Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to install, service and repair swimming pool and spa heating systems in line with relevant regulatory requirements. It includes preparing for work; installing, testing and servicing swimming pool or spa heating systems; troubleshooting faults in the systems; and completing service, repair and installation activities.
The unit supports the work of those engaged in installing, servicing and repairing 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 work. | 1.1. | Applicable provisions of Australian standards, and legislative, manufacturer and enterprise requirements are identified and followed. |
1.2. | Work instructions are obtained, reviewed and confirmed. | ||
1.3. | Swimming pool or spa heating system to be installed, serviced or repaired is identified. | ||
1.4. | Installation, service and/or repair requirements of swimming pool or spa heating system are confirmed. | ||
1.5. | Required tools, materials and equipment are selected and checked for correct operation and safety. | ||
1.6. | 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. | ||
1.7. | Sustainability principles and the appropriate selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) are applied to work preparation and application. | ||
2. | Install and test swimming pool or spa heating system and components. | 2.1. | System or component is installed in line with relevant Australian standards, and manufacturer, client and enterprise requirements. |
2.2. | Installation work is coordinated with relevant licensed personnel. | ||
2.3. | System or component is commissioned. | ||
3. | Service swimming pool or spa heating system. | 3.1. | Service and maintenance requirements are identified from manufacturer specifications. |
3.2. | Replacement components are checked and fitted in line with manufacturer specifications. | ||
3.3. | System is serviced in line with manufacturer instructions. | ||
4. | Troubleshoot faults in swimming pool or spa heating system. | 4.1. | Logical processes, including the application of basic principles, system knowledge and experience, are used in conjunction with technical manuals to ensure efficient and accurate troubleshooting of faults. |
4.2. | Defects are located and causes of defects are identified and recorded in maintenance documentation, including where required, any other systems disturbed. | ||
4.3. | Specialist advice is obtained, where required and available, to assist with the troubleshooting process. | ||
4.4. | Components are repaired or replaced in line with manufacturer instructions. | ||
4.5. | Repair work is coordinated with relevant licensed personnel as required. | ||
4.6. | Appropriate personnel are sourced to undertake repairs or replacement activities that are outside scope of own expertise, require specialist skills or equipment, or must be performed by licensed personnel. | ||
4.7. | Fault finding and repair or replacement activities are carried out using sustainability practices and without unnecessary waste of materials or damage to equipment and the surrounding environment or services. | ||
4.8. | Swimming pool or spa heating system is commissioned in line with manufacturer specifications. | ||
5. | Complete installation, repair and service activities. | 5.1. | Swimming pool or spa heating system is installed or reinstated to operational condition in line with work instructions. |
5.2. | Work area is restored to original condition and checked for safety hazards, waste is disposed of, and tools and equipment are cleaned and stored. | ||
5.3. | Malfunctions, faults, wear or damage to swimming pool or spa and environs, tools and equipment are reported for repair or replacement. | ||
5.4. | Notification of work completion is made in line with enterprise procedures. | ||
5.5. | Information is provided to clients on compliance of swimming pool or spa and environs with safety legislation. | ||
5.6. | Relevant documentation is completed 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 demonstrate safe procedures when working with swimming pool and spa heating systems, including:
installing one heating system
servicing one solar and one mechanical heating system
repairing one solar and one mechanical heating system.
In doing the above, the person must:
comply with relevant plumbing and electrical regulations
interpret work instructions
select and use personal protective equipment (PPE)
install and test swimming pool or spa heating system in line with client and enterprise requirements
service swimming pool or spa heating system
troubleshoot routine and complex faults in heating system
complete installation, repair and service activities.
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 installation, repair and servicing of heating systems for 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 (WHS)
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
common faults
components
heater sizing:
gas
heat pumps
solar
maintenance
operating principles of different heating systems
programming
types, operation 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:
solar swimming pool and spa heating system
mechanical swimming pool and spa heating system
swimming pool and spa heating system components and fittings
technical manuals for swimming pool and spa heating systems
physical conditions:
assessment activities are performed in the context of performing installation, repair and maintenance activities on a domestic, commercial or public swimming pool or 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 and techniques for repair of swimming pool and spa heating systems. |
Numeracy skills to: | interpret routine and non-routine graphical information. |
Oral communication skills to: | ask questions to clarify installation, servicing and repair requirements. |
Reading skills to: | access technical information in manufacturer manuals on components of swimming pool and spa heating systems. |
Technology skills to: | use tools and equipment required to install, repair and maintain heating systems. |
Writing skills to: | complete routine and non-routine workplace documentation accurately and legibly. |
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 and spa heating system must include at least two of the following: | electric gas heat exchangers heat pumps solar. |
Service and maintenance requirements must include: | adjustments cleaning confirming operation of system identifying worn parts inspecting lubricating programming automated systems replacing consumable or worn parts routine repairs testing. |
Troubleshooting must include: | identifying standard faults using relevant manuals and specifications as required identifying from first principles faults beyond available maintenance data for swimming pool and heating system fault finding during scheduled or unscheduled maintenance activities individual activities or troubleshooting tasks performed during the supervision of other personnel. |
Sectors
Swimming pools and spas