DSWA (UK) Initial level Certification (Test only)

September 10, 2008
8am-5pm

Location:
Marshfield, Vermont (18 miles from Barre)

Examiner:
Dan Snow
Contact him for details
e-mail: teatime@together.net
526 Stickney Brook Rd.
Dummerston, VT 05301
USA

Test day fee schedule:
Initial test - $100 Payable to examiner on day of test.
(10% off for DSWA members)
Candidates must have completed application process with DSWA office at least four weeks in advance of test day
and paid DSWA application fee of 20GBP.
GO TO: http://www.dswa.org.uk/training_frames.htm
CLICK ON: Test Application Form - Overseas candidates only

INITIAL TEST

Each candidate to strip down and rebuild a straight-forward section of wall totaling 2.5 square metres within a seven hour period. Work to be done in the presence of the Examiner. The standard required places most emphasis on straightness and soundness of construction rather than on finished quality.

WHAT THE EXAMINER LOOKS FOR

Stripping Out: Cope stones laid in line about 2 metres from wall. Cover stones and throughbands laid next to them. Building stones and packing laid out on both sides of wall. Foundation stones laid on top of building stones. Clear space, free of stones both sides of the wall.

Preparing and Laying Foundations: Foundation dug out and leveled. Foundation stones laid “end in, and end out” to the correct width. Foundation well-hearted with packing stones. Extra-large stones should be in foundation.

Building and Packing: Stones tight together with no gaps. No running joints further than two rows of stones. Coursing of stones if applicable but a definite line for throughbands, appropriate to wall height (usually mid-height but note regional variations). Good use of packing, thoroughly packed in, and not thrown in. Tight wall: stones should not move when kicked. A definite line at coverband-height. The bigger the stones, the further down the wall they should be placed.

Placing of Throughbands: Laid at approximately 1 metre intervals. Check they are lying solidly on the wall. Should protrude 50-80mm on either side of wall (but note regional variations). Short throughs must be on alternate courses to ensure even transference of weight.

Copestones and Finish: Stones should sit solid on their own base rather than propped up on pinnings. Vertical, tight together, well keyed to give a level finish (some regions have copestones on the slant, other regions have variations which should be observed). Minimum of pinning. Pinning should be neat and blend into wall.