Carry out basic setting out and fixing — Cskills Awards, part of the NOCN Group National Vocational Qualification Construction & Building Services Revision

    This element introduces the core competencies required for safe and accurate handling, setting out, and fixing of stone in stonemasonry construction. Learn

    Topic Synopsis

    This element introduces the core competencies required for safe and accurate handling, setting out, and fixing of stone in stonemasonry construction. Learners will acquire practical skills in mechanical lifting and transportation of heavy stone materials, precise interpretation of setting out dimensions, and the application of basic fixing methods using mortars and levelling tools. Mastery of these foundation techniques is critical for producing structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing masonry work on level ground, forming the basis for more complex projects.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Carry out basic setting out and fixing

    CSKILLS AWARDS, PART OF THE NOCN GROUP
    vocational

    This element introduces the core competencies required for safe and accurate handling, setting out, and fixing of stone in stonemasonry construction. Learners will acquire practical skills in mechanical lifting and transportation of heavy stone materials, precise interpretation of setting out dimensions, and the application of basic fixing methods using mortars and levelling tools. Mastery of these foundation techniques is critical for producing structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing masonry work on level ground, forming the basis for more complex projects.

    10
    Learning Outcomes
    10
    Assessment Guidance
    10
    Key Skills
    10
    Key Terms
    10
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    CSkills Awards Level 2 Diploma in Stonemasonry - Banker (QCF)
    CSkills Awards Level 3 Diploma in Stonemasonry - Banker (QCF)

    Topic Overview

    The CSkills Awards Level 2 Diploma in Stonemasonry – Banker (QCF) is a vocational qualification designed for individuals seeking to become skilled banker masons. Banker masons work in workshops, shaping and carving stone using hand tools and machinery to produce architectural elements such as columns, arches, window surrounds, and decorative features. This diploma covers essential techniques including drawing and setting out, template making, and the use of pneumatic tools, ensuring students can produce accurate, high-quality stonework to industry standards.

    This qualification is part of the wider Construction & Building Services sector, specifically within the heritage and restoration industry, where traditional craftsmanship is highly valued. It also applies to new-build projects requiring bespoke stone features. By mastering banker masonry, students gain a foundation for careers in stonemasonry, conservation, and construction, with opportunities to progress to Level 3 qualifications or apprenticeships. The diploma emphasises health and safety, material knowledge, and precision, which are critical for preserving the UK's built heritage and meeting modern construction demands.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Drawing and setting out: Creating accurate scale drawings and templates from architectural specifications, using geometry to transfer designs onto stone.
    • →Stone identification and selection: Recognising different types of stone (e.g., limestone, sandstone, granite) and their properties (e.g., hardness, grain, weathering resistance) to choose appropriate materials for specific projects.
    • →Hand and power tool techniques: Using tools such as chisels, mallets, hammers, and pneumatic hammers to shape stone, including roughing out, fine dressing, and carving details.
    • →Template making: Constructing full-size templates from materials like plywood or MDF to guide cutting and shaping, ensuring accuracy and repeatability.
    • →Health and safety: Implementing safe working practices, including dust control (e.g., using water suppression or extraction), manual handling, and personal protective equipment (PPE) like goggles, gloves, and respirators.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Safely operate mechanical lifting equipment to transport stone and masonry resources, adhering to LOLER and manual handling regulations.
    • Accurately interpret and apply setting out dimensions from simple working drawings for level ground structures.
    • Use levels, lines, and squares to establish straight and level lines for masonry layout.
    • Select and mix appropriate bedding mortars in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and project specifications.
    • Fix stone units to established lines, ensuring consistent joint thickness, alignment, and bond pattern.
    • Demonstrate safe lifting and transportation of stone resources using mechanical aids
    • Establish accurate setting out marks for stonemasonry structures on level ground
    • Apply basic fixing techniques to secure stone units in accordance with design specifications
    • Interpret construction drawings to determine setting out requirements
    • Select appropriate fixing materials and tools for given stonework

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for demonstrating correct slinging and guiding techniques during mechanical lifting operations.
    • Award credit for accurately positioning profiles and lines within tolerance (±2mm).
    • Award credit for applying mortar beds evenly and ensuring full contact and support.
    • Award credit for achieving plumb and level within tolerance in completed work.
    • Award credit for safe and tidy working practices, including cleaning tools and area.
    • Award credit for consistent and correct use of personal protective equipment during lifting operations
    • Look for evidence of accurate measurement and marking, including the correct use of baselines, profiles, and levels
    • Assess the proper selection and mixing of bedding mortar (consistency, bonding agent) for the stone type
    • Verify the correct installation of cramp fixings, dowels, or ties as per design details
    • Check that all lifting operations are carried out in line with approved codes of practice and manufacturer's lifting equipment guidelines

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Always refer to risk assessments and method statements before starting any lifting or fixing task.
    • 💡Practice setting out with a spirit level and line to develop a consistent eye for alignment.
    • 💡When mixing mortar, add water gradually to achieve the correct consistency for the stone type.
    • 💡Double-check dimensions against the specification and mark reference points clearly on profiles.
    • 💡During assessment, narrate your actions to demonstrate understanding of health and safety and technical knowledge.
    • 💡Always reference current health and safety regulations (e.g., LOLER, PUWER) when describing mechanical lifting procedures in written assessments
    • 💡Include step-by-step photographic evidence of your setting out process in your portfolio of evidence to demonstrate technique progression
    • 💡Explain the rationale behind your choice of fixing method and materials in assessment write-ups, linking to stone properties and structural requirements
    • 💡Practice using a variety of setting out tools (tapes, squares, water levels, laser levels) to build confidence for practical assessments
    • 💡Use a method statement approach when planning lifts and fixing sequences, and document any adjustments made due to site conditions
    • 💡Pay close attention to the accuracy of your setting out and templates. Examiners look for precise measurements and clean lines; even a 1mm error can affect the final fit of a stone element. Double-check your geometry before cutting.
    • 💡Demonstrate safe working practices consistently throughout your practical assessments. This includes wearing correct PPE, maintaining a clean workspace, and using tools correctly. Safety is a key assessment criterion.
    • 💡When carving, show a logical sequence of work: start with rough shaping, then move to finer tools, and finish with detailing. Examiners want to see that you understand the process, not just the final product.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Incorrect posture or lifting technique when manually handling stone, leading to injury risk.
    • Failing to check levels regularly during setting out, resulting in cumulative errors.
    • Using mortar that is too dry or too wet, causing poor adhesion or slumping.
    • Misinterpreting drawing dimensions, leading to incorrect placement of features.
    • Not allowing for joint thickness when calculating stone spacing.
    • Incorrect slinging or unbalanced loads when lifting stone, leading to safety risks and potential damage
    • Failure to account for mortar joint thickness when setting out dimensions, causing cumulative alignment errors
    • Using incorrect fixing materials, such as ferrous cramps in stone prone to rust staining, or inappropriate dowel type
    • Neglecting to re-check alignment and level after each course is laid, resulting in out-of-plumb walls
    • Over-reliance on spirit levels alone without using taut string lines or laser levels for setting out longer distances
    • Misconception: Stonemasonry is purely manual labour with no need for maths or drawing skills. Correction: Banker masonry requires strong geometric and drawing skills to interpret architectural plans and create accurate templates; maths is essential for angles, proportions, and setting out.
    • Misconception: All stones are the same to work with. Correction: Different stones have varying hardness and grain structures; for example, sandstone is easier to carve but less durable than granite. Choosing the wrong stone can lead to structural failure or poor finish.
    • Misconception: Power tools make hand tools obsolete. Correction: While pneumatic hammers speed up rough shaping, hand tools are crucial for fine detailing and finishing. A skilled banker mason must be proficient with both to achieve the required precision.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Basic understanding of construction health and safety (e.g., CSCS card level or equivalent).
    • •Familiarity with basic hand tools and workshop practices, often gained through a Level 1 qualification or introductory stonemasonry course.
    • •Elementary maths skills, including measuring, geometry, and ratio calculations, as these are used in setting out and template making.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Safe mechanical lifting and handling
    • Setting out tools and techniques
    • Mortar selection and mixing
    • Levelling, plumbing, and alignment
    • Interpretation of working drawings
    • Safe mechanical handling and lifting
    • Level ground setting out techniques
    • Basic stone fixing methods
    • Accuracy and alignment control
    • Compliance with specifications

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