Lime mortars introduction

Duration

6 hours

Purpose/scope

The purpose of this standard is to provide the learner with the knowledge and skills to support the following:

Scope:

Recognise the purpose, performance characteristics and applications of a range of lime mortars

• A history of lime mortars in construction
• The purpose, performance and applications of different lime mortars
• The lime cycle
• Identify lime mortars in existing buildings

Learner pre-requisites

There are no learner 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)
• at least 2 years industrial experience relevant to the scope of the standard
• a verifiable CV

Delivery

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

The learning environment, class size and learner/trainer ratio must allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable learners to achieve the learning outcomes

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

• face to face learning environment only (such as classroom/workshop etc.)
• virtual
• a blend of face to face and virtual

This standard is predominantly theoretical training

This standard is considered to be set at an entry level

Assessment

Informally Assessed

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

Standard Classification

Lifetime 

(Please note standards using this classification will only be grant aided once per user)

Working Group Approval date

July 2024

Review cycle

On request or 60 months (5 years) from approval date

Learning outcomes

The learner will be able to:

Know the history of lime mortar use in construction

Delivery Guidance:

• how lime materials are formed and sourced
• traditional use of lime mortars
• why lime mortars fell out of use and the introduction of cement
• why lime mortars have come back into favour

Recognise the purpose, performance characteristics and applications of different lime mortars

Delivery Guidance:

The following purpose, performance and characteristics must be covered:

• breathability
• durability
• protection
• aesthetics
• aggregates
• hydraulic mortar mix
• non-hydraulic mortar mix

The following applications must be covered:

• pointing
• render
• harl / wet dash / rough cast
• lime wash

Recognise the materials and stages of the lime cycle

Delivery Guidance:

The following materials must be covered:

• calcium carbonate (limestone)
• calcium oxide (cooked limestone)
• calcium hydroxide (water added to cooked limestone)
• aggregates
• additives

The following stages must be covered:

• sourced limestone
• heating, firing, cooking, burning limestone
• adding water
• mixing aggregates to create a mortar
• carbonation

Assessment Criteria:

The tutor must be satisfied that the learner can correctly recognise the component materials and stages of the lime cycle