The assessment process must address all of the following items of evidence.
Ability to:
1. Access workplace information on combustion and operating requirements
2. Select, fit and use personal protective clothing and/or equipment
3. Identify and report hazards and potential hazards in the work area
4. Confirm status of boiler and related equipment including the fuel supply system, ash removal and services
5. Demonstrate purge procedure
6. Conduct pre-start checks. This typically include checking:
feed water supply and system
fuel supply system
fans and dampers
inspection doors
boiler valves - operation and position
combustion air supply system
boiler water level
7. Liaise with other work areas to advise of boiler status
8. Demonstrate set up and start up procedures in both manual and automatic modes
9. Monitor boiler operation. This typically includes monitoring:
steam reticulation line pressure
boiler steam pressure
steam supply/usage
condensate tank level
bagasse levels
feedwater levels and pressure
fuel levels
boiler load
water quality
furnace pressure
ash pit level and removal system
balance draft system
superheater temperature
drum levels
equipment condition
10. Conduct water quality test
11. Take corrective action in response to out-of-specification results
12. Report and/or record corrective action as required
13. Demonstrate shift handover procedure and confirm that replacement operators are aware of all relevant issues prior to completing handover
14. Demonstrate procedure to take boiler off line
15. Demonstrate procedure to shut down and clean the boiler
16. Demonstrate removal of valves and fittings to prepare the boiler for inspection
17. Demonstrate procedure to store boiler
18. Demonstrate emergency procedures and related re-start. This includes use of emergency fuel supply
19. Maintain workplace records
20. Maintain work area to meet housekeeping standards
May include ability to:
21. Use process control systems
Knowledge of:
22. Relevant state OHS legislation, standards and codes of practice relating to work responsibilities
23. Safe work procedures including awareness of health and safety hazards related to boiler operation and associated control measures. Hazards typically include working around hot surfaces, manual handling, fuel and steam leaks
24. Purpose and limitations of protective clothing and equipment
25. Hierarchy of hazard control measures
26. Duty of care of the boiler operator
27. Purpose and basic principles of combustion and boiler operation. This includes principles of heat transfer and properties of steam
28. Boiler system layout and steam cycle
29. The purpose of purging a boiler
30. The effect of fuel quality on boiler operation
31. Impact of ash removal on efficient boiler operation and impact of sluice water flow
32. Relationship to other processes. This includes an understanding of the impact of sudden load changes on boiler pressure and plant operation
33. Purpose and limitations of protective clothing and equipment
34. Methods used to render equipment safe to inspect, maintain and/or clean including lock-out, tag-out and isolation procedures
35. Water quality test procedures
36. Typical causes of water/condensate contamination and corrective action required
37. Equipment purpose and basic operating principles. This includes high pressure feed pumps, fuel supply system and dual fuel systems as required by boiler type
38. Operating requirements and parameters
39. Procedures for responding to emergency situations. This includes safe shutdown procedure
40. Handover and long term shut down and storage procedures
41. Cleaning procedures and grate dumping
42. Environmental issues and controls. This includes an understanding of sluice water usage.
43. Requirements to liaise/advise related work areas
44. Housekeeping standards for the work area
45. Reporting and recording systems. This includes both statutory and workplace requirements
May include knowledge of:
46. Basic operating principles of process control where relevant. This includes the relationship between control panels and systems and the physical equipment
Relationship with other standards
Pre-requisite units
There are no pre-requisite units for this competency standard.
Co-assessment of related units
Other units of competency relevant to the work role should be assessed in conjunction with this unit. This may include:
SUGZPCI2A Operate a process control interface
Resources required for assessment
Assessment must occur in a real or simulated workplace where the assessee has access to:
Boiler and related equipment. This includes fuel supply, grate cleaning and ash removal systems
Relevant codes and standards
Operating procedures and related advice on equipment operation
Personal protective clothing and equipment
Communication systems and equipment
Housekeeping standards and procedures
Workplace information recording systems, requirements and procedures
Assessment requirements
Boiler operators holding a ticket in Intermediate Boiler Operation from the relevant state regulatory authority will be granted equivalence in this unit SUGPOBI3AOperate a boiler - intermediate for the purpose of issuing a qualification.