GQAFEN18 Comply with Building Regulations, Standards and legislation related to curtain walling and façade installation activities

Overview

This standard covers the broad requirements of the Building Regulations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and Building Standards in Scotland that are applicable to the curtain walling and façade environment. You should ensure that installations do not endanger life and comply with the statutory requirements, keep your knowledge current and communicate with others when required.

This standard is for you if you work in the Curtain Wall installation industry and are involved in on site curtain wall and façade installation work.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

1. carry out all work following current Building Regulations, Legislation and Building Standards which apply to the projects you are working in
2. communicate with others about regulations, legislation and standards in line with organisational requirements
3. seek and obtain information on updates and changes to regulations, legislation and standards from reliable sources
4. update and maintain knowledge of regulations or standards in line with changes in legislation 

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:

1. key parts of the Building Regulations, Standards and legislation that apply to curtain walling and facade projects and what they mean
2. why building regulations or building standards exist and when they apply to the type of works being undertaken
3. Building Regulations/Standards complied with, in full, and the ones that must be considered to secure reasonable standards of health and safety for persons in and about buildings, affected by the works
4. which parts of the installation are covered by Building Regulations, legislation and Standards and how work carried out complies to these
5. who is authorised to carry out inspections and approve products installed to ensure requirements of the Building Regulations/Standards are met
6. consequences of failed inspections on installers, building owners and main contractors
7. types of loads that can affect structures
8. how to ensure that loads are correctly supported and restrained
9. how wind load can impact on structures and the choice of system used
10. main criteria of fire-resistant glazing so that a safe structure is kept in the event of a fire
11. how buildings with multiple floors can conform to requirements for emergency access in the event of fires
12. how curtain wall structures can restrict the internal spread of flames and smoke
13. advantages of installing thermally efficient curtain walling systems
14. how to achieve compliance with fuel conservation requirements in line with Approved Document L
15. what is meant by safety glazing and where it must be fitted
16. types of safety glazing and how to identify them, their markings and the standards and regulations that apply
17. whether un-marked glass can be classified as safety glazing
18. the term 'finished floor level'
19. why it is necessary to make special provision for access to, and use of, buildings
20. safety requirements relating to door size, window operation and positioning of operating hardware
21. when to provide protection from falling and how this can be achieved through the use of safety glazing
22. how to prevent impact on glazing

Relevant Occupations   

Glaziers Window Fabric and Fitters

Keywords           

Fenestration, Curtain Walling, Building Regulations, Building Standards