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Detection of Utilities in Walls and Ceilings Course

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Home » Detection of Utilities in Walls and Ceilings Course
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Detection of Utilities in Walls and Ceilings Course

Course Information

The Detection of Utilities in walls and ceilings course is designed for anyone who may need to drill, cut, chase, core, fix into or otherwise disturb walls, floors and ceilings where hidden services could be present.

Electrical cables, water pipes, gas pipes, heating systems, telecommunications cables and other services may be concealed behind plasterboard, within blockwork, beneath surface finishes or inside ceiling voids. Accidental contact can result in electric shock, fire, flooding, gas release, property damage, service disruption and serious injury.

This course provides delegates with the knowledge and practical understanding required to plan work safely, assess the likelihood of hidden services and use appropriate detection equipment before intrusive work begins.

Training can be delivered at the client’s premises or at a suitable training venue and can be adapted to reflect the equipment, working environments and activities undertaken within your organisation.

Who Should Attend?

The course is suitable for:

  • Construction operatives
  • Maintenance personnel
  • Facilities management teams
  • Electricians and electrical contractors
  • Plumbers and heating engineers
  • Dryliners and ceiling fixers
  • Joiners and carpenters
  • Kitchen and bathroom installers
  • Fire-stopping operatives
  • Data and telecommunications installers
  • Surveyors, supervisors and managers
  • Anyone required to drill, cut, chase or fix into walls, floors or ceilings

Ken Wood & Sons Construction have been utilising the services provided by Workforce Skill Support for a number of years now. Their expertise and understanding of the Construction Industries Training requirements and associated advice is invaluable. Every request is dealt with professionally and efficiently whilst understanding our needs and working within budgets. We would highly recommend using Workforce Skills Support for all your training needs.

Ken Wood & Sons Construction
 

Key Course Details

Course Logistics

Duration: 1 day

Location: Delivered on-site nationwide

Dates: Call 01623 287830

Minimum numbers:  1+ (charged at a day rate)

Maximum numbers: 10 classroom

Course Details & Recognition

Cost: Day rate - £945 + VAT

Price subject to confirmation*
*Final price may vary depending on location.

Accreditation: Certificated by Workforce Skills Support

Certificate Validity: 3 years

Funding & Grants

CITB Employer Network Funding: None

CITB Support

How is this course Delivered?

This course is available exclusively for groups and can be delivered:

In-house classroom delivery – We come to your site

This is a private, closed session for your team only. All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance on completion.

Maximum numbers: 15 classroom

We come to you
This course is delivered in person at your chosen location, exclusively for your team.

What to expect:

  • Expert trainer on-site
  • Hands-on interaction with your group
  • Minimal travel needed for your staff
  • Workforce Skills Support Certification detailing the CITB standards covered for each participant who achieves the course
  • Each course combines thorough theoretical instruction with practical, hands-on exercises.Participants benefit from real-time feedback and guidance from experienced trainers, ensuring they gain valuable skills ready for practical application.
  • We can arrange a local venue close to your siteif preferred
    • Please note: using an external venue may affect the day rate.

Handling materials in woodworkingCourse Aims

The course aims to provide delegates with the knowledge and practical skills required to identify the potential presence of hidden services and safely use detection equipment before disturbing walls, floors and ceilings.

By the end of the course, delegates should understand how to:

  • Plan work where concealed services may be present
  • Identify the types of services commonly found within walls, floors and ceilings
  • Interpret available drawings, plans, service records and other relevant information
  • Carry out a visual assessment of the work area
  • Identify indicators that may suggest the route of concealed services
  • Select suitable detection equipment for the task
  • Complete pre-use checks and confirm that equipment is fit for purpose
  • Use detection equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
  • Apply a systematic scanning technique
  • Recognise the limitations of detection equipment
  • Mark the location of suspected services
  • Apply suitable control measures before drilling, cutting or fixing
  • Respond appropriately where the location of a service cannot be confirmed
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course, delegates will be able to:

  • Identify common services concealed within walls, floors and ceilings
  • Describe the potential consequences of damaging electrical cables, gas pipes, water pipes, heating systems and communication cables
  • Explain how service strikes may cause injury, fire, flooding, explosion, service interruption and property damage
  • Recognise the increased risks associated with older buildings, refurbished premises and areas where records may be incomplete

  • Review the task before intrusive work begins
  • Identify where drilling, chasing, cutting, coring or fixing may disturb concealed services
  • Review relevant plans, drawings, permits, risk assessments and method statements
  • Identify the limitations of service plans and as-built drawings
  • Confirm that suitable controls and emergency arrangements are in place
  • Determine when additional investigation or specialist support is required

  • Identify visible indicators of concealed services
  • Consider the position of sockets, switches, consumer units, radiators, taps, boilers, light fittings and other service outlets
  • Recognise likely service routes and installation zones
  • Identify signs of previous alterations, repairs or refurbishment
  • Assess both sides of a wall, the area above a ceiling and the floor above or below where reasonably practicable
  • Recognise that concealed services may not always follow expected routes

  • Identify different types of wall and service detection equipment
  • Explain the basic operating principles of commonly used detectors
  • Identify equipment designed to detect live electrical cables, metal, timber, pipes and other materials
  • Select suitable equipment for the surface and service being investigated
  • Explain the importance of following the manufacturer’s operating instructions
  • Recognise that no detector can guarantee that an area is completely free from hidden services

  • Inspect detection equipment before use
  • Check the casing, display, controls, batteries and accessories
  • Confirm that the equipment is clean, undamaged and functioning correctly
  • Complete any required function or calibration checks
  • Identify the action to take if equipment is damaged, defective or producing unreliable readings
  • Record defects in accordance with company procedures

  • Prepare the surface before scanning
  • Select the appropriate detection mode
  • Scan the work area in a controlled and systematic manner
  • Scan in more than one direction
  • Repeat scans to confirm indications
  • Maintain suitable contact between the detector and the surface
  • Identify and mark the position of suspected services
  • Interpret audible, visual or digital equipment indications
  • Compare detector readings with visual information and available plans

  • Service depth
  • Wall or ceiling thickness
  • Surface coverings and finishes
  • Foil-backed plasterboard
  • Metal framing and reinforcement
  • Mesh, fixings and other metallic materials
  • Cable load and whether an electrical cable is live
  • Plastic pipes
  • Moisture within the structure
  • Multiple services located close together
  • Equipment sensitivity and calibration
  • Incorrect scanning technique
  • Environmental and site conditions

  • Use scanning as part of a wider safe system of work
  • Select appropriate drilling and fixing positions
  • Avoid likely service routes and recognised installation zones
  • Consider the use of depth stops and controlled drilling methods
  • Isolate services where required and where it is safe and authorised to do so
  • Use suitable permits, warning systems and supervision
  • Stop work where readings are unclear or the presence of services cannot be ruled out
  • Escalate concerns to the appropriate supervisor, client or specialist contractor

  • Stop work immediately following suspected contact with a service
  • Avoid touching damaged electrical equipment or exposed conductors
  • Raise the alarm and keep others away from the affected area
  • Isolate the area or service where authorised and safe to do so
  • Report the incident in accordance with company procedures
  • Contact the appropriate emergency service, utility provider or competent person
  • Preserve the area for investigation where necessary

Find out more about this Course

We’ll check your eligibility for CITB grants and guide you through every step—from application to reimbursement.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have questions about this course? Here is a compilation of our most frequently asked questions.

The handling material in woodworking course is a classroom-based presentation with practical application on the of safe working practices and manual handling techniques.

Absolutely. We offer nationwide in-house delivery for group bookings and can even help arrange a local venue if needed. Travel costs may apply depending on location.

This is a short, tutor-led session typically lasting one full working day (approx. 6 hours learning).

The maximum number of delegates for the handling materials in woodworking course is 15 face-to-face.

This course will cover the theory-based knowledge and exercises for identifying hazards involved with manual handling, safe working practices, how to assess risks and carry out risk assessments, also practical application of selecting equipment, inspection procedures, applying appropriate lifting techniques.

The handling materials in woodworking is suitable for anyone involved with these activities including managers, supervisors and operatives, typical trades may include:

  • Joiners
  • Carpenters
  • Bench Joiners
  • Wood Machinists
  • Timber Frame Operatives
  • Workshop Operatives
  • Site Operatives
  • Supervisors
  • Team Leaders
  • Anyone involved in handling woodworking materials

Candidates whose first language is not English are welcome to attend. However, all courses are conducted, assessed/marked and certificated using the English language.

To successfully complete the course, candidates must have a sufficient level of English to:

  • Undertake the course requirements
  • Understand the course they are registered for
  • Recognise the purpose of undertaking it

For candidates whose first language is not English, the use of a bilingual dictionary in book form (not electronic or translator devices) is permitted during assessment.

Yes, this course may be grant eligible, and we can help you access Employer Networks funding.

Yes – all attendees will receive a Workforce Skills Support Certificate This will detail the learning outcomes achieved upon successful completion of the course.

The card expiry is 3 years.