PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOPIC 7: SITE LAYOUT 7.

1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Site layout is the planning and organization of the site area around the proposed building to accommodate the resources necessary to erect the building. The need for site layout is determined by the methods of production. The main consideration must be that the layout provides the most efficient and economic methods of production. Factors that will influence the site layout should be determined base on the following: 1. Ascertain contract requirements. 2. Determine statutory requirements. 3. Request sub-contractors requirements. 4. Conduct a site investigation. 5. Define and secure site boundaries. 6. Ascertain requirements for temporary works and services. 7. Study safety aspects of the methods of work. 8. Quantify office and administrative buildings. 9. Quantify material storage requirements. 10. Locate static plant and plant requirements. The best method of ensuring the effective organization of a site is by a number of checklists e.g. a list covering small tools, tapes, pegs etc. or a list of government departments the site manager is required to contact. 7.1.1 CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS a) The first requirement is to ascertain the size and complexity of the project and unused area of the site. b) Any restriction contained in the contract, e.g. erection of workers quarters, loading and unloading, working hours, etc. c) Other matters to ascertain are contract period, starting, completion and site hand-over dates, phase schedule of completion. d) e) Any restriction to use partially completed building as offices. Any methods of construction that are forbidden.

7.1.2

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS These requirements are mandatory and should be listed to ensure that no breach of law occurs.
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PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOPIC 7: SITE LAYOUT

a) The site must be registered with the OSH Inspectorate of the Occupational Safety and Health Division (OSHD), Ministry of Manpower, before commencing work. b) Approval must be obtained from the Land Transport Authority for temporary exits and entrances to the site. c) Proposals for temporary site buildings and hoarding must be submitted to the Building Control Division of the Building & Construction Authority for approval before erection can commence. d) Washing bay must be provided to LTAs approval for cleaning the wheels of vehicles before leaving the site so as not to dirty the public roads. e) Silt traps to the approval of the Drainage Department (PUB 3P Network) must be provided where there is extensive earthwork. f) Sanitary conveniences for the workmen must be provided to the requirements of the National Environment Agency, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. g) Approval from the Sewerage Department (PUB 3P Network) for temporary sewer connection must be obtained before the Water Department of PUB will connect temporary water supply. 7.1.3 SUB-CONTRACTORS REQUIREMENTS Sub-contractors should be requested to provide details of site & office space requirements and facilities necessary for their work to be carried out.

a) The duration each sub-contractor will be spending on site. b) Any special provision required for access. c) The amount of office space required on site. d) The maximum number of men on site. e) Information as to the loading and unloading facilities for materials, and storage space required. f) Use of standing scaffolding or other items of equipment of plant that may be required. g) Services required by the sub-contractors, e.g. power supply, water, drainage and rubbish disposal.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOPIC 7: SITE LAYOUT

7.1.4 SITE VISIT Site visit is part of an overall inquiry into site conditions that relate specially to site layout. A checklist should be prepared under the following headings: a) Services location the actual positions should be recorded and references made to drawings. b) Site conditions The information recorded here will indicate the extent of temporary works and security required. It should indicate the most suitable areas for location of administrative offices and other buildings.

7.1.5

SITE BOUNDARIES

a) The determination of site boundaries is important as encroachment on adjacent property can lead to lengthy and costly legal disputes. b) The boundaries should be determined by reference to site drawings and setting out should be accurate and be carried out by a professional land surveyor. c) The state of adjacent buildings should be recorded with photographs as evidence. d) Any discrepancies between the drawings and actual physical measurements should be raised with the architect. e) The proposed building and other works should be laid out within the setting out grid and the position checked. f) A hoarding is normally used to secure the site boundary. 7.1.6 TEMPORARY WORKS AND SERVICES This is an important aspect of site layout for without adequate access production will be severely hampered. The flow of traffic and size of vehicle, the method of unloading, duration of stay and the vehicle turning circle determine space for access. a) Parking space for essential vehicles.

b) Provision should be made for movement around site for dumpers, forklifts, ready-mix trucks or other vehicles.
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PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOPIC 7: SITE LAYOUT

c) Services will require the location of the nearest sewer line to provide temporary sanitary conveniences and also the location and connection of a temporary water supply. d) e) 7.1.7 Electricity supply will have to be provided by Singapore Power. Telephone connection will be required.

SAFETY ASPECTS a) The Contractor owes a duty of care to everyone on site (his direct workers, subcontractor workers and visitors). b) The duty of every employee is to take care not to cause danger to others and to co-operate with his employer on safety matters. c) This requires an early approach to safety problems during the preparation of the site layout. d) The layout of site should contribute towards a safe method of construction work.

7.1.8

OFFICE AND ADMINISTRATION PROVISIONS A. B. C. D. E. F. The most effective contract administration will result from the provision of proper working environment. The site management structure should be agreed and the number of staff required by each department should be known. The maximum number of male and female workers who will be on site should be ascertained. The offices should provide sanitary conveniences for each gender. Requirement for an office for a clerk of works and a conference room for large sites should be provided. A space for the storage of drawings should be considered.

7.1.9

MATERIAL STORAGE

a) There is a need for the provision of types of storage:

PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOPIC 7: SITE LAYOUT

A secure storeroom for valuable items which may be pilfered and therefore require strict control. A weatherproof storage for materials which may deteriorate due to weather. b) Stocks must be adequate to maintain production schedule. c) Where storage of materials required some control hence provision for small office and issue counter may be needed. d) Items to be placed in the secured storage should be counted and allocated shelf or bin space. e) Materials that require protection against the weather which include items such as cement, timber components, plasterboards & etc. f) Materials to be stored in the open are bricks, drainage goods, reinforcement bars, etc. 7.1.10 LOCATION OF PLANT a) The siting of static plant and the parking of mobile plant should be given careful consideration. b) Static plant such as tower crane or hoist should be sited so that maximum utilisation is achieved. c) The radius of crane should be considered to cover the maximum area of the site. d) Material hoist is static and materials are delivered to it. It is essential that adequate access and loading space be provided. e) The other major piece of static plant is the concrete mixing plant. The storage of aggregates takes up large space. f) Mobile plant is always vulnerable to vandalism and damage. It could be expensive. There is need to secure the vehicles in an area visible to the security guards. 7.2 PREPARING THE LAYOUT The layout will depend on size of proposed building and the space to be left about that building. The main points to note are: Avoid any area where the structure is to be built. Avoid underground services.
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PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOPIC 7: SITE LAYOUT

Avoid any area that may interfere with production, particularly substructure excavation. Temporary buildings & sheds should be placed on unused areas, near to the entrance of the site and a reasonable distance from the actual work. On congested sites the site offices may be built upwards. The phasing of the contract can be used so that offices are placed on areas where work will commence late and are then moved into partially completed phase of the building.

7.3 COMMUNICATING THE LAYOUT All parties concerned should be informed as to the use of space. The layout should be drawn to scale with all buildings, access roads and static plant and equipment clearly marked. Other areas such as storage and sub-contractor areas should be designated. These documents should be sent to the site with copies for all personnel who are likely to need the planned layout.