Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:51 PM AWST

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Supervise and apply quality standards to the selection of building and construction materials

Supervise and apply quality standards to the selection of building and construction materials

Unit of competency
National Code
CPCCBC5004A
State Code
W9291
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
19/05/2011
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
20/06/2014
Field of Education
040303 - Building Construction Management
Original Release Date
20/06/2014
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to supervise the systems through which materials are selected, acquired and stored on site for building or construction work up to and including medium rise projects. It ensures the delivery to the site of materials that meet contract specifications and service requirements for commercial projects. To achieve the outcomes for this unit, knowledge of relevant building construction materials and technologies, environmental effects on materials and testing procedures is required.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Identify and describe the properties of building materials.
  • 1.1. Suitability of materials commonly used in the region is identified for a given building system.
  • 1.2. Properties of materials, their standards of quality and the compatibility and non-compatibility of different materials are identified.
  • 1.3. Environmental impacts of different materials are identified.
  • 1.4. Impact of allowable tolerances on the conversion of naturally occurring materials is identified.
  • 1.5. Tolerances for installing and assembling materials are identified and checked in regard to the nature of the work being performed and the requirements of Australian standards.
2. Ensure suitable building materials are selected for application.
  • 2.1. Selection of building materials is conducted with reference to structural requirements and suitability for the building system specified in the contract.
  • 2.2. Materials are selected for their safety, required fire resistance rating, serviceability and cost effectiveness.
  • 2.3. Short and long-term degradation of materials is considered in relation to the proposed life cycle of the building.
  • 2.4. Alternative materials are selected if specified materials are unavailable or unsuitable.
3. Supervise the acceptance, safe handling and storage of materials on site.
  • 3.1. Organisational procedures for the acceptance, safe handling and storage of materials on site are identified and communicated.
  • 3.2. Limitations and effects of transportation on materials and components are determined and action is taken in the case of potentially damaging circumstances.
  • 3.3. Materials are handled correctly and safely on site using appropriate equipment and safe work practices.
  • 3.4. Materials are stored in accordance with manufacturer specifications and in compliance with the relevant Australian standards.
  • 3.5. Systems are implemented for inspecting all materials delivered on site for naturally occurring and/or manufactured defects before installation.
  • 3.6. Personnel are aware of actions to be taken in the case of defects caused by incorrect installation, application or placement.
  • 3.7. Timber is preserved and ferrous and non-ferrous metals used in the construction process are protected using established methods.
4. Supervise testing of materials on site for suitability and fitness for purpose.
  • 4.1. Testing of materials, including soil, filling, compacting, surfacing, concreting and welding, is carried out to specifications and results are analysed on-site before and during installation.
  • 4.2. Samples of materials taken during placement or installation are accurately identified and sent for laboratory testing.
  • 4.3. Materials are given visual checks for suitability before building in, with materials sent off-site for testing if required.
  • 4.4. Processes are implemented to ensure defective materials are identified and remedial action is recorded.
5. Establish records of materials testing and report on testing process conformance or otherwise.
  • 5.1. Records of tests and testing procedures are established and maintained by the organisation in accordance with its quality management obligations.
  • 5.2. Test results and reports are periodically evaluated to maintain integrity of organisational quality standards.
  • 5.3. Non-conformant on-site materials tests are immediately notified to the appropriate company officer for further action.
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.
Materials include:
brick or concrete structures, including:
cavity brick
core filled concrete blocks
single skin clay block
tilt-up concrete panels
cladding, including:
brick veneer
colourbond and zincalume sheeting
fibre cement or compressed wood panelling
stuccoed stud walls
weatherboards
floor systems, including:
bearers and joists
brick bases
compressed sheet wet area flooring
concrete slab floors, including slabs on ground and suspended slabs
engineered floor Joists
fitted (cut-in) floors
platform floor construction
sheet flooring
tongue and groove flooring
timber and timber structures.
Selection of building materials includes:
arranging for expert advice as necessary to confirm or refute materials options
identifying materials from specifications and drawings
identifying specifications and standards described in contract documents
selecting and ordering materials that meet those requirements.
Acceptance, safe handling and storage of materials include:
allocation of space for on-site storage of materials
confirming products or materials are as ordered and signing off delivery documentation
ensuring safe unloading and handling of construction materials
ensuring correct materials are delivered to correct site
providing for adequate on-site security of materials
undertaking quality checks within the competence of the individual.
Testing of materials includes:
arranging external quality tests or inspections and providing results as necessary
arranging on-site quality and fit for purpose tests for products to be used in construction
completing appropriate organisational records
refusing acceptance of substandard or out of specification materials.
Records of tests and testing procedures include:
distributing copies in accordance with organisational policy
following up reports that indicate departures from quality or manufacturing requirements
obtaining appropriate records and reports for review and analysis
proving advice and information to regulatory authorities as authorised by the organisation
taking appropriate remedial action within the scope of individual's authority.
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 by the effective supervision and application of quality standards to the selection of specified construction materials.
This unit of competency can 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:
identify building and construction materials specified in the project or contract documentation
communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with manufacturers and suppliers of materials
test the materials to maintain quality standards on site
apply effective sampling and record keeping processes
use safe handling and materials storage techniques
comply with organisational and legislative requirements.
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:
documentation that should normally be available in either a building or construction office
relevant codes, standards and regulations
office equipment, including calculators, photocopiers and telephone systems
computers with appropriate software to view 2-D CAD drawings, run costing programs and print copies
a technical reference library with current publications on measurement, design, building construction and manufacturers' product literature
a suitable work area appropriate to the construction process.
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.