Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to drain and acid wash swimming pools and spas. It includes preparing for work, draining and acid washing swimming pools and spas, and completing work 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. | Draining and acid washing requirements for swimming pool or spa are confirmed. | ||
1.4. | Swimming pool or spa to be drained and acid washed is identified. | ||
1.5. | Required tools, materials and equipment are selected and checked for correct operation and safety. | ||
1.6. | Potential and existing risks and hazards associated with work tasks and work environs are identified and controlled in line with work health and safety (WHS) and enterprise requirements. | ||
1.7. | Sustainability principles are applied to work preparation and application. | ||
2. | Perform acid wash of pool or spa. | 2.1. | Disclosure, disclaimer and acknowledgement documentation relating to draining and acid washing swimming pool or spa is presented and explained to client. |
2.2. | Personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected and used. | ||
2.3. | Pool is drained and acid washed in line with safety, regulatory and enterprise procedures. | ||
2.4. | Waste is disposed of in line with enterprise and regulatory requirements. | ||
2.5. | Unused chemicals are safely handled, transported and stored in line with enterprise, manufacturer and legislative requirements. | ||
2.6. | Accident and emergency situations are responded to in line with WHS, legislative and enterprise requirements. | ||
3. | Complete work activities. | 3.1. | Swimming pool or spa 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, environs, tools and equipment are reported for repair or replacement in line with enterprise procedures. | ||
3.4. | Notification of work completion is made in line with enterprise procedures. | ||
3.5. | 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 also drain and acid wash one swimming pool or spa following safe work procedures.
In doing the above, the person must:
select and use personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe work practices
safely prepare acid used in acid washing swimming pools or spas
reinstate a swimming pool or spa to operational condition after safely draining and acid washing.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
acid washing of swimming pools and spas:
purpose of acid washing procedure
causes of stain and mineral build-up on pool and spa surfaces
dilution of acid
discharge of the acid wash mix after acid washing the pool
draining and acid washing procedure
environmental impact
frequency
hydrostatic pressure
impact on swimming pool or spa surface and structure:
cracking, thinning or delamination of tiles and plaster
plaster may shrink, expand, crack, blister, flake or pop off
pool may raise out of the ground
surface is etched, becomes rough or the aggregate in the plaster mix is exposed
tiles may fall off the pool or spa
uneven stain removal or surface finish
neutralising acid
risks
safe disposal of waste
safety
sanding
suitability of swimming pools and spas
waste water discharge
acids:
muriatic acid:
alternative names
handling, transportation and storage
safety data sheet (SDS)
properties
safety
neutralising
PPE for working with acids
properties
safety:
storage
use
waste
work practices
types
chemical-safety principles and practices
client disclosure and acknowledgement documentation:
content
purpose
commonwealth, state or territory legislation, and local government regulations, Australian standards and codes of practice impacting on draining and acid washing swimming pools and spas relating to:
chemical safety
dangerous goods
plumbing regulations controlling conduct of plumbing work
environmental protection
environmental health
work health and safety
private and public swimming pools and spas
waste disposal
water testing:
results
techniques
types of tests.
Assessment Conditions
The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:
equipment:
PPE
materials:
chemicals and other materials required for draining and acid washing swimming pools and spas
physical conditions:
assessment activities are performed in the context of maintaining 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 techniques and materials used in draining and acid washing swimming pools and spas. |
Numeracy skills to: | interpret routine and non-routine graphical information. |
Oral communication skills to: | ask questions to clarify client requirements in relation to draining and acid washing swimming pool or spa. |
Reading skills to: | access and interpret industry benchmarks, safety guidelines and instructions for draining and acid washing swimming pools and spas. |
Writing skills to: | prepare disclosure, disclaimer and acknowledgement documentation relating to draining and acid washing swimming pools and spas. |
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. | |
Risks and hazards must include: | personal and other people environmental pool and spa structure and equipment. |
Sectors
Swimming pools and spas