Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to assess the impact of construction materials, design elements and building condition on thermal performance of residential buildings. It includes selecting appropriate building materials for improving thermal performance, identifying the impact of the construction of key elements of the building envelope on thermal performance, and identifying the correct use and installation of building materials to improve thermal performance.
The unit supports the work of Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) assessors engaged in assessing the impact of building elements.
In some jurisdictions, this unit of competency may form part of the accreditation, licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements for NatHERS assessors.
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. | Assess influence of common construction materials on thermal performance of residential building. | 1.1. | Properties of construction materials that may influence thermal performance of building are identified. |
1.2. | Properties of glazing units that may influence the thermal performance of building are identified. | ||
1.3. | Ways in which the use of building materials may influence the thermal performance of building are identified. | ||
1.4. | Impact of climate on the choice of construction materials that improve the thermal performance of building is identified. | ||
1.5. | Ways in which physical constraints may influence the choice of building materials when improving the thermal performance of building are identified. | ||
1.6. | Construction materials are identified that meet requirements for improving the thermal performance of building. | ||
1.7. | Correct use and installation of materials to improve thermal performance are identified. | ||
1.8. | Condition of materials and the effect of condition on degrading thermal performance are identified. | ||
2. | Assess impact of building design features on thermal performance of residential building. | 2.1. | Building design features that influence the thermal performance of building are identified using correct industry and regulatory terminology. |
2.2. | Potential impact of building design features on thermal performance is identified. | ||
2.3. | Ways in which building design features may be altered to improve thermal performance of building are identified. | ||
3. | Assess impact of residential construction methods on thermal performance of residential building. | 3.1. | Residential construction methods are identified using correct industry terminology. |
3.2. | Potential impact of construction methods on thermal performance of building is identified. | ||
3.3. | Key components of the building envelope are identified using correct industry terminology. | ||
3.4. | Impact of the construction of the key features of the building envelope on thermal performance is identified. | ||
4. | Assess impact of common building defects on thermal performance of residential building. | 4.1. | Common building defects and poor construction techniques, as well as condition of building elements that may influence thermal performance of the building, are researched. |
4.2. | Sources of professional advice on ways of responding to common building defects that may influence the thermal performance of the building are identified. | ||
4.3. | Potential impact of poorly designed or installed measures for improving thermal performance on other aspects of building is researched. |
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 evaluate the impact of construction materials, design elements, key features of the building envelope, and construction condition on the thermal performance of two different residential buildings.
In doing the above, the person must:
assess the impact of:
building design and external elements on thermal performance of the residential buildings
residential construction methods on thermal performance
identify the impact of the construction of key elements of the building envelope on thermal performance
research non-standard building materials and techniques
identify potential impacts of thermal performance improvements on other health, safety, amenity and sustainability aspects of building performance.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
building construction materials, including types, correct industry terms, and sources of information on their thermal performance
building construction methods, including types, materials, benefits and limitations, and implication for thermal performance of structure
building features that impact on thermal performance
building design features that may influence the thermal performance of a building:
common walls
convection
eaves
floor type
glazing
insulation
landscaping
mass
materials
orientation
shading
siting
thermal mass
ventilation
windows
zoning and layout
types of building envelope components:
flooring
roof
wall
windows
building life cycle, and impact on energy use, costs and sustainability
building materials:
constraints on choice of building materials:
availability
compliance with codes, standards and legislation
cost
practicality
size
space
correct terminology for building materials
causes of and remedies for condensation
National Construction Code (NCC)
passive building design principles
properties of building materials that can influence thermal performance:
emissivity
R-value
reflectivity
solar absorptance
U-value
properties of glazing units that can influence thermal performance:
solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC)
U-value
visible light transmission (VLT).
Assessment Conditions
The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:
equipment:
computer equipment suitable for accessing online catalogues and references to source information on the thermal performance of construction materials
materials:
existing buildings and building materials
relevant codes, standards and government regulations
technical reference library with current publications on:
passive building design
thermal performance of building materials and construction methods
building thermal performance
house energy rating schemes (HERS)
common building features that impact on thermal performance
relationships with team members and supervisor:
assessment activities are performed on an individual basis under general supervision.
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 up-to-date knowledge of information on the impact of construction materials, methods and condition on the thermal performance of residential buildings. |
Numeracy skills to: | calculate and interpret statistical information on the thermal performance of different construction materials and methods. |
Oral communication skills to: | apply correct building industry terminology for construction materials and methods in discussions with clients and building industry tradespeople and professionals. |
Reading skills to: | read and interpret written sources of information on the thermal performance of construction materials. |
Technology skills to: | operate computer equipment and peripherals access online catalogues and references to source information on the thermal performance of construction materials. |
Writing skills to: | complete standard forms relating to accreditation of NatHERS assessors. use correct building industry terminology for construction materials and methods. |
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. | |
Properties of construction materials | emissivity R-value reflectivity solar absorptance U-value. |
Properties of glazing units | solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) U-value visible light transmission (VLT). |
Building design features | convection glazing insulation landscaping mass orientation shading ventilation zoning and layout. |
Key components of the building envelope | flooring roof walls windows. |
Sectors
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