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.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Evaluate design parameters.

1.1. Scope of work is established for vacuum sewerage systems for wide span and high-rise building projects.

1.2. Design requirements are determined from plans, specifications and client briefs.

1.3. Vacuum sewerage system attributes are evaluated and a cost-benefit analysis is conducted, comparing a range of pipe materials and system designs.

1.4. Statutory and regulatory requirements and Australian and New Zealand standards for the design of vacuum sewerage systems are analysed and applied.

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

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

1.7. 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. Sewerage loading is calculated using a range of approved methods.

2.3. Pipe size calculations are performed for a range of applications in accordance with regulations and manufacturer requirements.

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

2.5. Pumpwell, pump and pump control requirements are sized and detailed.

2.6. Approved materials, jointing methods and installation requirements for vacuum sewerage systems are specified.

3. Design and size systems.

3.1. Vacuum sewerage systems are designed for a range of applications.

3.2. Vacuum sewerage systems are designed and sized using computer software packages.

4. Prepare documentation.

4.1. Plans are prepared for a range of vacuum sewerage systems.

4.2. Specification for a vacuum sewerage 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

determining installation details for vacuum sewerage systems

innovation skills to develop creative and responsive approaches

numeracy skills to:

apply measurements and calculations

interpret data

planning and organisational skills to:

research, collect, organise and understand information relating to the design of vacuum sewerage systems

take initiative and make decisions

preparing specifications for vacuum sewerage systems

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 design of vacuum sewerage systems for all classes of building

drafting principles

nature of materials used and effects of performance under various conditions

principles of technology in the design of vacuum sewerage systems

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

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:

planning and producing an appropriate layout for the vacuum sewerage system in accordance with manufacturer and regulatory requirements

calculating pipe sizes in accordance with regulations and manufacturer requirements

designing and sizing vacuum sewerage systems using appropriate software

selecting materials and components for compliance, fit for purpose, durability, compatibility and cost-effectiveness

preparing plans for a range of vacuum sewerage systems

preparing design specification for vacuum sewerage systems

preparing a testing and commissioning schedule

producing an operation and maintenance manual.

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.

Scope of work includes:

interpretation of plans and specifications, and sizing and documenting layout of vacuum sewerage systems, for residential, commercial and industrial applications, for either new projects or an existing structure being renovated, extended, restored or maintained.

Design requirements include:

architectural specifications

builder specifications

owner requirements

specialist water use applications.

Vacuum sewerage system attributes include:

availability

cost

installation requirements

risks

sewerage loading

site conditions.

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, regulations and local and state government policies, including group and strata titling

AS/NZS3500 National plumbing and drainage set

AS2200 Design charts for water supply and sewerage

Building Code of Australia.

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:

architectural and building plans

council plans

developer plans

other documents, including:

applications

forms

sewer detail maps

other reports as available.

Performance requirements include:

pipe grades, cover, flow conditions and discharge requirements, established using Australian and New Zealand standards and local authority plans.

Layout of pipework systems:

includes consideration of:

amenity of the building

clipping and pipe support

fireproofing

function of the building

impingement on floor heights

materials to be used

size of penetrations

type of building structure

should not unduly affect building integrity and aesthetic appeal

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

Fittings and valves include:

air admittance

bends

inspection and maintenance access

junctions

pressure relief

reflux valves

traps.

Pipe size calculations include:

determination of flow and fixture loadings

interpretation of design charts and tables

pipe sizing calculations

reduced level calculations.

Pipe fixings include:

anchors

bracket spacing

corrosion protection

cover

hanging brackets

material requirements

saddles

wall and ceiling brackets.

Pumpwell, pump and pump control requirements include:

automatic controls

capacity

corrosion-resistant materials

detailing

high and low-level water controls and alarms

impeller sizing

inlet and outlet design requirements

installation and mounting requirements

macerator requirements

pump selection

pump sizing

pumpwell sizing

space requirements

vacuum pump systems

valve requirements

warning system.

Materials include:

appropriate materials specified based on:

compatibility

cost effectiveness

durability

fit for purpose

high density polyethylene (HDPE)

polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

stainless steel.

Jointing methods include:

brazing

gluing

mechanical joints

rubber ring

solvent cement welding

threading.

Installation requirements include:

bedding

clipping

concrete support

installation details

jointing requirements

level of workmanship.

Computer software packages include:

manufacturers' software

proprietary design software.

Plans:

include:

appropriate design, sizing, notes and legend

compliance with industry conventions

production to industry standards and in accordance with regulatory and manufacturer requirements

being produced by using:

computer generation

Indian ink

pencil

pigment liner

may also include:

axonometrics

cross-sections

details

elevations

isometrics

schematics

sections.

Specification includes:

bedding

clipping

concrete support

details of specialised components

fittings

installation methods

installation standards

jointing

manufacturer requirements

materials

pipework

vacuum sewerage components

vacuum sewerage fixtures

valves

workmanship.

Testing includes:

compressed air test

flow testing

hydrostatic test

inspection checklist

quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule includes:

checking for:

burrs and obstructions

fitness for purpose

flushing system

removing contaminants

checking vacuum leaks.

Operation and maintenance manual includes:

checking for blockages

leak detection

maintenance intervals

operation guidelines

required maintenance

system inspection checklist

vacuum pump maintenance.

Unit sector

Plumbing and services

Nil

This unit contains employability skills.