Resources in Construction / Materials

Materials for Construction No construction project can proceed satisfactorily without materials. In smaller companies accounts may be set up with some suppliers and foremen are given the responsibility for ordering materials. With medium or large companies the purchasing of materials is usually handled by head office staff. However the site manager could be given this responsibility on smaller contracts. Material management includes –Quality control and scheduling / testing –Ordering –Handling and storage –Waste control –Security

Materials for Construction Quality control Prior to work starting on site, the architect or engineer may require samples of materials to be provided for their approval. These are called sample panels. If samples are not used the contractor will still use materials and components which match with the contract documents. These documents include the bill of quantities, contract drawing and specification. When materials are delivered to site they need to be checked. Unsatisfactory materials should be returned to the supplier.

Materials for Construction Ordering materials The procurement of materials begins at the estimating / tender stage: Quantities are taken from the bill of quantities or measured up on site. Enquires are sent to suppliers and prices are obtained. The correct quality and quantity of materials must be ordered. Deliveries should be planned in advance so that no hold up occurs in the production process, but not too far in advance that materials will get damaged before they are used.

Materials for Construction Handling and storage of materials Carelessness when unloading materials can cause waste. Having the correct plant to handle materials is important. Bricks and blocks are now usually delivered on pallets and they are lifted off using telescopic handlers. This is quicker than lifting them off by hand. It is better to lift off the material where it is going to be used as this saves time. The storage of materials is as important as their handling. There are problems if materials such as plasterboard get damp. Incorrectly stacked materials causes problems. Doors should be stored flat. Materials can be stolen if not stored securely.

Materials for Construction Waste Control Approximately 35% to 45% of the cost of construction work is spent on materials. It is therefore important that they are used efficiently. Two common causes of waste include –Excess materials being left unused –Damaged materials being unusable In order to prevent waste on site it is important that there are supervisors on site, and site operatives are trained in the correct way.

Materials for Construction Security Theft and vandalism cause problems on many building sites. The losses incurred must be added to the value of materials when allowing for waste. Small hand tools and even large items of plant are also stolen and their loss causes delays to production and an increase in insurance costs. It is difficult to define a set of rules which would prevent theft and vandalism on sites. They vary so much in size and location. Some prevention measures are –Checking deliveries –Stop Site operatives taking items –Control of vandalism –Vigilance against theft –Crime prevention –Security

Materials for Construction Storage Correct storage for sheet materials, plasterboard or doors. Stack on a continuous even platform in a fairly dry environment. It is particularly important that doors are stored in a temperature similar to that which they will eventually be positioned.

Materials for Construction Storage Correct storage for facing brick, paving brick and concrete blocks. Stack on a continuous even platform “normally a pallet”. Stacks should be no more than 1.8 metres high. The pallets of brick should be stacked on a level area which has been hard-cored. Facing brick are supplied from the manufacturer wrapped in polythene to prevent them getting damp.

Materials for Construction