Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the competence required to service automotive air conditioning systems.

Application of the unit 

Work involved includes automotive air conditioners fitted to light vehicles, heavy vehicles, mobile plant and equipment and marine craft.

The unit includes identification and confirmation of work requirement, preparation for work, servicing of air conditioning systems and completion of work finalisation processes, including clean-up and documentation.

Work requires individuals to demonstrate discretion, judgement and problem-solving skills in managing own work activities and contributing to a productive team environment.

Work is carried out in accordance with award provisions.

Prerequisite units 

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 to service air conditioning system

1.1. Nature and scope of work requirements are identified and confirmed

1.2. OH&S requirements, including individual State/Territory regulatory requirements and personal protection needs are observed throughout the work

1.3. Procedures and information such as workshop manuals and specifications, and tooling required, are sourced

1.4. Method options are analysed and those most appropriate to the circumstances are selected and prepared

1.5. Technical and/or calibration requirements for servicing are sourced and support equipment is identified and prepared

1.6. Dangers associated when working with refrigerants are observed

2. Service air conditioning system

2.1. Correct information is accessed and interpreted from manufacturer/component supplier specifications

2.2. System is performance tested and air conditioning service procedures are determined

2.3. Service of the system and components are carried out in accordance with manufacturer/component supplier specifications

2.4. Air conditioning system service is completed without causing damage to any component or system

2.5. Servicing is carried out according to industry regulations/ guidelines, OH&S legislation, legislation and enterprise procedures/policies

3. Prepare vehicle/ equipment for customer use

3.1. System is tested and results are documented in accordance with enterprise policies and procedures

3.2. Service schedule documentation is completed

3.3. Final inspection is made to ensure protective guards and safety features are in place

3.4. Final inspection is made to ensure work is to workplace expectations

3.5. Job card is processed in accordance with workplace procedures

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• apply research and interpretive skills sufficient to locate, interpret and apply manufacturer/component supplier procedures, workplace policies and procedures
• apply analytical skills required for identification and analysis of technical information
• apply plain English literacy and communication skills in relation to dealing with customers and team members
• apply questioning and active listening skills for example when obtaining information from customers
• apply oral communication skills sufficient to convey information and concepts to customers
• apply planning and organising skills to own work activities, including making good use of time and resources, sorting out priorities and monitoring one's own performance
• interact effectively with other persons both on a one-to-one basis and in groups, including understanding and responding to the needs of a customer and working effectively as a member of a team to achieve a shared goal
• establish safe and effective work processes which anticipate and/or resolve problems and downtime, to systematically develop solutions to avoid or minimise reworking and avoid wastage
• use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly calculate time, assess tolerances, apply accurate measurements, calculate material requirements and establish quality checks
• use workplace technology related to servicing air conditioning systems, including the use of measuring equipment, computerised technology and communication devices and the reporting/documenting of results

Required knowledge 

A working knowledge of:

• OH&S regulations/requirements, licence requirements, equipment, material and personal safety requirements
• dangers associated when working with refrigerants
• identification of application, purpose and operating principles
• refrigerant types and application
• system electrical circuits
• refrigerant/oils and capacities
• types and layout of service/repair manuals (hard copy and electronic)
• servicing procedures
• work practices in relation to preventing damage to sensitive electronic components
• system performance testing procedures
• enterprise quality procedures
• work organisation and planning processes

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 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

It is essential that competence is fully observed and there is ability to transfer competence to changing circumstances and to respond to unusual situations in the critical aspects of:

• observing safety procedures and requirements, in particular, the dangers associated with handling refrigerants
• communicating effectively with others involved in or affected by the work
• selecting methods and techniques appropriate to the circumstances
• completing preparatory activity in a systematic manner
• identification of application, purpose and operating principles
• conducting inspection, servicing and operational testing in accordance with workplace and manufacturer/ component supplier specifications
• performance testing air conditioning systems
• accurately interpreting performance test results
• conducting service operations according to industry codes of practice, legislation and manufacturer/ component supplier requirements
• completing servicing of air conditioning systems and associated components within workplace timeframes
• vehicle/equipment is presented to customer in compliance with workplace requirements

Context of , and specific resources for assessment 

Application of competence is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated worksite

Assessment is to occur using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints

Assessment is to comply with regulatory requirements, including Australian Standards

The following resources should be made available:

• workplace location or simulated workplace
• material relevant to servicing air conditioning systems
• equipment, hand and power tooling appropriate to servicing air conditioning systems
• activities covering mandatory task requirements
• specifications and work instructions

Method of assessment 

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed assessment guidelines of the automotive industry's RS&R Training Package

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance together with application of underpinning knowledge

Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on underpinning knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of key competencies

Assessment may be applied under project related conditions and require evidence of process

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competence is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances

It is preferable that assessment reflects a process rather than an event and occurs over a period of time to cover varying quality circumstances. Evidence of performance may be provided by customers, team leaders/members or other persons subject to agreed authentication arrangements

Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with other functional units which together form part of the holistic work role

Guidance information for assessment 

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.

Service methods 

Service methods include:

• adjustment
• refrigerant leak detecting
• performance testing

Variables 

Other variables may include climate control systems

Servicing 

Servicing to include fluids, filters, adjustments and operational testing, visual inspections and documents

OH &S 

OH&S requirements are to be in accordance with legislation/regulations/codes of practice and enterprise safety policies and procedures. This may include protective clothing and equipment, use of tooling and equipment, workplace environment and safety, handling of material, use of fire fighting equipment, enterprise first aid, hazard control and hazardous materials and substances

Personal protective equipment 

Personal protective equipment is to include that prescribed under legislation/regulations/codes of practice and workplace policies and practices

Safe operating procedures 

Safe operating procedures are to include, but are not limited to the conduct of operational risk assessment and treatments associated with vehicular movement, toxic substances, electrical safety, machinery movement and operation, manual and mechanical lifting and shifting, working in proximity to others and site visitors

Emergency procedures 

Emergency procedures related to this unit are to include, but are not limited to emergency shutdown and stopping of equipment, extinguishing fires, enterprise first aid requirements and site evacuation

Environmental requirements 

Environmental requirements are to include but are not limited to waste management, noise, dust and clean-up management

Quality requirements 

Quality requirements are to include, but are not limited to regulations, including Australian Standards, internal company quality policy and standards and enterprise operations and procedures

Statutory /regulatory authorities 

Statutory/regulatory authorities may include Federal, State/Territory and local authorities administering acts, regulations and codes of practice

Tooling and equipment 

Tooling and equipment may include hand tooling, refrigerant leak detecting equipment, thermometers, evacuation equipment, refrigerant recovery and/or recycling equipment and refrigerant re-gassing equipment

Materials 

Materials may include refrigerant and refrigerant oils, lubricants, minor parts and cleaning materials

Communications 

Communications are to include, but are not limited to verbal and visual instructions and fault reporting and may include site specific instructions, written instructions, plans or instructions related to job/task, telephones and pagers

Information /documents 

Sources of information/documents may include:

• verbal or written and graphical instructions, signage, work schedules/plans/specifications, work bulletins, memos, material safety data sheets, diagrams or sketches
• safe work procedures related to the servicing of air conditioning systems
• regulatory/legislative requirements pertaining to the automotive industry, including Australian Design Rules
• engineer's design specifications and instructions
• organisation work specifications and requirements
• instructions issued by authorised enterprise or external persons
• Australian Standards

Unit sector 

Technical

Co-requisite units 

Competency field