WORK METHODOLOGY PLAN

• 1.1 The Basis for the Method Statement

This method statement proposal is based on the following material ingredients that will be available within the contract;
(1) Construction drawings (Architectural and Structural), (2) Safety requirements, (3) Regulations of the government of Kenya relating to construction, (4) The contractor’s experience and ability to execute the contract works, (5) Environmental conditions of the site, (6) The Bills of Quantities.

1.2 Objectives of the Construction

In order to meet the objectives of the project and the requirements of the conditions of the contract, the final objective is subdivided into sectional objectives as shown below;

1.2.1 Quality Objective

All inspections, examinations material and sample testing, appropriate work methodology and procedures will be adhered to for the quality of the works to be accomplished.

1.2.2 Time of Completion Objective

Devshibhai and Sons as the Main contractor will work to execute the works within the stated contract period or any other period negotiated and agreed upon with the employer and the consultants. This will also go hand-in-hand with the Construction program.

1.2.3 Safety, Health and Environment Objectives

1) The Main contractor staff work to ensure accidents, both fatal and non-fatal are avoided and eradicated in the best way possible. Targets are set in place to control the annual rate of injuries.

2) Hazards due to fire, poisonous materials and heavy equipment have to be controlled.

3) Signage of regulations for the site access, safety, operations, electricity, water, fire prevention, and red warnings will be made easily visible.

4) The site will be kept clean and tidy during the whole period of the construction as this helps in ensuring good health for the workers on site and also visitors.

1.2.4 Coordination Objective

To ensure cooperation between the authorities, client, consultants, contractors (i.e.Main Contractor and various subcontractors) and suppliers.

Meeting will be scheduled and minutes will be submitted for record.
CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR THE MAIN WORKS

6.1. SITE CLEARANCE

All bushes will be cleared to the required width as specified. If fire has to be used in clearing the bush, it shall only be done in controlled heaps to reduce the danger of fire spreading to the adjoining land An experienced project manager will be on site to ensure it meets the standard of safety needed by our client:

6.2 Setting Out

Teams of experienced surveyors, led by the chief surveyor, will be employed to provide the basic setting out, base lines and benchmarks at the suitable locations. Theodolites, Total Stations and steel tapes shall be used for the setting out works as the basis to be used for further detailed setting out. Another set of base lines and benchmarks will be set onto the above ground structures before proceeding with the backfilling to excavated levels. Surveyors and chainmen will also be responsible for further detailed setting out and levelling for the footings and basement structures. For some critical base lines and setting out marks set out by surveyors and chainman, the chief surveyor will carry out counter-checking using a theodolite before they will be used for further setting out or construction activities.

It is a basic principle that the correctness of setting out serves as a vital element for the correct construction for the works. A checking system will be formulated to ensure the correctness of works. These base lines and benchmarks will be regularly checked by the chief surveyor to ensure their correctness. Theodolites and steel tapes will be calibrated at regular intervals to ensure the correctness of these equipment’s. The consulting team will be invited to inspect the setting out for approval before there construction begins.

6.3 Earthworks and Excavation for Soil Works

• The main Earth works will be undertaken by the main contractor. The earth works will be finished up to the following levels,

• Excavation and Soil works for Column Bases and Trench Excavator will be used to excavate the foundation 100mm above the required level, and the leveling and trimming will be done by labors. The excavation will be carried out to achieve the designed level or when the soil/Rock condition is satisfied by the engineer. Removal of soil from an excavation causes unbalanced soil stresses which reduce the capacity of the excavation to support it. The use of adequate shoring, benching and battering is essential to control the risk of a collapse or failure of a trench or open excavation. The specific method will be supplied after investigation for the excavated area is done. All the back filling and compaction shall follow the specifications of the earth works. Professional operators and technicians will be engaged for the earthworks and excavations. The contractor doing the work, employers, employees and their representatives will consult with each other and determine the provision of all safeguards. The consultation process will be used during the planning and preparation stages to determine safe systems of work based on the assessment of the risks. Structural or geotechnical engineers will be involved in the consultation process when appropriate. The consultation process will at least cover the following:

(a)Nature and condition of the ground or working environment

(b) Nature of the work and other activities that may affect safety

(c) Static and dynamic loads near excavation

(d) Interaction with other trades

(e) Workplace access

(f) Management of surrounding vehicular traffic and ground vibration

(g)Work force safety

(h) Type of equipment used for excavation

(i) The provision of appropriate amenities, which will depend on the type of work space

(j) Compliance with all Construction regulations

6.4 Disposal of Excavated Soil

The preferred method of excavated material disposal is to make use of the material obtained from excavation for construction works, for example backfilling material, temporary road formation, etc. This arrangement will be most beneficial to the project. Should there be surplus material, excavated materials will be selected and stockpiled on site for future backfilling purpose as far as practicable or transfer to another site for use in construction activities. Any unsuitable material will be hauled off site using dump trucks.

6.4.1 Methods

• The size and function of the concrete element is determined before starting the cutting. Pre-planning is a very important process, and it will save the timeand materials. A pencil sketch of the layout as per the drawings is made, including the length of all of the cuts. After having cut the boards for the formwork, they are laid out in the form that they will take. 24-inch stakes will be cut using the 2-by-4 or 2-by-6 lumber. A sharp point is made on all of the stakes. The stakes are driven in the base at the points where the form boards will connect, and attach the forms to the stake using the 3-inch wood screws. The forms are attached high on the stakes, and then the height of the forms is adjusted by driving the stakes into the base until the formwork is to the desired level and height. Nylon string attached to the corners of the formwork is used and stretched down the sides of the forms as a gauge to determine whether the forms are straight. All 90-degree angles are checked and it is made sure they are square; use a framing square.

6.4.2 Potential Risks

> Risks and Impacts associated with Construction below Ground Level

There are various risks and impacts which can be associated to construction and excavation deep below the ground level. Some of the risks and impacts are;

1. Underground services which are passing below the exact location of the proposed buildings. The impact of this is that the services might be disrupted by the construction activities specifically during the excavation process.

2. Groundwater having a chemical content that will attack the concrete.

3. Excavation reaching the level below the water table level making the construction impossible.

> Environmental risks

Environmental risks include natural disasters, weather, and seasonal implications. These risks are commonly overlooked when people are unfamiliar with local conditions. Scope Projects Limited has familiarized herself with Nairobi regions weather pattern as a way of assessing potential environmental risks. This enables adequate preparation for these risks and helps to plan to avoid delays and losses that may arise out of the same.

> Security risks

The Plant, fuel and materials are the main assets that are at risk through theft in a construction site. Also, vandalism, attacks on workers, arson and security breaches of temporary site buildings are also very real hazards. There are also risks in the form of access by protestors who may seek to achieve anything from publicity through to damage or destruction of the site. Scope Projects Limited takes enough measures to minimize these risks. These maybe through the physical measures of incorporating strong hoardings, barriers, gates, secure storage facilities and bollards;

> Technical Risks

Technical risks include anything that restricts you from creating the product that your customer wants. This can include uncertainty of resources and availability of materials, inadequate site investigation, or incomplete design. These risks can commonly occur when there are changes in project scope and requirements, and if there are design errors or omissions. Scope Projects Limited carries out early preparations and scheduling of resources to ensure that at no point shall the project fail due these technical issues. We ensure back up plans are in line, just in case of one failure. Also, our teams ensure proper inspection to minimize omissions, or additions which may greatly alter the construction scope.

> Management related risks

The most common management related risk is uncertain productivity of resources. Before we begin a project, we ensure the availability of sufficient skilled staff and adequately defined roles and responsibilities for everyone allocated to the project.

> Financial risks

Inflation, local taxes, and availability and fluctuation in foreign exchange are a few of the possible financial risks we incur during the construction of the project. However, we try as much as possible to understand the exchange rates of foreign currencies for foreign projects. Different countries have different taxes as well. This is taken into consideration before the start of any project.

> Socio-political risks

This may include social unrest and political instabilities. Also, customs and import restrictions and difficulties disposing of equipment are a few of the socio-political risks faced in construction projects. These are assessed and measures put in place to eradicate and mitigate the same.

1. COORDINATION OF SITE ACCESS AND LAYOUT OF JOB-SITE

The Main contractor will obtain the necessary permits for accessing the site. The other aspect that we will put into much consideration is the reduction of unnecessary facilities on the site. The facilities that will be available on the site during the duration of the contract are offices for the contractor and client’s representative and/or consultant’s representatives and stores for the materials and equipment for the works. The other facilities that will be available are those for ensuring safety, health and welfare of people on the site. These include facilities such as temporary toilets, temporary canteen and first aid room.

The issue of stores for equipment and materials has been much put into consideration. This is a large project which requires a large quantity of materials and much and big equipment. Storing so much of materials and placing so much equipment at the site at a particular time will pose a problem of restraining space for working and movement. Thus it is important to have an equipment and material scheme i.e. it is very important to plan the equipment for the project at different phases. The equipment and materials listed in this technical proposal will be on site as per progressive demand on job-site. The types and numbers of the equipment will be adjusted according to the job-site works. Only the equipment and materials that are needed for a particular piece of work at the site will be available on site at the particular time. This helps to deal with the problem of space constraint if much equipment and bulk amount of materials were to be placed on the site unnecessarily at the same time. The temporary road cover structure is so important to the project, otherwise there will be no space for the site construction operation and movement.

The sketch for layout of the job-site has been prepared by CRJE and it is submitted along with these technical documents.

2. PROPOSED SEQUENCING OF WORKS

To ensure that the works are carried out smoothly and in a manner that will enable to meet the requirements of the client we have prepared a particular sequencing for the various items of the works since the time of bidding, design, construction of the works, client’s take over and making good of defects, if any.

2.2 Site Handover and Mobilization of the Works

This will be done after the opening of the tender and if and only if, among the bidding contractors, Scope Projects Limited has been awarded the tender. Prior to this there will be a brief duration for the signing of the contract. Site handover by the client is a brief procedure and can even be accomplished in a single day.

After this, follows the mobilization for the works. The period of mobilization will involve various activities such as water and electrical connection for the works, demolishing existing structures, erecting the hoarding, clearing the site, mobilization of the equipment for the works, and deploying of the workers. It is during the mobilization period that the contractor will register the project at various boards in accordance with the regulations of these authorities. In summary, during the mobilization period, the following activities are planned to be carried out:

1. Establishment of the project management team and as per the proposed schedule;

2. Preparation the equipment for the works, e.g. excavators, tippers, steel bar cutter and bender, batch plant standby checking, construction hoist/lift, etc.

3. Application of the temporary power and water connection and extension to the proposed points in the schedule.

4. Deployment of the skilled, semi-skilled and general workers.

5. Submission of the revised master program to the Architect/Engineer for approval.

6. Registering the project in accordance with the regulations of those authorities.

7. Erection of the construction signboard and pasting the stickers from the above mentioned authorities.

8. Erection of the signage of regulations for the site access, safety, operations, electrical and water, fire prevention, red warnings.

2.3 Construction of the Main Works

This is the main work of the contract involving the various items of works . The works at this stage include excavation for foundation, water and damp proofing works, concrete work, formwork, steel work, scaffolding supporting, walling, plastering and external works. It is the most sensitive part of the project that requires to be carried out with ample attention and efficiency. The accurate details of how the various items of work will be carried out in this duration and their sequencing is found in the program of the works which have been prepared and is also a part of these technical offer forms.

2.4 Testing and Commissioning

This will be performed as the installation of various services and equipment is completed. Final testing and commissioning for the whole project will be carried out prior to handing over of the completed works. Brochures and operation manual of various installations as well as a set of as-built drawings for the installations and the buildings works will be compiled and submitted at the handing over date for the works. The testing, commissioning and handover of the project shall include following activities; The following activities will be performed during the commissioning of the project;

1. Calibrating, testing and running of buildings systems, services and equipment, to ensure the building frame is ready for finishing.

2. Handover training for the buildings’ owner, and operation and maintenance personnel.

3. At the conclusion of commissioning, a final inspection is undertaken. This will allow key project personnel to ascertain the buildings readiness for handover. A satisfactory inspection will result in the issuing of a Certificate of Practical Completion.