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Title / Operate refrigeration equipment in an energy and chemical plant
Level / 4 / Credits / 10
Purpose / This unit standard is for people working as boiler operators and energy and chemical process operators in an energy or chemical plant.
People credited with this unit standard are able to: demonstrate knowledge of refrigeration systems used in the energy and chemical industry, and the operation of refrigeration equipment in an energy and chemical plant; and operate refrigeration, in an energy and chemical plant.
Classification / Energy and Chemical Plant > Operation of Energy and Chemical Plant
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1Assessment conditions
All assessment must be carried out at an energy or chemical site.
2Definitions
Energy and chemical plant may be in – petrochemical, agri-nutrient, power generation, dairy processing, meat processing, and wood fibre manufacturing, or other plants that operate with a combination of high temperatures, pressures, steam and/or chemicals in gas, liquid or solid form.
Organisational requirements – documented policies and procedures. These may include: equipment manufacturers’ procedures, plant procedures, suppliers’ instructions, site signage, codes of practice, company health and safety plans, on site briefings, and supervisor’s instructions. This includes all regulatory and legislative obligations that apply to the plant.
Plant –the operational unit, equipment and/or workplace at which the person is working.
Process disruptions– process deviations or equipment malfunctions.
3Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to – Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, Resource Management Act 1991.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of refrigeration systems used in the energy and chemical industry.
Evidence requirements
1.1Refrigeration systems in the energy and chemical industry are explained in terms of operating and design concepts.
Rangerefrigeration systems include but are not limited to – mechanical absorption, vapour compression.
1.2Components of refrigeration systems in the energy and chemical industry are explained in terms of purpose and operating concepts.
Rangecomponents include but are not limited to – drier, evaporator, condenser, oil separator, expansion valve, temperature regulating valve, regulator, liquid receiver, compressors, safety device.
1.3Refrigerants used in the energy and chemical industry are explained in terms of their potential hazards, use, chemical properties.
Rangerefrigerants include but are not limited to – ammonia, fluorocarbons.
1.4Refrigerant systems in the energy and chemical industry are explained in terms of the safety requirements.
Rangesafety requirements include but are not limited to – chemical data sheets, safety equipment, safety procedures.
1.5Potential causes of operational problems are described in terms of the operational steps and techniques required to avoid them.
Rangeoperational problems include but are not limited to – leakage, freeze up, liquid carry over, blocked strainers, non condensable gas in system, water in system, over charge, under charge.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate knowledge of the operation of refrigeration equipment in an energy and chemical plant.
Evidence requirements
2.1Start-up procedures are explained in terms of organisational requirements.
2.2Routine shut-down procedures are explained in terms of organisational requirements.
2.3Emergency shut-down procedures are explained in terms of organisational requirements.
2.4Control and protection systems for the refrigeration equipment are identified and described in terms of their purpose.
Rangeevidence is required of one control system and one protection system.
Outcome 3
Operate refrigeration equipment in an energy and chemical plant.
Evidence requirements
3.1Safe work practices are used when operating refrigeration equipment in accordance with organisational requirements.
3.2The location of the refrigeration equipment is identified in accordance with the site specific identification coding system.
3.3Routine procedures and checks on refrigeration equipment are carried out in accordance with organisational requirements.
3.4Refrigeration equipment process disruptions are identified and correct actions are taken in accordance with organisational requirements.
Rangeevidence is required of two different types of equipment disruption.
3.5All plant documentation related to the process and equipment operation is completed in accordance with organisational requirements.
Planned review date / 31 December 2019Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 27 June 2005 / 31 December 2014
Rollover and Revision / 2 / 25 July 2006 / 31 December 2014
Review / 3 / 22 May 2009 / 31 December 2016
Review / 4 / 24 October 2014 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0079
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Primary Industry Training OrganisationSSB Code 101558 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018