Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to plan the operation of a heat plant and to coordinate heat plant operating personnel to startup, operate, shutdown, clean and store the heat plant.
The unit applies to operators of a heat plant in a timber processing plant setting and also involves monitoring and adjusting heat plant performance.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | 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. Plan heat plant operation | 1.1 Interpret requirements for the allocated process to calculate generation levels. 1.2 Plan and document operational orders and schedules to meet production requirements. 1.3 Plan heat plant startup, operation and shutdown in line with production requirements. 1.4 Communicate all information to operators in line with organisational procedures. |
2. Coordinate heat plant startup and operation | 2.1 Check heat plant chemicals for correct labelling to ensure compliance with safety, and regulatory requirements. 2.2 Direct operator processes for completing pre-operational safety and pre start-up checks. 2.3 Monitor heat plant startup for correct running conditions and sign on. 2.4 Routinely check continued operation and condition of heat plant with operators and assist them to evaluate heat plant data and performance. 2.5 Modify generation levels to ensure optimum performance and communicate changes to operators. 2.6 Diagnose problematic heat plant operations, calculate required adjustments and communicate to operators. 2.7 Monitor and evaluate heat plant operations and output to determine process improvements. 2.8 Direct emergency shutdown processes in cases of fire. |
3. Coordinate heat plant shutdown, storage and records | 3.1 Direct operator processes for shutting down equipment and ensure compliance with organisational safety procedures. 3.2 Check removal of valves and fittings and inspect heat plant. 3.3 Assess heat plant condition, direct operator cleaning processes and ensure compliance with environmental protection practices. 3.4 Select storage mode and direct operators to store heat plant in line with organisational procedures. 3.5 Obtain operating logs and fuel efficiency records from operators and complete operating calculations. 3.6 Document and report operational records, equipment faults and process improvement recommendations 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.
plan and coordinate heat plant operations for different operational periods in line with production requirements for each period
determine, document and communicate operational orders and heat plant schedules for each of the above operational periods
monitor and assess heat plant performance and energy generation levels during each of the above operational periods and modify levels to ensure optimum performance
complete records for operational outcomes for each of the above periods of operation
complete a detailed report about systematic issues arising across the operational periods covering problems with processes, outputs and equipment including recommendations for process improvements.
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
energy generation capacity of organisational heat plants and methods used to calculate energy generation levels
processes for heat plant startup, shutdown and storage
methods of determining heat plant schedules to meet production requirements
data used to evaluate heat plant performance:
heat levels
pressure levels
energy generation levels
heat build-up
system overload information
test outcomes for water quality and chemicals
past performance records
methods used to:
diagnose problems with heat plant operations
safely handle and store heat plant chemicals
inspect heat plant after shutdown
format, content and use of:
operational orders
heat plant schedules
operating logs and operational records
fuel efficiency records
process improvement reports
organisational procedures specific to planning and coordinating heat plant operations:
communication reporting lines for operator team members and self
documenting operational orders, heat plant schedules and reports
recording and reporting operational outcomes and equipment faults.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
energy generating heat plant
heat plant chemicals and labels
personal protective equipment suitable for operating heat plants
documents and proformas:
operational orders
heat plant schedules
operating logs and operational records
fuel efficiency records
process improvement reports
records for equipment faults
details of production requirements
organisational procedures for planning and coordinating heat plant operations.
relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information
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: | complete calculations for generation levels against production requirements read basic numerical machine settings to monitor heat plant performance record numerical data involving fuel efficiency. |
Oral communication skills to: | provide clear and unambiguous information and instructions to operators. |
Reading skills to: | interpret documents about production requirements. |
Writing skills to: | develop documents in a style and format easily understood by others: operational orders and heat plant schedules reports on potential process improvements including rationale for recommendations complete accurate basic records of heat plant operations and equipment faults. |
Planning and organising skills to: | source, collect and organise data to inform heat plant schedules and process improvement reports efficiently and logically manage operational logistics for heat plant operations. |
Teamwork skills to: | take responsibility for coordinating a team of operators for effective heat plant operations. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Sawmilling and Processing