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 preparing designs and associated documentation for fire-compliant hydraulic services for two different categories of wide span and high-rise buildings.

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, NCC and Australian and New Zealand standard requirements for a range of fire-compliant hydraulic services

planning and detailing system components, including:

applying sustainability principles and concepts

conducting a compliance inspection

designing fire-compliant hydraulic systems

designing fire-compliant systems for fire-rated materials

designing fire-compliant systems for non fire-rated materials

ducts

fire check collars

insulation and filler materials

penetrations

preparing a compliance report

preparing a specification for fire-compliant hydraulic services

preparing an operation and maintenance manual.

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

determine requirements

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

follow and give instructions

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

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

initiative and enterprise skills to:

develop creative and responsive approaches

identify and accurately report to appropriate personnel any faults in tools, equipment or materials

literacy skills to:

read and interpret drawings, specifications and documentation from a variety of sources, including:

Australian standards

National Construction Code

WHS and environmental requirements

plumbing regulations

prepare written documentation, including:

operation and maintenance manual

plans, specifications and reports

numeracy skills to:

apply measurements and calculations

interpret data

planning and organising skills to:

plan and sequence tasks with others

research, collect, organise and understand information relating to the design of fire-compliant hydraulic systems

take initiative and make decisions

problem-solving skills to:

analyse requirements

consider options

design an appropriate system

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:

apply design principles relating to hydraulic systems

use tools and equipment, including:

computer-aided design (CAD) software

drawing instruments

measuring equipment

technology skills to:

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

use mobile communication technology

Required knowledge

requirements of state regulatory authorities, Australian standards and manufacturer specifications

application of terminology, definitions, installation methods and hazards identified in relation to devices and systems used, according to:

AS/NZS3500 National plumbing and drainage

environmental requirements

manual of authorisation procedures for plumbing and drainage products (MP52)

other standards, codes or standard operating procedures

quality assurance requirements, including:

Environment Protection Authority

internal company quality assurance policy and risk management strategy

International Standards Organisation

nature of materials used and effects of performance under various conditions

site safety plan

workplace operations and procedures

variety of applications of technology principles in design of fire-compliant hydraulic services for all classes of building

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.

Design requirements may include:

architectural specifications

builder specifications

design of fire-compliant hydraulic services should ensure that hydraulic services maintain the integrity, insulation and structural adequacy of a building in case of fire.

owner requirements

specialist design applications.

Cost-benefit analysis includes:

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

Statutory, regulatory, Australian and New Zealand standards and relevant building code requirements may include:

AS/NZS3500 National plumbing and drainage

manual of authorisation procedures for plumbing and drainage products (MP52)

material and authorisation standards specified by:

statutory plumbing authority

local authority

National Construction Code (NCC)

relevant Acts, regulations and local and state government policies

relevant fire standards.

Manufacturer requirements may include:

material specifications

technical and trade manuals.

Desktop study may include:

collection and interpretation of existing data for design purposes from:

architectural and building plans

council requirements

developer requirements

regulatory requirements

environmental, social and economic considerations

other documents and reports as appropriate.

Performance requirements may include:

Australian and New Zealand standards

NCC requirements

local authority performance requirements

site and application specific performance requirements.

Layout of pipework systems:

may include:

car park systems

concealed pipework

duct systems

exposed pipework

fire-rated pipework

non fire-rated pipework

sprinklered and non-sprinklered areas

should have principles of economy, serviceability, durability and fit for use applied.

Fire check materials may include:

fire pillows

fire-rated sealants

smoke seals

range of intumescent collars.

Fire-rated materials may include:

fittings

pipework

valves.

Penetration techniques may include:

concrete floors

fire and smoke doors

fire dampers

galvanised decking systems

ply formwork systems

post and pre-tensioned concrete flooring systems

pre-cast flooring systems.

Insulation and fill materials may include:

caulking compounds

fibreglass

fire pillows

foams

proprietary fill materials

rock wool.

Fire-resistance level may include:

insulation

integrity

structural adequacy.

Pipe fixings may include fire and load-rated:

bedding and thrust blocks

corrosion protection

cover

masonry fixing

material requirements

pipe supports spacings and locations

vertical support fixing.

Installation requirements may include:

corrosion and element protection

installation details

jointing requirements

supports

workmanship and quality control.

Compliance inspection may include checking that:

approved materials appropriate to fire-rated compartments and required fire-resistance level are used

clipping and insulation comply with regulatory requirements

fire compartments are not compromised by hydraulic services

installation is appropriate for the fire-resistance level.

Fire-compliant duct systems may include:

brick

concrete

masonry

plasterboard.

Fire-rated building materials may include:

brick

concrete

masonry

plasterboard

other building materials as applicable.

Sustainability principles and concepts:

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

may include:

selecting appropriate material to ensure minimal environmental impact

efficient use of material

efficient energy usage

efficient use and recycling of material

disposing of waste material to ensure minimal environmental impact

efficient water usage, harvesting and/or disposal

lifecycle cost-benefit analysis

consideration of the Green Building Council of Australia rating scheme.

Plans:

may include:

axonometrics

cross-sections

details

elevations

isometrics

sections

schematics, which may be produced using:

computer generation

drawing equipment.

Specification may include:

jointing

manufacturer

materials

supports and specialised components

valve selection

workmanship and quality control.

Compliance report may include:

conclusions

documentation of the compliance inspection

evaluation of findings.

Operation and maintenance manual may include:

detailed alternative (fire-engineered) solutions

maintenance requirements

system plans

yearly inspection requirements.