ABB201 Building Services


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:ABB201
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:ABB107 or DAB212 or UXB110
Equivalent:DAH635, DAB635, DAB312, UXB211
Coordinators:Paul Trotter | paul.trotter@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit introduces the principles, codes, systems, and equipment relevant to the provision of building services for medium-rise buildings. You will learn about the architects’ and consultants’ roles, and legislative requirements in relation to building services such as understanding criteria for systems and equipment and their spatial requirements; interpreting building services drawings; and meeting the requirements of the National Construction Code of Australia (NCC) and related standards for a range of user requirements. You will engage in consultative decision making to integrate building services with architectural intentions and construction methods. In this unit, building services, fire safety, universal access, climate change implications, and code requirements are offered as drivers for the design of safe, functional, and comfortable buildings.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Analyse the way in which building service systems work, and how they can be integrated with architectural intentions and construction methods
  2. Demonstrate your understanding of building services and the role of various professional building service consultants in the design of buildings
  3. Demonstrate your understanding of the deemed-to-satisfy approach as outlined in the National Construction Code and related standards
  4. Interpret building services drawings and coordinate building services components to avoid building and service drawing conflicts

Content

Topics covered:

  • Fire safety, detection, and suppression
  • HVAC systems
  • Electrical supply, distribution
  • Communications services
  • Lighting
  • Building hydraulics
  • Acoustics
  • Sustainable building systems
  • Accessibility and Disability Discrimination Act
  • Building Code of Australia (National Construction Code vol.1) and Australian Standards
  • Building services drawings
  • Digital tools including BIM and Generative AI

Learning Approaches

The approaches in this unit will be through individual and team-based learning. Your learning in this unit will be fostered through formal lectures, group workshops, desk critiques of your work, research, and analysis. As part of real world learning and in line with the current practices of the architectural and built environment professions, collaborative learning in a group setting will be integral to the learning exercises. On occasion, you will be required to display your work for critiques in a group setting, giving you opportunity to explain your ideas and their implementation in your project work.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided to you in following ways:

  • teaching staff will offer in-class formative feedback during the semester at key times to assist students in the development of their project
  • criteria referenced assessment sheets
  • Canvas - general comments to cohort group
  • collaborative peer feedback.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment will be based on individual assignments; and individual written examination.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Project (applied)

Critical analyses of building services of selected architectural works or actual building site.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See Canvas for specific guidelines.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 40
Length: 5 weeks
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 5
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

Assessment: Project 2 (applied)

Application of the learning to produce documents showing building services relationships.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See Canvas for specific guidelines.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 30
Length: 5 Weeks
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 10
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4

Assessment: Examination (written)

Written time-based exam to validate understanding of unit content.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.

Weight: 30
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): During central examination period
Central exam duration: 2:10 - Including 10 minute perusal
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

There is no set text. Recommended reading material will be advised during the semester via Canvas and QUT Readings

Risk Assessment Statement

All commencing Faculty of Engineering students are required to complete the Mandatory Safety Induction

There are no extraordinary risks associated with the classroom/lecture activities in this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

AB01 Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours)

  1. Apply theoretical, practical and cultural knowledge and skills across a range of disciplines and specialist knowledge and skills in one built environment area.
    Relates to: Project (applied), Project 2 (applied), Examination (written)
  2. Design and critically evaluate sustainable and creative solutions to social, economic, technological and environmental challenges.
    Relates to: Project (applied), Project 2 (applied), Examination (written)
  3. Communicate knowledge, ideas and creative solutions in diverse modes, for a range of contexts and diverse audiences.
    Relates to: Project (applied), Project 2 (applied), Examination (written)
  4. Strategically collaborate with diverse stakeholders and communities, including First Nations peoples.
    Relates to: Project 2 (applied)
  5. Reflect on feedback and experience, and display professional and ethical judgment and initiative.
    Relates to: Examination (written)

AB05 Bachelor of Architectural Design

  1. Apply theoretical, practical and cultural knowledge and skills in architecture.
    Relates to: Project (applied), Project 2 (applied), Examination (written)
  2. Design and critically evaluate sustainable and creative architectural solutions to social, economic, technological and environmental challenges.
    Relates to: Project (applied), Project 2 (applied), Examination (written)
  3. Communicate architectural knowledge, ideas and creative solutions in diverse modes, for a range of contexts and diverse audiences.
    Relates to: Project 2 (applied)
  4. Strategically collaborate with diverse stakeholders and communities, including First Nations peoples, as architectural thinkers.
    Relates to: Project 2 (applied)
  5. Reflect on feedback and experience, and display professional and ethical judgment and initiative.
    Relates to: Project (applied), Examination (written)