PROWT9              Advise on rectification of quality issues related to wood or wood-based materials

Overview

This standard covers the skills and knowledge required to be able to recommend ways to resolve faults and discrepancies in quality in wood or wood-based materials which may arise if procedures are not followed.  Quality issues may include weakness, inferior appearance, possible degrade, infestation and other problems.  To do this, you will need to understand the effects that viable solutions will have on the properties and characteristics of wood.

This standard is most suitable for those working in timber consultancy but could be used by anyone advising on the rectification of faults.

 

Outcomes

Performance Criteria

You must be able to:      

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

2.            ensure your advice is based on sufficient, well researched and accurate information about quality of wood products

3.            ensure your recommendations for rectification of faults are possible, realistic and clearly documented

4.            communicate effectively with clients and other people to ensure they fully understand the implications of your recommendations

5.            provide technical information about properties and characteristics of wood or wood-based materials and products derived from them to the level required by clients

6.            explain implications of any structural work or wood treatments on future quality and performance of wood or wood-based materials

7.            keep up to date with new products to treat wood and wood-based materials and how each will enhance their properties and service life

 

Knowledge & Understanding

You need to know and understand:

1.            legal duties for health and safety in the workplace and legislation covering your job role

2.            species of timber in commercial use, their appearance, individual characteristics, properties and typical end uses

3.            differences between softwood and hardwood and the impact this has on the wood products used

4.            what is meant by durability, differing levels of durability, how they are categorised and the woods listed within each category

5.            ways to improve woods ability to resist weathering, decay or infestation and mechanical durability or performance

6.            how to recognise strength reducing characteristics in wood

7.            how to protect wood from uptake of moisture, staining, distortion, deterioration or other degrade

8.            how to identify when wood can be treated and when it needs to be replaced

9.            types of preservative treatments available, level of protection they provide and how they are applied

10.          how to treat different types of infestation in wood

11.          effects of wood treatments and exterior coatings on wood structures, properties, durability and appearance

12.          effect that moisture content has and the reasons for drying wood

13.          recommended moisture content for wood for its intended use

14.          main trade dimensions for available wood

15.          current price structure for the wood or wood-based materials used

16.          how quality of wood affects the quality of end products

17.          how to recognise wood has been graded or classified for strength or appearance and what the grades and strength classes mean

18.          schemes related to environmental issues, sustainability and quality and how to work within them

19.          differences between different wood quality schemes, grading rules and standards

20.          how quality range differs between hardwoods and softwoods and appearance and strength grades

21.          ways to maximise efficient use of timber

22.          effect of wood properties and characteristics on tools and machinery

23.          basic rules of storage, handling and protection for wood or wood-based materials and damage or deterioration that will occur if they are not followed

24.          how to deal with and minimise the effects of damage or degrade

25.          regulations and codes of practice that you need to comply with when working with wood

26.          effect of different approaches on historical accuracy, traditional techniques, dimensions used and accepted practices

27.          who to communicate with and how to present your views and concerns to others

28.          main sections of reports about wood faults and remedies and information each should contain

29.          where to obtain information keep your knowledge up to date