Basic Bricklaying

Be able to prepare to build brick walling to the given instruction and specification. 

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. 

Be able to set out for brick walling to the given specification.

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. 

Be able to build straight brick walling and return corners in half brick stretcher bond. 

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. 

Be able to build straight brick and return corners in one brick walling. 

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. 

Be able to form junctions in brick and block walling.

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.