Establish lines and levels on-site
This element covers the fundamental practical skills and knowledge required to accurately set out lines and levels for vehicle restraint system (parapet) installations. Learners must demonstrate competence in interpreting design drawings, selecting and using levelling and alignment equipment, and transferring datum points to ensure correct height, alignment, and gradient relative to the carriageway. Mastery of these skills is critical for structural integrity, vehicle safety, and compliance with technical standards such as EN 1317 and CDM regulations.
Assessment criteria
Topic Overview
The Lantra Awards Level 2 Diploma in Work-based Fencing – General Fencing (Non-strained Systems) focuses on the installation, maintenance, and repair of fencing that does not rely on tensioned wires, such as post-and-rail, timber panel, and welded mesh fencing. This qualification is designed for learners working in the fencing industry, providing the practical skills and theoretical knowledge needed to construct durable, safe, and compliant non-strained fencing systems. It covers key areas like site preparation, setting out, post installation, rail and board fixing, and finishing techniques, ensuring fences are fit for purpose and meet British Standards.
Non-strained fencing is widely used in agricultural, residential, and commercial settings for boundary demarcation, security, and livestock control. Unlike strained systems (e.g., barbed wire), these fences rely on the rigidity of their components rather than wire tension, making them simpler to install but still requiring precision to ensure longevity. This diploma is essential for learners aiming to become competent fencers, as it builds foundational skills that underpin more advanced fencing work and aligns with industry-recognised standards, enhancing employability and career progression.
Within the broader Construction & Building Services sector, fencing is a specialised trade that contributes to land management, property development, and infrastructure projects. This qualification sits within Lantra Awards' occupational framework, which emphasises hands-on competence and safety. By mastering non-strained systems, students gain a solid grounding in fencing principles, preparing them for further study in strained systems or supervisory roles, and enabling them to work effectively on diverse sites from farms to housing estates.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Site preparation and setting out: Accurately marking fence lines, checking for underground services, and ensuring ground conditions are suitable for post installation.
- →Post installation techniques: Using concrete or mechanical methods (e.g., post drivers) to set posts vertically and at correct centres, with proper drainage to prevent rot.
- →Rail and board fixing: Attaching rails to posts using galvanised nails or brackets, and securing boards or panels with consistent gaps for expansion and aesthetic uniformity.
- →Finishing and quality checks: Applying preservatives, fitting caps, and inspecting for alignment, stability, and compliance with specifications (e.g., height, spacing).
- →Health and safety: Using personal protective equipment (PPE), safe manual handling, and working near services or on uneven ground.
Learning Objectives
What you need to know and understand
- 1. Be able to establish lines and levels2. Know how to establish lines and levels
Assessment Criteria
Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio
- Award credit for accurately interpreting site plans and setting-out drawings, identifying required finished road and parapet levels.
- Award credit for correctly selecting and preparing levelling equipment (e.g., auto/dumpy level, laser level, staff) and performing a two-peg test to verify calibration.
- Award credit for establishing a reliable temporary benchmark (TBM) and accurately transferring levels to multiple control points along the installation line.
- Award credit for installing profile boards, string lines, or batter rails to define the line and level of the parapet face, with clear evidence of checking for plumb and straightness.
- Award credit for documenting all level readings and alignment checks in a site diary or setting-out record as per organisational procedures.
Assessment Guidance
Guidance for achieving higher grades
- 💡Always begin by performing a two-peg test on your automatic level and record the results—this demonstrates you understand equipment verification.
- 💡Use closure checks when transferring levels (loop back to the starting BM) to prove your levelling accuracy.
- 💡When setting out string lines for parapets, ensure they are tensioned tightly and located at both top and toe of the proposed barrier, referencing face-of-kerb or edge-of-carriageway markers.
- 💡In coursework or witness testimony, clearly reference the specific sections of the works instruction, design drawing, or standard (e.g., EN 1317) that you are working to.
- 💡Always refer to the specification or drawing provided – examiners look for evidence that you can interpret and follow written instructions, including post centres, rail positions, and finish heights.
- 💡Demonstrate safe working practices throughout your practical assessment, especially when using tools like post hole diggers, saws, and nail guns. Safety is a key marking criterion.
- 💡Pay attention to detail in finishing – neat, consistent gaps between boards, properly aligned rails, and clean cuts show a professional approach and can earn you extra marks.
Common Mistakes
Common errors to avoid in your coursework
- Failing to check the calibration of levelling instruments before use, leading to cumulative errors in height readings.
- Misinterpreting the difference between road crossfall/camber and the parapet level, resulting in incorrect reveal heights.
- Using a string line sagging over long spans without intermediate supports, causing inconsistent horizontal alignment.
- Neglecting to protect or independently verify the temporary benchmark, leading to all subsequent levels being out of tolerance.
- Confusing 'level' with 'flat' when setting out on sloping ground, not allowing for design gradients or falls.
- Misconception: Non-strained fencing doesn't need to be as strong as strained fencing. Correction: While it doesn't rely on tension, non-strained fencing must still be robustly constructed to withstand wind, impact, and ground movement. Weak joints or poorly set posts can lead to failure.
- Misconception: Any type of timber can be used for fence posts. Correction: Only pressure-treated or naturally durable timber (e.g., oak, sweet chestnut) should be used for ground contact. Untreated softwood rots quickly, compromising the fence's lifespan.
- Misconception: Setting posts in concrete always makes them stronger. Correction: Concrete can trap moisture against the post, accelerating rot. Proper drainage (e.g., gravel at the base) and correct concrete mix are essential to prevent this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Pass / Merit / Distinction Evidence Checklist
How your portfolio evidence is graded for LANTRA AWARDS Establish lines and levels on-site
Every vocational unit is marked against named criteria rather than an exam percentage. Your tutor's brief lists the exact codes for this unit — here is what each band is asking you to do.
Demonstrate baseline knowledge, accurate terminology, and core practical application.
Provide detailed analysis, structured explanations, and clear workplace reasoning.
Deliver thorough evaluation, original problem solving, and fully justified recommendations.
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •Basic understanding of health and safety in construction (e.g., COSHH, manual handling).
- •Familiarity with common hand and power tools used in fencing (e.g., saws, hammers, levels).
- •Knowledge of timber types and preservation methods is beneficial but not essential.
Coursework AI Review
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Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- 1. Be able to establish lines and levels2. Know how to establish lines and levels
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