Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to carry out routine maintenance of swimming pool and spa water circulation and filtration systems. It includes preparing for routine maintenance to swimming pool and spa circulation and filtration systems; carrying out routine maintenance and repairs; and completing maintenance activities.
The unit supports the work of those engaged in servicing domestic, commercial and public swimming pools and spas. It applies to entry-level swimming pool and spa technicians.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit of competency at the time of endorsement.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions. | ||
1. | Prepare for routine maintenance. | 1.1. | Work instructions are obtained, reviewed and confirmed. |
1.2. | Swimming pool or spa water circulation and filtration system to be serviced is identified. | ||
1.3. | Maintenance requirements of swimming pool or spa water circulation and filtration system are identified. | ||
1.4. | Required tools, materials and equipment are selected and checked for correct operation and safety. | ||
1.5. | Potential and existing risks and hazards in the work area are identified and controlled in line with work health and safety (WHS) and enterprise requirements. | ||
2. | Carry out routine maintenance. | 2.1. | Personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected and used. |
2.2. | Swimming pool or spa water circulation and filtration system is inspected and assessed for operational effectiveness against normal operating criteria. | ||
2.3. | Routine servicing of swimming pool or spa water circulation and filtration system is carried out. | ||
2.4. | Faults are identified and routine repairs undertaken. | ||
2.5. | Complex faults and repair requirements are reported to supervisor. | ||
3. | Complete maintenance activities. | 3.1. | Serviced swimming pool or spa water circulation and filtration system is reinstated to operational condition. |
3.2. | Work area is restored to original condition and checked for safety hazards, waste is disposed of, and tools and equipment are cleaned and stored. | ||
3.3. | Malfunctions, faults, wear or damage to swimming pool or spa water circulation and filtration system, environs, tools and equipment are reported for repair or replacement. | ||
3.4. | Information is provided to client on compliance of swimming pool or spa and environs with safety legislation. | ||
3.5. | Work completion documentation is prepared and securely maintained. | ||
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy the requirements of the elements, performance criteria, foundation skills and range of conditions of this unit.
The person must also safely demonstrate the routine maintenance of the water circulation and filtration system of one swimming pool and one spa.
In doing the above, the person must:
locate, interpret and apply information, standards and specifications relating to the maintenance of swimming pool and spa water circulation and filtration systems
apply safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including using personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing
identify faults and undertake routine repairs in line with manufacturer instructions and client and enterprise requirements
report complex faults and repair requirements to relevant persons in line with enterprise requirements
restore work area to original condition and check swimming pool or spa and environs for safety hazards
ensure that waste is disposed of and tools and equipment are cleaned and stored in line with work health and safety (WHS) and enterprise requirements.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission product safety guidelines
commonwealth, state or territory legislation, and local government regulations, Australian standards, and codes of practice impacting on the routine maintenance of swimming pool and spa circulation and filtration systems relating to:
dangerous goods
electrical and plumbing regulations controlling conduct of electrical and plumbing work
environmental protection
environmental health
WHS
private and public swimming pools and spas
waste disposal
backwashing:
flow
operation
period
entrapment:
causes
consequences
safety measures to minimise risk of entrapment:
design
maintenance
filtration principles:
clarity
turbidity
flocculation or coagulation causes and remedies
swimming pool and spa circulation system:
purpose of system
common faults
components:
circulation pumps
control systems
dosing systems
gauges used to determine circulation performance
motors
piping
pressure side elements
suction side elements
valves
water meters used to determine circulation performance
design
direct suction
flow rate:
calculation
purpose
hydraulics
maintenance procedures
operating principles
overflow testing, i.e. dye testing
surface water removal
system types
total dynamic head:
calculation
purpose
turnover rate:
calculation
purpose
types of circulation systems
swimming pool and spa filtration system:
purpose of system
common faults
filtration
filter area
filter media
filter media changeover:
bather load
cleaning regime
location (indoor or outdoor)
pool volume
pool water temperature
turnover
water balance
filter media rate
limits of filtration
maintenance procedures
operating principles
types of filter:
cartridge filtration
diatomaceous earth
pre-filter
sand filtration
water clarity problems, causes and remedies.
Assessment Conditions
The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:
equipment:
PPE
materials:
swimming pool and spa
manufacturer’s manual for swimming pool and spa water circulation and filtration system
specifications:
work instructions for routine maintenance of swimming pool and spa water circulation and filtration system
physical conditions:
assessment activities are performed in the context of routinely maintaining a domestic, commercial or public swimming pool and spa.
Assessment activities are performed on an individual basis under general supervision.
Assessor requirements
As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) current at the time of assessment.
Foundation Skills
This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Skill | Performance feature |
Learning skills to: | maintain up-to-date knowledge of servicing requirements of swimming pool and spa water circulation and filtration systems. |
Numeracy skills to: | interpret routine graphical information. |
Oral communication skills to: | ask questions to clarify servicing requirements. |
Reading skills to: | access information in manufacturer manuals on components of swimming pool and spa water circulation and filtration systems. |
Technology skills to: | use tools and equipment required to carry out routine maintenance of water circulation and filtration systems. |
Self-management skills to: | interact in an ethical manner with clients from diverse social, economic and cultural backgrounds. |
Range Statement
This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. | |
Routine servicing must include at least five of the following: | adjustments cleaning confirming operation of system identifying leaks identifying worn parts inspecting lubricating programming automated systems replacing worn parts routine repairs testing. |
Routine repairs must include: | circulation system: motors and pumps: repair non-electrical components valves: repair non-electrical and low voltage equipment replace valve piping: check pipe sizing for correct flow general pressure testing replace piping filtration system: clean components and media replace components service and replace media service components. |
Sectors
Swimming pools and spas