Equipment supply
‘Supply’ is the flow of resources used to satisfy a demand, such as materials, labour, information and skills – from a supplier to a user or consumer.
Equipment supply – in a construction sense – is the flow of equipment from a supplier to a site with the aim of facilitating the construction process. For example, the supply of an excavator to help dig the foundations, or a crane to lift heavy materials.
Very broadly, the term ‘equipment’ generally refers to apparatus that is used for specific purposes, e.g pumps are used to pump water, angle grinders are used to cut through hard materials. This is as opposed to individual tools such as screwdrivers, hammers and trowels which are instruments that are generally used by hand.
Usually, a contractor or sub-contractor orders the equipment from a supplier to complete a particular task. Because construction equipment can be very costly, and because it may sometimes be needed by a contractor or sub-contractor for only small duration during the year, it may be financially advantageous to hire the equipment only for the period it is required. This is not only cheaper for the contractor but also means the equipment does not require storage. Also, hiring the equipment means the contractor does not have to maintain it.
The following is a selection of typical equipment that may be supplied to a construction site:
- Access equipment.
- Attachments
- Bowsers
- Compressors
- Dumpers
- Forklifts/telehandlers
- Mixers
- Pumps
- Rollers
- Skips
- Topsoil screeners
- Wheeled excavators.
Equipment may also be required for inclusion in the building itself, for example; washing machines, coffee machines and scanning equipment, fume cupboards and so on.
In this case, it is important to identify equipment that will be provided by the contractor as part of the main contract and equipment which will be provided outside of the main contract (because the client may already have the equipment, or they may have existing suppliers). This is particularly important where equipment supplied outside of the main contract may have an impact on the construction works, perhaps needing to be accommodated in a certain location, or requiring fixing, power supply, air supply, water, drainage, telecommunications connection, etc.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Global BACS Market: analytics and optimisation
A BSRIA glance at building automation and control systems.
What it is and how to use it.
Types of insulating plaster by binder and insulant.
Investors in People: CIOB achieves gold
Reflecting a commitment to employees and members.
Scratching beneath the surface; a guide to selection.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.
70+ experts appointed to public sector fire safety framework
The Fire Safety (FS2) Framework from LHC Procurement.
Project and programme management codes of practice
CIOB publications for built environment professionals.
Sustainable development concepts decade by decade.
The regenerative structural engineer
A call for design that will repair the natural world.
Buildings that mimic the restorative aspects found in nature.
CIAT publishes Principal Designer Competency Framework
For those considering applying for registration as a PD.
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.