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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Identify and evaluate the properties of building materials.
  2. Ensure suitable building materials are selected for application.
  3. Supervise the acceptance, safe handling and storage of materials on site.

Required Skills

Required skills

Required skills for this unit are

analysis and report preparation

application of safe work practices and materials handling

apply numeracy skills to workplace requirements

communication skills to

enable clear and direct communication using questioning to identify and confirm requirements share information listen and understand

communicate with manufacturers and suppliers of materials

provide advice and information to regulatory authorities

read and interpret

contracts

drawings and specifications

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

use and interpret nonverbal communication

development and management of standardised processes

supervision of small teams

Required knowledge

Required knowledge for this unit is

alternative materials that can be specified in construction projects

building and construction materials and technologies

Building Code of Australia Class and and Class to with a gross floor area not exceeding square metres but not including Type A or Type B construction

construction supply processes

construction and contracting equipment and its use

environmental effects on various building and construction materials

relevant state or territory building and construction codes standards and regulations

testing procedures for construction materials

workplace safety requirements

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed by the effective supervision and application of quality standards to the identification selection and storage of the range of relevant construction materials in the range statement

This unit of competency can be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment provided that simulated or projectbased assessment techniques fully replicate construction workplace conditions materials activities responsibilities and procedures

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to

identify suitable building and construction materials specified by the project or contract

use effective verbal and written communication with manufacturers and suppliers of materials

effectively and efficiently test materials to maintain quality standards on site

maintain effective sampling and recordkeeping processes

safely handle and store materials

comply with organisational and legislative requirements

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices safety requirements and environmental constraints

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an offsite context

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards requirements

Resource implications for assessment include

documentation that should normally be available in either a building or construction office

relevant codes standards and regulations

office equipment including calculators photocopiers and telephone systems

computers with appropriate software to view D CAD drawings run costing programs and print copies

a technical reference library with current publications on measurement design building construction and manufacturers product literature

a suitable work area appropriate to the construction process

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources and the provision of appropriate assessment support

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction Plumbing and Services Training Package

include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application

reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles

confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the persons demonstrated ability and applied knowledge

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct indirect and supplementary evidence

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed

Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties such as existing supervisors team leaders or specialist training staff


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Materials commonly used in low rise buildings include:

cements

ceramics

concrete

engineered timber products

flooring

framing

glass

masonry units

mortars

paints and coatings

plasterboard

plasterglass

roofing

structural steel.

Low rise buildings are described within the BCA as:

Class 1 and 10

Class 2 to 9 with a gross floor area not exceeding 2000 square metres, not including Type A or Type B construction.

Material suitability is identified by a range of processes, including:

analysing reports, manufacturer specifications or other reference material regarding the suitability of new and environmentally efficient and sustainable building material technologies with reference to the BCA requirements

arranging industry standard, external quality tests or inspections and provision of results as necessary

arranging relevant, industry standard, on-site quality tests for products to be used in low rise buildings

referencing external reports and manufacturer specifications

refusing to accept substandard or out of specification materials

seeking expert appraisal from relevant industry professionals, including architects, designers and engineers.

Selected includes:

arranging for expert advice as necessary to confirm or refute material options

identifying materials from specifications and drawings

identifying specifications and standards described in contract documents

selecting and ordering materials that meet those requirements.

Materials are handled correctly and safely by:

allocation of space for on-site storage of materials

confirming products or materials are as ordered and signing off delivery documentation

ensuring safe unloading and handling of construction materials

ensuring safe use of hazardous materials and complying with statutory or regulatory requirements

ensuring correct materials are delivered to correct site

providing adequate on-site security of materials

undertaking quality checks within the competence of the individual.