Name: 2.90 Level 1 Certification Test – Pennsylvania
Start: 2023-12-08
End: 2023-12-08
Location: The Stone Trust PA

2.90 Level 1 Certification Test Overview:

Our 2.90 Level 1 Certification is the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain (DSWA-GB) Level 1 Certification. Candidates who pass this test will earn an Initial Waller Certification. This is the first of four levels of certification offered by the DSWA-GB. DSWA-GB certification is the oldest and best administered certification for dry stone wallers. It is recognized throughout the world.

As a Level 1 test candidate, you will dismantle and rebuild 2.5 square meters (27 square feet) of free standing wall, within a seven hour period. 27 square feet equates to a wall 4 feet 6 inches tall and 6 feet long. While the square footage is measured on one face, during the test you rebuild both wall faces. At least one DSWA-GB Assessor will observe and evaluate your performance, which must meet the minimum Level I requirements in order for you to pass.

Throughout the Level 1 test you are expected to demonstrate the correct, basic structural techniques of dry stone walling. In order to achieve Level 1 Waller Certification, you must obtain the minimum 50% mark in each section and an overall mark of at least 50 out of 100. This is a pass or fail test. If you do not complete the test wall within the 7 hours, you do not pass.

This Certification Test Course is administered at the same time as tests at the other levels. Courses 3.90, 4.90, & 5.90.

Tips for Success:

Know the requirements
Arrive at least ½ hour early to settle in (examiners can answer questions before test starts)
This is not to be your highest quality work, it is the work you can produce in 7 hours
Sort the material as you strip out (generally not more than 30 min)
Strip out the wall so there are equal amounts of stone on both sides
Though stones should be on by ½ the allowed time (3.5 hours)
Sort face stones by size, keep copes, hearting, and throughs separated.

Additional Info:

The stone trust provides batter frames that are set up for Level I tests. You must provide your own string lines and other tools. During the test there is minimal time for shaping stone. The stone is fairly hard and has already been selected for appropriate shapes and sizes. There is also additional stone available if needed. Most candidates find that having one hammer is sufficient, and do relatively little hammering.

Critical Information:

Participants should arrive at about 8:15am
The 7 hour timed test runs 9am to 4:30pm, with a manditory 30 min lunch break
Scores are than tallied and reviewed
The review is an incredible learning process
Participants should wear boots and work clothes (have plenty of layers for cool weather)
What to bring: gloves, rain gear, safety glasses, water, and lunch. (There is no where close enough to buy lunch with in the lunch break)
Test candidates must bring their own tools, string line and anything else they want to use during the test.

After you register online you must also fill out the DSWA Test Application Form available here for the 2023 Spring Certification Test and here for the 2023 Fall Certification Test. Please email the completed form to workshops@thestonetrust.org. This form is in addition to the online sign up and must be completed within 5 days of registering. This is required in order for you to take your test.

Detailed info will also be emailed to you once you register including what to bring and directions.

Procedure:

Outlined below is the general process of taking the test, from beginning to end:

Stripping out
- Relatively quick process (roughly 20-30 min) of taking apart the existing test wall and sorting the stone. NO THROWING STONES! (examiners are looking for safe practices). The better the stone is sorted the easier rebuilding will be.
- Spread out stone as much as possible.
- Leave a safe walk way, clear of lose stone, on both sides of the wall for examiners access.
- Building stone (face stones) and hearting should be laid out on both sides of the wall.
Preparing and laying foundations
- Use the biggest available stones
- Set the foundation stones length wise into the wall, or so that they are at least 2/3 the width of the wall.
- The foundation stones should fit tightly together
- The foundation stones should be well-hearted (packed)
- The foundation stones should not move when walked on
- The marks for foundation stones are higher than any other part of the test.
Building and packing the first lift
- Continued use of largest remaining stones set lengthwise into the wall
- Span all joints in the previous course (no running joints)
- Keep stones level and in courses if possible.
- Wall must be thoroughly hearted
Throughstones
- Placed mid height in the wall
- Spaced 3 feet apart on center
- May stick out 2-3” on each side of the wall
- Throughstones must be hearted under tightly: no light should shine through
- Place throughstones carefully to avoid creating running joints.
Building and Packing second lift
- Built the same as the first lift but with smaller stones
- Gradual reduction in size of stone
- Definite level finish at cover-band/cope height.
Coverband and cope
- Coverband is optional
- A coverband is a course of flat stones that span the width of the wall set on top of the second lift and below the copes. (It is like a second course of throughstones)
- Heart tightly under coverbands so they sit firmly and light is not visible underneath
- Copes stones (set vertically) should sit solidly (not propped up on pins)
- Copes should be tight together and should not move when pushed.
Batter, line, and straightness for entire wall
- Overall wall should maintain an even face free of bulges and hollows
- String lines should be used correctly (keep strings level)
- Top should be even
General approach and safety
- Safe handling of heavy stones
- Safe use of hammer/tools
- Keeping a clear work space along both sides of wall
- Appropriate work gear (boots, safety glasses)
- Observance of The Stone Trust policies
- If unsafe practices are used, especially if others are endangered, the test candidate will fail and may be stopped part way through the test.
- Under most conditions you will be working immediately next to another test candidate
- Examiners will take note if one candidate is affecting the other’s work (if you are being held up by another’s work pace, the examiners may provide additional instructions or time)