The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment providing that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate plumbing and services workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

It may be assessed on its own or as part of an integrated assessment activity involving carrying out the effective performance and application of drainage principles and detailing system components used in the drainage industry.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:

evaluating and documenting design parameters, including client, regulatory, manufacturer and Australian and New Zealand standard requirements for a range of complex sanitary plumbing and drainage systems

planning and detailing system components, including:

manholes

gullies

anchorage blocks

pumpwells

piping systems

designing and sizing a complex sanitary plumbing and drainage system

applying drainage principles in the design and sizing of a complex elevated pipe system

designing and sizing a rising main

designing and sizing a fully vented or fully vented modified system

designing and sizing a single stack or single stack modified system

preparing plans to industry standards for a range of complex sanitary plumbing and drainage systems

preparing a specification for a complex sanitary plumbing and drainage system

preparing a testing and commissioning schedule

preparing an operation and maintenance manual

complying with OHS regulations applicable to workplace operations

interactive communication with others to ensure safe and effective workplace operations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

an induction procedure and requirement

realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the minimum task requirements

relevant specifications and work instructions

tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices

support materials appropriate to activity

workplace instructions relating to safe working practices and addressing hazards and emergencies

material safety data sheets

research resources, including industry related systems information.

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package

include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application

reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles

confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

Required skills

Required skills for this unit are:

clear and direct communication, using questioning to:

identify and confirm requirements

listen and understand

share information

use and interpret non-verbal communication

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

communication skills to confirm job specifications and client requirements and to communicate with others to ensure safe and effective work practices

identifying and accurately reporting to appropriate personnel any faults in tools, equipment or materials

innovation skills to develop creative and responsive approaches

planning and organisational skills to:

research, collect, organise and understand information relating to the design of complex sanitary and plumbing drainage systems

take initiative and make decisions

problem solving skills to analyse requirements, consider options and design an appropriate system

reading skills, including the ability to read and interpret:

manufacturer requirements and manuals

plans, specifications, drawings and design briefs

standards

statutory and regulatory requirements

written communication skills to:

prepare documentation, including plans, specifications and schedules

produce an operation and maintenance manual

teamwork skills to work with others to action tasks and relate to people from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

technological skills to:

access and understand site-specific instructions in a variety of media

use mobile communication technology.

Required knowledge

Required knowledge for this unit is:

AS/NZS3500 National plumbing and drainage set

AS2200 Design charts for water supply and sewerage

common terminology and definitions used in design of complex sanitary plumbing and drainage systems for all classes of building

other standards, codes or standard operating procedures

principles of technology in the design of hydraulic systems

requirements of state regulatory authorities, Australian standards and manufacturer specifications, including hazards identified in relation to devices and systems used

workplace safety requirements, including relevant statutory regulations, codes and standards.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Scope of work:

includes:

interpretation of plans and specifications

sizing and documenting layout of complex sanitary plumbing and drainage systems for applications, including residential, commercial and industrial

may be for:

existing structure being renovated, extended, restored or maintained

new projects.

Design requirements may include:

architectural specifications

builder specifications

owner requirements

specialist water use applications.

Cost-benefit analysis may include:

comparison of range of suitable materials and system choices available to enable cost-effective choices to be made without compromising integrity of the project.

Statutory and regulatory requirements include:

Acts and regulations

local and state government policies.

Australian and New Zealand standards may include:

AS/NZS3500 National plumbing and drainage set: Parts 1.1 and 1.2

AS2200 Design charts for water supply and sewerage

Building Code of Australia.

Manufacturer requirements may include:

material specifications

pump tables

sizing tables

technical and trade manuals.

Performance requirements include:

flow, velocity, pressure and discharge requirements, established using Australian and New Zealand standards and local authority plans.

Layout of pipework systems may include:

dual feed

ring main

single pipe.

Fittings and valves may include:

fittings:

bends

elbows

tees

unions

valves:

backflow prevention

excess pressure

isolating

pressure limiting

pressure reduction

strainers.

Manhole details may include:

benching requirements

connections to and from

flow

gradient requirements

inspection chambers

lids

open and closed channel

sizing.

Gullies can cover details such as size, location, bedding and concrete support, and also include:

boundary traps

disconnector gullies (DG)

overflow relief gullies (ORG).

Calculations for complex sanitary plumbing and drainage systems may include:

determination of flow and fixture loadings

gradient calculations

interpretation of design charts and tables

pipe sizing calculations

reduced level calculations.

Anchor blocks design elements may include:

flow forces to be resisted

keying and anchorage points

sizes

soil characteristics.

Pipe fixings may include:

anchors

bedding

bracket spacing

concrete support

corrosion protection

cover

hanging brackets

material requirements

saddles

wall and ceiling brackets.

Pumpwell, pump and pump control requirements may include:

automatic controls

capacity

chains

corrosion-resistant materials

detailing

high and low-level water controls and alarms

impeller sizing

inlet and outlet design requirements

installation and mounting requirements

ladder access

macerator requirements

pump selection

pump sizing

pumpwell sizing

space requirements

step irons

valve requirements

warning system.

Materials include:

cast iron

concrete

copper

earthenware

high density polyethylene (HDPE)

unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U)

fittings and fixtures, including:

measures to prevent the spread of fire

sound attenuation requirements.

Jointing methods may include:

brazing and threading

gluing

mechanical joints

rubber ring

solvent cement welding.

Installation requirements include:

bedding

clipping

concrete support

installation details

jointing requirements

level of workmanship.

Rising main systems may include:

approved pressure pipe and fittings

calculated rise and pump delivery requirements

pump sizing to meet calculated flow conditions.

Plans:

may include:

axonometrics

cross-sections

details

elevations

isometrics

schematics

sections

may be produced using:

computer generation

Indian ink

pencil

pigment liner.

Specification may include:

bedding

clipping

concrete support and detailing specialised components

jointing

manholes

manufacturer requirements

materials

workmanship.

Testing may include:

air pressure test

drainage inspection

hydrostatic test

quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule may include:

charging traps

checking leaks

cleaning grates.

Operation and maintenance manual may include:

check for blockages

leak detection

pump maintenance

water auditing

yearly inspection

yearly maintenance requirements.