CONSTRUCTION METHOD STATEMENT

This method statement is prepared on the basis of the project description that was
issued; it gives a suggestion of our general approach to the construction and
management of the project. Incorporated are our intentions for managing and
sustaining the project and the particular approaches that will be taken for certain
key aspects.
Pre-start Investigations
Following to commencement of site works, an external survey will be carried out
to confirm the existing site levels, extent of any existing services and the condition
of the existing surroundings. Notification of the project commencement will be
issued to all Statutory Authorities, advising them of the construction works.
Security and Site Establishment
Fencing will be erected on the site boundary to secure it during the contract period.
These fences will be maintained and modified during the contract to suit the
phasing of the works. Site office and welfare facilities will be established on site.
Temporary site accommodation and welfare facilities will comprise of the Building
Managers office, Surveyors office, Meeting and Induction room, Canteen and
Restroom facilities etc. These will be erected on hard-standings within the
contractors working area.
Storage and Handling
The contractors site area will provide the storage area for all plant and materials
delivered to site. Materials will be stored within the building. More vulnerable
materials/equipment will be stored in secure containers.
Scope of Method Statement
The method statement relates to the preparation of site, construction of foundation
and superstructure for a research building located in St Anns Port of Spain
The scope of works comprises the following:
General Earthworks
Construction of foundation
Construction of building frame superstructure
Construction of roof

Construction Time
Since this project involves earth works the weather would automatically be the
controlling factor on duration. Excavation and foundation works cannot be carried
out effectively in unfavorable weather conditions. If the weather remains favorable
throughout the expected duration then the project would be completed on schedule.
Fabrication and Erection of the columns, beams braces and shear walls can be
carried out in normal times.
Stage 1 of the project, comprising of the construction of pad and strip foundations
and retaining walls would be completed over a period of 10 weeks depending on
the weather situations.
Stage 2 of the project involves assembling the building frame / superstructure
beams, columns, shear walls, composite flooring, etc. which is estimated to take 8
weeks.
Stage 3 of the project would include the fitting out, site clearance and preparation
for handover. This is expected to take another 6 weeks.
The overall duration of the project is estimated at around 10-12 months.
Construction Procedures
The sequence of construction is summarized in the following topics:
a. Tendering
b. Initial Works
c. Clearing and grubbing
d. Sub-structure Construction
e. Excavation
f. Construction Safety
g. Superstructure
h. Super structure safety
i. Scaffolding and Temporary works
j. Variations
k. Internal Works
l. Services

m. Fitting-Out and Handover

n. External works
o. Commissioning
Tendering
The tender program would indicate the proposed timing and sequencing of
operations necessary to achieve project completion.
Initial Works
The Contractors offices and welfare facilities will be set-up within the contractors
site area designated on site.
The temporary hoarding and fencing will be erected around the site before work
commences and maintained throughout the Project. There will be separate site
vehicle and pedestrian gates into the contractors site compound area.
Clearing and Grubbing
The site will be cleared of any trees, shrubs, stumps, rubbish and other unwanted
material from site. The top 300 mm of top soil will also be removed to facilitated
further construction. It will be stored on site for topsoil regeneration and the end of
the construction.
Sub-Structure
The sub structure would consist of Pad foundations to support column loads, strip
footing to support shear walls, and ground beams to support wall loads.
Foundations are to be stepped to avoid excessively deep excavations, and the
disturbance it shall pose to the existing structure .The site is located on sloping and
restricted land therefore the use of mini excavators and loaders would be used to
carry out the excavation works on the area ,all miscellaneous equipment shall be in
accordance with the reduction in earthworks disturbances to the existing building.
All excavated soil is to be removed and disposed off-site because of site
restrictions .Ready mix concrete and pump trucks would provide concrete to the
site.
Sub-Structure Construction Sequence
The progression of sub structure activities is as follows:
1. Removal of top soil.
2. Set out the structural grid and locate foundation Centre points
3. Excavation of trenches for Foundations
4. Erection of formwork for the casting of foundations

5. Place and tie rebar for foundations

6. Cast insitu of foundations.
7. Re-use of excavated trench material as fill for foundation.

Sub-Structure Safety Consideration

Excavation works always present hazards to workers due to a number of reasons
including falls, slope destabilization, falling loads, and incidents involving mobile
equipment. As result several safety consideration are proposed to minimize to the
risk to the safety and welfare of workers.
Some of these safety considerations include:
1. All spoil from the excavation should be located at least 1.5 meters away from
the edge of the excavation until disposal off-site . The depth of the retaining wall
excavation is 2.5 meters so the edge of the spoil heap should be 2.5 meters away.
This is to reduce the risk of surcharging which puts additional stresses on the
excavation slope.
2. Loose boulders should be pushed into the spoil heap to prevent them from
rolling down into the excavation and causing injury
3. Vehicle and machinery/equipment must be planned so as to maintain a safe
distance from the excavation edges at all times.
4. Workers becoming trapped between the excavated face and the retaining wall or
shuttering.
5. Edge protection would must be provided as the excavation is greater than 2
meters to prevent fall of human or equipment into the excavation
6. Where plant is dumping material into the excavation, suitable stop blocks and a
banks man must be provided.
7. A properly constructed access must be provided, i.e. a walkway at least 600 mm
wide, with guard rails and toe-boards for employees whenever they are to cross a
trench

8. The provision of barriers and/or fencing must be provided to keep the public
away from the site.
Super Structure
1. Twelve (12), W 12 x 65 universal steel columns are necessary to support the
structure. These columns would be pin connected to reinforced concrete piers. The
roof diaphragm would consist of W10 x54 main beams and w10x 22.
4. The roof diaphragm would be structurally completed by 0.01m dia. pipes around
the perimeter of the roof.
5. There would be four shear walls on each corner of the building which would be
fixed connected to the slab. These rectangular shear walls would run from the base
of the strip footings to the beams overhead.
6. The structural steel frame will be erected using a mobile crane. This crane will
also help position all the roof elements safely. The roof diaphragm construction
will commence once the steel frame has been erected. External independent
scaffolding will be erected where required to provide safe access for the roofing.
Much of this would be carried out via mobile elevated work platforms. The roof
covering installation will commence once the roof diaphragm has been completed.
Superstructure Construction Sequence
The order of construction of the building superstructure frame is as follows:
1. Erection of steel columns on reinforced concrete pillars using base plate
connections
Connection of main and secondary beams
Placement of composite deck sheeting
Preparation of reinforcement and formwork for construction of shear walls and.
Composite flooring
7. Construction of shear walls and composite floor
8. Fixing of angle cleats and Z purlins to steel joist
9. Connection of roof sheeting to Z purlins
10. Fire proofing of primary elements
12. Construction of external walls to enclose building. External walls would have
an exposed brickwork finish on the inside.
1314. Installation of glazing
.
Super Structure Safety Considerations
1. Lift equipment

2. Any plant used to lift materials and support equipment must comply with the
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. The lifting equipment
must always have a sufficient load lifting capacity for the task.
3. Lifting operations must always be planned with care. Special consideration
should be given to:
The ability of the ground to support the lifting equipment and the load
The load and the working radius anticipated
Any extra loading on the adjacent ground that could affect the excavation
The need always to use the correct lifting attachments and lifting
equipment, such as chains and shackles.
Scaffolding and Temporary works
Conventional scaffolding, where required will suit the nature, location and type of
the particular operations.
All scaffolding will be securely tied to the structure and will include suitable
ladder access.
Scaffolding will be provided, erected and maintained in accordance with all
current statutory regulations.
Suitable guard railing will be utilized to prevent falling from unprotected edges
of the excavations, upper floors and staircases as applicable.
No person other than certified competent scaffolders will be permitted to erect,
alter, adapt or dismantle any conventional scaffolding.

Internal Work
1. Internal finishing trades will commence once a weather tight environment has
been achieved within the building.
2. The wall and ceiling finishes will be completed ready for final fixtures and
fittings after the floor tiles have been laid.
Services
1. A detailed fabrication, delivery and installation schedule will be prepared by the
Mechanical and Electrical contractor, upon instructions to proceed. The high level
conduits and pipework above ceiling level will be installed using safe access
equipment.

2. Installation of light fittings, smoke detectors and fire alarm systems will be
coordinated with the suspended ceiling works. Power and water supplies would be
introduced to the building at this stage.

Fitting-Out and Handover

1. Temporary protection to floor and wall finishes will be removed once the
installation of all fixtures and fittings has been completed.
2. The building will be handed over to the Client during the last two weeks of the
construction period. Snagging, cleaning and inspection will be undertaken room by
room and once completed each room will be secured in advance of the final
handover.
3. The site offices and compound will be also removed during the last two weeks
of the project. Temporary site services will be isolated, equipment cleared, offices
and plant removed prior to handover.
External Works
The hard and soft landscaping will be undertaken once the building envelopes have
been completed all access scaffolding has been removed.
Commissioning
The client will be indemnified for a specified period post the commissioning of
finished structure during which time inspections and appropriate alterations will be
carried out to meet contract requirements.
Conclusion
This method statement aims to establish the requirements for each stage of the
project. The detailed methodology enables efficient execution of the works
involved in optimum time, employing the most viable and safe methods to the
satisfaction the client whilst meeting all stipulated and relevant codes and
specifications.