231B - Operate steam boiler

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: