104 LO4

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Preparation techniques 1

Unit 104: Site preparation for working in the
construction industry

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Documentation

Before any work starts there are certain documents that will need to be
read and referred to for any preparatory work.

This will ensure the installation is carried out according to the
manufacturer’s instructions, in the way the customer wants and in a
way that is legal.

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Manufacturer’s instructions

These are some of the most important documents to refer to when
installing, servicing or maintaining an appliance. They tell us what we
must do for correct and safe installation of an appliance.

These must be followed otherwise:

• the warranty could be void

• the installation could be dangerous

• regulations could be broken.

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Job specification

This is a written description of the installation that has been quoted for.
It will also list the materials and appliances that will be installed. On
occasions it refers to a manufacturer and the British Standard of the
materials to be used.

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Plans and drawings

These are the ‘pictures’ that back up the job specification. Plans,
elevations and details are needed by the installer before the installation
can go ahead. These will show all the dimensions and positions of
appliances and will be accurately scaled.

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First and second fix are terms commonly used in construction.

First fix

First fix comprises all the work needed to take a building from
foundation to putting plaster on the internal walls. This includes
constructing walls, floors and ceilings, and inserting cables for electrical
supply and pipes for water supply (the carcase).

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First fix

Includes installation of pipes and cables below the floor or chased in to
the walls and leaving tail ends of pipes capped off and a length of cable
to be shortened.

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Second fix

From the tail ends and cables left from the first fix appliances and
fittings can be positioned and connected.

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Floorboards

Commonly known as ‘tongue and groove’ as this denotes the way they
locate together, floorboards are laid on joists and either nailed or
screwed in position.

Floorboards can be covered by carpet or laminate. They can also be a
polished finish themselves.

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Lifting floorboards

A lot of work involves lifting floorboards to access pipework and cables
so a good understanding of the procedure is important.

Floorboards can be lifted with power tools or with hand tools.

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Lifting floorboards

To lift a floorboard using a power tool:

1.

Decide which boards need to be lifted

2.

Locate the position of the joist (this can be done by looking for the
nail holes)

3.

Mark the centre of the joist (this makes sure that there is support
when the board is replaced). If the joist cannot be found then a
supporting cleat will need to be fitted.

4.

Using a nail punch, hit the nails below the board

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5.

Set the depth on the circular saw to the depth of the board. This is
to ensure that any pipes and cables are not damaged.

6.

Run down the length of each board to be lifted.

7.

Carefully cut across the centre of the joists.

8.

The boards can now be lifted.

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Replace them in the same order and securely screw them in position.

If a cleat is required, screw the cleat onto the side of the joist before
replacing the boards.

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Lifting and floorboard with hand tools

1.

Carry out steps 1–4 as per the power tools.

2.

Use a floorboard saw to cut through and down the tongue and
groove, or you can use a bolster chisel to break the tongue off.

3.

Using the floorboard saw, cut across the joist.

4.

The boards can now be lifted.

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Chipboard

Chipboard is more commonly used as flooring on new-build properties
as it comes in 2.4m x 600mm sheets (caber flooring) and uses a style
of tongue and groove. Removing chipboard is more difficult; the best
way is to remove a section using a circular saw.

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Lifting chipboard flooring

1.

Determine which area is to be lifted. The joists are marked by the
joins in the chipboard or where the nail heads are located.

2.

Using the nail punch, hit the nails below the board.

3.

Set the depth on the circular saw to the depth of the board (to
ensure nothing below the boards is damaged.

4.

Run down the length to be cut.

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5.

Mark and carefully cut across the board.

6.

The board can now be lifted.

7.

A supporting cleat needs to be fitted before replacing the board.

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Coverings

On either tongue and groove or chipboard a customer can lay a variety
of coverings. Carpet is commonly used as a soft covering. Laminate
floors are often favoured because they are hardwearing and relatively
dust-free. Vinyl flooring is sometimes preferred for ease of cleaning.

If pipework or cables are below and require access, coverings will have
to be carefully taken up and then re-laid after completion of the work.

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Building Regulations Part A

When cutting into or drilling a joist you need to follow the requirements
set out in Building Regulations Part A.

Approved Document A sets out the requirement for notching and
drilling and must be followed at all times.

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Notching a joist

The maximum depth of a notch is one-eighth of the joist depth.

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Drilling a joist

The maximum size is one-quarter of the depth of the joist, but any hole
MUST be on the centre line of the joist.

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Risks

Whenever you take up floorboards always be aware of the risks:

•Drilling or cutting in to existing pipework

•Drilling or cutting into existing cables

•When the floor is up, there is a risk of the open floor. Anyone could
put their foot through the floor, similar to working in loft areas that
are unboarded.

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Any questions?

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