Application
This unit of competency supports the work of NatHERS assessors engaged in assessing, and making recommendations for improving, the thermal performance of planned residential buildings.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 | Plan the assessment. | 1.1 | Need for assessing thermal performance of planned residential building or part of building, including additions and alterations, is clarified with client. |
1.2 | Effective communication strategies are employed to assist in establishing rapport with the client and in responding to client questions and concerns. | ||
1.3 | Potential risks are identified and suitably managed. | ||
1.4 | Computer equipment and software required for the assessment are identified and checked for serviceability. | ||
1.5 | Documentation required for the assessment is obtained consistent with organisational practice and regulatory requirements. | ||
1.6 | Drawings are checked for consistency and adequacy so that assessment is in line with regulatory, organisational and software requirements; and further information is sought as required. | ||
1.7 | Limitations of data collected are identified in line with organisational procedures. | ||
1.8 | Authority to proceed is obtained from client prior to commencing, and is reconfirmed as appropriate during the assessment. |
2 | Enter information into thermal performance assessment tool. | 2.1 | Building information is obtained from appropriate sources and entered into the thermal performance assessment tool. |
2.2 | Methods for entering information on non-standard building materials and designs are used correctly. | ||
2.3 | Methods for entering information required for assessing alterations and extensions are implemented correctly. |
3 | Apply thermal performance assessment tool. | 3.1 | Relevant functions of thermal performance assessment tool are used to generate outputs in relation to thermal performance of the building. |
3.2 | Thermal performance assessment tool outputs are identified and analysed. | ||
3.3 | Errors in data entry and assessment are identified and corrected. | ||
3.4 | Limitations of software are identified and considered during assessment. |
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 | Options for improving thermal and environmental performance and for meeting regulatory 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. |
5 | Report outcomes of thermal performance assessment. | 5.1 | Results and recommendations, along with supporting evidence, are collated and documented in line with organisational, regulatory and client requirements. |
5.2 | Results and recommendations of thermal performance assessment are explained to the client. | ||
5.3 | Reports and other documentation associated with thermal performance assessment are lodged with regulatory authorities if required, and securely stored to be readily retrieved in line with organisational requirements. |
Required Skills
Required skills |
communication skills to interact with clients from diverse social, economic and cultural backgrounds in an ethical manner decision-making and problem-solving skills to make recommendations based on the outputs of NatHERS software tools literacy skills to: complete standard forms generate business correspondence and prepare reports read and interpret a variety of texts, including legislation, regulations, and conduct and ethical standards numeracy and data analysis skills to: calculate and interpret the outputs of NatHERS software tools data associated with conducting thermal performance assessments, such as U-value, R-value, reflectivity, absorptance and emissivity interpret and extract data from building plans and specifications planning, organising and scheduling skills to undertake work-related tasks, such as collecting data required for conducting thermal performance assessments research skills to identify and locate documents and information on key matters associated with thermal performance assessments, such as climatic zones and the thermal properties of building materials technology skills to: operate computer equipment and peripherals enter data and use the functions of NatHERS software tools and other general purpose software packages time-management skills to complete the assessment in a timely, cost-efficient manner |
Required knowledge |
Australian climatic zones: climate data used in thermal performance assessment: diurnal temperature range humidity irradiance maximum and minimum temperature solar geometry wind speed and direction climatic zones and characteristics building alterations and additions: effects on building thermal performance performance standards regulations type and scale of alterations and additions building thermal performance: benefits of thermal performance assessment impact of building design and building materials on building thermal performance relationship between building thermal performance and thermal comfort thermal performance principles: glazing, shading and insulation for controlling temperature orientation for heating thermal mass for storing ventilation for cooling thermal performance standards: current performance standards documentation of assessments and ratings legal requirements uses ways of improving thermal performance of planned residential buildings: construction materials draught proofing floor coverings glazing insulation levels landscaping and planting orientation overshadowing passive heating and cooling shade structural changes thermal mass ventilation window coverings window size, location and type zoning and layout building materials: constraints on choice of building materials: cost practicality size space thermal performance properties of common building materials commonwealth, state and territory, and local government legislation and regulations impacting on thermal performance assessment relating to: building and construction building thermal performance consumer protection, fair trading and trade practices environment protection occupational licensing work health and safety energy and power: terminology: energy efficiency energy loads heating and cooling loads latent heat power primary energy source environmental impact of energy use in residential buildings units of measurement greenhouse gas emissions: potential ways of reducing operational greenhouse gas emissions through building design relationship between building design, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions NatHERS software tools: assumptions and limitations inherent in NatHERS software protocol and accredited software building and external elements included in NatHERS thermal performance assessments criteria for the selection of particular NatHERS software tools NatHERS and Australian Building Codes Board Protocol for House Energy Rating software operating procedures properties of materials, such as heat transfer coefficients and U-value, thermal resistance and R-value, reflectivity, absorptance, solar heat gain coefficient and emissivity scope and function of NatHERS software tools star rating types of NatHERS software tools passive energy design: benefits of passive design principles of passive design relationship between passive design and greenhouse gas emissions thermal comfort: definition of thermal comfort physical factors that influence thermal comfort requirement for thermal comfort role of thermal comfort in building thermal performance assessments |
Evidence Required
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. |
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. | |
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. |
Sectors
Home sustainability assessment
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
In some jurisdictions, this unit of competency may form part of the accreditation, licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements for NatHERS assessors.