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.

Review project brief and determine requirements.

1.1.

Project brief is reviewed and information relating to work requirements, BCA class, and type of building to be researched is identified.

1.2.

Requirements for research are confirmed, as required, with architect or building designer.

1.3.

Compliance requirements  relevant to project building class and type and research scope are identified.

2.

Research materials and methods for structural elements of specified building.

2.1.

Features  and applications of materials used for structural elements  are researched and evaluated.

2.2.

Compliance requirements for materials used for structural elements  are researched and interpreted.

2.3.

Construction methods and systems for structural elements  are researched and evaluated.

3.

Research materials and methods for building envelope of specified building.

3.1.

Characteristics and applications of materials used for building envelope  are researched and evaluated.

3.2.

Construction methods for building envelope and their compliance requirements are researched and interpreted.

4.

Research systems and components for services of specified building.

4.1.

Features of systems and components for services  are evaluated for costs and benefits according to client requirements for the building project.

4.2.

Compliance requirements for services are researched and interpreted.

4.3.

Installation methods for services are researched in relation to different types of systems and components.

5.

Document and maintain research findings.

5.1.

Draft research findings with collated data, recommendations and supporting evidence are produced.

5.2.

Input into draft research findings is sought according to agreed procedures.

5.3.

Research findings are finalised and distributed to appropriate stakeholders.

5.4.

Research findings are updated as required.

Skill 

Performance feature 

Learning skills to:

• evaluate the validity and reliability of information relating to existing and emerging building materials and methods
• independently navigate and find specific information in the National Construction Code (NCC)
• use systems for ordering, classifying and storing familiar reference materials and research information for easy retrieval.

Numeracy skills to:

• extract and interpret numerical information relating to building materials and methods, including:

• fractions, decimals and percentages, ratio, rates and proportions
• routine formulas and building design mathematical representations and conventions
• two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes, including compound shapes
• statistical data in complex tables, spreadsheets and graphs

• measure, estimate and calculate in order to recommend cost-effective solutions for building design projects.

Oral communication skills to:

• listen to and clarify instructions and information relating to building materials and methods received from architect, building designer or manufacturer
• consider audience when arguing for or against specific building materials and methods being used in a building project
• respond to specific enquiries regarding own research findings, and clarify as necessary.

Reading skills to:

• use different reading strategies to locate at times complex information about material characteristics and construction methods
• understand specialised NCC terminology.

Writing skills to:

• record data about building materials in text, table and diagram format
• integrate information and ideas from a range of sources and document associated recommendations, using support materials such as photographs, diagrams and graphs.

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.

Compliance requirements  must include:

• ccurrent Australian standards applicable to the building design
• federal, state or territory, and local authority legislation and regulations applicable to the building design
• NCC.

Features  must include:

• acoustic properties
• aesthetic properties
• availability
• cost
• defects
• durability
• energy efficiency
• fire resistance properties
• health and safety issues
• interaction with other materials
• limitations due to manufacturing process
• maintenance requirements
• structural safety
• sustainability features
• thermal properties
• tolerance.

Applications of materials used for structural elements  must include:

• coatings required
• compatibility with other elements
• fixings required
• structural application
• substructural application
• use in specific construction methods or systems.

Materials used for structural elements  must include three or more of the following:

• existing and emerging materials
• bricks
• clay
• composite materials
• concrete
• glass
• glass blocks
• metals
• stone
• timber and timber products.

Structural elements  must include:

• footings
• floors
• slabs
• walls
• roofs.

Materials used for building envelope  must include three or more of the following:

• existing and emerging materials
• bricks
• clay
• composite materials
• concrete
• glass
• glass blocks
• metals
• stone
• timber and timber products.

Services  must include:

• energy
• fire suppression
• heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
• telecommunications
• water