Curtain wall installer
Construction and the built environment
Level 3 -
Install curtain wall systems to form all or part of the external envelope of a building
Reference: OCC0802
Status:
SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 8159/02 Blind fitters
- 5319/99 Construction and building trades n.e.c.
Technical Education Products
Employers involved in creating the standard:
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service: Fire and Rescue, The Window Company Ltd
Summary
This occupation is found in the construction and built environment sector. Curtain Walling is an integral part of the building external envelope. Curtain walling installers work primarily in the commercial market and on higher-end residential projects ranging from simple single storey retail screens to multi storey, high rise office and residential developments.
Curtain walling is predominately manufactured from aluminium. For specialist applications curtain walling systems are also available in timber and steel materials.
Aluminium offers a durable and lightweight framework which is typically anchored to the primary structure of the building. Curtain walling can have infills such as window and door inserts, glass panels, ventilation and acoustic elements.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to install curtain wall systems to form all, or part of the external envelope of a building. Curtain walling systems are structurally capable of spanning multiple floors. They offer a continuous glazed façade, often covering the full height of the building.
The installation process includes fixing of the primary system, securing the infill materials and applying all the perimeter abutment products following The Centre for Window and Cladding Technology (CWCT) guidelines and manufacturers systems’ manuals.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with other members of the installation team, site managers and installation managers, the client, main contractors, architect, design team, external envelope contractors, system supplier and façade consultants.
This is usually a site-based occupation and can involve working at extreme heights including the use of specialist access equipment and specialist plant to handle and install the products.
The installer may work directly for the system fabricator or work for a specialist installation company. The installers will travel to where the work or site is located. This can involve working away for a period of time and staying in local accommodation for the duration of the work programme.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for working with a team ensuring they have the correct access, tools, plant and materials to carry out the installation. This may involve different parts of the building being worked on at one time. They will be responsible for the setting out and fixing of the main grid work in accordance with the approved drawings and works instructions. They will normally work under an Installation Manager, Project Manager or Site Manager who will task them with different duties during the project programme. On smaller projects they may work unsupervised due to the simpler nature of the installation being carried out. The work may also include the fitting of doors and windows into the curtain wall grid.
Employers involved in creating the standard:
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service: Fire and Rescue, The Window Company Ltd
Typical job titles include:
Keywords:
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
Duties
Duty D1
Work in compliance with occupational health, safety and environmental requirements to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of self and others at all times
Duty D2
Interpret drawings, specifications, risk assessments, method statements, programmes, systems manuals, regulations and standards
Duty D3
Receive, handle, store, load, transport and position materials and components safely
Duty D4
Prepare the site, materials and access equipment ready for installation
Duty D5
Use the appropriate hand tools, power tools and equipment to install curtain walling to industry standards
Duty D6
Install and fix grid work and datum in line with specifications
Duty D7
Identify and confirm installation requirements and components
Duty D8
Install required setting blocks and support pieces to ensure correct load transfer of infill element
Duty D9
Conduct installation in accordance with manufacturers' instructions and information and client requirements
Duty D10
Perimeter sealing to surrounding structure to ensure weather and air tightness
Duty D11
Secure infills to the correct torque setting.
Duty D12
Apply decorative face caps, gaskets or weather seals
Duty D13
Conduct interim and final inspections of the work to ensure adherence to specifications and project specific drawings and work instructions
Duty D14
Clean and handover to customer including main contractors, clients, architects, fabrication specialists, façade specialist
Duty D15
Complete project documentation at the relevant stages of the project
Duty D16
Maintain a clear and safe worksite at all times, promoting sustainable building practices
Occupational Progression
This occupational progression map shows technical occupations that have transferable knowledge and skills.
In this map, the focused occupation is highlighted in yellow. The arrows indicate where transferable knowledge and skills exist between two occupations. This map shows some of the strongest progression links between the focused occupation and other occupations.
It is anticipated that individuals would be required to undertake further learning or training to progress to and from occupations. To find out more about an occupation featured in the progression map, including the learning options available, click the occupation.
Progression decisions have been reached by comparing the knowledge and skills statements between occupational standards, combined with individualised learner movement data.
Technical Occupations
Levels 2-3
Higher Technical Occupations
Levels 4-5
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Levels 6-7
Construction and the built environment
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