Application
This unit of competency covers preparing, selecting and applying cementitious products using smoothing and skim coating techniques to concrete and timber sub-floors in readiness for the installation of floor coverings and coatings for internal and external applications.
Licensing, legislative or certification requirements may apply to this unit and relevant state/territory and local government agencies should be consulted to determine any necessary certification or licensing for undertaking flooring work. Access to construction sites requires certification of general induction training specified by the National Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work (ASCC 2007).
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Prepare for work | 1.1 | Applicable work health and safety (WHS), legislative and organisational requirements relevant to selecting and applying smoothing and patching compounds for sub-floor preparation are verified and complied with |
1.2 | Instructions and/or plans are read and interpreted to identify the process required to complete work tasks | ||
1.3 | Floors are inspected to ensure that they are dry, smooth, plane, sound and clean in accordance with Australian Standards, and the extent of preparation is confirmed | ||
1.4 | Trial applications of surface materials are made to determine the suitability of the primer to the sub-floor, and the appropriateness of the smoothing compound to smoothing requirements and compatibility to the primer and sub-floor application | ||
1.5 | Tools, equipment and materials are selected and checked prior to use to ensure that they are appropriate for the work, serviceable and in a safe condition | ||
1.6 | Material safety data sheets (MSDS), or equivalent, are read and applied during the work | ||
1.7 | Materials and equipment are prepared and positioned for use | ||
1.8 | Surfaces are cleaned in accordance with manufacturer recommendations | ||
2 | Apply levelling compounds and primers | 2.1 | Surface coating is applied with the depth and coverage in accordance with manufacturer specifications and job requirements |
2.2 | Levelled floor is checked and cleared for further processing | ||
3 | Apply levelling compounds and primers to timber sub-floors | 3.1 | Surfaces are checked for contamination, moisture content and suitable preparation |
3.2 | MSDS, or equivalent, are read and applied during the work | ||
3.3 | A mixing station is established where materials and equipment are prepared and positioned for use | ||
3.4 | Trial applications of surface materials are made to check equipment operation, materials consistency and specified surface finish | ||
3.5 | Levelled floor is checked and cleared for further processing | ||
4 | Complete housekeeping | 4.1 | Unused materials are stored or recycled as required |
4.2 | Tools and equipment are cleaned and stored appropriately | ||
4.3 | Work area is cleaned and rubbish disposed of appropriately | ||
4.4 | Workplace documentation is completed | ||
Evidence of Performance
Interpret work order and locate and apply relevant information
Apply safe handling requirements for equipment, products and materials, including use of personal protective equipment
Identify materials used in the work process
Follow work instructions, operating procedures and inspection processes to:
minimise the risk of injury to self or others
prevent damage to goods, equipment and products
maintain required production output and product quality
Complete, to Australian Standards, a minimum of two (2) sub-floor preparations which are to include:
a patch and repair
a level pour
Use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly complete measurements, calculate area and estimate material requirements
Communicate ideas and information to enable confirmation of work requirements and specifications and the reporting of work outcomes and problems, interpret basic plans and follow safety procedures
Avoid backtracking, work flow interruptions or wastage
Work with others and in a team by recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to optimise work flow and productivity
Evidence of Knowledge
State or territory WHS legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice relevant to floor patching and smoothing techniques
Organisation and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for applying smoothing and patching compounds
Environmental protection requirements
Established communication channels and protocols
Relevant problem identification and resolution
Types of tools and equipment and procedures for their safe use, operation and maintenance
AS/NZS 2455.1:2007 Textile floor coverings - Installation practice - General
AS 1884-2012 Floor coverings - Resilient sheet and tiles - Installation practices Characteristics of materials, products and defects
Set-up and operation of equipment
Procedures for the recording, reporting and maintenance of workplace records and information
Appropriate mathematical procedures for estimation and measurement
Characteristics and requirements of concrete and timber sub-floor preparation
Type, characteristics, uses and limitations of smoothing compounds and primers
Workplace safety system requirements related to the application of smoothing compounds and primers
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must:
hold training and assessment competencies as determined by the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC) or its successors
have vocational competency in the furnishing industry at least to the level being assessed with broad industry knowledge and experience, usually combined with a relevant industry qualification
be familiar with the current skills and knowledge used and have relevant, current experience in the furnishing industry.
Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time rather than a single assessment event and in a range of workplace relevant contexts.
Assessment must be by observation of relevant tasks with questioning on underpinning knowledge and, where applicable, multimedia evidence, supervisor’s reports, projects and work samples.
Assessment is to be conducted on single units of competency or in conjunction with other related units of competency. Foundation skills are integral to competent performance in the unit and should not be assessed separately.
Assessment must occur on the job or in a workplace simulated facility with relevant process, equipment, materials, work instructions and deadlines.
Access is required to materials and equipment relevant to sub-floor smoothing and patching activities.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. Detail on appropriate performance levels for each furnishing unit of competency in reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy utilising the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) are provided in the Furnishing Training Package Implementation Guide.
Range Statement
Specifies different 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. Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment. | |
Unit context includes: | WHS requirements, including legislation, building codes, material safety management systems, hazardous and dangerous goods codes, and local safe operating procedures or equivalent work is carried out in accordance with legislative obligations, environmental legislation, relevant health regulations, manual handling procedures and organisation insurance requirements work requires individual to demonstrate some discretion, judgement and problem solving |
Surface materials include: | compounds used to repair, level, smooth or skim a sub-floor of timber or concrete |
Tools and equipment include: | finishing trowel grouping and batching buckets mixing palette hair broom trolley plastic sheeting mixing drill screed bar |
Australian Standards include: | AS/NZS 2455.1:2007 Textile floor coverings - Installation practice – General AS 1884-2012 Floor coverings - Resilient sheet and tiles - Installation practices |
Personal protective equipment includes: | that prescribed under legislation, regulations and enterprise policies and practices |
Information and procedures include: | workplace procedures relating to the use of tools and equipment work instructions, including job sheets, cutting lists, plans, drawings and designs workplace procedures relating to reporting and communication manufacturer specifications and operational procedures |
Sectors
Flooring technology