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, renovation, alteration, addition, regulatory disclosure or retrofit advice purposes
determining thermal performance profile and identifying opportunities for improving thermal performance
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
community organisation
construction manager
dwelling owner
government agency
property developer
property manager
real estate agent.
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.
Planning involves identifying and obtaining required tools, equipment and other requirements, which may include:
calculator
clipboard
collection containers
commercial ladder
compass
digital camera
personal protective equipment (PPE):
dust masks
eye protection
gloves
headwear
overalls
safety shoes and workboots
portable computer equipment
reference manuals
tape measure
thermal imaging devices
thermometer
timer
torch.
Hazards may include:
confined spaces
electricity
fire
harassment, bullying and/or violence involving co-workers or customers
hazardous substances:
asbestos
biological products
blood products
broken metal
chemicals
electrical wiring
fibres
fumes
gases
glass
insulation
leaking containers
oil and petrol
heat:
burns
scalds
manual handling:
carrying
lifting
pulling
pushing
machinery, including powered and non-powered equipment
skin penetrating injuries:
knives
sharps
syringes and needles
waste
work environment:
access
animals
dust
floor surfaces
lighting
noise
passive smoking
temperature extremes
trips and falls
ventilation
working alone
working at heights.
Information required from client may include:
house construction details:
age
floor area
insulation
materials
number of storeys
proposed additions or alterations to building.
Details of site inspection may include:
address and postcode of residence
assessor name and contact details
date and time of inspection
duration of inspection
responsible adult to be at site during inspection.
Information may include:
air leakage features:
fans
wall vents
attachments to other buildings externally
building sealing
construction materials
construction method
dimensions
floor coverings
insulation levels:
ceiling
floors
walls
orientation
overshadowing
proposed building additions or alterations
roofing
shading
thermal mass
ventilation
windows and glazing:
coverings
location
size
style
type of frame
type of glass
window energy rating schemes (WERS)
zoning and layout.
Outputs may include:
cooling loads
data for individual zones
heating loads
information on building properties
latent cooling
rating and non-rating mode
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:
air leakage reduction
draught proofing
floor coverings
glazing
insulation levels
internal and external window coverings
landscaping and planting
passive heating and cooling
shade
structural changes
ventilation.
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 existing residential buildings:
single and two-storey residential buildings
single and two-level apartments
alterations or additions to existing 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 building information from documents and existing buildings required for thermal performance assessment and correctly enter this information into a NatHERS software tool
gather any relevant site information to support NatHERS assessment
conduct thermal performance assessment of existing residential buildings using a NatHERS software tool
identify and analyse the outputs of thermal performance assessment tool
identify limitations to the software and items that cannot be assessed
identify ways to improve the thermal performance of existing residential buildings.
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
access to residential buildings from which building information required for conducting a building thermal performance assessment may be obtained
technology suitable for generating copies of reports
technical reference library with current publications on:
Australian climatic zones
building design and materials
building thermal performance for existing buildings
NatHERS scheme
NatHERS software tools
manufacturer 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.
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.