Month: August 2020

Construction Laws That You Should Know Before Building a House

No matter the state or city where you plan to build a home, there are various construction laws and regulations that must be observed for success. While those laws may vary from one state or city to another, they are all aimed at making sure that the construction process and house are safe for both the workers, occupants, and the public. Nevertheless, the following are the key construction laws that you should know before building a house. 

Lot Approval 

The fact that you own the land does not mean you can use it in any way you desire. Before construction, check the assessor’s parcel number (APN) of the land and make sure that the lot is approved for building houses. You should only proceed with constructing a house on the lot if it is an approved building site. 

Zoning Laws 

Zoning laws mainly relate to how the land can be used and, the types of buildings allowed on the lot. Check with the local zoning office about any regulations or restrictions that would hinder you from putting up a house on the desired land. You should also get the zoning permissions before commencing construction. 

Building Codes 

Building codes cover the physical structures erected on the land and their features. Similar to other countries, the building codes for the U.S rely on the standard International Building Code. Some of the codes relate to fire prevention while others also cover aspects like plumbing and electrical installations. 

Building Permits 

A building permit is a necessity for house construction and, you must submit all the house plans to the local authorities for approval before any work can begin on the site. Your contractor should be the right person to get the building permits based on the expected construction activities. 

Overall, there are various laws for home construction that you should be familiar with before building a house. However, lot approval, building codes, building permits, zoning laws, and local ordinances are the main construction laws that can significantly affect your project. …

Dangers of Doing Construction Work in the Summer Heat

Are you handling your construction project during the summer? If yes, you should know the dangers to be wary of. In most cases, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are the major dangers to be wary about. These can be serious conditions that shouldn’t be underestimated because of their health consequences on workers. 

Heat Stroke 

Heat stroke occurs because of the body exposure to very high temperatures to a level where the mechanism that the body uses to regulate temperature naturally fails. This leads to consciousness loss or fever. Heat stroke can simply be described as overheating of the body and it is unable to cool down the way it does normally. 

Heat stroke symptoms include: 

  • Red skin 
  • Headaches 
  • Core temperature hits 104 degrees Fahrenheit and above 
  • Agitation, confusion, delirium, and slurred speech 
  • Nausea and vomiting 
  • Increased heart rate 

If a construction worker shows these symptoms of heat stroke, immediate action should be taken. That’s because heat stroke will damage the brain, muscles, heart, and kidneys if not controlled. It can also cause death.

Heat Exhaustion 

Heat exhaustion can be described as a milder form of heat stroke. This occurs when the body becomes overheated to a level where it cannot cool down. But, heat exhaustion has less severe symptoms. The risk of heat stroke is also not very high. But, this condition should not be dismissed as a non-threat because it can easily become heat stroke. 

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include: 

  • Nausea 
  • Muscle cramps
  • Headaches 
  • Weak, rapid pulse 
  • Dizziness, fatigue, and fainting 
  • Intense sweating 
  • Cool skin and goosebumps

If a construction worker exhibits any of these symptoms, immediate action should be taken. This will prevent the condition from inhibiting their performance at work or even leading to death. …

Best Practices for the Management of a Construction Project

It’s not possible to determine whether a construction project will be successful at the beginning. However, the project manager is responsible for ensuring that construction workers have what they need to ensure efficient and successful completion of the project. Here are some of the best practices for the management of a construction project. 

Setting the Project Scope 

This entails ensuring that every stakeholder knows what the project is all about. It involves setting the timeline, budget, and interim milestones for the project. The project scope should also cover the work to be done and clarify realistic expectations. 

Define Success 

What will be used to measure the success of the project? Stakeholder milestones can help in determining the success of a project. However, communication with the involved teams should be used to set and define success when it comes to the milestones. This will enable the involved teams to determine whether they have succeeded or failed in terms of the progress of the project. 

Pay Attention to Details 

Small details can be overlooked when managing a construction project. However, these can become major issues. Therefore, pay keen attention to even minor details. this will prevent serious issues down the road. 

Anticipate Setbacks 

No matter how well you plan and execute the construction project, you will face setbacks. Therefore, plan for setbacks before you start the actual work. That means setting aside extra money and time for the project. This will take care of the setbacks whenever they arise. 

Communicate Regularly 

Communication is about talking and listening to the people involved in the construction project. This ensures that the experience and perspectives of the involved parties are taken into account. Regular communication can also establish good relationships throughout the construction project. 

 Monitor the Trends 

Learn what’s new in the industry and how it can help in ensuring the successful completion of the project. This includes new tricks, tips, and solutions that can make the construction work easier. Bear in mind that the world is always changing and new solutions to different problems are emerging. Therefore, being on top of trends can make your work easier. 

Construction project management is not easy. Different uncontrollable issues can make the initial plans go awry. These practices can make managing the construction project easier if you follow them keenly.

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