Instabuild Quiz Time!

Rules of the Quiz:

i.

The first entry to answer ALL THE FOUR questions correctly wins!
ii. Use Construction terms where necessary.
iii. Don’t use any word capable of sending the judges to the dictionary!
iv. Make sure you have Fun! If you don’t win today, prepare for the next time! Cheers!

Answer questions in the comments box.

Quiz Questions

:

1. What is the percentage contribution of the construction industry to the national GDP?

2. Mention two types Insurance which applies to you as a builder?

3. In sequential order, list the stages involved in construction of pad foundation.

4. What Orientation should you give a building to enjoy natural thermal comfort?

Building Thermal Comfort ‘Bask in the sun, and dance in the rain’

   When the whole wide world was created, it was empty so i heard, funny right? But i kept on wondering how it got transformed into what we have now, not until i read, and listen to tales.
   Our environment has been so perfectly designed, to the extent of accomodating the greatest and the biggest exploit of all time. Our ability to make perfect and complete use of our environmental endowments, makes us live in comfort. Well, as an environmentalist, i believe in some principles that can make us live confortably in our shelters.
    ‘Man will still be sleeping in caves and treetops, if not for builders, said a colleague of mine, how true is that? Have you ever imagined yourself sleeping on treetops? I mean for real… How comfortable will you find it? But, thanks to those who made shelters a reality. Nonetheless,  one should watch how one’s shelter will be, so that too much will not be sacrificed.
    There are certain factors to be considered when planning to build, and when constructing a residential building, factors that can make one spend less, and comfortable in one’s building. One of these factors is THERMAL COMFORT. Most building owners do no consider this when planning, and mind you, other stakeholders do not care.
     Let’s start by checking up what building thermal comfort is;
  Thermal comfort is observed when there is a particular state of mind which expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment
  Now, on a very long run, there are seasons, year in year out, how do we balance our thermal conditions with this seasonal variation?, there are some things meant to be taken into considerations before going for the first port of call in building construction, which is the setting out.
  Here they are;;;
i.   Building Orientation
     The weather condition, relative to the four cardinal points, is an important factor you need to put into consideration before deciding which orientation to put your building,  confused? Okay, let me break it down, first of all, consider the sun, the east brings out the sun i.e. the sun rises  from the east, and sets in west.  Now,  in deciding which orientation to choose for a residential building, in the tropics, the sides of the building must not be parallel with the east-west, because, when the sun rises, it comes through the windows of one side,  and when it sets, it comes through the windows of the other side,  there by causing too much heat to radiate in the building.
  The breeze  often move in north – south direction,  a residential building whose orientation is west-east will enjoy  cool breeze  especially when it is hot. This must be taken care of at the pre-construction stage.

ii.  Construction materials and Openings’ dimensions
      The regions dictate this, for instance,  in the tropics,  where it’s hot, building elements, like doors and windows must  be largely dimensioned, not neglecting the type of materials to be used; the naterials must be types that do not radiate heat into the building.
  In the cool-temperate regions, the dimensions  of the openings must not be wide, because, it is cold already.  This factor must be put into consideration in the construction stage.
iii.  Location
The geographical area where a building  will be located is very paramount when planning, a building located very close to a steel producing factory will always experience heat, and exhaust from the factory, causing thermal dissatisfaction.
A building is said to be thermally comfortable when eighty percent (80%) of the occupants find it comfortable, therefore, the afforementioned factors must be considered in the pre-construction and construction stage.
  As much as i know, there are two affecting factors of the thermal comfort; environmental factors, and personal factors.  Now, personal factors are personal, funny right? Do not mind me. Personal factors depend on one’s metabolic and physiological body reactions, but, there are many things to put in place to rectify the awkward effect of the environmental factors.
  Tree planting is one of the things to put in place while planning to build a residential building. Trees, apart from the aesthetic appeal, they add to the building, they also serve as wind-breakers, and regulate breezes in terms of quantity that enters a building.
  Relative humidity, when high, reduces the evaporative cooling and when low, causes irritation- skin becomes too dry and cracks appear in some membranes, building services equipment like air – conditioner will curtail the effect of relative humidity.
  Personal factors, as i emphasized, are based on individual physiological and metabolic body reactions relative to the region one finds himself/herself
  The clothing materials used by an individual must be in accordance with his/her body reactions, clothing provides a cheap and clear way of controlling the micro-climate.
  A building built unconsciously or consciously against the factors of weather will absolutely make the owner/occupant spend more on his/her comfortability. Endea our to study your environment before nailing on the profile board. Bask in the sun, and dance in the rain. Stay thermally comfortable.

Construction of Stanchions for Water tanks

With reference to my last post titled Setting out : The Rudiments, I wish to share the actual construction details of the column bases discussed earlier.
The portions set out are to be excavated to a depth of 1200mm (or more depending on the design of pad foundation but 1.2m is the usual).
The bottom of excavations are then blinded up to a height of 50mm.

Place the reinforcements and cast pad base to cover up the reinforcements’ baskets up to a height of 250mm.

Place the formworks for columns in foundations and set them in alignment using the plywood plates on them and the lines used for setting out their centres as described in the previous write up. Then brace up the formworks together to stop them from going out of place during casting.

Cast the columns in foundations leaving out the threaded part of the reinforcements. These threaded parts are to hold the stanchions’ plates which serve as their bases.
Strike out the formworks after 24 hours.

From this point on, steel workers should take over and erect the H-sections as shown below;

Angle irons should then be bolted to the gusset plates on the H-sections . I-sections are then welded to the top plates of the standing H sections. Then weld the wire mesh across the top of the I-sections. Handrails should also be provided at the top. Below is what the whole process should end up to;

There are no hard and fast rules to the construction of this but to adhere strictly to the engineer’s design.

“docendo discitur”: It is learned by teaching.

Setting out: The Rudiments

The very first step to the construction of any building is setting out. It is important to establish the positions of structural components. It is also essential to ensure that different components assume accurate dimensions.
Take a look at the illustration below:

click on the image to zoom and save.

First drawing on the left shows a typical setting out of column bases for columns carrying water storage tanks, While the other one on the right shows a typical setting out of a septic tank or sockaway pit.

For the first case, column bases;

1. Establish peg 1 at any convenient point according to the plan on the ground.

2. Drive a 3 inches nail 2 inches into the head of the 2 x 2 wooden pegs leaving an inch above.

3. Tie a line to the established peg 1 then take it to the next point to establish the second peg position. Ensure the line is straight by placing a spirit level along the line.

4. Drive the second peg into the ground, drive the nail into it’s head and tie the line to it.

5. Establish peg 3 at any close point as shown in the illustration. Tie the line to it then take it across to establish peg 4.

6. Place a builder’s square at the interception of the lines. Ensure the angle formed at the intercept is 90 then establish peg 4.

7. Measure the desired distance which in this case is 2.4m, between the the centres of the columns to be erected and establish peg 5.

8. To establish peg 6 from peg 5, place a builder’s square at the interception of the lines as in step 6.

9. From the interception of the lines 3-4 & 5-6, measure the required distance from the centre of the columns, which in this case is 4.8m. Establish peg 7 at this point.

10. Take the line across to establish peg 8. Ensure squareness using the builder’s square before driving the peg to the ground.

11. From peg 8, measure the distance between the centres of two columns as in step 7 then establish peg 9.

12. Take the line across to establish peg 10. Ensure squareness using builder’s square at intercepts. Drive peg 10 to the ground and tie the line.

As shown, the interceptions are the centres of the columns to be erected. Therefore, the portions to be excavated are pointed out using dotted lines. In this case, the columns’ bases are 1200 x 1200 mm. Measurements on actual ground are taken from the centres i.e 600mm to the four sides of the midpoint established.
In all we have 6 columns, 2.4m center to centre between two columns and 4.8m between one column and a third one.

PS: These steps explain the setting out for septic tanks and sockaway pits too. The only difference is we establish the portions to be excavated directly using the lines and not from the interceptions.

This is just the basis and amateurs and students should find this helpful but if by any means this has created any confusion please don’t hesitate to ask your questions in the comment box below. Cheers!

“docendo discitur”: It is learned by teaching.

It’s 11/11, it’s Kingpin’s birthday!

Can you remember your first birthday? No? No worries, let me remind you. It was a bright sunny day on the eleventh day in the eleventh month of the year after you were born. I could remember you had a biscuits box and lots of sweets in a table before you. The cameraman was standing and waiting for you to assume the right posture for a shot but not until mummy came and held you in place, you were too young to put yourself together. Everyone wanted to take a picture with you because you were so handsome, innocent and free of worries. I could remember a very beautiful girl had a crush on you then but poor you, you were too young to notice. Hmmm.
Today, I thank God for me. You heard me right, I thank God for me. For the rare privilege of meeting you, I give great thanks. It’s far beyond ‘sweet words’ or ‘what you want to hear’ but ‘what I want to say and what I mean to say’ you’re more than a friend, you’re a brother. If I’m sure of anything today, I’m sure of you giving me a hand whenever I need it. I thank God for the man you’re growing into. I thank God for your mother, she’s lucky to have you and I’m sure you’re blessed to have her.

Live and live long in comfort and peace. On this path you walk, you shall not stumble…

Allah hafiz.

“docendo discitur”: It is learned by teaching.

STAKEHOLDERS, IN THE WORLD OF CONSTRUCTIONS “Those that work so hard to make it look so simple”

From statiscal records kept over years, it has been reported that construction industry, as simple as it may sound, generates one-third of the total employment drive in any national economy.
  In nigeria today, construction industry accounts for about seven percent of the national GDP, and you know what that implies.
  There are many stakeholders in this great industry, but, the industry is usurped by three main stakeholders;;;
the client,  the contractor, and the consultants.

The client
   The client is the financier and the owner of any project, the backbone and the supporter of any agreement. He is the godfather, he promotes the construction projects to any level. The client gives his brief (what he really wants) to the consultants(the design team) expecting them to produce what he really wants graphically. The span of activities depends on him, because, he is the only one that stakes his money on it.
   A client can either be a public client (government agencies), or a private client (individuals,  and corporate bodies)

The consultants
      The consultants are also known as the design team, and the examiner of any project. They examine all activities being executed on site to avoid compromised standards. They approve/disapprove  activities. They represent the client on site. ‘Most  consultants are corrupt’, says a contractor i met on site.’ ‘They just want money, not the standards and quality of the work,  this is one of the major drawbacks of the industry ‘ He continues
     The consultants do come to inspect the ongoing project on fixed days. They effect any changes made on the working drawings (the design).

The contractors
      The contractors are meant to perform their duties,  follow specifications, and examine drawings to ensure objectivity. They are responsible for the actualization of the graphical representations and drawings, i.e they transfer what is on the drawing to the ground. The contractors tender for projects from the clients. They are the executors of projects.
      A contractor is either informed or uninformed, when a contractor is former, he handles his projects personally. But,  on the contrary,  if the contractor is latter,  then, the issue of site managers or site supervisors, come knocking. Such contractor will have to delegate his functions to the site manager.

     These are the main stakeholders in the industr, but there are other stakeholders performing their own roles to aid the main stakeholders;

The statutory bodies
     They are at the helm of affairs, they control the activities of the professionals in the industry, they make rules and regulations for the pros to abide and conform with. They work towards the improvement of standards of the industry e.g the building code. Examples of such body are COREN, CORBON, NIOB, and IEE.

The financial institutions
        They are the suppliers of neccessary funds to the client when needed.  a client might not be capable of financing the project,  he goes to the bank, and a loan can be granted (i.e. mobilization fees are not always paid at the beginning of the project).

Materials Manufacturers
      These are the innovators, they produce materials needed for the actual construction projects, without them, there will be no construction. They cogitate everyday, for new inventions, as technology developes.

     Walking around everyday, looking at structures, appreciating or criticizing them, some guys worked them out.
     They staked everything, put in their best, to get those fantastic structures erected, these are the stakeholders, those who work so hard to make it look so easy.

Insurance: Sitting in the Arm–Chair

About a week ago I was engaged in a discussion with two professionals in the construction industry. One of them being an Architect and the other an Engineer. As a student in the construction field, I inquired about the role of insurance in risk management in the construction industry but to my amazement, they attached no importance to insurance. They felt it is a waste by putting money where you might never need it.  Their responses prompted me to go into research and I couldn’t keep to myself what I found.

Definition
‘Insurance is the equitable transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another in exchange for payment. It is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of contingent, uncertain loss’ –  Wikipedia

Taking a closer look at this definition, we can derive the following key words:

i.  ‘equitable’ ; that is, amount of risk of a loss envisaged for equal amount of money paid.

ii.  ‘one entity to another‘ ; typically, two parties are involved in an insurance arrangement. The insurer (also known as insurance carrier) and the insured (policy holder). The insurer is the company selling the insurance while the insured is the entity buying the insurance policy. However, an entity may be a person, group or a company driving towards a common goal.

The payment therein is called the ‘premium’.  The contract between the two parties involved is called the insurance policy. The insurance policy will contain the conditions and circumstances under which the insured will be financially compensated.

An Insurance contract includes;
i. Identification of participating parties.
ii. Period of coverage
iii. Loss event covered
iv. The premium
v. The amount of coverage to be paid in event of loss.
vi. Events not covered.

Types of Insurance Contracts
i. ‘Pay on behalf ‘ policy
ii.  ‘reimbursement’  policy and
iii. Indemnification policy

All these being said apply to insurance in general, however, how do they relate with the construction industry? Let’s take a look at the following:

Builder’s Risk Insurance
Building construction is capital intensive. Ranging from materials to equipment, everything on a builder’s site don’t come cheap. Imagine a situation where you have heavy equipment costing a fortune on your site and a warehouse housing materials costing millions. In an unfortunate incident of fire outbreak, how do you think you would survive it? Seeing equipment razed in fire or the warehouse burnt down could cause a heart attack for any onlooker not to talk of the project builder or manager. Insurance is the way to go.  Once machineries and materials are insured, there would be a shoulder to cry on in an awkward moment like that.

Professional Liability Insurance;
Another area where insurance benefits us as professionals in the construction industry is this. This is commonly known as ‘error and omissions ‘ in the USA.
This insurance policy is the antidote against professional negligence trying to land you in a quick sand. For example, a quantity surveyor who in his course of estimating for a storey building omits a floor, the client is given a wrong bill ( underestimated bill). Without the knowledge of the negligence of the quantity surveyor, the project commenced up till the point where it is noticed that the client had exhausted his budget but the project is not near completion. Such a quantity surveyor is guilty of professional negligence and if he is not financially strong or has help from no one, he might not stand again after that fall. Therefore, no matter how professional you may be, mistakes can come in at any point in time. These mistakes are commonly due to negligence, misinterpretation and excess stress at work.  Not to bear the loss all alone, you need a Professional liability insurance.

Claims:
Filling your claim may come as easy as a DIY thing if you don’t have complicated policies in your contract. However, if you do, you may hire a public adjuster who would help you negotiate your settlement on your behalf.

Putting money where it might never be needed sounds foolish but not when you are into insurance. Be not a penny wise and pounds foolish.

Get insured today!

Reference: Wikipedia.com

“docendo discitur”: It is learned by teaching.

ATTRIBUTES OF A SITE MANAGER

  As a site manager, you have a huge responsibility to shoulder, you are sandwiched between three main stakeholders – the client, the contractor, and the consultants, conjoined with the labour force on site. So, you have to buckle up. The big question is ‘As a site manager, what must you do to keep up with these four set of hooks making only you the bait ready to be drawn into a big ocean?’ I pity you,  but, i know the following will answer the  As a site manager, you have a huge responsibility to shoulder, you are sandwiched between three main stakeholders – the client, the contractor, and the consultants, conjoined with the labour force on site. So, you have to buckle up. The big question is ‘As a site manager, what must you do to keep up with these four set of hooks making only you the bait ready to be drawn into a big ocean?’ I pity you,  but, i know the following will answer the question.

  Be balanced
Balance the equation between your client, the consultants, and your boss (the contractor), and also, the labour force. Don’t be too free with any party, don’t swing, keep your head straight and look forward. Bearing in mind that loyalty and fair service must be given to your boss.

   Don’t argue with your consultants
One thing that  infuriates the design team is you arguing with them, don’t create a debate, even if you know that they are saying the wrong thing, just say ‘YES SIR’. That does not mean you will implement what has been said without reviewing it, act like a ram, don’t be a barking dog.

  Incentivize the artisans
Artisans are not slaves,  they are not robots. Although, you got them all employed, but at least, always encourage them. For instance, you can buy them lunch.  As a follower of Elton Mayo, i believe that workers perform better when motivated, as motivation results into better performance.

   Don’t hide under boss’s influence or shadow
Being in this great industry for long, the contractor has made a good name over years. Don’t ruin it in a twinkle of an eye. Don’t hide under your boss’s skirt. Don’t have the mindset that even if standards are compromised, your boss’s influence will cover it. Mr. Manager, if you nurture such mindset, you are as good as being thrown out of site. That will be the easiest for your boss.

    Don’t be over-confident
As the saying goes ‘no one is a fountain of knowledge ‘. No one expects you to know all the necessary technical know-how required to get the project executed, so, don’t form kyle xy, because,  there are many kyle yy out there ready to take you down. Stay focused, when  an artisan is giving ideas,  don’t  shun them, welcome all, but, review them, from there, you can learn too.

    Be smart
I have seen slow and sluggish site managers, they infuriate me, a kind of a site manager,  not  capable of any sort of charisma, it’s quite disgusting. Try to be smart in everything, in actions, in diction, and in carriage. Be up and doing, i am very sure, everybody will respect you on site.

    Relate with your workers
As a student of human relation management school of thought, influenced by oliver sheldon statement  of philosophy of social responsibility, i know that management responsibility is beyond scientific management maximum efficiency. Workers tend to work more, put in their best, when the good face of the site manager is obviously shown.
  Motivation increases when there is social interaction between the  site manager and the workers. So, don’t hesitate to relate.

  The most difficult being to control in the whole nine realms is human. Even, the angels complained when we were about to be created. But, what makes you a real and competent site manager, is you being able to contain yourself. So,  ‘you,  as a site manager, try and contain yourself ‘
    HAPPY NEW MONT H