Course Title: Build thermally efficient and sustainable structures
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2022
Course Code: BUIL6450C
Course Title: Build thermally efficient and sustainable structures
Important Information:
Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.
To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.
Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.
Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.
School: 530T Built Environment and Sustainability
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5415 - Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)
Course Contact: Thierry Demathieu
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 8359
Course Contact Email: thierry.demathieu@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
In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to apply sound principles of thermal efficiency as part of the implementation of sustainable building and construction processes in response to the need to respond to growing consumer demand for sustainable buildings and environmentally friendly developments.
This course of competency supports the needs of builders, site managers and forepersons, and estimators in the building and construction industry.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CPCCBC4020 Build thermally efficient and sustainable structures |
Element: |
1. Apply legislative and planning requirements for thermal efficiency to the building process |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Identify current relevant state, territory and council requirements for building thermally efficient structures. 1.2 Identify factors that contribute to the construction of a star rated dwelling identified within the NCC and assess the impact of regional climate differences. 1.3 Identify and negotiate client needs and expectations for the design and construction of thermally efficient structures. 1.4 Gather expert design and other advice as part of the planning and construction process. 1.5 Consult relevant Australian Standards to identify the implications for the conduct of the building project. |
Element: |
2. Review design solutions for effectiveness and compliance |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Identify impact of radiation, convection, conduction and evaporation on the thermal comfort of residents. 2.2 Evaluate orientation of the building, location and size of glazing, and use of thermal mass as design features for effectiveness and compliance with planning and other regulatory requirements. 2.3 Evaluate, cost and communicate effective strategies for insulating the structure to the client. 2.4 Assess building designs for their compliance with the energy efficiency requirements of the NCC. |
Element: |
3. Manage the building process to ensure an effective outcome |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Establish effective communications between designers, architects and clients to ensure effective thermal performance is embedded from the design to construction phase. 3.2 Confirm effective quality assurance processes are in place to evaluate and implement the building of a five-star dwelling 3.3 Assess and communicate to client, cost-effective strategies to achieve desired level of thermal performance. 3.4 Assess and negotiate life cycle costs of various construction approaches with the client. |
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
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
Timeline for Unit delivery
|
Wk 1 |
Course Overview |
An overview of assessment tasks and class expectations. Introduction to CANVAS, class and assessment rules. |
Wk 2 |
Climate change & renewable energy |
Introduction to global warming, climate change, greenhouse gases, greenhouse effects and CO2 emissions. Discuss various forms of renewable energy and how they work to reduce pollution. |
Wk 3 |
Regulations |
Learn about the sections of the BCA that relate to energy efficiency and the relevant Australian Standards for NCC Vol 1 and 2. Introduced to Energy rating software and verification processes. |
|
Wk 4 |
Climate zones and orientation |
Regional Climate zones and introduction to Passive Design and thermally efficient structures. Discuss orientation and siting and why these elements can help to respond to passive solar design principles. |
|
Wk 5 |
Climate Comfort Passive Heating and Cooling |
Learn about the impacts of radiation, convection, conduction and evaporation on the thermal comfort of residents. Passive Heating and Cooling how heating and cooling can be incorporated into the home that will minimise energy demand. |
|
Wk 6 |
Window sizing and Shading |
Explore window placement & sizing & types. Explore Shading devices for windows. |
|
Wk7 |
Glazing systems |
Learn about Uvalue and SHGC values and research windows for your assessment. |
|
Wk 8 |
Landscaping of site |
Learn how landscaping features can be used to manage wind and suns rays. |
Wk 9 |
Assessment 1 due |
Review of all the elements that have been covered for the Assessment. |
|
Wk 10 |
Insulation |
Learn about the benefits of insulating the building envelope, what materials and how to maximise insulation. Using the NCC Vol 2 explore the requirements for ceiling and wall insulation. |
|
Wk 11 |
Sustainable Materials and LCA |
Explore what is Life Cycle Assessment and how that is used in the assessment of materials used in the home. |
|
Wk 12 |
Quality Assurance |
Identify practices that can help to improve the quality outcome of a home for the clients. |
|
Wk 13 |
Clients & Planning |
Review and write a report to your clients based on the information you have gathered and included in your home design. |
Wk 14 |
Student role play Assessment 2 due |
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Wk 15 |
Revision |
Revision for Test |
Wk 16 |
Online Test |
Lecture and Tutorial period. |
Wk 17 |
Resubmits |
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 1 and 2
Your Home guide
In class activities
Library
Internet
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 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
You will undertake a thermal efficiency and sustainability review of a client’s building design and make recommendations for improvement and alternatives by updating and completing relevant documentation.
There are three parts to this assessment:
- Update the site plans
- Update the floor plans and elevations
- 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
The are five key steps for this task:
- Source insulation products
- Undertake a life cycle assessment for materials choice
- Produce a quality assurance checklist to assess materials and practices that contribute to achieving the goal of an energy efficient home.
- Collate your findings into a recommendations report, include information from Assessment 1
- Undertake presentation in role play and include evidence of collating feedback
Assessment 3 – Online Test
You will be provided 30 minutes to undertake the questions.
There are 12 short answer questions, which relate to thermal efficiency and construction regulations.
You will be deemed competent when all questions are answered correctly. Results from test will be made available immediately at completion of the test via CANVAS. You will be required to re-sit the test in the same tutorial class if all questions are not answered correctly.
Assessment Matrix
Foundation Skills – This section is only completed when foundation are explicitly stated in the unit of competency. In most Training Packages the foundation skills are integrated into the unit of competency and this is clearly stated. | ||
Foundation skill |
Description |
Describe how each foundation skill is demonstrated through the relevant assessment |
Technology skills to: |
Use digital tools and devices to communicate and collaborate effectively with others
|
Technology skills will be demonstrated in: Ass 1. using spreadsheets, tables, and electronic graphics
Ass 2. Send minutes of meeting via email, using tables, word documents and PowerPoints to present information provided individually and within the collation of feedback in the role play
|
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Use equipment and programs to access and extract information and develop relevant documentation.
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Technology skills will be demonstrated in: Ass 1. by using the internet to research and select windows and by using the ABCB Glazing calculator to present finds and research Ass 2. by using the internet to research insulation products and material selection |
Performance Evidence | |||
To demonstrate competency, a candidate must meet the elements and performance criteria of this unit by effectively applying mechanical services principles and concepts to the construction of a thermally efficient and sustainable building structure. |
Assessment Task1: Project 1 |
Assessment Task 2: Project 2 |
Assessment Task 3: Online test |
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Sourcing and analysing legislative and planning requirements for thermal efficiency in the building process
|
1.5 2.9 |
1.1 3.1 |
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Calculating costs and savings of implementing alternative thermally efficient systems |
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1.3 4.8 |
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Applying principles of thermal efficiency to planning of a building project
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1.2 - 1.5 2.1 - 2.8
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1.2 |
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Producing work plans that reflect effective thermal efficiency
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3 |
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Knowledge Evidence | |||
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Assessment Task1: Project |
Assessment Task 2: Project |
Assessment Task 3: Online test |
To be competent in this unit, a candidate must demonstrate knowledge of: |
|
|
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Building and construction industry processes for building sustainability |
|
4.2 |
|
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Requirements for building thermally efficient structures:
|
1.2 - 1.5 2.1 - 2.8
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1.2 3.1 5.1 |
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Regional climate differences areas:
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Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6 and Q7 |
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Relevant state or territory building and construction codes, standards and government regulations
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3.3
|
1.1 |
Q8, Q9, Q10 Q11,12 |
Underlying mathematics related to the calculation of thermal efficiency |
3.1 |
1.2 |
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Workplace safety requirements |
|
1.2 |
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Assessment conditions |
Describe how assessments meet the assessment conditions |
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Assessment can be undertaken in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.
A simulated environment is one that realistically replicates workplace conditions, materials and equipment, interactions with others and workplace irregularities, and which meets industry standards for safety and environmental practices. |
Assessment Task 2 Task 1 relates to a variety of task that people within the building trade will be asked to undertake, this includes: client communication (oral and written), researching suitable products, accurate estimating to reduce waste generation, quality management. |
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Relevant government building and construction regulations
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Ass 2 requires students to include: Information on energy efficient materials chosen for ceiling and wall insulation
Ass 1 requires students to include: Victorian variation for Solar Hot Water, Rainwater Tank or a Heat pump
|
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Current building and construction codes and standards
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Ass 1 requires students to include: NCC glazing calculations
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The NCC |
Ass 1 and 2 includes the use of the NCC Vol 1 and 2 for efficiency requirement |
Construction plans, site plans and specifications |
Ass 1 requires students to analyse and revise provided plans for improved thermal efficiency |
Policies and procedures |
Ass 2 requires students to create quality assurance checklist and produce a client report |
Environmental, sustainability and other quality documentation to undertake the performance criteria and evidence requirements |
Students are provided Your Home Manual and ABCB Glazing calculator |
Digital technology devices, applications and software to source and document information. |
Internet for research Window Energy Rating Software
|
Other Information
Attendance:
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises
It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.
Information about your studies:
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students
Assessment:
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment
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 lodgement 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