Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to maintain the quality of water in spas. It includes assessing water quality, applying spa water quality principles, and completing and documenting action taken.
The unit supports the work of those engaged in installing, servicing and repairing domestic, commercial and public swimming pools and spas. It applies to 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. | Assess spa water quality. | 1.1. | Risks associated with conducting spa water tests are identified. |
1.2. | Routine spa water tests are conducted. | ||
1.3. | Spa water test results are monitored. | ||
1.4. | Schedules are developed and monitored for spa water | ||
2. | Apply spa water quality principles. | 2.1. | Bather loading is estimated and corrective actions are taken to maintain spa water quality. |
2.2. | Safe processes for using chemicals to maintain disinfectant levels and chemical balance of spa water are followed. | ||
2.3. | Spa water treatment procedures are implemented. | ||
2.4. | Amount of chemicals required to correct chemical imbalances in spa water is calculated. | ||
3. | Document action taken. | 3.1. | Spa water test results are recorded. |
3.2. | Corrective actions taken are recorded. | ||
3.3. | Information is provided to clients on compliance of spa and environs with safety legislation. | ||
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 assess and use the treatment procedures required to maintain water quality in one domestic spa and one commercial spa.
In doing the above, the person must:
select and use personal protective equipment (PPE)
collect samples of spa water for testing
test spa water quality using appropriate equipment
interpret test results and implement treatment processes for identified spa water quality problems
comply with safety requirements when sampling, testing and treating spa water
report on outcomes of testing and treating spa water.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission product safety guidelines
causes and remedies of backwash discharge
chemical dosing benefits and techniques
common spa water problems, reasons and remedies:
bather eye irritation
chlorine odour
cloudy water
discoloured water
green water
metal fixtures corroding
scale
water has dark appearance
commonwealth, state or territory legislation, and local government regulations, and Australian standards impacting on spa water quality relating to:
chemicals
dangerous goods
environmental protection
environmental health
microbiological standards for spas
spas
waste disposal
work health and safety
disinfection practice:
chlorine chemistry
disinfectants:
bromine
chlorine
ozone
ultraviolet light - hydrogen peroxide
dosing frequency
principles
means
health problems associated with spas:
dermatitis
gastro intestinal infection
heat stress
legionnaires’ disease
medications
respiratory infection
skin irritation
hot water chemistry:
chemical overdosing
foaming
hardness
pH and total alkalinity
suspended and dissolved solids
water clarity
water temperature
hot water health benefits
infectious agents that grow in spas
microorganisms found in spa water:
algae
bacteria
protozoa
virus
spa filters:
cleaning
inspection
microbial load
purpose
types
spa water contamination: causes and remedies
spa water testing:
frequency
methods
microbiological monitoring
parameters
procedures
test kit care
treatments for spa water problems:
reasons for treatment techniques
treatment techniques:
determining and correcting pH level
sanitising the spa
shock dosing
determining and correcting total alkalinity
water replacement
water balancing:
balance factors
calcium hardness
pH
principles
saturation index
temperature
total alkalinity
total dissolved salts
water quality:
filtration effectiveness
impact of number of users on spa water quality
microbial load
water chemistry:
chemical composition
chemical imbalance and its consequences
ways of rectifying chemical imbalance.
Assessment Conditions
The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:
equipment:
PPE required when assessing and treating spa water
domestic and commercial spa
materials:
chemicals required for treating spa water
physical conditions:
assessment activities are performed in the context of maintaining a domestic, commercial or public 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 spa water treatment options. |
Numeracy skills to: | interpret graphical information relating to spa water quality. |
Oral communication skills to: | ask questions to clarify factors influencing spa water quality. |
Reading skills to: | access and interpret safety data sheets (SDS) for chemicals used in treating spa water. |
Writing skills to: | prepare routine reports for client on actions taken to address spa water quality issues. |
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 spa water test must include: | concentration of disinfectant in use determining and correcting pH level microbiological monitoring determining and correcting water balance. |
Spa water microbiological testing must include at least one of the following: | coliform count cryptosporidium legionella pseudomonas aeruginosa standard plate count staphylococcus. |
Spa water treatment procedures must include: | changing spa water determining and correcting pH level sanitising the spa shock dosing determining and correcting water balance using chemical dosing equipment. |
Sectors
Swimming pools and spas