Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to research compliance requirements in different locations that apply to small-scale commercial and industrial building design projects covered by the Building Code of Australia (BCA), except construction Type A buildings.
The unit supports research into local, state and federal government legislation and policies relating to planning and the environment, including zoning and analysis of requirements in relation to client preferences and prospective design proposals.
It applies to building designers who analyse and explain compliance requirements for small-scale commercial and industrial building design projects, including factories, motels, offices, restaurants, retail and service outlets, and warehouses.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit of competency 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. | Research requirements of applicable legislation. | 1.1. | Legislation affecting compliance of designs for different types of small-scale commercial and industrial building design projects is researched and variations in requirements are interpreted and noted. |
1.2. | Legislation affecting compliance of designs for different project locations and conditions is researched and variations in requirements are interpreted and noted. | ||
1.3. | Research is recorded, filed and regularly updated according to workplace procedures. | ||
2. | Research requirements of applicable codes and standards. | 2.1. | Codes and standards relating to different types of commercial and industrial building design projects are researched and variations in requirements are interpreted and noted. |
2.2. | Codes and standards relating to different project locations and conditions are researched and variations in requirements are interpreted and noted. | ||
2.3. | Research is recorded, filed and regularly updated according to workplace procedures. | ||
3. | Analyse compliance requirements. | 3.1. | Ambiguous or conflicting compliance requirements are clarified with nominated professionals. |
3.2. | Compliance requirements that affect client preferences are identified and communicated to client. | ||
3.3. | Constraints placed on design options by compliance requirements are identified and innovative solutions proposed. | ||
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 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 and industrial 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
Each of the above projects must be in a different climatic, geographic or planning zone.
In doing the above, the person must:
analyse compliance requirements in relation to the three different types of projects, different locations and conditions
systematically document and store research findings
communicate with clients regarding compliance conflicts and constraints affecting design preferences, including proposing innovative solutions.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
building designers’ duty of care to ensure quality and safety of designs
compliance requirements relating to small-scale commercial and industrial building design projects, including:
Australian standards
NCC requirements
environmental and sustainability requirements, including:
energy efficiency
fire resistance, including resistance to bushfire attack
legislative requirements
regulatory limitations
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 compliance requirements.
Assessment Conditions
The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:
equipment:
computer with internet access and:
building information modelling (BIM)-capable building design software
business software currently used in drafting, architectural and building design practice
telephone
materials:
technical reports
contingencies:
implications of non-compliance
implications of preparing and submitting to planning authority insufficient or inaccurate documentation
specifications:
NCC and Australian standards
legislation, regulations, codes and other compliance documentation relating to each building design project specified in the performance evidence
project brief for the three building classes and types specified in the performance evidence
relationship with client:
liaison with the client is required.
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: | identify reliable sources of information on compliance requirements plan and arrange professional development activities to update own knowledge base. |
Numeracy skills to: | interpret numerical data in compliance requirements. |
Oral communication skills to: | develop relationships, interact and exchange information with clients, colleagues and contacts. |
Reading skills to: | interpret and apply complex information, including legislation, regulations, codes and standards. |
Writing skills to: | maintain records of research findings, including notes on complex technical information prepare reports on compliance requirements for clients using suitable language. |
Initiative and enterprise skills to: | develop innovative design solutions that meet compliance requirements and budget constraints. |
Planning and organising skills to: | manage documents manage time, including planning and prioritising work. |
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. | |
Legislation must include: | legislation and regulations relating to: building conservation construction materials and methods energy environment heritage work health and safety (WHS) planning water local authority planning schemes industry-specific requirements relating to building use. |
Project locations must include: | jurisdictions of two or more different: countries local authorities States and Territories areas with these two specific conditions: bushfire threat zone cyclone zone one or more of the following: coastal area flood zone mountainous area rural area snow zone. |
Conditions must include: | natural waterways protected flora and fauna. |
Codes and standards must include: | Australian standards National Construction Code (NCC) codes and standards applicable: at project locations in particular conditions. |
Sectors
Building design