ABBE Level 4 Diploma in Air-conditioning Energy Assessment


ABBE Level 4 Diploma in

Air-conditioning Energy Assessment

Qualification Handbook

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CONTENTS

Page
About ABBE / 5
SECTION 1 / INTRODUCTION / 6
1.1
1.2 / Background to the development of the ABBE Level 4 Diploma in Air-conditioning Energy Assessment
Structure / 6
7
1.3 / Guided Learning Hours / 8
1.4 / Assessment and grading / 8
1.5 / Resources / 8
1.6 / Delivery / 9
1.7 / Recruitment and access / 9
1.8
1.9
1.10 / Criteria for candidates applying for the Level 4 award.
Candidates with particular assessment requirements
Key skills / 10
10
11
SECTION 2 / EVIDENCE / 12
2.1
2.2 / Achieving the units
Amount of evidence / 12
12
2.3 / Role of the candidate / 13
2.4 / The importance of selection / 14
2.5 / Portfolio organisation / 14
2.6
2.7
2.8 / Accreditation of previous achievement
Structured professional interview
ABBE external exam / 14
16
17
SECTION 3 / ASSESSMENT AND INTERNAL VERIFICATION / 18
3.1 / Role of mentor/advisor / 18
3.2 / Role of the assessor / 18
3.3 / Assessment methods / 19
3.4 / Assessment records / 20
3.5 / Role of the internal verifier / 20
3.6 / Role of the external verifier / 20
3.7 / Enquires and appeals / 21
SECTION 4 / OCCUPATIONAL COMPETENCE OF ASSESSORS AND INTERNAL VERIFIERS / 22
4.1 / Assessors / 22
4.2 / Internal verifiers / 22
4.3
4.4 / Centre assessor and IV training requirements
External verifiers / 23
24
SECTION 5 / EXTERNAL EXAMINATION / 25
5.1 / Examination arrangements / 25
5.2 / Examination content and format / 25
5.3 / Application forreasonable adjustments / 26
SECTION 6 / ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS / 29
SECTION 7 / STRUCTURE AND CONTENT / 30
7.1 / Qualification structure / 30
7.2 / Unit structure / 30
Unit 1Professional practice in the energy assessment of air-conditioning systems.
-Fundamental knowledge and understanding
-Evidence requirements / 32
34
35
Unit 2Prepare for the energy assessment of air-conditioning systems
-Fundamental knowledge and understanding
-Evidence requirements / 36
38
39
Unit 3 Inspect complexair-conditioning systems
-Fundamental knowledge and understanding
-Evidence requirements / 40
43
46
Unit 4 Report on the energy performance of air-conditioning systems
-Fundamental knowledge and understanding
-Evidence requirements / 48
49
50
Appendices /
  1. Additional unit Information.
  2. CIBSE TM44 summary of air-conditioning system types and component parts.
  3. Recommended Equipment List.
/ 51
53
54

ABBE Level 4 Diploma in Air-conditioning Energy ASSESSMENT

Ofqual Accreditation Number:500/7679/6

Qualification Accreditation start date:01/10/2009

Qualification Operational start date in Centres:01/10/2009

Qualification end date:31/12/2010

Qualification Certification end date:31/12/2010

This guide is for prospective and existing ABBE approved assessment centres who wish to offer the ABBE Level 4 Diploma in Air-conditioning Energy Assessment, including organisations that employ prospective Air-conditioning Energy Assessors. It provides the qualification specification and guidance on evidence and assessment requirements.

At Level 4 candidates will be undertaking air-conditioning energy assessments on complex air-conditioning systems involving multiple VRF/VRV cooler installations, air handling equipment, air and water-cooled chillers in addition to the Level 3 unitary, simple and multi split packaged equipments and systems.

This handbook should be used in conjunction with the ABBE Centre Operations Guide, available from the ABBE website or by telephone from the ABBE office on 0121 331 5174.

ABBE (Awarding Body for the Built Environment)

ABBE is an Awarding Body regulated by Ofqual (The Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator)for the delivery of a range of qualifications that form part of the Qualification Credit Framework (QCF).

ABBE has developed considerable expertise in overseeing high quality assessment for the higher level NVQs in the property and construction sectors of industry. Since its inception in late 1997, ABBE has grown steadily and currently offers a suite of NVQs to the industry through its assessment centres.

The Diploma has been accredited by Ofqual and ABBE centres are adopting a variety of robust,innovative assessment methods for prospective Air-conditioning Energy Assessors.

ABBE contact details

For further information please contact

ABBE (Awarding Body for the Built Environment)

BirminghamCityUniversity

Franchise Street

Perry Barr

Birmingham

B42 2SU

Telephone:0121 331 5174

Fax:0121 331 6883

Email:

Website:

SECTION 1INTRODUCTION

1.1Background to the development of the ABBE Level 4 Diploma in Air-conditioning Energy Assessment (DipACEA)

The need for the DipACEA has been brought about by the Government’s implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive in England and Wales. Air-conditioning assessments and reports have been introduced for all buildings where comfort cooling is provided by air-conditioning systems with an effective rated output of more than12kw.

The ABBELevel 4DipACEA has been developed to meet the needs of the industry to have a qualification in place to recognise the skills of the Energy Assessor.

This qualification has been based very closely on the National Occupational Standards developed specifically for the Air-conditioning Energy Assessors. These were developed in consultation with representatives from industry organisations and employers including the relevant Sector Skills Council e.g.Asset Skills and Summit Skills, and the CLG.

This qualification has been developed in consultation with representatives from industry organisations and employers, and it has been accredited by Ofqual as a Level 4 qualification in the Qualification and Credit Framework(QCF). As suchit is eligible for public funding as determined by theDfES under Sections 96 and 97of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 and can be found on the Ofqual database of accredited qualifications at

This document contains guidance on assessing the ABBE Level 4DipACEA. The diploma includes four units in a similar format to that employed by NVQs. Each unit sets out the required outcomes and content including underpinning knowledge and understanding across the scope of anAir-Conditioning Energy Assessor’s operations. The guidance contains further details of the assessment and quality assurance of the qualification together with advice about ABBE’s policy concerning access to the qualification, the design of programmes of study and delivery modes.

Candidates must complete all 4 units of the 46 credit diplomaand the external examination as a means of independent assessment. The examination will assess Air-conditioning Energy Assessors’ detailed knowledge and understanding of Air-conditioning systems and equipments across the scope of their inspection activities. Candidates must also submit for assessment a portfolio of evidence demonstrating that they have achieved the learning outcomes of the diploma, and that they have carried out inspections of real systems.

This qualification has been designed to encourage participation in education and training in other related areas by:

  • Enabling current practitioners at Level 3 competency inair-conditioning energy assessment to expand the portfolio of services offered to their customers by including the more complex Air-conditioning systems in the services offered.
  • Encouraging those with high levels of prior expertise in other building services areasto qualify directly as a Level 4 energy assessor of Air-conditioning systems.

1.2Structure

To achieve the full qualification, a candidate must successfully complete all 4 units and a short exam which is linked to unit 3 for diploma award purposes.

Level 3 candidates will be qualified to undertake air-conditioning assessments on existing buildings in which are installed comfort cooling systems involving unitary, simple and multi split packaged and simple VRF/VRV air-conditioning plantwith an effective rated output in excess of 12 kW.Level 4 (centralised) systems are defined in CIBSE TM44: Inspection of Air conditioning systems which are sssshown below the line in the diagram at Appendix 2. Centralised systems include complex VRF/VRV systems and those involving ductwork and air handling equipments.

Candidates are required to demonstrate that they have conducted air-conditioning energy assessments of buildings with typical characteristics, for example, simple air-conditioning systems where these aggregate to more than 12kW effective rated output. They will need to have carried out air-conditioning energy assessments to meet the requirements of the grid at Section 2.1, which includes site visits to real buildings.

Candidates would need to complete the following units:

Unit / Title / Credit value / Learning time / QCF unit reference
Guided
learning (hours) / Private
study
(hours)
1 / Professional practice in the energy assessment of air-conditioning systems / 4 / 20 / 20 / J/600/2751
2 / Prepare for the energy assessment of Air-conditioning systems / 10 / 20 / 80 / Y/600/2754
3 / Inspect complexair-conditioning systems / 24 / 110 / 130 / D/600/2867
4 / Report on the energy performance of air-conditioning systems / 8 / 20 / 60 / K/600/2757

The ABBE Level 4DipACEA has been designed so that assessment centres can ensure candidates have sufficient occupational competence to practise as Air-conditioning Energy Assessors. Candidates are, therefore, expected to submit valid evidence derived, as far as possible, from the workplace to enable the assessment centres and ABBE to verify their competence.

The ABBE Level 4 DipACEAis designed to:

  • establish a framework of education and training for prospective Air-conditioning Energy Assessors;
  • define the knowledge, understanding and skills candidates need to undertake air-conditioning energy assessments;
  • provide opportunities for candidates to develop their Key Skills abilities: a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for successful performance in working life.

1.3Guided learning hours (glh)

The ABBE DipACEA is a Level 4qualification and has an anticipated total learning time of460 hours, of which 170 hours is anticipated to be guided learning time. Guided learning hours refer to the amount of study undertaken by the candidate under the direction of the tutor. This could include tutorials, seminars, workshops, directed research, project or assignment work and assessment. This is intended as a guide only and the actual amounts of time will vary according to the needs of the individual candidate.

1.4Assessment and grading

The ABBE DipACEAis competence-based and criterion-referenced. All 4 units are assessed through the presentation of work related evidence and a short examination. The units in the ABBE DipACEA all have a standard format that is designed to provide clear guidance on the requirements of the qualification for candidates, assessors and verifiers.

This qualification is awarded on a pass/fail basis only, i.e. none of the units within this qualification are graded.

All 4 units must be completed successfully and the short exam passed in order to gain the full qualification.

1.5Resources

This qualification is designed to accredit the skills and knowledge held by experiencedcandidates and to prepare candidates holding a qualification at Level 3 for employment as anAir-conditioning Energy Assessorat Level 4. Centres must ensure that candidates have access to resources of industry standard to support the delivery and assessment of this programme.

Staff delivering programmes and conducting the assessments should be fully familiar with current practice and standards in the sector concerned. Centres will need to demonstrate how candidates will access any specialist resource requirements when they seek approval from ABBE.

All staff involved in the assessment and verification of this qualification must have the necessary occupational skills and experience required. See Section 4: Occupational competence of assessors and internal verifiers for further details.

1.6Delivery

It is important that centres develop an approach to teaching and learning that supports the assessment of the specialist vocational nature of the ABBE DipACEA. The specifications contain a balance of practical skill and knowledgerequirements, some of which can be theoretical in nature.

Tutors and assessors need to ensure that appropriate links are made between theory and practice and that the knowledge base is applied to the sector. This will require the development of relevant and up-to-date teaching materials that allow candidates to apply their learning to actual events and activity within the sector, and to generate workplace evidence for their portfolio.

1.7Recruitment and access

ABBE’s policy regarding access to its qualifications is that:

  • the qualifications should be available to everyone who is capable of reaching the required standards and has access to appropriate work to generate evidence;
  • the qualifications should be free from any barriers that restrict access and progression;
  • there must be equality of opportunity for all wishing to access the qualifications.

Centres should ensure that they recruit candidates to this qualification with integrity. This

will include ensuring that applicants have appropriate information and advice about the award and that it will meet their needs and expectations.

Centres must assess each applicant’s potential and make a professional judgment about their ability to successfully complete the programme of study, where applicable, and achieve the qualification. This assessment will need to take account of the support available to the candidate within the centre during their programme of study and any specific support that might be necessary to allow the candidate to access the assessment for the qualification.

Note: It is recognised that some candidates who apply for the Level 4 award may find the academic rigour and assessment skills required of them to be beyond their current capabilities. Under such circumstances, assessment centres should be prepared to allow the candidate to withdraw from the qualification and provide advice and counselling as necessary.There may also be extreme cases, for instance, where a candidate’s performance is deemed to be unsatisfactory or incompetent, centres should consider compulsorily withdrawing the candidate from training.

Further information on equal opportunities and access to fair assessment can be found in the ABBE Centre Operations Guide available on the ABBE website at or by telephone on 0121 331 5174.

1.8Criteria for candidates applying for the Level 4 award.

It is expected that candidates who qualify at Level 3 may wish to progress to the Level 4 award. They should obtain experience and further expertise in Air-conditioning systems inspection and reporting before starting to train for the Level 4 award. There will also be candidates whose background training, qualifications and experience in Air-conditioning systems and technologies will enable them to satisfy or exceed the stringent requirements of the ABBE Level 4 DipACEA award. To ensure that all Level 4 applicants have a good background of knowledge and understanding of air conditioning processes ABBE requires candidates to meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Accredited Level 3 air conditioning energy assessors are required to have a minimum of six months experience during which they are to have lodged a minimum of 6reports on simple ac systems;
  • Accredited non-domestic energy assessors qualified at Level 4 (and above) with background training, qualifications and experience in air-conditioning systems and technologies are required to have a minimum of six months experience and to have lodged an average of no less than ONE Level 4 NDEA report per month on buildings with complex air conditioning systems;
  • Building services engineers, facilities managers, refrigeration and maintenance personnel with a portfolio demonstrating sufficient experience of air conditioning site inspection, management, installation, maintenance and repair.

All candidates for the ABBE Level 4 DipACEA should have experience in the inspection of larger distributed systems with a minimum installed capacity of 100kW by accompanying qualified and accredited Level 4 air conditioning energy assessors or other qualified Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) inspectors.

Assessment Centres should satisfy themselves that candidates for the ABBE Level 4 DipACEA award meet the above criteria through the inspection of reports submitted, CPD records, witness statements, a CV or other suitable evidence. Assessment centres should also make available to ABBE, on request, the evidence submitted by candidates pursuing direct entry to the ABBE Level 4 DipACEA award.

1.9Candidates with particular assessment requirements.

ABBE recognises that some candidates have difficulty with the learning demands of a course or find the standard arrangements for the assessment of their vocational competence presents a challenge. This may apply to candidates with known and long-standing learning difficulties and/or physical or other impairments.

Centres must take steps to ensure that any particular assessment requirements are identified as early in the programme as possible, preferably at initial assessment stage, and appropriate arrangements are put in place to support the candidate.

Further information on equal opportunities and access to assessment can be found in the ABBE Centre Operations Guide available on the ABBE website at or by telephone from 0121 331 5174.

1.10Key skills

The following table shows where evidence produced for the ABBE Level 4DipACEAmay contribute to achievement of Key Skills units. This provides an indication only and does not imply full coverage.

Key Skills Units / ABBE Level 4 Diploma in Air-conditioning Energy Assessment
Unit 1 / Unit 2 / Unit 3 / Unit 4
Communication Level 4 / Y / Y / Y / Y
Application of Number Level 4 / Y / Y / Y
Information Technology Level 4 / Y / Y / Y
Working with Others Level 4 / Y / Y / Y
Improving own Learning and Performance Level 4 / Y / Y / Y / Y
Problem Solving Level 4 / Y / Y / Y

SECTION 2EVIDENCE

2.1Achieving the units

The total evidence requirements for each unit of this qualification are identified within the relevant unit specification and Section 7. Four air-conditioning assessments form a fundamentalpart of this Award and it is expected that the award requirements are met by the submission of evidence generated from within the work-place.

Please refer to each unit for the list of evidence that is intended to satisfy therequirements of the unit. It is the responsibility of assessment centres to confirm that allair-conditioning energy assessments submitted are valid and the original, and unaided work of candidates. Centres should assess them fully to establish that they meet the award requirements to the extent that ABBE has specified in this handbook.

Please note that Unit 1 is common to other ABBE Energy Assessment Awards, and candidates who have achieved any of these qualifications at either Level 3 or Level 4 will not be required to satisfy this unit again. Please see section 2.6 which relates to the accreditation of prior achievement.

2.2Amount of Evidence

The ABBE Level 4DipACEA has been designed to enable assessment centres to ensure that candidates have sufficient occupational competence to practise as Air-conditioning energy assessors. Candidates are, therefore, expected to be able to submit valid evidence derived, as far as possible, from the workplace to enable the assessment centres and ABBE to verify their competence.