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.

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

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

design hydronic systems

apply safe working practices and procedures

communicate, consult, negotiate and review with client and stakeholders

research and respond to current issues

measure and investigate site and system requirements

model and calculate

use appropriate software and validation techniques

innovate and create for a range of solutions incorporating systems thinking, continuous improvement, and constraint and contingency management

evaluate solutions against design criteria

conform to OHS, environmental and sustainability requirements

obtain sign-off on design

document, produce graphics and drawings, specifications and instructions.

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, that is, the candidate is not in productive work, 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 its 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 able not only 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 features of plant and equipment and parameters to the brief or contract

advising clients based on discipline knowledge and OHS and regulatory standards

researching sustainability implications and current industrial design techniques

determining OHS, regulatory and risk management requirements

modelling and calculating using appropriate software and validation techniques

generating and evaluating a range of solutions for feasibility against design criteria

designing hydronic heat exchange systems, including selection of boilers, pumps, cooling towers and chillers, as required using current design methods

investigating faults in existing designs and arriving at solutions

communicating, consulting, negotiating and reviewing with client and stakeholders

documenting design with drawings, specifications and instructions

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

contemporary engineering design methods

techniques for:

continuous improvement

problem solving and decision making

root cause analysis (RCA) or failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) or design review based on failure mode (DRBFM), and Pareto analysis

documenting design with drawings, specifications and instructions required

OHS, regulatory and environmental requirements for work areas and refrigerated spaces, standards, codes of practice, risk management and organisational procedures related to HVAC/R design, installation, operation and maintenance

concepts of thermodynamics, hydronics, properties of substances, conservation of mass and energy principles

heat transfer (e.g. conduction, convection and radiation)

heat exchangers

water chillers

pumping systems and cavitation

practical pump installations and operation problems

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. 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.

Hydronic heating systems

Hydronic heating systems generally use a boiler to heat water which is then pumped through piping to panel radiators which are installed in each area requiring heating. Heat then transfers from the panel in each room by natural convection

Parameters to the design brief

The design brief may include the design of new equipment or fault analysis, rectification or modification to an existing design. Parameters to the design brief may include:

determination of the degree of innovation and creativity expected by the client

design process limits and budgets

product cost limits and budgets

performance specifications

equipment availability, capacities and restrictions

specified administrative, communication and approval procedures

other special features and limits in the design brief

OHS, regulatory, sustainability and environmental issues

OHS, regulatory, sustainability and environmental issues may include:

OHS Acts and regulations

relevant standards

industry codes of practice

risk assessments

registration requirements

safe work practices

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 OHS impact on employees, community and customer

state and territory regulatory requirements

Given environments

Given environments may include:

workplaces

food halls

restaurants

hotels

hospitals

domestic dwellings

industrial sites, factories, warehouses and cold storage areas

Standards and codes

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