Course Title: Build thermally efficient and sustainable structures

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2021

Course Code: BUIL5994C

Course Title: Build thermally efficient and sustainable structures

School: 174T School of VE Engineering, Health & Science

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5256 - Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)

Course Contact: Program Manager

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4468

Course Contact Email: vehs@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher

Janine Strachan
Phone: +613 9925 4189
Email: janine.strachan@rmit.edu.au

Appointments by email

Teacher

Peter Cozyn
Phone: +613 9925 4301
Email: peter.cozyn@rmit.edu.au

Appointments by email

Teacher

Nhu Nguyen
Phone: +613 9925 4987
Email: nhu.nguyen@rmit.edu.au

Appointments by email

Nominal Hours: 40

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

Nil

Course Description

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to apply sound principles of thermal efficiency as part of the implementation of sustainable building and construction processes. The range of legislative and council planning requirements are addressed in this unit, in addition to the need to respond to growing consumer demand for sustainable buildings and environmentally friendly developments.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CPCCBC4020A Build thermally efficient and sustainable structures

Element:

1. Apply legislative and planning requirements for thermal efficiency to the building process.

Performance Criteria:

1.1. Current relevant state, territory and council requirements for building thermally efficient structures  are identified.

1.2. Factors that contribute to the construction of a five-star rated dwelling identified within the Building Code of Australia (BCA) are identified and the impact of regional climate differences  is assessed.

1.3. Client needs and expectations for the design and construction of thermally efficient structures are identified and negotiated.

1.4. Expert design and other advice is gathered as part of the planning and construction process.

1.5. Relevant Australian standards are consulted to identify the implications for the conduct of the building project.

Element:

2. Review design solutions for effectiveness and compliance.

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Impact of radiation, convection, conduction and evaporation on the thermal comfort of residents is identified.

2.2. Orientation of the building, location and size of glazing, and use of thermal mass as design features are evaluated for effectiveness and compliance with planning and other regulatory requirements.

2.3. Effective strategy for insulating the structure is evaluated, costed and communicated to the client.

2.4. Building designs are assessed for their compliance with the energy efficiency requirements of the BCA's five-star rating system.

2.5. Designers and clients are consulted to ensure final construction plans are effective, efficient and compliant.

Element:

3. Manage the building process to ensure an effective outcome.

Performance Criteria:

3.1. Effective communications are established between designers, architects and clients to ensure effective thermal performance is embedded from the design to construction phase.

3.2. Effective quality assurance processes are confirmed as in place to evaluate and implement the building of a five-star dwelling.

3.3. Cost effective strategies to achieve desired level of thermal performance are assessed and communicated to client.

3.4. Life cycle costs of various construction approaches are assessed and negotiated with the client.

Learning Outcomes


Refer to elements.
 


Details of Learning Activities

Students will be involved in the following learning activities to meet requirements for this competency:
• Face to Face classes
• Simulated Workplace Learning
• Online learning via CANVAS
• Other forms of structured teaching and learning
Students will be observed and assessed through their planned activities throughout the duration of the course.


Teaching Schedule

Weeks 1 -5
Introduction to Thermal Efficiency
Climate Change & Renewable Energy
Climate Zones 
Orientation & Zoning
Passive heating and cooling

Weeks 6-10

Glazing

Windows & Shading
Climate Comfort

Building Regulations
Insulation

Weeks 11-18
Materials & Life Cycle Assessment

Water use and Quality Assurance
Client communication
Revision for test
Test and Resubmit

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

 

Students will be able to access course information and learning materials through myRMIT and may be provided with additional materials in class. Lists of relevant reference books, resources in the library and accessible Internet sites will be provided where possible. During the course, you will be directed to websites to enhance your knowledge and understanding of difficult concepts.

 

CANVAS

CANVAS is an on-line resource with the lesson plans for each unit. Within CANVAS are the session lessons plans, assessments, resources and other materials required for completion of each unit of competency. CANVAS Collaborate is an on-line delivery system within CANVAS that may be utilised as a virtual classroom that may be a part of the overall lesson delivery plan.

 

NCC Volume 2

ICANZ Handbook

Your Home guide 

SV 

   

In class activities

Library

Internet


Overview of Assessment

Assessment will incorporate a variety of methods including written,oral, practical tasks and activities. You will be asked to personally demonstrate to your teacher/assessor the practical skills gained during this course to the relevant industry standards. Assessment activities will occur throughout this course and feedback will be provided at regular intervals.

Assessment Tasks

Students must pass each of the following assessment tasks to demonstrate competent.

 

Assessment

Assessment 1

Project

Assessment 2

Project based assessment

Assessment 3

Online Test

These tasks assesses the following Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs):

Assessment Mapping Matrix

 

Element / Performance Criteria Covered Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3
1.1 X X X
1.2 X X X
1.3 X   X
1.4 X   X
1.5 X X X
2.1 X X X
2.2 X    
2.3   X  
2.4 X X  
2.5   X  
3.1   X X
3.2   X X
3.3   X  
3.4   X X

To be deemed competent you must demonstrate an understanding of all aspects required of the competency. Assessment methods have been designed to measure your achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over multiple tasks.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment 1 Project (Passive Solar Design)               
Assessment 2 Project based assessment (Material Use)                            
Assessment 3 Online Test                               

Assessment 1 – Passive Solar Design Principles and Sustainable Materials

This assessment is a project based assessment task using existing plans to incorporate general principles of solar passive design, orientation, windows & shading and thermal mass. This assignment is made up of 3 parts.  This assessment is due in Week 9

There are three parts to this assessment:

  1. Update the site plans
  2. Update the floor plans and elevations
  3. Make window selections                       

 

Assessment 2 – Sustainable Materials, Quality Assurance and Communication
This assessment is a project based assessment task researching information on efficient window selection, insulation products, sustainable material selection, quality assurance and communication to clients. This assessment is due in Week 14

There are five key steps for this task:

  1. Source insulation products
  2. Undertake a life cycle assessment for materials choice
  3. Produce a quality assurance checklist to assess materials and practices that contribute to you achieving your goal of an energy efficient home.
  4. Collate your findings into a recommendations report 
  5. Undertake client consultation                  

. 

Assessment 3 – Online Test
Online Questionnaire will be a multiple choice and conducted in a supervised environment. The assessment will be a closed book test cover a range of topics covered in throughout the course. This Assessment is held during Week 16 tutorial. 


To be deemed competent you must demonstrate an understanding of all aspects required of the competency. Assessment methods have been designed to measure your achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over multiple tasks.

 

 


Assessment Matrix

Element / Performance Criteria Covered Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3
1.1 X X X
1.2 X X X
1.3 X   X
1.4 X   X
1.5 X X X
2.1 X X X
2.2 X    
2.3   X  
2.4 X X  
2.5   X  
3.1   X X
3.2   X X
3.3   X  
3.4   X X

Other Information

Credit Transfer and/or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
You may be eligible for credit towards courses in your program if you have already met the learning/competency outcomes through previous learning and/or industry experience. To be eligible for credit towards a course, you must demonstrate that you have already completed learning and/or gained industry experience that is:

  • Relevant
  • Current
  • Satisfies the learning/competency outcomes of the course

Please refer to http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit to find more information about credit transfer and RPL.
 

Study and learning Support: 

Study and Learning Centre (SLC) provides free learning and academic development advice to you. 
Services offered by SLC to support your numeracy and literacy skills are: 

assignment writing, thesis writing and study skills advice 
maths and science developmental support and advice 
English language development 

Please Refer http://www.rmit.edu.au/studyandlearningcentre to find more information about Study and learning Support 

Equitable Learning Services (ELS):

If you are suffering from long-term medical condition or disability, you should contact Equitable Learning Services (ELS) to seek advice and support to complete your studies.
Please refer to https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/equitable-learning-services to find more information about services offered by Equitable Learning Services (ELS).

Late submission: 

If you require an Extension of Submittable Work (assignments, reports or project work etc.) for 7 calendar days or less (from the original due date) and have valid reasons, you must complete and lodge an Application for Extension of Submittable Work (7 Calendar Days or less) form and lodge it with the Senior Educator/ Program Manager. 
The application must be lodged no later than one working day before the official due date. You will be notified within no more than 2 working days of the date of lodgment as to whether the extension has been granted. 
If you seek an Extension of Submittable Work for more than 7 calendar days (from the original due date) must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form under the provisions of the Special Consideration Policy, preferably prior to, but no later than 2 working days after the official due date. 

Submittable Work (assignments, reports or project work etc.) submitted late without approval of an extension will not be accepted or marked. 


Special consideration: 

Please Refer http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration to find more information about special consideration 

Plagiarism: 

Plagiarism is a form of cheating and it is very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. 

Please Refer: www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity to find more information about plagiarism. 

Other Information: 

All email communications will be sent to your RMIT email address and you must regularly check your RMIT emails.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview