Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Why Waterproofing Is Important During New Construction

Water, water everywhere, and every drop could sink your building projects if you are not careful about your waterproofing. Flooding, water damage, and mold outdo fire as one of the leading causes of property damage to homes, and is a problem that buildings face all year round. When undergoing a new construction, you will want to make sure every stage goes off without a hitch, as delays caused by weather will cost you serious time and money.

Unfortunately, the costs of waterproofing tend to put many people off taking the necessary steps towards protecting their building sites from water damage. It is tempting to think of it as just being an expensive luxury, but this is not the case. Waterproofing your construction site is essential to a healthy, expedient project, as this article will endeavour to demonstrate.

#1 – You Must Protect Your Building’s Interior from Water Damage

For most of the time during construction, you may find the inner parts of your building exposed to the elements. Things like the frames, the foundations, wiring and insulation, as well as the floors. If you’re using concrete and steel the hazard is less prominent, although those metal parts may still rust, and concrete can still suffer damage, but it’s with wooden materials that the dangers of water really set in. If exposed to water for prolonged periods, the wood may begin to rot or become infested with mold, rendering the entire structure unsound and unfit for habitation.

Waterproofing your building materials during construction will help prevent this from occurring, promoting in your fledgling building a healthy, strong start. As you’ll be better protecting your materials from damage, it also prevents expensive delays and replacements, as you will not need to be repairing continuous damage either during construction or after it has been completed.

#2 – It Promotes Long-Term Comfort

Waterproofing your new construction site early helps you to start sealing it off more efficiently than trying to it after building has finished. The measures taken help reduce moisture in the interior of the building, which makes it more comfortable to live in, while also providing a foundation for further work later on.


Some permeability is desirable in the building to let humidity building up inside the structure to escape, however the trick is allowing this while still keeping the moisture out. Such measures are easier to achieve as the building is being constructed. After the fact, you’ll probably require expensive reconstruction work to fit it all in properly. Thinking about this early can help prevent headaches about the matter later.

#3 – It Prevents Flooding in Basements

Basements in particular are vulnerable to moisture seeping within them. Water soaks through the soil and quickly leaks through cracks and fissures within the concrete, which can lead to flooding as well as mold and mildew. During the winter, this moisture will then freeze, causing it to expand and force the cracks open wider and making the problem worse. Eventually, the entire basement could be rendered unsafe.

As the basement is being built, it is essential to take steps to keep them waterproof and seal them off from moisture. Be sure to protect the foundations of the building as well, as doing so will promote the long-term stability of the structure.

#4 – It Saves Money

While the costs of waterproofing may initially seem like a severe blow to your budget, it is best to think of it as a long-term investment that makes money during the building’s lifetime. Much like installing insulation or double-glazed windows, waterproofing your new construction is a measure undertaken for the future, and will quickly save you money in the long run.

Think about things in this way: would you rather invest money now in a strong, secure house that requires minimal repairs from water damage caused by leaking basements or walls, or have to fork out cash for those repairs continuously for the rest of your time in it?

Further, do you want to run the risk of losing the building entirely because water damage has rendered it uninhabitable? Build your houses on stone, not on sand. Build for the future, and you will be better prepared for when the rains come. There are many excellent companies out there that specialize in waterproofing to include Raleigh Waterproofing Inc.

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Friday, June 24, 2016

Hybrid Homes


Hybrid Homes is genuine eco-friendly solution, which uses shipping containers and other recyclable materials for construction. Hybrid Houses provides an array of advantages against the conventional housing.

Advantages of Building a Hybrid House



  • Value for Money - Luxury finishes at low cost. 
  • Mobility - Houses are mobile and can be relocated at a minimal cost.
  • Fast Delivery  - Delivery with 30-90 days depending on the design.
  • Ready Made  -  Pre-designed Houses ready to be purchased.
  • No Red Tape - No regulatory or Municipal Council approval required. 
  • Minimal Investment in Land - Can be built in an extent less than 5 perches of owned or leased land. 
  • Modern Styles - Range of designs to suit your lifestyle. Flexibility of adding units.
  • Safety & Comforts - Temperature Controlled, No lightning or Tsunami risk. Termite and Corrosion free.
  • Life & Warranty - Built as per ISO Standards. Lifetime warranty backed by maintenance.
  • Eco Friendly - Manufactured from recyclable materials. Options to integrate solar power and natural water.


Monday, June 20, 2016

Preventing Falls on Construction Projects



 Disclaimer: This resource has been prepared to help the workplace parties understand some of their obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and regulations. It is not legal advice. It is not intended to replace the OHSA or the regulations. For further information please see full disclaimer.

Falls are the number one cause of critical injuries and deaths of workers at construction sites in Ontario.

Workers can be at increased risk of falling due to:


  • missing protective devices (e.g. guardrails)
  • unsuitable and/or poorly maintained guardrails and covers
  • unguarded openings in floors, work surfaces or walls of buildings or other structures, including skylights in existing roof structures
  • lack of appropriate personal protective equipment (e.g. equipment unavailable, unused or misused)
  • equipment that is misused or in poor condition (e.g. ladders, scaffolds, elevating work platforms or suspended access equipment)
  • poor work practices (e.g. unclear job procedures, lack of training or workers rushing to meet deadlines)
  • poor lighting, slippery surfaces, inadequate ‘housekeeping’ (e.g. a messy, cluttered work area) and other deficient working conditions
  • Appropriate methods for controlling these and other hazards must be included in construction site health and safety programs.


Some methods for controlling hazards leading to falls include:


  • engineering controls
  • personal protective equipment
  • housekeeping
  • use of appropriate and adequate administrative controls 

Preventing falls

The regulatory requirements regarding fall protection on a construction project are set out in Sections 26 to 26.9 of the Regulation for Construction Projects (O. Reg. 213/91).

Some control methods include guardrail systems (as opposed to other methods of fall protection — see below) which must be used to prevent falls, unless it is not reasonably possible to install one. Constructors and employers must install guardrails (or take other protective measures), if workers are at risk of falling:


  • more than three metres
  • more than 1.2 metres if the work area is used as a path for a wheelbarrow or similar equipment
  • into operating machinery
  • into water or other liquids
  • into or onto a hazardous substance or object
  • through an opening on a work surface

Sections 26 and 26.1 of the Regulation for Construction Projects (O. Reg. 213/91) require this. Subsection 26.3 (1) requires that a guardrail system must also be used if a worker is exposed to a fall of 2.4 metres or more and has access to the open side of a:


  • floor, including a mezzanine or balcony floor
  • bridge surface
  • roof while formwork is in place
  • scaffold platform or other work platform, runway or ramp

If it’s not reasonably possible to install a guardrail system, a worker must be protected from the fall hazard by one of the following under the Regulation for Construction Projects:


  • a travel restraint system that meets the requirements of section 26.4
  • a fall-restricting system that meets the requirements of section 26.5 — the system be designed to limit a worker's free fall to 0.6 metres
  • a safety net that meets the requirements of section 26.8 — this also needs to be designed, tested and installed in accordance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard 10.11 - 1989 (Personnel and Debris Nets for Construction and Demolition Operations)
  • a fall arrest system that meets the requirements of section 26.6, including the following:
  • a full body harness
  • a lanyard with a shock absorber (unless using a shock absorber could cause a falling worker to hit the ground, next level below or any objects below the work area)
  • a system that must be attached by a lifeline or by the lanyard to an adequate, independent fixed support that meets the requirements of section 26.7 and must limit a falling worker to a peak fall arrest force no greater than eight kilonewtons of force

The components of any method used for fall protection must meet the requirements of any applicable National Standards of Canada (CSA) standard listed in subsection 26.1 (3).
Training

Construction workers who could use a fall protection system must receive two types of training:

  1. "Working at Heights" course delivered by a training provider approved by the Chief Prevention Officer[1], and
  2. adequate training and adequate oral and written instructions on proper use of the specific fall protection system to be used. This instruction must be provided by a "competent person" who is:


  • qualified through knowledge, training and experience to organize the work and its performance
  • familiar with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the regulations that apply to the work being performed
  • aware of any actual or potential danger to health and safety in the workplace

Suspended access equipment requirements

Under the Regulation for Construction Projects a suspended platform or suspended scaffold must:

  • be attached to a fixed support or outrigger beam as per the manufacturer’s instructions [subsection 137 (2)]
  • meet all of the other requirements of sections 137 and 138

A worker who is on or getting on or off a suspended platform or a suspended scaffold must wear a full body harness connected to a fall arrest system as prescribed in subsection 141 (1).

A multi-point suspended scaffold and all of its components must be designed by a professional engineer in accordance with good engineering practice and must meet the requirements in section 142.2.

An elevating work platform must be designed by a professional engineer in accordance with good engineering practice to meet the requirements of the applicable National Standards of Canada standards and must be equipped with guardrails as prescribed in subsections 144 (1) and (7) of the regulation.

Scaffolds that meet the requirements of the Regulation for Construction Projects must be used when work cannot be done from the ground, a building or another permanent structure without posing a hazard to the workers [subsection 125 (1)].

Ladders

In accordance with section 80, a ladder used as a regular means of access between levels of a structure must:

  • extend at the upper level at least 900 millimetres above the landing or floor
  • have a clear space of at least 150 millimetres behind every rung
  • be located so an adequate landing surface that is clear of obstructions is available at the top and bottom of the ladder
  • be secured at the top and bottom to prevent movement duties of workplace parties

Duties of workplace parties

Constructors, employers, supervisors and workers have a number of duties and responsibilities under the OHSA and Regulation for Construction Projects.

It is the responsibility of constructors, employers and supervisors to ensure all workplace parties comply with the OHSA and its regulations. The employer is required to ensure that basic mandatory health and safety awareness training for all supervisors and workers in the workplace is completed.

Employers

The OHSA sets out general responsibilities for employers. Among other duties, an employer must:

  • instruct, inform and supervise workers to protect their health and safety [clause 25 (2) (a)]
  • appoint competent persons as supervisors [clause 25 (2) (c)]
  • take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of workers [clause 25 (2) (h)]
  • post a copy of the OHSA in the workplace [clause 25 (2) (i)]

An employer with six or more employees must:

  • prepare an occupational health and safety policy, review that policy at least once a year and set up a program to implement it [clause 25 (2) (j)], and
  • post a copy of the policy in the workplace in a spot workers will be most likely to see it [clause 25 (2) (k)]

Supervisors

The OHSA sets out certain general duties for workplace supervisors. A supervisor must:

  • ensure workers work with the protective devices, measures and procedures required by the OHSA and its regulations [clause 27 (1) (a)]
  • ensure workers use or wear any equipment, protective device or clothing required by the employer [clause 27 (1) (b)]
  • advise workers of any potential or actual health or safety dangers known by the supervisor [clause 27 (2) (a)]
  • provide workers with written instructions about the measures and procedures to be taken for the workers' protection, if required by the regulations [clause 27 (2) (b)]
  • take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of workers [clause 27 (2) (c)]

Employers, supervisors and trainers should encourage workers to communicate any questions or concerns they may have about falls hazards. Supervisors or others involved in training workers should be familiar with any health and safety concerns affecting workers.

Workers

Below are some general duties contained in the OHSA for workers. A worker must:


  • work in compliance with the provisions of the OHSA and its regulations [clause 28 (1) (a)]
  • use or wear the equipment, protective devices or clothing required by the employer [clause 28 (1) (b)]
  • report any defects of equipment, other hazards, and any contraventions to their supervisor or employer [clause 28 (1) (c)]
  • not use or operate any equipment in a manner that would endanger themselves or another worker [clause 28 (2) (b)]

Workers should be aware of their OHSA rights, including the right to refuse unsafe work and the right to know about any potential hazards.

More information


  • Construction Safety
  • Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act
  • Regulation for Construction Projects
  • Infrastructure Health & Safety Association
  • Workplace Safety & Insurance Board
  • Health & Safety Partners
  • CSA standards in occupational health and safety legislation

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Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Importance of Green Building 
   

What is Green Building?

Green building, or sustainable design, is the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings and their sites use energy, water, and materials, and reducing building impacts on human health and the environment over the entire life cycle of the building. Green building concepts extend beyond the walls of buildings and can include site planning, community and land use planning issues as well.

Why is Green Building important?

The growth and development of our communities has a large impact on our natural environment. The manufacturing, design, construction, and operation of the buildings in which we live and work are responsible for the consumption of many of our natural resources.

In the United States, buildings account for:

39% of total energy use
68% of total electricity consumption
30% of landfill waste
38% of carbon dioxide emissions
12% of total water consumption

Environmental Benefits

Enhance and protect biodiversity and ecosystems
Improve air and water quality
Reduce waste streams
Conserve and restore natural resources

Economic Benefits

Reduce operating costs
Improve occupant productivity
Enhance asset value and profits
Optimize life-cycle economic performance

Social Benefits

Enhance occupant health and comfort
Improve indoor air quality
Minimize strain on local utility infrastructure
Improve overall quality of life

Green Building Programs

LEED, Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is the nationally accepted rating system for commercial and institutional green buildings. The program helps establish a standard measurement for green building. Contact the US Green Building Council for more information 

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Monday, June 13, 2016

50 Tips for Anyone Building a New Construction Home

Whether you're building a sprawling new construction ranch home, a traditional two-story home or a cozy cottage in the woods, please take a few minutes to read through my 50 helpful tips for building a new construction home.
Check references before signing a contract to build a new construction home.

1. Check References From Your New Construction Home Builder
2. Hire Your Own Structural Engineer
3. Have A Professional Attorney Review The Contract
4. Fully Examine The Complete Home Builders Warranty
5. Choose Your Homesite Carefully
6. Talk To The Neighbors
7. Shop Around For Financing
8. Set A Realistic Budget
9. Make A Priority List & A Wish List

10. Ask What The Builder Includes In The Base Price

11. Ask What The Builder Charges Extra For
12. Ask What Fee The Builder Charges To Build The Home13. Examine The Cost Estimate Line-by-Line
14. Work With A Certified Architect To Design The Floor Plan
15. Mentally Walk Through The Floor Plan (Over And Over Again)!
16. Examine The Natural Light & Window Sizes (Consider Views)
17. Understand The Property Boundaries
18. Consider A Walkout Or Lookout Basement
19. Protect Mature Or Old Growth Trees On The Property

20. Research The School District & Property Taxes

21. Expect To Spend More
22. Take Time To Build It RIght
23. Be Flexible
24. Don't Build The Most Expensive Home In Your Neighborhood
25. Plan For Outdoor Living Space
26. Include Energy Efficient Features
27. Enhance Bedrooms With Tray Or Vaulted Ceilings
28. Position The Laundry Convenient To Bedrooms
29. Create Wide Walkways & Stairways
30. Include A Walk-In Pantry


31. Allow Ample Work Spaces In The Kitchen
32. Reconsider High-Maintenance Materials (Marble, Stainless, Natural Stone)
33. Whenever Possible Use Low Or Maintenance-Free Building Components
34. Price Compare & Purchase Fixtures Online (Lighting, Plumbing, Blinds)
35. Invest In Great Closet Storage Systems
36. Enhance Walls With Sconce Lighting
37. Add Ambiance With Dimmer Switches

38. Make Sure Porches Are 6' Deep Or More (For Furniture)
39. Include Outlets Outside & On Roof Line (For Holiday Lights)
40. Include Space For Your Hobbies (Craft Room, Extra Garage Space, Garden)

41. Don't Skimp On The Details
42. Ceilings Should Be At Least 9 Feet High
43. Enhance The Home With Unique Trim & Moldings
44. Consider Some Extra Conduit Behind Walls For Future Electrical
45. Plan Smart For Outlet Locations (Computer, Coffee Maker, Modem, TV, Etc)
46. Insulate, Insulate, Insulate
47. Know That Adding Something Later Will Always Cost More
48. Go To Home Shows To Get Ideas & Take Pictures
49. Stay Organized With A Binder For Paperwork & Save All Correspondence
50. Remember, If Designed Right, A Great Home Doesn't Have To Be Huge

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