© Commonwealth of Australia 2012
Design and size heated and cold water services and systems
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
National Plumbing Services Training Advisory Group
Plumbing Industry Commission Victoria
© Commonwealth of Australia 2015
Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council
PO Box 151
Belconnen ACT 2616
Tel: 02 6253 0002
www.cpsisc.com.au
This work is copyright, but permission is given to trainers and teachers to make copies and contextualise the resources for use within their own training organisation or in a workplace where training is being conducted. This permission does not extend to making copies for use outside the immediate training environment for which they are made, or the making of copies for hire or resale to third parties.
The work was first published in 2006 with the assistance of funding provided by the Commonwealth Government, through the then Department of Education Science and Training (DEST). The 2015 publication has been updated to reflect changes to the national units of competency.
The views expressed in this work do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth of Australia or CPSISC. In addition, the Commonwealth of Australia and CPSISC do not give warranty or accept any legal liability in relation to the content of this work.
The website addresses and other contact information provided in this publication were compiled in good faith and were correct at the time of printing.
The updating of these resources was completed by:
National Plumbing and Services Training Advisory Group, with funding and support provided by the Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council (CPSISC):
This guide was developed in consultation with representatives of the Plumbing Industry by NPSTAG and CPSISC to support the implementation of the CPC08 Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package.
Acknowledgements
Project reference committee: National Plumbing Services Training Advisory Group
Writer: Ivan Filsell
Technical editor: Adrian Clarke and Lyle Kelson
Instructional designer: Marian Jaquiery
Graphic artist: Laura Bito
Word processor: Melissa Rogers
Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1
Before you begin 5
1. Planning your work 9
1.1 Planning issues 10
1.2 Tools and equipment 12
1.3 Working with others 12
1.4 Workplace requirements 13
1.5 WHS and PPE 14
1.6 Environmental issues 14
2. Water supply systems 16
2.1 Types of water systems 16
2.2 Water system temperature guidelines 17
2.3 Materials 19
3. Sizing water services/systems 21
3.1 Sizing procedure for external pipework for a water service 21
3.2 External pipe sizing procedure summary 24
3.3 Sizing procedure for internal pipework for a water service 25
3.4 Internal pipe sizing procedures summary 26
3.5 Cross connection and backflow 27
3.6 Pipework installation 29
4. Cold water supply service 31
4.1 Options 31
5. Hot water systems 33
5.1 Types of hot water systems 33
5.2 Hot water systems and energy sources 36
5.3 Insulation in hot water systems 37
5.4 Hot water systems for multiple dwellings 40
5.5 Hot water systems for commercial and industrial applications 41
5.6 Pipe sizing for mains pressure hot water systems 46
6. Warm water systems 47
6.1 The need for warm water systems 47
6.2 Methods for providing warm water 48
6.3 Regulatory requirements for warm water systems 52
7. Planning fire systems 53
7.1 Fire system terminology 53
7.2 Types of fire systems 54
7.3 Fire brigade booster connection 57
7.4 Fire hydrant pipework installation 59
7.5 Testing and commissioning fire hydrants 64
7.6 Hose reel installation 65
8. Flush valve system 70
8.1 Types 70
8.2 Flush valve connected to the drinking water 70
8.3 Flush valve supplied from a break tank 71
9. Restoring work area 73
9.1 Documentation 73
9.2 Site clean-up and restoration 73
Final assessment activity 74
Before you begin
Welcome
Welcome to the learning resource for the unit CPCPWT4011B Design and size heated and cold water services and systems. This resource will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to demonstrate competence in this unit.
A learning resource such as this is not intended to be the only source of information you use to develop skills and knowledge in the unit it relates to. Your trainer, instructor or supervisor will provide you with additional information and information sources throughout your training.
Flexible delivery
Your trainer, instructor or supervisor for the unit may adapt and deliver this learning resource as required to suit people from a range of backgrounds and in diverse learning environments (such as rural and isolated settings). This will assist in meeting equity principles and conforming to legislative policies.
How to use this resource
This resource addresses the underpinning knowledge and skill development required to help you plan, size and document the layout of hot and cold water services and systems for multi-floor buildings. It contains:
· information on planning, sizing and documenting the layout of hot and cold water services
· activities designed to encourage you to check and confirm your learning along the way and to help you complete the final assessment
· a summary of the final task or tasks you must complete to be assessed as competent in this unit. Your assessor will give you additional specific detail required for your final assessment activity in line with state and territory regulations and industry requirements.
The resource has been developed for use in a variety of ways. Your trainer, instructor or supervisor will advise on how best to use it during your training, which may include:
· teacher-centred, class-based study
· home-based, self-directed study
· activities in the workplace.
To complete the unit CPCPWT4011B Design and size heated and cold water services and systems you may be required to:
· read the information in this resource
· complete the resource activities as directed and submit your answers for review or discussion with your trainer, instructor or supervisor
· work with your trainer, instructor or supervisor to practise planning, sizing and documenting the layout of hot and cold water services
· read the final assessment summary together with any additional assessment information your assessor provides
· complete the final assessment.
Your assessment in this unit
It is important to note that the role of the assessor in assessing units of competence is quite separate from the role of trainer, instructor or supervisor. Your assessor for this unit may or may not be the same person as the trainer, instructor or supervisor who worked with you during your training. However, your assessment must always meet the requirements of the unit. You will find references to trainers, instructors or supervisors and assessors throughout this resource depending on the context.
Assessment in this unit will require you to demonstrate the skills and knowledge needed to carry out work based risk control processes. Table 1 on page 3 suggests the variety of assessment methods that may be used to assess your competence in this unit. In many instances, your assessment may involve a combination of methods to ensure the validity, reliability, flexibility and fairness of the process. If you have any questions about your assessment please discuss them with your assessor who will decide with you the specific details of what you will do. An assessor may develop specific assessment strategies to meet the particular requirements of learners from diverse backgrounds.
This unit may be assessed in conjunction with assessment for other units of competence. In such a case assessment might be based on a task or tasks related to a project that more closely resembles workplace activities. An appropriate unit for such project-based assessment might be one that naturally forms part of your workplace responsibilities and roles. Your assessor will decide if you are to be assessed in this way and will advise you.
Assessment methods
QS / Questioning oral/written / Assessor will ask a range of questions from a moderated bank of questions that support the underpinning skills and knowledge required to achieve competency in this unit. Questions may be answered in written or oral form.
WN / Written notes / Learner will complete written notes, activities or student resource materials to support the achievement of underpinning knowledge required to achieve competency in this unit.
TB / Test bank / Learner will complete computer test bank assessment which supports the underpinning skills and knowledge required to achieve competency in this unit.
PO / Practical observation / Assessor will observe the learner completing practical task(s) that meet the assessment criteria to the required specification in the workplace.
DM / Demonstration / Assessor will observe the learner completing practical task(s) that meet the assessment criteria to the required specification in a simulated work environment.
CS / Case study/project / Learner will complete workplace-based projects or case study reports to support the underpinning skills and knowledge required to achieve competency in this unit.
LB / Logbook / Learner will provide evidence of practical work and/or assessment tasks completed at the workplace via personal logbook.
3P / Third party report / Assessor will seek report from learner’s workplace employer, supervisor or other approved party on the performance of a learner in the workplace against assessment task criteria and requirements of the unit.
WD / Workplace documents / Learner will provide copies of workplace documents to support the underpinning skills and knowledge required to achieve competency in this unit.
Table 1 – Assessment methods
Prerequisite units
There are no prerequisite units for this unit.
Additional resources
The following resources have been suggested that may help you undertake training and assessment in this unit. Your trainer, instructor or supervisor may also recommend specific books, videos and DVD’s.
NoteStandards, websites and codes of practice change so it is important to keep up to date. Make sure you always have the most recent edition of the standards applicable to your current job. You should also obtain relevant manufacturer information.
Texts
· Building Code of Australia
· Plumbing Code of Australia
· AS/NZS 3500 – Plumbing and drainage
· AS2419 - Fire hydrant installation
· AS2441 - Installation of fire hose reels
· AS/NZS1221 - Fire hose reels
Websites
Video or audio resources
1. Planning your work
Water supply to buildings is a complex task because buildings are as variable as are the requirements of the end user. Buildings may vary from single storey domestic to multi-storey commercial complexes. The water supply may include hot and cold water, warm water at a constant temperature, a flush valve system and a hydrant/hose reel system. The water required by these systems may come from a range of sources such as a reticulated town supply or from rainwater storage tanks. Other variables that must be catered for are a range of available water pressures and changes in volume due to rises or falls in temperature.
This resource provides you with information on identifying the job requirements, planning the work, sizing and documenting the layout of hot and cold water supply in multi-level buildings up to a height of ten floors.
The key to any successful project is good preparation, accurate identification of the job requirements, proper sequencing of activities and effective completion of the job. As the plumber engaged to plan hot and cold water systems you need to research information, source equipment and calculate sizes and quantities of materials. The procedure can be summarised in the following steps:
· identify the job requirements
· plan the work sequence
· plan the system layout
· complete the documentation
· complete end of job procedures.
Before you can plan your work you need to know who you will be working for and who will be supplying the contract documents. You could be:
· working directly with the client
· working for a contractor
· sub-contracting
· working with an architect or engineer
· working for a local water authority or council
· other.
Having established who you are working for and obtaining the contract documents you can proceed to plan you work.
1.1 Planning issues
The following table provides a summary of the planning issues you may need to consider prior to preparing the water system layout for a residential building of six floors. This list is not exhaustive. There may be other issues that you need to consider for specific projects.
Planning issues / Ask these questions before you prepare a system layoutProject specifications / · Who will supply the job specification and drawings?
· Who will supply the building specifications and drawings?
· What types of appliances are to be used?
· Is power required for appliances?
· How much potable or non-potable water is required?
· How many fixtures are required? Location?
· Have installation requirements been specified, and are variations possible? Have alternatives been investigated?
· What are the filtration and/or backflow prevention requirements?
· What system will best suit the specifications?
· What type of pipe will best supply the correct flows/pressures?
Planning issues / Ask these questions before you prepare a system layout
Site details / · What are the surrounding site conditions (concrete, asphalt, gardens etc)?
· What physical measurements need to be taken?
· What type of water supply and pressures are available?
· How will the water be supplied to the specific areas?
· Can a site visit be arranged?
· What on-site or off-site parking is available?
Documentation / · Have copies of relevant regulatory requirements been obtained?
· Have details of the latest product information and specifications been obtained?
· Have all available updated plans and specifications for the project been obtained?
Working with others / Contact others you may have to work with such as the local council, project manager, relevant water authority, product supplier/manufacture and those involved in other trades related to the project.
Site office / · Will I have a planning area on site or will I have to create a suitable space?
· Will I be required to plan away from the site?
Resource requirements / · What are my staffing requirements?
· Will l have computer access?
· Do I require planning software/ computer programs?
· What tools and equipment are required for the planning task?
· What tools and equipment will be required for installation?
Planning issues / Ask these questions before you prepare a system layout
WHS / · Do I need a site induction?
· Do I need a card or other entry permit?
· What are the potential hazards and risks on site?
· Have I completed a safe work method statement/JSA?
· What PPE will be required for the job and to work on the site?
1.2 Tools and equipment