Safety during the construction period

Source:M. SOUNDARIYA PREETHA  ,The Hindu,May 8,2010

If you are constructing a new building, a number of factors need to be taken care of to ensure safety during construction and a quality structure.

D. R. Sekar of the Builders' Association of India told The Hindu PropertyPlus that selection of site is important.

For instance, some areas in Coimbatore have black soil and some are located near water bodies. In these places, the foundation needs due care and it should be an appropriate one. Soil testing is another important task and the services of a soil consultant are essential to know the soil-bearing capacity.

Quake resistance

Mr. Sekar points out that Coimbatore is in a seismic zone and hence the buildings should also be quake-resistant. Awareness on earthquake-resistant buildings has improved during the last three to five years. Earthquake-resistant buildings cost about 10 per cent higher than a normal structure because of the increase in steel use.

The design of the building is another key factor. Those who go in for high-rise buildings should take the services of a structural consultant. They should also decide the purpose of the building to determine the load factor.

After construction, the owner should have the “as built drawing”. This will help in maintenance.
Selection of materials and having the right plumbing fixtures are also important, he says. The Government should relax the building rules to suit the development trends but should be stringent in enforcing them. According to Mr. Sekar, the cost management should not compromise the quality of the building.

The builders should also adopt all safety norms while constructing a structure. Several accidents in buildings occur because of negligence or human error. Hence, safety factor is important while constructing a building. The law is stringent now on site accidents, he says.