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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Research materials and methods for structural elements in relation to different types of small-scale commercial and industrial building design projects.
  2. Research materials and methods for building envelope relating to different types of small-scale commercial and industrial building design projects.
  3. Research systems and components for services.

Range Statement

This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.

Characteristics of materialsmust include:

acoustic properties

aesthetic properties

durability

fire resistance properties

health and safety issues

interaction with other materials

structural safety

thermal properties

four or more of the following:

availability

cost

defects

limitations due to manufacturing process

sustainability features, such as energy efficiency

tolerance

transport, storage and handling requirements.

Applications of materials used for structural elements must include:

aesthetic properties

coatings required

compatibility with other elements

fixings required

structural application

substructural application

use in specific construction methods or systems.

Materials used for structural elements must include:

bricks

clay

composite materials

concrete

glass, including glass blocks

masonry

metals

new and emerging materials

stone

timber and timber products.

Structural elements must include:

floors

footings

roof structures and roofing

slabs

walls.

Research must include:

consultation with three or more of the following:

builders

clients

manufacturers

representatives of regulatory authorities

suppliers

data analysis and comparison, including:

manufacturer specifications

performance test information

literature review, including peer assessments

online research.

Compliance requirements must include:

Australian standards referenced in the National Construction Code (NCC)

NCC

legislation relating to construction materials and methods, including:

town planning

state or territory building regulations

work health and safety (WHS)

environmental

heritage

performance requirements specified by clients

quality standards specified by clients.

Applications of materials used forbuilding envelope must include:

cladding

flashing

lining

roofing

waterproofing.

Materials used for building envelope must include:

composite materials

glass

masonry

metal

new and emerging materials

plaster and plasterboard

slate

terracotta

timber and timber products.

Services must include:

alternative energy sources, including solar

electricity

environmentally sustainable design (ESD) energy systems

fire suppression

gas, including:

natural gas

liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)

heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)

telecommunications

water.

Performance Evidence

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy the requirements of the elements, performance criteria, foundation skills and range of conditions of this unit.

The person must also develop a body of current research findings suitable for application to three projects (except construction Type A buildings), each of a maximum area of 2000 square metres and involving different classes of commercial buildings as defined in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) section of the National Construction Code (NCC), consisting of:

one project incorporating Classes 2, 5, 6 and 7a

one project incorporating Class 3 or 9c (aged care facility)

one project incorporating Classes 7b and 8.

In doing the above, the person must:

evaluate characteristics and applications of materials suitable for structural elements and building envelope

evaluate construction methods and systems applicable to structural elements and building envelope

evaluate components and systems for services, including:

compliance requirements

installation methods

systematically document and store research findings.

Knowledge Evidence

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:

building designers’ duty of care to ensure quality and safety of designs

structural engineering principles sufficient to interpret and apply the requirements of the NCC

compliance requirements, including:

Australian standards applicable to construction materials and methods

NCC requirements

environmental and sustainability requirements, including:

energy efficiency

fire resistance, including resistance to bushfire attack

legislation applicable to construction materials and methods

hazards of construction materials and methods

organisational scope of business and client demographics, including:

geographic areas of operation

trends in clients’ design preferences

types of building design projects that form the core business of the organisation

sources of reliable information on past, current and emerging uses of construction materials and methods

sustainable construction materials and methods.