Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to install small bore hydronic heated water heating systems.

Application of the unit 

Site location for work application may be either domestic or commercial and may be a new work site or an existing structure being renovated, extended, restored or maintained.

Prerequisite units 

CPCPCM2023A

Carry out OHS requirements

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for work.

1.1. Plans and specifications are obtained.

1.2. Safety  (OHS ) requirements associated with installing small bore heating systems, and workplace environmental requirements , are adhered to throughout the work.

1.3. Quality assurance  requirements are identified and adhered to in accordance with workplace requirements.

1.4. Tasks are planned and sequenced in conjunction with others involved in or affected by the work and statutory and regulatory authority  requirements.

1.5. Tools and equipment , including personal protective equipment, are selected and checked for serviceability.

1.6. Work area is prepared to support efficient installation of small bore heating systems.

2. Identify system requirements.

2.1. Configuration of pipework is checked for compliance with plans, specifications, authorities' requirements and other relevant information .

2.2. Position of pipes and heating units is determined from plans, specifications or site requirements, so as not to cause damage or interference to surrounding structures.

2.3. Allowances for fabrication or assembly are determined and transferred.

2.4. Quantity and type of piping materials  and other materials  required are calculated from plans and specifications.

2.5. Materials are identified, ordered and collected in accordance with workplace procedures.

2.6. Materials and equipment are checked for compliance with docket and order form and for acceptable condition, and faults are reported .

3. Fabricate, install and commission heating system.

3.1. System is set out to comply with plans and specifications.

3.2. Fixings and supports are installed to manufacturer recommendations, and plans and specifications.

3.3. Pipe system is installed and jointed in compliance with plans, specifications and manufacturer requirements for mechanical type joints.

3.4. Heating system  unit is installed in accordance with plans, specifications and manufacturer requirements.

3.5. Heating system is installed in specified location without damage or distortion to pipework, surrounding environment or other services.

3.6. Sustainability principles and concepts  are applied throughout the installation.

3.7. Heating system is tested to comply with job specification, regulatory authorities' requirements, relevant Australian standards and codes of practice, and details are recorded in required format.

3.8. Heating system is checked and adjusted for correct operation and balance, including the setting of nominated temperature and adding appropriate inhibitor.

4. Clean up.

4.1. Work area is cleared and materials disposed of, reused or recycled according to legislation, regulations, codes of practice and job specification.

4.2. Tools and equipment are cleaned, checked, maintained and stored in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and workplace procedures.

4.3. Documentation is completed in accordance with workplace requirements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

Required skills for this unit are:

• 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
• plan and sequence tasks with others
• read and interpret:

• documentation from a variety of sources
• drawings and specifications

• use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences
• use and interpret non-verbal communication, such as hand signals

• written skills to:

• complete workplace documentation
• document heating system test

• determining system requirements
• identifying and accurately reporting to appropriate personnel any faults in tools, equipment or materials
• installing and commissioning a heating system
• numeracy skills to apply measurements and calculations
• organisational skills, including the ability to 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
• 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:

• characteristics and application of different fixing and joining techniques and methods
• effective isolation processes and procedures
• electrical and electronic principles and safety requirements
• job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements (SWMS)
• OHS regulations relevant to installation of small bore systems
• personal protective equipment requirements and use
• processes of installing and commissioning small bore heating systems
• properties of water, including pressure and flow rates
• SI system of measurement
• statutory and authority requirements.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 install and commission small bore heating systems
• applying safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including electrical requirements and personal protective clothing and equipment
• as a minimum the ability to, given the plans and specifications and using a combination of copper tube and non-metallic piping, install a two pipe heating system to either a panel radiator, skirting convector or a unit heater; the installation should have a minimum of DN20 flow and return with DN15 branches, connected to a boiler and heat exchanger and heating source, ensuring:

• application of sustainability principles and concepts throughout the installation
• correct identification of requirements and details of proposed installation
• 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 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.

RANGE STATEMENT 

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.

Safety  (OHS ) is to be in accordance with commonwealth, state and territory legislation and regulations and may include:

• handling of materials
• hazard control
• identification and testing for electrical hazards
• 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
• service lines
• surrounding structures and facilities
• trip hazards
• use of tools 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  are to cover:

• clean-up protection
• ozone protection
• waste management.

Quality assurance  requirements may include:

• Australian standards
• Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
• environment policy
• 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 and local authorities administering applicable Acts, regulations and codes of practice.

Tools and equipment  may include:

• hand and power tools
• heating and bending equipment
• ladders
• lifting and load shifting equipment, including:

• chain blocks
• elevated work platforms
• forklifts
• hand trolleys
• hoists and jacks
• rollers
• scaffolding

• measuring equipment
• silver brazing equipment
• welding equipment.

Information  may include:

• charts and hand drawings
• diagrams or sketches
• instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel
• manufacturer specifications and instructions
• material safety data sheets (MSDS)
• memos
• organisation work specifications and requirements
• regulatory and legislative requirements, particularly those pertaining to:

• building codes
• OHS and environmental requirements
• plumbing regulations

• relevant Australian standards
• safe work procedures relating to installing small bore heaters
• signage
• verbal, written and graphical instructions
• work bulletins
• work schedules, plans and specifications.

Piping materials  may include:

• copper tubes
• polybutylene pipes
• polyethylene pipes
• steel pipe
• other approved materials.

Materials  may include:

• fixings and supports
• heaters (panel, skirting and unit)
• pipe materials
• other approved materials.

Fault reporting :

• may be written or verbal
• is to be in accordance with company's workplace procedures.

Heating system  may include:

• panel radiators
• skirting convectors
• unit heaters.

Sustainability principles and concepts :

• cover the current and future social, economic and environmental use of resources
• may include:

• appropriate component selection that has minimal environmental impact
• efficient energy and water use
• efficient use and recycling of material
• correct handling of hazardous materials
• disposal of waste material to ensure minimal environmental impact.

Unit sector 

Plumbing and services

Co-requisite units 

Nil

Functional area