CPCCBS6012
Conduct and report on initial construction inspections of residential buildings up to three storeys


Application

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to inspect for compliance the site preparation, foundations, footings and framing of class 1 and 10 buildings and structures, as defined in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and up to three storeys and not more than 2000 square metres in floor area.

The unit supports the work of private or municipal building surveyors or certifiers who conduct mandated inspections of class 1 and 10 buildings and structures at the following initial stages of construction:

site preparation, foundations and footings

framing.

It applies to planning and conducting inspections, reporting on issues of non-compliance, and preparing certificates of compliance according to legislative and regulatory requirements.

The certificate of compliance for each stage must be completed and processed before the next stage of construction may commence.

The building surveyor or certifier must be satisfied that remedial work required in cases of non-compliance is understood by the building contractor and completed within required timeframes. This involves developing and maintaining professional and cooperative relationships with building contractors throughout a highly regulated process.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit in some States. Relevant state and territory regulatory authorities should be consulted to confirm those requirements.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1.

Plan and prepare to inspect site preparation and foundations and footings.

1.1.

Site classification is determined according to BCA definitions and compliance requirements for site preparation, foundations and footings are identified and interpreted.

1.2.

Approved building design drawings and specifications are interpreted and variations from deemed-to-satisfy provisions for compliance are confirmed with senior personnel or statutory authority.

1.3.

Inspections are scheduled according to project and legislative and regulatory requirements, and stakeholders are notified as required.

1.4.

Missed inspections are recorded and reported according to legislative and regulatory requirements.

1.5.

Work health and safety (WHS) requirements for inspections of site preparation, foundations and footings are identified.

2.

Inspect and report on site preparation, foundations and footings.

2.1.

Site preparation, foundations and footings are surveyed according to project, statutory and WHS requirements.

2.2.

Features of site preparation, foundations and footings are assessed against compliance requirements, approved drawings, and discussed with on-site personnel as required.

2.3.

Inspections undertaken to ensure compliance with waterproofing are validated and documented.

2.4.

Details of non-compliant features are documented and reported according to workplace procedures and legislative and regulatory requirements.

2.5.

Non-compliant features are discussed with relevant contractors and work required to remedy non-compliance is negotiated according to scope of personal responsibilities.

2.6.

Timeframe for remedial action and rescheduled inspection is negotiated according to scope of personal responsibilities, and contractor’s failure to comply is reported according to legislative and regulatory requirements if required.

2.7.

Certificate of compliance for foundations and footings is prepared and processed according to legislative and regulatory requirements and scope of personal responsibilities.

3.

Plan and prepare to inspect framing.

3.1.

Climate zone is determined according to BCA definitions and compliance requirements for sub-floor ventilation are identified and interpreted.

3.2.

Yield-stress of steel frame material is determined and compliance requirements for steel framing and structural steel members are identified and interpreted.

3.3.

Extreme weather events for the area are determined and compliance requirements for timber framing are identified and interpreted.

3.4.

Approved building design drawings and specifications are interpreted and variations from deemed-to-satisfy provisions for compliance are confirmed with senior personnel or statutory authority.

3.5.

Inspection is scheduled according to project and legislative and regulatory requirements, and stakeholders are notified as required.

3.6.

Missed inspections are recorded and reported according to legislative and regulatory requirements.

3.7.

WHS requirements for inspections of framing are identified.

4.

Inspect and report on framing.

4.1.

Framing is inspected according to project, statutory and WHS requirements.

4.2.

Features of framing are assessed against compliance requirements and approved drawings, and discussed with on-site personnel as required.

4.3.

Details of non-compliant features are documented and reported according to workplace procedures and legislative and regulatory requirements.

4.4.

Non-compliant features of framing are discussed with relevant contractors and work required to remedy non-compliance is negotiated according to scope of personal responsibilities.

4.5.

Timeframe for remedial action and rescheduled inspection is negotiated according to scope of personal responsibilities, and contractor’s failure to comply is reported according to legislative and regulatory requirements if required.

4.6.

Certificate of compliance for framing is prepared and processed according to legislative and regulatory requirements and scope of personal responsibilities.

5.

Plan and prepare to inspect wet areas.

5.1.

Wall and substrate construction methods and materials are identified.

5.2.

Compliance requirements for waterproofing are identified and interpreted.

5.3.

Approved building design drawings and specifications are interpreted and variations from deemed-to-satisfy provisions for compliance are confirmed with senior personnel or statutory authority.

5.4.

Inspection is scheduled according to project and legislative and regulatory requirements, and stakeholders are notified as required.

5.5.

Missed inspections are recorded and reported according to legislative and regulatory requirements.

5.6.

WHS requirements for inspections of wet areas are identified.

6.

Inspect and report on wet areas.

6.1.

Wet areas are inspected according to project, statutory and WHS requirements.

6.2.

Waterproofing installation is assessed against manufacturer specifications, compliance requirements and approved drawings and discussed with on-site personnel as required.

6.3.

Details of non-compliant features are documented and reported according to workplace procedures and legislative and regulatory requirements.

6.4.

Non-compliant features of wet areas are discussed with relevant contractors and work required to remedy non-compliance is negotiated according to scope of personal responsibilities.

6.5.

Timeframe for remedial action and rescheduled inspection is negotiated according to scope of personal responsibilities, and contractor’s failure to comply is reported according to legislative and regulatory requirements if required.

6.6.

Certificate of compliance for wet areas is prepared and processed according to legislative and regulatory requirements and scope of personal responsibilities.

Foundation Skills

This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria.

Skill

Performance feature

Learning skills to:

independently access and interpret a range of complex technical information relating to compliance requirements for features of foundations, footings and framing for class 1 and 10 buildings and structures, including specific requirements for particular geographic and climatic areas and different planning schemes and codes.

Numeracy skills to:

extract and interpret a range of mathematical information contained in technical documentation relating to foundations, footings and framing of class 1 and 10 buildings and structures

measure and calculate dimensions, including bearer spans, floor areas and sub-floor clearances.

Oral communication skills to:

use communication style and technical construction vocabulary to develop and maintain cooperative and professional relationship with building contractors and exchange technical information

monitor the effectiveness of interactions with on-site personnel when negotiating remedial work and adjust communication style to facilitate a positive outcome.

Reading skills to:

use different reading strategies to locate specific compliance requirements in a range of resources, including the BCA

understand technical texts with complex structures, specialised vocabulary, acronyms and diagrams specific to plans and compliance requirements for features of foundations, footings and framing for class 1 and 10 buildings.

Writing skills to:

integrate and document information gathered from a range of sources, including on-site inspections and communications with builders

use accurately-spelled technical vocabulary specific to compliance of features of foundations, footing and framing when compiling detailed non-compliance reports.


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.

Site classification must include:

advice from relevant authority or experts, especially where site classification is not defined by the BCA

determination of soil type, including arrangements for soil testing as required

identification of soil properties and characteristics and effects on site stability, including potential for:

collapsing soil

ground movement due to moisture change

land slips

mine subsidence

soil erosion.

Compliance requirements for site preparation, foundations and footings must include:

AS2870 Residential slabs and footings

BCA:

deemed-to-satisfy specifications

performance requirements for alternative solutions

building control legislation and regulations

requirements for concrete, steel or timber stumps specified in:

AS3600 Concrete structures

AS4100 Steel structures

AS1684 Timber framing code

requirements for stormwater drainage and connections to street gutter and easements

requirements relating to:

excavations

filling under concrete slabs

pest risk management

requirements specified by relevant authority or experts.

Compliance requirements for sub-floor ventilation must include:

AS1684 Timber framing code

BCA:

deemed-to-satisfy specifications

performance requirements for alternative solutions

building control legislation and regulations

requirements specified by relevant authority or experts.

Compliance requirements for steel framing and structural steel members must include:

AS4100 Steel structures

AS/NZS4600 Cold-formed steel structures

BCA:

deemed-to-satisfy specifications

performance requirements for alternative solutions

building control legislation and regulations

corrosion protection requirements

National Association of Steel-Framed Housing (NASH) standards

service penetration requirements

requirements specified by relevant authority or experts.

Compliance requirements for timber framing must include:

AS1684 Timber framing code

BCA:

deemed-to-satisfy specifications

performance requirements for alternative solutions

building control legislation and regulations

requirements specified by relevant authority or experts

requirements in high wind areas

specific requirements for use in conjunction with:

concrete floors

steel members

timber species scheduled for structural use.

Compliance requirements for waterproofing must include:

AS3740 Waterproofing of wet areas within residential buildings

BCA:

deemed-to-satisfy specifications

performance requirements for alternative solutions

building control legislation and regulations

requirements specified by relevant authority or experts.


Sectors

Construction


Competency Field

Building surveying