Install external wall insulation
Overview
"This standard is about preparing and installing external wall insulation, interpreting information, adopting safe, healthy and environmentally responsible work practices, selecting and using materials, components, tools and equipment
This standard is for people working in the occupational area of insulation and building treatments and can be used by installers, supervisors and managers"
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
"P1 interpret the given design information relating to the work and resources to confirm its accuracy, completeness and relevance to the building type, fabric and condition for the following:
1.1 drawings
1.2 specifications
1.3 schedules
1.4 method statements
1.5 risk assessments
1.6 suppliers and manufacturers’ information
1.7 data sheets
P2 comply with the given, relevant legislation, standards and official guidance to carry out your work and maintain safe and healthy work practices relating to the following:
2.1 methods of work
2.2 safe use of health and safety control equipment
2.3 safe use of access equipment and harness systems
2.4 safe use, storage and handling of materials,
tools and equipment
2.5 operative maintenance of installation equipment
2.6 specific risks to health including mental health
2.7 specific risks associated with ventilation and
combustion appliances
P3 select the required quantity and quality of resources for
the methods of work
3.1 check the suitability, compatibility and characteristics of
the materials, components and finishes and determine if
they are moisture open or moisture closed and their impact
on the building
3.2 record and report issues or defects
3.3 select tools and equipment
P4 comply with organisational procedures to minimise the risk
of damage to the work and surrounding area by:
4.1 protecting the work and its surrounding area from damage
4.2 maintaining a safe, clear and tidy work area
4.3 disposing of waste in accordance with current legislation
P5 comply with the given contract information to carry out
the work efficiently to the required specification by
the following:
5.1 demonstrate work skills to remove, measure, mark out, cut,
line, level, drill, fit, fix, fill, finish, position and secure
5.2 to carry out external and internal pre-installation checks,
assessing, recording and reporting issues to include:
- suitable access
- property suitability
- structural integrity
- dampness
- decay
- vents and adequate ventilation
- services (gas, electric, water, media cables)
- architectural features
- vegetation
- rainwater goods
- loose surface finishes
- external cracking
- water ingress
- damp proof course
5.3 use and maintain all work tools and equipment
5.4 cut and fix pre-formed trims and mounting blocks
5.5 install pattresses for fixtures and fittings
5.6 apply treatments to existing walls
5.7 prepare and install insulated external wall system in accordance
with the specification, design, drawings and method
statements to given working instructions
5.8 embed mesh and stress patches in accordance with
specification
5.9 carry out mid-install checks to boarding and basecoat stage
5.10 apply mastic aesthetic sealant to all interface, joints and
penetration
5.11 install air and vapour control layers
5.12 make good any marks and holes following scaffold removal
5.13 handover and sign off to the customers satisfaction
5.14 carry out post installation checks
P6 complete your work within the estimated, allocated time
and performance requirements of the system design, method
statement and the required standard"
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
"Performance Criteria 1
Interpretation of information
K1. why organisational procedures have been developed and how
they are implemented
K2. types of information, their source, accuracy, completeness
and how they are interpreted in relation to:
2.1 drawings
2.2 specifications
2.3 schedules
2.4 method statements
2.5 risk assessments
2.6 design
2.7 standards
2.8 suppliers and manufacturers' information
2.9 data sheets
2.10 official guidance
2.11 current legislation and regulations governing buildings
K3. the importance of organisational procedures to solve problems
and why it is important to follow them
Performance Criteria 2
Safe work practices
K4. relevant, current legislation, standards and official guidance
and how they are applied
K5. the types of fire extinguishers and how and when they are used
in relation to water, CO2,foam, powder
K6. how emergencies should be responded to in
accordance with organisational authorisation and personal skills
in relation to:
6.1 fires, spillages, injuries
6.2 emergencies relating to occupational activities
6.3 identification of and reporting of asbestos containing materials
K7. the organisational security procedures for tools,
equipment and personal belongings in relation to:
7.1 site
7.2 workplace
7.3 siting and location of vehicles
7.4 company
7.5 customer
7.6 access equipment
7.7 material and waste storage
7.8 the general public
K8. how to report risks and hazards identified by the following:
8.1 risk assessment
8.2 personal assessment
8.3 methods of work
8.4 suppliers and manufacturers' technical information
8.5 data sheets
8.6 statutory regulations
8.7 official guidance
8.8 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
K9. the accident reporting procedures and who is
responsible for making the report
K10. why, when and how health and safety control equipment
identified by the principles of prevention should be used in
relation to:
10.1 collective protective measures
10.2 personal protective equipment (PPE)
10.3 respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
10.4 local exhaust ventilation (LEV)
K11. environmentally responsible work practices to meet current
legislation, standards and official guidance when dealing with
potential accidents, health hazards and the environment
in relation to:
11.1 below ground level
11.2 confined spaces
11.3 at height
11.4 tools and equipment
11.5 materials and substances
11.6 movement and storage of materials by manual handling and
mechanical lifting
Performance Criteria 3
Selection of resources
K12. why the characteristics, compatibility, quality, uses,
sustainability, limitations and defects associated with the
resources are important and how defects should be rectified
K13. the organisational procedures to select resources, why they
have been developed and how they are used
K14. how to confirm the resources and materials conform with the
specification
K15. how the resources should be used and how any problems
associated with the resources are reported in relation to:
15.1 protective sheeting
15.2 masking materials
15.3 insulation and fixings
15.4 warning signs
15.5 public protection equipment
15.6 renders, reinforcements,
15.7 base tracks and fixings
15.8 vent sleeves
15.9 primers
15.10 adhesives
15.11 fire stops
15.12 expansion and movement joints, compression joints
15.13 pattress's
15.14 corner beads and profiles
15.15 base coats
15.16 seal tapes and joints
15.17 mesh and stress patches
15.18 topcoats and finishes
15.19 sealants
15.20 mechanical fixing components
15.21 pre-formed trims
15.22 tracks and shims
15.23 beads
15.24 joints and cills
15.25 air and vapour control materials
15.26 all work tools and equipment
K16. how to identify the hazards associated with the resources and
methods of work and how they are overcome
K17. how to calculate the quantity of materials required as per the
system designer specification and wastage associated with the
method and procedure to install external wall insulation
Performance Criteria 4
Minimise the risk of damage
K18. the importance of protecting the work and its surrounding
area against the risk of damage
K19. how to protect work and its surrounding area from damage by
general workplace activities, other occupations and adverse
weather conditions and how to minimise damage to existing
building fabric
K20. why and how the disposal of waste must be carried out safely
in accordance with the following
20.1 current legislation
20.2 environmental responsibilities
20.3 organisational procedures
20.4 suppliers and manufacturers' information
20.5 data sheets
20.6 statutory regulations
20.7 official guidance
K21. why it is important to maintain a safe, clear and tidy work
area
Performance Criteria 5
Meet the contract specification
K22. how the methods of work to meet the specification, are carried
out and how problems are identified and reported by the
application of knowledge for safe, healthy and
environmental work practices, procedures and skills relating
to the method and area of work
22.1 the suitability, compatibility and characteristics of the materials,
components and finishes, and determine if they are moisture
open or moisture closed, their impact on the building and
their appropriateness to the design and physical application
22.2 how to record and report issues or defects with the materials,
components and finishes
22.3 why it is important to carry out external and internal pre-
installation checks
22.4 how to carry out external and internal pre-installation checks,
assessing, recording and reporting issues to include but not
limited to:
- suitable access
- property suitability
- structural integrity
- dampness
- decay
- vents and ventilation
- services (gas, electric, water, media cables)
- architectural features
- vegetation
- rainwater goods
- loose surface finishes
- external cracking
- water ingress
- damp proof course
22.5 why it is important to ensure that all necessary repairs are
completed prior to installation
22.6 the importance and function of pull out tests
22.7 how to identify when specialist skills and knowledge are
required and report accordingly including but not limited to:
- fire safety
- electrical
- media cables
- signal receiving equipment
- junction boxes
- asbestos
- Radon
- heritage
- architectural features
- ecology
- ventilation
- flues
22.8 the relevance of an assessment of significance and how to
recognise specific requirements for structures of special
interest, traditional construction, hard-to-treat buildings and
historical significance
22.9 how to identify, record, report and rectify unintended
consequences not addressed in the design, including but not
limited to the existence of: thermal bridges, thermal
bypassing and water ingress, inadequate ventilation and
condensation risk
22.10 why it is important to avoid unintended consequences
22.11 the effects of weather and the restrictions when applying an
external wall system
22.12 the implications of existing guarantees and warranties that
may be compromised by the installation to include but not
limited to:
- wall ties
- windows
- damp proof course
- renders
-Tyrolean coatings
- silicone weather proof coatings
22.13 how to protect the adjacent surfaces
22.14 how to remove ancillary wall fixtures including but not limited
to downpipes, soil pipes, alarm boxes, fences, handrails, as
necessary to install the system in accordance with the
specification, design, drawings and method statements
22.15 how to prepare surfaces by removing existing defective
surface finishes, repairing and using appropriate materials to
make good the following, including but not limited to: holes,
loose render, belcasts, painted surfaces, remove existing
vegetation and treat
22.16 how to apply surface treatments to existing walls
22.17 why it is important to identify and report architectural features
not addressed on the design
22.18 why it is important to provide temporary protective covers to
work areas
22.19 how to recognise, record and report the key issues that may
inhibit commencement of the work including but not limited
to:
- condition of building fabric
- identification of any areas of potential water penetration
- visibility and completeness of damp proof course
- condition of window and door seals
- height of internal floors in relation to external floor height
- condition of roof
- damaged brickwork
- drainage and down pipes
- protection and existence of sub floor ventilation
- cavity width and identification of any debris
- electrical cables, media cables, junction and meter boxes,
- signal receiving equipment
- flues, gas pipes, chimneys and combustion air ventilators
- identification of protected wildlife (nesting birds, bees, bats)
22.20 why it is important to explain installation procedure to
building occupants to include but not limited to the following:
- scope and work programme
- safety requirements during the installation process
- protection of property and personal items
- specific benefits and implications to include
homeowner information
- agreed standards of making good
22.21 how to work with, around and in close proximity to plant and
machinery
22.22 how to direct and guide the operations and movement of
plant and machinery to ensure protection of a safe working
environment
22.23 how to identify and follow the installation quality
requirements
22.24 how and why it is important to check, record and report issues
with construction ventilation, flues, chimneys and combustion
air ventilators pre and post installation
22.25 how to ensure pre-installation material checks are within
specification
22.26 how to prepare and install insulated external wall system in
accordance with the system design, specification and details,
method statement and the require standard
22.27 how to cut and fix pre-formed trims and mounting blocks
22.28 how to cut, line, level, drill and fix tracks, beads, shims, joints,
cills
22.29 how to install pattresses for fixtures and fittings
22.30 how to apply weather sealing and compressive tapes at
interfaces and penetrations
22.31 how to install insulation to walls with specified fixing pattern
using adhesive and mechanical fasteners
22.32 how to apply base coat to insulation
22.33 how to embed mesh and stress patches in accordance with
specification
22.34 how to apply second coat and primers
22.35 how to reinstate ancillary wall fixtures including but not
limited to downpipes, alarm boxes, fences, handrails
22.36 how to apply mastic aesthetic sealant to all interface, joints
and penetration
22.37 how to make good any marks and holes following scaffold
removal
22.38 the different types of air and vapour control layers and
breather membranes, where and how they should be used and
why it is important to install them correctly
22.39 the importance of ensuring the integrity of air and vapour
control layers and breather membranes, following installation
and the need to maintain continuity
22.40 why it is important to immediately record and report
unforeseen events including but not limited to equipment
malfunctions, situations and faults not identified in the
original design
22.41 how to handover and sign off to the customers satisfaction
and explain maintenance requirements
22.42 why it is important to complete post installation checks in
accordance with the system designer installations manual,
specifications, water penetration, anchorage and fixing, vents,
services (gas, electric, water, media cables)
22.43 why it is important to provide post installation advice and
guidance to building occupants and client including
homeowner packs
22.44 how to use all work tools and installation equipment in line
with manufacturers' and system specifications
22.45 how to work at height using access equipment and harness
systems
22.46 how and why maintenance of all work tools and installation
equipment is carried out
K23. the importance of team work and communication
K24. the needs of other occupations associated with installing
external wall insulation
Performance Criteria 6
Allocated time
K25. the programme of work to be carried out including the
estimated and allocated time and why deadlines should be
kept
K26. the types of progress charts, timetables and estimated times
and the organisational procedures for reporting circumstances
which will affect the work programme"