Wood identification for the infestation surveyor

Standard details

CITB has developed this standard in discussion with industry

Duration

Minimum 1 day of 6 learning hours

Purpose/scope

The purpose of training delivered against this standard is to provide candidates with the knowledge and skills to identify types of softwood and hardwood; visually, physically and microscopically.

The scope of this standard covers:

• introduction to trees, wood, and its structure
• how to identify woods using different methods
• how to use cutting tools including: chisel, microtome, and razor blades
• how to prepare specimens, sampling and pitfalls
• how to use a hand lens
• how to use a microscope from low to high power, and how to stain to improve contrast
• how to identify features of hardwoods and softwoods using a 3-D scanning electron microscope
• how to identify common hardwoods using key features
• how to identify softwoods using visual features

Occupational relevance

Training delivered against this standard would be relevant to the following occupational groups:

• operative and craft
• supervision.

Candidate pre-requisites

There are no candidate pre-requisites as part of this standard, but candidates should have knowledge and experience of working in this area.

Instruction/supervision

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

• A train the trainer or instructional techniques course certificate
• Successfully completed training to this standard 
• At least 2 years relevant industrial experience
• A verifiable CV.

Delivery

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

• classroom

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

The class size and candidate/instructor ratio must allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable candidates to achieve the learning outcomes.

This standard is considered to contain 51 per cent or more theoretical learning.

Assessment

For the successful completion of training, the trainer will be required to make a declaration of the learner’s contribution during the course and that they are confident the learner has understood the content of the course.

Quality assurance

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.

Renewal/refresher

There are no mandatory renewal or recommended refreshment requirements for this standard.

Approval date

November 2018

Review cycle

Either on request or in 3 years from approval date.

Learning outcomes

Additional information about this standard

British standards

Find out more about British Standards

• BS EN 1997-1 2004+A1:2013 Eurocode 7. Geotechnical design. General rules
• BS 5250 2011 Code of practice for control of condensation in buildings
• BS 5930 2015 Code of practice for ground investigations
• BS 6576 2005+A1:2012 Code of practice for diagnosis of rising damp in walls of buildings and installation of chemical damp-proof courses
• BS 8102 2009 Code of practice for protection of below-ground structures against water from the ground

Legislation

See government legislation in detail

• Building and Buildings, England and Wales: The Building Regulations 2010.
• The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004
• Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland
• The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) 2007.