Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to start up, operate and store an energy producing heat plant.
The unit applies to heat plant operators in a timber processing plant setting and includes shutting down and cleaning equipment.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
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 operation | 1.1 Review operational order and where required check with appropriate personnel. 1.2 Select appropriate personal protective equipment and check for operational effectiveness. 1.3 Identify and set quantity of energy to be generated for allocated process. 1.4 Plan heat generation in line with work order. |
2. Operate and monitor heat plant | 2.1 Use equipment in line with organisational safety procedures, manufacturer’s instructions and environmental protection practices. 2.2 Complete pre-operational safety and pre start-up checks to ensure operational effectiveness. 2.3 Start plant and bring safely on line; communicate recent performance to appropriate personnel. 2.4 Assess continued operation of heat plant against pre-operational checks, maintenance requirements and operating conditions. 2.5 Monitor heat plant operation, diagnose status and adjust to maintain safe and efficient operation. 2.6 Follow emergency shutdown procedures in cases of fire. 2.7 Complete operating log, record fuel efficiency and report to appropriate personnel. |
3. Shut down and store heat plant | 3.1 Follow organisational safety procedures to shut down equipment. 3.2 Remove or replace valves and fittings in line with organisational safety procedures if required 3.3 Maintain cleanliness of heat plant and plant room in line with environmental protection practices 3.4 Select storage mode and store heat plant in line with organisational safety procedures. 3.5 Record and report and equipment faults and maintenance requirements to appropriate personnel. |
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit.
operate a heat plant, in line with operating orders for each period prescribing different energy generation requirements
after the above jobs:
complete operating logs and fuel efficiency records
maintain cleanliness of plant and plant room.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
environmental protection practices for heat plant operations:
cleaning plant, tools and equipment
disposing of hazardous substances
characteristics and dangers of heat and energy generated by heat plants
purpose, features and operation of energy generating heat plants
processes for heat plant startup, shutdown, cleaning and storage
range of data used to evaluate heat plant performance:
heat levels
pressure levels
energy generation levels
heat build-up
system overload information
monitor fuel usage
past performance records
methods used to:
remove valves and fittings
clean plant and plant room
organisational procedures specific to operating heat plants:
workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on equipment lock out and use of personal protective equipment
communication reporting lines
recording and reporting operating logs, fuel efficiency records, equipment faults and maintenance requirements.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
energy generating heat plant
personal protective equipment suitable for operating heat plants
manufacturers’ instructions for use and maintenance of equipment
operational order with specific instructions for required heat generation levels and quantities and operating times
template documents:
operating logs
fuel efficiency records
records of equipment faults and maintenance requirements
organisational procedures for operating heat plants.
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessor requirements
Assessors must:
hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and
be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and
be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those core and employment skills that are essential to performance and are not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Numeracy skills to: | read basic numerical machine settings and select according to operational requirements record numerical data involving fuel efficiency. |
Oral communication skills to: | ask questions and actively listen to clarify contents of operational orders. |
Reading skills to: | interpret: workplace health and safety and other organisational procedures operational orders manufacturers’ instructions and maintenance recommendations. |
Writing skills to: | complete accurate basic records for heat plant operations, equipment faults and maintenance requirements. |
Planning and organising skills to: | efficiently and logically sequence the stages of heat plant start up, shut down and cleaning using work order to guide activities. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Sawmilling and Processing
Timber Manufactured Products
Wood Panel and Board Production