Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to install exposed and concealed suspended ceilings. It covers planning and preparing for work, setting out and installing the ceiling suspension system, installing lining material, and completing clean-up activities.
The unit supports the work of wall and ceiling lining and shopfitting workers, as well as other construction workers who install suspended ceilings. It applies to residential and commercial construction projects.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit of competency at the time of endorsement.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions. | ||
1. | Plan and prepare. | 1.1. | Job requirements are obtained, confirmed and applied to planning. |
1.2. | Site and task work health and safety (WHS) requirements are confirmed with relevant personnel and applied to planning. | ||
1.3 | Site is inspected, and conditions and hazards are identified and reported as required. | ||
1.4 | Sequence of work is identified and scheduled according to job requirements. | ||
1.5. | Tools and equipment are selected to carry out tasks according to job requirements, checked for serviceability, and faults are rectified or reported before starting work. | ||
1.6. | Materials and their quantities required for the work are identified and calculated according to job requirements. | ||
1.7. | Materials are obtained, prepared, safely handled and located ready for use. | ||
2. | Set out suspension system. | 2.1. | Ceiling grid is set out according to job drawings and manufacturer specifications. |
2.2. | Alignment levels for ceiling are set out as shown on job drawings. | ||
3. | Install suspension system. | 3.1. | Suspension rods are fixed to underside of soffit and structural members with masonry anchors, bolts and screws at prescribed centres according to manufacturer instructions. |
3.2. | Suspended framework is assembled and connected to suspension rods according to job specifications and manufacturer instructions. | ||
3.3. | Suspension system | ||
3.4. | Bridging framework is fixed to both sides of service ducts to support suspension system. | ||
4. | Install lining materials. | 4.1. | Lining materials are installed according to design pattern set out in job drawings and specifications. |
4.2. | Edges of lining materials are cut and concealed to match pre-finished edges. | ||
4.3. | Openings and penetrations are provided as shown in job drawings. | ||
4.4. | Trims and beads are fixed at junctions with other building elements and surfaces, as shown in job drawings. | ||
5. | Clean up. | 5.1. | Work area is cleared and materials disposed of, reused or recycled according to legislation, regulations, codes of practice and job specifications. |
5.2. | Tools and equipment are cleaned, checked, maintained and stored according to manufacturer recommendations and standard work practices. |
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. The person must also install two suspended ceilings according to job specifications, including:
one exposed suspended ceiling that is a minimum of 10 square metres
one concealed suspended ceiling that is a minimum of 15 square metres.
Each of the suspended ceilings must include grid and support wires or rods, and a penetration to accommodate one or more of the following fittings:
an air duct
an exhaust system
a support column or beam.
In doing the above work, the person must:
locate, interpret and apply information, standards and specifications relating to installing suspended ceilings
comply with site safety plan and work health and safety (WHS) legislation, regulations and codes of practice applicable to installation operations
comply with organisational policies and procedures relating to installing suspended ceilings, including quality requirements
safely and effectively operate and use tools, plant and equipment required to install suspended ceilings
communicate and work effectively and safely with others on the installation site.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
procedures for material storage and environmentally friendly waste management
effects of and methods to mitigate risks of seismic movement when installing suspended ceilings
meaning and application of wall and ceiling terminology as it applies to installing suspended ceilings
processes for reading and interpreting plans, drawings and specifications used when installing suspended ceilings
purpose and application of the following when using tools, equipment and materials to install suspended ceilings:
job safety analyses (JSA)
safety data sheets (SDS)
safe work method statements (SWMS)
suspended ceiling installation techniques and processes, including alignment levelling
suspended ceiling materials and their preparation and applications
techniques for calculating material requirements
types of tools and equipment used to install suspended ceilings, and their application and limitations.
Assessment Conditions
Suitable assessment of performance requires:
equipment:
tools and equipment as listed in range of conditions
materials:
as listed in range of conditions
specifications:
drawings, plans and specifications for installation of the two different suspended ceilings specified in the performance evidence
physical conditions:
suitable work sites for installation
relationship with client:
client consultation required to confirm requirements
timeframe:
according to job requirements.
Assessor requirements
As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) current at the time of assessment.
Foundation Skills
This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Skill | Performance feature |
Learning skills to: | draw on previous experience of installing suspended ceilings and apply to new jobs. |
Numeracy skills to: | interpret scales on drawings and apply them when setting out ceiling grid and suspension systems. |
Oral communication skills to: | use listening and questioning to identify and confirm job requirements interact with workplace personnel in order to contribute to safe and efficient installation. |
Reading skills to: | read and interpret drawings and specifications relating to assembly and installation. |
Writing skills to: | complete simple workplace forms to report faulty equipment. |
Problem-solving skills to: | take action to rectify identified minor faults and problems in tools and equipment. |
Range Statement
This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. | |
Job requirements must include: | job specifications for installing suspended ceilings, including: plans, drawings and specifications for the location and set-out of suspension systems and installation of lining materials quality requirements for the completed work manufacturer and architectural specifications timeframe for completion information regarding other personnel undertaking concurrent activities at the work site, and arrangements for interaction during work activities work site procedures specified by project manager or client job safety analyses (JSA) or safe work method statements (SWMS) for tasks schedule for completing work, including client requirements regarding times when work can be undertaken workplace procedures incorporating requirements of relevant legislation, regulations, codes and Australian standards workplace and work site environmental and sustainability requirements, including management of: clean-up dust and noise vibration waste. |
Tools and equipment must include at least ten of the following: | bolt cutters crimps hack saws hammer drills hammers hole saws laser levelling devices manual levelling devices measuring tapes and rules nail bags pop riveters powder actuated tools, such as explosive nailers power drills power leads power saws scaffolding screw guns squares tin snips utility knives. |
Materials must include four of more of the following: | fibre cement sheeting infill panels, including: acoustic decorative timber metal two-pack insulation materials plasterboard suspended ceiling components. |
Suspension system must include: | anchors and bolts droppers and suspension rods furring channels main beams, rails and runners spacer bars tracks and main tracks. |
Support structures must include: | reinforced concrete ceiling and floor slabs steel ceiling and rod framing timber and steel floor timber ceiling and rod framing. |
Openings and penetrations must include those for: | air ducts exhaust systems lighting diffusers hatches sprinkler heads support columns and beams. |
Sectors
Construction
Competency Field
Wall and ceiling