Infrastructure that Supports the Construction Industry In order for the construction industry to function effectively there is a large amount of infrastructure that helps the construction industry: Plant Machinery Temporary Structures Access Equipment Prefabricated components Supply Systems

Infrastructure that Supports the Construction Industry Plant Machinery This is the larger machinery that carries out various tasks on site such as digging, lifting and transport or materials. Digging equipment includes 360 degree excavators that are essential for the digging of foundations. They can change the size of bucket which can be used to dig and load soil into dump trucks for removal from site. Cranes On larger and longer sites tower cranes are common for the moving of materials upwards as the site increases in height. If a crane is placed effectively on site it can assist in tasks such as elevating concrete and mortar around the site. Lighter cranes can be used on smaller residential sites, cranes with smaller footprints are generally more useful on site as they take up less space.

Infrastructure that Supports the Construction Industry Supply of Materials Materials are supplied either directly from the manufacturer or from a distributer, whilst a distributer can be easier to deal with and supply a range of building materials, buying from the manufacturer will normally cost less, especially if buying in bulk. Delivery of materials needs to be carefully planned, stock piling materials on site takes up space and leaves material exposed to the weather, at risk of damage or theft. Careful planning of the delivery of materials can help a project run effectively, although delays or mistakes will hold up the project. Deliveries need to be checked off on arrival, having items placed on pallets means they can be easily transported around site by crane or fork lift. It also helps protect the materials.

Infrastructure that Supports the Construction Industry Prefabrication Many items can be made off site in factory conditions and then shipped to site, this has the advantage of a high quality product and less time and manufacture on site. Common prefabricated materials include: Roofing Trusses Casement windows Doors in frames Precast concrete stairs Wooden stairs Kitchen and bathroom furniture

Infrastructure that Supports the Construction Industry Scaffolding Scaffolding provides a safe and effective way of working at height on large and small scale projects, it must be erected by a qualified operative. Scaffolding is often wrapped on commercial projects, this offers the workers protection from the elements and reduces the risk of items being dropped on members of the public. Some companies now use platforms that can be raised up and down the sides of a building, this is useful with apartment blocks as it makes it easier to sell individual units if they are not covered in unsightly scaffolding.

Infrastructure that Supports the Construction Industry Temporary Structures These include toilets, site offices and canteens. They can often be stacked on top of each other to save space onsite. Under HASAWA employers need to provide welfare facilities for employees. On larger projects a sight office is essential in order to keep track of project progress. Smaller residential sites may not need a site office, but will most likely need a portaloo of some sort.