An occupational qualification standard is a document which describes the set of skills, knowledge and attitudes, i.e. competence requirements, needed to successfully accomplish duties.
The occupational qualification standard of Refrigeration Mechanic, Level 4 forms the basis for the preparation o...f training programmes and occupational training curricula that meet the requirements of the labour market, as well as the basis of competence assessment. MoreHide
Refrigeration mechanics install and maintain systems containing refrigerants in order to create an artificial climate in trade, transport, housing, industry, etc. The work of a refrigeration mechanic includes locksmith, electrical and automation work.
Refrigeration Mechanic, Level 4 installs, maint...ains, operates and adjusts a variety of refrigeration equipment and systems containing complex refrigerants. They check for system leaks in both open and unopened cold circuits and collect refrigerant, regardless of the amount.
They work as a member of a team or independently in situations where there is a need to instigate and apply appropriate amendments and to supervise inexperienced colleagues.
In their work, the refrigeration mechanic takes into account the properties of refrigerants and refrigeration compressor oils, as well as refrigeration systems and their operational safety.
The profession also includes the following occupational qualification standards:
Refrigeration Mechanic, Level 3; and
Refrigeration Site Manager, Level 5. MoreHide
A.2 Work units
A.2.1 Installation of refrigeration equipment and systems
1. Installing utility lines.
2. Connecting and installing refrigerant pipes.
3. Installing factory-assembled equipment.
4. Installing equipment made from refrigeration components.
A.2.2 Maintenance and operation of refrigeration equipm...ent and systems
1. Regulating equipment.
2. Testing equipment.
3. Servicing equipment.
4. Detecting and repairing faults in equipment.
5. Activating, regulating and adjusting equipment.
A.2.3 Leakage testing of cooling systems by opening cooling circuit
1. Testing cooling circuit.
2. Conducting procedures after testing.
A.2.4 Leakage testing of cooling systems without opening cooling circuit
1. Testing cooling circuit.
2. Conducting procedures after testing.
A.2.5 Refrigerant collection
1. Collecting refrigerant from cooling system.
2. Conducting procedures after collection. MoreHide
A.3 Work environment and specific nature of work
Work takes place both indoors and outdoors. Work can also take place at heights. Noise, vibration, dust and temperature fluctuations may occur. Exposure to live equipment and substances that may cause allergic reactions is possible, requiring strict compliance with occupational safety requirements, ...the use of personal protective equipment and the wearing of special clothing, where necessary. Safety requirements in the use of devices and equipment (including tools) must be observed. MoreHide
A.4 Tools
The main tools are electrical or mechanical manual and specialty tools and measuring devices (testers, ammeters, etc.).
A.5 Personal qualities required for work: abilities and characteristics
The work requires physical endurance, precise and coordinated movements, normal vision and hearing and a willingness to work at heights. Successful work is supported by continuous self-development, consistency, emotional stability and the ability to work in a team, concentrate, adapt and analyse.
A.6 Professional preparation
The professional skills of Refrigeration Mechanic, Level 4 are acquired at a vocational education institution and in the course of professional work or in training and in the course of professional work.
A.7 Most common occupational titles
Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic, ship’s refrigeration mechanic, etc.
A.8 Regulations governing profession
According to European Commission Regulation (EU) No 2015/2067, an occupational qualification certificate corresponding to the category I activities specified in the regulation is required for positions related to the installation, maintenance, service, leakage control and gas collection of equipment... containing greenhouse gases.
Conformity with category I operations of Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/2067 must be confirmed with a certificate from the register of occupational qualifications.
In addition, all persons applying for the qualification set out in the various occupational qualification standards must have completed environmental training that includes Estonian and European and legislation governing the environmental impact of substances and the handling of substances (F-gases and ODSs).
Electricity and operations work is usually done under the guidance of an expert in the field of electrical engineering. If the refrigeration mechanic has a valid A, B, B1 or C certificate of competency for electricity, they may do the relevant work in electrical installations upon the decision of their employer according to the rights and competencies afforded by the certificate.
It is mandatory to undergo and pass a medical check-up, complete occupational safety training and training on work involving an open flame and possess the corresponding certificates. MoreHide
B Competency Requirements
B.1 Structure of occupation
Competency Requirements:
Competences B.2.1-B.2.6 must be certified when applying for the qualification of Refrigeration Mechanic, Level 4.
B.2 Competences
Mandatory competences
Competence
EstQF Level
B.2.1
Installation of refrigeration equipment and systems
4
View competence
Performance indicators:
1. installs, connects and disconnects pipes as an integrated system on the basis of the installation documentation provided and using the main pipe connection methods (except for making permanent joints for steel pipes);
2. assembles cables and performs cabling work in accordance with the cabling instructions;
3. connects the pipes by soldering or screw coupling, ensuring that the refrigerant is leak-proof;
4. attaches the pipes to the correct locations following the installation instructions;
5. reads and understands the technical documentation of the device and acts accordingly;
6. prepares for the connecting of equipment to utility lines;
7. installs the device in its location in accordance with the installation instructions and the terms of reference;
8. connects the device to utility lines.
9. fills and activates equipment containing refrigerant, without any limit on the amount of refrigerant;
10. installs components according to technical documentation.
Knowledge:
1) material-dependent methods of pipe connection;
2) types and uses of cables;
3) fire safety requirements;
4) basic principles of the operation of refrigeration components.
5) basic knowledge of the materials used for the mechanical installation of the refrigeration system (pipes, insulation, components, etc.) and connection methods;
6) basic knowledge of the materials used in the electrical installation of the refrigeration system (cables, cable ladders, earthing and equipotential bonding, protection, switching accessories, control controllers, etc.) and connection methods;
7) main refrigeration components and their connection methods;
8) special types of equipment and their areas of use;
9) materials used in the profession, compatibility of materials;
10) fundamentals of electrical engineering, automation and electronics;
11) applications of Ohm's law.
Assessment method(s):
Exam and test job
B.2.2
Maintenance and operation of refrigeration equipment and systems
4
View competence
Performance indicators:
1. regulates protection, regulation and control automation for the operation of a single integrated refrigeration system;
2. checks the system's settings according to the maintenance and operating instructions;
3. cleans the device according to the factory instructions;
4. checks the setting parameters, amends the settings where necessary and checks the operation of the equipment;
5. determines equipment defects using measuring instruments;
6. using mechanical skills, repairs or replaces components and parts according to factory instructions and analogues;
7. vacuums the device to remove air and moisture;
8. tests and configures the device;
9. adjusts the components of the refrigeration system to ensure its correct operation;
10. monitors the operation of the device during certain periods/intervals;
11. tests the pressure of the device to check its holding and strength;
12. fills the device with refrigerant;
13. documents the results of the work (recording the details in the maintenance book).
Knowledge:
1) potential leaks in a refrigeration system;
2) types and uses of cleaning products;
3) principles of inspection and maintenance;
4) multi-stage refrigeration systems.
5) construction and areas of use of system components;
6) mechanics.
Assessment method(s):
Exam and test job
B.2.3
Leakage testing of cooling systems by opening cooling circuit
4
View competence
Performance indicators:
1. visually and manually checks that the newly installed system is leak-proof by compressing the inert gas in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 1516/2007;
2. checks for leaks in the refrigeration system using direct and indirect methods, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1516/2007 and the system manual; performs a follow-up inspection of the system after corrective actions;
3. registers all problems that have arisen and data from maintenance and repair work in the manner prescribed;
4. when a leak is detected, repairs and adjusts the refrigeration system and performs a follow-up inspection.
Knowledge:
1) potential leaks in a refrigeration system;
2) leakage control methods.
Assessment method(s):
Exam and test job
B.2.4
Leakage testing of cooling systems without opening cooling circuit
3
View competence
Performance indicators:
1. visually and manually inspects a refrigeration system for leaks in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 1516/2007;
2. checks that the system is leak-proof using direct and indirect methods without opening the cooling circuit, in compliance with Regulation (EC) No 1516/2007 and the system manual;
3. uses an appropriate electronic leak detection device;
4. records the results of the leak inspection in the prescribed manner;
5. reports any detected faults and follows emergency instructions.
Knowledge:
1) potential leaks in a refrigeration system;
2) leakage control methods.
Assessment method(s):
Exam and test job
B.2.5
Refrigerant collection
3
View competence
Performance indicators:
1. empties containers and fills containers with refrigerant in both liquid and gaseous states;
2. collects refrigerants from a refrigeration circuit or containers using collection equipment and ensuring minimum losses;
3. removes refrigerant oil from the system;
4. selects the weight type suitable for the amount of refrigerant and weighs the collected refrigerant;
5. marks and stores containers in the prescribed manner.
Knowledge:
1) operating principles and use of the collection device;
2) the procedure for handling refrigerant (including contaminated refrigerants and oils);
3) specific physical and chemical properties of the most common refrigerants (toxicity, fire hazard, density, vapour pressure, etc.);
4) health and fire safety requirements related to the handling of refrigerants.
Assessment method(s):
Exam and test job
Optional Competences
Competence
Sisaldab Euroopa Komisjoni määruse (EL) nr 2015/2067 I kategooriale vastavaid kutseoskusi.
Määruse mõistes teha lubatud toimingud on kantud kutseregistri õiendile.
Recurring competences
Competence
EstQF Level
B.2.6
Recurring competences of Refrigeration Mechanic, Level 4
4
View competence
Performance indicators:
1. reads and understands the technical documentation of the device and acts accordingly;
2. measures and fixes parameters with the help of measuring devices;
3. handles the basic tools and instruments of the profession;
4. focuses on clients and works in a way that is financially efficient, with their work result meeting all quality requirements;
5. supervises and advises less experienced employees;
6. follows all occupational health and safety, environmental protection and electrical safety requirements in every stage of their work;
7. navigates legislation in the field of refrigerant and pressure equipment;
8. is proficient in the use of the most common word-processing and spreadsheet programmes and the documentation programmes based thereon.
Knowledge:
1) occupational terminology, symbols used in electrical drawings, basic and derived electrical units of the SI system and conversion and reference calculations;
2) legislation related to the profession;
3) the principles of thermodynamics;
4) rules of customer service;
5) basics of providing first aid;
6) safety requirements in the use of tools and resources;
7) waste management;
8) fundamentals of mathematics;
9) basics of electrical engineering (applications of the Ohm and Kirchhoff laws in direct and alternating current circuits, principles and uses of electrical machines and equipment);
10) basics of automation (sensor classification);
11) properties and use of electrical materials (conductors, insulators and semiconductor materials);
12) electronic components and circuits.
13) safety requirements in the use of devices and equipment (including tools);
14) classification and use of manual and specialist tools and mechanisms;
15) the environmental impact of refrigerants and related environmental legislation;
16) appropriate technologies to replace or reduce the use of fluorinated greenhouse gases and their safe management.
Assessment method(s):
Recurring competences are evaluated as part of the assessment of the other competences listed in the occupational qualification standard.
C General information and Annexes
Designation of occupational qualification standard in register:
07-17112016-3.2/7k
Field of occupational activity:
Energy, Mining and Chemical Industry
Occupational Qualification Council:
Energy, Mining and Chemical Industry
No. of decision of Occupational Qualification Council:
3
Date of decision of Occupational Qualification Council:
17.11.2016
EstQF level:
4
Reference to European Qualifications Framework (EQF):
International Standard Classification of Occupations:
7 Craft and Related Trades Workers71 Building and Related Trades Workers (excluding Electricians)712 Building Finishers and Related Trades Workers7127 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics
ISCED Fields of Education and Training (ISCED-F 2013):
07 Engineering, manufacturing and construction071 Engineering and engineering trades0713 Electricity and energy
Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community (NACE):
C MANUFACTURING33 Repair and installation of machinery and equipment
