28.11.10

27.11.10

Learning the Names of Construction Tools

 
If you want to learn the names of construction tools, children's books are a surprisingly good place to start. Once you've mastered the basics, move on to universities' construction curriculums to see what tools they're using. If you're ready for total immersion, do a construction apprenticeship; if your interest isn't career-oriented, find a construction site to serve as your impromptu classroom.

    Children's Books about Construction Tools

  1. It may seem silly, but if you're looking for a quick and simple guide to the names of construction tools, children's books provide the perfect amount of information, plus clear pictorial examples of each tool. The Blastoff! Readers Mighty Machines series of children's books, suitable for kids ages 4 to 8, includes books on backhoes, cranes, earth movers, bulldozers, dump trucks, bucket trucks, diggers, concrete mixers, wheel loaders and skid steer loaders. Each has about 20 pages of simply presented information that will help children and adults remember exactly what part each machine has in the construction process.

    You can also use children's coloring books as a resource for learning the names of tools. Many depict not only large construction machinery, but also smaller tools like hammers, saws and shovels.
  2. Construction Degree Programs

  3. Another way to learn the names of construction tools is to check out the home pages of university construction degree programs and apprenticeship programs. Often, these sites will contain listings of tools the programs require their students to own. For example, Alfred State, a SUNY college of technology, asks those enrolled in the Building Construction program to bring a long list of tools, including aviation snips, a keyhole saw, a magnesium concrete float and a concrete finishing trowel. Vincennes University asks that students's drywalling supplies include drywall finishing knives, a drywall pan, a drywall utility saw and a drywall hand sander. Many of these lists, however, don't include pictures of each construction tool: you can find photos by performing an image search on the name of each tool.
  4. Apprenticeships

  5. If you're interested in learning not only the names of construction tools, but also how to use them, consider doing a construction apprenticeship. The U.S. Department of Labor allows employers to offer registered apprenticeship programs that provide paid, on-the-job training in construction. The DOL's site redirects interested users to a state-by-state search for open apprenticeships. There are many different types of construction apprenticeships available, including roofing, drywalling and equipment operation. This third option involves working with heavy machinery that can excavate construction sites, level the ground and pave over dirt. This type of apprenticeship will help you learn the names of plenty of construction tools.

    If you're interested in learning about construction, but are not ready to make a career out of it, you can also ask friends who are in the construction business if they'd be willing to let you on their sites to observe. If you know people who are building or renovating a house, perhaps they'd be OK with you watching the process and asking the workers questions.

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Many people have at various times in their life dreamt of starting up and managing their own bar. Perhaps it is because one or more of their close family members have been involved in the bar business in some fashion or another in the past. Maybe they have amassed a number of happy memories of being in a bar. Whatever the reason, it is one of those things that seem to have an inexplicable draw for a great many people. It is an interesting choice of profession to be sure, and you will surely encounter a never-ending procession of colorful characters and memorable events that you will remember for the rest of your life.
Of course, as is the case with any other activity that is worth pursuing, running your own bar is not without its own share of difficulties and challenges. Far from it in fact for at odds with the general impression that you may have gotten about a bar being a relaxed and carefree environment, it can actually be a source of considerable hassle and times of extremely stressful situations. This early on in the proceedings, before you have even begun to take your initial steps into this business, it would be a wise move on your part to consider carefully if you have the stomach for such an undertaking and if you do not…well, it would probably be simply best if you walked away and considered another career.
If you are however firm in your resolve to start up and run your own bar, then have no fear; along with the difficulties and challenges that you will inevitably come up against, there also remains in wait a lot of very interesting and rewarding years ahead of you.
One thing that can be of tremendous help in your goal to run a successful bar is the range of Bar Tools such as the ones that you can find in Acemart.com. This is a particularly impressive line of implements and gadgets that no bar worth its name should be without.
For starters there is the Bar organizer which is a must for keeping your napkins and straws handy and clean so you can grab them without even sparing a thought.


construction tools

construction tools

Regardless of the scale of a construction site, from modest home improvements to the grandest glittering skyscrapers, building and repairing a structure is a dangerous business. Sometimes the danger comes from the very tools construction workers have to use every day in the practice of their trade. People that work in offices or other jobs rarely have to fear death from their keyboards, monitors, copy machines or water coolers, but construction workers have to be constantly on their guard every moment they operate their tools, lest an accident occur that leads to serious injury, disability, or even death.
Some of the most dangerous tools on a construction site include:
Power Nailers: Commonly called nail guns, these devices propel pointy metal spikes with great force. This tool perhaps best illustrates the true danger of construction work, as its basic function mimics the nature of a weapon. Keyboards, while they may help cause carpal tunnel, aren’t likely to misfire and shoot themselves through your chest.
Saws: Chainsaws, circular saws, table saws, are found on virtually every construction site in the United States, and while they all have built-in safety functions, their basic purpose is to separate one piece of material into two or more pieces of material. While that material is usually wood or concrete or Formica, woe to the construction worker that gets an arm or finger or leg in the way.
Air Compressors: While not a tool in and of themselves, they often provide the power for a host of other tools and construction applications. The reality is that air compressors are actually complicated pieces of equipment that can fail catastrophically if they are mishandled, poorly constructed, or worst of all, used in the correct manner. Combine high pressure air with a flawed tank or a leaky hose and you get a dangerous situation indeed.
Backhoes: These pieces of heavy machinery are ubiquitous on most major construction sites, as their versatility and power make them valuable assets in moving and demolishing material. Unfortunately, because they are big, heavy and power, this makes them more likely to cause serious injury to anyone on a construction site, even when they are use properly. Any failure in these complicated machines, from a leaky hydraulic line to a rusty bolt on a chassis or an irresponsible and untrained operator can make a backhoe deadlier than a main battle tank.
The best thing to remember about construction sites that require tools is that they should be respected as anything that could cause serious injury or death should. When careless people operate them, or incompetent site managers fail to advise workers of their presence, accidents occur, people suffer, and lawsuits begin.
The truth is, even in the best situations, accidents still occur. Be aware of your situation, and be careful.

What Is the Construction Institute?


The Construction Institute is an organization sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers that promotes excellence in construction through building standards. This is accomplished by encouraging more collaboration on projects from all sides of the construction industry. Overall, the goal to establish a wide consortium of workers from many different trades within the industry. While all involved may not agree on everything, the Construction Institute's goal is to find common ground.
The Construction Institute, headquartered in Reston, Virgnia, is listed as one of the seven institutes of the American Society of Civil Engineers, an organization founded in 1852. Its concept was considered needed because, according to the Institute, there very little cross networking and discussion among the various factions of the industry. Therefore, the Construction Institute reaches out to building and design workers, teachers, suppliers and others. The Institute theorizes that, as the various groups learn more about what is needed from each other, the chances for process improvement grow.
There are several tiers of membership in the Construction Institute. Students can get a greatly discounted annual membership, as long as they are enrolled in a university or technology program teaching architecture, engineering, or some other construction-related area. The next level is for associate members, which includes members under the age of 30. A regular membership, which has significantly higher dues, is available for those 30 and older. Those already in the American Society of Civil Engineers receive a complimentary membership in the Construction Institute.
In addition to the normal memberships for individuals, the Construction Institute has nearly two dozen corporate members. These corporations lend their name and help to enhance the credibility of the organization. Some of the corporate members include: Caterpillar, Inc., the Port Authority of NY & NJ, and Allied North America. Corporate memberships are offered for a much higher annual cost, which includes 10 individual memberships, along with some other benefits.
One of the listed benefits of membership is access to seminars sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers. These seminars cover a wide range of topics in the construction industry including: construction and development, environmental issues, geotechnical issues, hydraulics and water resources, management, structural issues and transportation. All facets of the construction industry are covered in these seminars.

26.11.10

Everything You Need To Know About Construction Administration


  • The construction phase begins with the initiation of the project; the budget, design and the ultimate goal of the project directly affects the work of the contractor.
  • Always confer with your legal consultant for review of contracts and the front end of the specifications.
  • Know your project budget and add 10% to the Purchase Order per contract for contingencies
  • Know the District’s policy for Change Orders
  • Know the District’s timeline to process progress payments
  • Architect’s design
    • If it is a duplicate de
    • Include any District’s standards of materials and systems, i.e. locks, energy management systems
    • Make sure the District’s maintenance person has reviewed and signed off on the design
  • Specifications
    • Include special site conditions, such as relocation of utilities, extreme dust control
    • District approval of Superintendent and Project Manager
    • Require a two warranty period, longer on equipment
  • Bidding Process
    • Wide public advertisement, not just in your area
    • Place documents in Plan Rooms
    • Determine who should get plans for a deposit
    • Determine bid date, check other projects bidding and allow 4 weeks for a bid period
  • General Contractor Requirement
    • Minimum one complete new school in the last five years of similar size
    • Minimum of one school modernization in the last three years of similar complexity
  • Selection of Contractor
    • Review and interview the three low bidders
    • Review their projects for the last 3-5 years
    • Contact the previous project Architect, District Rep, and District Maintenance person
    • DOCUMENT ALL RESPONSES
  • Start of Construction
    • Start a project binder to contain correspondence, meeting minutes and notes
    • All correspondence must go through the Architect
    • If there are major problems send copies to your legal consultant, now
    • Resolve problems at the lowest level and at the earliest time
  • Pre-Construction Meeting
    • At the meeting have YOUR TEAM, the architect, contractor, DSA inspector, testing agency, major subs, principal (if known)
    • Architect is interpreter of documents
    • Set weekly meeting day and time; you must be there to know what’s going on!!
    • Determine day for review of progress payments, this is the contractor’s life line
    • Indicate District’s policy on Change Orders
    • Indicate the policy on visits by Labor groups
    • Time of construction required by City
    • Who responds to neighbor complaints
    • Inspection of work prior to covering
    • No non-approved materials on site
    • No import of non-approved soil
  • Weekly Meetings
    • Architect records minutes of the meeting
    • Identify a response person and date for each item
    • There will be changes to the design!!!
    • There will be work installed incorrectly!!!
    • The District will make changes!!!
    • There will be unforeseen conditions!!!
    • Play nicely, lose the egos
  • Progress Payments
    • As-built drawings and specifications must be up to date
    • Architect, Inspector and Owner must ALL agree on percentage complete
    • Process payment in a timely manner!!
    • Require waivers when necessary
    • Review Escrow Account monthly
  • Project Close-Out
    • Archives, all as-built drawings (CAD) and specifications, shop drawings, samples manuals, etc.
    • Maintenance department makes final inspection
    • Determine maintenance schedule of equipment
    • Final waivers
    • List of service providers for equipment
  • Post Completion Inspection
    • At the end of the first year of operation, have the architect and maintenance inspect the project
    • Provide a list of design concerns
    • Provide a list of warranty items
    • Architect to interview the educational staff and provide a report
  • Major Problems
    • Architect, if they cannot respond timely
    • Contractor, if they cannot respond timely
    • Deal with the problems and don’t be afraid to fire a consultant or contractor
    • Resolve the problems at the lowest level and at the earliest time

How to Learn Construction Estimating

Construction Plan

Wiki Commons
Construction estimators use building plans, project specifications, and information obtained with site visits to estimate the cost of completing a job. The estimate they create contains all the material and labor costs associated with construction and project management, as well as overhead, profit, and fees. The key to learning construction estimating is to develop an increasingly comprehensive understanding of the building process. This allows the estimator to analyze a project thoroughly to develop the most accurate estimate possible.


Instructions


  1. Enroll in a degree program. Degrees in Engineering, Construction Management, or Architecture can provide you with a thorough understanding of the basics of the construction industry. You'll learn about the various materials used, and how they are installed. In addition, you'll gain insight into how buildings are put together, as well as how different construction activities impact one another. These programs also include coursework in estimating procedures and the use of estimating software.

  2. Look for a specialized estimating course. Many community colleges and technical schools offer certificate programs or single courses that teach construction estimating. These courses can help you learn the basics of the construction process, and also teach you to look at the process critically

  3. Gain experience in the field through internships or on-the-job training. Many elements can effect an estimate, and these elements can be different on every job. Spending time on a construction site is one of the best ways to get familiar with all the different factors that can effect a project. Many large general contractors hire students majoring in the construction trades for both internships and entry level jobs. These students will usually start work on the site, assisting the project manager and superintendent. Here, they can gain a true understanding of what it really takes to construct a building or other project.

  4. Learn to read blueprints. As an estimator, you'll gather most of your information about a project from its blueprints. With a bit of patience and practice, you can generally learn this skill on your own. If you find it too difficult, look for courses at your local community college or contractor's association. Develop good plan review habits now to help you when you are estimating work. This includes taking note of every piece of information on the page, such as symbols and numbered notes. It is also important to look for discrepancies among different sections of the plans, and to clarify these items before submitting an estimate.

  5. Improve your understanding of mechanical and electrical systems. These two elements typically make up the largest portion of a construction estimate, and are also considered to be the most complicated. The more you know about these elements, the more likely you are to prepare an accurate estimate. Consider taking a course in basic electricity or HVAC systems. Read books on these topics, especially those aimed at commercial systems. When looking for internships, consider taking a position with a mechanical or electrical subcontractor. You'll gain invaluable knowledge that will be extremely beneficial to your estimating career, and may put you well ahead of other candidates when you begin your job search
    .
  6. Get familiar with the MasterFormat system developed by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI). This system is used throughout the entire construction industry as a way to organize construction activities, project specifications, and other components. As an estimator, you'll find that most of your estimates will be organized according to this system. Most estimating software is also arranged according to the MasterFormat.There are 50 divisions in the system, and each is broken down into dozens of individual sections. For example, Division 22 is for Plumbing, and Sections 22 01 through 22 20 address various elements of plumbing materials and methods. Using this system helps an estimator develop a comprehensive bid, with fewer oversights. The MasterFormat can be accessed for free at the CSI website.

 
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