Foundations licence class competencies
Description
This licensing class covers practitioners constructing foundations for Category 1 or 2 buildings.
This licensing class includes:
- Concrete foundation walls and Concrete slab-on-ground
- Concrete or timber pile foundations.
Competencies
- Competency 1: Demonstrate knowledge of the regulatory environment of the building construction industry.
- Competency 2: Demonstrate knowledge of current foundation trade practice.
- Competency 3: Carry out planning for foundation work.
- Competency 4: Carry out foundation work.
These competencies may be demonstrated by meeting some or all of the following performance indicators.
Performance indicators
Competency 1: Demonstrate knowledge of the regulatory environment of the building construction industry.
1.1.1 Explain the purpose of the Building Act, the Building Code, Health and Safety in Employment Act, and their relationship with the construction process.
1.1.2 Describe the key features of the Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme.
May include but not limited to – the licensing classes, restricted building work, and accountability to the Building Practitioners Board.
1.1.3 Describe the roles and responsibilities of key parties involved in the design and building process.
Roles may include but not limited to – Licensed Building Practitioners (Design, Site, Specialist, Trade), engineers, other trades (eg, electrical, plumbing, tiling), building consent authorities (BCAs), and clients.
1.1.4 Describe how foundation work fits within the building consent process.
May include but not limited to – building consent and Resource consent requirements, inspection, code compliance Certificate, consequences of non-compliance.
1.1.5 Describe building compliance documentation relating to foundation construction.
Includes but not limited to relevant parts of:
-
- Building Code clauses B1 & B2
- NZS3604 Timber Framed Buildings not requiring specific engineering design
- NZS4229 Concrete Masonry Buildings not requiring specific engineering design
1.1.6 Explain the importance of, and operate within the scope of individual competence, and recognise when other skills are required.
Competency 2: Demonstrate knowledge of current foundation trade practice.
2.1 Explain relevant foundation terms and construction methods.
May include but not limited to – piles, concrete floors, and concrete foundation walls.
2.2 Explain the use of foundation fixings.
2.3 Demonstrate knowledge of working with other professions, trades, and regulatory authorities.
2.4 Describe safe working practices onsite.
May include but not limited to – working in confined spaces, pile removal and replacement, temporary capping of reinforcing rods, security of trenches and holes.
2.5 Describe the management of environmental issues onsite.
May include but not limited to – site runoff (washout water), dust from operations, building waste and hazardous materials disposal, storage of materials, and knowledge of resource consent conditions.
2.6 Explain preliminary site set-up requirements.
May include but not limited to – access, survey and set out, underground services, excavations, hoardings, site signage, temporary water and electricity, toilet, shed/store, phone, scaffolding.
Competency 3: Carry out planning for foundation work.
3.1 Read and interpret approved consent documentation.
3.2 Plan and programme foundation construction.
3.3 Order and Coordinate material, labour, plant and equipment supply to site.
Competency 4: Carry out foundation work
This competency may be demonstrated by meeting some or all of the performance indicators in one or more of the following areas of practice.
Area of practice 1: Concrete foundation walls and concrete slab-on-ground
4.1.1 Work safely at all times.
May include but not limited to – personal safety and safety of others.
4.1.2 Manage environmental issues onsite.
May include but not limited to – site runoff (washout water), dust from operations, building waste and hazardous materials disposal, storage of materials, and knowledge of Resource consent conditions.
4.1.3 Excavate and prepare for footings and slab on ground in accordance with documentation.
May include but not limited to – prepare and carry out excavations taking into account position, size, line, level and depth, assess bearing capacity of soil is adequate for foundation type, dispose of excavated soil, place graded hardfill, apply damp proofing material (membrane or emulsion).
4.1.4 Construct formwork for footings, foundation walls and floors.
May include but not limited to – formwork constructed to line, level, plumb and height, removal and cleaning of formwork.
4.1.5 Fabricate and place reinforcing steel and steel mesh.
May include but not limited to – bars, mesh, stirrups, links.
4.1.6 Prepare to place concrete.
May include but not limited to – liaise with sub trades, pipes and ducts placed, damp proof membrane confirmed, pre-placement fixings positioned, concrete joints formed, arrange appropriate inspections.
4.1.7 Receive, place, finish and cure concrete.
May include but not limited to – concrete ordered and received, placed and compacted, concrete finished and cured.
4.1.8 Arrange any additional inspections when required.
Area of practice 2: concrete or timber pile foundation.
4.2.1 Work safely at all times.
May include but not limited to – personal safety and safety of others, temporary propping, working in confined spaces, pile removal and replacement.
4.2.2 Manage environmental issues onsite.
May include but not limited to – building waste and hazardous materials disposal, storage of materials, complying with the Resource Management Act requirements.
4.2.3 Construct concrete or timber pile foundations.
May include but not limited to – site set out and preparation, pile footing excavations, select correct pile type, assess bearing capacity of soil is adequate for foundation type, prepare materials lists, space piles at specified intervals, place piles to line, level, height and plumb, arrange appropriate inspections.
4.2.4 Fix bearers, stringers, and bracing.
May include but not limited to – fastening systems, sub-floor brace system.
4.2.5 Arrange any additional inspections when required.
Frequency of assessment
The first assessment of current competence will occur 2 years after the date of the issue of the licence.
Ongoing assessments will occur every 2 years after the date of the last assessment.