SUPERVISING ENGINEER’S GUIDELINES

I. QUALITIES OF A GOOD SUPERVISING ENGINEER

A good supervising engineer must be flexible. He must act as an arbitrator

between the owner and the contractor and must have great knowledge on all technical
aspect of the project and the most important is for him to practice good leadership.

A. Duties and Responsibilities of the Supervising Engineer at the Jobsite

1. To be aware of the project specifications for proper guidance regarding some

construction details.
2. To make a general inspection at the jobsite at least twice a week to locate
problems, percentage of work completed.
3. To see to it that progress of work is based on the PERT-CPM (Baseline
Schedule).
4. To give his full time supervision especially during the concreting stage as well
as during the finishing stage.
5. To conduct a regular meeting at the jobsite for proper coordination and to
bring out all the problems encountered as well as the possible solution to the
problem.
6. Make sure that the owner and the Consultant’s Office are aware on all items
discussed during the jobsite meeting.
7. Don’t rely too much with the project engineer assigned by the contractor on
the jobsite.
8. He must be flexible to all personnel / workers on the jobsite.

II. SUGGESTED JOBSITE MEETING GUIDELINES

1. He must study the plans and specifications before handling the first jobsite
meeting to see to it if there are discrepancy and if any he must discuss and
resolved with the concerned contractor during the meeting.
2. He must welcome any suggestion from the contractor if he knows it will help
the project.
3. He must request the presence of the owner or its representative to have
continuous communication and immediate decision on problems encountered
at the jobsite.
4. He must see to it that all personnel attending the meeting can decide in behalf
of the office he is representing.
5. He must have equal treatment with all the parties concerned.

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 A. What a Supervising Engineer can do in case of supervising a less experienced
contractor.

1. In this case, the Consultant’s Office or its Supervising Engineer must be strict
on all items / materials used at the jobsite.
2. Check the PERT-CPM (Baseline Schedule) or bar chart with the presence of
the owner and compare it with the actual accomplishment.
3. Study / check the progress billing carefully before approving it to give the
owner the necessary protection in case the contractor will abandon the
project.
4. Advice the owner in advance if you think the contractor is not capable of
completing the project.
5. Make sure that you are ready to maneuver the project in case the contractor
abandoned the project.

B. A Project wherein the contractor rely on the Foreman instead of the Project
Engineer.

Many contractors are used to this practice nowadays especially when the
Engineer in charge are fresh graduate or with limited experience, but if this case arises,
the Supervising Engineer must take into consideration the technical knowledge of the
Project Engineer regarding the characteristic of the structure which the foreman doesn’t
know.
There are several steps in which the Supervising Engineer may handle the
situation and make use of the Engineer in charge.

1. Make him aware that he is playing an important role on the project.

2. When giving instructions, direct the instruction to him rather than the Foreman
and welcome any question that may arise during the discussion.
3. During the jobsite meeting, call his attention in case of problems encountered
at the jobsite.
4. Make him commit on all activities to be completed so as to guide him on the
proper sequence of the construction.
5. Let him ask his Foreman to commit for himself during the meeting so that all
personnel are aware of their obligations.

C. Dealing with New Contractors

1. Give incentives to the contractor.

2. See to it that the contractor is following the office standard especially on its
workmanship requirements.
3. If possible, all instructions given on the jobsite must be accompanied by
sketches / detail drawings.
4. Help the contractor to find efficient subcontractors especially on its finishing
works.
5. If the project was properly executed, recommend the contractor to another
client which was promised to them as an incentive to its good performance.

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 D. Attitude of the Supervising Engineer towards the Contractor / Supplier

The Supervising Engineer shall conduct and maintain relations with the
contractor and/or supplier in a friendly, courteous, cooperative and business like manner so
that the work can be completed in the best possible manner at a minimum cost to the
contractor and/or supplier in accordance with the building plans and specifications.

Absolute integrity is required, acceptance of gifts or favors from the contractor

is strictly forbidden and excessive fraternization with the personnel of the contractor is to be
avoided. He should not be biased to the contractor and should act as an arbitrator between
the owner and the contractor.

III. RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES FOR PROJECT ROUTINE INSPECTION

A. Guidelines to maintain good workmanship

1. Consultant / Supervising Engineer should make it a point to discuss during the 1st
day of the jobsite meeting regarding the office standard on its workmanship
requirements.
2. The contractor must submit a sample of any architectural finishes to Consultant
for approval before proceeding with the work.
3. Any workmanship which do not meet the office standard will be rejected and have
it retouched / replaced by the contractor concerned.
4. For new contractors, the Consultant’s representative must brief the contractors
on the system which must be adopted during the construction period.
5. All instructions given to the contractor must be accompanied by sketch / detailed
plan for proper implementation.
6. Consultant / Supervising Engineer must recommend a good / capable sub-
contractor to the owner / general contractor.
7. In case the owner / general contractor have its sub-contractor, Consultant’s
Office must screen the said sub-contractor and advised the owner / general
contractor if he is capable of the job.

B. Guidelines and Requirements During Progress of Work

1. Layout

Conduct constant check on layout elevation and alignment (plumb) of

all sections during construction and report any discrepancy to the Consultant’s
Office immediately.

2. Pouring Requirements

a. Inform the Consultant 2 days before pouring for inspection with the
corresponding pouring request.

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 b. Equipments needed before pouring should be available

(2) Nos. vibrators, electric driven

(1) No. vibrator, gasoline driven
(1) unit , (1-bagger) concrete mixer

c. Preparation of Equipment and Place of Deposit

1. Before placing concrete, all equipments for mixing and transporting the
concrete shall be clean.
2. Debris and ice should be removed from the spaces to be occupied by the
concrete.
3. Forms shall be thoroughly wetted or oil.
4. Masonry filler units that will be in contact with concrete shall be well
drenched.
5. Reinforcement shall be thoroughly clean of ice or other deleterious coating.
6. Water shall be removed from the place of deposit before concrete is placed
unless a tremie is to be used or permitted by the inspector.
7. All laitance and other unsound materials shall be removed from hardened
concrete before additional concrete is added.

d. Mixing of Concrete

1. All concrete shall be mixed until there is a uniform distribution of the

materials and shall be discharged completely before the mixer is re-
charged.
2. For job mixed concrete, mixing shall be done in a batch mixer or approved
type. The mixer shall be rotated at a speed recommended by the
manufacturer and mixing shall be continued for at least 1 ½ minutes after
all materials are in the drum.

e. Conveying

1. Concrete shall be conveyed from the mixer to the place of final deposit by
methods which will prevent the separation or lost of materials/ aggregates.
2. Equipment for pumping and pneumatically conveying concrete shall be of
such size and design as to insure a practically continuous flow of concrete
at the delivery and without separation of materials.

f. Depositing

1. Concrete shall be deposited with a maximum of 6’ chute on its final

position to avoid segregation due to re-handling or flowing.
2. Concrete shall be deposited in its final position to avoid segregation due to
re-handling or flowing.
3. No concrete that has partially hardened or been contaminated by foreign
materials shall be deposited in the structure nor shall re-tempered
concrete shall be used unless approved by the engineer.

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 4. When concreting is once started, it shall be carried on as a continuous
operation until placing of the panel or section is completed.
5. All concrete shall be thoroughly consolidated by suitable means during
placement and shall be thoroughly worked around the reinforcement and
embedded fixtures and into the corner of the forms. Effective vibration is
the most suitable means.

g. Curing

1. Concrete shall be on moist condition for at least 7 days after placing.

2. Concrete shall be maintained above 50°F and in a moist condition for at
least seven (7) days after placing except the high early strength of
concrete shall be so maintained for at least the first three (3) days.

h. Cold Weather Requirements

1. Adequate equipment shall be provided for heating the concrete materials

and protecting the concrete during freezing or near freezing weather.
2. All concrete materials and all reinforcements, forms, fillers and ground with
which the concrete is to come in contact shall be free from frosting.

i. Hot Weather Requirements

1. During hot weather, steps shall be taken to reduce concrete temperature

and water evaporation by proper attention to ingredients, production
methods, handling, placing, protection and curing.

3. Materials Testing Requirements

a. Steel test results taken by a duly recognized testing laboratory.

4. Architectural and Structural Plans

Follow architectural plans and always report any discrepancies between

architectural and structural plans.

Details of Reinforcement:

A. Cleaning of Reinforcement

1. Metal reinforcement at the time the concrete is placed shall be free from
loose flaky rust, mud, oil or other coating that will destroy or reduced the
bond.

B. Placing of Reinforcement

1. Supports - reinforcement shall be accurately placed and adequately

supported by concrete, metal or other approved chairs,

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 spacer or ties and secured against displacement within
tolerances permitted.

2. Tolerances - unless otherwise specified by the engineer, reinforcement

shall be placed in specified position within the following
tolerances:

a. Depth d, in flexural members, walls, columns where d is 24 in. less

± ¼ in.
b. Depth d, in flexural members, walls, columns where d is more than
24 in. ± ½ in.
c. Longitudinal location of bends, and end of bars ± 2 in. except that
specified concrete cover and ends of members shall be reduced.

3. Draped Fabric - where wire or other reinforcement not exceeding ¼ inch

in diameter is use as reinforcement for slab not
exceeding 10 ft. in span the reinforcement may be curved
from a point near the bottom of the slab at mid-span,
provided such reinforcement is either continuous over
securely anchored to the support.

C. Spacing of Rebars (Reinforcing Bar)

1. The clear distance between parallel bars (except in columns and between
multiple layers of bars in beams) shall be not less than the nominal
diameter of the bars, 1/3 times the maximum size of the coarse
aggregates or 1 inch.
2. Where reinforcement in beams or girders is placed in two or more layers,
the clear distance between layers shall be not less than 1 inch, and the
bars in the upper layers shall be placed directly above those in the bottom
layers.
3. In walls and slabs other than concrete joists construction, the principal
reinforcement shall be centered not less than 1 ½ times the bar diameter,
1 ½ times the maximum size of the coarse aggregates nor 1 ½ inches.
4. The clear distance between bars shall also apply to the clear distance
between a contact splice and adjacent splice or bars.

5. Inspection of Post Tension Beams / Slabs

a. Check with the contractor the approved shop drawing duly signed by the
structural engineer.
b. Based on the shop drawing, check the following:

1. Layout and framing should be correlated with the architectural / structural

plan. If there is any problem / discrepancy, consult the structural engineer.
2. Type of tendon and number of wires to be used.
3. Drape or tendon profile should be tied with G.I. wire to put tendons in
place.
4. Location of grouting pipes
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 5. Provision of shear bar, if any.

c. Stressing of tendons should start upon the presentation of concrete test

result (concrete shall attain 3,000 psi before stressing)
d. Ask the contractor to submit elongation report.
e. Grouting of tendons.
f. Cutting of tendons.

6. Plumbing
a. Check all service entrances
b. Conduct water test on all water and sewer lines. Water lines must be
subjected with 100 psi pressure and sewer line with 30 psi pressure.

7. Electrical
Verify approved drawing from Etisalat / Du and DEWA before any
installation be done especially entrance lines, LV Room, handholes, etc.

C. Formworks

1. Design of Formworks

a. Forms shall conform to the shape, lines and dimensions of the members
and shall be substantial and sufficiently tight to prevent leakage of
mortar. They shall be properly braced and tied.

b. Design of formwork shall include consideration of the following factors:

1. Rate and method of placing concrete

2. Loads, including live & dead load, lateral and impact
3. Selection of materials and stresses
4. Deflection, camber, eccentricity and uplift
5. Horizontal and diagonal shore bracing
6. Shore splices
7. Cross grain compression
8. Loads on ground on or previously placed concrete

2. Removal of Forms

a. No construction loads exceeding the structural design loads shall be

supported upon any un-shored portion of the structure under
construction.

b. No construction load can be supported upon nor any shoring removed

from any part of the structure under construction until that portion of the
structure has attained sufficient strength to support safely its weight and
the load.

3. Forms shall be removed in such a manner as to insure the complete safety of

the structure.
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 4. Where the structure as a whole is adequately supported on shores, the
removable floor forms, beams and girder sides, column and similar vertical
forms may be removed after 24 hours provided the concrete is sufficiently
strong not to be injured thereby.

5. From supports of pre-stressed members may be removed when sufficient

pre-stressing has been applied to enable them to carry their dead loads and
anticipated construction loads.

IV. PROJECTS FINAL ACCEPTANCE

Acceptance of the work and final payment to the contractor must proceed in
accordance with the terms of the construction contract documents. Although the
methods may vary, they basically begin with a request from the contractor to make a
final inspection of the work. First, establish those areas still requiring correction or
other remedial work, and final inspection will be a check off to assure that all work is
substantially complete and that all corrections have been made.

The snag list is usually prepared near the end of the project showing all items
requiring completion or correction. Before final acceptance of the work, all
workmanship must meet specific standards, all works must be installed and all
equipments must be tested and operational. Often, final payment to the contractor is
held for 30 to 60 days after completion and is not released until correction of all
remaining deficiencies or depends on the contract agreement which is stipulated in
the terms of payment.

WARRANTY PERIOD

Generally, the work covered in a construction contract includes a stated

guarantee period which is frequently one year from the date of completion. A
contractor is responsible only for the quality of workmanship, the quality of materials
used and the performance of the contract.

CONTRACT TIME

When computing contract time, particular attention should be paid to the

contract wording. If it is working days, particular care will have to be taken in
determining the definition of a working day. The easiest time to compute is calendar
days, as this method includes all days including Fridays, Saturdays and Holidays.

CLEAN UP

In addition to the requirement the contractor should keep the jobsite clean
during the progress of work, he is similarly obligated to thoroughly clean up the
construction site at the end of the job before the work can be accepted. This includes
the removal of temporary utilities, temporary field offices, surplus materials, street
cleaning, etc.
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 The contractor is obliged to clean the site of his own operations as well as all
area under the control of the owner that may have been used by the contractor in
connection with the work on the project.

Final acceptance of the work should be withheld until the contractor has
satisfactorily complied with all the requirements for final clean up of the project site.

CLOSING OUT THE PROJECT

A summary of the principal close out activity for a medium to large size project
is shown in the following list:

1. Receive notification from the contractor that he has substantially completed the
work and is ready for a walk through inspection.

2. Prepare a project checklist as early as 3 to 4 weeks before closing date in the

schedule. Note on the checklist all those items that require special operational
testing prior to acceptance.

3. Schedule and conduct an inspection of all items on the checklist. The inspection’s
party should include representative of the contractor, the consultant’s office,
mechanical and electrical subcontractors, the resident project representative and
the owner. Notes should be made by the inspector of all corrective, remedial or
extra works required to meet acceptance standard and this data should be used
to develop snag list.

4. Using the preliminary snag list, conduct a final inspection of all work on the
project approximately one week after closing date. All items indicated requiring
correction on the preliminary snag list should be re-inspected and all tests that
were originally unsatisfactory should be conducted again. Test should include
run-up of motors, pumps, air conditioning system, fire protection system,
communication system and similar installed work but should include the testing of
fail-safe devices, switches, all lock sets operated and any other moving parts
operated to assure that they will function properly before acceptance of work.

5. All contractors should submit “as built plans” to locate change order/additional
work made by them.

6. After the project is completed, he should continue to make periodic inspection for
determination of any flaws which should be remedied during the contractor’s
guarantee period.

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 7. Prior to acceptance of work, the resident project administrative should obtain the
following items from the contractor is required under the contract:

» Guarantees, Certificate of Inspection, Operating Manuals and Instruction

for Equipment Items, Keying Schedule, Maintenance Stock Items, Spare
Parts, Special Tools and pertinent documents such as building permit,
final demarcation certificate, occupancy permit should be given to the
owner when assumes partial use of the building.

8. If all work has been completed and all snag list items satisfactorily
accomplished, a Certificate of Completion should be prepared. The Consultant /
Supervising Engineer in charge executed the release of Final Certificate of
Payment after he has determined to the best of his knowledge, information and
belief based on his observations at the project site that the work is complete and
the quality of work appears to conform to the owner / contractor contract
documents and the quality of work required by the owner / consultant.

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