Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
PRE-CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
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PRE-CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
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Subject: Applied Technology
Class: SHS 1
Term: 1st Term
Week: 17
Grade code: 1.2.1.LI.3
Strand code: 2
Sub-strand code: 1
Content standard code: 1.2.1.CS.2
Indicator code: 1.2.1.LI.3
Theme: BUILDING CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
Subtheme: PRE-CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
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Welcome, students. Every day, as you travel to school or walk through your towns and cities like Accra, Kumasi, or Tamale, you see new buildings coming up. You see fences, stacks of blocks, heaps of sand, and temporary "kiosks" or offices. Have you ever wondered why these things are arranged in a particular way? This is not by chance! Before the first foundation is dug, a great deal of planning happens. This planning is called Pre-construction Activities. One of the most important of these activities is creating a Site Layout Plan. This plan is a map that decides where everything will go on the site.
This lesson focuses on the Site Layout Plan, which is the master drawing showing the arrangement of everything on a construction site. A. Why is a Site Layout Plan Essential?
A proper site layout is not just for neatness; it serves four critical purposes that are interconnected. ORDER: A construction site is a very busy place with many people, materials, and machines moving around. Without order, it becomes chaotic. What it means: Having a specific, known place for everything. Materials are stacked neatly, paths are clear, and waste is collected in a designated area. Example: Imagine a tipper truck arriving with sand. Without a plan, the driver might dump it anywhere, possibly blocking the entrance or the path to the cement store. A good layout plan designates a specific "Aggregate Bay" for sand and stones, keeping paths clear. SAFETY: Construction sites are inherently dangerous. A good layout minimises risks. What it means: Arranging the site to prevent accidents and provide quick help if one occurs. Example: The First Aid station should be clearly marked and easily accessible from anywhere on site, not hidden behind a stack of wood. Flammable materials like fuel for the generator must be stored far away from welding areas or the workers' canteen where cooking might occur. PROGRESS (EFFICIENCY): Time is money in construction. A well-planned site helps work move faster. What it means: Placing items logically to reduce wasted time and effort. Example: The cement, sand, and stone heaps should be located close to the concrete mixer. If the cement store is at one end of the site and the mixer is at the other, workers will waste significant time and energy carrying heavy bags of cement back and forth, slowing down the entire project. SECURITY: Construction materials and equipment (like iron rods, cement, power tools) are expensive and attractive to thieves. What it means: Protecting the site from unauthorised entry and theft. Example: The entire site is fenced or hoarded. There is only one main entry/exit point which is manned by a security guard in a security post. This allows the guard to check people and vehicles entering and leaving the site. B. Key Components of a Site Layout
A site layout plan shows the location of the following items:
| Category | Component | Description & Purpose | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | The Main Building | Building Footprint | The area where the actual building will be constructed. This area is usually kept clear of temporary items. | | Security | Hoarding/Fencing | A temporary barrier around the site perimeter. Made from corrugated metal sheets, plywood, or chain-link fence. It keeps unauthorised people out and protects the public from site hazards. | | | Main Gate & Security Post | The single point of entry and exit. The security post (often a small wooden structure) is located here to control access. | | Temporary Structures | Site Office | The administrative centre for the Site Engineer/Foreman. Drawings are kept here, and meetings are held. | | | Stores/Warehouse | Secure, weatherproof buildings for storing valuable or perishable materials. There is often a separate Cement Store (raised off the ground to prevent dampness) and a Tool Store. | | | Workshop | An area (sometimes covered) where carpenters bend iron rods (rebar), or electricians prepare components. | | Temporary Services | Water Supply | Could be a connection to the Ghana Water Company mains or, more commonly, large "polytanks" (plastic water tanks) filled by water tankers. Water is essential for mixing concrete/mortar and for workers' welfare. | | | Electricity Supply | A temporary connection from the ECG grid or, more likely, a diesel generator to power tools and lights. | | | Site Toilets | Temporary toilet facilities (e.g., mobile toilets or a constructed pit latrine) for workers. Essential for sanitation and hygiene. | | Welfare Facilities | First Aid Post | A designated, clean area with a first aid kit for treating minor injuries. | | | Canteen / Eating Area | A sheltered place for workers to eat their lunch (e.g., a simple shed with benches). This keeps the main work area clean. | | | Changing Room / Shed | A place for workers to store their personal belongings and change their clothes. | | Plant & Equipment | Heavy Plant Location | Designated spots for equipment like a concrete mixer or an excavator when not in use. | | Materials Storage | Material Lay-down Areas | Open, flat ground for stacking non-perishable materials like blocks, bricks, and iron rods. | | | Aggregate Bays | Designated heaps for sand and stones (chippings), often separated by low block walls. | | | Waste Collection Point | A specific area where all site rubbish (broken blocks, wood offcuts, plastic bags) is gathered for later disposal. | C. Principles of Strategic Placement Access is Key: The site entrance must be wide enough for large trucks. Internal roads or paths must be kept clear at all times for easy movement of people, wheelbarrows, and vehicles. Proximity Matters: Place items that are used together, close together. (e.g., Sand + Stone + Cement + Water --> Concrete Mixer). Safety First: Locate the First Aid post centrally. Store fuel away from heat sources. Ensure pathways are free of obstacles. Security at the Edge: The security post must be at the gate. The stores for valuable items should be located away from the main fence where they might be easily broken into, perhaps closer to the site office. Welfare in a Quiet Corner: Toilets and eating areas should be placed away from the noisy, dusty main construction area for hygiene and comfort, but still be easily accessible.