Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to design, size and document the layout of heated, tempered and cold water services, flushing systems, hydrant and hose reel systems for multi-floor buildings.

It covers preparation for work, identification of water service and system requirements, planning the service and system layout and completion of work finalisation processes.

Application of the unit 

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

Prerequisite units 

Nil

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 planning.

1.1. Nature and scope of planning task are identified and confirmed.

1.2. Safety  (OHS ) requirements associated with planning, sizing and documenting the layout of heated, tempered and cold water services and systems, and workplace environmental requirements , are adhered to throughout the work.

1.3. Work is organised and sequenced in conjunction with others involved in or affected by the work and statutory and regulatory authority  requirements.

1.4. Tools and equipment  required for planning, sizing and documenting the layout of heated, tempered and cold water services and systems, including personal protective equipment, are selected and checked for serviceability.

1.5. Work area in which planning process is to be conducted is prepared.

2. Identify system requirements.

2.1. Information and specifications for required work are obtained and confirmed, if necessary by site inspection using relevant information .

2.2. Regulations and Australian standards relevant to the work are consulted and applied to all aspects of the work.

2.3. Quantity, location and type of take off points and fixtures are determined from plans and specifications.

2.4. Heated, tempered and cold water services and systems  are sized in accordance with relevant Australian standards and regulatory authorities' and workplace requirements.

3. Plan service and system layout.

3.1. Layout of heated, tempered and cold water services and systems to point of discharge  are planned in accordance with building plans, relevant Australian standards and workplace procedures.

3.2. Materials  required are specified and optimised in accordance with relevant Australian standards from the proposed design.

3.3. Plans are recorded in accordance with regulatory authorities' and workplace requirements.

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

4. Restore work area.

4.1. Work area is restored in accordance with workplace procedures.

4.2. Tools and equipment used in the process are refurbished and left in accordance with workplace procedures.

4.3. Documentation, including work backup, 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
• enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand
• follow instructions
• organise and sequence tasks with others
• plan and sequence tasks with others
• read and interpret:

• documentation from a variety of sources
• regulations, relevant Australian standards, plans, specifications and drawings

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

• written skills to:

• complete workplace documentation, including work backup
• record plans

• identifying and accurately reporting to appropriate personnel any faults in tools, equipment or materials
• identifying requirements, including system requirements
• 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:

• accessing information and the processes for calculating material requirements
• characteristics and application of different pipes and fittings, including fixing and joining techniques and methods
• characteristics and application of water heating systems
• characteristics and application of water pumps and water storage tanks for multiple floor buildings
• drafting techniques, which may include the use of computers and computer-aided design (CAD) software
• job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements (SWMS)
• levelling and alignment processes
• process of designing, sizing and documenting the layout of heated, tempered and cold water services and systems
• properties of water, including pressure and flow rates
• relevant statutory and authority requirements related to the designing, sizing and layout of heated, tempered and cold water services and flushing systems, fire hydrant and hose reel systems, including non-drinking water requirements
• relevant statutory and authority requirements related to the designing, sizing and layout of both mains pressure and low pressure flushing devices
• selection for installation of thermostatic mixing valves
• selection for installation of backflow prevention devices
• SI system of measurements
• Australian standards applicable to the service and system
• water treatment processes
• 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 the design, sizing and layout of heated, tempered and cold water services and systems
• applying safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including electrical, personal protective clothing and equipment
• as a minimum, the ability to design, size the layout of:

• a cold, heated and tempered water supply system for a building with a minimum of six floors (including a non-drinking supply)
• a flush valve system for a multi-floor complex, for a building with a minimum of six floors
• a hydrant and hose reel system for a building with a minimum of six floors; ensuring:
• correct identification of location, design and details of proposed services and systems
• 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
• stormwater protection
• waste management.

Statutory and regulatory authorities  include:

• commonwealth, state and local authorities administering applicable Acts, regulations and codes of practice.

Tools and equipment  may include:

• computers running appropriate CAD software
• drawing instruments
• measuring 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, including AS/NZS3500 National plumbing and drainage set
• safe work procedures relating to designing, sizing and documenting the layout of heated and cold water services and systems
• signage
• verbal, written and graphical instructions
• work bulletins
• work schedules, plans and specifications.

Water services and systems  include:

• drinking water from a water meter or storage tank to a point of discharge or storage
• fire hydrant and hose reel systems
• heated and tempered water service to a point of discharge
• flushing systems
• non-drinking water from a source to a point of discharge or storage.

Point of discharge  may be:

• fixture
• isolating valve.

Materials  may include:

• building plans
• job specifications
• manufacturer specifications.

Sustainability principles and concepts :

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

• efficient design principles to minimise environmental impact
• efficient use of material in the design, including 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