Last edited 19 Nov 2020

Contractor's Site Layout Planning

[edit] Introduction

A site layout plan can help the contractor to safely and efficiently carry out the site operations as stipulated in the contract during the whole period of working.

[edit] Components

Depending on the site constraints the contractor’s site layout plan might include:

[edit] Hoarding

Construction of a site fence is primarily for the control of the site, safety and it acts as a demarcation of the boundaries of the site. Hoarding can be erected from timber or steel framing finished with the sheeting of either corrugated iron sheets, flat sheets plywood and so on.

Hoarding must be made in such a way as to allow for privacy for the workers inside, protecting the site facilities from the theft and allow for proofing from extreme weather such as wind.

[edit] Entrance gates

Entrance gates are placed where vehicles bringing materials and plant to the site can easily turn around without difficulties or disturbance to public traffic. Entrance gates are commonly made of sliding steel gates or grilled gates depending on the space available and the budget allocated.

[edit] Watch towers

Watch towers enable security guards to look from elevated heights over large distances hence increasing the degree of security at the site. Watch towers are allocated at the corners along the site fence, constructed as steel or timber framed temporary structures.

[edit] Parking

Parking is essential for vehicles coming to the site bringing materials and other goods waiting to be unloaded. Parking is also required for light vehicles that support site works and should be reserved and allocated properly.

Parking should be located to allow for easy access.

[edit] Site offices

Site offices are sometimes located close to the precious goods storage facilities and the entrance gates in an area that can allow for easy view of the progressing site works.

Site offices can be a single room comprising tables and chairs for all staff, or offices including different rooms Eg. Site engineer’s office, clerk of works office and store keeper office.

[edit] Tower cranes

Tower cranes should be located adjacent to buildings being constructed. Critical analysis should be undertaken regarding the exact area that tower cranes should be erected.

[edit] Sand piling

Sand piles are placed close to mixing plant. Sand might be piled on a single spread or there might be several piles in an area.

[edit] Aggregate

Aggregate piles should also be placed close to the mixing area, but care should be taken that no oil leakages would be allowed to flow towards the piling area. Piling should allow for constant and uniform moisture content of the aggregates that will not affect the mixing process in concrete production.

[edit] Mixing area

Depending on the mixing method whether it is hand mixing or machinery mixing the choice for locating a mixing area should consider that it is adjacent to the cement storage area, sand and aggregate piling area. Also the area should be such that concrete dumpers are able to turn and load the concrete.

[edit] Canteen

An area where site workers can sit and eat their food during tea, lunch or supper breaks; the canteen should be located away from working areas that produces noise, smoke or where there is a risk of objects falling. They should be close to the site offices and not far away from the toilets.

[edit] Precious goods storage

Storage facility for precious goods might include ironmongery, plumbing fixtures such as wash basins, faucets, floor traps; lighting fixtures, HVAC components, ICT fixtures and any other good of high value. They should be stored in a locked area with strict access and security. Such a facility should be placed close to the offices and adjacent to a guard post.

[edit] Reinforcement storage

A facility for storing reinforcement should be covered to protect the bars from the action of rain and bad weather that may cause rust and early aging. The facility should be located adjacent to the steel works workshop to enable easy and fast handling of the material to the workshop for cutting, bending and fixing.

[edit] Timber storage

The timber storage facility should be located close to the site carpentry workshop. Timber should be stacked properly to avoid damage, and stored in a covered facility to prevent the action of sun that can cause loss of moisture causing warping and bending.

[edit] Carpentry workshop

Site carpentry workshops should be placed adjacent to the timber storage facility. Carpentry workshops consist of all tools, machines and equipments essential for carry out carpentry works therefore it should be at a secured zone comprising of lockable shelves. It should be located in an area which would not cause too much noise to the other site working areas.

[edit] Toilets

Site toilets should be built close to working areas readily seen and easily accessed by all the site workers. It should be located where the desludging work can easily be done where the site is not connected to public sewer.

[edit] Emergency assembly

Emergency assembly areas allow for workers to gather quickly if emergency situations arise. It should be located in an open space easily accessed and well seen. It should be well marked, not surrounded with works operations and close to the entrance gate.

[edit] Meeting area

There should be an area where the site and technical meetings or any other managerial meetings can be conducted efficiently without disturbances. The facility should be well covered with chairs and a table accommodating a reasonable number of people for usual meetings.

[edit] Wet storage

A water reservoir and storage facilities should be located close to the mixing area and at the highest level of the site and in an area where the pipe connection to the water supply will be easily carried out. Care should be taken that the area will not allow for water to be contaminated with oils or with other impurities.