This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to install refrigerant piping/tubing, fittings, flow controls and accessories for refrigeration and air conditioning systems in buildings and premises in accordance with relevant regulations, industry standards, codes of practice, manufacturer instructions, and industry and workplace requirements.

It includes working safely; applying industry standards; routing pipe work to specified locations; connecting installations, components and accessories; and documenting work.

The skills and knowledgein this unit will be applied by refrigeration and air conditioning technicians during theinstallationand repair of refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

To undertake this unit, the learner must have a Trainee Refrigerant Handling Licence as it includes work on refrigeration and air conditioning equipment that carries the risk of a fluorocarbon refrigerant being emitted.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit may require a national Refrigerant Handling Licence as it includes work on refrigeration and air conditioning equipment that carries the risk of a fluorocarbon refrigerant being emitted while decanting the refrigerant or manufacturing, installing, commissioning, servicing, maintaining or decommissioning refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit may, in some jurisdictions, also 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.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1

Prepare to install pipe work, flow controls and accessories

1.1

WHS/OHS hazards, risk control methods, relevant standards, codes and legislation are obtained and applied

1.2

Safety hazards which have not previously been identified are noted, assessed and risk control measures implemented in accordance with workplace procedures

1.3

Pipe work, flow control and accessory installation are sequenced in accordance with workplace procedures and job schedule

1.4

Work details are determined from documentation and/or supervisor to establish scope of work to be completed

1.5

Pipe work routes are planned within the constraints of the building structure, including heritage specifications, in accordance with workplace procedures

1.6

Supervisor is consulted, as required, to ensure work is coordinated with others

1.7

Materials to install pipe work, flow controls and accessories are obtained and checked against job requirements in accordance with workplace procedures

1.8

Tools, equipment and testing devices to install pipe work, flow controls and accessories are obtained and checked for operational safety

2

Install pipe work, flow controls and accessories

2.1

Circuits, machines and plant are checked as being isolated, where necessary, in accordance with workplace procedures and WHS/OHS requirements

2.2

Pipe work, flow controls and accessories are installed with sufficient access for connections and maintenance in accordance with workplace procedures, industry standards and job specification

2.3

Pipe work, flow controls and accessories are installed straight and square, in required locations and within acceptable tolerances in accordance with workplace procedures

2.4

Dry nitrogen is used to prevent contamination while silver brazing refrigerant tubing and fittings in accordance with workplace procedures

2.5

Problematic situations from installation of pipe work, flow controls and accessories are resolved in accordance with workplace procedures

2.6

Checks on quality of pipe work, flow controls and accessories are undertaken, including pressure testing and repair of leaks, in accordance with workplace procedures and relevant industry standards

2.7

Adjustment of settings and replacement of flow controls are undertaken, as required, in accordance with workplace procedures

2.8

Pipe work, flow controls and accessories are installed without waste of materials, damage or contamination to apparatus, the surrounding environment and/or services using relevant sustainable energy practices in accordance with workplace procedures

3

Complete pipe work, flow controls and accessories installation

3.1

Worksite is cleaned and made safe in accordance with workplace procedures

3.2

Final check of installed pipe work is made to verify that it complies with workplace and industry requirements

3.3

'As-installed' pipe work, flow controls and accessories are documented and supervisor notified in accordance with workplace procedures

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least two separate occasions and includes:

applying legislation, relevant industry standards, codes of practice and regulations

applying manufacturer specifications

applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements, including:

identifying hazards

using risk control measures

completing pipe work, flow controls and accessories installation

dealing with unplanned events/situations in accordance with workplace procedures in a manner that minimises risk to personnel and equipment

implementing safe working practices

installing refrigerant pipe work, flow controls and accessories for refrigeration and air conditioning systems, including:

checking operation, adjusting settings and replacement of flow controls

preventing pipe work contamination

connecting pipe work, flow controls and accessories to comply with requirements

ensuring pipe work, flow controls and accessories will not leak under pressure

placing and securing flow controls and accessories

reading and interpreting drawings related to pipe work layouts and apparatus locations

routing, placing and securing pipe work to comply with requirements

preparing to install pipe work, flow controls and accessories.

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

installation of pipe work, flow controls and accessories requirements and practices for refrigeration and air conditioning systems, including:

environmental and building regulation responsibilities, including those of working in and around heritage and environmental protection sites

operation, replacement and adjustment of refrigerant flow controls

pressure testing refrigerant pipe work

refrigerant liquid flow controls and distributors, including capillary, thermostatic expansion valve, thermoelectric expansion valve, electronic expansion valve, low side floats, high side floats and liquid level controllers

refrigerant pipe work accessories, including pipe work fittings, hand valves, isolation valves, solenoid valves, check valves, reversing valves, filter/dryers, sight glasses, accumulators, oil separators and pressure relief devices

refrigerant vapour flow controls, including evaporator pressure regulators, crankcase pressure regulators, condenser bypass valves and electronic valves/controllers

refrigeration pipe work, including appropriate piping arrangements for refrigerant lines, including discharge lines, liquid lines and suction lines

relevant legislation, industry standards, codes of practice and regulations

relevant manufacturer specifications

relevant risk mitigation processes, including:

safe working practices

potential hazards

risk control measures

relevant WHS/OHS legislated requirements

relevant workplace documentation

relevant workplace policies and procedures.

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 workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated 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 other simulations

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry

applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, industry standards, 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.

Installing refrigerant pipe work, flow controls and accessories must include at least two different types of refrigeration and/or air conditioning systems, including the following:

pipe work that includes suction lines, liquid lines, discharge lines and control lines

flow controls that include both liquid and vapour flow controls - mechanical and electronic

accessories that include pipe work fittings, hand valves, isolation valves, solenoid valves, check valves, reversing valves, filter/dryers, sight glasses, accumulators and oil separators

Electrotechnology

Refrigeration and air-conditioning