CPCPMS5013A
Design hydronic heating and cooling systems

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to design hydronic heating and cooling systems, determine relevant installation details and prepare system specifications for a range of residential, commercial and industrial buildings.

Application

This unit of competency supports development of skills and knowledge required for competent workplace performance in a consultancy or supervisory capacity in relation to plumbing services and hydraulics.


Prerequisites

Nil


Elements and Performance Criteria

1

Evaluate design parameters.

1.1

Scope of workfor hydronic heating and cooling systems is established.

1.2

Design requirementsare determined from relevant Australian standards, codes, plans, specifications and client brief.

1.3

Cost-benefit analysisis conducted comparing a range of pipe materials and system designs.

1.4

Statutory and regulatory requirements and relevant Australian standards and codesfor the design of hydronic heating and cooling systems are analysed and applied.

1.5

Manufacturer requirementsand trade and technical manuals are interpreted.

1.6

Additional research, including a desktop study, is conducted to outline design parameters.

1.7

Factors that contribute to quality, safety and time efficiency are determined.

1.8

Performance requirements are established, considering safety of system users or building occupants.

2

Plan and detail system components.

2.1

Layout of pipework systems, and type and location of fittings, valves and controls are planned.

2.2

Pipe size requirement calculationsare performed for a range of applications according to regulations and manufacturer requirements.

2.3

System components and circuits are specified.

2.4

Pump and compressor systems are detailed.

2.5

Distribution flows, velocities and pressures are specified for a range of applications.

2.6

Insulationis specified.

2.7

Pipe supportsare designed for a range of applications.

2.8

Approved materials, jointing methods and installation requirements for hydronic heating and cooling systems are specified.

2.9

Allowance for expansion and contraction is provided.

3

Design and size systems.

3.1

Hydronic systems and circuits are designed for a range of applications.

3.2

Hydronic systems are designed and sized using calculations and computer software packages.

3.3

Sustainability principles and concepts are applied throughout the design process.

4

Prepare documentation.

4.1

Client brief of the desired design is prepared.

4.2

Plans and specifications are prepared for a range of hydronic heating and cooling systems.

4.3

Testing and commissioning schedule is prepared.

4.4

Operation and maintenance manual is produced, including information on how to properly and safely maintain the system.

Required Skills

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

literacy skills to:

prepare written 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:

plan and set out work

research, collect, organise and understand information relating to the design of hydronic heating and cooling 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 relevant installation details for hydronic heating and cooling systems

prepare system specifications for hydronic heating and cooling systems

technology skills to:

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

use mobile communication technology

Required knowledge

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

common terminology and definitions used in design of hydronic heating and cooling systems for all classes of building

drafting principles

nature of materials used in hydronic heating and cooling systems and effects of performance under various conditions

principles of technology in the design of hydronic heating and cooling systems

work health and safety (WHS) requirements, including relevant statutory regulations, codes and standards

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 as a minimum, provide evidence of the ability to:

design, size and document the layout details for a hydronic heating and cooling system, including a specification for a high-rise mixed development building to a minimum of 29 floors, inclusive of a basement to include fixtures on each floor level (fixtures are included in the basement), including:

applying sustainability principles and concepts throughout the design to achieve a star rating under the Green Council of Australia rating scheme

evaluating and documenting design parameters, including client, regulatory, manufacturer and relevant Australian standard and code requirements for a range of hydronic heating and cooling systems

producing an appropriate layout for hydronic heating and cooling systems, planned according to manufacturer and regulatory requirements

calculating pipe sizes according to regulations and manufacturer requirements

designing hydronic circuits

designing and sizing hydronic systems using calculations and appropriate computer software

preparing plans and specifications for a range of hydronic heating and cooling systems

preparing testing and commissioning schedules

producing operation and maintenance manuals

communicating 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

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.

Scope of work:

must include:

interpretation of plans and specifications

principles and properties of hydronic systems, including:

barriers to heat transfer

conduction

convection

heat transfer

principles of hydronic circuits

principles of pressure and energy related to hydronic systems

properties of water steam and gases used for hydronic systems

radiation

hydronic applications, which may include:

chiller circuits for air conditioning and refrigeration applications

concrete floor heating circuits

heat removal applications

manufacturing and industrial applications

room heating circuits for residential, commercial and industrial heating applications

timber floor heating circuits

sizing and documenting layout of hydronic heating and cooling systems for residential, commercial or industrial applications for either new projects or an existing structure being renovated, extended, restored or maintained.

Design requirements may include:

architectural plans

building specifications

interpretation and application of mechanical services drawings and symbols

fire rating of penetrations

owner requirements

pipework identification

specialist hydronic 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

may include:

design styles

energy costs

expected design life

labour costs

material costs

safety factors

speed of installation

suitable materials

system choices.

Statutory and regulatory requirements and relevant Australian standards may include:

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

industry standards

National Construction Code

other relevant Australian standards.

Manufacturer requirements include:

sizing tables

specifications

recommended specific fixings for pipework

technical and trade manuals.

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

architectural and building plans

developer plans

manufacturer data

documents, which may include:

applications

brochures

forms

policies

other reports as available.

Performance requirements must include:

hydronic heating and cooling system requirements, including temperature and safety requirements, established using relevant Australian standards, codes and manufacturer information.

Layout of pipework systems:

must include:

flow, velocity, pressure and discharge requirements established using relevant Australian standards, codes and local government authority requirements

location of pipework (fire rating of enclosure)

compliance with hydronic principles

should not unduly affect building integrity and aesthetic appeal

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

Fittings and valves may include:

fittings:

bends

elbows

tees

unions

couplings

strainers

valves:

excess pressure

flow and isolating

pressure limiting

pressure reduction.

Pipe size requirement calculations must include:

energy

flow and velocity

pressure

sizing

temperature

volume and storage.

System components and circuits:

boilers may include:

advantages and disadvantages of boiler types

capacity and size

coal

electric

energy sources

fire tube

gas

heat exchanger

methods of reducing heat losses

oil

packaged

pressure controls and components

solid fuel

valves

water tube

factors to be considered when selecting a boiler hydronic circuit must include:

circulating pump appliances

flow and return pipework

pipework grades

valves and fittings

cooling towers must include:

bacteriological safety

collection

construction

disinfection

fans

maintenance

size

sprays

chillers and refrigerant plant must include:

engineered systems

packaged plants

proprietary commercial and industrial equipment and assemblies

hydronic appliances must include:

calorifiers

components

concrete construction

electronic controls

heat exchangers

methods of temperature and pressure control

radiators

timber floor heating systems

types

water heaters.

Pump and compressor systems must include:

chilled water pumps

circulating pumps

refrigeration compressors

other applications as required.

Insulation may include:

felt

fibreglass

insulation protection, including:

plastic

sheet metal

rock wool.

Pipe supports may include:

anchors

bracket spacing

corrosion protection

hanging brackets

manufacturer-recommended specific fixings

material requirements

provision for expansion

saddles.

Materials may include:

copper (Cu)

steel

other approved materials.

Jointing methods may include:

brazing

mechanical joints

threading

other approved jointing methods.

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.

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 efficiency

reuse of water, such as rainwater, greywater and recycled non-drinking water

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

sections

schematics, which may be produced using:

computer generation

drawing equipment.

Specification may include:

bedding

support

flow requirements

jointing

manufacturer requirements

materials

residual pressures

safety (WHS)

specialised components

testing

valve selection

water treatment

workmanship.

Testing may include:

defect inspection

flow testing

inspection checklist

leak testing

pressure testing

quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule must include:

system certification

flue balancing

flow test

leak check

pressure test

system purge

system defects

system functions as per design

valve operation

checking fit for purpose

removing contaminants.

Operation and maintenance manual may include:

as installed drawings

certification documentation

check for blockages

leak detection

maintenance schedules

manufacturer brochures and technical information

regular inspection

regular maintenance requirements.

results of commissioning test

valve function.


Sectors

Functional area

Unit sector

Plumbing and services


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

In some jurisdictions, this unit of competency may form part of accreditation, licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements.