Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to complete installation of timber, carpet or resilient floor coverings in a simple context.

Application of the unit 

Pre-requisite Units 

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Lay out materials

1.1. Plans and/or drawings are read and interpreted

1.2. Workplace health and safety requirements, including personal protection needs, are observed throughout the work

1.3. 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

1.4. Suitable adhesives, trims and accessories are selected if required

1.5. Materials are laid out to meet specification requirements and minimise waste and joins

2. Prepare materials for installation

2.1. Sequence of work is planned to ensure lay out and fixing is in logical order

2.2. Underlay is cut to specification

2.3. Materials are cut to shape, length and size for final laying

2.4. Adhesives and edge strips are prepared for use as required

3. Lay flooring

3.1. Instructions and sequence for laying and fixing are followed

3.2. Appropriate underlay is laid according to manufacturers' recommendations

3.3. Materials for fixing are organised and used in accordance with relevant safety management requirements

3.4. Fixing methods and equipment are used following manufacturers' recommendations

3.5. Finished job is inspected and any imperfections are rectified following workplace procedures

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

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills 

• collect, organise and understand information related to work orders, basic plans, and safety procedures
• communicate ideas and information to enable confirmation of work requirements and specifications, coordination of work with site supervisor, other workers and customers, and the reporting of work outcomes and problems
• plan and organise activities including the preparation and layout of the worksite and the obtaining of equipment and materials to avoid any back tracking, workflow interruptions or wastage
• work with others and in a team by recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to optimise workflow and productivity
• use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly complete measurements, calculate area, estimate flooring requirements and other material requirements
• use pre-checking and inspection techniques to anticipate installation problems, avoid reworking and avoid wastage
• use the limited workplace technology related to the installation including tools, equipment, calculators and measuring devices

Required knowledge 

• the type, characteristics, uses and limitations of flooring materials
• the types and uses of installation tools and equipment
• the type, characteristics, uses and limitations of fixing methods and adhesives
• the type, characteristics, uses and limitations of underlays
• workplace safety system requirements related to flooring installation
• workflow in relation to flooring installation operations

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects of evidence 

• Interpret work order and locate and apply relevant information
• Apply safe handling requirements for equipment, products and materials, including use of personal protective equipment
• Apply ventilation standards
• Follow work instructions, operating procedures and inspection practices to:

• minimise the risk of injury to self and others
• prevent damage to goods, equipment and products
• maintain required production output and product quality

• To complete a minimum of one simple floor covering installation, which may be either timber, carpet or resilient, or
• Participate as a member of a supervised work team in the completion of an installation in a domestic or commercial setting
• Work effectively with others
• Modify activities to cater for variations in workplace contexts and environment

Resource implications 

Timber, carpet or resilient flooring materials; timber, carpet or resilient flooring tools and equipment, installation materials; and area requiring flooring.

Method of assessment 

Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts.

Assessment should be by direct observation of tasks and questioning on underpinning knowledge.

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other relevant units of competency.

Context of assessment 

Assessment may occur on the job or in a workplace simulated facility with relevant timber, carpet or resilient flooring installation equipment, materials, work instructions and deadlines.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Simple floor covering installation 

This unit is to be satisfied by completing a simple floor covering project to satisfy an established design or participation as a member of a work team in the completion of a supervised installation in a domestic or commercial setting

Timber flooring may include :

• floating floor
• strip timber flooring (non-structural)
• parquetry and cork tiles

Carpet flooring may include :

• tufted carpet
• woven carpet
• needle punch carpet and fusion bonded carpe

Resilient flooring may include :

• homogenous/heterogeneous backed PVC
• linoleum sheet
• rubber sheet and composition vinyl

Unit context 

• This unit is established for VET in Schools or equivalent program where the level of supervision is likely to be more direct than under normal working conditions
• OH&S requirements may include legislation, building codes, material safety management systems, hazardous and dangerous goods codes and local safe operating procedures
• Work is carried out in accordance with legislative obligations, environmental legislation, relevant health regulations, manual handling procedures and organisation insurance requirements
• Work requires individuals to demonstrate discretion, judgement and problem solving skills in installing floor coverings
• Simple floor covering contexts include those where:

• sub-floor preparations are not required or have been completed
• the area to be covered is rectangular or square
• no pattern, border design or colour matching is required

Tools and equipment for timber floor covering installation may include :

• drop saw
• jig saw
• hand saw
• undercut saw
• plunge saw
• nail gun
• straight edge
• cramps
• clamps
• hammer
• bar scriber
• tape measure and utility knife

Tools and equipment for carpet floor covering installation may include :

• carpet knee kicker
• power stretcher
• carpet wall trimmer
• trolley
• hammer
• trimming knife
• spiked carpet roller
• weight or seam roller
• awl
• carpet spreader
• carpet shears
• napping shears and tape measure

Tools and equipment for resilient floor covering installation may include :

• utility knife
• straight edge
• square
• chalk and chalk-line
• tape measure
• hacksaw
• serrated trowel
• hammer
• scribing bar
• divider
• roller
• gas bottle and gun
• rubber mallet
• paint brush and bucket
• spatula knife
• trolley and wall trimmer

Materials may include but are not limited to :

• flooring materials
• underlay
• edge strips
• reducing strips
• tapes
• adhesives
• adhesive tapes
• skirting
• domestic carpet gripper strips
• heat seam tape
• hessian tape and thread

Personal protective equipment 

Personal protective equipment is to include that prescribed under legislation, regulations and enterprise policies and practices

Information and procedures 

• Workplace procedures relating to the use and operation of tools and equipment
• Workplace instructions, including job sheets, plans, drawings and designs
• Workplace procedures relating to reporting and communications
• Manufacturers' instructions for the use of equipment and materials

Unit Sector 

Floor Covering and Finishing

Co-requisite Units 

Functional Area