Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to fit off and commission heated and cold water services to appropriate fixtures. It includes the provision for non-drinkable water applications.

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. Drawings and specifications are obtained.

1.2. Safety  (OHS ) requirements associated with fitting off, connecting and commissioning heated and cold water services, 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  for fitting off, connecting and commissioning heated and cold water services , including personal protective equipment, are selected and checked for serviceability.

1.6. Work area is prepared to support efficient fitting off, connecting and commissioning of heated and cold water services.

2. Identify installation requirements.

2.1. Fit off, connections, fixtures and fittings and their location are identified in accordance with job specifications or site inspection, using relevant information .

2.2. Materials  and equipment are estimated from drawings or job specification.

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

2.4. Materials and equipment are checked for compliance with relevant Australian standards, docket and order form, and for acceptable condition.

2.5. Sustainability principles and concepts  are applied to work preparation and application.

3. Make connections and test service.

3.1. Final connections are made to heated and cold water services ensuring fixtures, jointing methods and appliances comply with relevant Australian standards and are made without damage to surrounding structures.

3.2. Labels and signage are positioned for non-drinkable water services in accordance with regulatory authorities' requirements.

3.3. Water services are hydraulically tested to ensure connections are leak free.

3.4. Valves, cisterns, taps and other components are checked for correct operation.

4. Commission water services.

4.1. Service lines are flushed in accordance with relevant Australian standards and regulatory authorities' requirements.

4.2. Water services are commissioned in accordance with regulatory authorities' requirements and manufacturer specifications, emphasising risk of the blue water  symptom.

5. Clean up.

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

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

5.3. 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
• complete workplace documentation
• enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand
• follow instructions
• identify requirements
• 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

• fitting off, connecting, testing and commissioning heated and cold water services to household fixtures and appliances
• identifying and accurately reporting to appropriate personnel any faults in tools, equipment or materials
• 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 fittings and fixtures, including fixing and joining techniques and materials
• implications of cross connections and air gaps
• isolation processes and procedures
• job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements (SWMS)
• non-drinkable water processing, requirements and applications
• process of fitting off, connecting and commissioning heated and cold water services
• properties of water, including sources of contamination (blue water), impurities, pressure and flow rates
• relevant statutory and authority requirements related to fitting off, connecting and commissioning heated and cold water services
• SI system of measurement
• Australian standards applicable to the work
• use of test equipment and procedures
• workplace and equipment safety 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, Australian standards and specifications to fitting off, connecting and commissioning heated and cold water services
• applying safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including electrical requirements and the use of personal protective clothing and equipment
• as a minimum the ability to, given the plans and specifications, plan the layout, and then fit off, connect, test and commission heated, tempered and cold (drinking and non-drinking) water services of a house, including bathroom, kitchen, laundry and outdoor connections, ensuring:

• correct identification of location, fit off, connections, testing and commissioning requirements
• 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
• application of sustainability principles and concepts
• 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
• 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
• other machines
• surrounding structure and facilities
• trip hazards
• underground services
• use of tools and equipment
• work site visitors and the public
• working at heights
• working in confined spaces
• working in proximity to others

• use of firefighting equipment
• use of first aid equipment
• workplace environment and safety.

Environmental requirements  cover water quality management and may include:

• clean-up protection
• waste management.

Quality assurance  requirements may include:

• 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:

• crimping tools
• hand and power tools
• flaring tools
• mechanical and bending tools
• silver brazing equipment
• testing equipment.

Water services  include:

• non-drinkable water services.

Information  may include:

• charts and hand drawings
• diagrams or sketches
• instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel
• job drawings
• 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 fitting off, connecting and commissioning heated and cold water services
• signage
• verbal, written and graphical instructions
• work bulletins
• work schedules, plans and specifications.

Materials  are as approved for heated, tempered and cold water services and may include:

• fixtures and fittings
• heaters
• water services.

Blue water  is:

• a symptom believed to occur as a result of a less than adequate commissioning process.

Sustainability principles and concepts :

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

• appropriate material selection that has minimal environmental impact
• heat retention
• efficient use and recycling of material
• efficient energy and water use
• disposal of waste material to ensure minimal environmental impact.

Unit sector 

Plumbing and services

Co-requisite units 

Nil

Functional area