Information, Quantities and Communicating.

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CommunicatingCommunication on building sites can be done in many ways, it can be:

–Verbal–Written–Drawn

No matter which way information is given it needs to be:

–Clear–Concise–Understood.

Site DocumentsBuilding sites require documentation to keep a record of what has been done and what needs to be done. These Could be delivery notes, invoices or even staff personal details.

Delivery of MaterialsDeliveries should be checked against the Delivery Note.Check for: Damage, Quantities, incorrect materials

Any discrepancies or damages should be recorded on the delivery note before you sign it.

Delivery notes usually have two copies. One for the delivery driver and the other should be kept for company records

Some Documents will be left on site in locked cabinets so that they can be accessed by the site staff at work.

Other documents such as Order forms, Bills of Quantities and Client details would be kept secure OFF site.

Site Plans & DrawingsAll construction drawings are produced in accordance with BS 1192 DrawingOffice Practice.

Drawings are one of the simplest forms of communication available in the construction industry.

They are used extensively for transmitting ideas and information.

Block/Location Plan

These plans show the building project in relation to the surrounding area and will include other properties and road names.

Location plans are usually drawn to a scale of 1:1250 or 1:2500

Site PlanThese plans will show the building in relation to where roads and services such as drainage need to be positioned on the site.

Site plans are usually drawn to a scale of 1: 200 or 1:500.

Working Drawings

Detailed Drawing

These drawings will show individual components in detail, usually drawn to a scale

of 1:1 or 1:10

Floor Plan

This drawing shows the ground floor and first floor plan of a house.

Computer Aided Design (CAD)

The best way to show how a building will look before it is constructed.

SpecificationA specification will accompany a drawing and it is used to convey details about the project such as:

–Quality of workmanship–Materials to be used–Sizes not available on the drawing such as Size of bricks type of wall ties etc.

Drawing ScalesIt is impracticable to draw buildings, to their full size. They would not fit on a piece of drawing paper. Instead, they are normally drawn to a smaller reduced size called a scale.

• The ratio of sizes is kept by using certain scales.• These drawings are called: Scale drawings.

The size they are reduced will be to a ratio of the real item:• 1:2 Twice as small.• 1:10 Ten times smaller

The main ratios used in construction scales drawings are:

1:1 > Full size used for details or templates 1:2 1:5 > Building details 1:10 1:20 1:50 > Plans, elevations and sections 1:100 1:200 1:200 1:500 > Site plans1:12501:12501:2500 > Block or location plans

A scale rule is graduated on both sides and each edge combines two scales,

giving a total combination of eight scales.

Scale Rule

Two scales hereTwo scales here

Calculations

Quantity of materials will be worked out allowing for waste.

Cost of materials will be worked out using the drawings.

Estimating is important when working on site because of storage and manual handling requirements.

Construction Measurements

On detailed drawings construction measurements are written in millimetres.

e.g. 1580 mm

On larger plans measurements are written in metres.

e.g. 1.58 m

Construction Measurements

• Bricklayers measure in area

Length x Height = Area.

• There are 60 bricks per square metre in a half brick wall.

• There are 120 bricks per square metre in a one brick thick wall.

• Volume is calculated using

Length x Width X Depth

• Linear measurement is the measurement of lengths only.

• If you needed to find the perimeter of a building you would use

2 x (length + breadth)

Construction Measurements

HatchingsHatchings help to reduce the amount of writing on a

Drawing Symbols are used for different materials.

Abbreviations reduce the amount of writing needed on drawings.

Recognised Abbreviations are used for different materials.

Boarding bdgBrickwork bwkBuilding bldgConcrete concCopper cu

Damp proof course dpcFoundation fdnHardwood hwdInsulation insulJoist jst

Abbreviations

SymbolsSymbols reduce the amount of writing needed on

drawings.

Recognised symbols used in drawings:

Bath

Door Window

Sink WC (Toilet)

Specifications are usually found on the working drawing

Specification

An example of a door schedule.

Hatching / symbols are used to cut down on lengthy wording.

Example of a door lining schedule

A typical specification for this lining would be:150 x 38mm wrot rebated door lining in European Redwood, moisture content 8% to 12%, fixed to preinstalled slips with two 62mm brad nails. The nail heads to be well punched below the surface, and the surface being free from blemishes. The surface of the lining is to be prepared to receive a priming coat of paint. The lining is to be protected from other trades.

All projects need planning.

Reasons for planning:•Materials need to be ordered in time.•Materials could get damaged or be in the way if they are ordered too early.•Changes to materials may be made during the project.•Trades people need to be organised.

Programme of Work

Programme of Workexample of a Gantt Chart

Programme of Workexample of a Critical Path Analysis

Communication with other people

Different methods of communication are:

• Telephone• Fax• Written• Oral• E-mail

It is important that when using any of these methods of communication you use it in a clear and concise way.

Important informationIt is important that written communication needs to be recorded with the time and date of the message so that the recipient knows when the message was taken.

Verbal Instructions need to be clearly spoken with eye contact and confident responses between whoever is talking and listening.

Remember: There is a time and a place for transferring important information. Operative break times are not ideal! Tool box talks would be better.

Effective site communicationsEfficient working practices and minimal problems on site would prove that effective site communication was taking place.

Listen carefully and ask if you do not understandDon’t mumble when talkingFollow company proceduresWork as a team

Work quality and output would be affected by poor communications

Effective site communications

Equality and diversity must be used when communicating on site.

You will probably talk different to the site manger or client, than how you would talk to your work colleague.

Race , gender and personal abilities should not alter the way you speak or deal with people.