Install flexible (non-mechanical) cavity barriers

Install | FS005

This activity is about installing flexible cavity barriers, for example large cavity barriers used to divide concealed spaces such as within roof spaces or in under floor voids. This includes checking information relating to installation, adopting safe, healthy and environmentally responsible working practices, using materials, components, tools & equipment, and preparing and installing suitable products. The activity could be carried out during building construction or during maintenance activities.

Culture & behaviour

Core abilities

Culture & behaviour
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Effective working behaviours

You must:

  • Work within limits of own capability and know when to seek advice from others
  • Manage own time effectively
  • Work effectively individually and as part of a team
  • Communicate effectively
  • Undertake personal development activities to maintain currency of competence
Culture & behaviour
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Passive fire protection installation behaviours

You must:

  • Use organisational processes to flag up non-compliant works
  • Challenge unsafe behaviours and activities, and report where necessary
  • Identify and manage risks to self and others
  • Keep own work area clean and tidy
  • Work in accordance with quality requirements and challenge where they are not being met
Culture & behaviour
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Pro-environmental behaviours

You must:

  • Contribute to zero / low carbon outcomes in the built environment
Currency of competence
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Experience installing flexible (non-mechanical) cavity barriers

You must have:

  • Satisfactory completion of 1 flexible cavity barrier installation every year
Core abilities
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Firestopping knowledge

You must:

  • Know the importance of firestopping
    • To include: Compartmentation; How firestopping impedes fire to protect structures and people
  • Know the materials that services are commonly made from and their implications for use of firestopping products
  • Know the substrate materials that are commonly used and their implications for use of firestopping products
  • Understand the importance of considering both firestopping product manufacturers' and system owners' guidance when installing firestopping
    • The system owner is the organisation which owns the test evidence and design for the system to which the firestopping is to be installed (e.g. fire resisting ducts, dampers or flues). For example, where firestopping is required to fire resisting ducts or dampers, the duct or damper manufacturer's guidance will be required to determine the correct firestop system for use
Core abilities
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Safe working practices for installation

You must:

  • Know organisational procedures to report and rectify inappropriate information and unsuitable resources, and how they are implemented
  • Know the purpose and importance of risk assessment
  • Know how emergencies should be responded to and who should respond
  • Know the organisational security procedures for tools, equipment and personal belongings
  • Know what the accident reporting procedures are and who is responsible for making the report
  • Know why and when personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used
  • Understand your responsibility to follow organisational rules about construction products
  • Understand the limits of your authority with regards to construction products
    • To include: understanding that at this level a construction product choice, substitution or recommendation cannot be made; Knowing that if information on construction products is communicated information must be passed on accurately and without changes from that created by the relevant authority.
Core abilities
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Core installation of passive fire protection

You must:

  • Know the organisational procedures to solve problems with information and why it is important that they are followed
  • Know why the maintenance of tools and equipment is important
  • Know the organisational procedures for reporting issues or defects with tools and resources
  • Know why it is important for work to be carried out to time, and why deadlines should be kept
Specific abilities
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Selecting and using resources for installation of flexible (non-mechanical) cavity barriers

You must:

  • Know the types of information relevant to installation of flexible (non-mechanical) cavity barriers, their source, and how they should be interpreted
  • Know the characteristics, quality, uses, limitations and defects associated with the resources for installation of flexible (non-mechanical) cavity barriers
    • To include: additional characteristics where related to their function in firestopping, for example compatibility, durability, air tightness or structural movement.
  • Know how methods of work to meet the specification are carried out, and any problems reported
  • Know hazards associated with the resources and methods of work, and how they are overcome
  • Know how risk of damage to the work and the surrounding area is minimised, and the importance of doing so
Specific abilities
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Installing flexible (non-mechanical) cavity barriers

You must:

  • Know how legislation and official guidance relates to the work being carried out, particularly with regard to hazards to health and the environment, and use of construction products
    • To include: consequences of not operating within requirements.

You must be able to:

  • Check project specification, drawings & verbal information relating to installation of flexible (non-mechanical) cavity barriers and the resources required, to determine their relevance
  • Follow method statements, risk assessments and work instructions, either verbal or in written format
  • Use the required quantity and quality of resources for the installation required
  • Move, position, store and secure resources for installation of flexible (non-mechanical) cavity barriers
  • Install flexible (non-mechanical) cavity barriers to the required specifications, in accordance with manufacturers' instructions
    • To include: measuring, cutting, aligning, adjusting, fitting, fixing and finishing
  • Use and maintain (where appropriate) hand tools, portable power tools and ancillary equipment
  • Use required PPE

Currency of competence

Specific abilities

Culture & behaviour

Core abilities

Currency of competence

Specific abilities

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