Building and Construction Institute of the Southeast
Masonry Diploma Program

1. NCCER, Contren Learning Series; Masonry, Annotated Instructor’s Guide; Level One. 3rd Edition. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 200
2. NCCER, Contren Learning Series; Masonry, Annotated Instructor’s Guide; Level Two. 3rd Edition. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 200
3. NCCER, Contren Learning Series; Masonry, Annotated Instructor’s Guide; Level Three. 3rd Edition. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 200
4. NCCER, Contren Learning Series; Core Curriculum; Introductory Craft Skills; Annotated Instructor’s Guide. 3rd Edition. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 200
5. Local/State/National Masonry Code and Standards

Competencies / Objectives

Semester One

1. Explain the role that safety plays in the construction crafts.
2. Describe the meaning of job-site safety.
3. Describe the characteristics of a competent person and a qualified person.
4. Explain the appropriate safety precautions to take around common job-site hazards.
5. Demonstrate the use and care of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
6. Properly don and remove personal protective equipment (safety goggles, hard hat, and personal fall protection).
7. Follow the safety procedures required for lifting heavy objects.
8. Describe safe behavior on and around ladders and scaffolds.
9. Explain the importance of Hazard Communications (HazCom) and material safety data sheets (MSDSs).
10. Describe fire prevention and firefighting techniques.
11. Define safe work procedures to use around electrical hazards.

1. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers, with and without a calculator.
2. Use a standard ruler and a metric ruler to measure.
3. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions.
4. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals, with and without a calculator.
5. Convert decimals to percentages and percentages to decimals.
6. Convert fractions to decimals and decimals to fractions.
7. Explain what the metric system is and how it is important in the construction trade.
8. Recognize and use metric units of length, weight, volume, and temperature.
9. Recognize some of the basic shapes used in the construction industry, and apply basic geometry to measure them.

1. Recognize and identify some of the basic hand tools used in the construction trade.
2. Use hand tools safely.
3. Describe the basic procedures for taking care of hand tools.

1. Identify power tools commonly used in the construction trades.
2. Use power tools safely.
3. Explain how to maintain power tools properly.

1. Recognize and identify basic blueprint terms, components, and symbols.
2. Relate information on blueprints to actual locations on the print.
3. Recognize different classifications of drawings.
4. Interpret and use drawing dimensions.

1. Identify and describe the use of slings and common rigging hardware
2. Describe basic inspection techniques and rejection criteria used for slings and hardware.
3. Describe basic hitch configurations and their proper connections.
4. Describe basic load-handling safety practices.
5. Demonstrate proper use of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) hand signals.

1. Demonstrate the ability to interpret information and instructions presented in both written and verbal form.
2. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in on-the-job situations using written and verbal skills.

1. Explain the construction industry, the role of the companies that make up the industry, and the role of individual professionals in the industry.
2. Demonstrate critical thinking skills and the ability to solve problems using those skills.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of computer systems, and explain common uses for computers in the construction industry.
4. Demonstrate effective relationship skills with teammates and supervisors, the ability to work on a team, and appropriate leadership skills.
5. Demonstrate awareness of workplace issues such as sexual harassment, stress, and substance abuse.
6. Demonstrate proper work ethic and ability to respond to assigned responsibilities.

Level One

1. Discuss the history of masonry.
2. Describe modern masonry materials and methods.
3. Explain career ladders and advancement possibilities in masonry work.
4. Describe the skills, attitudes, and abilities needed to work as a mason.
5. State the safety precautions that must be practiced at a work site, including the following:
• Safety practices
• Fall-protection procedures
• Forklift-safety operations
6. Perform the following basic bricklaying procedures:
• Mixing of mortar
• Laying a mortar bed
• Laying bricks
7. Put on eye protection, respiratory protection, and a safety harness.
8. Use the correct procedures for fueling and starting a gasoline-powered tool.

1. Identify and name the tools used in performing masonry work.
2. Identify and name the equipment used in performing masonry work.
3. Describe how each tool is used.
4. Describe how the equipment is used.
5. Associate trade terms with the appropriate tools and equipment.
6. Demonstrate the correct procedures for assembling and disassembling scaffolding according to federal safety regulations, under the supervision of a competent person.

1. Work with denominate numbers.
2. Read a mason’s measure.
3. Convert measurements in the U.S. Customary (English) system into their metric equivalents.
4. Recognize, identify, and calculate areas, circumferences, and volumes of basic geometric shapes.
5. Identify the basic parts of a set of drawings.
6. Discuss the different types of specifications used in the building industry and the sections that pertain to masonry.

1. Name and describe the primary ingredients in mortar and their properties.
2. Identify the various types of mortar used in masonry work.
3. Describe the common admixtures and their uses.
4. Identify the common problems found in mortar application and their solutions.
5. Properly set up the mortar mixing area.
6. Properly mix mortar by hand.
7. Properly mix mortar with a mechanical mixer.

1. Describe the most common types of masonry units.
2. Describe and demonstrate how to set up a wall.
3. Lay a dry bond.
4. Spread and furrow a bed joint, and butter masonry units.
5. Describe the different types of masonry bonds.
6. Cut brick and block accurately.
7. Lay masonry units in a true course.

Level Two

1. Explain the organization of residential plans and drawings.
2. Interpret dimensions and scales on drawings.
3. Interpret information on residential plans.
4. Estimate material quantities from plans and drawings.

1. Explain the requirements for construction of various types of residential foundations.
2. Identify and explain the characteristics, uses, and installation techniques for brick pavers.
3. Lay out and build steps, patios, and decks made from masonry units.
4. Lay out and build chimneys and fireplaces.

Semester Two

1. Name and describe the primary ingredients in grout and their properties.
2. Identify the different types of grout used in masonry work.
3. Describe the common admixtures and their uses.
4. Describe the use of steel bar reinforcement in masonry construction.
5. Apply grout in low and high lifts using the proper techniques.
6. Place grout in a hollow block wall and rod it into place.

1. Describe the uses and installation of vertical reinforcement.
2. Describe the uses and installation of different types of horizontal joint reinforcements and ties.
3. Describe the uses and installation of different anchors, fasteners, and embedded items.
4. Install hollow metal frames.
5. Describe the functions of sills and lintels.
6. Install sills and lintels.
7. Install metal hardware.

1. Recognize the structural principles and fundamental uses of basic types of walls.
2. Recognize the requirement for, and function of, control joints and expansion joints.
3. Build various types of walls using proper reinforcement, jointing, and bonding techniques.
4. Lay out specialty structures such as maintenance holes, segmented block walls, and screens.
5. Identify and explain the different types of masonry arches used today.
6. Lay out a semicircular arch and a jack arch.

1. Explain and demonstrate techniques for constructing masonry around windows, doors, and other openings.
2. Explain the requirements for wall bracing, and demonstrate the techniques used to construct pilasters and other types of bracing.
3. Identify the various types of insulation used in conjunction with masonry construction, and explain installation techniques.
4. Identify the need for moisture control in various types of masonry construction, and demonstrate the techniques used to eliminate moisture problems.
5. Construct corbeling in a double-wythe wall.
6. Join intersecting walls.
7. Install flashing.

1. Describe industry standards for quality control.
2. Describe how to build masonry sample panels and prisms.
3. Perform a slump test.
4. Describe and perform field inspections.

1. Demonstrate the requirements for construction of various types of residential foundations.
2. Demonstrate the characteristics, uses, and installation techniques for brick pavers.
3. Lay out and build steps, patios, and decks made from masonry units.
4. Lay out and build chimneys and fireplaces.

1. Identify and utilize the tools used in performing masonry work.
2. Identify and utilize the equipment used in performing masonry work.

1. Demonstrate critical thinking skills and the ability to solve problems using those skills.
   
2. Demonstrate effective relationship skills with co-workers and supervisors, the ability to work on a team, and appropriate leadership skills.
   
3. Demonstrate the awareness of workplace issues such as sexual harassment, stress, and substance abuse.
   
4. Demonstrate appropriate work ethic and responsibilities.

Semester Three

Level Three

1. Recognize and explain the use of high-rise construction equipment.
2. Understand and apply block and brick construction techniques typically employed in high-rise construction.
3. Understand and apply safety guidelines employed in high-rise construction.
4. Safely work with materials handling equipment in high-rise construction

1. Explain the various techniques used to provide adequate protection during hot- or cold-weathermasonry construction.
2. Apply a working knowledge of all-weather construction techniques.
3. Apply construction techniques for surface bonding mortar.
4. Understand and apply techniques for construction of stone walls and other stone building surfaces.
5. Understand and apply basic knowledge of various materials such as glass block, acid brick, and refractory brick.

1. Recognize signs of deterioration in masonry structures.
   
2. Describe the causes of efflorescence, cracking, and faulty mortar joints.
   
3. Describe the procedures for preventing and correcting efflorescence, cracking, and faulty mortar joints.
   
4. Describe the procedures for preventing and correcting water damage in basements.
   
5. Describe the procedures for rebuilding fireplaces.
   
6. Recognize types of paint failures.
   
7. Describe the types of paint available for use on masonry.

1. Recognize the difference between commercial and residential construction drawings.
2. Identify the basic keys, abbreviations, and other references contained in a set of commercial drawings.
3. Accurately read a set of commercial drawings.
4. Explain basic construction details and concepts employed in commercial construction.

1. Understand and apply basic materials estimating procedures for concrete block construction and brick construction.
2. Understand and apply basic estimating procedures for reinforcements, ties, and other materials.
3. Understand and apply procedures for quantities of mortar and mortar materials.

1. Describe the general duties and responsibilities of masonry foremen and supervisors.
   
2. Describe the basic activities required to organize project resources.
3. Operate and effectively use basic surveying equipment to lay out foundations, walls, and other structural components.
4. Understand and apply inspection procedures normally used on a project.

1. Read sketches and blueprints to calculate materials required for stonework.
   
2. Cut and trim stone to specification using hand and power tools.
   
3. Lay stone to provide veneer facing to walls or other surfaces.
   
4. Stonework laying techniques.

1. Demonstrate the requirements for construction of various types of residential foundations.
2. Demonstrate the characteristics, uses, and installation techniques for brick pavers.
3. Lay out and build steps, patios, and decks made from masonry units.
4. Lay out and build chimneys and fireplaces.

1. Identify and utilize the tools used in performing masonry work.
2. Identify and utilize the equipment used in performing masonry work.

1. Demonstrate critical thinking skills and the ability to solve problems using those skills.
2. Demonstrate effective relationship skills with co-workers and supervisors, the ability to work on a team, and appropriate leadership skills.
3. Demonstrate the awareness of workplace issues such as sexual harassment, stress, and substance abuse.
4. Demonstrate appropriate work ethic and responsibilities.