Individuals must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
work health and safety (WHS) and occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements relating to retrofitting and modifying air conditioning and HVAC systems, including procedures for:
working with refrigerants at boiling point given risk of frostbite
working with system lubricants, including carcinogenic oils
identifying and handling flammable refrigerants, including hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants
selecting and using personal protective equipment (PPE)
identifying firefighting equipment
environmental requirements, including procedures for:
preventing loss of refrigerant to the atmosphere
handling materials and refrigerant recovery equipment
key requirements of Australian automotive code of practice: Control of refrigerant gases during manufacture, installation, servicing or de-commissioning of motor vehicle air conditioners
application, purpose and operation of air conditioning and HVAC systems and components, including:
high pressure and low pressure sides of air conditioning systems
compressors, including:
piston, scroll and rotary vane compressors
electric compressors
variable displacement compressors
clutchless compressors electromagnetic clutches
condensers
receiver-dryers, including filters and desiccants
expansion valves, including capillary tubes
evaporators
thermostats
refrigerants, including R12, R134a, R1234yf, R290 and R600a blends
compressor oils
air conditioner and heating controls, including levers and ducting
air conditioner and heating electrical circuits and sensors, including:
high and low pressure switches
pressure relief valves
temperature sensors
climate control systems
procedures for retrofitting and modifying air conditioning and HVAC systems, including:
determining original system fitted to vehicle, including refrigerant and oil type and types of components
determining appropriate retrofit and modification options, including:
determining required system performance output
component replacement, including O rings and seals
refrigerant and oil selection
procedures for removing and replacing system components
procedures for changing system refrigerant, including:
changing refrigerant gas from R12 to R134a:
receiver dryer filter replacement
change system fittings for manifold gauge attachment
change oil type
changing refrigerant gas from R134a to R1234yf:
change refrigerant recharging ports
change system fittings for manifold gauge attachment
changing refrigerant gas from R134a to blends of R290 and R600a:
change refrigerant re-charging ports
change system fittings for manifold gauge attachment
procedures for recovering automotive refrigerant, including:
testing refrigerant to determine its type
connecting manifold and gauge set and recovery unit, including types and location of service ports
identifying recovery cylinder appropriate to the refrigerant
operating recovery unit, including weighing recovery cylinder before after recovery
disconnecting and storing recovery unit and cylinder
procedures for re-gassing air conditioning and HVAC systems, including:
testing system for leaks using vacuum and pressure testing
using manifold gauges to charge system
post-retrofit testing procedures for air conditioning and HVAC systems, including procedures for checking for:
refrigerant leaks
heater core and system water coolant leaks
static and dynamic performance tests of air conditioning and HVAC systems, including checking:
ambient temperature
vent temperature
condenser and suction line temperature
procedures for completing workplace documentation, including ARCtick service decal sticker.
Assessors must satisfy NVR/AQTF assessor requirements and hold an Australian Refrigerant Council (ARC) Refrigerant Handling licence.
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessment must include direct observation of tasks.
Where assessment of competency includes third-party evidence, individuals must provide evidence that links them to the air conditioning and HVAC systems that they have retrofitted and modified, e.g. repair orders.
Assessors must verify performance evidence through questioning on skills and knowledge to ensure correct interpretation and application.
The following resources must be made available:
automotive repair workplace or simulated workplace
workplace instructions
vehicle or machinery air conditioning and HVAC system manufacturer specifications
Australian automotive code of practice: Control of refrigerant gases during manufacture, installation, servicing or de-commissioning of motor vehicle air conditioners
two different vehicles or machinery with air conditioning and HVAC systems requiring retrofitting and modification
retrofit, modification and testing equipment for air conditioning and HVAC systems, including:
manifold and gauge set
recovery unit
vacuum pump
leak detector
refrigerant analyser.