GQA Level 5 Diploma in Façade Design and Engineering

What you'll be able to do

• Know what external noise is and how it can be tested and reduced through effective façade design.
• Understand how external noise is measured and what the report produced shows.
• Understand target sound reduction values, what part of the façade they refer to and how they are measured.
• Understand how the findings from a sound reduction assessment affect the make-up of an Insulated Glazing Unit (IGU).
• Know which Approved Document of the Building Regulations relate to acoustics and who else can be consulted on noise issues.
• Understand the acoustic performances and possible noise reduction solutions for solid walls, rainscreen facades, insulated rendered systems, unitised facades, closed joint masonry, and pre-cast concrete.
• Understand how the acoustic sound reduction of glass can be improved by changing the make-up of an IGU.
• Understand how the acoustic performance of a product is evaluated.
• Interpret the information found on a glass manufacturers’ glass sound data sheet.
• Know what an acoustic trickle vent is, their function and where they would be used.
• Know what the term flanking means and how it relates to acoustics in facades.
• Understand the term “Flanking” and how it relates to acoustics in facades.
• Know which parts of the façade can contribute to the cause of flanking sound transmission.
• Know the three strategies that can be used to reduce the effects of flanking, how they work and what part of the façade they can be used on.
• Understand how tests on facades are carried out to identify what might cause flanking and how it can be controlled.
• Know what causes “Self noise” on a façade and how to reduce it.
• Define the term “Self Noise” and how it relates to facades and façade design.
• Know the four types of noise that can be generated by a façade, what might cause the sound and actions that can be taken to mitigate or reduce the level of noise.

What you'll be able to do

• Know the importance in the role of standardisation and utilising baseline performance in the design of facades.
• Know the Approved Documents of the Building Regulations that apply to facades and the areas they focus on.
• Know the main reasons why facades need to comply with the Approved Documents and which Building Control bodies can uphold and assess the compliance of a façade to meet these standards.
• Know the standards that might need to be applied to the design of a façade.
• Know the requirements of BREAM.
• Know the requirements of Warranty providers (NHBC and LABC Standards).
• Know the requirements of CWCT Standards and Technical Notes.
• Know the requirements of CIRIA.
• Know the requirements of International standards.
• Know the performance standards that might need to be considered during the façade design and engineering process.
• Know the aspects of health and safety that need to be considered in the design of the façade.
• Know the fire safety considerations in façade design.
• Know the considerations for the use of different types of safety glass in façade design.
• Know the safety considerations in relation to balconies on facades.
• Know the safety considerations in relation to window types and openings.
• Reduce mould growth in interstitial spaces in façade design.
• Know the health risks to be considered and dealt with at the façade design stage.
• Know other safety considerations at the façade design stage.
• Know how cost needs to be considered and controlled at the design stage of the façade.
• Explain the impact of cost on the design process.
• Explain cost considerations on the design process.
• Explain costs related to the ongoing maintenance of a façade.
• Explain costs to consider for the developer during the build and client after the build.
• Explain costs related to bespoke designs and the use of value engineering to reduce associated costs.
• Explain costs relating to specific projects.
• Know the reasons for considering the efficiency and comfort of the building at the façade design stage.
• Explain the thermal performance considerations of the façade.
• Explain the acoustic performance considerations of the façade.
• Explain the daylight requirements for the façade.
• Explain the solar shading requirements for the façade.
• Explain the ease of operation of opening parts of the façade.
• Explain how to design to comply with relevant regulations relating to efficiency and comfort.
• Know the reasons for the need to consider the buildability of the façade design and the practicability of turning the design into a building.
• Identify potential dangers to consider relating to the building of the façade.
• Identify factors to consider relating to the practicality of the design of the facades and attachments.
• Explain how the buildability and practicality of the structure has an impact on the costs of the build.
• Explain how to consider the security aspects of the designed structure.
• Demonstrate awareness of best practice details in relation to the buildability and practicality of the design of the façade.

What you'll be able to do

• Know how different types of loads have an impact on a façade.
• Define the terms load and stress in relation to facades.
• Identify the five types of loads that can be applied on a façade and provide an example of each type, outline what causes them and the effect they will have on a façade.
• Know how inconsistencies in tolerances and building movement can have an effect on a façade.
• Identify the two main types of tolerances that can be found on a façade.
• Define what the term “permissible deviation” means when applied to a façade.
• State the permissible tolerance deviation for on site fabricated components.
• State the allowed tolerance for the edge of an on site cast concrete slab.
• Describe the methods used onsite to compensate for inconsistencies in component sizes.
• Explain how unitised facades deal with inconsistencies in sizes of units and concrete slabs onsite.
• Explain how differences in joint sizes in facades are dealt with onsite and how they are dealt with in façade interfaces.
• Define what the term “Deflection” means, identify the three main types of deflection that relate to facades and how are they dealt with.
• Define what is meant by the terms building sway and inter storey drift when they are applied to a façade.
• Identify the main causes of expansion and contraction of a façade.
• Explain the function of a lateral load bracket on a façade.
• Know the importance of access requirements for installing different types of facades.
• Explain how access has an impact on the construction of the façade.
• Define the following types of facades:
• Define In-situ façade.
• Define Semi-fabricated façade.
• Define Fully fabricated façade.
• Explain the type of access required, and the advantages and disadvantages of the access requirements for each of the following types of façade:
• Explain the access requirements for In-situ façade.
• Explain the access requirements for Semi-fabricated façade.
• Explain the access requirements for Fully fabricated façade.
• Know the façade maintenance considerations that need to be considered at the façade design stage.
• Define what an O&M manual is, who uses it and what information it should contain relating to facades.
• Identify the questions that need to be answered in the contents of the O&M manual in relation to facades.
• Explain how the design of the façade needs to consider issues relating to carrying out maintenance on the façade after it has been built.
• Explain how the provision of maintenance requirement affects the design of the façade.
• Explain the cost considerations relating to maintenance that need to be thought about at the design stage.

What you'll be able to do

• Know how walls are used on a façade and how they are made up.
• Understand the definition of vision and non-vision walls.
• Understand the construction methods and façade types covering traditional brick, pre-cast panels and brick veneers.
• Understand the performance parameters and methods of measurement of vision and non-vision walls covering energy, acoustics, and light transmittance.
• Interpret architectural drawings showing vision and non-vision walls.
• Know who needs to be aware of non-performance and performance of systems.
• Understand build-up insulation and thermal performance.
• Understand façade build up for different systems.
• Understand how to measure air tightness and air permeability of wall types.
• Understand the benefits and performance of prefabricated and in-situ assemblies.
• Understand the acoustic performance of walls.
• Know how windows are used in the façade of a building, and key parts of windows.
• Identify the key components of a window.
• Understand the difference between windows and “all-glass” curtain walling.
• Understand the different materials windows can be made from and their features, benefits, drawbacks and uses, including PVC-u, timber, aluminium, steel, and composite materials.
• Identify the different window opening types and their uses in a façade and how to identify them on architect drawings.
• Understand the window performance parameters and standards to apply covering U-values and acoustics.
• Understand air tightness requirements for windows.
• Know how doors form part of a façade, and how they are used in facades within set parameters.
• Understand door types and uses on a façade for low traffic, high traffic, revolving doors, and materiality.
• Understand the materials used to construct doors and their uses, including PVC-u, aluminium, steel, and composite materials.
• Understand the required performance parameters and standards for doors relating to thermal properties, acoustics, air permeability, and security.
• Understand robustness and service life considerations for doors.
• Know how balconies are used on a façade and how they are constructed and design parameters.
• Understand the standards and regulations relating to balcony design and use.
• Define a balcony accurately.
• Understand the types of balconies and their uses.
• Understand balcony construction types and materials used to cover prefabricated and in-situ construction.
• Understand the materials used in balconies and where they are used.
• Understand fire safety considerations in balcony design.
• Understand the main types of drainage used on balconies and where they are used.
• Understand the structural performance of balconies and deflection considerations.
• Understand the types of flooring used on balconies, how they are fixed, and slip resistance.
• Understand the use of thermal breaks between the balcony and the structure.
• Know how balustrades are used on facades, design parameters and materials used in balustrades.
• Understand what balustrades are and why they are needed.
• Understand design and safety considerations relating to balustrades, including assessment of risk and preventative measures to reduce identified risks.
• Understand the materials used to construct balustrades, their uses and restrictions.
• Understand regulations and standards relating to the use of balustrades.
• Understand parameters to consider when designing balustrades.
• Understand the difference between vision and non-vision balustrades.
• Understand the use of Juliette guarding as balustrading.

What you'll be able to do

• Know the types, uses and performance parameters of glass used in facades.
• Identify glass types, their uses and performance parameters.
• Identify the uses and performance parameters of Annealed glass.
• Identify the uses and performance parameters of Heat strengthened glass.
• Identify the uses and performance parameters of Tempered / toughened glass.
• Identify the uses and performance parameters of Laminated glass.
• Identify the uses and performance parameters of Monolithic glass.
• Explain how glass is used on facades and its purpose.
• Explain how different glass breaks and the hazards or safety features associated with each type.
• Explain how glass thickness has an impact on pane size, its uses and performance parameters.
• Explain the causes of thermal shock breakage and how the risk of thermal shock can be reduced.
• Explain what is covered in a thermal stress analysis report.
• Identify the components and properties of an Insulated Glass Unit (IGU).
• Explain what Low E glass is and how it impacts the performance of an IGU.
• Know how stone is used on a façade, its limitations and parameters for use.
• Explain how stone panels are used on a façade.
• Identify the parameters and uses of the following stone veneer fixing methods.
• Identify the parameters and uses of Visible mechanical stone veneer fixing methods.
• Identify the parameters and uses of Undercut anchor stone veneer fixing methods.
• Identify the parameters and uses of Kerf or edge groove fixings stone veneer fixing methods.
• Identify the parameters and uses of Composite stone bonding stone veneer fixing methods.
• Explain how fire safety and fire spread needs to be considered and reduced when using stone panels.
• Explain what pre-cast stone panels are and how they are used on a facade.
• Identify types of support brackets used to fix stone panels to the structure.
• Identify types of joints used between panels their benefits and drawbacks.
• Identify different properties of stone panel and their uses and issues.
• Identify the properties of Stone porosity.
• Identify the properties of Thermal properties of stone.
• Identify the properties of Acoustic properties of stone.
• Explain the benefits and drawbacks of pre-assembled and site assembled stone panels.
• Identify common applications of stone panels on a façade.
• Know how bricks are used on a façade, their types and parameters for use.
• Identify types and sizes of standard bricks.
• Identify different types of brick bonds and where they are used.
• Explain how brick sizes impact the sizes of window and door openings.
• Identify properties of bricks, their performance and inherent issues.
• Identify the properties of Porosity of bricks.
• Identify the properties of Material type of bricks.
• Identify the properties of Method of construction of bricks.
• Explain how bricks are used on rainscreen facades and types of brackets used.
• Explain how loads placed on the brick panels are dealt with.
• Explain how bricks ties and channels are incorporated into a brick façade.
• Explain the differences and benefits of brick slips and precast concrete including how they are manufactured.
• Explain the need for lintels to be used over window and door openings.
• Know how concrete is used in facades and its parameters and construction methods.
• Identify properties of concrete.
• Identify the Thermal performance of concrete.
• Identify the Acoustic performance of concrete.
• Identify types and uses of different types of panels and concrete including limitations and drawbacks.
• Identify the types and uses of Sandwich concrete panels.
• Identify the types and uses of Architectural columns and beams.
• Identify the types and uses of Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete (GFRC).
• Identify the types and uses of Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC).
• Identify sizes and thicknesses of concrete panels.
• Explain how concrete panels are fixed to the structure.
• Know how ceramic can be used on a façade, its limitations and construction methods.
• Identify properties of ceramic as a façade and its main applications.
• Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using ceramic.
• Identify issues to consider and how they impact on the façade design.
• Identify Size restrictions of ceramic.
• Identify Standard tile size of ceramic.
• Identify Issues with ceramics as a material.
• Explain the difference between using ceramic on low rise buildings and high rise buildings.
• Identify fire safety issues to consider for ceramic facades.
• Identify safety issues relating to tiles breaking and how they are overcome.
• Explain how panels are fixed to the structure and the sequence of installation.
• Know how metals can be used in a façade and their properties and limitations.
• Identify types of metals, their properties and uses.
• Identify the properties and uses of Aluminium.
• Identify the properties and uses of Steel.
• Identify the properties and uses of Stainless steel.
• Identify the properties and uses of Galvanised steel.
• Identify the properties and uses of Copper.
• Identify the properties and uses of Zinc.
• Explain where metal is used in a façade, what components are made from metal and why.
• Explain what bimetallic corrosion is, what causes it, and how it is controlled.

What you'll be able to do

• Know how materials are classified and used as approved fire rated materials in façade design, including an understanding of how Approved Document B is used in the design of fire safety on a façade.
• Know how product information and safety sheets are used in the design of fire safety in a façade.
• Know which standards relate to fire classification of products and the minimum classification for fire products.
• Know how products are classified and how this relates to fire safety design in relation to fire, smoke, and flaming droplets.
• Know the fire rating classifications that relate to products.
• Know the melting points for low carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminium.
• Know what a building fire strategy is and how it is used in façade design and engineering.
• Know what products are permitted to be used in a façade, even if they are not classified as fire products.
• Know what the term “Normative Reference” means in relation to fire products.
• Know how cavities in facades are dealt with in the design process and how they are affected by fire.
• Understand the purpose of a cavity on a façade and how they react in a fire situation.
• Understand the term “chimney effect”, how this relates to fire spread in a building and how it applies to different façade types.
• Understand what the term compartmentation means and how it relates to the internal and external parts of a building.
• Know what type of cavity closers there are and how these relate to fire safety.
• Comply with cavity fire safety requirements for BS9999 and Approved Document B.
• Know some of the issues that relate to general compartmentation of buildings.
• Understand what specified attachments on buildings are and how they should be treated in relation to fire safety.
• Understand the limitations of using glass balustrades on balconies in buildings in the UK from the fire safety regulation perspective.
• Understand how decking and soffits on a balcony are affected by fire safety standards.
• Understand how spandrels are affected by fire safety standards.
• Know what firestops are, and where and how they can be used on a building.
• Understand the areas on a façade that are classed as general compartmentation, the issues relating to these and what fire safety precautions can be taken with these.
• Understand the areas on a façade that are classed as soffit compartmentation, the issues relating to these and what fire safety precautions can be taken with these.
• Understand the areas on a façade that are classed as external corner party wall compartmentation, the issues relating to these and what fire safety precautions can be taken with these.

What you'll be able to do

• Know the different types of procurement routes that can be used in façade design and engineering.
• Know the factors that influence the choice of procurement route for façade design and engineering projects.
• Know who is involved in the procurement route for different types of façade design, including masonry low rise, masonry mid rise, rainscreen low rise, curtain walling low rise, high rise unitised, high rise pre-cast concrete, and fully fabricated pre-cast panels.
• Know who has design responsibilities for different types of facades and the documentation they produce for masonry low rise, masonry mid rise, rainscreen low rise, curtain walling low rise, high rise unitised, high rise pre-cast concrete facades, and fully fabricated pre-cast panels buildings with load-bearing precast façades.
• Know why maintenance of the building needs to be considered at the design stage of the façade.
• Know who should be involved in the maintenance design process and their role for low rise, mid to high rise, and high rise facades.
• Understand the role of each person involved with the maintenance of the building at the concept, tender, construction, as-built, and ongoing maintenance stages.

What you'll be able to do

• Know how U values are used to measure heat loss and gain on a structure and how thermal performance is measured.
• Identify the three methods of heat transfer and explain how they work.
• Define the term heat resistance, explain how it relates to thermal performance and how it is measured.
• Define what U values are and explain how they are measured.
• Identify the U values that are set in Approved Document L for the external structure of a building.
• Explain what has an impact on the final U value of an individual product that might be used on the external structure of a building.
• Describe the process for calculating the U value of a window and how heat loss is calculated and measured.
• Know what thermal bridging is, the causes of it and how the effects can be reduced.
• Define the term thermal bridging and explain how it relates to building envelopes.
• Identify the four main types of thermal bridging and describe the effects on the structure of each type.
• Explain how reducing the effects of thermal bridging can reduce building energy loss and improve energy efficiency.
• Describe how thermal bridging is reduced on a building envelope.
• Explain how the effects of thermal bridging are analysed.
• Know the causes and effects of condensation on a building and how these can be reduced.
• Explain how excessive condensation has an impact on the risks to the structure and the occupants in a building.
• Identify the main causes of condensation in a building and what type of surfaces it can affect.
• Identify the different types of condensation and where they are found in a structure and how they can be reduced.
• Define the term “Dew Point” and “Dew Point Line” and explain what they refer to.
• Describe how a condensation risk analysis is carried out.

What you'll be able to do

• Know the types and uses of ventilated rainscreen façade assemblies that can be used as a façade on a building.
• Identify standards and regulations relating to rainscreen.
• Identify components used in rainscreen construction.
• Explain how rainscreen is ventilated and pressure equalised drainage.
• Identify fire safety requirements and materials used in rainscreen construction.
• Identify rainscreen cavity parameters.
• Identify joints used in rainscreen and how they work.
• Identify rainscreen fixings and brackets used.
• Identify common rainscreen coordinated details and their uses.
• Explain how insulation is used in rainscreen and suitable insulation material allowed.
• Know how masonry façade systems can be used on a building, the types available and their uses.
• Identify types of masonry facades.
• Identify the components that make up a masonry façade.
• Identify types of masonry façade materials.
• Explain how dead load and lateral / wind load is transferred through the system.
• Explain how the system is fixed to the structure, including different bracket types and fixings.
• Identify types of insulation used, what type and where they can be used.
• Explain the importance of the size of cavity gaps.
• Identify different masonry facades support strategies.
• Explain how the system is drained and use of cavity trays and damp proof courses.
• Know how pre-cast concrete is used as a type of façade on a building.
• Explain what pre-cast concrete panels are and how they are used on a façade.
• Explain how precast concrete panels are fabricated and the benefits of this method.
• Identify the features and benefits of using pre-cast concrete as a façade material.
• Identify the materials used to make a pre-cast concrete panel and overall façade.
• Explain how pre-cast panels are fixed to the structure.
• Explain how to join the pre-cast panels together.
• Explain how to seal and drain the system.
• Know the types and use of curtain wall systems as a façade finish on a building.
• Provide an accurate definition of curtain walling.
• Identify types of curtain walling available and the factors that influence choice of system to use.
• Identify the profiles used in a curtain walling system and sizes available.
• Explain how curtain walling profiles are extruded.
• Explain how a curtain wall system is fixed to the structure and the types of brackets used.
• Identify the different loads that can be applied to a curtain walling system.
• Identify curtain walling system components and their uses.
• Explain the “Build-Up” of the curtain walling system.
• Identify window and door inserts that can be used in curtain walling.
• Explain how loads are distributed through the system.
• Know how insulated render is used as a type of façade on a building.
• Identify features and uses of an insulated rendered façade system.
• Explain the make-up of an insulated rendered façade and individual panels.
• Explain how the system is drained.
• Explain fire rating and fire protection in an insulated rendered façade.
• Explain how to fix an insulated rendered panel to the structure.
• Explain accommodation of movement in insulated render facades and key principals of movement joint layout.
• Explain how to design to avoid staining on the face of the façade.
• Know how sandwich panels and sealed facades are used on a building.
• Identify key properties, features and uses of sandwich panels.
• Identify the components and make up of a sandwich panel.
• Identify different types and sizes of panels available.
• Explain how the panels are fixed back to the structure.
• Know types, features and use of the other lesser-known types of facades that can be used as a façade on a building.
• Identify the types, features and uses of Living green walls.
• Identify the types, features and uses of ETFE systems.
• Identify the types, features and uses of 3D printed facades.
• Identify the types, features and uses of Profiled glass.
• Identify the types, features and uses of Double leaf facades.