Course Title: Comply with Relevant Legislation in the Design of Residential Buildings
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2025
Course Code: ARCH5300
Course Title: Comply with Relevant Legislation in the Design of Residential 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: 50
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 access, interpret and apply relevant legislation to the design of residential buildings.
It includes the ability to apply a range of design solutions for residential buildings (National Construction Code (NCC) Classes 1 and 10), in compliance with the national and Victorian regulatory frameworks and make recommendations for alternative solutions, as required.
This unit applies to building designers who apply relevant legislation to the design of residential buildings within the legal responsibilities of building designers.
No occupational licensing or legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. However, this unit forms part of a minimum qualification requirement for the registration class of Draftsperson, Building Design (Architectural) category, with the Victorian Building Authority.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VU23444 Comply with Relevant Legislation in the Design of Residential Buildings |
Element: |
1. Classify buildings |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Determine the nature of building according to use and arrangement. 1.2 Determine the criteria of NCC to apply the defined classification. |
Element: |
2. Access and interpret relevant code and other legislative requirements |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Identify hierarchy within the Victorian building and construction regulatory framework. 2.2 Determine relevant NCC performance requirements and provisions that apply to residential buildings. 2.3 Access and interpret Australian Standards. 2.4 Determine the difference between the 'deemed to satisfy' (DTS) and 'performance based solutions'. |
Element: |
3. Analyse and document a range of solutions to the design problem |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Identify and propose alternative solutions to a construction and design problem to comply with NCC requirements. 3.2 Analyse assessment methods referenced in the NCC to determine whether a construction or design solution complies with performance based solutions or Deemed to Satisfy (DTS) provisions of the NCC. 3.3 Identify and contribute to the documentation of performance-based solutions according to the NCC and the Victorian regulatory framework. 3.4 Identify relevant documentation according to the requirements of relevant regulations. |
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 |
General Introduction Building authorities Building hierarchy Responsibilities of designers |
Complete Week 1 Learning Activity: Legislative question |
| 2 |
Siting Provisions & OHS Building Permit Procedures Part 5 BR |
Release and commence Assessment Task 1 – Building Regulations |
| 3 |
Occupational Health & Safety Checklists Siting Requirements & Building Classification Part 4 BR General Provisions – NCC Interpretation Classification of Buildings |
Submit Week 1 Learning Activity - Legislative question |
| 4 | Fire Resistance & Safety Fire separation – Internal & external walls |
|
| 5 | Public holiday - no classes | |
| 6 |
Fire Safety AS 3786:2014-Smoke alarms AS 1530.4-Fire resistance tests for elements of construction Products and procedures to determine fire resistance ratings |
Release and commence Assessment Task 2 - Case Study |
| 7 |
Health and Amenities Light Ventilation Safe Movement and Access Stair construction Barrier Handrails |
Submit Assessment Task 1 – Building Regulations by 23:59 on the Monday of WEEK 7 |
| 8 |
Performance Provisions Deemed to satisfy solutions Performance Solutions |
|
| 9 |
Waterproofing & Room Heights AS 3740:2021-Interpretation of Internal wet areas waterproofing Wet areas Room height |
|
| 10 | No scheduled class | |
| Mid semester break | ||
| 11 |
Energy Efficiency 7 Star rating Swimming pool safety barriers AS 1926 Revision & Tutorial |
|
| 12 |
Adjoining owner’s protection works Part 7 BA Part 6 BR Footings and Slabs AS 2870 |
|
| 13 |
Enforcement Part 8 BA |
Submit Assessment Task 2 |
| 14 | Tutorial Review working drawings | |
| 15 |
Code of Conduct CoC as it relates to building designers Town planning process Planning Permit Procedures Review CoC |
Commence Assessment Task 3 - Knowledge Questions |
| 16 |
Liveable housing design Review NCC provisions Review AS1428.1 provisions Final assessments and resubmissions if eligible |
Complete Assessment Task 3 - Knowledge Questions |
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 from the course contact person (stated above)
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
IT 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