Priming Methodology

UPGRADING OF APPROXIMATELY 171KM OF ROAD KASAMA TO MPOROKOSO IN NORTHERN

PROVINCE

PRIMING PLAN/METHODOLOGY

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This method statement summarises the process of priming as will be carried out on the contract
for Upgrading of Approximately 171Km of Road Kasama to Mporokoso in Northern Province . The
summary includes notes on materials to be used, equipment, preparation of the surface to be
primed, weather considerations, the priming operation; testing and maintenance of primed
section.

2.0 MATERIALS

The following materials shall be made available and used for priming.

(a) Priming material - The priming material shall be MC-30 cut-back bitumen as
specified in the contract documents.

- However, if MC-30 cut-back bitumen is in shot-supply, and

delay is envisaged in the project execution, alternative primes
will be considered for use at the approval of the Resident
Engineer. In this project, Colprime will be preferred as an
alternative, for its better penetration and faster curing
property. The rate and temperature of application will be
maintained as for MC-30 unless otherwise directed by the
Engineer. Product Certificates, for each consignment that is
delivered, will be submitted to the Engineer for approval to
ensure compliance with the project specifications.

(b) Aggregate for blinding – Where there will be need to open a primed portion of the road
to traffic before surfacing, the aggregate used for blinding the
primed surface shall consist of crushed rock – quarry dust, with
100% passing the 6.7 mm sieve and not more than 10% passing
the 2.00 mm sieve. The aggregate shall be clean, hard and free
from excessive dust. It shall contain no clay, loam or other
deleterious matter.

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Priming Methodology

3.0 EQUIPMENT

The following mechanical equipment shall be available and in good working order and free of
fuel and lubricants leakages:

(i) Binder Distributor

(ii) Water Sprinkler
(iii) Tractor Drawn Rotary broom
(iv) Hand brooms
(v) Reinforced paper for joints
(vi) String
(vii) Nails

(a) Binder distributor - The binder distributor used for applying the
prime shall be in sound working condition with no fuel or binder
leakages, straight and clean spraybar, all the spray heads of which
shall be of the same type which open simultaneously and shall not
leak when closed; have its spray heads all spraying at the same
angle to the spraybar and adjusted to the correct level so as to
obtain the required overlapping; have its fans not interfering with
one another; and shall have its sieve undamaged and clean.

(b) Water sprinkler – This shall have efficient spray equipment,

capable of spraying a uniform film of water over the whole area to
be primed.

(c) Rotary broom - The rotary broom shall be tractor drawn.

(d) Other equipment - Other equipment shall include hand brooms, reinforced paper for
joints, string, nails and all other ancillary equipment required to carry out the operation
efficiently and neatly.

Before the priming operation, all the equipment shall be jointly inspected with the
Engineer’s Representative to ensure that it is in good working order. No equipment
identified with oil and/fuel leaks shall be used in the operation until the defect is
rectified.

4.0 WEATHER AND OTHER LIMITATIONS

We shall ensure that prime is not applied under the following adverse weather conditions:-

(a) During foggy or wet conditions;

(b) When rain is imminent;
(c) When wind is blowing sufficiently hard to cause uneven spraying;
(d) When the surface of the layer is visibly wet, i.e. more than damp;

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Priming Methodology

(e) When the temperature of the surface immediately prior to commencing with the
application of the prime is below or likely to fall below 10°C;
(The gun thermometer shall be available to check the surface and atmospheric
temperatures)
(f) During night times;
(g) When at any position the moisture content of the base layer is more than 50% of the
optimum moisture content as determined by the Engineer.

5.0 PREPARATION OF THE LAYER TO BE PRIMED

Not earlier than 24 hours before spraying, the layer to be primed shall be broomed and cleaned
of all loose or deleterious material by means of a rotary broom and hand brooms. Sweeping
shall be done carefully so as not to cause any damage to the layer. A light spray of water,
sufficient to dampen the surface, shall be uniformly applied to the layer immediately before the
application of the prime. If the water is over applied the layer shall be allowed to dry until a
uniform damp surface is obtained.

Before any prime is applied the layer to be primed shall be checked for compliance with the
requirements for surface smoothness or evenness. Any sections not complying with the
specified requirements shall be corrected according to the severity of the damage. The
respective corrective measures shall be submitted to the Engineers in writing for approval in
accordance with clause 1218 of SATCC.

6.0 APPLICATION OF THE PRIME COAT

Prior to commencement of priming, it shall be ensured that a safe environment is always

maintained, and that on-site safety procedures are followed at all times. The Site Engineer shall
see to it that adequate measures are taken to warn and protect road users and construction
workers. He shall instruct all supervisors and foremen in safety measures including traffic
control and use of clean standard temporary road signs.

The surfacing foreman shall ensure all workers are provided with adequate safety gear, and
that there are good working and handling practices on site all the time.

The Surveyor will check the centre line and mark out the road edges as an indication of where
the prime lines end. He will ensure the required road widening on the inner sides of particular
curved sections is taken into account.

A minimum of 1.0 m of reinforced paper or corrugated iron sheets shall be used at all joints at
the beginning and end of all sprays in order to obtain a neat start and cutoff. The temperatures
for storage shall be a maximum of 65’C for storage upto 24hrs and upto 30°C for storage over
24hrs, while the spraying temperatures will be in the range 45-60°C in accordance with clause
4106, table 4106/1 of SATCC.

The MC 30, if stored in a heated condition, shall be stored in a container with a properly
functioning circulation system and having a securely fitting lid. The rate of application shall be

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Priming Methodology

0.8 ltr/m2 as per contract document and the actual spray rates measured at spraying
temperature shall not deviate from the required spray rate as specified by
more than 0.06ltr/m2. The edges of the primed surface shall be true to line with a maximum
deviation of 25 mm from the specified edge line.

The prime shall be applied in three strips evenly over the full width of the road and allowed to
penetrate and cure. Allowance shall be made for overlapping of strips by 100 mm. All traffic
shall be kept off the surface until the surface is chipped.

The total width of the primed surface shall be 10.15m (max) and the edges of the primed
surface shall be parallel to the centerline of the road.

On super-elevation a small soil windrow shall be applied on the inner side of the curve to stop
spillage.

Where it is not feasible for traffic to use diversions, the prime shall be applied and allowed to
penetrate for at least 2 to 4 hrs before a blinding layer of aggregate is applied at a rate of
approximately 0.0035 m3/m2. Any "caking" of aggregate which may take place and cause
problems during the surfacing process and all loose aggregate shall be removed before the final
surfacing is commenced.

Care shall be taken to protect all kerbing and guttering, guard rails and channeling from the
prime by covering them with a suitable protective material when spraying.

7.0 MAINTENANCE AND OPENING TO TRAFFIC

Where a blinding layer has been applied to the primed surface, we shall maintain the blinding
layer and the primed surface during the period when the surface is opened to traffic, and shall
repair all damage caused to the blinding layer or the primed surface by such traffic.

8.0 NOTICE OF SPRAY TO ENGINEER

We shall give at least 24hrs notice to the Engineer of our intention to apply prime so that the
actual spray rates can be witnessed and verified by the Engineer’s representative. Prime
application shall be done when the Resident Engineer or his representative is present and the
base layer to be primed has been approved.

9.0 PERSONNEL

Working Force

1 Site Engineer
1 Surfacing Foreman
1 Spray bar operator
4 General Workers for picking foreign objects and surface correction
2 Traffic Controllers
1 Attendant for Bitumen Distributor
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Priming Methodology

1 Attendant for Water Bowser

Plant Operators and Drivers

1 Mechanical Broom Operator

1 Bitumen Distributor driver
1 Water Bowser Driver
1 Light Vehicle Driver

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