When you are storing building materials on a construction site, there are certain important do’s and don’ts that you must follow to avoid the materials from getting damaged. For example, storage of materials on construction site like cement for a longer period might lead to its damage; similarly not storing the steel tmt bars the right way might corrode them.
Below we have mentioned a few important points you must consider ensuring a safe storage of materials on the construction site.
1. Storing of Bricks on Site
It is generally preferred to store bricks near to the construction sites, as this will save you a lot of time in loading the bricks to the site of construction. If the project involves bricks of different strength, shape, size, and types like clay bricks, ash bricks; modular, non-modular bricks; solid, hollow, and perforated bricks, they all should be stacked separately.
While stacking and storing the bricks on a site, consider the following guideline: • Bricks should be stacked on a dry ground • Stacks should be as long as 50 bricks; 10 bricks longitudinally and 4 bricks horizontally. • The distance between the two stacks should be no less than 0.8m. • While loading the bricks, put all the bricks in one single stack.
2. Storing of Steel on Site
While purchasing the steel tmt bars for construction purposes, contractors preferably choose to invest in good quality corrosion resistant steel tmt bars. In case the steel bars are not resistant to corrosion in itself, we need to ensure their safety by storing them in a proper way.
The main purpose of storing steel materials should be to keep them safe from corrosion, which might allow the material to deteriorate. Below we have mentioned a few checkpoints you must keep in mind while deciding to store steel on construction sites.
Storing of Reinforcement steel bars :
• Bars of different grades, sizes and thickness should be stored separately. • Try painting the end of bars of each class with a distinct color • Put a coating of cement wash before stacking, this prevents scaling & rusting of bars. • If the stack has to be stored for a longer period, store them, a little above the ground level.
Storing of Structural Steel :
• Steel of different classes, sizes, and length should be stored in different areas. • Store on platforms, above the ground level, to avoid distortion of sections. • In case the construction sites are built in coastal areas, or in case of long storage, stack the steel by applying a protective coating of primer to prevent scaling & rusting.
You can purchase good quality tmt steel bars from any reputed tmt bars manufacturersin your city.
3. Storing of Cement on Site
Below are the important points one must keep in mind while storing building materials like cement securely on a construction site. • Store it in a building which is dry, leak proof, and moisture proof. • The room where you decide to store the cement should have fewer windows. • Stack the cement sacks above the ground, preferably on wooden blocks. • Maintain sufficient space between the exterior walls and the stored stacks. • Stack the cement bags closer to each other to reduce air circulation. • Make sure the height of stacks should not be more than 10 bags to prevent lumping. • Store the cement bags alternatively lengthwise and crosswise, which minimize the danger of toppling over. • Label the receipts on the stacks, that makes their identification and age of the cement noticeable.
4. Storing of Aggregates on Site
Guidelines for the storage of aggregate on site : • Store it on a hard, dry, and level patch of the ground. • Or store them on a platform of planks, or old corrugated iron sheets, a floor of bricks, etc. to prevent contamination with clay, dust, vegetable, and other organic matter. • Maintain sufficient distance between the stacks of fine & coarse aggregates, to prevent the material from getting intermixed. • If possible, store different types of aggregates by constructing separate compartments.
Conclusion :
When we are investing a good amount in purchasing the best quality building materials, we of course do not want to show any leniency with their right way to store. Thus it is extremely necessary to know the right way to store the materials which will prevent their damage.
The above-mentioned points will help you with the guidelines you must abide by to ensure a safe storage of materials on construction site.