PROWPT1            Prepare to treat wood

Overview

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.

 

Outcomes

Performance Criteria

You must be able to:      

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 to carry out the job 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 all materials required are to specification and free from faults following standard operating procedures

6.            identify the effect on characteristics and properties of wood and wood treatment will have on each other

7.            select treatments of appropriate type and concentration to meet the specification

8.            maintain treatment chemical stock levels in line with organisation’s procedures

9.            select quantity of appropriate species of wood to meet the specification

10.          check moisture content of the wood

11.          check wood is ready for treatment, identifying and rectifying any problems within the limits of your responsibility

12.          ensure solution strength of wood treatment chemicals meet the specification

13.          identify, trace and record wood treatment activity following company procedures

14.          report any problems outside the limits of your responsibility to appropriate people following company procedures

15.          complete work within the allocated time in accordance with the treatment processes and programme of work               

 

Knowledge & Understanding

You need to know and understand:

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 the common faults that can 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 the wood product 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 be 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

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 preparation