The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to coordinate the servicing, fault-finding and optimisation of HVAC/R control systems.This includes working individually or as part of a team on analysis and optimisation technical tasks.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:

communicate HVAC/R servicing and fault-finding tasks and requirements to others

identify relevant WHS, other regulatory requirements, standards and codes

investigate sustainability implications of HVAC/R control systems

assess HVAC/R control system and hardware, including building management system control systems

use appropriate analysis and simulation software and validation techniques

review thermal loads, hardware, energy options, tariffs, consumption, benchmarks and comparative tariffs

map and monitor control system, I/O, hardware and energy use

optimise HVAC/R control system for seasonal and load cycles

measure control system performance

develop optimal control diagram and settings

report and document results.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job, then a simulated working environment must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations.

The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.

Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Method of assessment

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the MEM05 Metal and Engineering Training Package.

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge.

Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure correct interpretation and application.

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is not only able to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Required skills

Required skills include:

interpreting drawings, diagrams, manuals and design information to determine HVAC/R control system layout, components and functions

identifying WHS and other regulatory requirements

coordinating the work of others in HVAC/R servicing and fault-finding, including allocating tasks and confirming results

communicating with clients, stakeholders and technical experts

identifying sustainability implications of HVAC/R control systems

selecting appropriate HVAC/R analysis and simulation software and validation techniques

reviewing control systems techniques, hardware and software taking into account thermal loads, energy options, tariffs, consumption, benchmarks and comparative tariffs

mapping and monitoring control system, function, settings, I/O, and hardware and energy requirements

optimising the energy management system

measuring control system performance and developing optimal control diagram and settings

documenting and reporting evaluation results, including efficiency evaluations, maps and diagrams, programs, analysis and simulation files and conclusions

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

WHS and regulatory requirements, codes of practice, standards, risk management and registration requirements

sources of professional and technical assistance

trends in HVAC/R system design, installation, operation and maintenance, including integration with energy management systems

current options and trends in performance analysis software, including underpinning program techniques

sustainability implications of HVAC/R systems control and energy management systems

building management systems features and functions related to HVAC/R and integration with other features, such as:

lighting, alarms and security

multi-zone operation

operating modes, such as occupied, unoccupied, morning warm-up, and night-time setback

features, components, functions, protocols and topology of HVAC/R control systems, including:

protocols and topology

control settings

I/O devices and techniques

software and programming techniques

proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller functions in HVAC/R control systems

interface principles and techniques for electrical, electronic, pneumatic and hydraulic sensors and actuators

HVAC/R principles and techniques related to energy distribution and consumption

passive characteristics and heat load on the system under control

daily, seasonal and annual HVAC/R load cycles

sources of technical and professional assistance for engineering specialisations

energy options, unit tariffs, system and component consumption, benchmarks for energy costs and comparative tariffs

testing and measuring devices and materials and their calibration, set-up, test and use

analysis techniques, including use of analysis and simulation software and software validation techniques

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

HVAC/R control system

HVAC/R control systems hardware and environmental requirements may include control systems in:

industrial refrigeration systems

commercial refrigeration systems

hydronic systems

automatic controls

food storage technology

Building management system HVAC/R control systems

Building management system HVAC/R control systems may include:

human-machine interfaces (HMI)

web servers, network topology and bus systems

protocols

system or network controllers

programmable logic controllers (PLCs)

terminal unit controllers for major plant components, such as boilers and HVAC/R central plant air handlers, chilled and hot water valves, air dampers, supply fans and lighting

analog and digital I/O, interfaces and actuators, including electrical, electronic, pneumatic and hydraulic devices

remote control systems, including ethernet options

interfaces with other controlled systems, such as fire, security, and lighting

Analog or digital I/O

Analog or digital I/O may include:

inputs, such as temperatures, humidity, pressure, current flow and air flow

analog inputs, including temperature, humidity and pressure sensors transmitting 4–20 mA or 1–10 V signals

digital inputs, such as volt-free switches or relays or 24 VDC/AC and pneumatic/electronic interfaces

analog outputs, including variable frequency speed drives, hot or chilled water proportional valves responding to a set-point difference or a damper setting

digital outputs to switch lights, valves or motor relays on or off, including alarms

special I/O include:

alarms for limiting condition or status indication, such as the monitoring of carbon monoxide levels or low motor current

pneumatic and hydraulic sensor and actuator interfaces

Sustainability

Sustainability is used to mean the entire sustainable performance of the organisation/plant, including:

meeting all regulatory requirements

conforming to all industry covenants, protocols and best practice guides

minimising ecological and environmental footprint of process, plant and product

maximising economic benefit of process plant and product to the organisation and the community

minimising the negative WHS impact on employees, community and customer

Appropriate technical and professional assistance

Appropriate technical and professional assistance may include:

technical support and advice relating to elements which have intrinsic dangers, such as:

high pressure

energised fluid vessels

high temperatures and heat energy capacity

switch boards, electric motors and wiring with high current and voltages above extra low voltage

professional support for technologies, such as:

specialist electric motor drives and controllers

specialist materials, plastics, metal alloys and nano materials

special processes, alloy welding, heat treatment, sealing and fastening

WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures

WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures may include:

WHS Acts and regulations

relevant standards

codes of practice from Australian and overseas engineering and technical associations and societies

risk assessments

registration requirements

safe work practices

state and territory regulatory requirements

Standards and codes

Standards and codes refer to all relevant Australian and international standards and codes applicable to a particular task