An East Yorkshire building products manufacturer has teamed up with a local college to hold a training event on cavity tray installation.
Timloc invited students from Hull College, who are undertaking their NVQ Level 3 in Brickwork, to its site in Goole. Here, the company’s Technical Director, Phil Harvey, demonstrated best practice on the installation of cavity trays.
The idea behind the event was to raise awareness of Timloc’s products and the benefits of using cavity trays correctly in a build, as well as educating the builders of the future.
Phil said: “With our winters seeing increased rainfall, sales of cavity trays are on the rise, as they are more reliable and effective than traditional damp-proof course (DPC) methods. However, a lot of bricklayers and people in the construction trade simply don’t know how to install them properly. They are sometimes put in upside down, back to front, or dry bedded. Because of this, many don’t reap the benefits.
“Brickwork contractors are our biggest market for cavity trays, so we wanted to hold a training event to build confidence in our products and show the builders of tomorrow how to use them correctly. It was also valuable for us, as we could experience first-hand any problems that arise, receive feedback on our products and troubleshoot.
“We are experts in cavity trays and, not only will we supply them, but we also offer critical support to our customers when it comes to scheduling and specifying them with projects. We will work alongside our clients during the first installation and offer site aids, too, so this was an example of the help we give.”
Led by Hull College lecturer Gary Longthorp, the students constructed a mock-up wall and window frame, with Phil on-hand throughout the day to offer guidance, support and information on Timloc’s cavity trays and their benefits.
Gary said: “We all learnt a lot on the day, including myself, and it was good to meet other people in the industry who are passionate about building and developing skills with new products.”
Although the students had heard of cavity trays, they were not aware of how they should be used and found the training day helpful.
Student Tom Dixon, 22, works for a national housebuilder when he’s not at college. From next year, he will start his role as a trainee site manager and will be promoting the benefits of Timloc cavity trays and over-lintel trays to his gangs.
He said: “It was great spending time with the Timloc team and learning the correct way to install cavity trays. The hands-on guidance and knowledge that was passed on by Phil has certainly boosted my confidence and I’m looking forward to putting what I’ve learnt into practice.
“I already use cavity trays on site, so it was good to gain more insight on them direct from the manufacturers. However, I’d never heard of the over-lintel trays that sit above the window opening. They proved very useful and I will be giving feedback on them to my employer, to see if they can be specified in the properties we build.”
The students from Hull College recreated the structure again on June 24th as part of the regional heat of SkillBuild – the largest multi-trade competition in the country for construction trainees and apprentices, covering 10 craft occupations. This involves building a brick structure from a drawing, using their skills and knowledge.
Timloc understands that some customers approach preformed cavity trays with some reluctance. However, the team will gladly visit customers and working sites to provide direct installation and specification advice. Timloc’s customers also benefit from the assurance of the company’s free specification and project scheduling and plot specific consignment service.
Part of the Alumasc Group, Timloc has been supplying the construction industry with high-performance building products since 1968. Based in Goole, East Yorkshire, the company manufactures a wide range of products including access panels, cavity trays, cavity closers, fire and acoustic stops, roof ventilation, loft access, underfloor and wall ventilation.
All production is carried out under the BS EN ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System.
