This unit of competency supports the attainment of the understanding and skills to undertake research, analysis, evaluation and reporting for the assessment of construction faults, determination of rectification and alternative building methods, within the context of relevant legislation, the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and Australian standards.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify and analyse construction faults arising on residential building sites.

1.1. Information to identify and analyse construction faults is collected relating to the specific construction problem.

1.2. Construction problem in construction in residential buildings is identified relative to original specifications and form of construction.

1.3. Construction problem is communicated to appropriate personnel and documented in accordance with standard work practices.

1.4. Problem solving techniques are used and typical construction faults and problems for building categories are identified and action to rectify is deemed to be in accordance with the BCA.

2. Identify construction techniques, methods and materials.

2.1. Building terminology is used accurately in the communication of issues.

2.2. Existing or designed construction problems are identified and evaluated from working drawings and specifications.

2.3. Alternative methods and materials to meet construction aims and objectives are prepared to specification nominated in the BCA and Australian standards.

2.4. Detailed sketches of available alternative methods and materials available to meet the construction aims and objectives are prepared to specification.

3. Resolve construction faults using alternative construction methods.

3.1. Suitable construction methods from available alternative solutions are evaluated and recommended to resolve the problem in accordance with project aims and objectives, the BCA, relevant State and Territory Appendix to the BCA and Australian standard.

3.2. Selected method is integrated into the project in order to resolve the construction problems in accordance with project aims.

3.3. Evaluation of available alternative forms of construction is carried out in accordance with project aims.

4. Resolve common on-site faults with building materials.

4.1. Commonly occurring on-site problems with building materials and their causes are evaluated.

4.2. Corrective and preventative measures are identified and implemented.

Required skills

Required skills for this unit are:

ability to respond to change and contribute to workplace responsibilities, such as current work site environmental and sustainability frameworks or management systems

communication skills to:

communicate construction problems to appropriate personnel

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

read and interpret:

Australian standards

BCA

legislation

reports

specifications

working drawings

use and interpret non-verbal communication

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

use accurate terminology

written skills to document construction problems and solutions and recommendations to resolve problems

numeracy skills to calculate workplace requirements

planning and organisational skills to collect, organise and analyse information

technological skills to:

complete documentation and calculations

enable information gathering and analysis.

Required knowledge

Required knowledge for this unit is:

authorities and powers of a building surveyor

design and construction principles of buildings

nature of materials and effect on performance

processes for the administration and preparation of documentation

processes for the interpretation of reports, working drawings and specifications

relevant federal, state or territory legislation and local government policy and procedures

research methods.

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 in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, provided that simulated or project-based 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:

comply with OHS regulations applicable to workplace operations

apply organisational management policies and procedures, including quality assurance requirements where appropriate

assess construction faults in residential buildings, determine rectification strategy and consider alternative construction methods, as well as the associated reporting of data, findings, recommendations and strategies for at least one residential building project or equivalent in compliance with relevant legislation

provide reports to appropriate body/individual as determined by the project brief.

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 off-site context.

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

an induction procedure and requirement

realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the mandatory task requirements

relevant specifications and work instructions

tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices

support materials appropriate to activity

workplace instructions relating to safe work practices and addressing hazards and emergencies

material safety data sheets

research resources, including industry related systems information.

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 person's 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.

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.

Construction in residential buildings includes:

evaluation and identification of construction faults and determination of alternative methods, standards and services in compliance with relevant legislation, design specifications, maintenance specifications and adherence to legislative requirements for BCA Class 1 and 10 buildings.

Forms of construction include:

autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC)

earth (mud brick and rammed earth)

pole-framed

steel-framed

timber-framed.

Construction faults include:

installation

refurbishing

renovation

restoration.

Building categories include:

low-rise residential buildings

single storey buildings.

Australian standards include:

AS1288 Installation of glass in buildings

AS1684 Residential timber framed construction

AS2050 Fixing of roof tiles

AS2180 Metal rainwater goods, selection and installation

AS2208 Safety glazing materials for use in buildings

AS2627.1 Thermal insulation of roof/ceilings and walls in dwellings

AS2870.1 Residential slabs and footings

AS3500 National plumbing code

AS3600 Concrete structures

AS3623 Domestic metal framing

AS3660 Protection of buildings from subterranean termites

AS3700 Masonry

AS3740: 2004 Waterproofing of wet areas in residential buildings

AS4349 Inspection of buildings.

Unit sector

Construction

Nil

This unit contains employability skills.