Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to research and evaluate existing, new and emerging construction materials and methods for building design projects, including large and complex projects and construction Type A buildings.
The unit supports researching and evaluating construction materials and methods for projects that are of three storeys or more for Class 2, 3 and 9 buildings, and of four storeys or more for Class 5, 6, 7 and 8 buildings. Refer to the Building Code of Australia (BCA) section of the National Construction Code (NCC) to confirm current definitions. Large and complex building design projects may be new buildings, renovations, and conversions of residential, commercial, industrial or public buildings. The unit applies to building designers who recommend construction materials and methods to clients for building design projects for construction Type A buildings as defined in the BCA.
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. | Determine parameters for the building design project. | 1.1. | Client is consulted to determine key business requirements of proposed project that will impact on building materials and methods. |
1.2. | Size, breadth and complexity of the building project and the impact on building materials and methods are discussed and clarified with client and with planning authorities. | ||
1.3. | Impact of building site characteristics on potential materials and methods of construction is discussed and clarified with client, planning authorities and other project professionals. | ||
2. | Research alternative solutions. | 2.1. | BCA requirements for use of alternative and deemed-to-satisfy (DTS) solutions are researched and evaluated in relation to the development of design options for project. |
2.2. | Benefits and options for the use of alternative solutions in the development of designs are researched and evaluated. | ||
2.3. | Comparative analysis is undertaken of alternative and DTS design solutions. | ||
3. | Research materials and methods for structural elements. | 3.1. | Characteristics and applications of materials used for structural elements are researched and evaluated in relation to type of large and complex project. |
3.2. | Compliance requirements for materials used for structural elements are researched and interpreted. | ||
3.3. | Construction methods and systems for structural elements are researched and evaluated in relation to types of materials and methods for large and complex building design project. | ||
3.4. | Research is recorded, filed and regularly updated according to workplace procedures. | ||
4. | Research materials and methods for enclosures. | 4.1. | Characteristics and applications of materials used for enclosures are researched and evaluated. |
4.2. | Compliance requirements for materials used for enclosures | ||
4.3. | Construction methods and systems for enclosures are researched and evaluated. | ||
4.4. | Research is recorded, filed and regularly updated according to workplace procedures. | ||
5. | Research systems and components for services. | 5.1. | Components and systems for services are researched and evaluated. |
5.2. | Broad compliance requirements for services are researched and interpreted for different types of large and complex building design projects. | ||
5.3. | Installation methods for services are researched in relation to different types of components, systems and design projects. | ||
5.4. | Research is recorded, filed and regularly updated according to workplace procedures. |
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:
one building design project of three storeys or more for a Class 2, 3 or 9 building
one building design project of four storeys or more for a Class 5, 6, 7 or 8 building.
In doing the above, the person must:
evaluate characteristics and applications of materials for structural elements and building envelope
evaluate construction methods and systems applicable to structural elements and building envelope
evaluate components and systems for building services
systematically document and store research findings.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
compliance requirements relating to construction materials and methods for the projects specified in the performance evidence, including:
Australian standards
National Construction Code (NCC) deemed-to-satisfy (DTS) requirements for construction Type A buildings
NCC alternative solution requirements for construction Type A buildings
Building Acts
environmental and sustainability requirements, including:
Australian standards
techniques for carbon dioxide reduction, including specification of materials, glue and paint
energy efficiency
fire resistance levels
legislation
town planning and other planning body requirements
hazards of construction materials and methods
planning authority compliance requirements for the use of building materials and methods relating to large and complex buildings and including alternative solutions
organisational scope of business and client demographics, including:
geographic areas of operation
trends in client 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.
Assessment Conditions
The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:
equipment:
computer with internet access and business software currently in use in building design practices
materials:
documentation for the two projects specified in the performance evidence
specifications:
access to current building control legislation, regulations, codes and standards; and state, territory or local authority planning policies.
Timeframe:
according to project requirements.
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 about construction materials and methods for large and complex projects plan and arrange professional development activities to update own knowledge base. |
Numeracy skills to: | evaluate cost-effectiveness of construction materials and methods. |
Oral communication skills to: | interact with builders, manufacturers, architects, surveyors and structural engineers, representatives of regulatory authorities, and suppliers. |
Reading skills to: | interpret complex information to ensure compliance with BCA and related standards. |
Writing skills to: | prepare reports on comparative analysis of DTS and alternative solutions. |
Initiative and enterprise skills to: | evaluate alternative building materials and methods and recommend approaches. |
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. | |
Key business requirements of project must include: | characteristics and needs of occupants of proposed building cost constraints purpose for building development project, including whether the usage (classification) of the building is to be changed timeframe for project commencement and completion. |
Other project professionals must include at least three of the following: | access consultant acoustics engineer or professional bushfire management professional construction contractor civil engineer energy efficiency expert fire systems designer or engineer hydraulic engineer landscape designer lighting specialist mechanical services engineer work health and safety (WHS) expert plumbing and drainage professional quantity surveyor service contractor soil testing or geo-technical engineer or expert structural engineer surveyor. |
Characteristics of materials must include: | acoustic properties aesthetic properties availability carbon dioxide reduction, including materials, glues and paints cost defects durability fire resistance properties green roofs health and safety issues interaction with other materials limitations due to manufacturing process structural safety sustainability features, such as energy efficiency thermal properties 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. |
Compliance requirements must include: | Australian standards legislation NCC performance requirements specified by client quality standards specified by client. |
Materials used for structural elements must include: | bricks clay composite materials concrete glass masonry metals new and emerging materials stone tilt up concrete panels timber and timber products. |
Structural elements must include: | footings, including: concrete pad piles post and concrete strip floors, including: bearers and joists pier and beam slabs, including: raft suspended waffle walls, including: concrete frame post and beam solid masonry roofs, including: conventional truss. |
Applications of materials used for enclosures must include: | cladding flashing lining roofing waterproofing. |
Materials used for enclosures must include: | composite materials new and emerging materials plaster and plasterboard slate terracotta timber and timber products. |
Services must include: | electricity fire suppression gas heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) telecommunications water. |
Sectors
Building design