This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate, inspect and monitor a boiler steam and/or water cycle.

The relationship of components within the boiler and steam and/or water cycle in a power generating unit system, and the effect of adjustments made to components, can impact the efficiency and safety of a power generating facility's operation.

Competency in this unit requires the ability to plan work, operate boiler steam and/or water cycle plant, test boiler steam and/or water cycle plant, analyse boiler steam and/or water cycle plant faults, monitor and inspect boiler steam and/or water cycle plant and the completion of all documentation. Individuals will, in general, work under supervision, in a power generation facility as an operator.

Power generation plant operators are typically trained and authorised to isolate, prepare plant and issue permits to work.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Note: Workplace practices

The application of the skills and knowledge described in this unit may require a licence or training permit to practice in the workplace where work is carried out on gas and electrical installations. Additional conditions may apply under state and territory legislative and regulatory licensing requirements.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Plan and preparefor boiler steam water cycle operation

1.1

Safety issues related to operating and monitoring boiler steam and water cycle plant are identified, in accordance with workplace procedures and Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations and legislative requirements

1.2

Work requirements, including permits to work, are identified, in accordance with workplace procedures, from appropriate personnel and documentation

1.3

Documentation to determine boiler steam and water cycle plant status is assessed and evaluated, in accordance with workplace procedures

1.4

Inspection, preoperational checks and field preparations for boiler steam and water cycle service are carried out, in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturers' recommendations

1.5

Boiler steam and water cycle plant operational prerequisites are established, in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturers' recommendations

1.6

Sequence for recommissioning of boiler steam and water cycle plant is determined, in accordance with workplace procedures and site requirements

2

Operateboiler steam/water cycle plant

2.1

Boiler steam and water cycle plant is operated, in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturers' operating recommendations

2.2

Boiler steam and water cycle plant is monitored and observed, in accordance with workplace procedures, to detect deviations from normal operating conditions

2.3

Corrective actions are taken to rectify abnormalities, in accordance with workplace procedures and industry standards

2.4

Boiler steam and water cycle plant is identified and removed from service, in accordance with workplace procedures

2.5

Corrective actions are taken, in accordance with workplace procedures when boiler steam and water cycle plant abnormalities are identified during removal from service

3

Test boiler steam/water cycleplant operation

3.1

Operational tests are performed, in accordance with workplace procedures

3.2

Boiler steam and water cycle plant is observed for correct operational response, in accordance with workplace procedures

3.3

Corrective action is taken, in accordance with workplace procedures, when response does not meet with documentation, boiler steam and water cycle plant integrity or personnel safety requirements

3.4

Boiler steam and water cycle plant is returned to required operational status upon completion of testing, in accordance with workplace procedures

4

Analyse boiler steam/water cycleplant faults

4.1

Causes of abnormal boiler steam and water cycle plant operating conditions are identified, in accordance with workplace procedures, and by analysing technical and operational information

4.2

Corrective action is taken, in accordance with workplace procedures

4.3

Boiler steam and water cycle plant integrity and personnel safety are maintained, in accordance with workplace procedures, and in consultation with appropriate personnel and technical and operational documentation

5

Monitor and inspect boiler steam/water cycleplant

5.1

Boiler steam and water cycle plant to be monitored and inspected is physically identified, in accordance with workplace procedures

5.2

Boiler steam and water cycle plant is monitored and inspected, in accordance with workplace procedures for normal operation or to detect deviations

5.3

Corrective action is taken, in accordance with workplace procedures

5.4

Appropriate personnel are notified, in accordance with workplace procedures, when defects are detected

6

Complete documentation

6.1

Boiler steam and water cycle plant problems, movements, abnormalities and status are reported, in accordance with workplace procedures

6.2

Documentation is updated, in accordance with workplace procedures

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Electricity generation

Operations