A SIWES REPORT ON STEPS INVOLVED IN BUILDING A BUNGALOW

      JOBS DONE / EXPERIENCE GAINED

On my first day at the workshop, I was first given a rundown of the workshop safety rules and regulations. I took time to peruse through, and understand, this safety rules. I was also introduced to the management and various departments in the company, after which i was shown equipment and machines.

     Site Safety Rules

Safety is an important consideration in any construction site work but i was made to understand that on a site with a high rise building, extra safety if on crucial importance and should be everyone primary concern because construction of buildings at a great height can be a dangerous activity. Safety is based on knowledge, skill and an attitude of care and concern. Thus safety factors includes all the measures carried out to protect both the worker, consultant, contractor and all persons present on the site at every given time from fatalities and injuries, and as well as minimize or eliminate all possible construction hazards.
. This safety measures can also be applied to the safety of the building and building materials from damage of any kind.

Safety Precaution Guidelines for workers and persons present on a construction site.

a)  Proper clothing is as essential to safety. Wear clothes that are smart and appropriate for the site work and weather conditions. Loose clothing is dangerous for workers around power tools and equipment.

b) Footwear must be safety boots or work boots that are thick soled shoes in order to protect the feet from falling objects or penetration by nails and should have non slip soles. Sandals or other types of inappropriate foot wears are hazardous on construction site.

c)  Protective head gear (helmet or hard hats) must always be worn on a construction site by all persons for protection of the head from falling objects of any kind.

d) All exposed areas or parts of the building must be adequately protected with temporary rail or support and staircases must be protected with temporary balustrades.

e)  Use only properly graded and inspected lumber for planking. Inspect planking daily for splits and Knots and remove defective or damaged planking.

f)   Be always aware and alert of your surroundings.

g) A clean work place is a safe work place. This refers to the neatness and good order of the construction site. Keep the site clear of damage as you work – Remove nails from waste wood, move trip hazards and obstacles e.t.c.

h)Emergency medical care in form of first aid assistance (first aid kit) must be provided on the site and must be easily identifiable and nearby.

 MAJOR MACHINES USED AT THE WORK SITE:

Concrete Mixer:

A concrete mixer commonly called the cement mixer is a device that homogeneously combines cement, aggregate such as sand or gravel and water to form a concrete. It uses a revolving drum to mix a component.

Vibrator

It is a device for agitating freshly mixed concrete during placement by mechanical oscillation at a moderately high frequency to assist in consolidation of the concrete.

When building a house, ideally, the weather will be perfect, all the materials will arrive on time and intact, and the trades people will be ready and on time. Unfortunately this is a very rare occasion. The weather could take a turn for the worse, materials could be late or items missing, the electrician could be held up at another job, or any number of things could go wrong. The point is that building a house can be a chaotic event.

 STEPS INVOLVED IN BUILDING A BUNGALOW

1. Finance: Before you start anything you might want to talk to your bank or a mortgage company to make sure you are able to get the money needed to complete the house. Don't forget to budget for the driveway, sidewalks, landscaping, fencing, blinds and maybe even some new furniture or appliances.

2. Plans: A plan is a diagram or drawing made to scale showing the structure and arrangement of a proposed building or structure. You could either find a suitable building lot and then a plan to suit the lot, or if money is not a problem and you have your heart set on a specific plan, first get your plans and then a lot to suit the plan. Before you choose a plan, take into account your lifestyle and your budget. It is very easy to go over budget or choose a plan that looks ideal on paper, but does not suit your family. There are many design books on the market or you could hire an architect or a home designer to design a house for you. Make sure you have enough copies of your plan, 10 would be really nice. Your building permit will take 2 or 3 copies and you will probably have to leave a plan at your place of lending. That leaves you with 6 or 7 copies left. Many of the sub trades need a plan to price out their work, make sure you remember who has a plan and get it back when they are finished with It.

3. Excavating: This is the action of digging or removing debris from the work site to enable the worker lay the foundation When the framer or the surveyor has marked where the house will be situated on the lot the excavator comes in and digs the hole for the foundation.

Optional Surveying:

Although it may cost a bit more, in a tight situation you may want a surveyor to mark the corners of the house. Most areas require a survey to be done after the foundation is in. If you get them to come before you start with the footings it will cost only a little more but it could possibly save you a lot of money and frustration. Many a foundation has had to be moved or entirely redone because it was in the wrong spot.

4. Sand & Gravel

Depending on the excavated soil, you will need good sand, pitrun and drain rock.

All slabs should have a minimum of 6" of gravel fill under it.

In certain conditions you will have to bring in fill. Either to raise the level of dirt, or  because of unstable dirt. This layer (usually pitrun) will have to be compacted and leveled. Do not be cheap with this; make sure you do a good job. Compacting equipment can be rented from a rental company. Just make sure that you get the proper size equipment for the job.

5. Foundation

Order the materials needed for the foundation from the lumber yard and the Forms from the Concrete Company. When the materials arrive the framers can begin with the foundation. Do not try to save money by ordering all the building materials at this time. You will be the one that will have to move it when it gets in the way. Lumber yards will split the materials up into two or three (or as many as you like) packages.

6. Concrete

If the footings are poured first the concrete truck will come twice, once to pour the footings and then again after the foundation has been built. Or if the foundation is built at the same time, the concrete can be poured for the footings and the foundation at the same time.

When pouring (usually done by the framing crew)  make sure that there are enough people to do the job, especially when the temperature is below freezing. Also, make sure that there is a vibrator on site.

7. Strip Foundation

Usually the day after the concrete has been poured the foundation can be stripped. Try to place the stripped materials in a place where they are out of the way and will stay straight and clean.

8. Damp Proofing

Water proofing is required on the part of the foundation where the slab or skim coat is below grade level.

A concrete mixer (also commonly called a cement mixer) is a device that homogeneously combines cement, aggregate such as sand or gravel, and water to form concrete. A typical concrete mixer uses a revolving drum to mix the components. For smaller volume works portable concrete mixers are often used so that the concrete can be made at the construction site, giving the workers ample time to use the concrete before it hardens. An alternative to a machine is mixing concrete by hand. This is usually done in a wheelbarrow; however, several companies have recently begun to sell modified tarps for this purpose.

9. Walling/Demarcation:

Bricks or blocks are used to wall or create demarcation according to the plan in other to get the desired settings of the house.

10. Plumbing, Heating and Electrical

Contact Plumbing, Heating and Electrical trades so that they can install anything that is needed before the concrete is poured. Example: For Legal Suite the Electrician may have to lay a cable inside the concrete.

Try not to get too frustrated when waiting for any of these people. Some of the block outs are for their convenience. If they don't want to do them at this time they can dig them out later

11. Electrical

Electricians start with their wiring.

Note 1: It is very important that the Electrician knows where the cabinets are to be installed.

Note 2: Walk through the house with the Electrician and show them where you want all the outlets to be installed. Think of a place for a light plug with a switch inside and other high voltage appliances etc.

Electricians will install the electrical cables using the required standard of wire for the required fitting, to install the necessary wires for other appliances. Also a meter should be install accompanied with other fuses and control switch

12. Doors & Windows

After the exterior doors and windows are installed, the house can be locked up. This is usually when you can request your first draw if you have a construction type mortgage.

Make sure the windows price includes screens, night locks, and liners if desired. It is very frustrating when you do not notice that the excellent price you got does not include these items.

A very nice alternative to vinyl windows are wood windows. Very classy. The exterior doors and windows should be delivered at the time the framers are finishing with the roof.

Plaster the wall with a particular cement mixture in order to make it look neat and smooth.

13. Roofing:

Once the Framers are done with the roof and all the vents have been installed it is time for the Roofers to do their work .Roofers will supply roof vents for the ventilation of your attic and they will able to place them in the spots as required .

GENERAL MAINTENANCE OF THE MACHINES

 From time to time the metallic parts of the machine are oiled or greased to avoid rusting.

 The gear system that moves the rollers are also greased and the nuts and screws are checked regularly.

The machine teeth are oiled to avoid rusting together with the oil level of the machines are checked regularly.

The concrete mixer is always washed or cleaned after use.