Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:52 PM AWST
22/07/2026 11:52 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Design and set out stairs
Design and set out stairs
Unit of competency
National Code
CPCCJS3011A
CPCCJS3011A
State Code
D7381
D7381
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Transition (Replaced)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
11/10/2011
Field of Education
040101 - Architecture
Original Release Date
11/10/2011
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit specifies the outcomes required to design and set out dressed material to prepare for manufacturing processes in preparation for the assembly of components to construct a stair.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare for work.
- 1.1. Quality assurance requirements with company's stair-building operations are recognised and adhered to.
- 1.2. Safety (OHS) requirements in accordance with setting out of stairs and workshop operations are recognised and adhered to.
- 1.3. Design of stair is identified from job drawings and specifications for types of stair construction and stair components to be set out.
- 1.4. Doorways and head height clearance are measured and dimensions governing stair pitch and factors of design are obtained directly from constructed building or drawing details.
- 1.5. Rise and going for steps are determined and lengths of strings calculated appropriate for the stair use and structural design, including landings if specified.
- 1.6. Use and structural design for winders are identified and considered for inclusion in stair set-out if required.
- 1.7. Methods of joining stair components and balustrade members are identified for manufacturing processes and preparation of components for joining.
- 1.8. Storey rod and full size set-out are prepared where applicable.
2. Prepare stair material for setting out.
- 2.1. Materials are selected and dressed in accordance with stair requirements and specifications.
- 2.2. Laminated sections are formed and joined to designed curve and pitch to specifications.
3. Set out strings for a stair.
- 3.1. Tools and equipment are selected to carry out processes consistent with job requirements.
- 3.2. Steel square or pitch board is prepared to stair pitch set-out.
- 3.3. Strings are set out in temporary erected positions to show locations of treads and risers, with allowances for nosing and wedges on closed strings and to show lengths for junctions with newels and landings
4. Set out newels.
- 4.1. Floor/landing height relationships with allowances for floor discrepancies are accurately marked on newels.
- 4.2. Newels are set out to show positions of strings, treads, flooring, joists, bearers and handrails.
- 4.3. Locations for housings are accurately marked on newels.
5. Set out component parts.
- 5.1. Lengths and bevels, where applicable, are determined from string and newel set-outs.
- 5.2. Component parts are set out to respective lengths and bevels where applicable.
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.
Quality assurance requirements include:
control of handling procedures
procedures for setting out
quality of materials
use and maintenance of equipment
workplace operations and procedures.
Safety (OHS) is to be in accordance with state and territory legislation and regulations and project safety plan and may include:
emergency procedures, including extinguishing fires, organisational first aid requirements and evacuation
hazard control
hazardous materials and substances
organisational first aid
PPE prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices
safe operating procedures, including the conduct of operational risk assessment and treatments associated with:
concealed services (water, power and gas)
lighting
restricted access barriers
traffic control
work site visitors and the public
working at heights
working in confined spaces
working in proximity to others
use of firefighting equipment
use of tools and equipment
workplace environmental requirements and safety.
Design of stair includes:
open or closed string
curved flight
dog legged
geometric stairs
quarter spaced landings
spiral stairs
straight flights
¼ winder stairs that include:
a landing
cut and closed strings.
Factors of design include:
area available for stair and rise of stair
doorways and head height clearance
structural limitations in accordance with BCA.
Rise and going for steps are determined by:
going for step design in accordance with minimum going according to classification of building
maximum allowable rise for each step
total rise of the stair.
Winders are:
designed with dimensions for winder treads in accordance with BCA
identified and included for use in lieu of landings.
Components include:
balusters
handrails
landing bearers
landing joists
multiple railing
newels
risers
strings
treads.
Manufacturing processes include:
docking to lengths
grooving
housing
mortising
rebating
trenching.
Materials include:
medium density fibreboard (MDF)
plastics
plywood
steel
timber.
Tools and equipment include:
bevels
marking gauge
measuring tapes and rules
squares
steel squares.
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.
Quality assurance requirements include:
control of handling procedures
procedures for setting out
quality of materials
use and maintenance of equipment
workplace operations and procedures.
Safety (OHS) is to be in accordance with state and territory legislation and regulations and project safety plan and may include:
emergency procedures, including extinguishing fires, organisational first aid requirements and evacuation
hazard control
hazardous materials and substances
organisational first aid
PPE prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices
safe operating procedures, including the conduct of operational risk assessment and treatments associated with:
concealed services (water, power and gas)
lighting
restricted access barriers
traffic control
work site visitors and the public
working at heights
working in confined spaces
working in proximity to others
use of firefighting equipment
use of tools and equipment
workplace environmental requirements and safety.
Design of stair includes:
open or closed string
curved flight
dog legged
geometric stairs
quarter spaced landings
spiral stairs
straight flights
¼ winder stairs that include:
a landing
cut and closed strings.
Factors of design include:
area available for stair and rise of stair
doorways and head height clearance
structural limitations in accordance with BCA.
Rise and going for steps are determined by:
going for step design in accordance with minimum going according to classification of building
maximum allowable rise for each step
total rise of the stair.
Winders are:
designed with dimensions for winder treads in accordance with BCA
identified and included for use in lieu of landings.
Components include:
balusters
handrails
landing bearers
landing joists
multiple railing
newels
risers
strings
treads.
Manufacturing processes include:
docking to lengths
grooving
housing
mortising
rebating
trenching.
Materials include:
medium density fibreboard (MDF)
plastics
plywood
steel
timber.
Tools and equipment include:
bevels
marking gauge
measuring tapes and rules
squares
steel squares.
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 set out at least two types of stair designs listed in the range statement, providing evidence of the ability to:
comply with OHS regulations applicable to workplace operations
apply organisational quality procedures and processes within context of preparation of material and setting out for timber stairs
identify details and specifications of nominated stair to be set out
identify limitations on design in accordance with BCA
demonstrate appropriate calculations to accurately determine number of rises, actual rise, run and going
identify materials required and prepare accurate cutting list
select materials and safely and effectively operate machines to dress material to specified sizes
select and use appropriate processes, tools and equipment for setting out material
display accurate application and clear marking in setting out materials for stair components
demonstrate safe and effective handling procedures for movement and placement of material and components
identify typical faults and problems that occur and action required to rectify them
communicate with others to ensure safe and effective workplace operations.
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:
workplace operation, tools and equipment appropriate to activity
static machines appropriate to material preparation for setting out
material relevant to proposed activity
drawings, set-out, specifications and documentation relevant to activities.
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 a reasonable inference that competency is not only verified under the particular assessment circumstance, but is 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 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.
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 set out at least two types of stair designs listed in the range statement, providing evidence of the ability to:
comply with OHS regulations applicable to workplace operations
apply organisational quality procedures and processes within context of preparation of material and setting out for timber stairs
identify details and specifications of nominated stair to be set out
identify limitations on design in accordance with BCA
demonstrate appropriate calculations to accurately determine number of rises, actual rise, run and going
identify materials required and prepare accurate cutting list
select materials and safely and effectively operate machines to dress material to specified sizes
select and use appropriate processes, tools and equipment for setting out material
display accurate application and clear marking in setting out materials for stair components
demonstrate safe and effective handling procedures for movement and placement of material and components
identify typical faults and problems that occur and action required to rectify them
communicate with others to ensure safe and effective workplace operations.
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:
workplace operation, tools and equipment appropriate to activity
static machines appropriate to material preparation for setting out
material relevant to proposed activity
drawings, set-out, specifications and documentation relevant to activities.
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 a reasonable inference that competency is not only verified under the particular assessment circumstance, but is 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 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.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W9416 | CPCCJS3001A | Design and set out stairs | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OCQ74 | CPCCJS3011 | Design and set out stairs | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D409 | CPC32011 | Certificate III in Carpentry and Joinery | Qualification |
| J490 | CPC31912 | Certificate III in Joinery | Qualification |
| D419 | CPC32211 | Certificate III in Joinery (Stairs) | Qualification |