Application
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to perform maintenance procedures and/or repairs on cooling towers or evaporative condensers, associated equipment and controls to ensure performance to relevant Australian Standards, regulations and codes.
Cooling towers and evaporative condensers form an integral part of the refrigeration system in commercial, industrial and air conditioning fields. The towers, condensers, centrifugal water pumps, fans, valves and controls comprise the maintenance/repair work skills relevant to this field and must be assessed in this context.
Where the refitting or repair/replacement of components involves the fabrication and installation of pipework and assemblies then unit MEM10010 Install pipework and pipework assemblies should also be selected.
Where water treatment only is required then unit MEM13007 Maintain water treatment systems for cooling towers should be selected.
Where rectification, modification involving electrical disconnection and reconnection is required unit MEM18049 Disconnect/reconnect fixed wired equipment up to 1000 volts a.c./1500 volts d.c. should also be selected.
There is legislation, regulation and codes of practice for cooling towers in each jurisdiction. Relevant material should be referenced.
Band: A
Unit Weight: 4
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Determine job requirements | 1.1 | Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) |
1.2 | Comply with work health and safety (WHS) requirements at all times | ||
1.3 | Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with SOPs | ||
1.4 | Identify job requirements from specifications, drawings, job sheets or work instructions | ||
2 | Undertake preventive maintenance checks | 2.1 | Carry out visual inspection and testing with appropriate test equipment according to refrigeration principles, procedures and safety requirements |
2.2 | Perform preventative maintenance tasks to manufacturers' specifications | ||
3 | Undertake fault-finding on cooling tower/evaporative condenser water systems components | 3.1 | Identify system components |
3.2 | Interpret the characteristics and operation of each component | ||
3.3 | Inspect and test the operational function of each component and assess correct operation against specifications | ||
4 | Repair/replace cooling tower/evaporative condenser components | 4.1 | Localise faulty components and confirm malfunction |
4.2 | Remove the refrigerant safely from the system and contain in accordance with procedures and regulatory requirements, where appropriate | ||
4.3 | Dismantle faulty components and repair to manufactures' specifications, as required | ||
4.4 | Select replacement parts from manufacturers' catalogues | ||
5 | Return to service cooling tower/evaporative condenser components | 5.1 | Reassemble components and test for correct operation and assess against specification |
5.2 | Charge the system safely with correct refrigerant and in accordance with procedures and regulatory requirements, where appropriate | ||
5.3 | Verify correct operation of the equipment | ||
5.4 | Complete maintenance records/service reports according to SOPs | ||
Foundation Skills
This section describes those required skills (reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy) that are essential to workplace performance in this unit of competency.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | |
Components include one (1) or more of the following: | fan motor fan blade pump pump motor sprays condenser valves (bypass, shut-off and temperature control valves) thermostat drift eliminators V belt water strainer |
Test equipment includes one (1) or more of the following: | sling psychrometer thermometer refrigeration gauges vacuum pump leak detector multimeter insulation resistance tester |
Competency Field
Maintenance and diagnostics