Download ppt - Resources in Construction / Materials. Materials for Construction No construction project can proceed satisfactorily without materials. In smaller companies

Resources in Construction / Materials

Materials for Construction

No construction project can proceed satisfactorily without materials. Insmaller companies accounts may be set up with some suppliers andforemen are given the responsibility for ordering materials. With mediumor large companies the purchasing of materials is usually handled by headoffice staff. However the site manager could be given this responsibilityon smaller contracts.

Material management includes

– Quality control and scheduling / testing– Ordering– Handling and storage– Waste control– Security


Quality controlPrior to work starting on site, the architect or engineer may require

samples of materials to be provided for their approval. These are called

sample panels. If samples are not used the contractor will still use

materials and components which match with the contract documents.

These documents include the bill of quantities, contract drawing and

specification. When materials are delivered to site they need to be

checked. Unsatisfactory materials should be returned to the supplier.


Ordering materialsThe procurement of materials begins at the estimating / tender stage:

• Quantities are taken from the bill of quantities or measured up on site.

• Enquires are sent to suppliers and prices are obtained.

• The correct quality and quantity of materials must be ordered.

• Deliveries should be planned in advance so that no hold up occurs in the production process, but not too far in advance that materials will get damaged before they are used.


Handling and storage of materials• Carelessness when unloading materials can cause waste. Having the

correct plant to handle materials is important. Bricks and blocks are now usually delivered on pallets and they are lifted off using telescopic handlers. This is quicker than lifting them off by hand. It is better to lift off the material where it is going to be used as this saves time.

• The storage of materials is as important as their handling. There are problems if materials such as plasterboard get damp.

• Incorrectly stacked materials causes problems. Doors should be stored flat.

• Materials can be stolen if not stored securely.


Waste Control• Approximately 35% to 45% of the cost of construction work is spent on

materials. It is therefore important that they are used efficiently. Two common causes of waste include

– Excess materials being left unused

– Damaged materials being unusable

• In order to prevent waste on site it is important that there are supervisors on site, and site operatives are trained in the correct way.


SecurityTheft and vandalism cause problems on many building sites. The lossesincurred must be added to the value of materials when allowing for waste.Small hand tools and even large items of plant are also stolen and theirloss causes delays to production and an increase in insurance costs. It isdifficult to define a set of rules which would prevent theft and vandalismon sites. They vary so much in size and location. Someprevention measures are

– Checking deliveries– Stop Site operatives taking items– Control of vandalism– Vigilance against theft– Crime prevention– Security


StorageCorrect storage for sheet materials, plasterboard or doors.

Stack on a continuous even platform in a fairly dry environment.

It is particularly important that doors are stored in a temperature similar to

that which they will eventually be positioned.


StorageCorrect storage for facing brick, paving brick and concrete blocks.

Stack on a continuous even platform “normally a pallet”. Stacks

should be no more than 1.8 metres high.

The pallets of brick should be stacked on a level area which has

been hard-cored.

Facing brick are supplied from the manufacturer wrapped in

polythene to prevent them getting damp.
