Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to research compliance requirements that apply to large scale and complex building design projects in a range of locations. It involves researching local, state and federal government legislation and policies relating to planning and the environment, including zoning, and interpreting these requirements in relation to client preferences and prospective design proposals.
The unit supports building design projects involving 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, alterations and additions, and conversions of residential, commercial, industrial or public buildings. The unit applies to building designers who analyse and explain compliance requirements 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. | Research requirements of legislation applicable to large and complex building projects. | 1.1. | Legislation affecting compliance of designs for different types of large and complex building 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 codes and standards applicable to large and complex building projects. | 2.1. | Codes and standards relating to different types of 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 impact of alternative solutions on project development. | 3.1. | Deemed-to-satisfy (DTS) and alternative solutions are compared and evaluated to assess relative strengths and weaknesses. |
3.2. | Expert opinion regarding the compliance requirements of alternative solutions is sought to inform decision making. | ||
4. | Analyse compliance requirements. | 4.1. | Ambiguous or conflicting compliance requirements are clarified with relevant professionals. |
4.2. | Compliance requirements that affect client preferences are identified and communicated to client. | ||
4.3. | Constraints placed on design options by compliance requirements are identified and innovative solutions are 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 provide evidence of construction Type A building compliance requirements being researched and documented and met for:
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:
develop a body of current research findings suitable for identifying and applying compliance with codes, standards and planning requirements for construction Type A building design projects
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 Type A building design projects, including:
Australian standards
Building Code of Australia (BCA) deemed-to-satisfy (DTS) requirements
BCA alternative solutions requirements, including:
Australian standards
techniques for carbon dioxide reduction, including specification of materials, glue and paint
energy efficiency
fire resistance levels
Building Acts
town planning and other planning body requirements
legislation
regulatory limitations
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 to assist in interpreting 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
working drawings and plans
contingencies:
implications of non-compliance
specifications:
BCA 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 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 to research 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 clients, consultants and design professionals and contacts using language suitable for different types of audience. |
Reading skills to: | interpret complex information, including legislation, regulations, codes and standards. |
Writing skills to: | report information on compliance requirements to clients in plain English. |
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, regulations and local by-laws relating to: conservation construction materials and methods energy environment heritage work health and safety (WHS) planning water local authority planning schemes. |
Project locations must include: | jurisdictions of two different: countries local authorities States and Territories the following 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 NCC Building Acts codes and standards applicable: at project locations in particular conditions. |
Expert opinion | access consultant acoustics engineer or professional bushfire management professional construction contractor civil engineer energy efficiency expert fire systems designer or engineer health and safety expert hydraulic engineer landscape designer lighting specialist mechanical services engineer plumbing and drainage professional quantity surveyor service contractor soil testing or geo-technical engineer or expert structural engineer surveyor. |
Sectors
Building design