Plate glass installer

Plate glass installers fit panes of glass into windows and other structural elements like glass doors, walls, facades and other structures.

The following job titles also refer to plate glass installer:

plate glass window installer
glazier
plate glass fitter
glazing installer
glass installer
glass pane installer

A High school diploma is generally required to work as a plate glass installer.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Plate glass installer is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to plate glass installer.

window installer
door installer
insulation worker
plasterer
construction scaffolder

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of plate glass installer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of plate glass installer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

glass installation supervisor
construction scaffolding supervisor
bricklaying supervisor
insulation supervisor
crane crew supervisor

These skills are necessary for the role of plate glass installer.

• Install frameless glass: Set frameless glass panes, usually in showers and on bathtubs. Use plastic shims to make sure the glass doesn’t touch any hard surfaces, which may cause scratching or breaking. Make sure the glass is level and attach any brackets to keep the glass in place. Waterproof the edges with silicone rubber caulk.
• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Use shims: Set shims in gaps to keep objects firmly in place. Use the suitable size and type of shim, depending on the purpose.
• Inspect glass sheet: Inspect the drawn sheets of glass in order to detect any flows such as blisters or stones, signalling the defective glass sheets.
• Smooth glass edges: Use automated abrasive belts to smooth or shape glass edges.
• Transport construction supplies: Bring construction materials, tools and equipment to the construction site and store them properly taking various aspects into account such as the workers’ safety and protection from deterioration.
• Inspect construction supplies: Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
• Cut glass: Use glass cutting tools or diamond blades to cut pieces out of glass plates, including mirrors.
• Manipulate glass: Manipulate the properties, shape and size of glass.
• Follow health and safety procedures in construction: Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
• Install construction profiles: Install a variety of metal or plastic profiles used to attach materials to each other or to structural elements. Cut them to size if called for.
• Rinse glass: Rinse the glass following the bevelling process using water in order to remove the abrasive residue.
• Remove glass from windows: Remove glass from windows without causing damage. Inspect the windows and take the necessary steps, like removing putty and prying out glazer’s points. Recover the pane in one piece and clean it if called for.
• Interpret 3D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
• Adjust glass sheets: Adjust glass sheets` thickness, according to the gauge readings, using asbestos pads on the sides of the kilns` cooling jacket.
• Use measurement instruments: Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.
• Smooth glass surface: Smooth glass or lens surfaces of optical instruments with grinding and polishing tools, such as diamond tools.
• Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
• Handle broken glass sheets: Handle the damaged glass sheets so that they do not collapse into the kiln by closing the roll of the drawing kiln.
• Interpret 2D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.
• Install glass frames: Securely set frames in place to be fitted with glass panes. Set storefront frames, balustrades, and curtain wall framing for a variety of usage cases.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of plate glass installer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Types of glazing: Various types of glass, insulating glazing and mirror glass. Their usage cases, advantages and disadvantages, and price points.
• Glass coatings: Coatings used to protect glass from damage, to influence its behaviour when damaged, to keep harmful UV rays out, and others. Their usage cases, advantages and disadvantages and price points.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of plate glass installer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Assemble windows: Assemble the profiles to build window or glass door frames using cutting, trimming, sealing and welding equipment,fix the metal fittings with power tools, and insert the glass pane.
• Use squaring pole: Use a squaring pole, a telescopic measurement pole that allows for checking the length of the diagonals of an inset area of a structure. If the diagonals are of equal length, the inset is straight.
• Install sill pan: Install different types of sill pans, systems that sit underneath the window sill to collect any excess moisture or fluids and convey it outside as to prevent moisture damage to the window or adjacent structures.
• Install roof windows: Install various types of windows on the roof such as skylight, dormer windows and flat roof windows.
• Rig loads: Safely attach loads to different types of hooks and attachments, taking into account the weight of the load, the power available to move it, static and dynamic tolerances of all instruments and materials, and the mass distribution of the system. Communicate with the operator verbally or with gestures to ensure the safety and efficiency of the operation. Detach loads.
• Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
• Work in a construction team: Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.
• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Maintain work area cleanliness: Keep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.
• Calculate needs for construction supplies: Take measurements on site and estimate the amount of materials required for the construction or restoration project.
• Assemble insulating glazing units: Assemble two glass panes with a spacer, usually made of stainless steel, aluminium or structural foam, and apply an adhesive sealant to press the glass panes against the spacer. Drill holes in the spacer to draw out the air, fill the space with gas or leave the vacuum, then seal the holes.
• Manage waste: Manage or dispose of significant amounts of waste materials or hazardous materials. Ensure required licenses and permits are in place and reasonable management practices, industry standards, or commonly accepted farming practices followed.
• Install insulation material: Place insulation material, often shaped into rolls, in order to insulate a structure from thermal or acoustic influences and to prevent fire. Attach the material using face staples, inset staples, or rely on friction to keep the material in place.
• Apply a protective layer: Apply a layer of protective solutions such as permethrine to protect the product from damage such as corrosion, fire or parasites, using a spray gun or paintbrush.
• Build scaffolding: Assemble temporary scaffolding structures for construction, maintenance or event-related purposes. Set vertical standards on the base plate of the scaffolding structure. Ensure the scaffolding structure is secured from lateral forces and supported sufficiently. Place wood or metal scaffolding decks into the transoms to stand on and make sure they are aligned. Safely set scaffolding stairs and ladders, which allow enough room for safe and easy manoeuvring.
• Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
• Order construction supplies: Order required materials for the construction project, taking care to purchase the most suitable material for a good price.
• Process incoming construction supplies: Receive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.
• Install structural glazing: Assemble the support structures, fix them on the building facade, insert the chassis if necessary, and fit the glass panes into the structures. In case of large construction projects, fix pre-assembled modules on the facade using rigging equipment and power tools.
• Create architectural sketches: Create architectural sketches for the design and detail specifications of interiors and exteriors to scale.
• Apply insulation strips: Apply insulation strips, which prevent air exchange between outdoors and indoors areas.
• Set window: Place a window in a prepared position such as a wall or floor, in case of full height glass. Use measurement tools to ascertain that the window is straight and plumb.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Pack fragile items for transportation: Pack fragile items such as glass panes or glass objects using the appropriate boxes and cushioning materials such as air-encapsulated plastic or customised foam enclosures to make sure the content will not move during transportation.
• Set up temporary construction site infrastructure: Set up a variety of temporary infrastructure used on building sites. Put up fences and signs. Set up any construction trailers and make sure that these are connected to electricity lines and water supply. Establish supplies stores and garbage disposal in a sensible manner.
• Follow safety procedures when working at heights: Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.

7125 – Glaziers

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References

1. Plate glass installer – ESCO