This unit of competency supports development of skills and knowledge required for competent workplace performance in a consultancy or supervisory capacity in relation to the design of irrigation systems for residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural properties with or without connection to reticulated supply.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Evaluate design parameters.

1.1. Design requirements and work scope are determined from plans, specifications and client briefs.

1.2. Cost-benefit analysis is conducted comparing a range of pipe materials and system designs.

1.3. Statutory and regulatory requirements and Australian and New Zealand standards for the design of irrigation systems are interpreted, analysed and applied.

1.4. Manufacturer requirements and trade and technical manuals are interpreted.

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

1.6. Flow and pressure tests are conducted.

1.7. Water sources, volumes and areas to be irrigated are established.

1.8. Soil types are analysed and categorised, and impacts on irrigation systems are documented.

1.9. Performance requirements are established.

2. Plan and detail system components.

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

2.2. Type, location and requirements for backflow prevention devices are detailed.

2.3. Pipe sizes, velocities, flows and pressures are calculated for a range of applications.

2.4. Approved materials and jointing methods for irrigation systems are specified.

2.5. Sections and components of the irrigation system are detailed.

2.6. Pipe fixings are designed for a range of applications.

2.7. Pump, pump controls and pumproom requirements are sized and detailed.

2.8. Installation requirements are specified.

3. Design and size systems.

3.1. Irrigation systems are designed for a range of residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural applications.

3.2. Range of delivery systems and patterns is designed.

3.3. Irrigation systems are designed and sized using computer software packages.

4. Prepare documentation.

4.1. Plans are prepared for a range of irrigation systems.

4.2. Specification for an irrigation system is prepared.

4.3. Testing and commissioning schedule is prepared.

4.4. Operation and maintenance manual is produced.

Required skills

Required skills for this unit are:

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

read and interpret:

plans, specifications, drawings and design briefs

standards and manufacturer requirements and manuals

statutory and regulatory requirements

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

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

written skills to prepare documentation, including:

operation and maintenance manual

plans, specifications and schedules

designing irrigation systems to Australian and New Zealand standards, BCA and other relevant legislative requirements

innovation skills to develop creative and responsive approaches

numeracy skills to apply measurements and calculations

planning and organisational skills to:

research, collect, organise and understand information relating to the design of irrigation 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.

Required knowledge

Required knowledge for this unit is:

common terminology and definitions used in the design of irrigation systems

nature of materials used and effects of performance under various conditions

principles of technology used in design of irrigation systems for a range of applications

requirements of state regulatory authorities, Australian standards and manufacturer specifications, including hazards identified in relation to devices and systems used according to:

AS/NZS3500 National plumbing and drainage set

AS2200 Design charts for water supply and sewerage

other standards, codes or standard operating procedures

workplace safety requirements, including relevant statutory regulations, codes and standards.

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:

evaluating and documenting design parameters, including client, regulatory, manufacturer and Australian and New Zealand standard requirements for a range of irrigation systems

planning and detailing system components, including:

backflow prevention devices

manifold and piping systems

stations

designing and sizing a range of irrigation systems for specific applications

preparing plans for a range of irrigation systems

preparing specifications for irrigation systems

preparing testing and commissioning schedules

preparing operation and maintenance manuals.

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.

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.

Design requirements include:

architectural specifications

builder specifications

owner requirements

specialist water use applications.

Work scope:

includes:

application of the irrigation project

interpretation of plans and specifications

sizing and documenting layout of irrigation systems, for applications including residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural

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

Cost-benefit analysis includes:

comparison of range of suitable materials and system choices available to enable cost-effective choices to be made without compromising integrity of project.

Statutory and regulatory requirements and Australian and New Zealand standards include:

Acts and regulations

Australian and New Zealand standards, including:

AS/NZS3500 National plumbing and drainage set

AS2200 Design charts for water supply and sewerage

BCA

local and state government policies.

Manufacturer requirements include:

material specifications

pump tables

sizing tables

technical and trade manuals.

Desktop study includes collection and interpretation of existing data for design purposes from:

building plans

council plans

developer plans

landscape and architectural plans

other documents and reports as available.

Flow and pressure tests include:

interpretation of flow and pressure tests conducted by a contractor

on-site measurement of flows (l and s), velocity (m and s) and pressure (kPa).

Water sources, volumes and areas to be irrigated include:

sources:

creeks

dams

lakes

mains supply

rivers

streams

tanks

volumes and areas:

amount and duration of water supply

areas to be irrigated

number of stations required

total amount and flow rate required at each station.

Soil types include:

gravels

light, medium and heavy clays

loams

rock

sands.

Performance requirements include:

flow, velocity, pressure and discharge requirements, established using Australian and New Zealand standards and local authority requirements.

Layout of pipework systems:

includes:

distribution

dual feed systems

range pipes

ring main

single pipe

station break-up

should not unduly affect aesthetic appeal and building integrity

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

Fittings and valves include:

fittings:

bends

elbows

tees

unions

valves:

backflow prevention

excess pressure

isolating

pressure limiting

pressure reduction

strainers.

Backflow prevention devices include:

break tanks

individual protection

property protection

testable and non-testable devices

zone protection.

Materials include:

acrilonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)

composite pipework

copper

fittings and fixtures

polybutylene

polyethylene

protective coatings

steel.

Jointing methods include:

brazing

compression

flaring

mechanical joints

rubber ring joints

soldering

threading.

Sections and components of the irrigation system include:

irrigation stations:

number, size, area, volume of water required, delivery requirements, operation and activation of stations, sprinkler patterns, location and distribution of sprinkler heads, obstacle avoidance, water minimisation, waste minimisation and timing

manifold systems:

manifolds to stations, headers, branches, timers, isolators, servo valves, electronics, power supplies and manual activation

sensors:

moisture sensors, soil sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, weather stations and computer automation

automatic controls:

station controllers, servo valves, isolating valves, water tractors and timers

sprinklers, drippers and irrigators:

sprinkler heads, sprinkler flows, impact sprinklers, gear-driven sprinklers, water tractors, water cannons, tape drippers, individual drippers, flow controlled drippers, in-ground irrigation tapes and root inhibitor systems

sprinkler patterns:

head to head, square, triangular, circular, quarter overlap, half overlap, full overlap, double overlap and other overlap patterns.

Pipe fixings include:

anchors

bedding

bracket spacing

corrosion protection

cover

hanging brackets

material requirements

saddles

wall and ceiling brackets.

Pump, pump controls and pumproom requirements include:

automatic controls

impeller sizing

inlet and outlet design requirements

installation and mounting requirements

pump selection

pump sizing

space requirements

valve requirements.

Installation requirements include:

bedding

clipping

installation details

jointing requirements

level of workmanship.

Applications:

include:

agricultural crops

garden irrigation

golf courses

greenhouses

lawn watering

nurseries

should also cover:

individual crop water requirements

types of plants and their respective crop factors.

Delivery systems and patterns include:

main delivery

number and design of stations

design includes:

avoiding obstacles

irregular shapes

minimising water wastage

range of irrigation applications

range pipes

ring mains

size and delivery of sprinklers

sprinkler head placement

sprinkler patterns.

Plans include:

axonometrics

cross-sections

details

elevations

isometrics

schematics, which may be produced using:

computer generation

Indian ink

pencil

pigment liner

sections.

Specification includes:

bedding

clipping

jointing

manufacturer

materials

specialised components

valve selection

workmanship.

Testing includes:

air pressure test

defect inspection

hydrostatic test

mains pressure test

quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule includes:

flow test

leak check

pressure test

system flush

valve operation.

Operation and maintenance manual includes:

leak detection

pump maintenance

valve maintenance

water auditing

yearly inspection

yearly maintenance requirements.

Unit sector

Plumbing and services

Nil

This unit contains employability skills.