DESCRIPTIVE NOTES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN R+1

CHURCH WITH GALLERY FOR MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD’S HOUSE

MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL

The specifications in this book should be respected during construction to ensure

durability. In this section, the designer aims to give detail explanation on the nature
of work involve in the construction process of this building project as well as
working specifications of materials to be used in building the structure.
However, instructions concerning operations are briefly described below.
WORK INSTRUCTIONS
All associated items of work must be executed according to the technological
norms of the profession. The site supervisor is advised to carefully study the
various components of the plan to ensure correct interpretation. The contractor is
equally advised to do the same before tendering for the project. In case of any
misunderstanding, consult the Architect or the designer. However, it is advisable
that the project designer should supervise the works.
SITE WORKS

A) Site Clearance and Fencing of Site: This exercise shall involve the clearing
and removal of existing structures from the site. Temporal fencing of the
construction site to ensure security during construction works.
B) Setting out: The setting out of the building shall be done using pegs of
(5x5cm) and profile boards of (3x8cm) by the foreman, under the strict
supervision and control of the Architect/Engineer.
C) Earth Works: This involves the excavation of trenches for foundation
footings. Leveling of the platform while ensuring the different slopes to
ensure proper drainage and backfilling. This should be done in strict respect
of the plan under the control of the Engineer.
D) GENERALITIES:
1) Sand:
Sand should be examined free of organic materials or vegetables. The
grain size should be 0.08mm for mortar and 0.16-5mm for finishing coats and
concreting. The sand equivalent should be greater than 85%.
2) Gravel:
It should be natural or cracked and free from dirt. It should be 5/15
3) Water:
Water used should be clean and free from salt and other impurities.

4) Hydraulic Binder:
Cement used should satisfy the general conditions imposed by the regulation in
power. It should be of CPA 325. It should be stored in a dry place and used
within 4 days and the slump should vary between 6 to 10cm.

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 5) Steel:
It should be of High Adherence (HA) as imposed by British Standards. They
should be placed at the tension parts while round smooth rods should be used
for shear stresses.
E) FOUNDATION WORK: The foundation should be constructed of masonry
and footings should be concreted where there are pillars as in the foundation
plan. The foundation should be of block 20x20x40cm. the footing and pillars
should be dose at 350kg/m3 i.e. 2:1:4.
F) Damp Proof Course (DPC)
This shall be of bitumen sheet as recommended by architect or a reinforced
concrete tie beam on foundation walls before starting of building walls.
G) BLOCK WORK: On the other hand, cement blocks (15x20x40cm) should
be used for erecting the walls. These blocks shall be constructed with mortar
of the ratio 1:3. Quality firm aggregates of medium grade should be used
while a lintel of 15x20cm should be concreted above window level and
another chain beam should be concreted above the last course.
1-Beams, Pillars and Lintels
These shall be of reinforced concrete PC 350kg/m3 and minimum main bars of
HA12. The steel bars shall be free from rust. The concrete shall be well mixed and
placed in required formwork and compacted and allowed to solidify before striking
of formwork. All reinforcement laid in place shall be inspected and approved by
the architect and engineer before casting of concrete is done.
2-Site Concrete
This shall be mixed at PC 250kg/m3, laid consolidated and screed to a thickness of
10cm on a 15cm hardcore base.
3-Floor Finishes
The floor finish shall be 1:3 cement sand mix, laid to 5cm thickness and screed
level and cement paste finished. All floors and walls of toilet and kitchens shall be
tiled with glazed and ceramic tiles accepted and approved by architect and client.
Walls shall be tiled up a maximum height of 1.80m.

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4-Plastering and rendering
Mortar for plastering shall be mixed 1:3 cement sand mortar. It shall be applied to
a thickness of 1.5cm both sides of walls and plumbed for both horizontal and
vertical alignment.
5-Sand and Gravel
The sand shall be sand from rivers or pit and must be free from all alluvial
materials, dead branches. It shall be tested and approved by the architect or the site
technician. Gravel shall be grade ranging from 15-25mm for foundations and 10-
20mm for pillars. All materials to be use must be approved by the architect or his
representative
6-Sand and Gravel
The sand shall be sand from rivers or pit and must be free from all alluvial
materials, dead branches. It shall be tested and approved by the architect or the site
technician. Gravel shall be grade ranging from 15-25mm for foundations and 10-
20mm for pillars. All materials to be use must be approved by the architect or his
representative
A) CARPENTRY WORKS: The local hard wood mahogany, Eucalyptus and
Iroko are expected to be use for all wood-works in the building. These
woods should be well seasoned and be of good quality before using them for
either noggins or fabrication of frames and shutters for openings while on
the other hand, the ones for roof framing should equally be seasoned. A
decorative simple block design ceiling shall be fitted to prevent atmospheric
agents. The roofing sheets shall be of aluminium material (6/10 tolebacks
and corrugated sheet).
B) ELECTRICAL WORKS: A competent expert ( electrical Engineer) must
handle electrical work. The use of diameter ( 11mm, 9mm) conduit pipes
and 1.5mm cables are recommended for this project. All piping and wiring
must be done before the plastering phase of the work. While fittings can be
done after the painting phase of the work.
C) PLUMBING WORK: Plastic and galvanized ( 3/4inches) pipes shall be
used for water supply pipes within the building. All sanitary pipes should be
of PVC 100mm and 63mm and must be laid in adequate slope from the
building to the septic tank. The septic tank must be watertight, and the
concrete ratio for casting of the slabs should be 1:2:3.
D) FINISHES: The thickness of plastering shall be 1.5cm, the spatter dash coat
must be applied before the finishing coat. The medium grade of fine

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 aggregate is recommended for this purpose. The thickness of floor screed
shall be 5cm, this process should be carried out only after the backfilling soil
has been compacted adequately. Portland cement paste shall be applied on
the floors of the rooms. While the normal toilet wall ceramic tiles, should be
applied on toilet floor/walls. After the plastering phase of the work, all door
and window frames, shutters, protectors as well as the facial board, shall be
painted using oil paint, pantex 1300 for ceiling and coloured oil paint for
walls. Before the application of this paint, a coat of whitewash should be
used.
E) SEPTIC TANK: A damp proof course (DPC) layer shall be applied at the
internal surface of the septic tank to prevent leakage. The septic tank must
be watertight and the concrete ratio for casting of the slabs shall be (1:2:2),
this same ratio should be used in filling blocks of 20x20x40 used for
constructing this tank.
F) SOAKAWAY PIT It shall be excavated as shown on the plan and filled
with stones in a helical form.
G) 3-Metal Work All window protectors shall be constructed from rust free
square tubes of 20mm and angle bars of 20mm according to the design to be
chosen by the architect and
Design also chosen as above.
7-Decking
This shall be of hollow block 16*20*50 dosed at 1:2 cement mortar. A rip beam
dosed at 350kg/m2 is placed between the hollow blocks. After which a 4cm
reinforce concrete of 350kg/m2 placed on it and allowed to harden for 28days.
Note. The architect is only concern with the aesthetic of the building and only
figure dimension are to be taken.