Page 235 - The City and Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1 for the Level 3 Apprenticeship (9189), Level 2 Technical Certificate (8202) and Level 2 Diploma (6035)

Chapter 4 Planning and supervision

Job specifications

Job specifications will identify precise details of a job and will normally
complement services and site drawings for large projects. For example, if a
bathroom suite is to be installed, then the type, model, quality and associated
fittings will be clearly stated. Even the type of support for pipework can be
mentioned. The timely delivery of the specified appliances and components
is therefore important as delays will cost money and hold up other work
associated with the job.
Testing procedures will be identified, such as soundness testing and sanitary
installation, or pressure testing a hot and cold water pipework installation. The
specifications can state who will notch the joints or make openings for first-fix
pipework. Because the job specification is part of the overall contract, any changes KEY POINT
must be carried out only after an agreement with the management has been made. Careful planning and
Installers cannot take it upon themselves to make any changes without permission. monitoring against
delivery times is
A job specification will also indicate what the documentation requirements important to avoid losing
are for power tools on-site and what plant is required to carry out specialist money on a project. It is
tasks. Where special vehicles are required to complete specified tasks, then this also important to avoid
information will be stated in a job specification. Installation drawings and job theft from a site, which is
best solved by arranging
specification can be compared with the work programme. delivery on-site early
in the morning when
Delivery of materials operatives are there.
Because a work programme can include a range of information, such as the
progress of work and the strategy of start times, for multiple trades on a
building project, the information must be clearly laid out on a simple bar chart.
With domestic properties the non-arrival of goods and materials to a site can
heavily impact a planned day’s work. On larger sites the delivery of materials ACTIVITY
‘just in time’ means that they are delivered to the exact location of the work at
an agreed time that coincides with the plumbers commencing work. If material When a delivery of
is not available this is likely to increase labour costs. In the same way, specialist plumbing fixings and
fittings arrives on-site, ask
plant and machinery should be delivered to coincide with specialist contractors’ your supervisor if you can
arrival to begin work on-site. help with checking the
Other delays can occur, even if a delivery arrives on time, such as the wrong goods delivered against
the delivery note.
specification of goods being sent, or items missing or arriving damaged. This
is why it is important to carefully check the delivery note to make sure that
everything that has been ordered is there, before signing off any documentation.

Time allocation to work activities KEY TERM

The delegation of work tasks should be based on the competence of the person Delegation: sharing or
and not how fast they can do a job or how much money they charge. Good- transfer of authority and
quality work completed ahead of time is what everyone desires and this will responsibility, from an
lead to an increase in the profit margin for the company. Labour resources are employer or supervisor to
best allocated after careful planning of when the work opportunity will arise in an employee.
the work programme. When planning work with plumbing and other trades it
is essential that the work is executed safely. If there are any delays because of
health and safety issues, then the best solution would be to work around the
problem safely until it is resolved.

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