Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package.

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to design heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and select components.

It includes applying processes and methods of HVAC systems, components and piping, safety and relevant industry standards. It also includes following design specifications and customer requirements, and documenting system designs.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit may, in some jurisdictions, require a licence or permit to practice in the workplace subject to regulations for undertaking refrigeration and air conditioning work. Practice in the workplace and during training is also subject to work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations.

No other licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

UEERA0034 Establish heat loads for commercial refrigeration and/or air conditioning applications

UEERA0042 Evaluate thermodynamic and fluid parameters of refrigeration systems

UEERA0038 Establish the thermodynamic parameters of refrigeration and air conditioning systems

UEERA0001 Analyse the operation of HVAC air and hydronic systems

UEERA0002 Analyse the psychrometric performance of HVAC/R systems

and

UEERA0003 Analyse the thermodynamic performance of HVAC/R systems

or

UEERA0094 Verify functionality and compliance of refrigeration and air conditioning installations

UEECD0007 Apply work health and safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace

UEECD0019 Fabricate, assemble and dismantle utilities industry components

UEECD0020 Fix and secure electrotechnology equipment

UEECD0051 Use drawings, diagrams, schedules, standards, codes and specifications

UEECD0016 Document and apply measures to control WHS risks associated with electrotechnology work

UEERA0059 Prepare and connect refrigerant tubing and fittings

UEERA0036 Establish the basic operating conditions of vapour compression systems

UEERA0035 Establish the basic operating conditions of air conditioning systems

UEERA0050 Install refrigerant pipe work, flow controls and accessories

UEERA0081 Select refrigerant piping, accessories and associated controls

UEERA0031 Diagnose and rectify faults in air conditioning and refrigeration control systems

UEERA0092 Solve problems in low voltage refrigeration and air conditioning circuits

UEERL0005 Locate and rectify faults in low voltage (LV) electrical equipment using set procedures

UEERL0004 Disconnect - reconnect electrical equipment connected to low voltage (LV) installation wiring

UEERL0001 Attach cords and plugs to electrical equipment for connection to a single phase 230 Volt supply

UEERL0002 Attach cords, cables and plugs to electrical equipment for connection to 1000 V a.c. or 1500 V d.c.

Refrigeration and air-conditioning

Electrotechnology

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1  

Prepare to design HVAC systems 

1.1 

WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures for a given work area are identified, obtained and applied

1.2 

Scope of the refrigeration system is determined from design specifications and/or in consultations with relevant person/s

1.3 

Safety and systems are identified, obtained and applied in accordance with relevant industry standards

1.4 

Work supervisor and/or customer/s are consulted to determine functions and parameters of the system required in accordance with design specifications and workplace documentation

1.5 

Design development work is planned in accordance with workplace procedures for timelines in consultation with others involved

2 

Design HVAC systems 

2.1 

WHS/OHS risk control measures and workplace procedures for carrying out the work are followed

2.2 

Relevant refrigeration and food storage technology, refrigeration system components and piping are applied to developing the system design in accordance with workplace procedures and relevant industry standards

2.3 

Safety, functionality and budgetary considerations are incorporated in the installation design

2.4 

Equipment required is selected in accordance with design specifications and workplace procedures

2.5 

Location of components are documented in accordance with workplace procedures and operation of system functions

2.6 

System design draft is checked for compliance in accordance with the design brief and relevant industry standards

2.7 

System design is documented and submitted to relevant person/s for approval

2.8 

Unplanned events are dealt with in accordance with problem-solving techniques and workplace procedures

3 

Obtain approval for HVAC design 

3.1 

System design is presented and explained to customer and/or relevant person/s

3.2 

Requests for alterations to the design are negotiated with relevant person/s in accordance with workplace procedures

3.3 

Final design is documented and approval obtained from relevant person/s

3.4 

Quality of work is monitored in accordance with workplace procedures and relevant industry standards

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Designing HVAC systems must include at least the following:

• two different HVAC systems, including at least one of the following:

• condenser
• compressor
• evaporator
• associated components and controls

This unit replaces and is equivalent to UEENEEJ134A Design heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and select components.

Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least one occasion and include:

• understanding required operating functions and parameters from the design specification
• developing the design within the safety, regulatory and functional requirements and budget limitations
• documenting and presenting design effectively
• successfully negotiating design alteration requests
• obtaining approval for final design
• dealing with unplanned events
• applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (WHS/OHS) requirements, including using risk control measures
• designing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
• preparing to design HVAC systems.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions and include knowledge of:

• commercial HVAC system design, safe working practices and relevant standards, codes and regulations, including:

• design parameters for single-storey buildings (e.g. offices, restaurants, hotels and bars):

• customer and objective
• customer concept of environment desired
• economics
• client brief

• relevant design criteria:

• building purpose, location, orientation and shape
• external environment ambient conditions
• internal load diversity
• thermal capacity behaviour
• thermal load (full and partial)

• zoning and building usage:

• space and building
• occupancies, single purpose and multi-purpose

• system selection criteria:

• economics
• environment
• control requirements
• existing structures
• new structures
• system components
• space for equipment and system
• selection of appropriate system, equipment, ductwork and components

• systems and applications:

• design features, engineering and selection procedures for direct expansion air conditioning systems:

• air conditioning split systems and package units
• free blow and ducted fan coil units
• cooling, heat pump and electric heating

• air conditioning system components and piping selection

• air conditioning system components and piping selection, safe working practices and relevant standards, codes and regulations, including:
• relevant industry practices:

• AS/NZS 1677 Refrigerating systems SAA refrigeration code
• AS/NZS 3666 Air-handling and water systems of buildings
• ozone protection regulations
• ANSI/IIAR standards
• ANSI/ASHRAE mechanical refrigeration and IIAR
• bulletins and standards
• equipment manufacturer’s specifications and practices

• calculation of capacity in heat exchangers:

• Q = UA (LMTD)
• Q = mc∆t
• Q = m ∆h

• evaporators

• commercial types and applications
• coil bypass factor
• effects of evaporator TD on space humidity
• effects of air circulation on product conditions
• selection criteria and selection tables

• condensers:

• commercial types and applications
• effects of ambient conditions
• condenser control
• heat rejection factor
• condenser TD
• selection criteria and selection tables

• compressors

• types and applications
• capacity
• displacement
• volume flow rate
• theoretical capacity
• total volumetric efficiency
• effect of operating conditions, including suction
• pressure drop and superheating
• actual capacity
• power
• theoretical requirement
• effects of operating conditions
• actual requirements
• post defrost loads
• pull down torque requirements, high and medium
• and low back pressure compressors
• selection tables and motor selection

• liquid expansion devices:

• types, operation and applications
• effects from sub-cooling
• distributor types, operation and applications
• selection tables
• system load balance point encompassing:
• graphical representation
• line sizing and design
• velocity tables
• pressure drop in lines and fittings
• oil migration stabilisation
• refrigerant velocity
• effect of varying system capacity
• oil traps
• risers
• double risers
• liquid migration
• design for parallel components and multiplex systems

• automatic controls:

• fin spacing, suction temp to evaporator suction
• hot-gas bypass valves
• electronic control of valves and programmable logic controllers (PLC)
• refrigerant regulating valves
• solenoid valves
• condenser pressure regulating valves
• evaporator pressure regulating valves
• crankcase pressure regulating valves
• cycling controls
• pressure-stats
• thermostats
• defrost controls
• monitoring and alarm controls
• refrigeration automation systems
• control strategies
• control modes

• problem-solving techniques
• relevant job safety assessments or risk mitigation processes
• relevant WHS/OHS legislated requirements
• relevant workplace budget, quality, policies and procedures
• relevant workplace documentation.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in suitable workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated suitable workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations
• relevant and appropriate materials, tools, facilities and equipment currently used in industry
• applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, equipment specifications, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.