littlemouse

This link might help  http://www.seac-gf.fr/m_pages.asp?page=327 You'll have to cut and paste the link

Having read the article that you highlighted,there is an increase in the diametre and/or number of bars in the chainage not an additional chainage.It has, in my experience, always been good practice to finish the tops of the walls with a "ceinture beton armé" and have an incorporated " poteau" in the middle a gable,living in an area with high winds leads to this practice. Whilst the "poutrelles" and the "U" block containing the chainage are placed at the same elevation, the floor level is at the same level as the arase levelling off the chainage horizontal before continuing the construction of the walls. I don't understand what you are trying to say here. To the orginal poster,if you cut your chainage to allow extra height for your windows and doors,you really need to continue the chainage vertically  into the lintel, so that the ceinture remains intact.Its easier to do then explain

The chainage horizontal is usually incorporated at floor level and not below the level of the floor,there will be an arase just below the poutrelles to level the wall tops.the costs of having two ceintures( yes you can use the word ceinture)would be prohibitive.

http://www.les-ardoisiers.com/ardoise-cuisine.htm  try reading this before passing judgement

" but you cant be too carefull regarding the potential stupidity of strangers."   Or drunks or children!

The garde corps are fitted externally and depending on whether you have roller shutters or hinged shutters, depends the positioning of the garde corp in the window reveal.

Usually applies to first floor and higher.www.ac-reims.fr/hyg_securit/q_garde_corps.htm#debut  

The red gaine is cut off at floor level when the building is complete.Its left higher then the finished floor to avoid dirt ,morter etc blocking the pipe

  But there is a dpc in french new housing its called hydrofuge en mass and added to morter.One course below floor level and two courses above floor level. Dpm as well in new build 200 microns just cos you don't see it doesn't mean there isn't one Concrete blocks of 20 cms wide are load bearing and when the corners are filled with concrete and steel , then a belt of concrete and steel are added plus a concrete floor "hordis poutrelles" these are very strong buildings. You can go on all day about uk vs french construction methods and not resolve it both methods work in the environment they are designed for.

why are you going back to england to do a c and g course,when you can do the french cap here?Look at www.afpa.fr

Its not strictly true that you can't work as an electrician if you can't speak french. Its more about can you read a plan, can you do the job ,type and size of the company that your going to work for etc.Learning the language comes as you go along,I'm not saying that it doesn't help to speak the language either.Its too easy to say your chances are zilch when all circumstances are different.

A large electrical contractors in Brest are looking for Electricians and when I was speaking to them about qualifications, they were more interested in if you could do the job then what qualifications you had,such are the difficulties in recruiting staff.

You have to leave a gap at the top large enough for a trowel and fill it trowel by trowel or put gloves on and put it in with your hands .

Normally you would put the steel into the foundation concrete to a height of around 50 cms,then build your wall to the full height.Into the corners you would put in either 3 bars of 8mm steel or 2bars of 10 mm steel before filling  with concrete.

As I mentioned I have used afpa twice the second time was in '98. For this I used a congé individual de formation for the finance which paid for my formation and accommadation plus maintained my salarie at the same level for the duration of the course.Niether time was my nationalty questioned and I too live with my french girlfriend.Maybe the climate has changed or maybe you live in an area with a racist on the desk!!!interpreting the rules to suit there own agenda.Persevere its worth it