Allocate and prepare areas for the storage of materials as in the following examples:

BRICKS: Provide a clean firm level surface to avoid the soiling of bricks on site.

SANDS: Provide a suitable means of keeping different types of sand separate and uncontaminated by other building materials, mud or oil.

BAGS OF CEMENT AND LIME: Store off the ground on pallets, protected from rain and positioned so that stocks are used in rotation to avoid deterioration.

READY-MIXED SAND AND LIME: Protect it from contamination by other materials and from deterioration by inclement weather

Immediately on receipt of a consignment of bricks, check delivery dockets against specifications or orders and in particular that:

• the delivery is of the correct brick type and quantity.

• any colour variation is within acceptable limits.

• the bricks are within the specified limits of size

• any minor blemishes, such as chips and surface cracks are within acceptable limits

If in doubt about any of the above, inform the supplier immediately

Unload bricks to a level, hard-standing surface leaving banding and packaging in place to avoid damage such as chipping, soiling or breakage.

Protect bricks from rain, splashing by vehicles and mortar mixing.

At the end of each working day and in periods of rainfall ensure that opened packs and stacks of bricks around the site are protected to avoid saturation.

Ensure that provision is made for the protection of newly built brickwork from saturation or frost during winter

Prepare a solid base for the building of a reference panel where it can be viewed from 3 metres in an area with adequate light and can remain undamaged for the duration of the contract.

Build a reference panel from bricks reasonably representative of the average quality of the whole order to be delivered, either chosen by the supplier or randomly sampled in accordance with Clause 9 of BS 3921.

A reference panel should consist of at least 100 bricks.

Build the reference panel to the desired standard expected throughout the contract to incorporate the relevant brick bond, mortar colour and joint profile.

Reference panels should be protected from saturation.

NOTE: In finished brickwork, the mortar joint accounts for approximately 17% of the surface area, hence the importance of mortar colour selection. Judgement of mortar colour should only be made when the panel has dried out sufficiently to represent the final colour

Keep brickwork clean and free from mortar or other stains.

At the end of each working day and in periods of rain turn back the scaffold board nearest the brickwork.

Ensure good cavity cleaning.

Protect from concrete poured above.

Protect vulnerable corners and openings from mechanical damage.

Do not lay bricks if the temperature of the mortar falls to freezing point before it sets or if the bricks are frozen or the sand contains ice particles.

Protect brickwork if frost is likely to occur before the mortar sets.

If the mortar becomes damaged by frost take the brickwork down and rebuild.

Protect newly built brickwork from rain but ensure that an air space is maintained between the brick face and any waterproof covering to avoid risk of staining.

To ensure a good appearance blend, mix bricks from at least 3 packs and mix packs from different deliveries. Preferably the packs should be broken down vertically rather than horizontally.

Bricks with a textured face with a preferred top or bottom should be consistently laid the "right way up".

Bricks may have to be selected for size for short runs or string courses.

With attention to design, workmanship and good site practice excellent brickwork can be achieved.