Install insulation to suspended floors
Overview
"This standard is about preparing and installing placed, mechanically or adhesively fixed insulation to suspended floors, 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 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 specific risks to health including mental health
2.6 specific risks associated with ventilation (roof space, inside the
property and under floor) and combustion appliances
2.7 specific risks associated with working in confined spaces
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, fixings 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 measure, mark out, cut, fit, position,
secure and make good
5.2 carry out external and internal pre-installation check, assessing,
recording and reporting issues to include:
- suitable access
- property suitability
- structural integrity
- dampness
- decay
- vents and ventilation
- services (gas, electric, water, media cables)
5.3 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 finished ground level
- drainage and down pipes
- protection and existence of sub floor ventilation
5.4 identify the potential risk of increased condensation following
installation relating to suspended floors and how to prevent it
5.5 check, record and report issues with under floor (cross flow)
ventilation, flues, chimneys and combustion air ventilators pre
and post installation
5.6 prepare floor for insulation creating access points taking into
consideration the following but not limited to:
- safe systems of work
- minimising damage
- checking existing services
- building construction and heritage significance
- customer safety
5.7 check for hidden utilities
5.8 maintain integrity of membranes
5.9 remove and minimise damage to floorcoverings
5.10 ensure the minimum void area air space is maintained by
removing debris
5.11 clear and safeguard existing and install additional ventilation in
accordance with the design and installation checks and report
back issues which impact the ventilation assessment
5.12 protect the building occupants and their property
5.13 confirm pre-installation material checks are within specified
parameters to include checking and reporting defects
5.14 rectify defects in preparation of insulation measures
5.15 install placed, mechanically or adhesively fixed insulation to
suspended floors
5.16 maintain existing sound-proofing
5.17 install and maintain fire resistant barriers
5.18 complete carry out post installation checks in accordance with
the design, method statement and installations operations
manual and report issues to include but not limited to
safeguarding the combustion ventilation and report defects
5.19 provide post installation advice and guidance to building
occupants including homeowner packs
5.20 handover and sign off to the customers satisfaction
5.21 use and maintain all work tools and equipment
5.22 work at height using access equipment
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 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 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 warning signs
15.3 temporary barriers
15.7 making good materials
15.8 filling materials
15.9 sealants
15.10 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 and used
to ensure adeqaucy of fill as per the system designer
specification and wastage associated with the
method and procedure to install insulation to suspended
floors
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 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)
22.5 why it is important to ensure that all necessary repairs are
completed prior to installation
22.6 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 and spalled brickwork
- rain and waste water goods
- protection and existence of sub floor ventilation
- wall cavity width and identification of any debris
22.7 how to identify when specialist skills and knowledge are
required and report accordingly including but not limited to:
- fire safety
- electrical
- asbestos
- Radon
- heritage
- architectural and archaeological features
- ecology
- ventilation
- exposure and topography
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 how to check, record and report issues with under floor (cross
flow) ventilation, flues, chimneys and combustion air ventilators
pre and post installation
22.12 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
22.13 the implications of existing guarantees and warranties that
may be compromised by the installation to include but not
limited to:
- timber treatments
- replacement wall ties
- injected damp proof course
- under floor and central heating systems
- Radon barriers
- electrical wiring
- services
22.14 how to identify and follow the installation quality
requirements
22.15 how to work with, around and in close proximity to plant and
machinery
22.16 how to direct and guide the operations and movement of
plant and machinery to ensure protection of a safe working
environment
22.17 why it is important to recognise the potential risk of increased
condensation following installation relating to suspended
floors and how to prevent it
22.18 how to prepare a floor for insulation, creating access points
taking into consideration the following but not limited to:
- safe systems of work
- minimising damage
- checking existing services
- building construction and heritage significance
- customer safety
- archaeology
22.19 how to check for hidden utilities
22.20 the importance of ensuring all work to services (gas, electric,
water) is carried out by suitably qualified people
22.21 how to maintain the integrity of membranes
22.22 how to remove and minimise damage to floorcoverings
22.23 why it is important to ensure the minimum void area air space
is maintained by removing debris as required
22.24 why it is important to clear and safeguard existing and install
additional ventilation if required in accordance with the design
and installation checks and report back issues which impact the
ventilation assessment
22.25 how to protect the building occupants and their property
22.26 how to install placed, mechanically or adhesively fixed
insulation to suspended floors
22.27 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
22.28 the importance of ensuring the integrity of air and vapour
control layers and breather membranes following installation
and the need to maintain continuity
22.29 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
22.30 how to ensure pre-installation material checks are within
specified parameters and reporting defects
22.31 how to ensure existing cross flow ventilation is maintained
within the floor void
22.32 how to maintain existing sound-proofing
22.33 how to install and maintain fire resistant barriers
22.34 why it is important to minimise thermal bridging through
compliance with design detail ensuring a consistent level
of insulation to the area being insulated
22.35 why it is important to complete post installation checks in
accordance with the system designer installations operations
manual and report issues to include but not limited to
safeguarding the combustion ventilation and report defects
22.36 why it is important to provide post installation advice and
guidance to building occupants including homeowner packs
22.37 how to handover and sign off to the customers satisfaction
22.38 how to use all work tools and equipment
22.39 how to work at height using access equipment and harness
systems
22.40 how and why maintenance of all work tools and
equipment is carried out
K23. the importance of team work and communication
K24. the needs of other occupations associated installing insulation
to suspended floors
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"