Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

1 )

1 .1 ) Descriptor 

This unit covers the setting-up and adjusting hydronic systems for refrigeration and/or air conditioning optimum performance. It encompasses safe working practices, system parameter testing and analysis, adjusting equipment and controls, following procedures and documenting final operating parameters and settings.

Application of the Unit 

4 )

This unit is intended to augment formally acquired competencies. It is suitable for employment-based programs under an approved contract of training or institutional based delivery. It applies to any formal recognition for this standard at the aligned AQF 4 level.

1 .2 ) License to practice 

The skills and knowledge described in this unit require a license to practice in the workplace where plant and equipment operate at voltage above 50 V a.c. or 120 V d.c. In some States/Territories a licence is required to practise this unit in the workplace subject to regulations for undertaking refrigeration and air conditioning work and in particular working with refrigerants. Practice in workplace and during training is also subject to regulations directly related to occupational health and safety and where applicable contracts of training such as apprenticeships.

Note:
1. Compliance with permits may be required in various jurisdictions and typically relates to the operation of plant, machinery and equipment such as elevating work platforms, powder operated fixing tools, power operated tools, vehicles, road signage and traffic control, lifting equipment. Permits may also be required for some work environments such as confined spaces, working aloft, near live electrical apparatus and site rehabilitation.
2. Compliance may be required in various jurisdictions relating to currency in First Aid, confined space, lifting and risk safety measures.

Prerequisite Unit (s )

2 )

2 .1 ) Competencies 

Granting competency in this unit shall be made only after competency in the following unit(s) has/have been confirmed.

UEENEEJ112A

Diagnose and rectify faults in complex air conditioning/ refrigeration systems

UEENEEJ109A

Verify functionality and compliance of refrigeration and air conditioning installations

UEENEEE101A

Apply Occupational Health and Safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace

UEENEEE102A

Fabricate, assemble and dismantle utilities industry components

UEENEEE003B

Solve problems in extra-low voltage single path circuits

UEENEEE105A

Fix and secure electrotechnology equipment

UEENEEE107A

Use drawings, diagrams, schedules, standards, codes and specifications

UEENEEE137A

Document and apply measures to control OHS risks associated with electrotechnology work

UEENEEJ102A

Prepare and connect refrigerant tubing and fittings

UEENEEJ103A

Establish the basic operating conditions of vapour compression systems

UEENEEJ104A

Establish the basic operating conditions of air conditioning systems

UEENEEJ106A

Install refrigerant pipe work, flow controls and accessories

UEENEEJ107A

Install air conditioning and refrigeration systems, major components and associated equipment

UEENEEJ108A

Recover, pressure test, evacuate, charge and leak test refrigerants

UEENEEJ110A

Select refrigerant piping, accessories and associated controls

UEENEEJ111A

Diagnose and rectify faults in air conditioning and refrigeration systems and components

UEENEEJ113A

Commission air conditioning and refrigeration systems

UEENEEJ153A

Find and rectify faults motors and associated controls in refrigeration and air conditioning systems

UEENEEJ170A

Diagnose and rectify faults in air conditioning and refrigeration control systems

UEENEEJ194A

Solve problems in low voltage refrigeration circuits

UEENEEP012A

Disconnect / reconnect composite appliances connected to low voltage installation wiring

UEENEEP017A

Locate and rectify faults in low voltage composite appliances using set procedures

UEENEEP024A

Attach cords and plugs to electrical equipment for connection to a single phase 230 Volt supply

UEENEEP025A

Attach cords, cables and plugs to electrical equipment for connection to 1000 Va.c. or 1500 Vd.c. supply

Employability Skills 

3 )

This unit contains Employability Skills

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of Employability Skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged will assist in identifying Employability Skill requirements.

6 ) Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1

Prepare to commission hydronic systems for refrigeration/air conditioning

1.1

OHS procedures for a given work area are identified, identified, obtained and understood

1.2

Established OHS risk control measures and procedures are followed in preparation for the work.

1.3

Safety hazards that have not previously been identified are noted and established risk control measures are implemented.

1.4

Appropriate personnel are consulted to ensure the work is coordinated effectively with others involved on the work site.

1.5

System operating parameters are identified by reviewing system specifications and component technical data.

1.6

Tools, equipment and testing devices needed for the work are obtained in accordance with established procedures and checked for correct operation and safety.

1.7

Preparatory work is checked to ensure no damage has occurred and complies with requirements.

1.8

The need to test or measure live is determined in strict accordance with OHS requirements and when necessary conducted within established safety procedures.

1.9

Circuits are checked as being isolated where necessary in strict accordance OHS requirements and procedures.

2

Commission hydronic systems for refrigeration/air conditioning.

2.1

OHS risk control measures and procedures for carrying out the work are followed.

2.2

Testing/measuring devices are connected and set up in accordance with requirements for a particular system.

2.3

Measurements and adjustments are made to equipment components and controls to provide optimum system performance in accordance with system specifications and regulatory requirements.

2.4

Decisions for dealing with unexpected situations are made from discussions with appropriate persons and job specifications and requirements.

2.5

Methods for dealing with unexpected situations are selected on the basis of safety and specified work outcomes.

2.6

Commissioning is carried out efficiently without waste of materials or damage to apparatus, the surrounding environment or services and using sustainable energy principles.

3

Completion and report commissioning activities.

3.1

OHS risk control work completion measures and procedures are followed.

3.2

Work site is cleaned and made safe in accordance with established procedures.

3.3

Adjustment settings are documented and an appropriate person or persons notified in accordance with established procedures.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

7)  This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Evidence shall show that knowledge has been acquired of safe working practices and commissioning hydronic systems for refrigeration and/or air conditioning.

All knowledge and skills detailed in this unit should be contextualised to current industry practices and technologies.

KS01-EJ124A Hydronic system commissioning 

Evidence shall show an understanding of hydronic system commissioning, applying safe working practices and relevant Standards, Codes and Regulations to an extent indicated by the following aspects:

T1 Commissioning fundamentals

• building specifications/requirements/responsibilities
• design and as installed drawings
• building codes
• local government regulations
• design conditions
• pre – commissioning checks
• calibration of instruments
• commissioning procedures
• data collection and recording, documentation
• reporting procedures

T2 Hydronic systems operation

• closed/open systems
• pump head/lift, static head (high rise building)
• system friction losses
• nett positive suction head
• system curves

T3 Pumps

• types
• selection criteria
• performance characteristics
• pump curves and system curves
• pump testing
• capacity calculations
• bladder tanks
• coil characteristics
• heat exchangers: plate, shell and tube, tube in tube
• flow measurements: types
• flow switchers
• cooling towers: elementary cooling thermodynamics and types

T4 Valves - flow control devices

• types and applications
• balancing valves
• throttling characteristics
• flow measurements
• selection and applications

T5 Piping systems

• balancing and commissioning
• air venting
• water treatment
• vacuum breaking and air breaks

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

9 ) The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package. .

The Evidence Guide forms an integral part of this Unit. It must be used in conjunction with all parts of this unit and performed in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Overview of Assessment 

9 .1 )

Longitudinal competency development approaches to assessment, such as Profiling, require data to be reliably gathered in a form that can be consistently interpreted over time. This approach is best utilised in Apprenticeship programs and reduces assessment intervention. It is the industry-preferred model for apprenticeships. However, where summative (or final) assessment is used it is to include the application of the competency in the normal work environment or, at a minimum, the application of the competency in a realistically simulated work environment. In some circumstances, assessment in part or full can occur outside the workplace. However, it must be in accordance with industry and regulatory policy.

Methods chosen for a particular assessment will be influenced by various factors. These include the extent of the assessment, the most effective locations for the assessment activities to take place, access to physical resources, additional safety measures that may be required and the critical nature of the competencies being assessed.

The critical safety nature of working with electricity, electrical equipment, gas or any other hazardous substance/material carries risk in deeming a person competent. Sources of evidence need to be 'rich' in nature to minimise error in judgment.

Activities associated with normal everyday work influence decisions about how/how much the data gathered will contribute to its 'richness'. Some skills are more critical to safety and operational requirements while the same skills may be more or less frequently practised. These points are raised for the assessors to consider when choosing an assessment method and developing assessment instruments. Sample assessment instruments are included for Assessors in the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Critical aspects of evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

9 .2 )

Before the critical aspects of evidence are considered all prerequisites must be met.

Evidence for competence in this unit shall be considered holistically. Each Element and associated performance criteria shall be demonstrated on at least two occasions in accordance with the 'Assessment Guidelines - UEE07'. Evidence shall also comprise:

• A representative body of work performance demonstrated within the timeframes typically expected of the discipline, work function and industrial environment. In particular this shall incorporate evidence that shows a candidate is able to:

• Implement Occupational Health and Safety workplace procedures and practices including the use of risk control measures as specified in the performance criteria and range statement
• Apply sustainable energy principles and practices as specified in the performance criteria and range statement
• Demonstrate an understanding of the essential knowledge and associated skills as described in this unit. It may be required by some jurisdictions that RTOs provide a percentile graded result for the purpose of regulatory or licensing requirements.
• Demonstrate an appropriate level of skills enabling employment
• Conduct work observing the relevant Anti Discrimination legislation, regulations, polices and workplace procedures

• Demonstrated consistent performance across a representative range of contexts from the prescribed items below:

• Commission hydronic systems for refrigeration and/or air conditioning systems as described in 8) and including:

A

Identifying system operating parameters

B

Measuring and adjusting system components and controls to provide optimum system performance

C

Ensuring system operates within regulatory requirements

D

Documenting adjustment settings with established procedures

E

Dealing with unplanned events by drawing on essential knowledge and skills to provide appropriate solutions incorporated in the holistic assessment with the above listed items

Note:
Successful completion of relevant vendor training may be used to contribute to evidence on which competency is deemed. In these cases the alignment of outcomes of vendor training with performance criteria and critical aspects of evidence shall be clearly identified

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

9 .3 )

This unit should be assessed as it relates to normal work practice using procedures, information and resources typical of a workplace. This should include:

• OHS policy and work procedures and instructions.
• Suitable work environment, facilities, equipment and materials to undertake actual work as prescribed by this unit.

These should be part of the formal learning/assessment environment.

Note:

Where simulation is considered a suitable strategy for assessment, conditions must be authentic and as far as possible reproduce and replicate the workplace and be consistent with the approved industry simulation policy.

Evidence should show demonstrated competency in commissioning hydronic systems for refrigeration and/or air conditioning.

Method of assessment 

9 .4 )

This unit shall be assessed by methods given in Volume 1, Part 3 'Assessment Guidelines'.

Note:
Competent performance with inherent safe working practices is expected in the Industry to which this unit applies. This requires assessment in a structured environment which is intended primarily for learning/assessment and incorporates all necessary equipment and facilities for learners to develop and demonstrate the essential knowledge and skills described in this unit.

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units 

9 .5 )

There are no concurrent assessment recommendations for this unit.

RANGE STATEMENT 

8 ) This relates to the unit as a whole providing the range of contexts and conditions to which the performance criteria apply. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

This unit must be demonstrated in relation to commissioning two different hydronic systems for refrigeration and/or air conditioning systems.

Generic terms used throughout this Vocational Standard shall be regarded as part of the Range Statement in which competency is demonstrated. The definition of these and other terms that apply are given in Volume 2, Part 2.1.

2 .2 ) Literacy and numeracy skills 

Participants are best equipped to achieve competency in this unit if they have reading, writing and numeracy skills indicated by the following scales. Description of each scale is given in Volume 2, Part 3 'Literacy and Numeracy'

Reading

4

Writing

4

Numeracy

4

Competency Field 

5 )

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning