Flint working introduction

Duration

12 hours (2 days)

Purpose/scope

The purpose of this standard is to provide the learner with the knowledge and skills to support the following:

Scope:

This module will provide an introduction to flint in the context of historic and modern construction.

It covers material selection, and the core principles of flintwork relevant to maintenance, conservation and new construction.

Learner pre-requisites

A basic knowledge of building terminology and techniques would be beneficial.

Instruction/ supervision

As a minimum, course trainers must be able to demonstrate that, in relation to this standard, they have:

• an award in education and training (or equivalent, as per requirements for approved training organisations)
• at least 2 years industrial experience relevant to the scope of the standard
• a verifiable CV

Delivery

All materials and equipment must be of a suitable quality and quantity for learners to achieve learning outcomes and must comply with relevant legislation

The learning environment, class size and learner/trainer ratio must allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable learners to achieve the learning outcomes

The following delivery methods may be used in the delivery of this standard:

• face to face learning environment only (such as classroom/workshop etc.)
• a blend of face to face and virtual

This standard is predominantly theoretical training.

This standard is considered to be set at an entry level.

Assessment

Informally Assessed

For the successful completion of training, the trainer must be satisfied that the learner has achieved all learning outcomes

Quality assurance

Assured

Quality assurance against this standard will require initial approval of the training organisation and their content mapped to the standard.

CITB will also conduct an approval intervention, either desk-based or centre visit, to ensure the training organisation can meet the requirements of the training standard.

Approved training organisations (ATOs) will be required to present information on records of training and assessment upon request to CITB for desk-based analysis. They will also be visited annually by the CITB quality assurance team.

Standard Classification

Lifetime (Please note standards using this classification will only be grant aided once per user)

Working group approval date

October 2024

Review cycle 

On request or 60 months (5 years) from approval date.

Learning outcomes

The learner will be able to:

Understand the use of flint work in the context of historic and modern construction

Delivery guidance:

The following must be covered.

• flint as a construction material, how it is formed / the material characteristics and properties)
• the relevance of geography and regional sources / geomorphology
• the history of flint work in construction / national legacy of flint
• the scarcity of skills in flint working (Heritage crafts red list of endangered crafts, shortage of skilled flint workers)
• applications of flint (repair, maintenance and new build)

Assessment criteria:

• For the successful completion of training, the trainer must be satisfied that the learner has achieved all learning outcomes

Understand sourcing of raw materials and the core principles of specifying flintwork for construction

Delivery guidance:

The following must be covered.

• sources of naturally occurring flint
• manmade flint products
• technical properties and & sustainability of the material
• the importance of using lime mortars
• introduce key considerations of Health and Safety linked to flint working:
  • handling (sharp)
  • airborne silica
  • RAMS
  • PPE

Assessment criteria:

For the successful completion of training, the trainer must be satisfied that the learner has achieved all learning outcomes

• identify flint construction types, styles and characteristics

Delivery guidance:

The following must be covered.

Historic built environment:

• regional styles
• typical construction thematic types (roofed buildings, free-standing walls, ruins)
• application of material forms, laying styles and finishing techniques
• flint working hand tools
• lime mortars / lime selection
• tending, post construction aftercare

Modern construction application:

• materials and techniques (key terminology)
• shuttered, freehand and block construction
• prefabricated panels
• cavity wall construction
• cladding, veneers and securing methods
• modern building regulations
• Tending, post construction aftercare

A general introduction demonstrating traditional flint working materials and techniques which must include an opportunity for learners to handle and use the materials and tools.

The following are considered to be flint working hand tools:

• antlers
• hammerstones
• geologist hammer
• brick hammer
• churn brush
• wire brush
• trowel
• leg pad
• water-spray
• string line
• straight edge

The following are considered to be material forms:

• Knapped flint
• Field flint
• Beach cobble flint
• Derived flint

The following are considered to be laying styles

• radom rubble
• coursed
• shuttered
• free hand (laying to the line)
• herringbone
• snapped
• gauged
• chequered
• decorative flush work

The following are considered to be finishing techniques

• recess joint
• flush joint
• raised joint
• snails creep joint
• galleting / galleted joint

Assessment criteria:

• For the successful completion of training, the trainer must be satisfied that the learner has achieved all learning outcomes

Identify the typical defects, failures and poor practices observed in flint construction

Delivery guidance:

The following must be covered.

• the importance of thorough observation skills, site survey and assessment
• identify common failures in historical structures (causes and impacts)
• understand the risk and impact of miss-specification and poor practices in historical structures
• identify common failures in modern structures (causes and impacts)
• understand the risk and impact of miss-specification and poor practices in modern structures
• temporary protection / works

The following are considered to be common failures:

• construction slump
• inadequate bonding
• separation from core
• water penetration
• structural movement
• inadequate repairs
• incorrect mortar selection
• incorrect material selection
• poor mortar preparation

Assessment criteria:

For the successful completion of training, the trainer must be satisfied that the learner has achieved all learning outcomes

Additional information about this standard

This standard is designed to introduce specialist flint working knowledge and considerations for those working in the construction sector.