eBusiness Weekly
Engineering and Construction Matters With Innocent Chatikobo
Introduction
A construction site is an area or piece of land where construction work is taking place or where a building is being repaired.
Construction sites are also referred to as building sites. This issue seeks to simplify what is contained in the Model Building bylaws Chapter 2 Parts II; III and IV
General requirements before commencement of works
As covered in earlier publications, before construction work begins, drawings or plans should be produced by a competent person. The plans should be submitted to the local authority for approval. In approving the plans, the local authority checks compliance with bylaws.
Before commencement of works, a notice should be given to the local authority with information of the scope of work. The site should be first cleaned / cleared.
A building shall not be erected on ground with vegetable matter; unhealthy waste; or any substance liable to disintegrate or decompose.
This unstable matter must be removed from site or treated so as to render it stable and healthy.
Excavation should commence when all vegetation, debris and refuse has been cleared to at least one metre of the exterior of the building.
Temporary shelters / building sheds
On a building site, there might be need for temporary structures that will be used by those carrying out the construction. They are erected for the convenience of those working on the site and for the storage of materials and tools.
Examples of such structures include builders’ sheds, toilets and other temporary structures.
These temporary structures should not be located in such a manner that it may become a nuisance or a danger to the health or safety of persons working on the site or of the public.
On a site it should be ensured that for every twenty-five people working on site there should be one toilet available or within 50 metres.
The toilet should be properly situated and constructed so as not to pose a health hazard. It should be thoroughly cleaned at lest once in every 24 hours.
Upon completion of any building and sewerage work, all temporary structures no longer needed on site and all refuse, debris, surplus building materials and rubble must be removed from the site
Setting out, excavations and inspections
A contractor must exercise due care and diligence when doing the setting out of a building. He should take note and consider the exact positions of all site boundaries on which a building is going to be erected.
He should consider all building lines to avoid encroaching service lanes.
Where boundaries are not clear, the owner may engage a registered land surveyor to establish the precise position of the boundaries of the site.
After setting out and before commencement of excavation, the setting out as to be inspected and the local authority grants the permission to proceed.
In undertaking the excavations, it should be ensured that the excavation complies with provisions of section 10 of the Factories and Works (Building, Structural and excavation work) Regulations and other regulations prescribing safety measures for persons engaged on excavation, building or sewerage work.
Excavation should ensure minimum or no damage to, or interference with drains, pylons, poles, sewer, cables, water mains and other utilities. Before proceeding for foundation concrete footings, the excavations have to be inspected and permission to proceed with the work granted. The foundations also have to be inspected before constructing anything upon the foundation
Interferences, projections and encroachments
In some cases, a construction site may be in such a way that it interferes with, obstruct or render dangerous any pavements, streets and public places. Before erecting any scaffolding, fence, gangway, barrier or other structure required, there is need for a written permission of the local authority upon payment of the prescribed fee. In granting the permission the local authority may specify the following:
Parts of the pavement, street or public place which may be interfered with or obstructed
The times at which and period for which interference or obstruction may be permitted
Nature of structure which may be erected
The form which any interference or obstruction may take
The time by which and stages at which, any obstruction shall be removed and any damage repaired
If any person wishes to construct a permanent building whose part may project over or encroach upon a pavement, street or public place he has to apply to the local authority for permission to construct such a projection or encroachment. The construction of the projections and encroachments can only be done after the plans thereof have been submitted and approved.
General conduct of building operations
Any person erecting any building or undertaking any sewerage work shall ensure that copies of plans and drawings approved by the local authority are kept on site always
The drawings should be maintained in a legible condition
Ensure that gutters and drains for the flow of surface water are kept clear at all times
Ensure that access to fire hydrants, parking meters, lamp posts, transformers, and other public facilities is not obstructed by piles of material, scaffolding, hoardings, and barriers
Ensure effective steps are taken including the covering, sprinkling and wetting down of materials during demolition work, to prevent dust, smoke, harmful fumes and other harmful agents spreading over adjacent premises or public places during building, demolition or sandblasting operations, or during conveyance of materials and other rubble to and from the site
Ensure noisy and disruptive operations are not undertaken on Sundays and public holidays or after 6pm or before 7am on other days without written permission of the local authority
Exempted buildings
There are some buildings which the local authority may authorize to be constructed without submission and approval of plans and drawings. Such buildings include those designed and intended to be used as:
Pump houses, Poultry run, Immovable kennel, Summer house, Tools shed, Potting shed, Child’s doll house, Aviary, Plant house, Coal shed, Wood shed, Cycle shed, Cooking shelter, Swimming bath, Changing room, Fence up to 2.5m height, Pergola, Garden shelter, Boundary wall up to 2.5m height
The materials used must be sound and durable and the structures shall be erected in a neat, tidy and workmanlike manner.
Innocent Chatikobo is an Engineer by profession with AtroServe Engineering Zimbabwe. He has extensive knowledge and experience in Structural Engineering and Construction. For your comments, views, questions and feedback he can be contacted on the following platforms. Cell: +263 777 950 224; +263 712 376 037; +263 782 502 732./Email: [email protected] /Facebook: AtroServe Engineering Zimbabwe
