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Title / Demonstrate knowledge of survey requirements for the setout of medium buildings
Level / 5 / Credits / 5
Purpose / People credited with this unit are able to: demonstrate knowledge of the survey requirements for the accurate setout of a medium building; demonstrate knowledge of surveying equipment and its use on a building site; use survey data to provide other building site information; and establish base data and prepare a contour plan.
Classification / Construction > Construction Management
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1Definitions
surveying instruments may include, but are not limited to – straight edge and spirit level, water level, Cowley level, builder’s level, tilting level, theodolite, laser, chains and tape;
site documents may include but are not limited to – job specifications and design documents;
medium buildings are light to medium weight commercial or industrial buildings up to three levels above ground which utilise commercial or industrial materials, construction techniques, and services.
2Legislation and documentation relevant to this unit standard may include, but is not limited to – Trespass Act 1980, Cadastral Survey Act 2002, Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, Local Government Act 2002, Resource Management Act 1991.
3Survey Industry Standards relevant to this unit standard include – Surveyor-General’s Rules for Cadastral Survey 2002, NZS 5821.2:1981 Laser safety – Plain language code of practice for the safe use of lasers in surveying, levelling and alignment, NZS 5821.3:1981 Laser safety – Plain language code of practice for the safe use of lasers in teaching. NZ Standards are available from Standards New Zealand (
4This unit standard is theoretical, but providers are encouraged to demonstrate the operation of basic equipment within the time constraints.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of the survey requirements for the accurate setout of a medium building.
Evidence requirements
1.1A survey plan is prepared according to the constraints of the site.
1.2Surveys are identified and responsibilities are determined.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – boundary survey, control survey, progressive survey.
1.3Briefing notes on the requirements for the boundary survey and the construction control survey are prepared and the level of accuracy established.
1.4Measuring and recording systems are selected in accordance with survey industry standards.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate knowledge of surveying equipment and its use on a building site.
Evidence requirements
2.1Surveying instrument set up and adjustment are described in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – dumpy level, tilting level, Cowley level, theodolite, laser.
2.2Measurement methods for progressive survey requirements are described in accordance with survey industry standards, and the accuracy of measurements required is established.
2.3The surveying instrument checks for accuracy are described in accordance with survey industry standards.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – setting up over a survey mark, using survey marks and profiles, taking linear, angular, measurements, turning 90 degree angles, finding ground levels, changing station, setting levels, controlling verticality.
Outcome 3
Use survey data to provide other building site information.
Evidence requirements
3.1Calculations and drawings are prepared in accordance with industry standards.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – reduced levels, contour plans, volumes.
Outcome 4
Establish base data and prepare a contour plan.
Evidence requirements
4.1The site is represented on a plan grid pattern according to survey industry standards.
4.2Grid heights are calculated from spot levels and a contour plan is drawn with contour heights at set levels according to survey industry standards.
4.3Plans and cross sections are plotted and drawn to scale, and gradient is determined according to survey industry standards.
Replacement information / This unit standard has been replaced by unit standard 27154.This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 19 August 1997 / 31 December 2016
Revision / 2 / 26 June 2001 / 31 December 2016
Review / 3 / 26 September 2001 / 31 December 2016
Rollover and Revision / 4 / 12 December 2008 / 31 December 2016
Review / 5 / 18 March 2011 / 31 December 2016
Rollover / 6 / 15 August 2013 / 31 December 2016
Reinstatement / 7 / 19 January 2017 / 1 March 2019
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0048
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Building and Construction Industry Training OrganisationSSB Code 101562 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2019