Application
This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to design hydronic systems and select equipment. It includes applying processes and methods of hydronic systems, safety and relevant industry standards; developing alternative design schemes based on a 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 and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures for a given work area are identified, obtained and applied | |||
WHS/OHS risk control measures and workplace procedures are followed in preparation for the work | |||
Scope of the proposed hydronic system is determined from the design brief and/or consultations with relevant person/s | |||
Design development work is planned in accordance with workplace procedure for timelines in consultation with others involved | |||
Relevant hydronic system processes and methods are applied to the design | |||
Alternative concepts for design are evaluated in accordance with the design brief | |||
Safety, functionality and budgetary considerations are incorporated in the design specifications | |||
System design draft is checked for compliance in accordance with the design brief and relevant industry standards | |||
System design is documented for submission to relevant person/s for approval | |||
Unplanned events are dealt with in accordance with problem-solving techniques and workplace procedures | |||
System design is presented to customer and/or relevant person/s | |||
Requests for alterations to the design are negotiated with relevant person/s in accordance with workplace procedures | |||
Final design is documented and approval obtained from relevant person/s in accordance with workplace procedures | |||
Quality of work is monitored in accordance with workplace procedures and relevant industry standards | |||
Evidence of Performance
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 successfully negotiating design alteration requests 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 hydronic systems and selecting equipment preparing to design hydronic systems and select equipment. |
Evidence of Knowledge
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: |
heating, ventilation and air conditioning/refrigeration (HVAC/R) hydronic system design, safe working practices and relevant standards, codes and regulations, including: hydronic system design fundamentals: principles of fluid flow properties of fluids flow of ideal fluids fluid flow equipment Bernoulli Theorem fluid flow in pipes pressure loss and static head – calculation: flow throughout system pressure throughout system friction losses pressure loss charts for: copper, steel and unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) dynamic losses fitting pressure losses fitting interaction total losses calculating system (static and dynamic) head pump performance and selection: pump classification and types pump performance terminology, discharge, head, power, efficiency, speed and net positive suction head required pump performance curves pump laws system head and ‘K’ factor balance points energy considerations pump cavitation calculation of net positive suction head available series and parallel operation pipe sizing: maximum friction rate erosion and equipment life industry standards recommended system water velocities economic balance - first cost and operating cost hot water systems: boilers coils expansion tanks pumps and characteristics curves control valves, types and flow diagrams air purge points water treatment pipe anchors and expansion joints chilled water systems: chillers coils expansion tanks pumps and characteristics curves control valves, types and flow diagrams air purge points water treatment pipe anchors and expansion joints HVAC/R hydronic systems: systems operation closed/open systems pump head/lift and static head (high-rise building) system friction losses nett positive suction head system curves pumps: types selection criteria performance characteristics bladder tanks coil characteristics heat exchangers: plate, shell and tube, and tube in tube flow measurements: types flow switchers builders: types and performance characteristics cooling towers: elementary cooling thermodynamics and types valves - flow control devices: types and applications throttling characteristics flow measurements selection and applications hydronic system configuration and design: piping configurations single pipe closed circuit two pipe closed circuit direct return three pipe closed circuit with reversed return three-way diverting valves risers and headers component location evaluation of piping configurations: capital cost owning and operating costs noise vibration maintenance future expansion commissioning and balancing operating characteristics cavitation system pipe sizes: pipe dynamic and friction losses for different materials fitting pressure losses for different materials thermal heat losses bare, insulated and underground pipes air conditioning system design 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. |
Assessment Conditions
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
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. |
Range Statement
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 hydronic systems must include at least the following: | two different hydronic systems |
Sectors
Electrotechnology |
Competency Field
Refrigeration and air-conditioning |