Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Need may include assessment for:
building design advice purposes
legislative, regulatory and compliance purposes.
Residential building refers to:
any building categorised as Class 1, 2, 4 and 10a of the National Construction Code or in accordance with jurisdictional requirements
part of building, including additions and alterations.
Client may include:
architect
builder
construction manager
government agency
owner
property developer.
Effective communication strategies may include:
active listening
being non-judgemental
exploring problems
expressing an individual perspective
providing sufficient time for questions and responses
providing summarising and reflective responses in conflict situations
using appropriate words, behaviour and posture
using clarifying and summarising questions
using clear and concise language
using culturally appropriate communication
using plain English
using verbal and non-verbal communication.
Risks may include:
awareness of current legislative and regulatory requirements
confidentiality
data accuracy
data integrity
data loss
insurance
privacy
professional indemnity
work health and safety.
Documentation may include:
building details
building drawings and specifications
checklists
client details
risk assessment
site details.
Information may include:
air leakage features:
fans
wall vents
attachments to other buildings externally
building sealing
construction materials
dimensions
electrical fittings:
ceiling fans
down lights
exhaust fans
floor coverings
glazing
insulation levels:
ceiling
floors
walls
orientation
overshadowing
shading
thermal mass
ventilation
windows:
coverings
size
style
type of frame
type of glass:
clear
tinted
zoning and layout.
Sources may include:
building appraisal and measurement
building plans and specifications
client
other building professionals.
Outputs may include:
cooling loads
heating loads
information on building properties
latent cooling
rating
temperature graphs.
Sources of technical advice may include:
architects
building designers
building thermal performance assessors
colleagues
consultants
government agencies
professional associations
research bodies
supervisors
suppliers of products relating to building thermal performance.
Assumptions may include:
climate data
comfort
material properties
occupancy profiles
thermostat settings
uses of windows, doors, curtains and blinds.
Options may include:
construction materials
glazing
insulation levels
landscaping and planting
orientation
overshadowing
passive heating and cooling
size
style
thermal mass
type of glazing
ventilation
window
zoning and layout.
Criteria may include:
cost
outputs of thermal performance assessment
practicality
thermal performance properties of building elements
type of building.
Results and recommendations may include:
compliance with regulatory requirements
cost implications
practicalities.

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 by candidates undertaking thermal performance assessments of each of the following types of planned residential buildings for legislative, regulatory and compliance purposes:
single and two-storey residential buildings
single and two-level apartments
planned alterations or additions to residential buildings.
In each case the assessment must be undertaken using a NatHERS software tool that is accredited under NatHERS for regulatory purposes in a mode appropriate to the type of assessment.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person should demonstrate the ability to:
gather the required building information from building plans, specifications and other supporting documents required for a thermal performance assessment, and enter this information into a NatHERS software tool in regulator mode
conduct thermal performance assessment of a planned residential building using a NatHERS software tool
identify and analyse the outputs of a thermal performance assessment tool
identify the limitations of the software and items that cannot be assessed
make recommendations to improve the thermal performance of a planned residential building to meet relevant regulatory and client requirements.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this unit:
must be in the context of the work environment
may be conducted in an off-site context, provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills
must meet relevant compliance requirements.
Resource implications for assessment include:
NatHERS software tools
relevant codes, standards and government regulations
building plans and specifications for residential buildings to be assessed
computer equipment suitable for using NatHERS software tools and generating printed copies of reports
technical reference library with current publications on:
Australian climatic zones
building design and materials
home energy rating system (HERS)
building thermal performance for planned buildings
manufacturer product information on building products and materials
NatHERS.
Method of assessment
Assessment for this unit must verify the practical application of the required skills and knowledge, using one or more of the following methods:
written and/or oral assessment
observed, documented and/or first-hand testimonial evidence of the candidate undertaking thermal performance assessments.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.
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.
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.