Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to carry out routine maintenance of swimming pool and spa heating systems. It includes preparing for routine maintenance to swimming pool and spa heating 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 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 heating system to be serviced is identified. | ||
1.3. | Maintenance requirements of swimming pool or spa heating 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 heating system is inspected and assessed for operational effectiveness against normal operating criteria. | ||
2.3. | Routine servicing of swimming pool or spa heating 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 heating 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 heating 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 heating 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 heating systems
apply safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including using personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing
carry out the maintenance activities on the system, including identifying faults and undertaking 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 heating system 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 pools and spas relating to:
dangerous goods
electrical and plumbing regulations controlling conduct of electrical and plumbing work
environmental protection
environmental health
work health and safety
private and public swimming pools and spas
waste disposal
energy efficiency:
energy consumption of different heating systems
ways of maximising energy efficiency of swimming pool and spa heating systems
hazards associated with heated water in swimming pools and spas:
algae
bacteria
chemical treatment
protozoa
viruses
water testing
swimming pool and spa heat loss and gain:
calculations of energy loss and gain
conduction loss
controlling energy loss
convection loss
energy loss
heat gains:
heaters
indirect sources
sunlight
pool and spa covers
thermal radiation loss
water temperatures for different water-related activities
swimming pool and spa heating system:
purpose of system
appliance details
benefits and limitations of different types of heating systems
common faults
components
differences between indoor and outdoor pools and spas:
air temperature requirements
energy efficiency
energy recovery systems
heating system impact on water chemistry
maintenance procedures and costs
operating principles of different heating systems
principles underpinning use of pool cover in conjunction with heating system
source of advice on and assistance with heating systems
types, operation, fault finding and servicing of heating systems:
electric
gas
heat exchangers
heat pumps
solar.
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 heating system
specifications:
work instructions for routine maintenance of swimming pool and spa heating 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 heating 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 heating systems. |
Technology skills to: | use tools and equipment required to carry out routine maintenance of heating 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. | |
Swimming pool or spa heating system must include at least two of the following: | electric gas heat exchangers heat pumps solar. |
Routine servicing must include at least five of the following: | adjustments cleaning confirming operation of system identifying worn parts inspecting lubricating programming automated systems replacing consumable or worn parts routine repairs testing. |
Sectors
Swimming pools and spas