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, relevant Australian standards and specifications to determine requirements, and fabricate, install and test pressure pipe systems

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

given the plans and specifications, applying pipe cutting and welding skills by using oxy-acetylene and arc welding equipment for piping up to DN50 to include:

butt welding a pipe joint in DN40 piping in the fixed horizontal position

welding DN40 and 50 mild steel branch joints

constructing a DN80 header with DN20, 40 and 50 branch joints using the oxy-acetylene method

welding 50mm and 80mm flanges to mild steel pipe

welding blank ends into DN80 mild steel pipe

fabricating, installing and testing a DN40 steel pipeline from a flanged header to mechanical plant, incorporating two changes of direction with one position butt welded with oxy welding, plus an arc welded flange incorporating a branch for testing purposes

completed task is to be tested to the required pressure, and the soundness of all joints and the system, ensuring:

application of sustainability principles and concepts throughout the installation

correct diameters are used, system is manufactured to required dimensions, and branches, bends, flanges, etc. are square

correct identification of design and details of proposed pressure pipe system

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

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

determine requirements

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

follow instructions

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

document pipes system test

read and interpret:

documentation from a variety of sources

plans and specifications

numeracy skills to apply measurements and calculations

planning and organising skills to:

plan 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:

cut and weld with oxy-acetylene and arc welding

mechanical bend, joint, fix and test mild steel pressure piping systems

technology skills to:

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

use mobile communication technology

Required knowledge

fabrication, installation and testing process for pressure pipe systems

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

processes for accessing information and for calculating material requirements

properties of conveyed materials, including pressure, flow rates and temperature requirements

relevant statutory authorities’ requirements and Australian standards related to fabricating, installing and testing pressure pipe 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.

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

handling of materials

hazard control

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

hazardous materials and substances

identifying and testing for electrical hazards

service lines

surrounding structures and facilities

trip hazards

use of tools, plant and equipment

work site visitors and the public

working at heights

working in proximity to others

use of firefighting equipment

use of first aid equipment

workplace environment and safety.

Environmental requirements may include:

clean-up protection

ozone protection

waste management.

Quality assurance requirements may include:

environment policy

Environment Protection Authority (EPA)

internal company quality assurance policy and risk management strategy

International Standards Organisation

site safety plan

workplace operations and procedures.

Statutory and regulatory authorities include:

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

Tools and equipment may include:

hand and power tools

mechanical bending equipment and threading equipment

ladders

lifting and load shifting equipment, including:

chain blocks

elevated work platforms

forklifts

hand trolleys

hoists and jacks

rollers

scaffolding

oxy and arc welding equipment

testing equipment.

Information may include:

charts and hand drawings

instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel

manufacturer specifications and instructions

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

memos

organisation work specifications and requirements

plans and sketches

regulatory and legislative requirements, particularly those pertaining to:

building codes

WHS and environmental requirements

plumbing regulations

relevant Australian standards

safe work procedures relating to fabricating, installing and testing pressure pipe systems

signage

verbal, written and graphical instructions

work bulletins

work schedules, plans and specifications.

Materials for fabricating, installing and testing pressure pipe systems may include:

cutting and welding gases

mechanical joint systems and fittings with variable diameters up to DN100

steel pipes

threaded pipe fittings

weldable pipe fittings.

Fault reporting:

may be written or verbal

is to be according to company's workplace procedures.

Pipes may convey:

compressed air refrigerants and low temperature applications, including chilled water and refrigerated gases

condensate

fuel oil

water and other liquids.

Sustainability principles and concepts:

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

may include:

efficient energy and water use

efficient use and recycling of material

correct handling of hazardous materials

disposing of waste material to ensure minimal environmental impact

selecting appropriate components to ensure minimal environmental impact.