Basic Bricklaying

Preparation for building

• read and understand the construction sketch for a wall
• read the risk assessment provided
• refer to any COSHH guidance regarding use of cement mortar
• conduct a dimensional check
• report discrepancies and corrective actions
• produce a requisition resource checklist with calculated quantities
• dry bond the proposed wall

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1

  Confirm instructions to establish work to be carried out.

• 1.2

  Check that information sources comply with good practice guidance and the work specification. 

• 1.3

  Record discrepancies in information relating to the work and report to the authorised person. 

• 1.4

  Produce a checklist of the resources required to carry out brick walling and form joint finishes. 

• 1.5

  Select the method of laying brick walling to the required specification. 

• 1.6

  Carry out basic calculations to determine quantities of resources required for building brick walling to the given specification. 

• 1.7

  Carry out checks on the suitability of resources for brick walling. 

Demonstrate masonry techniques

• position the mortar board correctly at the workplace
• select bricks for laying free from defects
• load out brickwork ready for laying
• set out wall first course dry
• check dimensions

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1

  Position the following in a safe manner:

  a) bricks

  b) mortar

  c) components

• 2.2

  Handle and lift bricks within safe lifting and handling guidelines. 

• 2.3

  Set out to build straight brick walls, return corner and junctions in accordance with work specification. 

Cutting bricks

• clean cutting brickwork
• wearing PPE - eye protection
• use of bolster and hammer
• cutting bricks

Demonstrate building half brick walls

• build a straight wall to given details
• check line and level
• confirm wall is plumb
• set out a corner in blockwork
• build a corner with raking sides
• finish joints pointed flush and bucket handle
• check work in terms of quality

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1

  Prepare and cut bricks and components accurately by hand in a safe manner. 

• 3.2

  Set out and build straight half brick walls to the given specification.

• 3.3

  Line in straight lengths. 

• 3.4

  Return corners in half brick stretcher bond.

• 3.5

  Produce joint finishes to brick walling to meet the given specification. 

• 3.6

  Conduct checks on completion to ensure work meets the given specification. 

Demonstrate building one brick thick walls

• build a straight wall to given details
• check line and level
• confirm wall is plumb
• set out a corner in blockwork
• build a corner with raking sides
• finish joints pointed flush and bucket handle 
• check work in terms of quality

Assessment Criteria

• 4.1

  Prepare and cut brick and components accurately by hand in a safe manner. 

• 4.2

  Build straight brick walls and return corners in one brick walling to the given specification. 

• 4.3

  Produce joint finishes to brick walling to meet the given specification. 

• 4.4

  Conduct checks on completed work to ensure that it meets the given specification. 

Demonstrate building wall junctions

• build a straight wall to given details with a t junction within it
• check line and level
• confirm wall is plumb
• set out a corner in blockwork
• build a corner with raking sides
• finish joints pointed flush and bucket handle
• check work in terms of quality

Assessment Criteria

• 5.1

  Prepare and cut bricks and components accurately by hand in a safe and correct manner.

• 5.2

  Form junctions in brick and block walls to the given specification. 

• 5.3

  Produce joint finishes to walling to meet the given specification. 

• 5.4

  Conduct checks on completion to ensure work meets specification.