UEPOPS309B Operate and monitor air conditioning plant and ventilation systems

Release: 1

UEPOPS309B Operate and monitor air conditioning plant and ventilation systems

Modification History

Not applicable.

Unit Descriptor

Unit Descriptor	1) Scope:
1.1) Descriptor
This competency standard unit deals with the skills and knowledge required to operate and monitor air conditioning plant / ventilation systems, and associated equipment.

Application of the Unit

Application of the Unit	2)
This competency standard 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 may require an electrical licence to practice in the workplace. Practice in this unit is subject to regulations directly related to Occupational Health and Safety and where applicable contracts of training such as apprenticeships and the like.

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)
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.
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
1	Plan and prepare for the work	1.1	Safety issues are identified to comply with enterprise/site and legislative requirements plan and prepare plant for operation
1.2	Work, plant and resource requirements are identified from relevant personnel, information and documentation
1.3	Quality assurance requirements are identified in accordance with enterprise/site requirements
1.4	Documentation to determine plant status is assessed and evaluated
1.5	Localised plant inspection and field preparation for service is carried out in accordance with manufacturer’s and enterprise/site procedures
1.6	Plant operational pre-requisites are established in accordance with manufacturer’s and enterprise/site procedures
1.7	Sequence and plant requirements for operation of plant is determined to suit existing circumstances in accordance with enterprise/site requirements
1.8	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
1.9	Log and reporting requirements are carried out in accordance with site procedures
2	Operate and monitor air conditioning equipment and ventilation systems	2.1	Plant is operated and shut down in accordance with enterprise and manufacturer’s operating procedures
2.2	Plant is monitored and observed to detect deviations from normal operating conditions
2.3	Plant’s performance quality is regularly monitored, temperature, airflow humidity
2.4	Corrective actions taken to rectify abnormalities, are in accordance with industry standards and site requirements
3	Test plant operation	3.1	Tests are performed in accordance with defined procedures
3.2	Correct action is taken when response is not in accordance with documentation, plant integrity or personnel safety requirements Test plant operation
3.3	Plant is returned to required operational status upon completion of test
4	Identify plant faults	4.1	Causes of abnormal plant operating conditions are identified by referring to technical and operational information in a logical and sequential manner
4.2	Corrective action taken is in accordance with enterprise/site procedures
4.3	Plant integrity and personnel safety is maintained through consultation with appropriate personnel, and with reference to plant, technical and operational documentation
5	Monitor and inspect plant	5.1	Plant to be monitored/inspected is physically identified
5.2	Plant is monitored/inspected for normal operation or to detect deviations
5.3	Corrective action taken is in accordance with enterprise/site procedures
5.4	Supervisor and other appropriate personnel are notified when defects are detected
6	Complete documentation	6.1	Documentation is updated and plant problems, movements, and 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 air conditioning equipment and ventilation systems. 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-PO309B Air conditioning plant and ventilation systems 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 Air conditioner systems types and characteristics T13 Ventilation systems types and characteristics T14 Plant status T15 Enterprise recording procedures T16 Control, supervisory and data acquisition systems T17 Emergency procedures T18 legionella bacteria control procedures T19 Electrical principlesT20 Refrigerant gases KS02-PO309B Air conditioning plant and ventilation systems Specific skills needed to achieve the Performance Criteria: T1 Interpret plant drawings and manufacturers manuals T2 Apply legionella bacteria control procedures T3 Apply enterprise recording procedures T4 Identify plant status T5 Prepare plant/equipment for operation T6 Organise resources T7 Apply diagnostic and testing techniques T8 Identify and respond to abnormal plant operating conditions T9 Operate air conditioning plant T10 Plan and prioritise work T11 Use relevant hand tools T12 Communicate effectively T13 Apply data analysis techniques and toolsT14 Apply electrical principlesT15 Communicate effectivelyT16 Apply data analysis techniques and tools.

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: 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 6) Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills of this unit Demonstrate an appropriate level of employability skills Conduct work observing the relevant Anti Discrimination legislation, regulations, polices and workplace procedures Demonstrated performance across a representative range of contexts from the prescribed items below: Knowledge and application of relevant sections of: Occupational Health and Safety legislation; Statutory legislation; Enterprise/site safety procedures; Enterprise/site emergency procedures Preparation and planning of work Verification techniques Diagnostic and fault finding techniques and procedures Repair techniques and procedures Dealing with an unplanned event by drawing on essential knowledge and skills to provide appropriate solutions incorporated in the holistic assessment with the above listed items

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. 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 competency standard 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. Systems, plant and/or equipment may include electrical supply switchboard(s) and transformers; air conditioner compressors; chillers and associated cooling plant; air fans; humidifiers; heaters and filters; electrical motors; valves, actuators and dampers (electric, hydraulic, pneumatic and manual); supervisory, alarm, protection and control equipment; and chemical dosing equipment. Safety standards may include relevant sections of Occupational Health and Safety legislation, enterprise safety rules, relevant state and federal legislation, national standards for plant and environmental legislation. Information and documentation sources may include verbal and written communications, enterprise/site safety rules documentation, enterprise operating instructions, manufacturer’s operation and maintenance manuals, equipment and alarm manuals, dedicated computer equipment, enterprise standing instructions and plant notes and enterprise log books. Technical and operational indicators may include stimuli (audio, smell, touch, visual), local indicators and recorders and alarms (visible and or audible). Communications may be by means of telephone, two way radio, pager, public address system, facsimile, computer (electronic mail) and operating log (written or verbal). Tests may include motor direction checks, stand-by plant “cut-in” tests and performance tests. Appropriate personnel to consult, give or receive direction may include supervisor/team leader or equivalent, power plant operations personnel or equivalent, technical and engineering officers or equivalent, contractor staff and maintenance staff. Test, fault finding and operating tools may include hand and power tools and proving dead equipment. Operating environment may be during inclement or otherwise harsh weather conditions, in wet/noisy/dusty/hot areas and during continuous operation. Faults and abnormal operating conditions may include motor/pump/ actuator/valve/fan failure/malfunctions, control equipment failures/ malfunctions, loss of electrical supply to plant and equipment, excessive vibration pumps/motors, cooling tower abnormal operation, legionella bacteria count high and refrigerant compressor malfunction/failure. 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.