Roofer

Reference Number: ST0270

Details of standard

Occupational Profile

This occupation involves installing a range of roofing materials and products, at height.  It includes interpreting drawings, measuring and calculating the required amount of materials.  Roofing work can involve anything from repairing a single tile or slate on a domestic property, to re-roofing public buildings such as schools, working on new build housing projects, or installing the roof on large commercial buildings.  Roofers can be on site from a few hours to a few weeks so this occupation should suit those who like to move workplaces on a regular basis.  The work is varied and would suit individuals who prefer working outside.  This is a core and options apprenticeship, with three options:

Option 1: A Roof Slater and Tiler works on a building site, or in domestic or commercial premises, installing slate and tile roof coverings and related products to both new and existing buildings.

Option 2: A Waterproof Membranes Installer works on a building site, or in domestic or commercial premises, installing waterproofing systems and related products, to both new and existing buildings.  Waterproofing roofers apply protective membranes to flat roof structures to ensure they are watertight.

Option 3: A Roof Sheeter and Cladder works on commercial premises, installing metal sheet roof coverings and related products, to both new and existing buildings.  Roof sheeting and cladding operatives make buildings waterproof by covering the roof with sheeting, operatives may also clad walls.

Core Skills

On completion of this apprenticeship, roofers will be able to:

• Work safely and be aware of key health, safety and welfare issues
• Plan and carry out their work to commercial standards of quality and speed
• Move, handle and store resources, complying with relevant legislation and guidance
• Interpret and follow verbal and written work instructions from trade supervisors and site managers
• Select the required materials and resources to carry out the work
• Set up, check and operate plant and/or equipment
• Install related materials and components to a given specification
• Use, maintain and store hand tools, power tools and associated equipment
• Access, interpret and use drawings and specifications to carry out work

Core Knowledge

On completion of this apprenticeship, a roofer will have knowledge of:

• The principles of health, safety and welfare, employment law, and how these are applied in the workplace
• The different techniques and methods used to move, handle and store materials
• How to interpret and use relevant product information and specifications
• The standards and codes of practice that apply to roofing
• How to calculate quantity, length, area and wastage of resources
• The principles of condensation, the factors involved and standard methods of control in roofs
• The principles of insulation and effects on heat loss in roofs
• Basic drawings and how to calculate material quantities from given information
• The principles relating to common defects, and the repair and maintenance of roofs
• Why, when and how health and safety control equipment should be used when undertaking roofing work (e.g. personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
• How to use, maintain and store hand tools, power tools and associated equipment
• How to work safely at height and use access equipment
• The needs of other workers and how to work effectively with others
• The characteristics, quality, uses, sustainability, limitations and defects associated with standard roofing products and components used in their own specialism and the general roofing industry

Core behaviours expected to be displayed by all roofing apprentices

Effective communication: oral, written, listening, body language, presentation

• Team work: work effectively with others with limited supervision
• Independent working: take responsibility for completing own work
• Logical thinking: use clear and valid reasoning when making decisions
• Working effectively: undertake the work in a reliable and productive manner
• Time management: use own time effectively to complete the work on schedule
• Adaptability: be able to adjust to changes to work instructions

Option 1: Roof Slater and Tiler Skill Requirements

On completion of this apprenticeship, slaters and tilers will be able to:

• Carry out a range of job tasks including measuring, marking out, fitting, finishing, positioning and securing
• Install plain tiles, interlocking tiles, natural slates and fibre-cement slates
• Install underlay, battens and related roofing components
• Install pre-formed lead and/or proprietary flashings
• Install dry and wet fixed products to verges, hips, ridge and valleys
• Install insulation and ventilation products for warm and cold roof construction
• Install roof windows and flashing kits

Option 1: Roof Slater and Tiler Knowledge Requirements

On completion of this apprenticeship, slaters and tilers will have knowledge of:

• The principles of slating and tiling (plain tiles, interlocking tiles, natural slates and fibre-cement slates) and how they are applied in routine tasks, such as, setting out roofs, installing insulation, underlay and other background materials, installing main roof coverings, fixings, fittings and components, ventilation and dry fix systems, roof windows, mixing and applying mortar and installing pre-formed lead proprietary flashings
• How to use key dimensions relating to batten gauges and minimum and maximum head lap
• How to strip and reclaim slates, tiles and fittings for re-use
• How to check areas to be covered, including correct installation of cavity trays, fascia board height, barge boards, hip and valley construction, penetrations, and masonry
• How to requisition slating and tiling materials, such as tiles, slates, underlay, battens, fixings and related materials, fittings and components

Option 2: Waterproof Membranes Installer Skill Requirements

On completion of this apprenticeship, waterproof membranes installers will be able to:

• Carry out a range of job tasks including measuring, marking out, fitting, finishing, positioning and securing
• Clean, dry and prepare surfaces for specified system
• Install vapour control layers to prevent vapour coming through the building to protect insulation
• Install mechanically fixed and/or adhered insulation as required by the given specification
• Install reinforced bitumen, single-ply and liquid applied waterproofing systems
• Terminate waterproofing systems at the perimeter upstands and/or open edges to the given specification
• Maintain and repair flat and/or pitched roofs (in excess of 10 degrees)
• Install perimeter details (edge trims, counter flashings termination bars)
• Work around outlets, pipes, soil and vent fittings, safety systems and roof lights

Option 2: Waterproof Membranes Installer Knowledge Requirements

On completion of this apprenticeship, waterproof membranes installers will have knowledge of:

• The principles of membrane waterproofing systems and how they are applied in routine tasks, such as, preparing surfaces, installing insulation, installing background materials, installing main roof coverings to include bitumen membranes, single ply and liquid applied systems, fixings, fittings and components, roof windows and lights
• How to requisition membrane waterproofing materials, such as bitumen membranes, single-ply, liquid applied systems and related materials, fittings and components
• The differences between and the characteristics of warm, cold and inverted (waterproofing layer as the base) roofs

Option 3: Roof Sheeter and Cladder Skill Requirements

On completion of this apprenticeship, Sheeters and Cladders will to be able to:

• Carry out a range of job tasks including measuring, marking out, fitting, finishing, positioning and securing
• Assess suitability of structure to receive cladding materials
• Install built-up, standing seam, secret fix, composite and fibre-cement systems and rainwater goods
• Maintain, repair and over-sheet existing roofs
• Install flashings, vents, fittings and components as appropriate to the specification.
• Work around penetrations and upstands

Option 3: Roof Sheeter and Cladder Knowledge Requirements

On completion of this apprenticeship, sheeters and cladders will have knowledge of:

• The principles of sheeting and cladding and how they are applied in routine tasks, to include, assessing structures, removal of existing materials, installing insulation, installing main roof coverings to include composite, standing seam, secret fix, single-skin, fibre cement, and built up systems, flashings, fixings, fittings and components, ventilation systems and roof lights
• Asbestos awareness
• How to requisition sheeting and cladding materials

Qualifications

English and maths qualifications form a mandatory part of all apprenticeships and must be completed before an apprentice can pass through gateway. The requirements are detailed in the current version of the apprenticeship funding rules.

Progression and Professional Recognition

On completion of this standard, apprentices will be eligible for employment in the roofing industry as a craft operative.  Apprentices may progress to supervision and management appointments in roofing organisations.

Standard Review

This standard will be reviewed three years after its implementation.

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