Repairing defective brick and block work

Standard details

CITB has developed this standard in discussion with industry

Duration

Minimum 1 day of 6 learning hours

Purpose/scope

The purpose of training against this standard is to give candidates an overview of the various types of defect which may occur in brick and block work and the necessary repair.

The scope includes:

• cleaning
• cracking
• brick defects
• mortar defects and re-pointing
• accessories defects
• moisture penetration
• leaning and bulging walls
• firestopping
• air permeability.

Occupational relevance

Training delivered against this standard would be relevant to the following occupational groups:

• operative and craft
• supervision.

Candidate pre-requisites

There are no candidate pre-requisites as part of this standard. However, a basic knowledge of masonry terminology and techniques would be beneficial.

Instruction/supervision

As a minimum, course instructors must be able to demonstrate that, in relation to this standard, they have:

• A train the trainer or instructional techniques course certificate
• Successfully completed training to this standard 
• At least 2 years relevant industrial experience 
• A verifiable CV.

Delivery

Delivery may be in an on or off the job environment.

All materials and equipment must be of a suitable quality and quantity for candidates to achieve learning outcomes, and must comply with relevant legislation.

The class size and candidate/instructor ratio must allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable candidates to achieve the learning outcomes.

The following delivery methods may be used in the delivery of this standard:

• classroom
• e-learning
• a blend of classroom and e-learning

This standard is considered to contain 51 per cent or more theoretical training.

Assessment

For the successful completion of training, the trainer must be satisfied that the candidate has achieved all of the learning outcomes.

Quality assurance

Quality assurance against this standard will require initial approval of the training organisation and their content mapped to the standard. 

CITB will also conduct an approval intervention, either desk-based or centre visit, to ensure the training organisation can meet the requirements of the Training Standard. 

Approved training organisations (ATOs) will be required to present information on records of training and assessment upon request to CITB for desk-based analysis. They will also be visited annually by the CITB quality assurance team.

Renewal/refresher

Non-mandatory refresher every 3 years

Approval date

November 2018

Review cycle

Either on request or in 3 year(s) from approval date.

Learning outcomes

The candidate will be able to:

• Identify what should be done on site to reduce the risk of defects on brick and block work
• Describe what efflorescence is and the recommended treatments for brick and block work
• Describe what brick lime staining is and the recommended treatments
• Discuss how to remove dirt, grime and soot from brickwork
• Discuss how to remove oil grease or tar from brickwork
• Identify why cracking occurs on brick and block work
• Describe what lime blowing is
• Describe what spalling is
• Describe how to prepare a brick wall for re-pointing
• Discuss how to replace a damaged brick in a wall and the tools and equipment needed
• Describe what bulging or bowing is in walls

Additional guidance to support learning outcome:

See BDA report Cleaning of clay brickwork

Additional information about this standard

It is recommended that candidates use a copy of Cleaning of clay brickwork when training to this standard

This standard was written by the Association of Brickwork Contractors who deliver training against this standard through the ABC Assessment Centre. 

Any guidance or support with training to this standard can be sought from the Association of Brickwork Contractors and the Brick Development Association.