PRELIMINARY

SITE WORK
Prepared by:
Mr. B. Elliott
BTCMS2011

1. FACTORS AFFECTING THE

CHOICE OF A BUILDING SITE.
Accessibility

Zoning

History

Regulations

Climate

Cost

Soil type

Topography

Availability of

Aspect

services

Size

EXPLANATIONS
Cost how reasonable is the cost per
square foot or meter of the chosen site. It is
normally associated with
1. Level of development
2. Available amenities- health/educational facilities,
utilities, public transportation, recreational facilities
& shopping centers
3. Location
4. Demand
5. Zone
6. topography

 Topography-the shape of the surface of the

land. This is sometimes referred to as
contour and can be: flat, undulating, gently
sloped or steeply sloped.

Boundaries-this must be established and

supported by a survey drawing before the
actual size of property can be ascertained.
They are normally marked so they can be
easily identified or re-established. Reference
for these markers is called a datum.

 History-the study of pass events

associated with the use of the site:
Water (natural watercourse, springs or
flooding); Dump (whether the site was ever
used as a dump); Original topography (was
the land filled); Others problems (old
foundation, underground lines such as gas,
electric or telephone or trees recently
removed to accommodate construction.

 Ownership-certified by a deed
(legal document) must be
established before any final decision
is taken regarding sale/purchase of
land. Transfer can only be done
between rightful owner and
purchaser.

 Shape the shape of the lot (plot)

must reflect the proposed shape of
the structure within the framework of
the legal restrictions. E.g. Lot too
narrow, acute, sharp or too many
corners.

Proposed
building

Street

Maximum
possible size of
building

s
t
r
e
e
t

Legal limit

Limiting position

LOT TOO NARROW

CORNER MAY BE TOO

ACUTE/SHARP OR THERE MAY
BE TOO MANY CORNERS

 Soil Type prior to designing the

foundation for a building the
properties of the subsoil must be
assessed. This includes:
1.suitability of the site for the proposed
project, and
2.classification of soil type (silt, sandy,
clayey, etc.)

 Accessibility Is there easy access to

the site for the transport of materials
and other services. All lands not
adjoining a street or public pathway
requires some means of access. This
access influence movement to and off
site during the construction stage as
well as during occupancy.

 Zoning-the legal identification of the land for

specific use. It is categorized as:
residential,
commercial,
industrial,
Agricultural
The purpose of zoning is to assist land
developers or owners in recognizing land for
use as well as provide information or guidance
about the character of the neighbourhood

 Size - size of building lots are usually

specified in order to ensure that:
1.Legal requirements of setback and off set
distances are satisfied
2.The building should occupy the maximum
percentage of the total land area as specified
by the local authorities for the prescribed
zone.
3.A reasonable size of building is proposed.

Specifications are outlined in the planning regulations

Center of street

B
(5m)
A off set Distance

LOT 3

Figure showing setback requirements

B Front Set Back

3m

C Rear Set Back

2. REASONS FOR STRIPPING A

BUILDING SITE
Reducing instability of top soil
The removal of all vegetation such as
bushes, trees and scrubs.
The digging out and clearing away of tree
roots.
The demolition of existing buildings
The removal of soil to reduced level.
Removing boulders, stones and rubble

 To remove termite nests

To produce a sound and level platform

3. HOARDING
Under the highway act a close boarded
fencing must be erected prior to the
commencement of building operations if
such are adjacent to a highway or public
footpath. Hoarding is part of the
temporary close boarded or open
boarded fence or barrier erected/installed
on a construction site

REASONS/PURPOSE FOR
HOARDING

- Public protection

- Material/equipment protection
- Security
- Reduces vandalism
- Prevents interruption and interference
- safeguard the work in progress
- To keep out stray animals
- Safety

EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR

REASONS GIVEN

Public protection to reduce the risk of

accidents by keeping activities on the site away
from outside persons. protect the public from
possible hazards from the site such as dust,
falling objects, moving equipment and noise
Material/equipment protection to reduce
theft of materials.

 Reduces vandalism prevents persons

from interfering or destroying items on the
site.
Security to ensure workers and
equipment are safe on the site as well as
protection against theft and vandalism of
materials and installations.

 Prevents interruptions and interference

persons or animals from the outside would
not be able to distract workers on the site.
Safety enclosing the construction area to
protect passers-by/public against injury
during any construction work. It assists in
guarding against litigation

 To keep out stray animals to prevent

animals from falling into excavation trenches
or damage trenches.
Control to reduce the movement of
workers and avoidance of unwarranted
interruptions and distractions. Activities
should be carried out with minimum
inconvenience. The movement of supply
vehicles and the receipt of goods should be
planned and controlled at all times.

SITE ACCESS
Access to the site is usually by a pair of
gates. Typically, the entrance should be 12
feet to16 feet (3657.6mm to 4876.8mm)
in width. The gates are normally hung to
open inwards so that they do not obstruct
the foot path or public highway.

 Barricades are normally put around a site

to prevent unwanted access.
Signs are placed at strategic points for
proper directions to wanted and unwanted
personnel.
Lights provide illumination at nights to
prevent accidents or unwanted access.

TO ALIGN A TEMPORARY
FENCING.
Plumb the two posts at either end of the
fence, stretch two builders lines between
one near the top and the other near the
bottom of the posts.
The post should be positioned upright in the
hole after which you should use a spirit level
to ensure that it is vertical.

 The appropriate spacing for the postholes

is between 1.8m and 3m centers
The depth of a post into the ground should
be 600mm for fences up to 1.2m in
height.
The depth of the post into the ground
should be 750mm for fences up to 1.8m
in height

4. LAYOUT SIMPLE
BUILDINGS/STRUCTURES
In laying out of a simple building,
you must be conversant with the
legal considerations as well as the
actual layout practice.

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
This is necessary to avoid genuine mistakes
and possible mistakes. Such considerations
involve:
i. Boundary lines the survey map will show
the actual size of the lot by identifying the
boundary lines. During layout, the first set of
distances (measurements) would be
developed from these lines.

ii. Codes and regulations (see size in

factors affecting choice of site)
iii. Permits - this refers to the written consent
granted by the local authority. Permission
is normally required by a contractor before
the start of any construction works.
iv. Building Line this is a line measured
from the center of the road which no part of
the building should exceed.

METHODS
Considering the actual layout of the building,
it is necessary to be conversant with the
tools and equipment before actually
beginning with the layout.
Tools & Equipment tools and equipment
used for laying out buildings vary according
to the builders resources, as well as nature
and scope of the project. These tools
normally include:

i. For squaring corners Builders square,

framing square, 3,4,5 or 6,8,10 Pythagoras
method (using tape measure), optical
square or site square.
ii. Measuring measuring tape or chain
iii. Elevations line & plumb bob, aqua level,
laser level, spirit level, line level, surveyors
level
iv. Identification stakes and sledge
hammer

TECHNIQUE FOR LAYING OUT

The most essential aspect of a simple
layout is establishing the corners of the
proposed building.
Building corners a copy of the plot plan
for the building should be available before
layout is approached.

a) Find out the distance from the site

boundary to the building line on the
working drawings. A line is first
established from the set back distance
to the front of the property line.
b) Use the tape measure to measure the
same distance from the site boundary to
the location of the building line on the
ground.

Select a corner on the ground to be

corner A
c) The corner is then identified and
staked using the off set distance from
the side property line.
d) Repeat the same step to place a peg in
the ground for corner B

STEPS USED IN LAYING OUT OF A

BUILDING

Step 1:

Locate profile boards (or batter boards) at

approximate floor level height, using a spirit
level/line level and chord line, to ensure that the
profile board around the entire perimeter are
accurately levelled.

Profiles must extent a minimum of

2 outside building dimension.

Step 2:
On these profile boards the shape and exact
dimensions of the building will be marked.

Step 3:
Mark the positions of walls, foundations and
ensure squareness. Locate the position of wall
and foundation on first set of profiles, marking
with pencil, nail or saw cut.
Step 4:
Locate second and subsequent walls and
foundations using lines and:
Masons square
Builders square
The 3:4:5 method

Step 5:
To mark out the foundation, locate lines in
the position marked on the profiles for
foundation.
Use a trail of sand, spray paint or other
suitable material to mark out the position
of foundation on ground in preparation for
excavation.

Marking out foundation (single nail) and wall

width (double nail) on batter board.

Marking out foundation (single nail) and wall

width (double nail) on batter board.

 The 3:4:5 method: any combination of the ratio

will ensure a square corner. Example, using a long
tape and setting out triangle with sides e.g. (15 x
20 x 25)

To check the accuracy and squareness of the

laying out (setting out), the diagonal method
may be used.
To do this, use a long tape to measure both
diagonals. Their measurement should be the
same. If they are not, re-check the squareness of
each corner and the measurement of each wall
length.

THE DIAGONAL METHOD for checking

squareness of building

3:4:5 method for checking squareness of corners

Setting up profiles for a L-shaped building

Profiles

Figure showing profile/batter

board

Sloping sites
When laying out on sloping site or
obstructed lands, all measurements should
be level. Pegs, stakes or posts are
positioned on, or driven into, the ground
to act as intermediate measuring stations.
Ideally, batter boards should be
constructed from the highest elevation
point.

stake

Profile board
Measure distance

Leveled
tape
Plumb bob

stake
Projected distance

Ground level

5. REASONS FOR TRMPORARY

SHELTERS

Site office normally provided for large

projects to house the general foreman and his

clerical staff as it is the communication center.
It also assists in the daily administration of the
project.
Changing room and sanitary facilities to
ensure the cleanliness of the workers and the
worksite
Workshop to assist carpenters, steel benders
and other trades men in their work.

 Tool & Equipment storage- trades men

are normally required to carry and secure
their own tools. The main contractor for
expediency and for special purposes may
find it necessary to carry a supply of
special tools and equipment which would
be available to the workmen. It also
carries other items that can only be
released on special issue such as locks,
paints and small tools.

 Material storage this is provided to

protect materials from theft or damage. Such
store would carry materials such as
reinforcing steel, rough lumber, tiles and
cement.
Store room to store and organize
materials
Warehouse use for the storage of delicate
components and fittings such as doors,
windows, light fittings, receptacles, electrical
and plumbing appliances etc.

6. PURPOSES OF TEMPORARY
SERVICES

Temporary services relate to the provision

of utilities for the purpose of facilitating
construction activities as well as providing
conveniences for workers such as toilet
facilities, drinking water and adequate
lighting. These supplies normally include
gas, water, compressed air, electricity and
telephone.

Conveniences
These include conveniences for personnel and
work process.
Personnel
Provision under the factories act allows for
provision of certain conveniences for workers.
Temporary services assist in the provision of
drinking water, adequate lighting and toilet
facilities. Drinking water and toilet facilities
should be positioned for quick access thus
reducing idle time.

Work processes
Utilities supplied to the site can be used to
drive (power) plant and equipment or
provide ingredients for preparing certain
materials. Examples of supplies used for
driving plant and equipment are:.
Telephone to order material, emergency,
communication.

Work processes CONTD

Water mixing concrete, drinking, washing
hands, sanitary purposes, bathing
Gas and oil turbine and hydraulic tools
and equipment, heating
Electricity electric tools, machines and
equipment, lighting for site in the night
Heat asphaltic processes

 Air use to operate pneumatic tools

and equipment, spray painting,
excavating and compacting

Communication
Communication includes physical and verbal
contact between the agencies and processes
during the life of the project. Factors to be
considered in communication are temporary
roads for access to the site and storage areas,
as well as possible telephone or two way radio
contacts for placing orders and dealing with
routing administration and contingencies
which are important.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Obj. 1.

List THREE factors to consider when

selecting a building site

Obj. 2.

State THREE reasons for stripping a building

Obj. 3.

State FOUR reasons for hoarding a building

site, and write brief explanatory notes on any

THREE of the reasons.
Obj. 4.

Name and sketch TWO methods of checking

for squareness when setting out a building.

site.

Obj. 4.

Explain (with the aid of sketches,) how

a. To install profile boards when setting out a

building
b.Squareness should be checked after setting out
a small building
Obj. 5.

State ONE purpose for EACH of the

following temporary shelters on a building site

a. Site office
b.Sanitary facilities
c. Storeroom

Obj. 6.

Explain the purpose of EACH of

the following temporary services on a

building site.
a. Water
b. Electricity
c. Telephone
d. gas

1.
a)
b)
c)
d)

The first task in setting out a structure is usually to

Clear the site
Establish the building line
Establish the non-bearing wall
Provide a ground-water drainage

2.
a)
b)
c)
d)

Top soil is removed from a building site because it is

A good practice to back-fill the area
Necessary to dispose of water quickly
Unsuitable for building foundations
Difficult to do construction work in water

3.
i.
ii.
iii.

Which of the following factors influences house design?

Availability of land for building
The nature of the building
The closeness of services

a)
b)
c)
d)

I and II only
I and III only
II and III only
I, II and III

4.
a)
b)
c)
d)

The site drawing above shows the batter board labeled

I
II
III
IV

5.
a)
b)
c)
d)

The purpose of hoarding is to provide

office accommodation
site security
stepped foundations
ground support

6. The drawing above shows the layout for the

corner of a house. If the corner is square,
then XY is
a)15
b)20
c)25
d)30

Multiple choice answer

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

A
C
D
D
B
A