Prepare to treat wood

This standard covers the skills and knowledge required to prepare for the application of a preservative or fire-retardant treatment to wood. To do this, you will need to identify the appropriate treatment and ensure sufficient stocks of treatment chemicals to complete the job, select the appropriate quantity and type of wood, and prepare wood for the application of wood treatments. This applies to anyone involved with wood treatment and preservation.

1. comply with health and safety requirements and procedures at all

   times

   2. obtain specifications and requirements of the items to be

   produced following standard operating procedures

   3. obtain equipment and materials required following standard

   operating procedures

   4. check equipment is set up correctly and in good working order

   following standard operating procedures and any manufacturer's

   instructions

   5. check materials required meet specifications and are free from

   faults following standard operating procedures

   6. identify how wood treatment will affect the characteristics and

   properties of wood following standard operating procedures

   7. select treatments of appropriate type and concentration to meet

   specifications

   8. maintain treatment chemical stock levels following standard

   operating procedures

   9. select quantity of appropriate species of wood to meet

   specifications

   10. check moisture content of wood following standard operating

   procedures

   11. check wood is ready for treatment, identifying and rectifying any

   problems within the limits of your responsibility

   12. check solution strength of wood treatment chemicals meet

   specifications

   13. identify, trace and record wood treatment activity following

   standard operating procedures

   14. report any problems outside the limits of your responsibility to

   appropriate people following standard operating procedures

   15. complete work within allocated time following standard operating

   procedures and programme of work

1. relevant health and safety responsibilities

   2. meaning of terms used in specifications

   3. how to check equipment is set up and is in good working order

   4. how to check materials and common faults that occur

   5. species of wood in commercial use, their appearance, individual

   characteristics, properties and typical end uses

   6. differences between softwood and hardwood and the impact this

   has on wood products used

   7. what is meant by durability; natural durability and conferred

   durability

   8. durability classifications and typical end use applications and

   service life expectations

   9. how to obtain and interpret work instructions and programmes of

   work

   10. ways to improve wood's ability to resist weathering, decay or

   insect attack and durability or performance

   11. how to protect wood from uptake of moisture, staining, distortion,

   deterioration or other degrade

   12. types of treatment available relevant to your work, level of

   protection they provide and when they are appropriate to use

   13. performance and natural resistance of different woods to fire

   14. tests used to assess solution strength of wood treatment

   chemicals

   15. treatment chemical stock levels and replenishment procedures

   16. effect moisture content has on treatments being applied and how

   drying wood may affect this

   17. recommended moisture content for wood for its intended use

   18. how to measure moisture content of wood

   19. where to get up to date information on regulations, industry

   standards and company guidance in relation to wood treatment

   20. standards you need to comply with and their requirements

   21. personal protective equipment required during the treatment

   process

   22. application processes for different types of wood treatment

   23. suitability of different application processes for treating different

   types of wood

   24. effects of wood treatments and exterior coatings on wood

   structure, properties, durability and appearance

   25. how to protect work area from damage

   26. manufacturers' technical information, statutory regulations and

   official guidance for dealing with spillages

   27. equipment associated with preparing wood for treatment and how

   to use it

   28. limits of your responsibility in relation to rectifying problems or

   faults

   29. who to report problems outside the limits of your responsibility to

   and appropriate ways to do so

   30. environmental responsibilities in relation to wood treatment

   preparation