Unit of competency Outline

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Assess thermal performance of complex residential buildings

Assess thermal performance of complex residential buildings

Unit of competency
National Code
CPPHSA5001A
State Code
WE620
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
26/09/2012
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
07/10/2014
Field of Education
040305 - Building Surveying
Original Release Date
07/10/2014
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to assess the thermal performance of complex residential buildings using software tools that are accredited under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) for regulatory purposes.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Plan and organise the thermal performance assessment.
  • 1.1 Need for assessing the thermal performance of a residential building is clarified with the client.
  • 1.2 Features of design requiring complex modelling techniques are determined and appropriate assessment strategies are identified in line with organisational procedures, software developer recommendations, and regulatory requirements.
  • 1.3 Cost of assessment is communicated to client in line with organisational procedures.
  • 1.4 Effective communication strategies are employed to assist in establishing rapport with client and in responding to clientquestions and concerns.
  • 1.5 Potential risks are identified and suitably managed.
  • 1.6 Computer equipment and software required for the assessment are identified and checked for serviceability.
  • 1.7 Documentation required for the assessment is obtained consistent with organisational practice.
  • 1.8 Authority to proceed is obtained from client prior to commencement and reconfirmed as appropriate during the assessment.
2 Enter information into thermal performance assessment tool.
  • 2.1 Building information is extracted from the full range of available sources.
  • 2.2 Building information on complex features of building envelope is gathered, checked for accuracy and where necessary verified with other building professionals.
  • 2.3 Software technical support and advice are identified and sourced as required.
  • 2.4 Limitations of software are identified and considered during assessment.
  • 2.5 Building information is correctly and consistently entered into the thermal performance assessment tool.
  • 2.6 Methods for entering information on non-standard and complex building materials and designs are used correctly.
  • 2.7 Complex constructions are built from standard construction materials library.
3 Apply thermal performance assessment tool.
  • 3.1 Relevant functions of thermal performance assessment tool are used to generate outputs in relation to the thermal performance of the building.
  • 3.2 Thermal performance assessment tool outputs are identified and analysed.
  • 3.3 Impact of external factors on thermal performance of building are identified and assessed.
  • 3.4 Methods for entering information on non-standard building materials and designs are used correctly.
  • 3.5 Errors in data entry and assessment are identified and corrected.
  • 3.6 Software scratch file is read and interpreted.
4 Identify options for improving thermal performance.
  • 4.1 Sources of technical advice on building thermal performance are identified.
  • 4.2 Assumptions and limitations inherent in thermal performance assessment tool are considered when interpreting outputs.
  • 4.3 Thermal performance tool outputs are interpreted to identify strengths and weaknesses in thermal performance of building.
  • 4.4 Organisational options for improving thermal and environmental performance and for meeting regulatory requirementsare identified based on criteria consistent with organisation, regulatory and client requirements.
  • 4.5 Interactions of thermal performance improvements on other aspects of building performance are identified and advice is provided to client in line with organisational procedures.
  • 4.6 Impact of options is evaluated by reassessing the building using the thermal performance assessment tool.
  • 4.7 Cost of options for improving the thermal performance of the residence is estimated in line with organisational procedures.
5 Report outcomes of thermal performance assessment.
  • 5.1 Results and recommendations, along with supporting evidence, are collated and documented in line with organisation, regulatory and client requirements.
  • 5.2 Estimated cost of proposed recommendations and potential associated reductions in energy use, costs and greenhouse gas emissions are documented in line with organisational procedures.
  • 5.3 Results and recommendations of the thermal performance assessment are explained to the client.
  • 5.4 Reports and other documentation associated with thermal performance assessment are securely stored to be readily retrieved in line with organisational requirements.
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
assessment for 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.
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
complexity of building design
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.
Available sources of information may include:
building drawings, specifications and other documents
discussions with client and other building professionals
outcomes of site inspections.
Complex features of building envelope may include:
buildings designed to fit a site with unique characteristics
buildings with complex levels, shading and void arrangements
buildings with non-conventional building materials and configurations:
earth-filled tyre
mud brick
solar tower
straw bale
underground house construction.
Outputs may include:
cooling loads
heating loads
latent cooling
rating and non-rating mode
temperature histograms.
External factors may include:
shading:
external shading
within the design
terrain:
sheltering
wind loads.
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
thermal mass
ventilation
window:
adjustment of window areas to gain maximum solar gains without over heating the design
shading
size
style
type of glazing
use of advanced window technologies
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 residential buildings with some of the following complex design features:
buildings designed to fit a site with unique characteristics
buildings with complex levels, shading and void arrangements
buildings with non-conventional building materials and configurations:
earth-filled tyre
mud brick
solar tower
straw bale
underground house construction.
Assessment must be undertaken using a NatHERS software tool that is accredited under NatHERS for regulatory purposes in a mode appropriate for 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 correctly enter this information into a NatHERS software tool
conduct a thermal performance assessment of a complex residential building using a NatHERS software tool
identify and analyse the outputs of a thermal performance assessment tool
identify interactions of thermal performance with other health, safety, amenity and sustainability aspects of a dwelling
make recommendations to improve the thermal performance of a planned residential building.
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 building design and materials, building thermal performance for buildings, NatHERS scheme, Australian climatic zones and manufacturer product information on building products and materials.
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 of residential buildings with complex design features.
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.