14.2.

06T SITE LAYOUT

To enable construction work to take place the builder requires men, materials and plant,
all of which have to be carefully controlled so that the men have the right machines in the
most advantageous position, the materials stored so that they are readily available and not
interfering with the general site circulation, and adequate storage space and site
accommodation.
To ensure that a site is laid out in the most effective and efficient manner, much thought
and consideration must be given to the task before the work actually starts. The period after
tender acceptance and actual starting date, called the ‘pre-construction period’, is the time
to carry out this exercise.
Any planned layout should be reviewed periodically and adjusted to suit the changing
needs of the site activities. If this aspect of building construction is carefully considered,
planned it will be reflected in the progress and profitability of the contract.
A study of the drawings, together with the bill of quantities and the specification
preferably at the pre-tender stage will enable the builder to make a preliminary assessment
of the size and complexity of the contract, the plant required and the amount of money
which can reasonably be expended on labour-saving items such as concrete mixing and
placing alternatives, handling and transporting equipment and off-site fabrication of such
items as formwork and reinforcement.
A site investigation should be carried out, preferably by the site agent who will supervise
the contract should the tender be successful. His report should include (access to site,
security and) the following information:
1. Available services – available power and water supplies together with rates of
payment, nuisance or value of services already on site, diversions required and the time
element involved in carrying out any necessary diversions together with cost
implications.
2. Layout – general site conditions such as nature of soil, height of water table, flooding
risks, tidal waters, neighbouring properties and any demolition problems
3. Labour – travel distances, local or own labour resources to be used, availability of local
labour and prevailing rates of pay, lodging and local catering facilities.

Objectives of a good Construction Site Layout

Site layout comprises the arrangement of site huts, storage sheds and compounds and the
placing of loose material, mixing bays and so on.
1. Orderly layout shows new operatives that they are employed by an organisation with
planning care and consideration in mind.
2. To the general public the impression created is one of efficiency, which is a good
advertisement.
3. Through the period of the project, a good tidy site will often reflect the efficiency of
the site supervisor; reduce waste and purposeless movement of plant and materials.
4. Well-laid out sites enhance security of materials, tools and equipment as the security
personnel, night watchmen, flood lighting, storage areas will be in place.

Planning Site Layouts

When planning site layouts the following must be taken into account:

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 1. Site activities
2. Efficiency
3. Movement
4. Control
5. Accommodation for staff and storage of materials

Site activities
The time needed for carrying out the principal activities can be estimated from the data
obtained previously for preparing the material and labour requirements. With repetitive (or
over-lapping) activities estimates will be required to determine the most economical
balance of units which will allow simultaneous construction processes; this in turn will help
to establish staff numbers, work areas and material storage requirements, access facilities
and possibly plant types and numbers. If a particular process presents a choice in the way
the result can be achieved the alternatives must be considered; for example, the rate of
placing concrete will be determined by the output of the mixer and the speed of
transporting the mix to the appropriate position. Alternatives, which can be considered are:
1. More than one mixer
2. Regulated supply of ready mixed concrete
3. On large contracts, pumping the concrete to the placing position.

Efficiency
To achieve maximum efficiency the site layout must aim at maintaining the desired
output of the planned activities throughout the working day and this will depend largely
upon the following factors:
1. Avoidance, as far as practicable, of double handling materials
2. Proper store-keeping arrangements to ensure that the materials are of the correct type,
in the correct quantity and are available when required
3. Walking distances are kept to a minimum to reduce the non-productive time spent in
covering the distances between working, rest and storage areas without interrupting the
general circulation pattern.
4. Avoidance of loss by the elements by providing adequate protection for unfixed
materials on site, thereby preventing time loss and cost of replacing damaged materials
5. Avoidance of loss by theft and vandalism by providing security arrangements in
keeping with the value of the materials being protected and by making the task
difficult for the would-be thief or vandal by having adequate hoardings and fences.
Also to be avoided is the loss of materials due to pilfering by site staff who may
consider this to be a perquisite of the industry. Such losses can be reduced by having
an adequate system of stores’ requisition and material checking procedures.
6. Minimizing on-site traffic congestion by planning delivery arrivals, having adequate
parking facilities for site staff cars and mobile machinery when not in use, and by
having sufficient turning circle room for the types of delivery vehicles likely to enter
the site.

Movement
Apart from the circulation problems mentioned above the biggest problem is one of
access. Vehicles delivering materials to the site should be able to do so without difficulty or

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 delay. If it is anticipated that heavy vehicles will be operating on site it will be
advantageous to lay the roads and paved areas, if these are part of the contract and will
have adequate strength for the weight of the anticipated vehicles, at a very early stage in the
contract. Otherwise lay only the hardcore layer at the initial stages or temporary roadways
composed of railway sleepers, metal tracks or mats until a later stage in the contract,
especially if such roads will only be required for a short period.

Control
This is mainly concerned with the overall supervision of the contract, including men,
materials and the movement of both around the site. This control should form the hub of
the activities, which logically develops into areas, or zones of control radiating from this
hub or centre. Which zone is selected for storage, accommodation or specific activities is a
matter of conjecture and the conditions prevailing on a particular site but as a rule the final
layout will be one of compromise with storage and accommodation areas generally
receiving priority.

Accommodation
Accommodation for staff is covered by the Construction (Health and Welfare)
Regulations 1966, which sets out the minimum amount and type of accommodation which
must legally be provided for the number of persons employed on the site and the
anticipated duration of the contract. Apart from these minimum requirements the main
areas of concern will be sizing, equipping and siting the various units of accommodation.

Methods of Site Layout

There are two methods used to ensure satisfactory site layout. Both entail the use of a site
plan showing outline of building with drain and service runs (possibly to scale). The site
planner may:
i) Cover site with sheet of plastic and draw on arrangement, simply rubbing
out wrongly placed huts, and so on until the best solution is achieved.
ii) Prepare simple plywood or hardboard cut outs to scale, and place them
around the plan until satisfied of the layout
By using these methods, the wrong positioning of necessary allocated area is reduced to a
minimum and the moving of plant, materials and huts because of unforeseen service
trenches is eliminated.

14.2.06T11 SITE LAYOUT

1. Access to site
Although particular circumstances of each site or job will determine the extent to which
recommendations can be applied, the builder should provide:
 Such drainage required to keep site reasonably free from standing water.
Particular attention should be paid to seasonal changes of the water table and
permeability of sub-soil, information of which may be obtained from local
knowledge or by trial pits or boreholes. If required, exclusion of water may be
done by pumping using the most economical method.

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  So that on- and off-site access to parts under construction provide roads, paths
or rail facilities. Many projects often have to make new access to sites crossing
over existing footways, and whether the access is of a permanent or temporary
nature, the permission of the local authorities must be obtained.
 If the site is of a restricted nature (rights of way restrictions, local authority or
police restrictions and bridge weight or height limitations on approach routes)
the problem of unloading of materials or loading up spoil and rubbish for
removal may cause interference with the flow of traffic. Adequate warning
should be given to other road users by the display of notices, danger signs,
warning lights or other suitable communications

2. Car Park
Site personnel, visitors or suppliers need adequate and secure parking space on the site.
This need to be sited preferably in front of the site offices so that:
- the timekeeper can book in arrival and departure times of vehicles
- a material checker at the entrance to site can easily check and direct material supply
- site security may check and ensure that those leaving the site do not carry materials
or components, tools or equipment with them.

3. Site Signboard
Uses of a site identification board include:
 It is an advertising aid, hence it should be clearly displayed
 It saves traffic and visitors problems in finding the site
 In sub-urban or rural locations ‘finger boards’, a form of signboard, is very
useful in directing people to the site as street names are not always easy to
locate.
Items appearing on a signboard for a proposed site include: Name of project, name of
client, name of contractor, name of architect, name of Chief Engineer, name(s) of
mechanical, civil, structural Engineer(s), name of quantity surveyor, name(s) of sub-
contractor(s).

4. Amenities
Although minimum requirements covering operatives’ welfare facilities on site depends
on the size and nature of the site as regards other provisions, most sites will consist of
hutments divided into three groups:
(a) Administrative offices
(b) Operatives’ huts
(c) Storage and general

(a) Administrative offices

These will vary according to the size of the project, from a single hut for the site
supervisor and possibly visiting clerk of works, to a complex of offices to house site
supervisors, engineers, surveyors, planners, time clerks etc. Requirements for site
administrative offices include:
i) Be constructed of materials that can be easily handled, transported, erected and
disassembled.

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 ii) Be of sound construction
iii) Be water tight at the walls, floor(s), roofs
iv) Have adequate lighting and ventilation
v) Have suitable internal finishes and fixtures to impress visitors and provide
suitable surroundings for meetings
vi) Be linked, from a simple sliding panel to a sophisticated intercom system for
ready communications.

(b) Operatives’ huts

Minimum recommendations for operatives’ huts include:
i) Shelter from inclement weather e.g. rain, heat, snow, wind etc.
ii) Accommodation for clothing, provision for meals either from fenders or a
serviced canteen
iii) Sanitary conveniences which include provisions for washing hands, drinking
water and ablution for calls of nature.
iv) Ambulance room properly constructed and maintained
The above recommendations, if implemented, will improve working conditions on the
site, leading to team spirit, high morale and good relations between operatives and
management because it creates a feeling that the management is considering the workers.
Further there will be reduced labour turnover; giving a more knowledgeable team with
reduced need for retraining and higher productivity due to operatives working better if dry
clothes can be put on at start of each day and if hot meals can be easily obtained to
replenish lost energy.
Operatives’ huts should be placed in proximity to the administrative block (foreman’s
office) to check prolonged breaks or unscheduled visits to huts during the day.

5. Storage Areas
Storage areas for tools and equipment and materials may be manned or unmanned, open
or under lock and key depending on:
Physical properties – size, shape, weight and mode of delivery will assist in
determining the safe handling and stacking method(s) to be employed on site, which
will in turn enable handling and storage costs to be estimated.
Protection – Building materials and components, tools, plant and equipment will
usually require some form of weather protection to prevent deterioration, especially
those materials classified as non-durable.
Security – many tools and equipment and building materials have a high resale
and/or usage value to persons other than those for whom they were ordered and
unless site security is adequate, losses due to theft, pilferage and vandalism can
become unacceptable.
Organisation – this is the planning process of ensuring that all the materials and
equipment are delivered to site at the correct time, in sufficient quantity, the right
quality, the means of unloading is available and that adequate space for storage or
stacking has been allocated throughout the duration they are on site.

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6. Adjoining Property
Many sites are surrounded by other buildings. The precautions the site management
ought to consider in relation to adjoining properties like buildings before starting the work
include:
i) Maintain good relations with the owners of these properties right from the start.
Preliminary information may help to reduce friction if problems with regard to
dust, noise etc., occur during the course of the project, leading to dialogue rather
than taking stronger, more direct action.
ii) Insure against mishaps and suggested damage to existing property by taking
photographs and getting the owner to sign as correct
iii) Placing tell-tales over any faults to avoid legal battles later on if owner accuses
builder of damage

7. Site Security
To enhance security at the site for materials, tools, equipment and plant, site personnel,
vehicles and the construction work in progress, the site management need to consider local
vandalism and pilfering record, security patrol facilities, need for night security, fencing
and hoarding requirements.
Fencing
A building site and the compound can be given a degree of protection by surrounding
with a fence. A fence is an erection put to a property to mark its extent without necessarily
barring one from seeing inside.
The fence fulfills three functions:
1) Defines limit of the site or compound
2) Acts as deterrent to would-be trespassers and thieves
3) Provides protection to the public
A fence can be constructed to provide a physical barrier of solid construction or a visual
barrier of open work construction. If the site is to be fenced as part of the contract it may be
advantageous to carry out this work at the beginning of the site operations. The type of
fencing chosen will depend upon:
i) The degree of security required
ii) Cost implications
iii) Type of neighbourhood, and
iv) Duration of contract
A security fence around the site or compound should be at least 1.8m high above the
ground and include the minimum number of access points which should have a lockable
barrier or gate. (See Fig. 1.3)

Hoardings
These are close boarded fences or barriers erected adjacent to a highway or public
footpath to prevent unauthorized persons obtaining access to the site and to provide a
degree of protection for the public from the dust and noise associated with building
operations.
Under the Highways Act 1959 (Sec. 147 and 148) it is necessary to obtain written
permission from the Local Authority to erect a hoarding. The person, which is in the form

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of a license, sets out the conditions and gives details of duration, provision of footway for
the public and the need for lighting during the hours of darkness.
Two forms of hoarding are in common use:
(1) Vertical hoardings
(2) Fan hoardings
The vertical hoardings consist of a series of closed boarded panels securely fixed to resist
wind loads and accidental impact loads. It can be free standing or fixed by stays to the
external walls of an existing building.
Protection should be given to persons from falling objects. A fan hoarding fulfills this
function by being placed at a level above the normal traffic height and arranged in such a
manner that any falling debris is directed back towards the building or scaffold. (See Fig
1.4)

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© 2010 HENRY OGANDA 8
Revision Questions
1 (a) (i) Define the term site layout
(ii) Outline SIX objectives of a good construction site layout.
(7mks)
(b) List FIVE site amenities and state the purpose of each. (5mks)
(c) Fig 1 shows the layout of a proposed site for a hotel. Sketch the layout and show
the position of the amenities and different work points. (9mks)

Fig 1
PLOT B

PROPOSED
BUILDING

PLOT A PLOT C

ROAD

2 (a) Outline SEVEN rules governing site layout. (7mks)

(b) Outline FOUR factors to be considered in the site layout planning. (8mks)
(c) Sketch a site layout plan of a medium size construction site and show the major
details. (12mks)

3 (a) (i) Give TWO uses of a site identification board on a construction site. (2mks)
(ii) List EIGHT items that would appear on a signboard for a proposed
construction site. (4mks)
(b) Enumerate SIX welfare items that can be provided for workers on a construction
site. (6mks)
(c) State THREE results of improved working conditions on a site. (3mks)
(d) Outline SIX factors on how to achieve maximum efficiency on a well-planned
site. (9mks)

4 (a) Define the following terms:

(i) Theft
(ii) Pilfering
(iii) Vandalism
(3mks)
(b) List FIVE security measures to be put in place for the protection of a construction
site. (5mks)
(c) (i) Give TWO purposes of fencing a site.
(ii) State FOUR factors which influence the choice of a fence for a site.

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 (6mks)
(d) (i) State the purpose of hoarding
(ii) Explain the TWO types of hoardings
(iii) Outline FIVE by-laws that govern the erection of hoardings on construction
sites. (10mks)

5 (a) To achieve maximum efficiency on a construction site, site layout planning must
aim at maintaining desired output of planned activities throughout the working
day.
State FIVE site planning measures that may be taken to achieve this. (5mks)

(b) Outline the provisions that should be complied with when providing
accommodation for watchmen on site as stipulated in the Building Code. (6mks)

(c) Briefly explain factors to be considered when siting the following:

(i) Access roads
(ii) Storage areas
(iii) Site name board
(iv) Car park
(8mks)

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