Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to provide high level, accurate advice on renovations to achieve optimum access to existing buildings. This advice is based on the classification of a building as prescribed in the Building Code of Australia (BCA), and can be required in situations where access compliance can be achieved, as well as where access compliance cannot be achieved due to pre-existing conditions.
The unit supports the provision of advice on access issues to inform decision making by certifying authorities. It applies to access consultants who provide advice to clients who may be building owners and managers, building designers, builders and developers, and building certifiers; and who work in close consultation with other professionals in the building industry.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit of competency at the time of endorsement.
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. | Identify areas of building that require modification to achieve access. | 1.1. | Project brief is reviewed and project requirements and arrangements are identified and confirmed according to organisational requirements. |
1.2. | Classification of building to be renovated is determined according to the BCA. | ||
1.3. | BCA requirements for access to class of building to be renovated are determined. | ||
1.4. | Areas of building that require modification to achieve access required by building legislation, standards and codes are identified. | ||
1.5. | Required renovation options for non-compliant areas and non-compliant elements to achieve a compliant level of access are determined. | ||
2. | Provide advice to client on renovation process to achieve compliant access. | 2.1. | Required steps in renovation process for achieving compliant access are determined. |
2.2. | Processes to be undertaken to renovate building spaces and elements to achieve compliance are determined. | ||
2.3. | Proposed renovation process is discussed with client and extent to which compliant access can be achieved is explained. | ||
3. | Identify areas of the building where pre-existing conditions prevent compliant access. | 3.1. | Non-compliant areas and elements unable to be modified due to pre-existing conditions are identified and documented. |
3.2. | Advice is sought where required to assist in identifying and analysing unknown elements relating to construction plans, access requirements and disabilities. | ||
3.3. | Advice is provided on renovation options for upgrade where pre-existing conditions prevent modification to full compliance. | ||
4. | Prepare and finalise building renovations access report. | 4.1. | Building renovations access report is prepared for client according to contractual arrangements and organisational requirements. |
4.2. | Draft building renovations access report is reviewed with required persons according to organisational requirements. | ||
4.3. | Feedback received from review process is incorporated and access report is completed. | ||
5. | Distribute and store building renovations access report. | 5.1. | Building renovations access report and associated documentation are prepared according to organisational arrangements. |
5.2. | Report and associated documentation are forwarded to client according to contractual arrangements. | ||
5.3. | Copy of report and associated documentation is recorded and retained according to organisational and legislative requirements. |
Evidence of Performance
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 provide access advice on the renovation of two different classes of buildings for different clients, ensuring that:
each set of advice is provided in a building renovations access report that complies with legislative and regulatory requirements and fulfils contractual arrangements
the class of each building is as prescribed in the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
One of the above building renovations must have pre-existing conditions that mean that access compliance cannot be achieved.
In preparing each of the above building renovations access reports, the person must:
accurately assess the method of the building’s construction
apply organisational policies and procedures, including quality assurance requirements
use research skills for interpreting building plans and specifications, working drawings, and other related documentation
use measurement tools correctly and record collected data accurately
interpret manufacturer specifications and advise on their suitability for providing practical access
use effective consultation skills with key stakeholders to elicit information.
In providing access advice in each of the above building renovations access reports, the person must:
interpret and apply legislative and regulatory requirements relating to disability access and evaluate the provision of access in relation to those requirements
interpret the impacts of the full range of disabilities and the limitations that each disability places on the individual’s ability to access the building
interpret how the full range of environmental barriers impacts on people with a range of disabilities and impairments
apply and adhere to work health and safety (WHS) regulations, policies and processes applicable to workplace operations
use business equipment effectively to prepare and present reports in required format
provide final version report and documentation of supporting evidence for advice given within required timeframe and according to organisational requirements.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
key requirements of commonwealth, state and territory legislation, local government regulations, and Australian standards specified in the range of conditions
disability awareness to inform building renovations access report, including:
range of disabilities to be considered when providing building renovations access advice
disability-specific physical barriers to access
disability-specific minimum requirements for enhancing accessibility
design and construction principles of buildings
performance features of building materials
organisational requirements for providing access advice, including:
access and equity policy, principles and practices
client service standards
code of conduct and code of ethics
client privacy and confidentiality requirements
communication channels and reporting procedures
communication of services offered
complaint and dispute resolution procedures
compliance with applicable legislation, codes and standards
compliance with applicable legal policies and guidelines relating to the provision of access advice
policies and procedures relating to own role, responsibilities and delegation
procedures for writing and recording building renovations access reports, including required:
content
format, style, and structure
presentation
quality assurance requirements
records and information management systems and processes
limitations of own work role, responsibility and professional abilities with regard to above building renovations access reports
processes for interpreting reports, working drawings and specifications relating to building renovations access
building industry terminology required to provide access advice on building renovations
terminology and definitions in hazard identification
WHS procedures relating to provision of advice, including procedures for:
identifying hazards and controlling risks associated with work
selecting and using required personal protective equipment (PPE).
Assessment Conditions
The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:
equipment, including:
PPE required for specific project and building
computer and software to access, retrieve, store and distribute building renovations access report documentation
specifications:
legislation, standards and codes specified in the range of conditions
relationships with clients, including:
building owners and managers
building designers
builders and developers
building certifiers.
Timeframe:
in line with timeframe established in contractual arrangements for providing access advice on building renovation.
Assessor requirements
As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) current at the time of assessment.
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: | maintain knowledge of current legislation, codes, standards, regulations, practices and industry updates relating to access advice. |
Numeracy skills to: | evaluate calculations, measurements, and building design and dimensions against access requirements and provision. |
Oral communication skills to: | consult with clients and colleagues and explain information on issues relating to the provision of access, demonstrating: command of language to elicit and clarify information in a clear and accessible manner communication techniques suited to individual stakeholder convey knowledge and ideas through oral and visual means. |
Reading skills to: | interpret a range of complex texts and data to inform access advice, including: plans and specifications manufacturer product specifications legislation, standards and codes relating to the provision of access read and understand instructions relating to work health and safety (WHS) and the use of equipment, tools and personal protective equipment (PPE). |
Writing skills to: | write access reports that: provide advice specific to client requirements and class of building meet organisational standards of style, format and accuracy. |
Initiative and enterprise skills to: | provide access advice in a sensitive and professional manner facilitate change for greater awareness of disability access. |
Planning and organising skills to: | meet contractual obligations within designated timeframes. |
Problem-solving skills to: | evaluate provision of access in relation to legislative and regulatory requirements and prepare advice on building renovations based on analysis of options available to provide adequate access develop appropriate strategies for addressing areas of access non-compliance apply disability awareness to work processes. |
Teamwork skills to: | work effectively with a range of people from diverse backgrounds. |
Digital literacy skills to: | apply information technology and computer skills to prepare working documentation and 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. | |
Project requirements and arrangements must include: | clarifying client and organisational requirements establishing contractual arrangements establishing site access arrangements, where required. |
Building legislation, standards and codes must include: | anti-discrimination legislation Australian standards, including AS1428.2 Design for access and mobility - Enhanced and additional requirements - Buildings and facilities BCA Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) DDA Premises Standards DDA Transport Standards local government building regulations state and territory building legislation WHS legislation. |
Required persons must include: | another member of building renovations access team business partner or colleague. |
Sectors
Access consulting