Application

The unit of competency defines the knowledge and skills required to undertake work on refrigeration and air conditioning in a manner consistent with requirements of the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) for working with ozone depleting refrigerants. The unit’s focus is on compliance and awareness of global warming and the dangers of ozone depleting substances. The unit does not cover the technical skills required for typical refrigeration and air conditioning trade tasks such as installing, servicing, repair or decommissioning of equipment or the testing, recovering, evacuating or charging of refrigerants.

This unit should be selected in conjunction with relevant technical units if the learner intends to apply to the ARC for a Refrigerant Handling Licence – qualified persons (ARCTICK licence). Other MEM units are specified where a person intends to apply for other ARC licences, including those covering vehicle or split system related work.

A Refrigerant Handling Licence must be held by any person who carries out work in relation to refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.

What You'll Learn

Assessment Requirements

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least two (2) occasions and include at least one (1) instance of application on a system other than a self-contained low charge system:

following work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPS) and safe work practices

identifying and applying regulations, codes and standards relevant to handling and/or disposal of fluorocarbons in regards to:

removing refrigerant from a self-contained low charge system and store it in an external cylinder

pumping-down refrigerant from a non self-contained low charge system, including:

complying with code limits for receivers

ensuring auxiliary receivers are fitted and suitable

inspecting joints, seals, gaskets and flanges for traces of refrigerant oil and repairing as necessary

leak testing evaporator, heat exchanger, expansion valve, solenoid valve, and other components, including placing low pressure side into positive pressure before testing

using air purgers in negative pressure systems

fitting of gauge isolation valves

mounting compressors, including anti vibration mountings and mufflers

aligning shafts

tensioning compressor drive belts

evacuating a factory matched evaporator and condenser system

identifying coding and classification for at least six:

chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)

hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)

identifying flammable refrigerants and taking recommended actions as per fact sheets and Flammable Refrigerants Safety Guide published by The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning And Heating (AIRAH).

Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate the required knowledge for this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

safe work practices and procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling or working with refrigerants

operating principles of refrigeration systems

characteristics, properties and operating specifications of fluorocarbon refrigerants

consequences of releasing quantities of ozone depleting refrigerants into the atmosphere

ARC licensing criteria and regulations relating to handling fluorocarbon refrigerants

methods of identifying and labelling stored refrigerants and the type of refrigerant used in a refrigeration system

methods for recovery, storage and dispatch of fluorocarbon refrigerants to licensed reclamation facilities

mandatory and recommended procedures in regulations, codes and standards for self-contained and non self-contained refrigeration and air conditioning systems work, including:

leak testing

charging of systems

recovery/pump down of refrigerants

evacuation

minimising refrigerant content of lubricant oil

aligning shafts

tensioning compressor belts

cleaning contaminated systems

codes and standards for pipe joints and mountings

safe handling and storage procedures for refrigerant cylinders

rules and safe handling procedures for flammable refrigerants as published by AIRAH

causes of contamination in refrigeration and air conditioning systems and their effect on refrigeration system performance

relevant codes and regulations applying to fluorocarbon refrigeration and air conditioning systems not specifically mentioned above.

Assessment Conditions

Assessors must:

have vocational competency in refrigeration system maintenance at least to the level being assessed with relevant industry knowledge and experience

satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 or its replacement and comply with the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011, its replacement or equivalent legislation covering VET regulation in a non-referring state/territory as the case requires

Assessment should be co-assessed with one or more MEM HVAC/R trade units applying to work on systems other than a self-contained low charge system

Where possible assessment must occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment that reflects realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills

Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Foundation Skills

• text: 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.

Prerequisite Units

• {'code': 'MEM13015', 'title': 'Work safely and effectively in manufacturing and engineering'}
• {'code': 'MEM16006', 'title': 'Organise and communicate information'}

Parent Qualifications

• MEM40119 — Certificate IV in Engineering
  MEM

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