HINTS ON SUPERVISION OF WORKS I a) GENERAL

Study carefully all drawings, specifications and contract conditions. Without a thorough knowledge of these you cannot possibly supervise the work effectively. Make notes of salient features of the contract and keep it as a ready reference. Ensure that the Site Instruction Book is always available at site and all important events are entered in it, when there is more than one engineer at site, the site instruction book should preferably be signed by the designated engineer(s) only. Ensure that the contractors work is properly organized and there are adequate arrangements for office, storage, water supply and electric supply etc. Do not interfere with the contractors organization unless you have a definite plan for its improvement. Do not be a spectator at site. Correct faults as soon as you see them. You can effectively contribute to raising the standards of work by making each tradesman do a small sample of his work under your close supervision. Insist on all his work being upto the standard of his sample. Extend the above concept and complete a sample unit as early as possible. Reject all bad work as soon as it is noticed and insist on its being immediately dismantled or rectified. If the contractor fails or cannot rectify immediately follow the procedure and raise a Non Conformance Report. You should also make an entry in the site instruction book and get it signed by the contractor. Bring such defects to the notice of the Inspecting Officers. Ensure that tools and instruments for checking and supervision of works are readily available at site and use them constantly. Avoid checking of small measurements with measuring tape. Supervise work on a daily basis but do not have a fixed routine. your routine both with reference to time and items of work checked. Vary

b) c)

d)

e)

f) g)

h)

i) j) k)

Do not allow inadequate or dangerous scaffolding and observe all safety norms even if enforcing safety is not in the PMCs scope of work. Complete the construction site daily report, document no. EXPF- RT0411 with relevant information of contractors labour, material, weather conditions, progress of work hindrances and other relevant information.

l)

Ensure proper co-ordination between various trades such as concrete and masonry work on the one hand and water proofing, plumbing, sanitary works and internal electrification on the other. Ensure that all materials required to be incorporated in the work are duly tested with reference to IS, contract specifications and approved by the Competent Authority. Frequent and random checks must be carried out to ensure that only approved material is used. II SETTING OUT Ensure you have a proper foundation plan before setting out. Verify the orientation and set out the center lines on the ground. Verify that there are no services such as water mains, sewer lines, drains, cables etc. interfering with the layout. Use only a standard steel tape for all measurements in connection with setting out. Drive in wooden pegs, clear of the foundation line and on the extension of centre lines. The top of the peg should be left a little above the proposed plinth level. Mark the extension of the centre line exactly on these pegs and drive in nails to mark the alignment with the head of the nail projecting about 15mm above the peg. Recheck all dimensions and right angles. Right angles should be checked by taking tape measurements in the ratio of 3:4 along the two perpendicular sides. The third side (should measure should measure five units. Build up masonry pillars around the pegs and finish with cement plaster to match exactly with the plinth level. You can now correctly set out foundations trenches and check all alignments and plinth levels from these markers. III FOUNDATION

m)

a) b) c) d)

e)

f)

g) h)

a) b) c)

Insist on all excavated material being kept at least 1m away from the trenches. Check the base of the foundation trench for soft spots or cavities. If necessary have these dug out and refilled. Refilling upto plinth level must be done in layers of 15 cms and well watered and rammed.

d)

The concrete should be laid in layers not more than 15 cms thick when without vibration and not more than 30 cms thick with vibration. As a guide check lines can be snapped along the sides of the trench indicating required thickness. IV BRICK WORK

a) b) c) d)

Ensure that the correct bond as specified is used. Do not allow bricks of different sizes in the same work. Do not allow brick bats except where closers are required. Ensure that the bricks are well soaked before use. Check frequently for i. ii. iii. iv. v. e) f) Thickness of masonry Verticality along the sides as well as corners Horizontal courses Breaking of joints and Thickness of joints. See that joints are properly filled. Masons prefer to lay bricks dry and fill mortar from the top. Do not allow this. Ensure that holdfast and holding down bars are as specified and treated with preservative. As far as possible have these installed in your presence and ensure they are properly surrounded with mortar or concrete as specified. Check sizes of all rooms as soon as the works start on super structure. Masonry works above eye level is generally not supervised but it is essential to do so. Insist on ladders and good scaffolding being provided to inspect the masonry. Work should generally proceed at one level when for any reason it becomes necessary to leave any portion of work, see that the masonry is stepped back and not merely toothed. Masons are generally careless about making sides of doors and windows truly vertical. Check these frequently as work goes up. Also ensure that lintels are horizontal and provided with adequate bearing.

g) h)

i)

j)

The above apply generally to Block work also

STONE MASONRY Apart from common points covered above in brick work, following points need to be kept in mind.

a)

Avoid laminated stone and ensure that the stone used is the best available and as specified. The tendency to provide good facing stone and filling the hearting with small pieces and rubbish should be avoided. The ideal to be aimed is a maximum of large stone and a minimum of a mortar. Check all bond stones are in correct position and they are marked with paint at both ends. Uncover stone so marked at random to confirm that they are infact bond stones. Checking for verticality in stone masonry is even more important due to irregular size and shape. VI PLAIN AND REINFORCED CONCRETE

b)

c)

a) b) c)

Before concreting ensure that labour, material approaches, walk ways are properly organized. Keep a constant check on the water content and never permit addition of water after mixing is completed. For site mixed concrete without any admixture, it is a safe rule to place all concrete with proper compaction within 30 minutes after adding water to the mix. Do not allow further ramming or reworking after the initial set of cement. At the close of a days work any unfinished concrete should be stepped and joint preferably covered with damp Hessian / gunny bags. Avoid concreting under adverse conditions i.e. either wet or too cold or too hot. Where unavoidable ensure all precautions and procedures are strictly followed Ensure continuous and proper curing and do not remove forms until the concrete has hardened. All reinforcement bars should be cleaned and free from scales, oil, grease etc., Placement of reinforcement should be checked for spacing, diameter, lap length, tying up, dimension of hooks and bends & cover.

d) e)

f) g) h)

i)

All concrete should be adequately compacted by vibration using the correct type and size of vibrator and correct procedure VII JOINERY

a) b) c)

Check that the timber used is of specified species and class and is matured and seasoned. Joints in wood work should be properly made. This is extremely important as very few carpenters employed at sites are really skilled tradesman. Open and close all doors and windows and check hinges and screws. Similarly check all hardware fittings for correct positioning and ease of operation. Hardware should also be checked for dimension and weight as specified. VIII AC SHEET ROOFING Strictly follow the code of practice issued by sheet manufacturer. This will give you the number and position of hook bolts and the correct method of fixing and fitting of AC sheet and use of bitumen washers. AC sheets should not be bolted down too tightly. This will lead to breakages when the sheets expand in hot weather. IX PAINTING AND GLAZING

a)

Ensure that the surface is thoroughly clean and stopped before application of prime coat. Cleaning should also be done before application of subsequent coats. Do not allow use of rags, cotton waste, damaged brushes for painting. Do not allow painting to be done on damp surface. When ready mix paint is used ensure that sealed containers are brought to site and opened in your presence. Paint should be well stirred before and during use. See that the top and bottom edges of joinery are also painted. In fixing glazing ensure the use of back putty so that the panes sit firmly and do not rattle. Check weight of glass.

b)

c) d) e)

PLASTERING AND POINTING

a)

See that all joints are thoroughly raked out before work commences. If joints are not struck as the work progress, insist on joint being raked out every evening as otherwise mortar will set and subsequently raking out will be not only difficult but will also damage the edges of the bricks. The joints should be washed and well wetted before commencing of work. In plastering see that laths (bull marks) are used to mark thickness of coat required. Laths should not be more than 1.5m apart. In two coat work the first coat should not exceed the specified thickness and should be kept wet for 7 days before second coat is applied. Ensure that plastering is even and in plane. All precautions should be taken to ensue proper grading of sand, mixing of mortar and curing after the work is completed. XI SANITARY FITTINGS

b) c) d) e)

a) b) c)

Check that sanitary fittings are fixed at correct heights and in the correct position. Before fixing ensure that fittings are free from flaws such as cracks, dents and distortions and the glazing is uniform. On installation all fittings should be checked for proper functioning. XII SEWERAGE

a) b) c)

Ensure that the alignment, width and depth of the excavations for pipes and manholes are correctly maintained. All pipes should be free from cracks and SWG pipes should be uniformly glazed. Every line and manhole should be tested before covering with earth. Manholes should be provided at proper intervals and the floor of the manhole should have proper benching to ensure smooth flow. XIII a) INTERNAL ELECTRIFICATION AND WATER SUPPLY Layout diagram for internal wiring, pipe lines showing location of fittings and fixtures should be prepared and got approved before commencement of work. Holes, chases etc made in the structure should be filled properly and made good to match the surrounding. All work must be thoroughly tested before acceptance.

b) c)

d)

In approving material for electrification, the following points should be noted. I. The make of the item should be one of those given in contract. ii. iii. iv. v The sources of purchase should be an authorized or reputed dealer. The items brought to site should be new and not used. The finish of the items should be to accepted standards. The physical dimension, gauge, weight etc, should be as specified.

e) f) g) h) i)

Batten used should be well seasoned of Teak wood and not sap wood. It is preferable to mount all approved samples on a board and display at site for easy reference. All electrical work should be carried out only by licensed electrical contractor. The position of switches and fittings at site should be marked and got approved. Wooden gutties should be avoided and instead, fasteners or screws driven into good quality plastic plugs used. If gutties are provided they should not be more than 75 cm apart and installed with the large end inside and the small end flush with the finished wall or ceiling. All wiring runs should be either vertical or horizontal. Do not allow diagonal runs. All service wiring within 1.5m from the floor should be protected by pipe / conduit. Ensure that the correct capacity of MCB and fuses are used. Switch boxes and boards should be clean and without any trace of dead mortar, cut pieces of wires, screws and washers etc., inside them. Light and power points should be on separate circuits. It is preferable to limit the maximum load on each line circuit to 800 watt with a maximum of 10 points. Similarly there should not be more than two power socket points per circuit and the load should not exceed 15 Amps generally.

j) k) l) m) n) o)

p) q) r) s) t)

Ensure correct size and material of cable and do not allow joints in the wires. Do not permit cutting off of few strands to make end connection in case of stranded cables / wires. Ensure that short length of wire is left as spare at each switch board box. Ensure that conduits are enamel painted both inside and outside. Conduits of correct size should be laid in walls before plastering. Ensure pipe hooks or saddles for fixing conduits in chases are provided (generally at 60 cms spacing) and are also provided within 10 cms of a fitting. Keep all open ends plugged till the drawing of wires. Position junction box judiciously. Junction box cover should be flush with finished surface of wall / ceiling. Avoid sharp corners and bends in surface batten wiring. curved wooden blocks at such places. Ensure that switches are not on the neutral line. Ensure proper maintaining height above finished floor level for all fittings. General guidelines are given below: i. ii. iii. iv. v. Bracket light points : 215cm Fan regulators : 100/120cm Socket outlets with switches 100/120cm Power socket outlets in kitchen 30cm above countertop Bell buzzer : 215cm Bathroom bracket light 200cm and over mirror centre vi. Bathroom shaving socket 115cms and 20 cms away from mirror edge. vii. Geyser socket : 215cm viii. Geyser switch : 100/120cm Use smooth

u) v) w) x) y)

z) aa)

Do not use water pipes as earth and ensure that light circuit and power circuit each has an independent earth.

Ensure proper earth wire continuity and resistance. On completion check each circuit for continuity and polarity and carry out the following tests. i. Insulation resistance test

ii Earth continuity iii. Earth resistance test iv. Polarity test ab) On completion, detail wiring diagram should be prepared for record. This should show main switch board details, runs of various main and sub mains and position of all points circuits.