Course Title: Design safe buildings
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2025
Course Code: ARCH5312
Course Title: Design safe buildings
Important Information:
Please note that this course has compulsory engagement attendance requirements for teaching activities.
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see when this course requires mandatory attendance.
School: 530T Built Environment and Sustainability
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6188 - Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural)
Course Contact: Catherine Ciavarella
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4819
Course Contact Email: catherine.ciavarella@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
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
None
Course Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply safe design principles to control occupational health and safety (OHS)/work health and safety (WHS) risk during the life of a building.
It includes the ability to identify legal responsibilities and obligations and evaluate OHS/WHS hazards associated with the design, construction and use of a building, consult with stakeholders and specialist advisors to make recommendations for safe design solutions and incorporate risk controls into the building design and end use.
This unit applies to building designers who design safe buildings that comply with relevant legislation and within the legal responsibilities of building designers.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VU23446 Design safe buildings |
Element: |
1.Investigate OHS/WHS requirements in the design process |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Identify the legal responsibilities and obligations of building designers for the safety of end users and beneficiaries. 1.2 Consult with stakeholders involved in the design and construction process to determine specific OHS/WHS issues. 1.3 Research sources of current information and data of OHS/WHS principles, materials, technology and systems for application in the design and construction process. 1.4 Consult with client to confirm the needs of those involved in the subsequent life cycle stages of the building. |
Element: |
2.Undertake hazard identification and OHS/WHS risk evaluation |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Conduct an OHS/WHS risk analysis across the life cycle of the building according to the hierarchy of control. 2.2 Select OHS/WHS risk controls through a systematic analysis of the likelihood and consequences of exposure to the hazard. 2.3 Identify a process for review of hazard identification and developed risk control to incorporate potential alterations to design decisions or specifications. 2.4 Establish a residual risk register and circulate the information to those involved in the downstream or subsequent life cycle stages. |
Element: |
3. Produce designs to facilitate safe construction, use and maintenance of a building |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Identify and communicate benefits of safe design to client. 3.2 Consult with specialist advisers and incorporate their advice into the design as required. 3.3 Inform client of any high risks in design requirements and alternatives. 3.4 Incorporate preventative design measures to reduce or eliminate risk and facilitate the safe use and maintenance of the building according to legislative requirements. 3.5 Provide relevant documentation to client for the end users and employees, to ensure safe |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.
Details of Learning Activities
Learning activities will take place this semester with a blended classroom model using industry standard tools and resources. Classes will be in a remote (virtual) learning mode online.
Refer to your Course schedule and Canvas shells for specific information on how each of your courses is delivered this semester.
You will also be required to undertake independent study.
Reference mode of delivery for this course is on line delivery.
Virtual In-class activities will include:
• Tutorials and project-based work
• Group discussion
• Teacher directed activities/projects
• Class presentations
• Online research
• Independent project-based work
• Studio Practice
Out-of-class activities will include:
• Online investigation
• Independent project-based work
Teaching Schedule
| Week | Topic | Assessment/Learning Activities |
| 1 |
Introduction to Design Safe Buildings Safe design of structures Code of Practice |
Learning Activity: Legislative question Start Assessment Task 1 – Case Study |
| 2 |
Occupational Health and Safety Act Overview of building designer’s requirements complying with relevant sections of the Occupational Health and Safety Act |
|
| 3 |
Risk Analysis Determine risks Industry specific hazards Risk analysis methodologies |
Submit Week 1 Learning Activity - Legislative question |
| 4 |
Risk Registers Risk registers and the consequences in terms of injury or damage scenarios or circumstances under which injury or illness may occur |
|
| 5 |
Legislative Framework and Legal Responsibilities Relevant Acts & Regulations Codes of Practice and other publications Duties & responsibilities as stated in the Act Regulations National Construction Code Guidelines Australian Standards |
|
| 6 |
Maintenance of Buildings Building Regulations 2018 - Part 15 - Essential Safety Measures |
|
| 7 |
Working safely Review working safely in the construction industry |
|
| 8 |
Tutorial Review Assessment Task 01 – Case Study. Assessment Task 2 (AT2) – Case Study Introduction |
|
| 9 |
Anthropometrics and Ergonomics Understand definitions and principles in relation to design of safe buildings |
Submit Assessment Task 1 – Case Study, by no later than 23:59 of Thursday, WEEK 9 Start preparing for Assessment Task 2 (AT2) |
| 10 | No scheduled classes | |
| Mid semester break | ||
| 11 |
Assessment Task 2 (AT2) - CONSULTATION as scheduled in AT2 groups |
|
| 12 |
Assessment Task 2 (AT2) - CONSULTATION as scheduled in AT2 groups |
|
| 13 |
Assessment Task 2 (AT2) - CONSULTATION as scheduled in AT2 |
|
| 14 |
Revision Review drawings for OHS issues |
Submit Assessment Task 2 – Consultation, by no later than 23:59 of Thursday, WEEK 14 Start Assessment Task 3 |
| 15 | Tutorial |
Submit Assessment Task 3 – Knowledge Questions, by no later than 23:59 of Thursday, WEEK 15 |
| 16 | Final Assessment/Resubmissions |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your written tasks. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1 - Product
Assessment Task 2 - Product
Assessment Task 3 - Product
Assessment
This course is delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment.
CA: Competency achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did Not Submit for Assessment
All work for assessments is required to be submitted on the due date and time as outlined in the Assessment Tasks. Exception to this is where an approved Equitable Learning Services plan after discussion with teacher, an application for Special Consideration or an approved Extension of Time is in place, submitted before the task’s due date with appropriate documentation. Any extensions will be in relation to original submission date only. There are no extensions to resubmissions.
Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level.
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension of time for your assessable work.
Please see following access for the details on applying for extension of time to assessments;
Special consideration;
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration
Application for extension of time;
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-results/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work
Equitable assessment arrangements (EAA);
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/equitable-learning
If your work is incomplete, you are strongly encouraged to submit your work on the due date, in order to meet the submission requirements. Should it be below competency you may be asked to resubmit within 5 working days.
Assessment Matrix
An assessment matrix demonstrating alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency is available in Canvas.
Other Information
Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio-based exercises, demonstration and production.
It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to be successful in this course.
Canvas
Use Canvas to access your course content and announcements, submit assignments, and receive your grades and feedback;
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/it-services-for-students/canvas
Student feedback at RMIT:
You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
The following link is an outline and ways that you will receive your feedback at RMIT;
Student Progress Monitoring
Academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.
Please see following access to the Student progress policy webpage; https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-progress
Submitting Assessments onto Canvas
Here is a guide to submitting assessments on Canvas; https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/submitting-assessments-in-canvas
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity.
Please see following access for more information on Academic Integrity at RMIT; https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification). Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course:
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit
Orientation
It's time to get ready; https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/new-student-guide
Get involved in student life at RMIT
Course Overview: Access Course Overview