Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit Descriptor |
1) Scope: |
1.1) Descriptor |
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This unit deals with the skills and knowledge required to operate and monitor the in-service boiler unit capable of supplying steam. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the Unit |
2) |
This unit is intended to augment formally acquired competencies. It is suitable for employment-based programs under an approved contract of training. |
Licensing/Regulatory Information
License to practice |
3) |
The skills and knowledge described in this unit do not require a licence to practise in the workplace. However, practice in this unit is subject to regulations directly related to Occupational Health and Safety and where applicable contracts of training such as apprenticeships. |
Pre-Requisites
Prerequisite Unit(s) |
4) |
Competencies |
4.1) |
Granting of competency in this unit shall be made only after competency in the following unit(s) has/have been confirmed. Where pre-requisite pathways have been identified. All competencies in the Common Unit Group must be have been completed. There are no pre-requisite units. |
Literacy and numeracy skills |
4.2) |
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Participants are best equipped to achieve this unit if they have reading, writing and numeracy skills indicated by the following levels. A description of what each level entails is provided in Section 2.3.1 Language, Literacy and Numeracy. |
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Reading |
3 |
Writing |
3 |
Numeracy |
3 |
Employability Skills Information
Employability Skills |
5) |
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. |
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
6) Elements describe the essential outcomes of a competency standard 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. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
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1 |
Plan and prepare work |
1.1 |
Safety issues are identified to comply with enterprise/site requirements |
1.2 |
Work requirements are identified from relevant personnel and documentation |
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1.3 |
Pre-operational checks are carried out on plant according to manufacturer recommendations and site requirements |
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1.4 |
Where appropriate, the teams and individuals roles and responsibilities within the team are identified and, where required, assist in the provision of the on-the-job training |
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2 |
Operate plant |
2.1 |
Combustion is established and supported in accordance with enterprise, manufacturer and site requirements. Combustion support fuel consumption is kept at minimum levels |
2.2 |
Fuel and air and feed flows are adjusted to achieve required steam conditions and demand and observing operating requirements |
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2.3 |
Plant is operated within limits of plant design, enterprise or site requirements |
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2.4 |
Plant is monitored and observed to detect deviations from required operating conditions |
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2.5 |
Corrective actions are taken to rectify abnormalities in accordance with manufacturer and enterprise/site procedures |
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3 |
Test plant operation |
3.1 |
Tests are performed in accordance with defined procedures applicable to the operational test |
3.2 |
System and plant are observed for correct operational response |
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3.3 |
Corrective action is taken when response is not in accordance with documentation, plant integrity or personnel safety requirements |
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3.4 |
Plant is returned to required operational status upon completion of test |
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4 |
Analyse system faults |
4.1 |
Causes of abnormal plant operating conditions are identified by analysing the technical and operational information in a logical and sequential manner |
4.2 |
Corrective action taken is in accordance with enterprise/site procedures |
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4.3 |
Plant integrity and personnel safety is maintained through consultation with appropriate personnel, and reference to plant, technical and operational documentation |
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4.4 |
Appropriate personnel are notified when defects are detected |
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5 |
Monitor plant |
5.1 |
Plant to be monitored is identified |
5.2 |
Plant is monitored for normal operation or to detect deviations |
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5.3 |
Appropriate personnel are notified when defects are detected |
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6 |
Complete documentation |
6.1 |
Documentation is updated and plant problems, movements, abnormalities and status are reported and logged in accordance with enterprise/site procedures |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
8) This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. Evidence shall show that knowledge has been acquired of operating and monitoring a boiler unit. All knowledge and skills detailed in this unit should be contextualised to current industry practices and technologies. The extent of the Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills required follows: KS01-PO339B A boiler unit Evidence shall show that knowledge has been acquired for safe working practices of: T1 Relevant environmental, occupational health and safety legislation and regulations T2 Enterprise procedures T3 Plant drawings and manufacturers manuals T4 Introduction to and typical arrangements of power production plant T5 Relevant plant and equipment, its location and operating parameters T6 Electric motor types and characteristics T7 Pump and compressor types and characteristics T8 Valve, damper and actuator types and characteristics T9 Switchgear types and characteristics T10 Electrical protection types and characteristics T11 Relevant state and territory regulations T12 Plant status T13 Enterprise recording procedures T14 Steam/water system, types and characteristics T15 Control and data acquisition systems T16 Supervisory, alarm, burner protection equipment T17 Emergency procedures T18 Boiler operation processes T19 The system components and their interaction with other plant and equipment external to that covered by this competency T20 Principles of air heater operation T21 Principles of relevant fuel combustion; T22 Fire protection control systems, types and characteristics T23 Principles of boiler and feedwater chemical treatment T24 Thermodynamics T25 Properties of matter T26 Lubrication and bearings T27 Boiler water and steam systems T28 Boiler draught system, types and characteristics T29 Fuel firing plant, types and characteristics T30 Principles governing efficient combustion T31 Principles of boiler efficiency T32 Electrical principles T33 Electrical fundamentals KS02-PO339B A boiler unit Specific skills needed to achieve the Performance Criteria: T1 Interpret plant drawings and manufacturers manuals T2 Apply relevant state and territory regulations T3 Apply relevant statutory legislation T4 Apply relevant enterprise/site safety procedures T5 Apply enterprise/site emergency procedures and techniques T6 Apply enterprise recording procedures T7 Identify plant status T8 Prepare plant/equipment for operation T9 Organise resources T10 Operate boiler plant and equipment T11 Apply diagnostic and testing techniques T12 Identify and respond to abnormal plant operating conditions T13 Plan and prioritise work T14 Use relevant hand tools T15 Communicate effectively T16 Apply data analysis techniques and tools T17 Continuity of supply and optimum efficiency. |
Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE |
9) This provides essential advice for assessment of the unit of competency and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria and the Range Statement of the unit and the Training Package Assessment Guidelines. The Evidence Guide forms an integral part of this Competency Standard Unit and shall be used in conjunction with all components parts of this unit and, performed in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package. |
Overview of Assessment |
9.1) |
Longitude 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’s 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. It is recognised that, in some circumstances, assessment in part or full can occur outside the workplace. However, it must be in accord with Industry and, Regulatory policy in this regard. 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. Hence, sources of evidence need to be ‘rich’ in nature so as to minimise error in judgment. Activities associated with normal every day work have a bearing on the decision as to how much and how detailed 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 pre-requisites shall 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 – UEP12”. Evidence shall also comprise:
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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:
Competency Standards should be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions. Assessment of this unit will be supported with documentary evidence, by means of endorsement stating type and application of work. In addition to the resources listed above in Context of assessment’, evidence should show competency working, in limited spaces, with different types of plant and equipment as well as different structural/construction types and methods and in a variety of environments. |
Method of assessment |
9.4) |
This unit shall be assessed by methods given in Section 1.3.00 Assessment Guidelines. Note: Competent performance with inherent safe working practices is expected in the Industry to which this unit applies. This requires that the specified essential knowledge and associated skills are assessed in a structured environment which is primarily intended 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 recommended concurrent assessments with this unit, however in some cases efficiencies may be gained in terms of learning and assessment effort being concurrently managed with allied competency standard units where listed. Nil |
Range Statement
RANGE STATEMENT |
10) This relates to the unit of competency 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. Plant and equipment may include boiler and auxiliary plant; fuel and fuel delivery system; fuel management system; flame detection equipment; steam temperature control plant; boiler heating surfaces; draft system; ash and dust removal system; combustion waste extraction system; electric motors (a.c. and d.c., high and low voltage); station water distribution systems; hydraulic power oil system; compressed air systems; computers with equipment control functions; and supervisory, alarm, protection and control equipment; steam water cycle. Safety standards may include relevant sections of Occupational Health and Safety legislation, enterprise safety rules, electricity workers act and national standards for plant Information and documentation sources may include verbal or written communications; enterprise isolation documentation; site operating instructions; plant limit book; equipment and alarm manuals; crippled plant book; daily log book; dedicated computer equipment; and local and general documented enterprise instructions. Technical and operational indicators may include stimuli (audio, smell, touch, visual), remote or local indicators and recorders, computers and alarms (visible and or audible). Communications may be by means of telephone, two way radio, pager, facsimile, computer (electronic mail) and operating log (written or verbal). Tests may include loss of major auxiliary controls response checks, stand-by plant “cut-in” tests, dampers/valves operating checks and performance tests. Appropriate personnel to consult, give or receive direction may include supervisor/team leader or equivalent; other coordinators of energy production or equivalent; technical and engineering officers or equivalent; maintenance staff; other operating staff and contractor staff. Operating environment may be remote from plant and equipment being operated; (operation is assisted by remote indicators of plant status and other parameters monitored); in wet/noisy/dusty/hot areas or during continuous operation. Plant operations (systems requirements) may include normal operating/ generating mode. Faults and abnormal operating conditions may include loss of a major auxiliary (e.g. boiler combustion air fan); loss of electrical supply to switchboard(s), motors; boiler water chemical operating limits exceeded; automatic control loop(s) malfunctions; boiler heating surfaces dust removal system malfunctions (high/low pressure/temperature, control equipment faults, jammed sootblowers); high temperatures on/in, boiler heating surfaces/tubes/headers, boiler exhaust (back end), steam to turbine, ex superheater or reheater, motor, fan, pump bearings and lubricating oil, motor windings; boiler tube leaks; air heater cold end temperatures low; air heater/combustion air ductwork fires; fuel preparation and delivery systems fires; fuel system malfunction; excessive drum water level split; excessively high heating/cooling rates; high/low furnace dp; high dp’s on oil/air filters and strainers; failed field devices (pressure/level switches/transmitters, thermocouples); failed/malfunctioning actuators/dampers/ valves; boiler feedwater pumps malfunctions (high bearing vibration, high suction strainer dp, low NPSH, high temperature differentials, pump trip, lubricating oil/electric motor cooler tube leak. Generic terms are used throughout this Training Package for vocational standard shall be regarded as part of the Range Statement in which competency is demonstrated. The definition of these and other terms are given in Section 2.1 Preliminary Information and Glossaries. |
Unit Sector(s)
Not applicable.
Competency Field
Competency Field |
11) |
Operations. |