This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to design complex control systems for heating, ventilation and air conditioning/refrigeration (HVAC/R) systems.

It includes applying processes and methods of complex control systems for a HVAC/R system, safety and relevant industry standards; developing alternative design schemes based on design brief and customer requirements; and documenting system designs.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit may, in some jurisdictions, require a licence or permit to practice in the workplace subject to regulations for undertaking refrigeration and air conditioning work. Practice in the workplace and during training is also subject to work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations.

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

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare to design complex HVAC/R control systems

1.1

WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures for a given work area are identified, obtained and applied

1.2

WHS/OHS risk control measures and workplace procedures are followed in preparation for the work

1.3

Scope of the HVAC/R system is determined from the design brief and/or consultations with relevant person/s

1.4

Design development work is planned in accordance with workplace procedure for timelines in consultation with others involved

2

Design complex HVAC/R control systems

2.1

Relevant complex control processes and methods are applied to the design

2.2

Alternative concepts for design are evaluated in accordance with the design brief

2.3

Safety, functionality and budgetary considerations are incorporated in the design specifications

2.4

System design draft is checked for compliance in accordance with the design brief and relevant industry standards

2.5

System design is documented for submission to relevant person/s for approval

2.6

Unplanned events are dealt with in accordance with problem-solving techniques and workplace procedures

3

Obtain approval for complex HVAC/R control systems design

3.1

System design is presented to customer and/or relevant person/s in accordance with workplace procedures

3.2

Requests for alterations to the design are negotiated with relevant person/s in accordance with workplace procedures

3.3

Final design is documented and approval obtained from relevant person/s in accordance with workplace procedures

3.4

Quality of work is monitored in accordance with workplace procedures and relevant industry standards

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least one occasion and include:

developing outlines of alternative designs

developing the design within the safety, regulatory, functional requirements and budget limitations

documenting and presenting design effectively

negotiating design alteration requests successfully

obtaining approval for final design

dealing with unplanned events

applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (WHS/OHS) requirements, including using risk control measures

designing complex heating, ventilation and air conditioning/refrigeration (HVAC/R) control systems

preparing to design complex HVAC/R control systems.

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

complex HVAC/R control system design, safe working practices and relevant standards, codes and regulations, including:

advanced HVAC/R control system design:

control diagrams:

Australian standard and non-standard symbols as used in a variety of typical HVAC/R systems

control diagrams

electric/electronic control diagrams

electrical installation documents

pneumatic diagrams

direct digital control (DDC) diagrams

controls/electrical power circuit interface

nomographs

extraction of specific information relating to the operation and control of plant from a variety of typical HVAC/R control diagrams

development of control diagrams to required standards given specific system operating parameters

control design requirements:

standard and statutory requirements

economy of operation (energy management)

the desired or most appropriate system operating logic for a specified HVAC/R system

appropriate mode of control for a specified HVAC/R system

control system type selection for specific applications with due to regard to plant size, application, operating environment, available control power supply options, economy and computability to existing or proposed plant and control system

components required to assemble and operate the control system of a specified HVAC/R system

HVAC/R system energy conservation methods:

HVAC/R system control:

night cycle

optimum stop/start

purge cycles

chiller/boiler/cooling tower sequencing

economy cycles (based on temperature or enthalpy)

supply air reset

condenser water temperature reset

electrical load control:

power demand control

load limiting

load shedding

set point relaxation

ventilation cycles

building management systems:

functions of a building management system:

autonomous functions

input/output (I/O)

general I/O

installation management items

energy management

risk management

information processing

objectives

building running costs

smoke control as per AS 1668.1 The use of ventilation and air conditioning in buildings - Fire and smoke control in buildings

building management system hardware:

system architecture

communication devices

substations

personal computers

interfaces with other systems

I/O functions:

digital - I/O

digital output with status feedback

analogue input/output

sensors

alarms

control sequences

problem-solving techniques

relevant job safety assessments or risk mitigation processes

relevant manufacturer specifications

relevant WHS/OHS legislated requirements

relevant workplace budget, quality, policies and procedures

relevant workplace documentation.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in suitable workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated suitable workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

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.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, facilities and equipment currently used in industry

applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, equipment specifications, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

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

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Designing control systems for HVAC/R must include at least the following:

two different complex control systems

Electrotechnology

Refrigeration and air-conditioning