This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to transfer bulk fluids into/out of storage facility. The storage facility may be a land-based tank farm or a tanker at sea. The storage facility will integrate several plant items (single unit operations). Operation of the storage facility includes the operation of ancillary equipment that is integral to the operation of the production unit, such as:

pumps (e.g. transfer and circulation pumps, and stripping pumps)

compressors (e.g. boil-off gas compressors)

gauges

deluge systems and other fire protection systems, such as flares, fire pumps, jockey pumps, fire monitors and sub-surface foam injection

gas detection systems and equipment

fire detection and reporting systems

emergency shutdown systems

tank dipping and measurement equipment

instrumentation.

The unit of competency applies to storage facilities, such as:

tanks, such as concrete bunded storage tanks, atmospheric pressure tanks, floating roof tanks, and temperature controlled tanks (heated, chilled and refrigerated)

vessels (e.g. pressure storage vessels).

This unit of competency applies to operations technicians who are required to demonstrate a significant understanding of the process and the equipment operation in order to identify and rectify operational problems, prepare for and undertake load-out/transfer, and ensure effective safety and communications systems are applied.

In a typical scenario involving land-based tank farms or tankers at sea transferring liquefied gas, the control room operator, from the main panel, will monitor and control the transfer of product into storage facilities, including controlling product levels, flows, temperatures and pressures. The operations technician will also prepare and complete all necessary documentation for the control, transfer and calculation of product volumes.

The storage facility or vessel will be monitored through the use of gas and fire detection (or other safety) equipment. Automatic sprinkler systems, deluges or other emergency response equipment will be activated in the event of fire/emergency detection and emergency shutdown systems will operate.

The equipment to be used in the transfer of product will be checked and tested before use. In some cases, before transferring, the circulation of product through pipelines will commence. This is usually for the purpose of pipeline chilldown and is required to minimise vapour pressure build-up in warm pipework.

A comprehensive fire water supply main may encompass the facility and/or be located on the vessel, and a suitable fire pump would be able to provide fire water requirements in emergencies.

This unit of competency applies to an individual operating independently in a plant with local control or in liaison with the control room operator in a plant with a centralised control panel such as distributed control system (DCS) type controls.

This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members and the control room operator, as appropriate.

This competency does not require the operation of a central control panel.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include the ability to:

use data and own senses to monitor plant and maximise performance

perform pre-start checks, inspections and tests, start-up/shutdown procedures, and isolations and de-isolations

identify hazards and risks and apply risk control procedures

identify early warning signs of equipment/processes needing attention or with potential problems and respond in accordance with procedures.

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:

all items on a schematic of the storage/transfer system and functions of each

interactions between plant items/processes

process specific science (physics, chemistry and biochemistry) to the level of being able to interpret the science and extract factors controlling the process and product, causes of head loss in piping systems, including comparison of fittings using Le/d concept, fluid and pipe material properties, flow geometry and static electricity principles

systems’ operating parameters, integrity limits, product specifications and tolerances, tank and product mixes, flow rates and measures, tank capacities and percentages, process parameters and limits, including temperature, pressure, flow and pH

function and troubleshooting of major components and their problems, such as impellors, seals or bearings

hierarchy of control

hazards that may arise in the job/work environment, and:

their possible causes

potential consequences

appropriate risk controls.

The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.

Where competency is also required and has not already been achieved in

PMAOPS201 Operate fluid flow equipment or

PMAOPS221 Operate and monitor prime movers and/or

PMAOPS222 Operate and monitor pumping systems and equipment and/or

PMAOPS223 Operate and monitor valve systems

they may be co-delivered and co-assessed.

The collection of performance evidence:

should occur over a range of situations which include typical disruptions to normal, smooth operations

will typically include a supervisor/third-party report focusing on consistent performance and problem recognition and solving. A supervisor/third-party report must be prepared by someone who has a direct, relevant, current relationship with the person being assessed and who is in a position to form a judgement on workplace performance relevant to the unit of competency

must include the use of industrial scale storage and transfer facilities

may use industry-based simulation for part only of the unit particularly where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue.

Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible, or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from one or more of:

walk-throughs

pilot plant operation

demonstration of skills

industry-based case studies/scenarios

‘what ifs’.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence (provided a record is kept) or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.

The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

In addition, the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment must demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they must assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment

appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:

being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed

being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures

having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment

conducting on-the-job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed

being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work.

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Operations