CPCPMS4002A
Commission air and water systems

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to test and commission air and water heating and cooling systems.It covers preparing for the work, determining testing requirements, preparing systems for balancing, and the physical balancing, testing and commissioning of the systems and completion of work finalisation processes, including recording.

Application

This unit applies to:

ducting systems for air conditioning, heating or ventilation purposes in buildings Class 1 or 2 with a maximum static pressure of 0.75kPa and a maximum velocity of 12.5 metres per second

piping systems conveying heating and chilled water operating at a maximum pressure of 700kPa or a maximum temperature of 100°C, with a maximum output of 50kW and total air quantities not exceeding 950 litres per second.

Site location for work application will be residential and commercial, and may be a new work site or an existing structure being renovated, extended, restored or maintained.


Prerequisites

Nil


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for work.

1.1. Information, plans and specifications are obtained.

1.2. Safety (OHS) requirements associated with testing and commissioning air and water systems, and workplace environmental requirements, are adhered to throughout the work.

1.3. Quality assurance requirements are identified and adhered to in accordance with workplace requirements.

1.4. Tasks are planned and sequenced in conjunction with others involved in or affected by the work and statutory and regulatory authority requirements.

1.5. Tools and equipment for testing and commissioning air and water systems, including personal protective equipment, are selected and checked for serviceability.

1.6. Work area is prepared to support efficient testing and commissioning process.

2. Determine testing requirements.

2.1. Equipment is checked for safe operation and correct functioning.

2.2. Equipment performance data is checked against plans, specification requirements and other relevant information.

2.3. Instruments and associated equipment suitable for measuring quantities are selected in accordance with job specification.

3. Prepare system for balancing.

3.1. Dampers are set in the open or specified position and operational check of system-related fans and ducting is carried out in accordance with workplace procedures.

3.2. Automatic control devices are energised to provide maximum demand for airflow.

3.3. Piping system is checked for flow direction and leaks, and operational check of system and related pumps is carried out.

3.4. All manual and automatic valves are set in the specified position.

4. Balance, test and commission system.

4.1. Valves or throttling devices are adjusted to achieve specified water flow ratings.

4.2. Air volumes moved by system fans are measured.

4.3. Dampers and terminal devices are correctly adjusted to achieve specified airflow ratings.

4.4. Automatic controls and devices are set to specified settings.

4.5. Testing and balancing of system is carried out in accordance with job specification and/or manufacturer recommendations.

4.6. Test and monitored results are documented in format required by job specification and/or manufacturer.

5. Restore work area.

5.1. Work area is cleared and materials disposed of or recycled in accordance with state and territory legislation and workplace procedures.

5.2. Tools and equipment are cleaned, checked, maintained and stored in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and workplace procedures.

5.3. Documentation is completed in accordance with workplace requirements.

Required Skills

Required skills

Required skills for this unit are:

communication skills to:

access information

determine requirements

enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand

follow instructions

plan and sequence tasks with others

read and interpret:

documentation from a variety of sources

drawings and specifications

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

use and interpret non-verbal communication, such as hand signals

written skills to:

complete workplace documentation

record test and monitored results

identifying and accurately reporting to appropriate personnel any faults in tools, equipment or materials

numeracy skills to apply measurements and calculations

organisational skills, including the ability to plan and set out work

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

technological skills to:

access and understand site-specific instructions in a variety of media

use mobile communication technology

test, balance and commission air conditioning, heating and ventilation ducting and piping systems.

Required knowledge

Required knowledge for this unit is:

application of mechanical, hydraulic, electric and electronic principles and safety requirements

design concepts, tests and performance standards for measuring various water and air systems

effect of bacteria in water, and potential impact on health

environmental impact of gases and EPA requirements

job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements (SWMS)

operating principles and characteristics of system components used in water and air systems

performance standards for balancing systems

processes of commissioning air and water systems

relevant information sources for the work activity

relevant statutory and authority requirements related to installing, testing, balancing, commissioning and operation of air and water systems

SI system of measurements

standards applicable to testing, balancing and commissioning air and water systems

workplace and equipment safety requirements.

Evidence Required

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:

locating, interpreting and applying relevant information, standards and specifications to testing, balancing and commissioning air and water systems

applying safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including the use of personal protective clothing and equipment

as a minimum, the ability to balance and commission an air conditioning system (up to 150 megajoules) for a domestic situation and a commercial air conditioning system for a structure of at least four floors, plus balance and commission a hydronic water heating system for a structure of at least four floors, ensuring:

correct identification of details of the plan

correct selection and use of appropriate processes, tools and equipment

completion of all work to specification

compliance with regulations, standards and organisational quality procedures and processes

communicating and working effectively and safely with others.

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

tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices

support materials appropriate to activity

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.


Range Statement

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.

Safety (OHS) is to be in accordance with commonwealth, state and territory legislation and regulations and may include:

handling of materials

hazard control

personal protective clothing and equipment prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices

safe operating procedures, including recognising and preventing hazards associated with:

hazardous materials and substances

other machines

surrounding structure and facilities

trip hazards

underground services

use of tools and equipment

work site visitors and the public

working at heights

working in confined spaces

working in proximity to others

use of firefighting equipment

use of first aid equipment

workplace environment and safety.

Environmental requirements are to cover water quality management and may include:

clean-up protection

ozone management

stormwater protection

waste management.

Quality assurance requirements may include:

Environment Protection Authority (EPA)

internal company quality assurance policy and risk management strategy

International Standards Organisation

site safety plan

workplace operations and procedures.

Statutory and regulatory authorities include:

state or territory statutory authority

statutory plumbing authority.

Tools and equipment may include:

elevated work platforms

hand and power tools

ladders

scaffolds

test equipment.

Information may include:

charts and hand drawings

diagrams or sketches

instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel

job drawings

manufacturer specifications and instructions

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

memos

organisation work specifications and requirements

regulatory and legislative requirements, particularly those pertaining to:

building codes

OHS and environmental requirements

plumbing regulations

relevant Australian standards

safe work procedures relating to testing, balancing and commissioning air and water systems

signage

verbal, written and graphical instructions

work bulletins

work schedules, plans and specifications.


Sectors

Unit sector

Plumbing and services


Co-Requisites

Nil


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not Applicable