Caribbean Disaster Mitigation Project

Implemented by the Organization of American States Unit of Sustainable Development and Environment for the USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance and the Caribbean Regional Program

Drawings to Accompany the Building Guidelines

Section B: Concrete Construction
Introduction | Section A | Section B| Section C | Section D | Section E | Section F | Section G Download AutoCAD DWG files (zip archive): Section A | Section B | Section C | Sections D-G

Figure B-1: Permissible Arrangement of Strip Footings All exterior walls and interior load-bearing walls should be supported on reinforced concrete strip footings. Interior walls may be supported by thickening the slab under the wall and suitably reinforcing it. The foundations should generally be located on a layer of soil or rock with good bearing characteristics. Such soils would include dense sands, marl, other granular materials and stiff clays. The foundation should be cast not less than 1 6" to 2 0" below ground, its thickness not less than 9" and its width not less than 24" or a minimum of three times the width of the wall immediately supported by it. Where clays must be used as the foundation bearing material, the width of the footing should be increased to a minimum of 2 6".

Figure B-2: Typical Spread Footing Detail When separate reinforced concrete columns or concrete block columns are used they should be supported by square footings not less than 2-0" square and 12" thick. For columns footings, the minimum reinforcement should be " diameter bars at 6" centres in both directions forming a 6" mesh.

Figure B-3: Reinforcement of Strip Footings Reinforcement in the foundation is needed to ensure the continuity of the structure. This is particularly important in cases of bad ground or where the building may be subjected to earthquake forces. The reinforcement is assumed to be deformed high yield steel bars which are commonly supplied in the OECS. For strip footings, the minimum reinforcement should consist of 2 No. 4 (") bars placed longitudinally and " diameter bars placed transversely at 12" centres.

Figure B-4: Concrete Floor in Timber Construction

Figure B-5: Concrete Strip Footing and Concrete Base with Timber Construction An acceptable arrangement for a foundation of a small timber building with a concrete or wood floor is shown in these figures. This construction is suitable in reasonably stiff soils or marl. Where the building will be on rock, the thickness of the footing may be reduced, but timber buildings are very light and can easily be blown off of their foundations. Therefore the building must be securely bolted to the concrete footing, and the footings must be heavy enough to prevent uplift.

Figure B-6: Typical Block Masonry Details Concrete blocks used in walls should be sound and free from cracks and their edges should be straight and true. The nominal width of blocks for exterior walls and load bearing interior walls should be a minimum of 6 inches and the face shell a minimum thickness of 1". It is better to construct exterior walls of 8" thick concrete block. Non-load bearing partitions may be constructed using blocks with a nominal thickness of 4" or 6". Blockwork walls should be reinforced both vertically and horizontally; this is to resist hurricane and earthquake loads. It is normal practice in most of the OECS to use concrete columns at all corners and intersections. Door and window jambs must be reinforced. The recommended minimum reinforcement for concrete block construction is as follows: i. ii. iii. iv. 4-" diameter bars at corners vertically. 2-" diameter bars at junctions vertically. 2-" diameter bars at jambs of doors and windows for horizontal wall reinforcement use "Dur-o-waL (or similar) or " bars every other course as follows: 4" blocks 1 bar 6" blocks 2 bars 8" blocks 2 bars v. For vertical wall reinforcement use " bars spaced as follows:

4" blocks 32 6" blocks 24 8" blocks 16

Figure B-7: Concrete Column Detail Columns should have minimum dimensions of 8" x 8" and may be formed by formwork on four sides or formwork on two sides with blockwork on the other two. The minimum column reinforcement should be 4- diameter bars with " stirrups at 6" centres. A filled core column or poured concrete column should be placed full height to the belt course (ring beam) at each door jamb.

Figure B-8: Alternate Footing Arrangements for Block Masonry This reinforced concrete footing is constructed monolithically with the floor slab. It consists of a series of slab thickenings under the walls with a minimum 12"deep downstand on the perimeter. The footing is placed entirely on well compacted granular material.

Figure B-9: Floor Slab Detail The reinforced concrete floor slab is kept free of the perimeter walls. The mesh reinforcement in the slab is placed in the top with 1" covers. The slab is constructed on well compacted granular fill, crushed stone or marl.

Figure B-10: Alternative Floor Slab Detail The suspended reinforced concrete slab is tied into the external capping beam at floor level. The top (steel) reinforcement is important. The main reinforcement should be of the order of " diameter at 9" centres, and the distribution steel 3/8" diameter at 12" centres.

Figure B-11: Fixing Detail for Vernadah Rail to Column It is important that the rails be adequately fixed into the side column. At a minimum the bolts should be galvanised to prevent corrosion. Epoxy grout or chemical anchors are recommmended for fixing the baluster into the concrete column.

Figure B-12: Reinforcement Arrangement for Suspended Slabs The reinforcement should be bent and fixed by knowledgeable workmen. Care must be taken to maintain the top steel in the top with adequate cover.

Figure B-13: Reinforcement Arrangement for Suspended Beams The reinforcement should be bent and fixed by knowledgeable workmen. Care must be taken to maintain the top steel in the top with adequate cover.

Figure B-14: Reinforcement Arrangement for Suspended Cantilever Beams The reinforcement should be bent and fixed by knowledgeable workmen. Care must be taken to maintain the top steel in the top with adequate cover.

Figure B-15: Reinforcement Arrangement for Suspended Stairs

Drawings to Accompany the Building Guidelines

Section C: Timber Construction
Introduction | Section A | Section B | Section C | Section D | Section E | Section F | Section G Download AutoCAD DWG files (zip archive): Section A | Section B | Section C | Sections D-G

Figure C-1: Alternative Foundation for a Small Timber Building With timber construction the foundation must ensure that the building is adequately supported. For most timber buildings the foundation must be firmly anchored to the ground to prevent the building from being moved by high winds. This foundation alternative describes a timber post concreted into a hole in firm soil. Greenheart or pressure treated timber must be used.

Figure C-2: Fixing Detail for Timber Joist Bearing on a Concrete Beam

Figure C-3: Fixing Detail for Timber Rafter to a Timber Header

Figure C-4: Alternative Fixing Arrangements for Pillar Supports at Floors to Resist Uplift

Drawings to Accompany the Building Guidelines

Section D: Steel Construction
Introduction | Section A | Section B| Section C | Section D | Section E | Section F | Section G Download AutoCAD DWG files (zip archive): Section A | Section B | Section C | Sections D-G

Figure D-1: Steel Column Pedestal and Footing Foundations for steel framed buildings generally consist of a reinforced concrete pad located at a suitable depth on a bearing stratum. The pad supports a stub column which has the column holding down bolts cast into it. The height of the stub column is such that the column base is located at the desired elevation. Since steel framed buildings are comparatively light weight structures, the footing size is determined by the size of the adequate anchor required to prevent uplift due to wind. The size of

footing should therefore be provided by the designer or supplier, and the horizontal restraint needed at the column bases must also be shown on the drawing. Because of this, it is not possible to provide specific design guidelines for the footing, since the size of the footing is dependent upon the forces which would be generated by the wind. Experienced engineers would be required to carry out a wind analysis, the result of which would permit design of the footing to be undertaken.

Drawings to Accompany the Building Guidelines

Section E: Fire Prevention and Fire Safety
Introduction | Section A | Section B| Section C | Section D | Section E | Section F | Section G Download AutoCAD DWG files (zip archive): Section A | Section B | Section C | Sections D-G

Figure E-1(a): Cover Details for Reinforced Concrete Members

Figure E-1(b): Cover Details for Reinforcement Concrete Members

Adequate concrete cover to reinforcement is required for both durability and fire resistance. The covers recommended should provide a fire resistance of about 4 hours.

Drawings to Accompany the Building Guidelines

Section F: Plumbing, Sanitation, Water Supply and Gas Installations
Introduction | Section A | Section B | Section C | Section D | Section E | Section F | Section G Download AutoCAD DWG files (zip archive): Section A | Section B | Section C | Sections D-G

Figure F-1: Schematic Drawing Showing Connection of Fixtures for a Single Storey Dwelling The general arrangement for connection of fixtures to a single stack is depicted. It is important that no soil or waste pipes discharge into bends attached to a water closet (WC) bowl. The pipes must be laid to adequate falls to the service manhole.

Figure F-2: Detail of Manhole Construction Manholes are to be installed at every change of direction and gradient, spaced no more than 60 feet apart. Manholes are constructed of reinforced concrete or blockwork and the drain where it passes through the manhole shall be carried in an open benched channel. Manhole covers are typically of steel, cast iron or concrete and are to be airtight and fitted with lifting handles to facilitate removal.

Figure F-3: Conventional Privy Pit privies shall preferably be located on the leeward side of a building and shall be ventilated. Privies shall not be used in areas where the water table is within 2 feet of the surface since they will not function well. The precast concrete slab pit privy has been adopted by many health authorities. There shall be openings at the top of the walls to dissipate odours. For maximum odour control a vent pipe can be installed in the tank to carry odours away from the privy. The vent pipe shall be at least 6.0 inches (150 mm) in diameter, painted black, screened with a wire gauze and located on the sunny side of the latrine so that air inside the pipe will heat up and create an up-draft. The pipe shall extend a minimum of 2 feet above the roof of the privy. The door should open outwards to minimize the internal floor area.The toilet shall be sufficiently screened to discourage flies. The walls and roof shall be weatherproof, shall provide privacy, exclude vermin and be architecturally compatible in external appearance with the main house.

Figure F-4: Details of Construction of Water Cistern In areas without a public water supply, a water storage cistern should be constructed for each house or dwelling, along with a rainwater collection system from the roof or other suitable catchment. The size of a typical storage tank or cistern is as shown. The water storage cistern can be located under one or more buildings of a dwelling group or consist of a separate tank remotely located. The cistern shall be located uphill and as far as practical from any septic tank, privy, soakaway, or leaching tile field. The water storage cistern shall be preferably reinforced concrete and provided with access hatches to allow cleaning out and repairs. The cover of the water storage cistern shall be of a durable, non-rotting material. Wood or plywood is generally not satisfactory. The cover must be tightly fitting to prevent mosquito breeding. Light should be excluded from the cistern water to prevent the growth of algae. Sufficient overflows must be provided to prevent flooding of dwellings. The overflows must be screened to prevent the entrance of mosquitoes, frogs, or other vermin.

Figure F-5: Standard Septic Tank Details

The basic function of a septic tank is to receive domestic sewage, partially treat it, segregate the solids, and discharge the liquid to a tile field or soakaway. Anaerobic bacterial action breaks down much of the solid matter into liquids and gases. While in an efficiently operating tank the liquid discharge is comparatively clear, tanks do not accomplish a high degree of bacteria removal and infectious agents including pathogenic organisms may be widespread in the effluent which is "septic". The primary purpose of the tank is to condition sewage. To provide for maximum solids removal, adequate tank capacity is necessary.

Figure F-6: Alternative Arrangements of Sanitary Fixtures in a Bathroom Six different arrangements of small two- and three-fixture bathrooms are depicted. The dimensions shown are the minima for proper use of the spaces.

Figure F-7: Typical Plumbing Layout for a Small House All plumbing shall be installed in a workmanlike manner. The water supply pipes should be provided with a properly protected and easily accessible stop cock or gate valve near to the boundary. The fixtures should be of smooth, hard, durable, impervious and corrosion-resistant

materials, free from flaws and blemishes. All fixtures connected to foul drawings shall be trapped as close to the fixture as possible. The water closets shall have a vent pipe of not less than 1 inches in diameter. A drain laid under a floor on fill, must be laid in a straight line for its entire length beneath the building, and should not exceed 40 feet in length.

Figure F-8(a): Soak-Aways in Areas with a High Water Table

Figure F-8(b): Soak-Aways in Areas with a Low Water Table Soakaways shall be used as alternatives to shallow absorption fields where sub-surface conditions are feasible. They shall never be used where there is likelihood of contaminating underground water supplies, such as areas with fresh water wells. The most suitable disposal

system is dependant on the percolation rate and this is generally determined by the Public Health Authority. In the construction of soakaways, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent the side walls from collapsing while workmen are in the hole.The soakaway pit is to be lined with stones, bricks, or concrete blocks laid up dry with open joints backed up with at least 3" of gravel. The bottom of the pit is to be filled with coarse gravel (pea rock), to depth of at least two feet. The cover is to be made of reinforced concrete or steel. Where two soakaways are to be constructed they shall be located not less than three times the largest of the surface dimensions apart. Soakaways may be used in all areas for the disposal of excess rainwater or run-off from buildings that is not of a septic nature.

Drawings to Accompany the Building Guidelines

Section G: Electrical Guidelines
Introduction | Section A | Section B| Section C | Section D | Section E | Section F | Section G Download AutoCAD DWG files (zip archive): Section A | Section B | Section C | Sections D-G

Figure G-1: Typical Electrical Plan for a Small House Electrical installations, including the service capacity of the installation, and the number and distribution of circuits shall meet the requirements of the relevant Electricity Regulations. This sketch covers single-phase electrical services for residential construction under 2000sq.ft. All electrical services shall be installed by an experienced electrician in accordance with the Electricity Regulations governing the installation of electrical service, and in accordance with the relevant Electrical Code. Only experienced and/or licensed electricians should install electrical systems.

Figure G-2: Typical Sections of Wall Showing Locations of Fixtures