Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to assess the construction of domestic scale buildings and those of a similar loading, construction and size, such as small industrial, commercial or public buildings.

It includes evaluation and identification of appropriate construction methods, and identification of required standards and services according to relevant legislation, design and maintenance specifications.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency supports the attainment of the understanding and skills to assess the construction of domestic scale buildings, including the demonstration of research, analysis, evaluation and reporting skills within the context of relevant legislation, the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and Australian standards.

Prerequisite units 

Nil

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Research for compliance with building and planning legislation.

1.1. Compliance with building and construction planning legislation is investigated, interpreted and communicated to others throughout design and construction of the building project for planning and preparation  purposes.

1.2. Planning and construction effects of the BCA and construction requirements of relevant Australian standards are researched and documented following construction principles for domestic scale buildings .

1.3. Effects of state or territory, local government and service supply authorities' legislation, including reporting systems  on design and construction are researched and documented.

1.4. Methods of foundation assessment and classification are identified and evaluated.

1.5. Effects of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) regarding access for people with a disability are researched and documented.

2. Record all relevant planning and construction information.

2.1. Building planning and construction information is determined and recorded using appropriate industry terminology and symbols.

2.2. Salient features of a site, sufficient for the preparation of design and construction documents, are recorded on the plan.

3. Investigate and evaluate a site for establishment, preparation and excavation requirements.

3.1. Salient features of a building site and methods of soil investigation, assessment and clarification are appraised and recorded on documents available to site services.

3.2. Principles and practices of site establishment and different types and uses of builders' plant and equipment are identified and evaluated.

4. Determine trade sequencing.

4.1. Trade sequencing appropriate to the different forms of residential construction are identified and evaluated.

4.2. Structural systems commonly used in domestic scale buildings are described and sketched.

4.3. Types and principles of construction relevant to the domestic design and construction are identified and evaluated according to relevant legislation , including BCA, and construction standards and practices.

5. Evaluate and apply cyclone-resistant construction to buildings.

5.1. Cyclone category areas and code specification are defined.

5.2. Terrain categories and their application to cyclone design are defined.

5.3. Methods of 'tie down' construction are identified from BCA.

5.4. Applications of structural bracing principles are identified in specifications.

5.5. Alternative approaches of construction in cyclone areas are evaluated in accordance with BCA.

6. Evaluate construction standards and practices.

6.1. Standards and practices for claddings, linings, finishes and coatings associated with domestic scale buildings are identified and evaluated.

6.2. Construction standards and practices of window, door and joinery fabrication and installation are identified and evaluated.

6.3. Basic principles and integration of building services into the building are identified and evaluated.

6.4. Structural principles of loads, forces, stresses and strains applied in the design and construction of single storey domestic scale buildings are identified and evaluated.

6.5. Types , principles , standards and practices  for the installation of the services in single and two storey residential dwellings are identified and evaluated.

6.6. Types, principles, construction standards and practices relating to domestic stair construction, balustrading and handrails are identified and evaluated.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

Required skills for this unit are:

• ability to respond to change and contribute to workplace responsibilities, such as current work site environmental and sustainability frameworks or management systems
• communication skills to:

• communicate effects of planning and construction legislation to others
• enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand
• read and interpret:

• BCA
• legislation
• reports
• specifications
• standards
• working drawings

• use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences
• use and interpret non-verbal communication
• written skills to:

• document effects of legislation and standards
• draft evaluation of own actions to make judgements about performance and necessary improvements
• record planning and construction information

• numeracy skills to interpret complex mathematical information
• planning and organisational skills to collect, organise and analyse information
• technological skills to:

• complete documentation and calculations
• enable information gathering and analysis.

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge for this unit is:

• access requirements for people with a disability and requirements of the DDA with regard to access
• authorities and powers of a building surveyor
• codes of conduct and ethics
• design and construction principles of buildings
• nature of materials and effect on performance
• processes for the administration and preparation of documentation
• processes for the interpretation of reports, working drawings and specifications
• relevant federal, state or territory legislation and local government policy and procedures
• research methods
• terminology, definitions and hazard identification.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, provided that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate construction workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to:

• comply with OHS regulations applicable to workplace operations
• apply organisational management policies and procedures, including quality assurance requirements where appropriate
• apply the principles of construction, standards and services, and design and maintenance specifications; associated reporting of data, findings, recommendations and strategies for at least one domestic scale building project or equivalent in compliance with relevant legislation
• provide reports to appropriate body/individual as determined by the project brief.
• apply strategic plans, workplace policies and procedures.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

• an induction procedure and requirement
• realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the mandatory task requirements
• relevant specifications and work instructions
• tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices
• support materials appropriate to activity
• workplace instructions relating to safe work practices and addressing hazards and emergencies
• material safety data sheets
• research resources, including industry related systems information.

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment 

Assessment methods must:

• satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package
• include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application
• reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles
• confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

• competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
• where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge
• all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Planning and preparation  include:

• assessment of conditions and hazards
• determination of work requirements
• identification of any equipment defects
• safety plans and policies
• work site inspection.

Construction principles for domestic scale buildings  include:

• evaluation and identification of construction methods, standards and services in compliance with relevant legislation, design specifications, maintenance specifications
• domestic scale building projects requiring the application of principles of construction include provision of site access/facilities, work schedules, project milestones and the calculation and processing of application or inspection fees.

Reporting systems  in accordance with organisational, legislative and quality assurance procedures include:

• desk-based assessment
• site-based assessment.

Relevant legislation  includes:

• that relevant to domestic scale buildings (or those similar in characteristics in terms of loading, construction and size and may include small industrial, commercial and public buildings).

Types , principles , standards and practices  for standard construction include:

• communication systems
• cupboard joinery and finishes
• damp proof courses
• electricity
• flashings
• floor, wall and ceiling finishes and coatings
• floor, wall and ceiling linings, including fire-rated systems and acoustic system installations
• footing systems
• gas
• heating and cooling systems
• mechanical ventilation
• membranes
• mouldings
• openings (floors, walls, ceilings and roofs)
• paving
• roof water plumbing and drainage
• sarking and insulations
• sewerage plumbing and drainage
• structural floor systems
• structural roof systems
• structural wall systems
• surface drainage
• telephone
• termite control
• timber and aluminium-framed windows and doors
• wall and floor cladding
• wet area floor detailing.

Unit sector 

Construction

Co-requisite units 

Nil

Functional area