Construction and the built environment
Floorlayer Wood - based
Installing laminate and wood flooring
Summary
This occupation is found in large and small employers in all types of buildings within a diverse range of commercial and domestic environments. Buildings may be existing or new and part of a construction site, such as residential dwellings, new build developments, education, retail, healthcare, leisure, hospitality, fit-out and industrial buildings.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to work in an efficient and safe manner to ensure a high level of customer care whether working alone or within a team. The type of installations will vary from basic to advanced, working with a diverse range of materials and designs. As one of the finishing trades, a Floorlayer will significantly contribute to the ‘look and feel’ of a building which can provide great personal satisfaction.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with colleagues, clients and associated trades e.g. plumbers, electricians, painters. They will interpret drawings and extract relevant information to complete the installation of the flooring, but be flexible, in adapting their approach and techniques when faced with unexpected site conditions.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for the installation of timber products such as laminate and wood (engineered and solid) flooring.
This apprenticeship consists of a core and options and apprentices are required to select one option depending upon their job role.
A Timber floorlayer prepares subfloors and installs timber flooring in various formats.
Completion of the apprenticeship will allow individuals to meet the requirements of the Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and therefore obtain a Skilled Worker card.
Typical job titles include
- Wood floorlayer
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
Awareness of health and safety regulations, relevance to the occupation and the operative's responsibilities. Health and Safety at Work Act (HASAWA). Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). Provisional use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER). Manual handling. Occupational Health. Safe Systems of Work. Working at height. Working in confined spaces. Situational awareness. Isolation and emergency stop procedures. Emergency evacuation procedures. Slips, trips and falls. Safety equipment: guards, signage, fire extinguishers
K2:
Safety Control equipment and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
K3:
Standards and regulations associated with floorlaying activities: British standards. Building regulations. manufacturer guidelines.
K4:
Employment and contract types: pay, tax, pension, national insurance, fixed term contract, full time contract, part time contract, zero hour contract.
K5:
Adaptations of flooring installations to meet the needs of vulnerable people: light reflection value (LRV), ramps, colours, slip resistance, double stick, low level access.
K6:
Flooring installations in traditional, heritage, historic and listed buildings.
K7:
Floorlaying materials and techniques in different industry sectors: residential dwellings, new build developments, education, retail, healthcare, leisure, hospitality, fit-out and industrial buildings.
K8:
Methods of interpreting and extracting relevant information from drawings, specifications and work instructions.
K9:
Principles of digital design, modelling systems and digital platforms.
K10:
Written and digital communication techniques within the flooring industry.
K11:
Verbal communication techniques and flooring terminology.
K12:
Safe handling and moving of flooring materials and equipment: manually, mechanical aids, lifting equipment.
K13:
Storage of flooring materials and equipment: Floorcoverings, hand tools, power tools, plant.
K14:
Assessment and testing all flooring surface conditions: temperature, relative humidity, moisture content, ambient and environment conditions, surface regularity and subfloor condition including presence of underfloor heating.
K15:
Planning methods for flooring installation: phasing work and acclimatisation of materials before laying; type of contract and other works being undertaken.
K16:
Methods to remove and dispose of new or existing flooring.
K17:
Time and task management techniques.
K18:
Resource calculation techniques: type of contract, manufacturers guidelines and site conditions.
K19:
Characteristics and correct uses of preparation methods for different sub-floor surfaces: mixing and application of repair and smoothing compounds and damp proof membranes, installation of fabricated underlayments and sheet membranes.
K20:
Equipment pre-user checks, safe use, maintenance, defect or fault escalation.
K21:
Methods used in measuring, marking and setting out for installing floorcoverings
K22:
Problem solving techniques: subfloor preparation and flooring installation.
K23:
Timber subflooring: structure and repair techniques.
K24:
Considerations of the environment and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance: carbon footprint, recycling, safe use and disposal of products and waste.
K25:
Wellbeing: mental and physical health considerations and how to access support.
K26:
Equity, diversity and inclusion, and its impact on built environment solutions.
K27:
Wood floorlaying hand tools, their purpose, operation and maintenance.
K28:
Power tools, their purpose, operation and maintenance: jigsaw, circular saw, drill, mitre saw, multitool.
K29:
Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) use and purpose.
K30:
Characteristics of wood-based floorcoverings products: solid wood, engineered wood, grain direction and grading.
K31:
Wood-based floorcoverings installation methods: nail down, glue down and floating
K32:
Wood-based floorcovering installation techniques: setting out, cutting, matching and fitting.
K33:
Wood-based floorcoverings expansion gaps: temperature, relative humidity (RH), manufacturer guidelines, area and wood type.
K34:
Underlayment for wood-based floorcovering; foam, acoustic and rubber.
K35:
Principles of sprung floor installation: cradle and batten, matting and clip systems.
K36:
Laying techniques: long strip pattern, plank, diagonal, herringbone, basket weave, chevron and decorative panel.
K37:
Principles of sanding newly installed or refurbished wood-based floorcoverings.
K38:
Accessory installation techniques: thresholds, skirtings, profiles, stair nosings and trims.
K39:
Wood-based floorcoverings finishing techniques: hard wax, oil, stains and sealants.
K40:
Methods of remedial work in wood-based floorcoverings.
K41:
Techniques for isolating and protecting surrounding flooring.
K42:
Methods of calculating flooring materials and resources.
Technical Educational Products
- ST1498: Floorlayer wood based (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC1498
- Status:
Approved occupation
- SOC 2020 code:
- 0
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
S1:
Comply with health and safety regulations, standards and guidance.
S2:
Select and use safety control equipment, use personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
S3:
Verbally communicate with others: For example, employers, colleagues, clients, other trades.
S4:
Use written or digital methods to communicate with others.
S5:
Calculate material quantities, qualities and select required resources.
S6:
Remove and dispose of existing floorcovering.
S7:
Isolate, protect and prepare the work area.
S8:
Test the subfloor condition prior to the application of the smoothing compound and fabricated underlayment: for example, remove surface contaminants and laitance, mix and apply moisture control systems, application of primers.
S9:
Prepare the sub floor for the floorcovering: for example, installation of fabricated underlayments, mixing and application of smoothing compounds, installation of sheet membranes.
S10:
Interpret and use information from drawings, specifications, work instructions.
S11:
Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
S12:
Carry out pre-user checks, use and maintain plant and equipment. Escalate defects or faults.
S13:
Store tools, materials and equipment.
S14:
Measures, marks and sets out floorcoverings.
S15:
Use and maintenance of hand tools used in the preparation and installation of wood-based floorcoverings.
S16:
Use wood-based floorcovering power tools and equipment.
S17:
Use local exhaust ventilation (LEV) equipment.
S18:
Determine correct expansion gaps in wood-based floorcoverings considering; temperature, relative humidity (RH), manufacturer guidelines, area and wood type.
S19:
Apply installation techniques for underlayments for wood-based floorcoverings.
S20:
Apply techniques for setting out, cutting, and matching wood-based floorcoverings.
S21:
Select fixing method for the wood-based floorcovering installation for example nail down, glue down, floating.
S22:
Use sanding equipment on installed or refurbished wood-based floorcovering.
S23:
Use finishing techniques and products for example: hard wax, oil, stains and sealants.
S24:
Apply installation techniques for finishing accessories for example, thresholds, skirtings, profiles, stair nosings and trims.
S25:
Carry out remedial work on wood-based floorcoverings.
S26:
Resolves problems with timber subflooring prior to a flooring installation.
S27:
Apply installation techniques for floating and fixed wood-based floorcoverings.
Technical Educational Products
- ST1498: Floorlayer wood based (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC1498
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- SOC 2020 code:
- 0
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
B1:
Demonstrate commitment to workplace health, safety and wellbeing.
B2:
Collaborate and communicate effectively as part of a team.
B3:
Take personal responsibility for sustainable outcomes when carrying out duties, using environmental good practices.
B4:
Contribute to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
B5:
Take ownership of own workload.
B6:
Seek learning and development opportunities to enhance personal competence.
B7:
Adapt to new and changing situations with colleagues, clients and other construction trades.
Technical Educational Products
- ST1498: Floorlayer wood based (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC1498
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- SOC 2020 code:
- 0
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
