WJEC Vocational Award Constructing the Built Environment Level 1/2

AC2.4 Prepare for construction tasks Within the construction industry, once you start the activity of preparing to execute the task, you are starting the task. The preparatory activities before construction of a masonry wall, for example, are as important as the construction process of building it. Similarly, follow-on cleaning-up of the adjacent area and tools is equally a part of the process. It has already been highlighted that if you ‘fail to plan, you are planning to fail’. Now is the time to put the theory into practice. SKILLS Preparing materials Let’s look at what you need to do and how you do it when you prepare materials and start the production process. This is the moment of realisation . ✓ Check materials for defects ✓ Organise materials ✓ Measure materials ✓ Mark-out materials ✓ Cut materials ✓ Set out materials ✓ Dry-bond materials ✓ Mix-mortar materials KNOWLEDGE Construction terminology is used to refer to how methods and materials are realised in the workplace. This reference relates to how accurate the materials have been designed, manufactured, and formed or constructed. Let’s start using this terminology when referring to realisation or working. When reading this terminology remember that you will be functioning in a real 3D environment, so always consider that just because a design or concept works in 2D it may not always be the case it will work in 3D (i.e. reality). When geometry of materials and workmanship is consistent and communicated with this terminology effectivity, accuracy and quality will naturally follow. What is the difference between the D’s? • 1D is the difference between a point on a line, length or distance, or near or far. In the UK construction industry, this is measured in metres. • 2D is geometry that has length, width and area. In the UK construction industry, it is measured in metres 2 . • 3D is geometry that has length, width, depth and volume. In the UK construction industry, it is measured in metres 3 . REMEMBER The three-point process of preparation , execution and cleaning-up makes all activities safer, more efficient and therefore more sustainable . If you follow this simple process every time you work, then your skills and reputations are likely to improve and you will become contractors of choice and your sustainability becomes even greater. 20mm long ( l ) ( l ) ( l ) ( w ) ( w ) ( d ) 400mm 2 8,000mm 3 See how the simple length of a 1D line becomes 2D when the area is defined with the inclusion of width. 3D development is rapidly achieved by adding depth to achieve volume. KEY TERM Dry-bond: The process of offering-up a material and placing it in-situ (in place) and assessing its suitability, prior to bonding it in place permanently. 86 Unit 2 Developing Construction Projects