Introduction
Materials needed for construction operations must be stored and handled in a manner that avoids deterioration and damage to the materials, ensures the safety of workers during transshipment, and does not affect public life, including public safety, damage prevention to public property, and natural resources.
Materials should be stored and placed so as not to endanger the public, workers, or adjacent property. Materials should be stacked on a well-drained, level, and rigid surface. Material stacks should not place undue stress on walls or other structures.
There is a correlation between the quality of the preparation that goes into formulating a work plan and the effectiveness of management and control in the execution and operational phases. This requires effectively coordinating the efforts of all stakeholders and identifying tasks that may hamper the timely completion of the project. Otherwise, project time and cost overruns may occur. Therefore, it is necessary to apply modern and scientific techniques in the design, management and control of construction.
General guidelines for storage and handling of building materials
Materials should be stored in a manner to prevent deterioration or entry of foreign matter and to ensure the preservation of their quality and suitability for use at work. Materials should also be stored in a manner that protects them from the elements, fire, and other hazards.
During the construction period, stairs, passageways, and corridors must not be obstructed by the storage of materials, tools, or waste.
Materials such as wood, charcoal, paint, etc. must be stored in such a way that there is no risk of fire.
Materials likely to be affected by subsidence, such as prefabs, large-scale timber, etc., must be provided with unyielding supports. In flood-prone areas, materials shall be stored in an appropriate manner to prevent them from being washed away or damaged by flooding.
Combustible materials such as kerosene, gasoline, etc. must be stored in accordance with the relevant applicable regulations and agency regulations to ensure safety during storage.
Guidelines for storing cement on construction sites
Cement should be stored on-site in a dry, watertight and preferably moisture-proof building or shed. The building should have a minimum number of closed windows and doors, which should be kept closed as much as possible.
Cement stored in bags should be stacked and free from moisture or moisture coming into contact with the bags.
In stacks, cement bags should be placed close together to minimize air circulation.
During monsoons or if it is to be stored for a long period of time, the stack should be completely covered by a waterproof membrane, e.g., a polyethylene film surrounded.
Cement stored in drums can be arranged vertically with caps on top. After partial use of cement in barrels, the breech should be securely fastened to prevent moisture penetration. A maximum of 3 barrels can be stacked high.
Cement bags should be stored/stacked on wooden boards above the ground so that they –
• Clearance above the floor from 150 mm to 200 mm.
• Minimum distance of 450 mm between the bags and the outer walls.
• Stack height should not exceed 15 bags to avoid the possibility of clumping under pressure.
• The stack width should not exceed four bag lengths or 3 m.
• For stacks greater than 8 bags high, the cement bags must be alternated lengthwise and crosswise to keep the stacks together and minimize the risk of tipping.
Guidelines for storing lime on construction sites
Quicklime quickly decomposes on exposure by absorbing moisture and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Therefore, it should be stacked as soon as possible before it begins to deteriorate.
Hydrated lime is usually supplied in containers such as jute sacks, polyethylene, or HDPE woven sacks lined with polyethylene or kraft paper sacks. It should be stored indoors to protect the lime from moisture and minimize storage deterioration.
Dry slaked lime should be stored on a platform adequately protected from rain and wind if it is to be processed within a few days. For long-term storage, a maximum of 2 months, it can be stored in a dry and locked place.
The following must be observed for correct lime storage
• Piles should be stored on a suitable platform and covered to avoid direct contact with moisture/rain or blowing away.
• When stored in a covered shed, a minimum clearance of 300mm must be maintained around the posts to avoid swelling of the walls.
Guidelines for storing bricks on construction sites
Bricks should not be thrown on the site. They should be stacked in even rows when unloading to minimize brick breakage and deterioration.
The bricks should be placed close to the construction site so that the least amount of effort is required to offload and re-transport the bricks by loading them onto pallets or wheelbarrows.
Building blocks should be loaded in pairs unless palletized. Unloading of bricks or other manipulations that may damage the corners or edges or other parts of the building blocks is not allowed.
Brick Stacking Guidelines-
• Stacks are 50 bricks long and 10 bricks high, with bricks placed on the edge.
• The width of each stack should be 6 to 8 bricks.
• The free distance between adjacent posts must not be less than 0.8 m.
• Bricks of different types and classes must be stacked separately.
Guidelines for storage of aggregates on construction sites
Aggregate should be stored on-site on a hard, dry ground surface. If such a surface is not available, a platform should be made of boards or corrugated iron, a floor of dry brick, or a thin layer of lean concrete to prevent the mixing of clay, dust, plants, and other extraneous matter. Question.
Piles of fine and coarse aggregate should be kept in separate piles, spaced far enough apart to prevent material from mixing at the edges of the piles.
On a large site, it is desirable to erect partitions to give each type of aggregate its own compartment.
Fine aggregate should be stored where wind loss is minimal.
Unless otherwise specified or required by site conditions, aggregate stacking should be done in regular sizes
The suggested sizes of stacks for aggregates are as follows:
Guidelines for storing steel on construction sites
Separate bars must be reserved for storage of each steel classification (type and grade). It is desirable that the ends of the bars and sections of each class be painted in separate and different colors.
Steel reinforcement should generally be stored in a way that avoids deformation and prevents wear and corrosion.
It is desirable to coat the frame with cement plaster before stacking to prevent calcification and rusting.
Bars of different classifications, sizes, and lengths should be stocked separately to facilitate distribution in those sizes and lengths to minimize waste when cutting standard lengths.
For long-term storage, the rebar should be stacked at least ISO mm above the ground. When storing for such a long time, a layer of cement detergent should be applied to prevent scale and rust.
Other structural steel sections of other classifications (types and grades), sizes, and lengths should be stored separately. It should be stored at least 150mm above the ground on platforms, skids, or other suitable supports to avoid deformation of the sections.