Application
This unit of competency covers evaluating materials and construction methods used on a site in order to determine their impact on the interior design brief. It involves identifying the features and implications associated with common structural techniques used for walls, ceilings and floors, and the materials used, plus a simple assessment of main services to determine suitability for design requirements.
Licensing, legislative or certification requirements may apply to this unit and relevant state/territory and local government agencies should be consulted to determine any necessary certification or licensing for undertaking interior decoration and design work. Access to construction sites requires certification of general induction training specified by the National Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work (ASCC 2007).
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Prepare for site evaluation | 1.1 | Applicable work health and safety (WHS), legislative and organisational requirements relevant to conducting site visits are verified and complied with |
1.2 | Scope of brief is reviewed and any available drawings accessed | ||
1.3 | Parameters for the project are assessed and confirmed | ||
1.4 | Site visit is arranged with client | ||
1.5 | Tools used to assist in site evaluation are prepared | ||
2 | Assess structural aspects of interior space | 2.1 | Wall construction and features are identified and suitability to design requirements are determined |
2.2 | Flooring construction and features are identified and suitability to design requirements are determined | ||
2.3 | Roof construction and features are identified and suitability to design requirements are determined | ||
2.4 | Other structures and their features are analysed to determine requirements to meet design brief | ||
2.5 | Changes required for structural aspects to meet design brief are identified and implications examined | ||
2.6 | Measurements are undertaken and recorded to inform budget calculations and design documentation | ||
2.7 | Costs associated with making structural changes are estimated | ||
3 | Assess materials used in interior space | 3.1 | Materials used in interior walls are identified and their features, applications and limitations assessed |
3.2 | Materials used in flooring are identified and their features, applications and limitations assessed | ||
3.3 | Finishes and other materials used are assessed and implications for design brief are identified | ||
3.4 | Properties of the materials used in structures are analysed and evaluated | ||
4 | Assess services | 4.1 | Plumbing, water and drainage features that may impact on design brief are identified and assessed |
4.2 | Features of electrical service are assessed to determine suitability for design requirements | ||
4.3 | Other services are assessed to determine suitability for design requirements | ||
5 | Conduct additional research to support site evaluation | 5.1 | Specialist professionals are consulted to verify or further determine outcomes relevant to design requirements |
5.2 | Building information, plans, drawings and materials data is accessed to gain additional information relevant to the project | ||
5.3 | New technologies are researched to determine relevance to project | ||
5.4 | Longevity and restorability quality of structures and materials are researched | ||
5.5 | Environmental considerations for project are identified and further information accessed to ensure currency of knowledge |
Evidence of Performance
Interpret work orders and locate and apply relevant information
Apply safe handling requirements for equipment, products and materials, including use of personal protective equipment
Identify materials used in the work process
Follow work instructions, operating procedures and inspection processes to:
minimise the risk of injury to self or others
prevent damage to goods, equipment and products
maintain required production output and product quality
Assess structural and non-structural elements of a site to determine implications for interior design and identify the features and implications of construction techniques
Use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly complete measurements, calculate area/volume and estimate material requirements
Communicate ideas and information to enable confirmation of work requirements and specifications, presentation of design/colour concepts, the reporting of work outcomes and problems
Access and apply the Building Code of Australia (BCA)
Resource information appropriate to interior construction
Evaluate a site and establish drawing requirements and document construction details in a range of scales, notation of materials, techniques and finishes
Initiate new ideas and work techniques from the evaluation as necessary
Avoid backtracking, work flow interruptions or wastage
Work with others and in a team by recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to optimise work flow and productivity
Evidence of Knowledge
State or territory WHS legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice relevant to the full range of processes for evaluating a site
Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for evaluating a site
Role of Australian Standards and the BCA
Elements and principles of design including liveability and accessibility
Characteristics of materials, products and defects
Procedures for documenting workplace records and information
Appropriate mathematical procedures for estimation and measurement
Environmental protection requirements
Established communication channels and protocols
Relevant problem identification and resolution techniques
Basic building and architectural terminology
Common structural and non-structural components of a residential building
Materials and methods involved in interior refurbishment
Local regulations and councils
Construction techniques/technologies
Statutory planning regulations affecting interior design
Subcontractor roles
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must:
hold training and assessment competencies as determined by the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC) or its successors
have vocational competency in the furnishing industry at least to the level being assessed with broad industry knowledge and experience, usually combined with a relevant industry qualification
be familiar with the current skills and knowledge used and have relevant, current experience in the furnishing industry.
Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time rather than a single assessment event and in a range of workplace relevant contexts.
Assessment must be by observation of relevant tasks with questioning on underpinning knowledge and, where applicable, multimedia evidence, supervisor’s reports, projects and work samples.
Assessment is to be conducted on single units of competency or in conjunction with other related units of competency. Foundation skills are integral to competent performance in the unit and should not be assessed separately.
Assessment must occur on the job or in a workplace simulated facility with relevant process, equipment, materials, work instructions and deadlines.
Access is required to materials, equipment and specifications relevant to assessing viability of structures for domestic properties.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. Detail on appropriate performance levels for each furnishing unit of competency in reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy utilising the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) are provided in the Furnishing Training Package Implementation Guide.
Range Statement
Specifies different 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. Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment. | |
Unit context includes: | WHS requirements, including legislation, building codes, material safety management systems, hazardous and dangerous goods codes, and local safe operating procedures or equivalent work is carried out in accordance with legislative obligations, environmental legislation, relevant health regulations, manual handling procedures, Liveable and Accessible Housing Design guidelines, and organisation insurance requirements work requires individual to demonstrate discretion, judgement and problem solving, plus self-management and learning skills |
Scope of brief includes: | aims objectives milestones for the project organisational or personal profiles target audience budget timeline consultation requirements colour requirements image requirements function |
Clients include: | suppliers manufacturers private clients colleagues retailers the public |
Parameters include: | scope of brief approval to make changes (legislative and planning) effect or feel trying to be achieved functionality (short and long term) budget restrictions established timelines |
Tools include: | measuring devices cameras colour charts note taking equipment |
Wall construction includes: | solid masonry stud frame load bearing non-load bearing bracing |
Flooring construction includes: | concrete slab timber steel under floor access |
Roof construction includes: | rafter and truss construction sheeted suspended underside of floor of level above |
Other structures include: | beams lintels columns |
Materials used in interior walls include: | timber (softwood and hardwood) concrete block brick concrete aerated concrete plasterboard fibrous cement products manufactured timber products metal acrylic sheeting laminate sheeting |
Materials used in flooring include: | concrete timber manufactured timber products hard floor finishes, including ceramic tiles and floating floor systems) soft floor coverings |
Other materials include: | building products of all types used for the manufacture of: beams columns windows doors railings finishing trims manufactured from: solid timber (native and imported) manufactured timber products plastic metal alloys stone glass fibreglass foam cardboard paper products any other manipulable substance |
Properties include: | principles of structural systems terminology modification capability compression tension shear bending twisting wind forces durability level of fire retardancy fibre make up composition material use finishes quality environmental sustainability ergonomics flammability maintenance requirements wear and tear construction methods |
Features of electrical service include: | approximate age of electrical distribution board number of circuits safety switches circuit breakers signs of rewiring position and number of power outlets position and number of lights data and communications cabling |
Other services include: | gas data communications air extraction air conditioning |
Specialist professionals include: | engineers plumbers electricians communications consultants licensed builders architects |
Longevity and restorability include: | an analysis of how long the material is expected to maintain its structure and colour, while maintaining quality of aesthetic value and how readily the material can be repaired or replaced |
Environmental considerations include: | design sustainability how the use of raw materials affects the ecology and environment and how its continued use will affect the area it has been sourced from energy consumption in achieving the material greenhouse gases created waste levels resource utilisation and transport effects what impact will be felt by reducing or stopping material from the source |
Personal protective equipment includes: | that prescribed under legislation, regulations and enterprise policies and practices |
Information and procedures include: | work instructions, including plans, drawings and designs workplace procedures relating to reporting and communication manufacturer specifications and operational procedures |
Sectors
Interior Decoration and Design