Unit of competency details

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.

1

Prepare for work.

1.1

Plans, drawings, specifications and standards are obtained and required calculations are identified.

1.2

Work health and safety  (WHS) requirements associated with reading plans, calculating plumbing requirements and the workplace environment are adhered to throughout the work.

1.3

Quality assurance requirements  are identified and adhered to according to workplace requirements.

1.4

Work area and materials are prepared to support the efficient reading of plans and the calculation of plumbing requirements.

2

Identify types of plans and drawings and their functions.

2.1

Plans and drawings  used in the plumbing industry are identified.

2.2

Key functions of each type of drawing are identified.

2.3

Key users of drawings are identified.

3

Identify commonly used scales, symbols and abbreviations.

3.1

Commonly used scales, symbols and abbreviations are used.

3.2

Function of legend is understood and identified.

4

Locate and identify key features on a services plan.

4.1

Key features and dimensions of sectional details and elevations on a plan  are identified and located.

4.2

Location and types of services are identified.

4.3

General and structural features and major horizontal and vertical measurements are located.

5

Read and interpret job specifications.

5.1

Purpose of job specification is identified.

5.2

Details in job specification are obtained.

5.3

Job specifications are read in conjunction with plans.

6

Obtain measurements and perform calculations

6.1

Work measurements  are obtained.

6.2

Quality assurance requirements associated with calculations are applied.

6.3

Measurements and dimensions are obtained from plans.

6.4

Simple calculations  are carried out.

7

Calculate material quantities.

7.1

Material  quantities are calculated and recorded from plans and specifications according to workplace procedure.

7.2

Information  from plans, specifications  and work area are obtained from job instructions.

7.3

Measurements are identified and recorded.

8

Clean up.

8.1

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

8.2

Tools and equipment  are cleaned, checked, maintained and stored according to manufacturer recommendations and workplace procedures.

8.3

Information is accessed and documentation completed according to workplace requirements.

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

Required skills 

• communication skills to:

• enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand
• follow instructions
• request relevant documentation and information
• use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences
• use and interpret non-verbal communication, such as hand signals

• literacy skills to:

• complete relevant workplace documentation
• read and interpret:

• documentation from a variety of sources
• plans and specifications

• record calculations, measurements and material quantities

• numeracy skills to apply measurements and calculations
• plan-reading skills, including:

• boundaries
• easements (sewer, stormwater, etc.)
• existing services
• orientation
• pedestrian and vehicular access
• preservation orders
• set backs
• site features
• site geography, including levels
• surrounding buildings and fences

• planning and organising skills 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

Required knowledge 

• job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements (SWMS)
• measurements, calculations and quantities
• range of plans and specifications relevant to the plumbing and services industry
• relevant Acts, regulations and codes of practice
• simple industry calculations
• symbols, dimensions, terminology and key features of plans
• tools, equipment and materials relative to plans, drawings and specifications
• work schedules, work plans, charts, work bulletins and memos
• workplace safety requirements

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, standards and specifications for reading plans and calculating plumbing quantities
• applying safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including electrical safety requirements and the use of personal protective clothing and equipment
• given the plans and specifications for a project, completing the following in respect of interpreting the plans and determining quantities:

• apply sustainability principles and concepts
• identify type and purpose of the plan and drawing
• identify its dimensions, symbols, abbreviations, key features, title and reference date (as current version)

• identify material types from the specifications, measurements and calculations, indicating items of plumbing material required, ensuring:

• correct selection and use of appropriate processes, tools and equipment
• completion of all work to specification
• compliance with regulations, standards and organisational quality procedures and processes.

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.

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, including of electrical hazards
• hazardous materials and substances
• personal protective clothing and equipment prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices
• use of firefighting equipment
• use of first aid equipment
• use of tools and equipment
• workplace environment and safety.

Quality assurance requirements  may include:

• Australian standards
• environmental policy
• Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
• internal company quality assurance policy and risk management strategy
• International Standards Organisation
• site safety plan
• workplace operations and procedures.

Types of drawings  may include:

• drainage plans
• elevations and sections
• floor plans
• hydraulic plans
• mechanical services and drainage plans
• sanitary plans
• sewerage plans
• site plans
• specifications.

Key features of detailed elevations and plans  may include:

• boundaries
• building lines
• cross-sections of construction details
• easements
• layout of rooms
• location of works relative to other buildings
• orientation
• service locations
• shape of building and structure
• type of construction
• type of structure, including structural members
• vertical and horizontal measurements.

Measurements  may include:

• all dimensions used in plumbing
• laser or similar technology
• SI units of measurement
• the use of:

• calipers
• dividers
• rulers
• squares
• tape measures.

Calculations :

• are to be performed manually or with the aid of a calculator
• require numeracy skills to apply the basic arithmetic calculations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division in order to estimate simple projects and determine consumables required for a task, and may include:

• area
• circumference
• diameter
• gradient
• length
• mass
• perimeter
• pressure
• ratios (e.g. ingredients, elements and triangulation)
• scales
• volume.

Materials  for reading plans and calculating plumbing quantities may include:

• drawings
• plans
• specifications.

Information  may include:

• instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel
• manufacturer specifications and instructions
• organisation work specifications and requirements
• recognised formulas or tables accepted by the regulatory authority
• regulatory and legislative requirements, particularly those pertaining to:

• building codes
• WHS and environmental requirements
• plumbing and gasfitting authority regulations

• relevant Australian standards
• safe work procedures relating to reading plans and calculating plumbing requirements
• verbal, written and graphical instructions, including:

• charts and hand drawings
• plans and sketches
• job drawings
• material safety data sheets (MSDS)
• memos
• plans and specifications
• signage
• work bulletins
• work schedules.

Key features of specifications  may include:

• material details
• preferred suppliers
• quality of finishes
• quantities
• specific skill requirements.

Tools and equipment  may include:

• calculators
• laser measuring devices
• rulers, dividers, tape measures or squares.

Functional area 

Unit sector 

Plumbing and services