Perform Building Temporary Works assessment preparation decides whether you pass or fail. This guide explains exactly what assessors expect, how to prepare, and the common mistakes that cost candidates marks.
Introduction: Understanding the Assessment
The Perform Building Temporary Works assessment tests your competence in timbering, formwork, and scaffolding. Moreover, it combines practical tasks with an oral assessment. Consequently, you must demonstrate both hands-on skill and theoretical knowledge.
In addition, the assessment follows a set order. You complete three practical sessions and one oral session. Therefore, knowing the structure helps you prepare effectively.
Assessment Structure at a Glance
| Session | Task | Duration | Marks |
| Session 1 | Excavate trench and provide timbering for dry loose soils | 5 hours | 40 |
| Session 2 | Fabricate 300×300×2000 mm column formwork, brace at 500 mm, support with four sloping props | 5 hours | 50 |
| Session 3 | Fabricate independent scaffold framework, brace, construct working platform | 5 hours | 45 |
| Session 4 | Oral assessment | — | 25 |
| Total | 160 |
Pass mark: At least 50% in each section.
Session 1: Trench Timbering Preparation
What You Must Do
First, you excavate a trench to the specified dimensions. Then, you install timbering to both sides. Finally, you dismantle the timbering and complete housekeeping.
Key Dimensions to Memorise
- Trench length: 1000 mm
- Trench width: 600 mm
- Depth: as per drawing
Marks Breakdown
| Item | Marks |
| PPE (overall, boots, helmet) | 3 |
| Interpret working drawing | 2 |
| Mark trench width and length | 4 |
| Excavate to correct dimensions | 3 |
| Assemble and use tools correctly | 3 |
| Fix timbering to both sides | 4 |
| Firmness of three rows of poling boards | 6 |
| Position poling boards and struts | 4 |
| Tightness of timber sheeting | 6 |
| Dismantle timbering | 2 |
| Housekeeping | 3 |
| Total | 40 |
Preparation Tips
- Practise marking out trenches until you can do it accurately and quickly.
- Learn the correct spacing of poling boards and struts.
- Practise tightening wedges so the sheeting is firm.
- Time yourself, because 5 hours passes quickly.
Session 2: Column Formwork Preparation
What You Must Do
First, you fabricate column formwork measuring 300×300×2000 mm. Then, you brace all four sides at 500 mm intervals. Finally, you support the formwork with four sloping props, one on each face.
Key Dimensions to Memorise
- Column size: 300 mm × 300 mm
- Column height: 2000 mm
- Brace spacing: 500 mm
- Number of props: 4 (one per face)
Marks Breakdown
| Item | Marks |
| PPE | 3 |
| Interpret working drawing | 2 |
| Assemble and use tools correctly | 4 |
| Tighten four sides with braces | 8 |
| Fix braces at 500 mm intervals | 9 |
| Support four sides with props | 8 |
| External measurements (300×4, 2000) | 5 |
| Plumbness (4 faces) | 4 |
| External squareness (bottom, middle, top) | 3 |
| Dismantle formwork | 2 |
| Housekeeping | 2 |
| Total | 50 |
Preparation Tips
- Practise cutting and assembling formwork to exact dimensions.
- Learn to check squareness by measuring diagonals.
- Practise fixing braces at consistent intervals.
- Check plumbness after tightening, not before.
Session 3: Scaffold Framework Preparation
What You Must Do
First, you fabricate an independent scaffold framework. Then, you brace the framework. Finally, you construct the working platform.
Key Dimensions to Memorise
- Scaffold dimensions: 1050 mm, 750 mm, 1000 mm
- Four vertical standards
- Four horizontal braces
- Four diagonal braces
- Four transoms
Marks Breakdown
| Item | Marks |
| PPE | 3 |
| Assemble and use tools correctly | 3 |
| Interpret working drawing | 2 |
| Cut four vertical standards | 4 |
| Fix four horizontal braces | 4 |
| Tighten with four diagonal braces | 4 |
| Fix four transoms | 8 |
| Butt timber closely on platform | 6 |
| Measurements (1050, 750, 1000) | 6 |
| Plumbness of four standards | 4 |
| Housekeeping | 1 |
| Total | 45 |
Preparation Tips
- Practise cutting standards to exact lengths.
- Learn to fix braces diagonally on all four faces.
- Practise butting platform boards closely with no gaps.
- Check plumbness of all four standards before finishing.
Session 4: Oral Assessment Preparation
What Assessors Ask
The oral assessment covers shoring types, safety precautions, timbering design factors, and scaffold materials. Therefore, prepare concise answers for each topic.
Sample Questions and Answers
Q: What are the key safety precautions during erecting timbering to foundation trenches?
A: Use PPE, avoid taking heavy machines near the excavation, and use warning tapes or lights during excavation.
Q: What are the main types of shoring?
A: Raking shoring, flying shoring, dead shoring, and trench shoring.
Q: Why is shoring necessary during excavation of trenches?
A: It supports trenches and protects existing structures during nearby excavation.
Q: What are the advantages of timber scaffolding over steel scaffolding?
A: Timber may be cheaper, easy to cut and shape, does not rust, and may be more readily available.
Q: What factors affect the design of timbering in trenches?
A: Type of soil, depth and width of trench, presence of groundwater, nearby structures, duration of excavation, and expected loads on trench edges.
Preparation Tips
- Write out answers in your own words.
- Practise saying them aloud.
- Learn the key points, not full sentences.
- Expect follow-up questions.
General Preparation Strategies
Strategy 1: Practise Under Time Pressure
Each session lasts 5 hours. Therefore, practise completing tasks within that time. Moreover, learn which steps take longest.
Strategy 2: Master Your Tools
You earn marks for assembling and using tools correctly. Therefore, practise with tape measures, handsaws, squares, and plumb bobs until you are confident.
Strategy 3: Learn the Sequence
Erection and dismantling follow fixed sequences. Therefore, memorise them so you do not waste time deciding what to do next.
Strategy 4: Check Your Work
Assessors award marks for accuracy. Therefore, check dimensions, squareness, and plumbness before declaring your work complete.
Strategy 5: Keep the Site Tidy
Housekeeping earns marks in every session. Therefore, clean tools, store them properly, and clear debris before finishing.
Common Mistakes That Cost Marks
Many candidates lose marks for avoidable errors. Therefore, avoid the following common mistakes.
- Forgetting to wear PPE at the start.
- Misreading the working drawing.
- Marking dimensions inaccurately.
- Using blunt or damaged tools.
- Failing to check squareness by diagonals.
- Leaving gaps between sheeting or platform boards.
- Neglecting plumbness checks.
- Skipping housekeeping.
- Running out of time because of poor planning.
- Panicking during the oral assessment.
Day-Before Checklist
Before the assessment day, confirm the following.
- □
I know the venue and start time.
- □
I have my PPE ready.
- □
I have revised the drawing dimensions.
- □
I have practised the erection sequences.
- □
I have revised the oral questions.
- □
I have rested well.
Conclusion
Preparing for your Perform Building Temporary Works assessment requires practice, planning, and attention to detail. When you know the structure, memorise the dimensions, and rehearse the sequences, you walk in confident and ready.
Moreover, marks come from accuracy, safety, and housekeeping. Therefore, treat every step as assessed. As a result, you demonstrate competence and earn your qualification.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Perform Building Temporary Works assessment?
The assessment includes three practical sessions of 5 hours each, plus an oral assessment. The total mark is 160, with a pass mark of at least 50%.
What is assessed in Session 1?
Session 1 assesses trench excavation and timbering for dry loose soils. It covers marking, excavation, timbering installation, dismantling, and housekeeping.
What dimensions must I remember for Session 2?
Session 2 requires a column formwork of 300×300×2000 mm, braced at 500 mm intervals, with four sloping props.
What is assessed in the oral session?
The oral session covers safety precautions, shoring types, timbering design factors, scaffold materials, and causes of scaffold failure.
How can I avoid running out of time?
Practise each task under timed conditions. Moreover, plan your sequence before starting, and avoid unnecessary pauses.