Artists and craftspeople such as ceramicists, glass artists and sculptors apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. They must be able to safely manage the operation of a kiln as part of an independent creative practice. They may also be responsible for the purchase or construction of their own kilns.
At this level, work is carried out independently with some mentoring and guidance available as required.
Not applicable.
1. Prepare for kiln work | 1.1 Assess the ways in which different kilns may be used for craft work and apply to own practice 1.2 Inform approach to kiln work through research of historical and contemporary trends 1.3 Source and access appropriate kiln for own work 1.4 Evaluate the value and potential of own kiln purchase against the potential benefits of constructing own kiln 1.5 Where appropriate, experiment with the building of own kiln 1.6 Investigate the specific safety issues associated with kiln work and integrate procedures into own work practices |
2. Set up kiln work space | 2.1 Review key requirements for kiln set-up 2.2 Confirm or create appropriate conditions before starting the firing process 2.3 Identify emerging or potential safety issues and take action to address them |
3. Assess firing options | 3.1 Determine firing options for the work being made 3.2 Determine relevant energy source or fuel 3.3 Determine relevant firing program requirements and optimum firing time 3.4 If relevant, determine the necessary conditions to produce the required kiln atmosphere for the specific process |
4. Operate and monitor the kiln | 4.1 Evaluate and carry out specific kiln loading and unloading requirements according to safety requirements 4.2 Set required kiln controls or light kiln according to kiln type being used 4.3 Fire the kiln according to required firing schedule 4.4 Monitor kiln operation and firing process 4.5 Identify and resolve technical problems in the firing process 4.6 Carry out appropriate shut-down procedures 4.7 Liaise with others on technical and creative aspects of firing, including collaboration on specific challenges |
5. Address documentation requirements | 5.1 Set up a firing log that includes required information 5.2 Record firing details in the log for all work completed 5.3 Review firing logs to inform future work |
Required skills
communication skills to liaise with others about kiln operations and technical challenges
critical thinking and analytical skills to:
evaluate the needs of particular work projects to establish kiln and firing requirements
research and evaluate historical and contemporary trends in kiln work
literacy skills to read kiln specifications and requirements
problem-solving skills to identify and resolve:
technical and design issues in kiln work
technical firing issues
numeracy skills to:
estimate costs for kilns and kiln operation
work with numerical features of kilns and firing processes, including temperatures and controls
self-management, planning and organising skills to:
evaluate needs of own practice in relation to kilns
set up a kiln and kiln work space
set up and monitor the firing process
technology skills to safely use technical features of kilns.
Required knowledge
historical, contemporary and emerging trends in kiln types, kiln construction and kiln operation
properties and capabilities of the range of firing materials, tools and equipment, including pyrometric instruments
properties and specification of different kiln types
specific firing processes, including required firing stages, changes to materials, temperature range and timing of each stage of the process
typical problems that occur with kilns and with the firing process and how they may be resolved in the context of relevant materials and art forms
sustainability considerations for kiln work
OHS requirements for the set-up, operation and maintenance of kilns.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Evidence of the ability to: apply safe work practices when using kilns produce multiple fired craft pieces that are technically sound and free from faults arising from the firing process prepare own firing schedules pack and fire kilns independently apply knowledge of kiln types and kiln operations. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: a workplace or studio for the firing of craft work. |
Method of assessment | A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit: evaluation of work produced by the candidate in terms of its technical resolution direct observation of work in progress, including exploration of, and experimentation with, techniques written and/or oral questioning and discussion to assess knowledge and candidate’s intentions and work outcome review of portfolios of evidence review of third-party reports from experienced practitioners. Assessment methods should closely reflect work place demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling). |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: CUVCER502A Investigate ceramic materials and processes CUVGLA502A Investigate glassworking materials and processes. |
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Kilns may be: | electric gas pit raku salt wood. |
Historical and contemporary trends may relate to: | annealing ovens enamelling kilns glass-casting kilns history and development of kilns: early Chinese, Japanese and Korean early European modern kilns primitive and tribal, including New Guinean, African, Micronesian and pre-Columbian high fire pottery kilns sculpture kilns stained glass and flat glass kilns source of energy, including fuel types, structure and configuration of different types of kilns. |
Safety issues may relate to: | correct lifting techniques kiln emissions safe use of equipment specific hazards associated with: extreme heat fuels use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect against dust and fibres. |
Key requirements relate to: | cleaning kiln location monitoring equipment safety equipment, including PPE space around kiln storage of kiln furniture and equipment ventilation work to be fired. |
Firing program requirements may include: | annealing requirements firing profile maximum temperature optimum firing time soak times. |
Kiln loading and unloading requirements may relate to: | positioning of work to take account of: adequate pathways for flames even distribution of temperature ventilation of fumes and vapours props shelving stability. |
Firing process may include: | firing stages, the changes at each stage, and the temperature range and time as they relate to ceramics: biscuit firing glost firing creating reduction in the clay body and the glaze causing oxidation in the clay body and the glaze maintaining a neutral atmosphere creating a primitive fired effect creating blackware raku firing saltglaze firing wood firing using saggars for support or effect firing stages, the changes at each stage, and the temperature range and time as they relate to glass: firing enamels and lustres stained glass firing bending slumping fusing kiln casting thick work complex work annealing. |
Technical problems may relate to: | bloating colour issues dunting firing cracks thermal shock overfiring underfiring warping. |
Information may include: | control mechanisms used firing process energy and fuel type timing. |
Visual communication – art, craft and design
This unit contains employability skills.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.