NORSOK exam

The NORSOK M-004:2018 exam is the ticket to working on the largest industrial projects in Norway and the whole of Scandinavia. For the insulation fitter, it is not only a test of skills, but above all proof that he or she can work according to strict safety and quality standards. In the article, we will show you what the exam looks like, what the committees expect and how we prepare the trainees at Natalux Training Centre to pass it successfully.

What is the NORSOK examination?

• Based on the Norwegian standard NORSOK M-004:2018 for industrial insulation.
• It consists of a theoretical and a practical part.
• Checks knowledge of materials (mineral wool, PIR, Armaflex, PyroGel, FoamGlass, GRP, protective coatings).
• Verifies the ability to install to standards - including overlaps, drainage holes, seals and ergonomics.
• The examination is documented photographically and descriptively and the results are entered into an official database.

What does the exam look like step by step?

1. Theoretical part - written test testing knowledge of standards, health and safety rules, materials and assembly techniques.
2. Practical part - the trainee carries out specific tasks: e.g. installation of insulation on a pipe, elbow or box, including sheet metal work.
3. Documentation - papers are assessed and archived in the form of photographs and examination records.
4. Board verification - examiners assess compliance with the standard, quality of installation and safety of work.

What do examination boards expect?

• Precision and compliance with the standard - every detail (e.g. sheet overlap) must be done correctly.
• Knowledge of materials - the trainee needs to know what properties PIR has and what properties FoamGlass has.
• Workplace safety - mandatory PPE, ergonomics, workplace order.
• Accuracy in finishing - aesthetics matter, but above all the functionality of the insulation.
• Completion time - the exam tests the trainee's ability to work effectively and at the pace required on the project.

How do we prepare students at Natalux?

• Intensive practical training - 80% of the course is work on the workshop floor.
• Exam simulations - students practise the exact tasks that will appear on the exam.
• Inspector checklist - we teach students to look at their work through the eyes of an examiner.
• Exam materials - we work with real insulation materials used on projects in Europe.
• Individual approach - small groups allow for error correction and fine-tuning.

The most common mistakes made by learners during the exam

1. Insulation fit too loose or too tight.
2. Missing or misplaced drainage holes.
3. Incorrect sheet metal and sealant overlaps.
4. Improper use of tools (e.g. when working on sheet metal).
5. Failure to comply with health and safety rules - which may even result in the examination being aborted.

The NORSOK exam is not just a test - it is the ticket to an international career. A student who passes the exam becomes an attractive employee for companies in Norway, Germany or the Netherlands. At Natalux, we teach in such a way that the students enter the exam confident and ready to work at the highest level.