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Selecting, converting and grading timber

Overview

The purpose of this standard is to provide the delegate with the knowledge to support the processes involved in timber conversion and preparation, from the log to the required frame components.

Duration

1 day of 6 learning hours

Purpose/scope

The purpose of this standard is to provide the delegate with the knowledge to support the processes involved in timber conversion and preparation, from the log to the required frame components.  

Scope: 

  • introduction to felled timber logs  
  • observing milling operations  
  • converting logs into framing components 
  • the factors involved in grading timber  
  • suitability of use in load-bearing structures 
  • selecting timbers based upon visual grading techniques.

Occupational relevance

Training delivered against this standard would be relevant to the following occupational group(s): 

  • operative and craft.

Delegates pre-requisites

There are no delegate pre-requisites as part of this standard.

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)   
  • successfully completed training to this standard 
  • at least 2 years relevant industrial experience 
  • a verifiable CV.

Delivery

Delivery may be in an on or off the job environment. 

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

The class size and delegate/trainer ratio must allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable delegates to achieve the learning outcomes. 

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

  • classroom. 

This standard is considered to contain 51% or more practical training. 

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

Assessment

For the successful completion of training, the trainer must be satisfied that the delegate 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.  

Renewal 

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

Classification 

Lifetime (please note standards using this classification will only be grant aided once per delegate) 

Keywords

Selecting Converting Grading Timber

Approval date

March 2021

Review cycle

On request or 3 years from approval date. 

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

The delegate will be able to: 

Additional guidance to support learning outcome 

identify different timber types and species 

to include:  

  • softwood/hardwood 
  • oak 
  • ash 
  • chestnut 
  • elm 
  • poplar 
  • douglas fir 
  • larch  
  • other suitable structural timber 

grade timbers using recognised visual grading systems 

to include: 

  • understanding and applying the British THA, THB grades and the European QP1, QPA, QPB grades 
  • using tools to determine grain slope and knot size and density 

identify any timber defects which will affect its suitability for use as a framing component 

to include:  

  • grain slope 
  • sapwood or wane  
  • knot size, frequency and position  
  • ring shake, heart shake  
  • brown rot  
  • insect infestation 

identify appropriate timber requirements for particular structural uses 

to include: 

  • considering the structural requirements (bending, tension, compression)  
  • using naturally forked or curved timbers for strength  
  • aesthetic/visual requirements 

understand the seasoning process and the difference between fresh-sawn, air-dried and kiln-dried timbers in relation to water content 

to include: 

  • using a moisture meter 

recognise shrinkage and distortion in sawn timbers 

to include: 

  • identifying conversion type i.e. box hearted, halved, quartered and slabbed 

safely use de-barking tools 

 

observe and assist in the conversion of timbers 

 

orientate timber with regards to its use in a frame  

to include: 

  • structural  
  • practical  
  • aesthetic requirements 

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