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:

evaluating and documenting design parameters, including rainfall, client, regulatory, manufacturer and Australian and New Zealand standard requirements and storage capacity for a range of rainwater harvesting systems

planning and detailing system components, including:

filters

piping systems

pumps

strainers

designing and sizing rainwater harvesting systems

designing and sizing rainwater re-use systems

preparing plans for a range of rainwater harvesting and re-use systems to industry standards

preparing specifications for rainwater harvesting and re-use systems

preparing testing and commissioning schedules

preparing operation and maintenance manuals.

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, including design brief drawings, specifications, codes, design concepts and construction schedules

tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices, including computers, software and calculators

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:

communication skills to:

communicate with others to ensure safe and effective work practices

confirm job specifications and client requirements

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

read and interpret:

plans, specifications, drawings and design briefs

standards and manufacturer requirements and manuals

statutory and regulatory requirements

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

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

written skills to prepare documentation, including:

operation and maintenance manual

plans, specifications and schedules

designing systems for the collection, storage, distribution and re-use of rainwater for potable and non-potable uses

innovation skills to develop creative and responsive approaches

numeracy skills to apply measurements and calculations

planning and organisational skills to:

research, collect, organise and understand information relating to the design of rainwater collection, storage, distribution and re-use systems

take initiative and make decisions

problem solving skills to analyse requirements, consider options and 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.

Required knowledge

Required knowledge for this unit is:

common terminology and definitions used in the design of rainwater collection, storage, distribution and re-use

nature of materials used and effects of performance under various conditions

principles of technology in the design of rainwater collection, storage, distribution and re-use for all classes of building

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

AS/NZS1546 On-site domestic wastewater treatment units

AS/NZS1547 On-site domestic wastewater management

AS/NZS3500 National plumbing and drainage set

AS2200 Design charts for water supply and sewerage

other standards, codes or standard operating procedures

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

rainfall analysis

sizing and documenting layout of rainwater harvesting systems for applications, including residential, commercial and industrial

volume calculations

may be for new projects or an existing structure being renovated, extended, restored or maintained.

Design requirements include:

architectural specifications

builder specifications

owner requirements

specialist water use applications.

Contamination includes:

bacterial

heavy metal

inorganic

odour

organic

taste

viral.

Cost-benefit analysis includes:

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

Statutory, regulatory requirements and Australian and New Zealand standards include:

Acts and regulations

AS/NZS3500 National plumbing and drainage set

AS2200 Design charts for water supply and sewerage

Building Code of Australia

local and state government policies, including group and strata titling.

Manufacturer requirements include:

material specifications

pump tables

sizing tables

technical and trade manuals.

Desktop study includes collection and interpretation of existing data for design purposes from:

architectural and building plans

council plans

developer plans

manufacturers' data

other documents, including:

applications

forms

sewer detail maps

other reports as available.

Performance requirements include:

pipe grades, cover, flow conditions and discharge requirements, established using Australian and New Zealand standards and local authority plans.

Tank type and location include:

tank type:

coloured steel

concrete

fibreglass

galvanised steel

plastic

polyethylene

other approved materials

tank location:

above-ground

in-ground

reduced levels

site plan.

Layout of pipework systems:

includes:

gravity systems

pumped systems

should not unduly affect building integrity and aesthetic appeal

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

Fittings and valves include:

backflow prevention devices

bends

inspection openings

isolating valves

junctions.

First-flush systems include:

electronic

float-activated

manual

mechanical

time-activated

volume-activated.

Strainers include:

downpipe

gutter

point of use

pump inlet

pump outlet

tank inlet

tank outlet

tap.

Water contamination solutions include:

chlorination

disinfection

filters

ozone

reverse osmosis

screens

strainers

ultraviolet.

Pipe size and pipe grade calculations include:

determination of flow

gradient calculations

interpretation of design charts and tables

pipe sizing calculations

reduced level calculations.

Pipe fixings include:

anchors

bedding

bracket spacing

concrete support

corrosion protection

cover

hanging brackets

material requirements

saddles

wall and ceiling brackets.

Materials include:

concrete

copper

fittings and fixtures

high density polyethylene (HDPE)

low density polyethylene (LDPE)

unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U).

Jointing methods include:

brazing

compression

gluing

mechanical joints

solvent cement

threading

welding.

Pump and pump control requirements include:

automatic controls

capacity

corrosion-resistant materials

detailing

high and low-level water controls and alarms

impeller sizing

inlet and outlet design

installation

mounting

pump selection and pump sizing, which is based on:

flow

velocity

lift

pressure requirements

valve

warning system.

Installation requirements include:

bedding

clipping

concrete support

independent anchoring of above-ground and in-ground tanks

installation details

jointing

level of workmanship.

Rainwater re-use systems include:

irrigation applications

laundry applications

potable re-use

toilet flushing

wash-down applications.

Plans include:

axonometrics

cross-sections

details

elevations

isometrics

schematics, which may be produced using:

pencil

Indian ink

pigment liner

computer generation

sections.

Specification includes:

bedding

clipping

concrete support

detailing specialised components

jointing

manufacturer requirements

materials

workmanship.

Testing includes:

air pressure test

hydrostatic test

quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule includes:

flow adjustments

flushing system

leak check

pressure testing

pump adjustments

water filling in-ground tanks.

Operation and maintenance manual includes:

cleaning filters and strainers

disinfection of storage tanks

leak detection

pump maintenance

regular maintenance requirements

water auditing

yearly inspections.