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.

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:

locating, interpreting and applying relevant information, Australian standards and specifications to planning, sizing and documenting the layout of a sanitary drainage system

applying safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including electrical safety requirements and the use of personal protective clothing and equipment

given the development plans and specification, designing, sizing and documenting the layout details of a sanitary drainage system for a residential unit development comprising at least five two-storey (Class1) units; and a commercial (Class 6) building, incorporating trade waste to an approved point of discharge or on-site disposal system, ensuring:

application of sustainability principles and concepts

correct identification of details of the plan

correct selection and use of appropriate processes, tools and equipment

completion of all work to specification

compliance with regulations, relevant Australian standards, and organisational quality procedures and processes

correct identification of trade waste and appropriate treatment processes

communicating and working effectively and safely with others.

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 work 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

communication skills to:

access information

enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand

follow instructions

identify requirements, including system requirements

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

use and interpret non-verbal communication, such as hand signals

initiative and enterprise skills to identify and report to appropriate personnel any faults in tools, equipment or materials

literacy skills to:

complete workplace documentation, including recording written plans and completing other relevant workplace documentation, such as work backups

read and interpret:

documentation from a variety of sources

plans and specifications

regulations and relevant Australian standards

numeracy skills to apply measurements and calculations

planning and organising skills to:

organise and sequence tasks with others

plan and set out work

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

technical skills to interpret plans and specifications of a multi-unit development to plan, size and document layout of required sanitary drainage system

technology skills to:

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

use mobile communication technology

Required knowledge

Australian standards applicable to sanitary drainage systems

characteristics and application of different pipe systems, including their fittings and fixture supports and fixing and joining techniques

computer use, including computer-aided design software for plumbing and construction systems

design concepts and performance measures for sanitary drainage systems

handling of hazardous waste

how to find and access necessary specifications and related information

infectious diseases relevant to working with plumbing systems

job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements (SWMS)

principles of drainage

process of planning, sizing and documenting layout of sanitary drainage systems

process of treating trade waste to acceptable levels for discharge

properties and characteristics of sewage, including temperature implications, trade waste requirements and discharge levels

relevant statutory requirements related to planning, sizing and documenting sanitary drainage systems

SI system of measurements

workplace and equipment safety requirements

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.

Workplace health and safety is to be according to commonwealth, state and territory legislation and regulations and may include:

handling of materials

hazard control

hazardous materials and substances

personal protective clothing and equipment prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices

safe operating procedures, including recognising and preventing hazards associated with:

electricity

other machines

surrounding structure and facilities

trip hazards

underground services

use of tools and equipment

work site visitors and the public

working at heights

working in confined spaces

working in proximity to others

use of firefighting equipment

use of first aid equipment

workplace environment and safety.

Environmental requirements cover water quality management and may include:

clean-up protection

stormwater protection

waste management.

Tools and equipment may include:

computer-aided design (CAD) software

drawing instruments

measuring equipment.

Information may include:

charts and hand drawings

job drawings

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

memos

plans and sketches

regulatory and legislative requirements, particularly those pertaining to:

National Construction Code

WHS and environmental requirements

plumbing regulations

relevant Australian standards, including AS/NZS3500 National plumbing and drainage: Part 2 Sanitary plumbing and drainage – Acceptable solutions

safe work procedures relating to planning, sizing and documenting the layout of sanitary drainage systems

signage

verbal, written and graphical instructions

work bulletins

work schedules, plans and specifications.

Legal points of discharge may include:

gravitational sewer

on-site disposal system

vacuum sewer.

Statutory and regulatory authorities include:

commonwealth, state or territory, and local authorities administering applicable Acts, regulations and codes of practice.

Sustainability principles and concepts:

cover the social, economic and environmental use of resources to meet current and future needs

may include:

correctly handling hazardous materials

incorporating efficient use of material into the design, including recycling material

using efficient design principles throughout to minimal environmental impact

using energy and water efficiently.

Materials may include:

drafting materials

relevant development plans and specifications.