Unit of competency details

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

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

1

Evaluate design parameters.

1.1

Scope of work  for industrial gas systems is established.

1.2

Design requirements  are determined from plans, specifications and client brief.

1.3

Cost-benefit analysis  is conducted comparing a range of pipe materials and system designs.

1.4

Statutory and regulatory requirements, codes and Australian and New Zealand standards  for the design of industrial gas systems are analysed and applied.

1.5

Manufacturer requirements  and trade and technical manuals are interpreted.

1.6

Additional research, including a desktop study , is conducted to outline design parameters.

1.7

Factors that contribute to quality, safety and time efficiency are determined.

1.8

Performance requirements  are established.

2

Plan and detail system components.

2.1

Layout of pipework systems  and type and location of fittings and valves  are planned.

2.2

Valve trains  are designed and specified for a range of industrial gas installations.

2.3

Interlocks and accessories are designed and detailed and components are analysed, selected and located.

2.4

Methods for protection from harsh environments, heat and vibration and combustion air systems are selected.

2.5

Air systems, appliances, closed loop systems, and burner systems and controls are detailed and specified.

2.6

Remote filling systems and pipework are detailed for a given installation and designed according to the IEC.

2.7

System calculations  are performed for a range of industrial gas installations.

2.8

Approved materials , jointing methods , pipe fixings  and installation requirements  for industrial gas systems are specified.

3

Design and size systems.

3.1

Industrial gas systems are designed for a range of applications.

3.2

Industrial gas systems are designed and sized using computer software packages.

4

Prepare documentation.

4.1

Plans  are prepared for a range of industrial gas systems.

4.2

Specification  for an industrial gas system is prepared.

4.3

Testing  and commissioning schedule  is prepared.

4.4

Operation and maintenance manual  is produced.

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

Required skills 

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

• literacy skills to:

• prepare documentation, including:

• operation and maintenance manual
• plans, specifications and schedules

• read and interpret:

• documentation from a variety of sources
• plans, specifications, drawings and design briefs
• standards and manufacturer requirements and manuals
• statutory and regulatory requirements

• initiative and enterprise skills to develop creative and responsive approaches
• numeracy skills to apply measurements and calculations
• planning and organising skills to:

• research, collect, organise and understand information relating to the design of industrial gas 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
• technical skills to design industrial gas systems and components in compliance with IEC requirements

Required knowledge 

• application of:

• Australian standards, including AS5601 (AG601) Gas installations
• manufacturer specifications, including hazards identified in relation to devices and systems used
• other codes or standard operating procedures
• state regulatory authorities’ requirements

• common terminology and definitions used in the design of industrial gas systems
• principles of technology in the design of industrial gas systems
• workplace safety requirements, including relevant statutory regulations, codes and standards

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:
• client
• Gas Act 1965 and amendments
• manufacturer and Australian and New Zealand standard requirements for a range of industrial gas systems
• regulatory

• planning and detailing system components, including:

• burners
• controls
• regulators

• designing and sizing industrial gas systems
• preparing plans for a range of industrial gas systems to industry standards
• preparing specifications for industrial gas systems
• preparing testing and commissioning schedules
• producing 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.

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  must include:

• interpreting plans and specifications
• sizing and documenting layout of industrial gas systems for applications, including:

• characteristics
• compatibility
• dimensions
• location
• patterns
• quantities
• sizes
• surfaces
• types of product and service.

Design requirements  must include:

• architectural specifications
• builder specifications
• owner requirements
• specialist use applications.

Cost-benefit analysis :

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

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

• Acts, regulations and local and state government policies, including group and strata titling
• AS/NZS1596 The storage and handling of LP gas
• AS5601 (AG601) Gas installations
• Gas Act 1965 and amendments
• gas regulations
• National Construction Code
• other Australian and New Zealand standards.

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 in:

• architectural and building plans
• council plans
• developer plans
• other documents, including:

• forms
• applications
• 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.

Layout of pipework systems  must:

• have principles of economy, serviceability, durability and fit for use applied
• not unduly affect building integrity and aesthetic appeal.

Fittings and valves  include:

• meters
• regulators
• relief valves.

Valve trains  must include:

• analysing the operation of valve components
• sizing and selecting components using manufacturer data.

System calculations  must include:

• calculation of explosion relief
• calculation of purge times
• determination of flow and consumption
• interpretation of design charts and tables
• pipe sizing calculations.

Materials  include:

• copper (Cu)
• fittings and appliances, including measures to prevent the spread of fire
• high density polyethylene (HDPE).

Jointing methods  include:

• brazing
• gluing
• mechanical joints
• solvent cement welding
• threading.

Pipe fixings  include:

• anchors
• bracket spacing
• corrosion protection
• hanging brackets
• material requirements
• saddles
• wall and ceiling brackets.

Installation requirements  include:

• clipping
• installation details
• jointing requirements
• level of workmanship.

Plans  include:

• axonometrics
• cross-sections
• details
• elevations
• isometrics
• schematics, which may be produced using:

• computer generation
• drawing equipment

• sections.

Specification  includes:

• clipping
• details of specialised components
• jointing
• manufacturer requirements
• materials
• valves
• workmanship.

Testing  includes:

• air pressure test
• gas leak test
• quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule  must include:

• flow testing
• leak check
• vaporisation rate check.

Operation and maintenance manual  may include:

• leak detection
• regular maintenance requirements
• safety inspection
• yearly inspection.

Functional area 

Unit sector 

Plumbing and services