Resources in Construction / Materials
Materials for Construction
No construction project can proceed satisfactorily without materials. In
smaller companies accounts may be set up with some suppliers and
foremen are given the responsibility for ordering materials. With medium
or large companies the purchasing of materials is usually handled by head
office staff. However the site manager could be given this responsibility
on smaller contracts.
Material management includes
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Quality control and scheduling / testing
Ordering
Handling and storage
Waste control
Security
Materials for Construction
Quality control
Prior 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.
Materials for Construction
Ordering materials
The 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.
Materials for Construction
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.
Materials for Construction
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.
Materials for Construction
Security
Theft and vandalism cause problems on many building sites. The losses
incurred 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 their
loss causes delays to production and an increase in insurance costs. It is
difficult to define a set of rules which would prevent theft and vandalism
on sites. They vary so much in size and location. Some
prevention measures are
– Checking deliveries
– Stop Site operatives taking items
– Control of vandalism
– Vigilance against theft
– Crime prevention
– Security
Materials for Construction
Storage
Correct 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.
Materials for Construction
Storage
Correct 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.
Materials for Construction