National Wood Flooring Association

On-the-job Training

• General Health & Safety
  • Execute OSHA practices on the jobsite
  • Demonstrate proper knowledge of First Aid & CPR
  • Identify fire exits, proper use of fire extinguishers and potential hazards on each job
• Installation Safety
  • Demonstrate and practice maintaining physical fitness and stretches directly related to the wood flooring industry
  • Wear, inspect and maintain proper clothing and PPE needed for installation safety including safety glasses, earplugs, dust masks/respirators, kneepads, etc
  • Demonstrate proper usage and maintenance of installation tools including, but not limited to hand tools, table saw, circular saw, miter saw, router and pneumatics, etc
• Evaluating the Jobsite
  • Use jobsite checklist to evaluate the jobsite and document all findings. Evaluate all exterior items on checklist and explain findings to customer
  • Evaluate all structural items of the home/building including, but not limited to foundation, slab, elevated slabs, crawlspace and basement
  • Explain findings to customer
  • Evaluate joist span and compare with NWFA guideline requirements
  • Articulate findings of jobsite checklist, suggested fixes and how they affect installation to customer/client
• Environmental Conditions
  • Demonstrate usage of jobsite checklist to evaluate the environmental conditions of the home/building
  • Determine type of heating and cooling systems being used, regularity and running schedules
  • Evaluate temperature and relative humidity of environment and compare with EMC chart
  • Educate customer on conditions of home/building and those needed for successful installation of wood flooring
• Wood Subfloors
  • Evaluate and determine the condition of the wood subfloor
  • Know the difference between plywood and OSB and the requirements for each
  • Understand and execute APA installation standards for wood subfloors
  • Understand, evaluate, execute and maintain flatness requirements for wood subfloors
• Concrete Subfloors
  • Evaluate concrete subfloors
  • Understand the age of concrete and its role in the evaluation process
  • Identify and assess different types of concrete subfloors
  • Evaluate blemishes in concrete subfloor and address fixes through removing contaminants, crack repairs, spot repairs, and scarification
  • Evaluate flatness requirements
  • Demonstrate use of self-levelers
  • Perform grinding on high spots
  • Demonstrate the use of jobsite checklist when evaluating concrete subfloors. Assess findings and provide solutions for jobsite preparation
• Moisture and Wood
  • Understand the anatomy of the tree and how it affects the installation and performance of wood
  • Understand the cuts of wood and how they affect appearance, installation and performance of wood
  • Understanding Water & Wood
  • Understand the relationship of water and wood and how it affects the installation process
  • Demonstrate knowledge through evaluating and assessing environmental conditions of the jobsite
  • Conduct moisture readings of wood subfloor and wood product
  • Demonstrate acclimation/conditioning practices on the jobsite and communicate the importance/significance to client
• Moisture Testing (Wood)
  • Demonstrate proper usage, assessment of results and maintenance of wood moisture meters including, but not limited to pin meters, pinless meters and insulated pins
  • Demonstrate proper usage, assessment of results and maintenance of thermos-hygrometers
• Moisture Control (Wood)
  • Differentiate between types of vapor retarders and understand use cases
  • Select proper vapor retarder to be used with wood substrate. Properly install vapor retarder using manufacturer guidelines
• Moisture Testing (Concrete)
  • Demonstrate proper usage, assessment of results and maintenance of concrete moisture testing methods including, but not limited to calcium chloride, in-situ RH probe, scan meters and plastic and tape test
  • Document moisture readings
  • Comply to manufacturer guidelines for moisture meters, moisture tests and wood
  • Evaluate results and propose solutions for all moisture readings
• Moisture Control (Concrete)
  • Differentiate between types of vapor retarders and understand use cases
  • Select proper vapor retarder to be used over concrete substrate. Properly install vapor retarder using manufacturer guidelines
• Alternative Subfloor Systems Over Concrete
  • Evaluate and determine type of concrete subfloor before installation
  • Use proper vapor retarder applicable to subfloor type
  • Follow NWFA guidelines for installation techniques on concrete subfloors
• Layout
  • Build a usable trammel point
  • Use trammel point to develop center layout
  • Follow steps
  • Use Pythagorean theory to check accuracy of measurements
  • Transfer layout to hallway and additional rooms
  • Conduct wall layout using trammel points
  • Determine starter rows
  • Demonstrate proper usage of slip tongue and spline to reverse directions
• Installation Methods Ð Nail Down
  • Demonstrate proper technique for racking
  • Demonstrate and execute understanding of proper nailing schedule by complying to NWFA guidelines
  • Identify and use appropriate fasteners for type of wood and subfloor
  • Differentiate techniques of solid and engineered nail down installation and execute proper techniques for each
  • Display proper technique, usage, safety and maintenance of nailing tools including, but not limited to pneumatic nailers, staplers and air compressors
• Installation Methods Ð Glue Down
  • Differentiate between types of adhesives and understand when to use different types
  • Read and comply with manufacturer guidelines of adhesive and wood
  • Demonstrate proper trowel selection for different types of adhesives, wood and subfloors and comply with manufacturer guidelines
  • Demonstrate proper usage of trowel and coverage rates for adhesives
  • Safely clean adhesive from tools, wood and jobsite
• Installation Methods-Floating
  • Execute proper installation techniques for floating floors
  • Determine and install proper underlayment pads/systems
  • Evaluate and determine appropriate sound control systems
• Installation Methods-Existing Floors
  • Determine layout for new floor to existing
  • Display proper techniques used for lacing in/out of an existing floor
  • Evaluate existing floor
  • Determine requirements for elevation differences, crooked floors, and other challenges
  • Execute installation techniques to address each challenge
  • Evaluate remodels. Assess for damage of current floors and lead testing
  • Address new installation according to results
• Installation Methods-Cork, Bamboo & End Grain
  • Understand cork
  • Learn differences in cork installation methods, and finishing techniques
  • Understand bamboo
  • Learn differences in bamboo installation methods, and finishing techniques
  • Understand end grain flooring
  • Learn differences in end grain installation methods, and finishing techniques
• Installation Methods-Herringbone/Parquet
  • Demonstrate and execute proper and accurate herringbone layout using trammel points, Pythagorean theory, center layout and backer boards
  • Designing and creating patterns by using templates, jigs and sleds
  • Determining accurate measurements for ordering product
  • Identification of compatible species from a technical and aesthetic perspective
  • Execute proper installation of herringbone layout
  • Demonstrate and execute proper and accurate parquet layout using trammel points, Pythagorean theory, center layout and backer boards
  • Execute proper installation of parquet layout
• Installation Methods-Borders & Medallions
  • Measure and determine proper layout for designing and installing borders
  • Measure cut and install borders
  • Understand the components of a border, skirt, different corner details
  • Determining accurate measurements for ordering product
  • Identification of compatible species from a technical and aesthetic perspective
  • Identify pre-fabricated and hand-designed
• Board Replacement/Repairs
  • Determine if/when boards should be replaced/repaired versus entire re-install
  • Determine proper steps for board replacement. Differentiate process based on type of install; nail, glue or float
  • Execute proper board replacement steps including, but not limited to cutting and removal of damaged board, cutting new board to size, installing new board and cleaning repaired area
  • Execute proper repair skills for isolated damages including, but not limited to scratches and dents
  • Determine proper tools/items for isolated repairs including, but not limited to waxes, fill sticks and graining tools
  • Identify and be able to address many of the common irregularities
• Sand & Finish Safety
  • Wear, inspect and maintain proper clothing and PPE needed for sanding and finishing safety including, but not limited to safety glasses, earplugs, dust masks/respirators, kneepads, etc
  • Demonstrate proper usage and maintenance of sanding and finishing tools including, but not limited to hand tools and machines used
  • Demonstrate proper understanding of electrical and chemical safety and execute safety protocols on the jobsite
• Abrasives
  • Understand and distinguish the difference between the different types of mineral grains used in abrasives
  • Understand the different levels of grist used for abrasives
  • Determine and execute the proper grit sequence for flattening a floor
  • Understand the types of abrasives used on different machines and execute application of knowledge
• Sanding Equipment-Big Machine
  • Understand and demonstrate proper safety, usage, storage and maintenance of big machines
  • Demonstrate proper walking speed and drum pressure and comply with manufacturer and NWFA guidelines
  • Determine proper abrasive selection to match job and machine used
  • Use proper grit sequence for desired results
  • Execute proper technique while feathering with big machine
  • Use proper and effective dust contamination systems or practices
  • Dispose of dust properly
  • Demonstrate proper inspection and maintenance of big machine including, but not limited to removal/replacement of drum, cleaning wheels and adjust tracking
  • Evaluate floor for common sanding flaws and fix flaws as needed
• Sanding Equipment-Edger
  • Understand and demonstrate proper safety, usage, storage and maintenance of edger
  • Demonstrate proper clocking techniques and hand pressure and comply with manufacturer and NWFA guidelines
  • Determine proper abrasive selection to match job and machine used
  • Use proper grit sequence for desired results
  • Execute proper technique with edger
  • Use proper and effective dust contamination systems or practices
  • Dispose of dust properly
  • Demonstrate proper inspection and maintenance of edger including, but not limited to brushes, wheels and driver pad
  • Evaluate floor for common sanding flaws and fix flaws as needed
• Sanding Equipment-Rotary Sander (Buffer)
  • Understand and demonstrate proper safety, usage, storage and maintenance of buffer
  • Demonstrate proper clocking techniques and comply with manufacturer and NWFA guidelines
  • Determine proper abrasive selection to match job and machine used
  • Use proper grit sequence for desired results
  • Use proper and effective dust contamination systems or practices
  • Dispose of dust properly
  • Demonstrate proper inspection and maintenance of buffer including, but not limited to wheels and driver pad
  • Evaluate floor for common sanding flaws and fix flaws as needed
• Sanding Equipment-Multi-Head Sanders (Planetary machines)
  • Understand and demonstrate proper safety, usage, storage and maintenance of multi-head sanders
  • Demonstrate proper techniques and pressure and comply with manufacturer and NWFA guidelines
  • Determine proper abrasive selection to match job and machine used
  • Use proper grit sequence for desired results
  • Use proper and effective dust contamination systems or practices
  • Dispose of dust properly
  • Demonstrate proper inspection and maintenance of multi-head sanders including, but not limited to brushes, wheels and driver pad
  • Evaluate floor for common sanding flaws and fix flaws as needed
• Sanding Equipment-Dust Containment Systems (DCS)
  • Understand and demonstrate proper safety, usage, storage and maintenance of dust containment systems
  • Demonstrate proper techniques and compatibility with different equipment types
  • Dispose of dust properly
• Sanding Final Detailing
  • Determine when scrapper is needed on job
  • Display proper safety when using and sharpening blade
  • Execute proper hand scraping technique for desired results
  • Demonstrate usage when scraping to blend flatness
  • Demonstrate usage when scraping for texture results
  • Determine when hand sanding is needed to blend edges
  • Select proper abrasive and grit sequence for the job
  • Comply with NWFA guidelines
• Filling
  • Select proper type of fill to be used
  • Execute proper technique by using all types of fills including, but not limited to trowel, spot, putty, flour cement, wood dust, epoxy and Dutchmen/slivers
  • Adhere to manufacturer guidelines of fill type
  • Create wood dust mix and demonstrate proper use on jobsite
  • Learn to match species and grain, then cut and install slivers/Dutchmen
• Stains/Colorants
  • Understand the different types of stains available for use
  • Communicate differences, their performances and available options to customer
  • Prepare floor for stain application
  • Understand the different types of methods used to apply stain and execute including by not limited to trowel, T-bar, rag, etc
  • Execute proper safety standards when applying stain
  • Dispose of stain and stain rags safely and appropriately
  • Follow manufacturer and NWFA guidelines for all applications
• Sealers and Finishes
  • Learn about the different types of wood floor sealers and finishes and application processes
  • Understand what Safety Data Sheets are, safety precautions and federal requirements surrounding sealers and coatings
  • Review different manufacturer systems, and characteristics of each one
  • Communicate differences, their performances and available options to customer
• Finishing Process
  • Understand the different types of application methods
  • Prepare floor for sealer and finish application
  • Understand the different types of methods used to apply sealers/finishes and execute including, but not limited to trowel, T-bar, roller, etc
  • Execute proper safety standards when applying sealers and finishes
  • Follow manufacturer and NWFA guidelines for all application
• Maintenance & Customer Education
  • Communicate bids to customer
  • Communicate maintenance instructions with customer
  • Preparation and application of maintenance coats/recoats
  • Learn about contaminations/cleaning products that can affect adhesion of finishes