Course Standards
Safety
1) Identify safety hazards on a jobsite and demonstrate practices for safe working. Accurately read,
interpret, and demonstrate adherence to safety rules, including but not limited to rules
pertaining to electrical safety, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines,
and state and national code requirements. Be able to distinguish between the rules and explain
why certain rules apply. Recognize and employ universal construction signs and symbols such as
colors, flags, stakes, and hand signals that apply to construction workplace situations. Research
and evaluate construction company safety plans from local industry. Explain the need for jobsite
security to prevent liability. Drawing from examples, create and implement a jobsite safety
program in the class to ensure safe practices and procedures including jobsite security
procedures.
2) Maintain safety records and demonstrate adherence to industry-standard practices regarding
general machine safety, tool safety, equipment safety, electrical safety, and fire safety to
protect all personnel and equipment. For example, when operating tools and equipment,
regularly inspect and carefully employ the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), as
recommended by Occupational, Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Incorporate
safety procedures when operating tools and equipment, such as hand and power tools, ladders,
scaffolding, and lifting equipment. Complete safety test with 100 percent accuracy.
3) Follow procedures to work safely around materials. Adhere to responsibilities for employees in
material safety as outlined by the Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom), such as locating
and interpreting material safety data sheets (MSDS). For example, obtain an MSDS for a given
material from a supplier in the community. Demonstrate safe procedures to move materials by
planning the movement, properly lifting, stacking, and storing materials, and selecting proper
materials-handling equipment.
Tools & Equipment
4) For each of the systems covered in this course, identify and select the proper tools and
accessories, critique the readiness of the tools, use the tools to accomplish the desired tasks,
and then return the tools and accessories to their proper storage. Research a new technology
recently developed for the construction industry. Write persuasively to convince an employer
how the use of the technology could benefit the company, citing evidence from resources. For
example, describe how a new power tool could improve efficiency and reduce muscle fatigue for
a construction team.
Construction Industry Principles
5) Locate and assess the Tennessee Contractor’s Licensing Board’s website and analyze the policies
and requirements for construction work in Tennessee. Explain how such policies impact local
construction businesses.
6) Consult a variety of sources to describe alternatives to traditional project delivery methods, such
as the design-build and construction management-related methods, distinguishing among the
roles and relationships of various construction personnel in each scenario. Examine the project
delivery method of an actual company. Develop a company profile with supporting graphics the
company could share with a client describing the services provided and explaining the project
delivery method used by the company.
Structural System Loads
7) Categorize and describe the structural loads that act on a building, including vertical loads (such
as dead loads, live loads, and rain loads) and lateral loads (such as wind and earthquakes).
Drawing on textbooks and other resources, create a visual display with supporting text to
explain how the various loads act on a building’s structural system.
8) Distinguish among the types of structural failures that can occur in a structural system, including
compressive failures, tensile failures, and buckling failures. Explain how specific components of a
structural system prevent structural failures based on descriptions in texts and through
classroom experiments, synthesizing information gathered from both to illustrate concepts. For
example, explain how blocking between studs in a wood frame wall prevents the buckling of
studs.
Cold-Formed Steel Framing
9) Examine the components, fasteners, tools, and procedures used in cold-formed steel framing;
compare and contrast cold-formed steel framing with wood framing in building construction.
Outline the major similarities and differences in each and write persuasively to provide a
recommendation to a client for a specific project.
10) Demonstrate the ability to build steel frame components including back-to-back, box, and Lheaders.
Work in teams to lay out and install steel stud walls (both structural and nonstructural)
with openings to include bracing and blocking by implementing required safety
techniques, tools, and equipment.
Exterior Finishing
11) Examine a wall section drawing for a specific building. Identify, define, and explain the function
of each component including wall insulation, flashing, and the structure of the cornice. Draw
from textbooks and other resources to annotate the wall section drawing with notes explaining
the purpose of each component.
12) Interpret wall section drawings to safely construct a cornice. For example, accurately measure
materials, employ tools, and follow procedures to build a box cornice, checking for accuracy in
each step.
13) Analyze various finish systems used to sheath a building, including but not limited to wood
siding, fiber-cement siding, vinyl siding, metal siding, stucco, and masonry veneer finishes.
Perform a case study of three different buildings in the community which are sheathed in
different ways, hypothesizing why the different materials and methods were selected for each.
14) Estimate the siding materials needed to cover a building utilizing mathematical principles such
as area formulas and quantitative reasoning. Utilize the appropriate procedures, tools, and
materials to install various types of siding. For example, identify three siding methods that are
commonly used in the area and demonstrate the ability to plan the installation of and install
each.
Thermal & Moisture Protection
15) Explain the impact of heat transfer in a building, including heat loss during cold temperatures
and heat gain during warm temperatures. Describe how building components such as insulation
work to resist the transfer of heat in a structure. Interpret charts and graphs in building codes to
determine the recommended r-values of insulation in a given location.
16) Categorize the various types of insulation based on their characteristics and installation method.
Summarize the key properties and installation procedures of each insulation type in a visual
display.
17) Describe the materials and methods used in a structure for moisture control, waterproofing, and
ventilation. In a written narrative, explain how a vapor barrier protects an interior from
moisture and describe the permeability rating necessary for a material to be considered a vapor
retarder. Write guidelines for a builder or architect to use as reference when selecting
appropriate vapor barriers for a specific location based on the climate and other factors, citing
evidence from textbooks and other resources.
18) Interpret construction drawings and building codes to select and estimate the thermal and
moisture protection materials needed to complete a project utilizing mathematical principles
such as area formulas and quantitative reasoning. Utilize the appropriate procedures, tools, and
materials to install blanket insulation in a wall, a vapor barrier on a wall, and building wraps.
Roofing Applications
19) Compare and contrast the materials, methods, and procedures for roofing with fiberglass
shingles with other roofing materials such as wood shingles, metal roofing, and membrane-type
roofing systems. Perform a cost analysis for a client to help the client choose between two
roofing materials for a specific project given the site location, project budget, environmental
considerations, and other factors.
20) Apply the appropriate tools, equipment, and procedures to safely install shingles on a roof
including strategies for watertight installation, using quantitative reasoning and geometric
formulas where applicable. For example, interpret construction documents to estimate the
roofing materials needed to install fiberglass shingles on a gable roof. After preparing the roof
with underlayment, flashing, and other preparation materials, install fiberglass shingles, install a
cricket or saddle, and install ridge caps.
Windows, Doors, and Door Hardware
21) Describe the common styles and components of windows. Read and interpret construction
drawings, window schedules, specifications, and manufacturers’ information to determine the
types of window and installation procedures required for a project. Apply the appropriate tools,
equipment, and procedures to safely install windows.
22) Analyze the parts of a door frame, including sills, jambs, and casings, and describe different
interior door types. Read and interpret door schedules and other construction documents to
determine the type of door and door hardware required for a project.
23) Apply the appropriate tools, equipment, and procedures to safely install a door, including
checking the plumb and square of a door frame and installing a prehung door unit. Demonstrate
proper procedures to work with door hardware, including laying out and cutting hinges in a
wooden door and installing door closers and locksets.
Drywall Installation & Finishing
24) Describe the various components involved in drywall installation, including the types of drywall,
drywall fasteners and adhesives, and drywall accessories. Explain the procedure to install
drywall, noting the proper tools involved. Describe the role drywall plays in sound isolation and
fireproofing, outlining how fire-rated walls are constructed.
25) Read and interpret drawings to select the type and thickness of drywall required for a specific
installation. Utilize quantitative reasoning to estimate the amount of drywall, fasteners, and
finishing materials needed for a project.
26) Install gypsum drywall panels on stud walls and ceilings using different types of fastening
systems, including nails, screws, and adhesives. Perform single-layer and multi-layer installations
by implementing required safety techniques, tools, and equipment. Describe the differences in
procedures for installing gypsum panels on steel wall frames.
Drywall Finishing
27) Describe the procedures, tools, and materials used in drywall finishing, indicating the purpose of
each material. Read and interpret industry standards regarding drywall finish such as the
Recommended Levels of Gypsum Board Finish. Observe finished drywall and determine the level
of finish, citing evidence from industry standards documents.
28) Implement the proper procedures, tools, and materials to finish drywall. Procedures include
preparing compounds, taping joints, applying joint compounds, sanding, spotting fastener
heads, and finishing corners.
29) Diagnose the cause and determine the appropriate solution for problems that occur in drywall
finishing, citing evidence from textbooks or technical manuals in order to justify why the chosen
solution is appropriate. Implement the proper tools and procedures to patch damaged drywall.
Window, Door, Floor, and Ceiling Trim
30) Distinguish among the different types of standard trim, including base, wall, ceiling, window,
and door trim. Utilize the proper tools, equipment, and procedures to make square cuts, miter
cuts, and coped joint cuts in trim.
31) Apply the appropriate tools, fasteners, and procedures to install window, door, floor, and ceiling
trim. Estimate the quantities of different trim materials needed for a given room.
Cabinet Installation
32) Identify the components which make up a basic set of cabinets, analyzing the purpose of and
interrelationships among each component and explaining the sequence in which each is
constructed. Components include wall cabinets, base cabinets, countertops, and cabinet
hardware. Read and interpret drawings and technical manuals to determine the steps,
equipment, and materials needed to lay out and install a basic set of cabinets. Develop a
timeline and action steps needed to complete a cabinet installation. For example, narrate the
steps in an explanatory text that a peer could use to install a set of cabinets.
Green Building
33) Research and identify green strategies used in the design and construction of buildings
specifically impacting carpenters. Drawing on resources such as those from the U.S. Green
Building Council, discuss green work practices of carpenters, such as reducing waste in the
construction process, citing resources to support claims.
Construction Drawings & Specifications
34) Explain the relationship between construction drawings and specifications. For example,
describe how both the construction drawings and specifications provide information about the
exterior sheathing indicated for a building. Examine construction drawings and specifications, to
determine the requirements of the sheathing for a given part of a building, and verify with
measurements and other sources as needed.
35) Describe processes by which construction professionals obtain clarification from architects
regarding construction documents, such as by the use of requests for information (RFI’s). Write
a request for information (RFI), as would a construction professional to an architect to request
clarification for a detail of the construction documents, such as the selection of a product.
Business & Project Management
36) Establish and implement specific goals to manage project assignments in a timely manner,
including organizing teams to effectively manage assignments, monitoring and reporting on
project progress, and evaluating a completed project according to client requirements. For
example, inspect and critique a team member’s work, providing constructive feedback for
improvement. Similarly, respond to constructive feedback from a team member to improve
project outcomes and meet project goals.
37) Perform estimating and scheduling techniques for a long-term project, including calculating
material quantities and cost (including tax) and labor cost to complete a bid sheet; scheduling
construction activities using a flow chart; and determining amounts to be charged to the client
at various intervals throughout the project.
38) Utilize technology to write and share periodical reports (weekly, monthly, etc.) to provide others
with information about progress during construction activities as would a project manager to a
supervisor. Summarize activities in a narrative form including overall progress in relationship to
a previously planned schedule.
Portfolio
39) Update materials from coursework to add to the portfolio started in Fundamentals of
Construction and Structural Systems I. Continually reflect on coursework experiences and revise
and refine the career plan generated in prior courses, using technology where appropriate.
Include photographs or illustrations and written descriptions of sequential progress in
construction projects.
Safety
1) Identify safety hazards on a jobsite and demonstrate practices for safe working. Accurately read,
interpret, and demonstrate adherence to safety rules, including but not limited to rules
pertaining to electrical safety, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines,
and state and national code requirements. Be able to distinguish between the rules and explain
why certain rules apply. Recognize and employ universal construction signs and symbols such as
colors, flags, stakes, and hand signals that apply to construction workplace situations. Research
and evaluate construction company safety plans from local industry. Explain the need for jobsite
security to prevent liability. Drawing from examples, create and implement a jobsite safety
program in the class to ensure safe practices and procedures including jobsite security
procedures.
2) Maintain safety records and demonstrate adherence to industry-standard practices regarding
general machine safety, tool safety, equipment safety, electrical safety, and fire safety to
protect all personnel and equipment. For example, when operating tools and equipment,
regularly inspect and carefully employ the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), as
recommended by Occupational, Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Incorporate
safety procedures when operating tools and equipment, such as hand and power tools, ladders,
scaffolding, and lifting equipment. Complete safety test with 100 percent accuracy.
3) Follow procedures to work safely around materials. Adhere to responsibilities for employees in
material safety as outlined by the Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom), such as locating
and interpreting material safety data sheets (MSDS). For example, obtain an MSDS for a given
material from a supplier in the community. Demonstrate safe procedures to move materials by
planning the movement, properly lifting, stacking, and storing materials, and selecting proper
materials-handling equipment.
Tools & Equipment
4) For each of the systems covered in this course, identify and select the proper tools and
accessories, critique the readiness of the tools, use the tools to accomplish the desired tasks,
and then return the tools and accessories to their proper storage. Research a new technology
recently developed for the construction industry. Write persuasively to convince an employer
how the use of the technology could benefit the company, citing evidence from resources. For
example, describe how a new power tool could improve efficiency and reduce muscle fatigue for
a construction team.
Construction Industry Principles
5) Locate and assess the Tennessee Contractor’s Licensing Board’s website and analyze the policies
and requirements for construction work in Tennessee. Explain how such policies impact local
construction businesses.
6) Consult a variety of sources to describe alternatives to traditional project delivery methods, such
as the design-build and construction management-related methods, distinguishing among the
roles and relationships of various construction personnel in each scenario. Examine the project
delivery method of an actual company. Develop a company profile with supporting graphics the
company could share with a client describing the services provided and explaining the project
delivery method used by the company.
Structural System Loads
7) Categorize and describe the structural loads that act on a building, including vertical loads (such
as dead loads, live loads, and rain loads) and lateral loads (such as wind and earthquakes).
Drawing on textbooks and other resources, create a visual display with supporting text to
explain how the various loads act on a building’s structural system.
8) Distinguish among the types of structural failures that can occur in a structural system, including
compressive failures, tensile failures, and buckling failures. Explain how specific components of a
structural system prevent structural failures based on descriptions in texts and through
classroom experiments, synthesizing information gathered from both to illustrate concepts. For
example, explain how blocking between studs in a wood frame wall prevents the buckling of
studs.
Cold-Formed Steel Framing
9) Examine the components, fasteners, tools, and procedures used in cold-formed steel framing;
compare and contrast cold-formed steel framing with wood framing in building construction.
Outline the major similarities and differences in each and write persuasively to provide a
recommendation to a client for a specific project.
10) Demonstrate the ability to build steel frame components including back-to-back, box, and Lheaders.
Work in teams to lay out and install steel stud walls (both structural and nonstructural)
with openings to include bracing and blocking by implementing required safety
techniques, tools, and equipment.
Exterior Finishing
11) Examine a wall section drawing for a specific building. Identify, define, and explain the function
of each component including wall insulation, flashing, and the structure of the cornice. Draw
from textbooks and other resources to annotate the wall section drawing with notes explaining
the purpose of each component.
12) Interpret wall section drawings to safely construct a cornice. For example, accurately measure
materials, employ tools, and follow procedures to build a box cornice, checking for accuracy in
each step.
13) Analyze various finish systems used to sheath a building, including but not limited to wood
siding, fiber-cement siding, vinyl siding, metal siding, stucco, and masonry veneer finishes.
Perform a case study of three different buildings in the community which are sheathed in
different ways, hypothesizing why the different materials and methods were selected for each.
14) Estimate the siding materials needed to cover a building utilizing mathematical principles such
as area formulas and quantitative reasoning. Utilize the appropriate procedures, tools, and
materials to install various types of siding. For example, identify three siding methods that are
commonly used in the area and demonstrate the ability to plan the installation of and install
each.
Thermal & Moisture Protection
15) Explain the impact of heat transfer in a building, including heat loss during cold temperatures
and heat gain during warm temperatures. Describe how building components such as insulation
work to resist the transfer of heat in a structure. Interpret charts and graphs in building codes to
determine the recommended r-values of insulation in a given location.
16) Categorize the various types of insulation based on their characteristics and installation method.
Summarize the key properties and installation procedures of each insulation type in a visual
display.
17) Describe the materials and methods used in a structure for moisture control, waterproofing, and
ventilation. In a written narrative, explain how a vapor barrier protects an interior from
moisture and describe the permeability rating necessary for a material to be considered a vapor
retarder. Write guidelines for a builder or architect to use as reference when selecting
appropriate vapor barriers for a specific location based on the climate and other factors, citing
evidence from textbooks and other resources.
18) Interpret construction drawings and building codes to select and estimate the thermal and
moisture protection materials needed to complete a project utilizing mathematical principles
such as area formulas and quantitative reasoning. Utilize the appropriate procedures, tools, and
materials to install blanket insulation in a wall, a vapor barrier on a wall, and building wraps.
Roofing Applications
19) Compare and contrast the materials, methods, and procedures for roofing with fiberglass
shingles with other roofing materials such as wood shingles, metal roofing, and membrane-type
roofing systems. Perform a cost analysis for a client to help the client choose between two
roofing materials for a specific project given the site location, project budget, environmental
considerations, and other factors.
20) Apply the appropriate tools, equipment, and procedures to safely install shingles on a roof
including strategies for watertight installation, using quantitative reasoning and geometric
formulas where applicable. For example, interpret construction documents to estimate the
roofing materials needed to install fiberglass shingles on a gable roof. After preparing the roof
with underlayment, flashing, and other preparation materials, install fiberglass shingles, install a
cricket or saddle, and install ridge caps.
Windows, Doors, and Door Hardware
21) Describe the common styles and components of windows. Read and interpret construction
drawings, window schedules, specifications, and manufacturers’ information to determine the
types of window and installation procedures required for a project. Apply the appropriate tools,
equipment, and procedures to safely install windows.
22) Analyze the parts of a door frame, including sills, jambs, and casings, and describe different
interior door types. Read and interpret door schedules and other construction documents to
determine the type of door and door hardware required for a project.
23) Apply the appropriate tools, equipment, and procedures to safely install a door, including
checking the plumb and square of a door frame and installing a prehung door unit. Demonstrate
proper procedures to work with door hardware, including laying out and cutting hinges in a
wooden door and installing door closers and locksets.
Drywall Installation & Finishing
24) Describe the various components involved in drywall installation, including the types of drywall,
drywall fasteners and adhesives, and drywall accessories. Explain the procedure to install
drywall, noting the proper tools involved. Describe the role drywall plays in sound isolation and
fireproofing, outlining how fire-rated walls are constructed.
25) Read and interpret drawings to select the type and thickness of drywall required for a specific
installation. Utilize quantitative reasoning to estimate the amount of drywall, fasteners, and
finishing materials needed for a project.
26) Install gypsum drywall panels on stud walls and ceilings using different types of fastening
systems, including nails, screws, and adhesives. Perform single-layer and multi-layer installations
by implementing required safety techniques, tools, and equipment. Describe the differences in
procedures for installing gypsum panels on steel wall frames.
Drywall Finishing
27) Describe the procedures, tools, and materials used in drywall finishing, indicating the purpose of
each material. Read and interpret industry standards regarding drywall finish such as the
Recommended Levels of Gypsum Board Finish. Observe finished drywall and determine the level
of finish, citing evidence from industry standards documents.
28) Implement the proper procedures, tools, and materials to finish drywall. Procedures include
preparing compounds, taping joints, applying joint compounds, sanding, spotting fastener
heads, and finishing corners.
29) Diagnose the cause and determine the appropriate solution for problems that occur in drywall
finishing, citing evidence from textbooks or technical manuals in order to justify why the chosen
solution is appropriate. Implement the proper tools and procedures to patch damaged drywall.
Window, Door, Floor, and Ceiling Trim
30) Distinguish among the different types of standard trim, including base, wall, ceiling, window,
and door trim. Utilize the proper tools, equipment, and procedures to make square cuts, miter
cuts, and coped joint cuts in trim.
31) Apply the appropriate tools, fasteners, and procedures to install window, door, floor, and ceiling
trim. Estimate the quantities of different trim materials needed for a given room.
Cabinet Installation
32) Identify the components which make up a basic set of cabinets, analyzing the purpose of and
interrelationships among each component and explaining the sequence in which each is
constructed. Components include wall cabinets, base cabinets, countertops, and cabinet
hardware. Read and interpret drawings and technical manuals to determine the steps,
equipment, and materials needed to lay out and install a basic set of cabinets. Develop a
timeline and action steps needed to complete a cabinet installation. For example, narrate the
steps in an explanatory text that a peer could use to install a set of cabinets.
Green Building
33) Research and identify green strategies used in the design and construction of buildings
specifically impacting carpenters. Drawing on resources such as those from the U.S. Green
Building Council, discuss green work practices of carpenters, such as reducing waste in the
construction process, citing resources to support claims.
Construction Drawings & Specifications
34) Explain the relationship between construction drawings and specifications. For example,
describe how both the construction drawings and specifications provide information about the
exterior sheathing indicated for a building. Examine construction drawings and specifications, to
determine the requirements of the sheathing for a given part of a building, and verify with
measurements and other sources as needed.
35) Describe processes by which construction professionals obtain clarification from architects
regarding construction documents, such as by the use of requests for information (RFI’s). Write
a request for information (RFI), as would a construction professional to an architect to request
clarification for a detail of the construction documents, such as the selection of a product.
Business & Project Management
36) Establish and implement specific goals to manage project assignments in a timely manner,
including organizing teams to effectively manage assignments, monitoring and reporting on
project progress, and evaluating a completed project according to client requirements. For
example, inspect and critique a team member’s work, providing constructive feedback for
improvement. Similarly, respond to constructive feedback from a team member to improve
project outcomes and meet project goals.
37) Perform estimating and scheduling techniques for a long-term project, including calculating
material quantities and cost (including tax) and labor cost to complete a bid sheet; scheduling
construction activities using a flow chart; and determining amounts to be charged to the client
at various intervals throughout the project.
38) Utilize technology to write and share periodical reports (weekly, monthly, etc.) to provide others
with information about progress during construction activities as would a project manager to a
supervisor. Summarize activities in a narrative form including overall progress in relationship to
a previously planned schedule.
Portfolio
39) Update materials from coursework to add to the portfolio started in Fundamentals of
Construction and Structural Systems I. Continually reflect on coursework experiences and revise
and refine the career plan generated in prior courses, using technology where appropriate.
Include photographs or illustrations and written descriptions of sequential progress in
construction projects.