Contents
Contents
Details of the occupational standard
Occupation summary
This occupation is found in both the new build and refurbishment construction sector. Projects include dwellings and non-dwellings, ranging from windows, doors, bi-fold doors in homes and public houses through to large new build office and housing developments. Fenestration is the arrangement and design of windows and other external glazed elements in a building with the exception of curtain walling. It can often be the most impressive feature of a building and covers a range of products e.g. windows, doors, bi-folds, rooflights and conservatories. Companies range in size from local micro businesses servicing only the domestic market and sourcing their products from manufacturers or trade suppliers through to large national employers who both manufacture and fit a wide range of fenestration products for dwellings and non-dwellings.
The broad purpose of this occupation is the on-site installation of a wide range of replacement and new build fenestration products in a property or structure. This could include windows, doors, bi-fold doors, and conservatories. Installers work with a broad range of materials (e.g. PVC-U, aluminium, steel, timber and composite) and a wide variety of building structures and building methods. The work is usually conducted on-site with a combination of working on the exterior of a building as well as from inside the building, sometimes working at height and in varying weather conditions. This occupation can progress to more specialist occupations through further training, e.g. curtain walling, surveying, and working on high-rise high-risk buildings which must comply to specific regulations since the Grenfell fire.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with colleagues both on site (installation team and other trades) and office based (e.g. line manager, supervisor, customer service, designers). Installers often work as part of small teams either directly for end customers such as small shop owners, landlords, tenants or individual home owners or in large scale projects for developers. Therefore, they occasionally interact with site managers, architects and other trades.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for completing their own work, with minimal supervision, ensuring they meet installation quality standards and deadlines. They may work as part of a team, with responsibility for a specific aspect of the installation, contributing to the completion of the project. As part of this, they will be expected to liaise with various clients some of whom may be and be aware of relevant legislation and regulations related to how they interact with clients, their working environment and work within these limitations.
Typical job titles include:
Occupation duties
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Duty 1 Work in compliance with Health and Safety, and environmental requirements considering the Health and Safety of self and others. Report in a timely manner any non-compliances to the relevant person. |
K1 K2 K3 K6 K7 K8 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 K26 K33 K34 K36 |
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Duty 2 Identify and confirm fenestration installation requirements and components. |
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Duty 3 Interpret the appropriate work plan for the job, taking into account factors such as environmental, structural, contractual and specification. |
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Duty 4 Locate, handle, store, load, transport and position fenestration materials and components safely. |
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Duty 5 Prepare the site, plant, equipment and access ready for installation. |
K1 K2 K4 K5 K7 K8 K9 K11 K12 K13 K18 K19 K20 K21 K24 K25 K35 |
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Duty 6 Remove existing fenestration, understanding what action should be taken or who to report situations to if problems arise |
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Duty 7 Take steps to ensure structural stability using structural supports. |
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Duty 8 Prepare the apertures, appropriate to the property |
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Duty 9 Fix fenestration units in place |
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Duty 10 Install glass units, infill panels and hardware |
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Duty 11 Make good and apply internal & external finishes |
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Duty 12 Maintain a clean and tidy work area throughout and upon completion of the works |
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Duty 13 Conduct interim and final inspections of the work and work area |
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Duty 14 Demonstrate the product and handover installation paperwork |
KSBs
Knowledge
K1: Awareness of health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance (Emergencies and First Aid provision and mandatory reporting of accidents and near misses) and impact on role. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). Fire safety. Health and Safety at Work Act. Asbestos awareness. Manual handling. signage, fire extinguishers. Safety signage. Situational awareness. Slips, trips, and falls. Working in confined spaces. Working at height. Mobile elevated working platforms (MEWPS), Electrical safety, emergency stop procedures. Lone working. Safety equipment and guards on machinery and power tools.
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K2: Safety Control equipment and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE) Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and dust suppression.
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K3: Site specific inductions, risk assessments and control measures, method statements and hazard identification in the work area.
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K4: Fenestration installation industry: domestic and commercial.
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K5: Characteristics, qualities and uses of fenestration products and an awareness of specialist products for enhanced performance, safety, security and fire rating.
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K6: Principles of window and door set: Window and Door set Energy Ratings and U values.
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K7: Verbal communication techniques. Giving and receiving information. Matching style to audience. Barriers in communication and how to overcome them. Fenestration terminology.
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K8: Traditional written and digital communication techniques within the fenestration industry.
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K9: Methods of interpreting and extracting relevant information from drawings, specifications, digital documents and work instructions, including manufacturer's instructions.
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K10: Information required to complete quality checks and reports.
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K11: Mechanical properties, use and limitations of fenestration materials: aluminium, steel, timber, composites, PVC-U.
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K12: Positioning and installation techniques of frames.
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K13: Fixtures and fastening purpose and use: Handles, hinges, locks, trickle vents, louvers and frame extensions.
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K14: Principles and purpose, use and storage of waterproofing products and systems: gaskets, DPCs, membranes, sealants, weather seals, drainage systems, vertical damp proof course and damp proofing under doors.
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K15: Installation of Insulating Glass Unit (IGU); correct orientation of unit (low e glass or coated glass), location on the façade, safety glass.
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K16: Principles of glazing systems: drainage, solid bedded systems, toeing and heeling (including packing of), system required holes such as pressure equalisation or weep holes.
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K17: Legislation, standards and regulations associated with fenestration activities: UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking, Secured by Design, Building Regulations.
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K18: Principles of buildings: structural support, cavity wall, timber frame, steel frame.
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K19: Methods of removing existing fenestration products components from different construction materials: timber, stone, stone jams, rendering and in between brick.
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K20: Principles of identifying the structural support requirements for removal and installation of fenestration products.
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K21: Moving, handling and storing of materials, including loading and unloading of vehicles.
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K22: Awareness of environmental and sustainability regulations, Impact of the sector on the environment. Efficient use of resources, energy efficiency measures, types of external and internal insulation. Recycling, reuse and safe disposal of waste.
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K23: Responsibilities and methods for reporting non-compliance.
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K24: Tools and equipment used in fenestration installation: power tools, hand tools, cutting tools and measuring equipment.
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K25: Techniques for measuring, marking and drilling materials.
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K26: Methods of fixing: pack the frame in the aperture, selection of correct fastener or anchor, plug and screw, fix with sleeved anchors, brick screws, window lugs and door straps.
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K27: Interim inspection requirements: windows and doors are in working order to meet manufacturers' instructions, cleaning of frame rebates, cleaning of joints, de-burring of trickle vents including excess swarf. Operation of locks and hardware.
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K28: Methods of internal and external finishing: making good any damage, priming, sealing, trimmings, mouldings, backer rod or foam, scribing, trimmings, flashings, perimeter pressings and cladding.
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K29: Pre handover checks: Investigation of snags and snagging techniques.
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K30: Final inspection requirements: Final removal of all protective films, cleaning of glass and frames, cleaning of joints.
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K31: Handover process to commercial and domestic customers.
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K32: Contractual arrangements: penalty clauses, customer rights and product as described.
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K33: Principles of inclusion, equity and diversity in the workplace.
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K34: Well-being: mental and physical health considerations in self and others and how to access support.
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K35: Planning techniques: Order of works pre-installation checks, product and specification checks and aperture checks.
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K36: Working at height equipment and techniques for safe use: Steps, ladders, hop- ups and podiums.
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Skills
S1: Comply with Health and Safety regulations, standards and guidance.
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S2: Identify and use personal protective equipment (PPE).
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S3: Comply with industry regulations, standards and guidance.
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S4: Read, interpret, review risk assessments, implement control measures.
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S5: Use traditional or digital written methods to communicate with others.
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S6: Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
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S7: Plan order of works, carry out pre-installation checks.
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S8: Prepare and maintain a safe working area.
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S9: Select, check and use hand and power tools and equipment.
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S10: Move, handle and store materials, including loading and unloading of vehicles.
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S11: Identify, install and remove temporary support requirements.
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S12: Remove existing fenestration products.
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S13: Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance, recycling and disposal.
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S14: Read and interpret information from manufacturers guidance and other sources, for example from drawings, specifications, digital documents or work instructions.
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S15: Prepare the frame for installation for example handles, hinges, locks, hardware, trickle vents or frame extensions.
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S16: Position and fix the frame in the opening ensuring level, plumb and square.
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S17: Position and install sashes.
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S18: Position and install, glazing and any infill materials into the frame.
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S19: Measure, cut, drill and fix trims.
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S20: Apply external seals for moisture and air penetration. For example, wet sealants, tapes, membranes and any associated products.
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S21: Interim inspection work and rectify or report any work that is incorrect or incomplete.
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S22: Complete final inspections and workplace documentation.
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S23: Complete a customer or site manager handover.
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S24: Check and use working at height equipment for example steps, ladders, hop-ups, and podiums.
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S25: Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning opportunities and development activities.
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S26: Carry out internal and external finishing for example making good any damage, priming, sealing, trimmings, mouldings, backer rod or foam, scribing, trimmings, flashings, perimeter pressings and cladding.
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S27: Prepare openings for installation.
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Behaviours
B1: Put wellbeing, health and safety first.
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B2: Take ownership of given work.
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B3: Maintain working relationships with colleagues, customers and others.
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B4: Consider the environment when using resources and carrying out processes.
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B5: Seek learning and development opportunities.
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B6: Contribute to an inclusive and diverse culture.
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Qualifications
English and Maths
English and maths qualifications must be completed in line with the apprenticeship funding rules.
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