Site preparation is a primary and challenging activity in the organization and execution of building construction. It is a step-by-step process that includes soil testing, site-plan designs, zoning restrictions, environmental concerns, how utilities will run within the project, and clearing and excavation. Each step will be carefully investigated and eventually will go through a process of approval, and finally put into action. The result will be utilities, water, and sewer properly placed and a suitable foundation.
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Soil testing and excavation
Soil testing is an important tool in assessing suitable soil for a construction site. A soil test provides basic information on the composition of the soil and its ability to support a structure; as well as the absorption and drainage rate of the soil. The absorption rate will give a building construction company an idea on how well the soil will accommodate water. For this reason, soil tests are usually performed before a site is purchased.
A “site-plan design” is the step that indicates the anticipated placement of the building, and any other fixtures. The site-plan design will also portray current vegetation that will be removed, protected areas, access roads for construction vehicles, and anticipated location of any paved driveway and road. All site-plan designs must adhere to local or municipal regulations and be brought before zoning-approval boards to be used in the permitting process. This step takes places shortly after soil testing.
Additional steps in site preparation include clearing and excavation. Certain sites will require the removal of trees and stumps from the building site in order to make room for water systems and utilities. The process of clearing and excavation is very expensive and for this reason, it is suggested that the necessary areas be cleared. Too much clearing can be very expensive and affect erosion.
Safety for public and equipment
The travelling public traffic in the area must be managed by employing workers with flags and cones. The whole project should be fenced off so that onlookers will not slow traffic and cause accidents on the main street and the fence will hold dust in, keeping the road visibility high. All of these factors combined create a very safe travel environment in and out the site and all around the construction zone.
The building construction site being well fenced off, will keep pedestrians off the site, as the safety of pedestrians and building equipment is a priority. During the day, workers and site managers make sure pedestrians stay away from hazards on the site. At night security guards and security cameras should be used to watch over the site and make sure people do not enter the area.
Control of construction traffic
The traffic entering and exiting a site should all go through a main gate from the start. As building progresses other gates should be used for specific purposes.
Workers should go through the main gate, but all the delivery and pick up of materials must be routed through temporary gates. All these procedures will make for a well oiled building construction site.
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