Republic of the Philippines

UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM

Antipolo City
A.Y. 2019 – 2020

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Assignment/Individual Research No. 03

Work Method Statement

In partial fulfilment of the requirements in

CE 16: Timber Design

Presented by:

Elma Ericka Icawat Bermejo

Student No.: 1011500071

Submitted to:

George Prejula Palada, RCE

Instructor

23 September 2019
 Work Method Statement
Project name: Suspended Timber Floor

I. Introduction
This method statement describe the specific construction method which will be
used to carry out the work. It gives details how the work will be carried out and what
health and safety issues and controls are involve.
In the building industry suspended timber floors are constructed for special
purposes. Floor structures are generally one of two types – solid or suspended.
Suspended timber floors, which are typically found in older houses, are normally made
from timber floorboards which are the attached to joist just above the foundation of a
house. This creates a small gap and allows ventilation and air movement to prevent
damp forming in the timber joists.
II. Purpose / Scope of work
The main purpose of this method statement is to ensure that the personnel are
carrying out the task in a structured and controlled manner, understand the hazards
and risk associated with each sequence of the work and use the controls specified to
reduce the risk of injury, ill health or damage and to carry out work safely.
III. Standard References
3.1 TRADA span tables
3.2 Approved Document A
3.3 Technical manual
3.4 Building Regulations 1997
3.5 BS EN 13163:2012
IV. Definitions and abbreviation
Floorboards – a long straight piece of wood used in a floor.
Joist – a long, thick piece of wood, metal, or concrete, used in buildings to support
a floor or ceiling.
Timber – a long piece of wood from trees used for building, especially houses and
ships.
TRADA – Timber Research and Development Association
V. Materials Definitions and Specification
 Floorboards – a long straight piece of wood used in a floor it guarantees
minimized wood shrinkage and swelling. Maximum stability on natural room
 environment moisture changes, easy to install because of floorboards
bending eliminated.
 Tassel wall (or sleeper walls) – short wall to support floor joist, beam and
block. Normal construction is of brick or concrete block either in stretcher
bond or header stretched bond.
 Wall plate – load-bearing structural member used horizontally and part of
a timber framework. Wall plates are lengths of not less than 3 m.
 Damp proof course – type of moisture control applied to building walls and
floors to prevent moisture from passing into the interior spaces. Concrete
should be prepared in the quantitate ratio of 1:2:4 (Cement; Sand; Stone
chips 12mm).
 Vents – typically used in homes where furnace is in a basement travel
through an underground crawl space. The recommended minimum area of
ventilation required under a suspended timber floor is 1500 mm2 for every
meter of perimeter structure.
VI. Work Method statement – Installation
 Suspended Timber Ground Floors consist of the finished timber floorboards being
attached to floor joists, which are suspended above the subfloor of the foundation.
 These floor joists are raised above the subfloor on a small supporting walls called
tassel wall (or sleeper wall).
 A wall plate is the attached to the top of the tassel walls, on which the floor joists
rest on.
 A damp proof course separates the wall plates from the tassel wall, preventing
decay from any rising moisture. Also, note the gap in the block work of the tassel
walls, ensuring adequate air circulation.
 Vents are installed in the external wall to ensure that adequate ventilation is given
to the timbers, ensuring the circulation of fresh air, keeping the timber dry and
preventing decay.
 Note that the DPC, installed above the vent to prevent moisture penetration.
 To ensure that the floor is thermally insulated, either rigid or blanket insulation is
placed between the floor joists.
 The quilted insulation is supported by netting stapled to the joists, while the rigid
insulation can be supported on battens between the joists.
 VII. Quality assurance and Control
In terms of quality assurance all the products used in constructing a suspended
timber floor is manufactured in production facilities which are certified to ISO 9000
Quality Management.
In terms of Quality control all the materials used conforms to the required
properties as defined in BS EN 13163:2012 – Thermal insulation product for buildings.
VIII. Inspection Test Plan
Inspection Test Plan and Log
CONTRACT NUMBER: PROJECT NAME: CONTARCTOR:

Item Specs Specification Sub- Test Frequency Test Date Rema

# Section section Required By completed -rks
 IX. Safety
Safety Precautions / control Measure:
 Staff will erect the safety barrier around the excavation prior to work commencing.
 Staff will undertake a manual handling and dynamic risk assessment prior to work
commencing.
 Staff have received training in manual handling
 Staff have received HAV and Noise Awareness Training and only use low vibration
tools
 Staff have received COSHH training (re control & management of dust)
 Staff have received on the job training under supervision to undertake this task
 Keep working area clear and tools away from cellar entrance
 Check you have the correct equipment prior to commencing
 Inspect the equipment prior to commencing; all electrical items are 110v and have
been PAT tested
 PPE appropriate to the task and on‐ site hazards must be worn
 Ensure you have adequate lighting & ventilation
 Remain vigilant and take care during access and egress to the excavation
 Do NOT undertake this activity alone
X. Risk Assessment / Job Hazard Analysis
 Manual handling – strains & sprains
 Working at Height – fall from height
 Personal injury – trapping/ crushing limbs/extremities, cuts, bruises
 Vibration and noise
 Dust
 Poor housekeeping
 Other contactors/works on site
 Incorrect equipment for task
XI. Resources
 NA, 2012-03-20. SC_MS Full install‐ Suspended Timber Flooring
 Calderia, E. First Time Quality – Inspection Test Plan Sample
 Technical Data Sheet – Floor installation – Suspended Timber Floor. Retrieved from
www.Jablite.co.uk
  Flynn, C. 2013. Suspended Timber Floor. Retrieved from
http://constructionstudiesq1.weebly.com/suspended-timber-floor.html
 Drew, 2016. What is suspended timber floor? Retrieved from https://www-
discountflooringdepot-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org
XII. Appendix
 Work Method Statement

Project name: Timber Framed Houses

I. Introduction
This method statement describe the specific construction method which will be
used to carry out the work. It gives details how the work will be carried out and what
health and safety issues and controls are involve.
Timber framing and “post and beam” construction are traditional methods of
building with heavy timbers, creating structures using squared-off and carefully fitted
and joined timbers with joints secured by large wooden pegs. Timber frames structures
must comply with the building regulation in every aspect including resistance to fire.
II. Purpose / Scope of work
The main purpose of this method statement is to ensure that the personnel are
carrying out the task in a structured and controlled manner, understand the hazards
and risk associated with each sequence of the work and use the controls specified to
reduce the risk of injury, ill health or damage and to carry out work safely.
III. Standard References
3.1 ISO 9001: 2000.
3.2 PNS 173:1988
IV. Definitions and abbreviation
Post – a piece (as of timber or metal) fixed firmly in an upright position.
Beam – a long and heavy piece of wood or metal that is used as a support in a
building.
ISO – International Organization for Standardization
V. Materials Definitions and Specification
 Sole Plate - offered featured precisions design and construction finish and
find suitability for protecting pavements and other surfaces during
scaffolding.
 Scaffolding - temporary structure used to support a work crew and
materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings,
bridges and all other manmade structures.
 Joist – horizontal structural member used in framing to span an open space,
often between beams that subsequently transfer loads to vertical member
 it range in size no smaller than 2 by 4 inches to no longer than 2 by 12
inches.
 Panels – is a millwork wall covering constructed from rigid or semi-rigid
components.
 Truss – a structural framework design to provide support for a roof it span
6 to 30 m, most economically slope is up to 35 degrees and it is restricted
by diagonals and braces of truss.
VI. Work Method statement – Installation
Scaffolding to be erected around the outside of three sides of the floor slabs, with
access maintained for the movement of the ground floor panels:-

 Ground floor panels to be delivered to site. Delivery vehicle to be unloaded by

mechanical means. All panels to be stored on a prepared hard standing of suitable
size adjacent to the plots to be erected. Offloading to be supervised by a competent
member of erection team.
 Sole plates fixed to slab as per Engineer’s specification.
 Ground floor panels erected and adequately braced.
 Scaffolding completed to front elevation by scaffolding subcontractor.
 Joist and decking fixed.
 First floor panels delivered and stored adjacent to plot
 First floor panels hoisted by crane onto decking.
 First floor panels erected and adequately braced.
 Trusses delivered and stored adjacent to plot
 Trusses craned into position and braced as per manufacturers specification

Fixing of Sole Plates - The slab is to be checked for line and level with the
dimensions checked against the design drawings. The sole plate will be set out from
the highest point and sole plates can be packed in accordance with the agreed
tolerances. If a mortar bed is required, the main contractor will carry out this work. A
Dpc membrane will be fixed to the underside of all sole plates. Once the sole plate is
set out and levelled it will be fixed in accordance with the engineers fixing schedule.
All cut ends of sole plate are to receive brush-applied treatment.

Erection of Panels - The panels will be offloaded will be by forklift or crane. The
panels will be stored on a designated level and dry storage area adjacent to the
relevant plots of the delivery. At this stage, scaffolding will have been erected around
three sides of the slab. Once the ground floor panels have been placed on the slab,
 the remaining scaffolding can be completed to enclose the slab. The erection team
leader will liaise closely with the site manager to ensure that such scaffolding is
completed before progressing to the next phase. The external panels will then be
installed and braced in a plumb position, followed by the installation of the internal
partitions. All these panels are to be nailed in accordance with the fixing schedules.
Before the head binders are fixed in place, all panels are to be checked for plumb and
line. The panel erection element in this section is then repeated on all subsequent
floors, However steps must be taken on all other floors to prevent falls by the provision
of a suitable, sufficient and secured deck for the stairwells.

Joists and Decking - All timber joists are to be positioned and fixed using
stepladders from the floor below. Once this operation is completed, the soft fall system
(crush bags) is to be fully installed on the floor below. The floor decking is to be
positioned perpendicular to the joists, and fixed starting from a suitable point that can
be reached from the scaffold. Work can then progress by fixing the flooring board
using the last fixed board as a platform. The type, specification and fixing schedule of
the boards shall be in accordance with the scheme specification.

Roof Trusses - As each truss is positioned, adequate initial bracing is to be

undertaken from off the scaffolding. Once a sufficient number of trusses have been
fixed and braced, a temporary platform may be formed, by placing and fixing boards
within the trusses, to enable the bracing to be completed. All bracing shall be
undertaken in accordance with the truss designer’s specification. Truss clips are to be fixed
to all trusses.

VII. Quality assurance and Control

In terms of quality assurance the Bureau of Philippines Standard of the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-BPS) serve as the National Standard Body of
the Philippines. They facilitate the development of voluntary standard documents and
are leading supplier product and system precertification services, both domestically
and internationally.
In terms of Quality control all the materials used meet the requirement of ISO
9001: 2000.
 VIII. Inspection Test Plan
Inspection Test Plan and Log
CONTRACT NUMBER: PROJECT NAME: CONTARCTOR:

Item Specs Specification Sub- Test Frequency Test Date Rema

# Section section Required By completed -rks

IX. Safety
Safety Precautions / control Measure:
 Staff will erect the safety barrier around the excavation prior to work commencing.
 Staff will undertake a manual handling and dynamic risk assessment prior to work
commencing.
 Staff have received training in manual handling
 Staff have received HAV and Noise Awareness Training and only use low vibration
tools
 Staff have received COSHH training (re control & management of dust)
 Staff have received on the job training under supervision to undertake this task
 Keep working area clear and tools away from cellar entrance
 Check you have the correct equipment prior to commencing
 Inspect the equipment prior to commencing; all electrical items are 110v and have
been PAT tested
 PPE appropriate to the task and on‐ site hazards must be worn
 Ensure you have adequate lighting & ventilation
 Remain vigilant and take care during access and egress to the excavation
 Do NOT undertake this activity alone
 Limit the magnitude of any fire damage that could occur, as measured in terms of size
or monetary value
X. Risk Assessment / Job Hazard Analysis
 Manual handling – strains & sprains
 Working at Height – fall from height
 Personal injury – trapping/ crushing limbs/extremities, cuts, bruises
 Vibration and noise
 Dust
 Poor housekeeping
 Other contactors/works on site
 Incorrect equipment for task
 Serious Fire
XI. Resources
 IFSEC Global, 2007 – Timber Frame Construction; Risk aware. Retrieved from
https://www.ifsecglobal.com/uncategorized/timber-frame-construction-risk-
aware/
 NA, April 9, 2013 – Method Statement for Erecting Timber Framed Houses.
Retrieved from http://buildersafety.org/method-statement-for-erecting-timber-
framed-houses/
 Drew, 2016. What is suspended timber floor? Retrieved from https://www-
discountflooringdepot-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org
XII. Appendix