BUILDING CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

FOC ASSIGNMENT

EXTERNAL WORKS

ABDUL HADI IZAAN BIN IBRAHIM (AN150059)

ADRIANA FARNIZA BT POZI @ FAUZI (AN150061)
NOOR FATEEN NABIELLA MAULAD AZEMI (AN150215)
INTRODUCTION

The term external works describes any works carried out to the external environment of a building project.
These can be works to functional as well as aesthetic features.

The category of external works is dedicated to any features that can be used to finish the external environment
of a project, whether it be a residential, commercial, industrial or a community project. Within most projects
external features are needed to ensure the functionality of, and to add value to, the end result.
OBJECTIVE
IMPORTANCE

(a)Give protective cover

(b)Improve aesthetic view
(c) Rectify defective workmanship
TYPES OF EXTERNAL WORKS

Site preparation works.

Roads, paths, paving and surfacing.
Soft landscaping, planting and irrigation systems.
Fencing, railings and walls.
External fixtures.
External drainage.
External services.
Minor building works and ancillary buildings.
SITE PREPARATION

Before construction works can begin, the site clearance and preparatory groundworks are generally necessary.
This might include;
Removal of any vegetation including roots.
Levelling of the site to a roughly even gradient, or modelling the site to create a desired form.
Setting out and trench lines laid out according to the building footprint.
Establishing site offices, welfare facilities, storage, access routes, and so on.
 ROADS, PATHS, PAVING, AND SURFACING

It is common for the external areas around buildings to require hard standing
areas and surfacing features for use by workers, pedestrians and vehicles. These
might include:
Paving, kerbs, and edging.
Asphalt or block surfacing to driveways, footpaths, car parks and roads.
Timber decking, handrails and balustrades.
Patios, platforms and so on, typically constructed
from concrete or concrete paving slabs.
 SOFT LANDSCAPING, PLANTING AND
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Softscape or soft landscape includes all types of plant life, from flowers and
trees to shrubs and groundcover. It naturally changes and evolves over time,
driven by the climate, time of year and other conditions. Careful consideration
should be given to the amount of maintenance that these elements will require
to stay in good order.
Irrigation systems for gardens and external areas can be used to automate the
process of watering. The most common forms are a drip irrigation systems that
precisely releases water to the roots of plants, and a micro spray system that
deliver a fine spray of water over a defined area. The benefit of installing such
systems is their efficiency, delivering a water-use reduction of up to 90%
compared to a traditional garden hose.
FENCING, RAILINGS AND WALLS

These can be used to stop or cut down any unwanted pedestrian or

vehicular access, to provide privacy, to give delineation between areas
and so on. They can be low level such as wooden palisade fencing, or
high level such as security fencing with concrete or metal posts and wire
mesh. Wrought iron fencing can be finished with spikes or pointed
designs, and features such as razor wire and anti-climb paints used to
reduce scalability.
There may be a requirement for retaining walls to prevent ground
slippage or heave.
Types of Fencing;

Concrete fence
Ha-Ha fence
Chain-link fence
Picket fence
Electric fence and barbed wire fence
Heavy duty mesh fence
Metal fence
Timber fence
 EXTERNAL FIXTURES

These are fixtures that may be installed for functional or aesthetic purposes outside the building. The most
common examples include:

Bollards
Used as an alternative to fencing to restrict vehicular access and as segregation between pedestrians roads.

Street furniture
This includes benches, bins, cycle stands, tree guards, lighting, signage, and so on. Within a town or city
environment the layout and manufacture of these features may be used to create a period theme; for example, cast
iron benches in a Victorian theme. Stainless steel or wood may be used in more contemporary or natural designs or
to aid durability.

Shelters
These may be required to enhance external environments. Bespoke shelters are often supplied by manufacturers for
a range of purposes, from smoking shelters for office buildings, to cycle shelters, bus shelters, sports shelters and
so on.
 DRAINAGE

Foul drainage
Above-ground pipework is referred to as sanitary pipework, whilst underground pipework is
referred to as foul drainage and sewers. Both carry the used water from toilets, sinks, basins,
baths, showers, bidets, dishwashers and washing machines.

Surface water drainage

This carries water from rain, condensation and melted snow/ice from structures. The above-
ground guttering and rainwater pipes are referred to collectively as roof drainage. The
underground pipework is referred to as surface water drains and surface water sewers.

Sustainable urban drainage system

Sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS) are systems designed to efficiently manage
the drainage of surface water in the urban environment. They provide an alternative to, or
addition to, traditional drainage systems where surface water is drained directly and quickly
into underground, piped drainage. SUDS may include; filter strips and drains, swales,
permeable surfaces, basins and ponds, underground storage, wetlands and so on.
 EXTERNAL SERVICES

External services might include:

Water mains supply.

Electricity mains supply and distribution.
External transformation devices (wind turbines, solar panels, satellite dishes).
Gas mains supply.
Telecommunications and other communication system connections.
Fuel storage and piped distribution systems.
External security systems.
Site/street lighting systems.
Irrigation systems.
Local/district heating installations.
 Ensuring that utilities are supplied to developments is vitally important, not just for the completed
development, but also for the construction process itself. Developers will need to ensure that existing site
information is obtained, and surveys carried out to determine the position, extent and capacity of existing
services. They will need to agree with the provider, the design of any new infrastructure that is required, who
will provide it, who will adopt it, and any charges, as well as the appropriate testing, inspection, certification,
connection (or disconnection), installation of meters and so on.
The costs associated with utilities can be significant, both in terms of the initial capital cost of installation
(particularly if there is no existing supply or if the existing supply is inadequate) and ongoing bills during
operation. It is important therefore to ensure that the best deal is being obtained from providers and that
alternative quotes are obtained if possible.
During mobilisation for construction, the contractor will need to arrange for the necessary water, power and
telecommunications services to enable the site to function.
MINOR BUILDING WORKS AND ANCILLARY
BUILDINGS

There may be a requirement for buildings to serve the site during the course of the construction works that
are generally removed upon completion, such as storage facilities, sanitary conveniences, washing facilities,
changing rooms and lockers, canteens, site offices and so on.

Minor building works might also include works such as underpinning existing buildings and boundaries,
builders work in connection with site services and so on.
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES

https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/External_works
https://www.theconstructioncentre.co.uk/products/external-works/