Interiors Sources Decor LLC

Method Statement
BLOCK WORK
Civil Works
6/26/2016

The purpose of this Work Method Statement for Block Works (Concrete Masonry Units) is to
outline and describe in detail the procedure such as setting and lay-out plan on actual location,
erection of scaffolding, mixing of cement mortar, mounting/laying of blocks and all other related
activity. Inform all concerned supervisor including workers the value and importance of this
activity prior to implementation. This activity should be performed with strict compliance and
implementation of Safety Requirements & Procedure and project specifications to complete the
work both for exterior and interior masonry walls.

ISD Format 033.9 Rev 00 27/06/16 AR

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. BLOCK WORK DRAWING AND DETAILS

2. STACKING BLOCKS

3. SCAFFOLD AND CLEAN WORKING AREA

4. LIFTING, SHIFTING & STORING

5. SCOPE

6. TOOLS EQUIPMENT PLANT

7. STARTING THE BLOCK WORK

8. BLOCK LAYING ALIGNMENT JOINTING

9. STRIKING JOINTS

10. CURING

11. TOOL BOX TALK ON

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BLOCK WORK DRAWINGS AND DETAILS

Detailed layout of the building showing room dimensions, thickness of walls at various
locations in the building

Details of openings (with sizes) to be provided in the walls for doors, windows,
ventilators, exhaust fan openings & other openings

Details of door, window, ventilator frames and their fixing means like holdfasts, anchor
bolts etc and their levels

Details of cross walls to ensure proper bond in main walls

Location details of concealed items such as electrical conduits, telephone conduits,

conduits for TV Antenna wires and cables

Location details of items such as water supply pipes with details of inlet, outlet and
crossings of service lines, sanitary pipes with details of inlet, outlet and crossings of
service lines, openings or holes for positioning of water closet p / s traps, openings
required for air conditioning ducts, pipe sleeves to be left in walls for other service pipes

STACKING BLOCKS

Blocks shall be stacked properly near the place of work (too large a quantity must not be
stacked near the work area thereby causing safety hazard)

Height of the stack should be one meter if stacks are non-interlocking arrangement, and
if interlocking arrangement not more than 10 block height.

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SCAFFOLD & CLEAN WORKING AREA

Scaffolding should be braced adequately

Scaffolding should be checked for the load carrying capacity and ensure no overloading.

Working space should be clear from rubbish, waste mortar etc. so that easy access is
ensured

Use only narrow and podium scaffold only for block works with safe platform

LIFTING, SHIFTING & STORING

Unloading, Lifting, shifting of materials manual/mechanical transporting of blocks etc.

have to be carried out by workers who are properly trained. Otherwise this may leads to
serious injuries to workers since blocks are heavy

Dry mix and cement should be kept in a dry location.

Do stack the blocks on a proper platform & clean surface.

Do stack blocks at just convenient location for immediate use.

Do not over rule safety aspects to achieve timely completion

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SCOPE

This work procedure enumerates the scope of masonry work to be executed in the project as
specified in the approved drawings and at places when instructed by the Engineer-in-charge.

TOOLS, EQUIPMENT & PLANT

Standard tools that listed below should keep available at site, those are:

Electric drill & Masonry bits Measuring tape Trowels

Mechanical mixer Laser levels Mixing Tray
Scaffold Podium Spirit level 3 Bucket
Scaffold Narrow Mason (club)hammer Wire brushes
3 Meter aluminium straight edge Mason Square Chisels
Wheel barrow Line tread Mason brick hammer

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STARTING THE BLOCK WORK

Make sure all the materials are available at work area including dowel pin and other
accessories

Obtain access clearance from General Contractor

Mark on the surface to establish the wall lines to attain proper layout of block work &
maintain mark till the first course is fully laid.

Obtain approval from General contractor on marking

Scrub & clean with proper tool, the concrete or block work surface where new block work
is to be done. Where usage of steel anchor or mesh etc, are specified for bonding block
work with concrete, fix the anchors in position so that they are embedded properly in the
courses.

Before commencing block work, check reference points such as bench mark, lintel level,
bed block level, cross beam level etc & be sure where to terminate the top most block
course, after the same is studied in detail as stated above.

Blocks should not be damp at the time of starting masonry. When much water is present
on the blocks then mortar will become watery leading to a weak masonry. The blocks
must be semi dry or skin wet.

Mix quantity of mortar, which will be consumed in next 2 hours only. Mixing shall be done
with proper measurements of ingredients. Mixing platform must be clean and protected
from bonding to slab. Mixing of mortar shall be done in accordance with construction
standard. (If more quantity is mixed and will not be consumed within the time, cement will
start setting leading to weaker masonry).

Add water to the dry mix of cement sand in required quantity. Neither wet cement nor wet
sand is to be mixed. Bulk age of sand shall be considered while adding water to the dry
mix.

Prepare a scheme of scaffolding, draw a sketch and pass on the same to workers for
execution. Ensure safety aspects such as stability, proper joints etc. Check and ensure
availability of scaffolding materials, access ladder or staircases, working platforms etc.

The maximum length of block wall without a break has to be limited to 6m. If wall is
beyond this length vertical mullions have to be introduced. Where such mullions and

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horizontal members are not given, please refer the case back to Architect / consultant for
introduction of these members.

BLOCK LAYING, ALIGNMENT AND JOINTING

Carry out one row of block work with dry bond (i.e. without mortar, lay the blocks in
position), the wall to establish the proper spacing of blocks.

Lay mortar for full bed width and for a length of 3 blocks at a time, and to 12mm
thickness.

Lay one block at a time & gently press it on the mortar bed.

Use a line thread from one end to end

All block work shall be plumb, square and properly bonded. The joints shall not be
broken.

Excess mortar coming out on the edge (while pressing block in position in bed mortar) to
be taken by trowel & buttered to the cross directional joint or head joint surface of the
next block being laid.

The thickness of courses shall be uniform with courses horizontal.

Use straight edge & spirit levels on top of the blocks laid & check the top level. Make sure
that the spirit level is in working condition & read the bubble carefully. Use laser tools for
levelling if available.

Lay the last closure block in the course, to close the bond and locate it to be near the
centre of the wall normally. Butter both edges of closure block with mortar before lay.

Repeat the above points for building more courses. After every two course of block work
lay, check the verticality using plumb bob, sight down the wall.

The whole block work to be built in uniform layers.

For pointed masonry without plaster, smooth textured concrete block shall be used. The
face of blocks work shall be kept clean at all times.

Where block are to be used for load bearing walls, the uppermost layer of block masonry
supporting slab or other structured members, shall be solid or treated as directed.

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STRIKING JOINTS

As soon as mortars in the joints have initially set, use a proper tool and strike the vertical
joints first. The horizontal bed joints are to be raked next to a depth of 10 mm.

After striking joints brush the wall surface head joint first & bed joints last to complete
brushing.

If, it is exposed block work without any plastering, the striking of joints should be 15mm in
depth instead of 10mm

Height of Construction

No part of wall during construction shall raise more than one and ahalf meter above the
general construction level.

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CURING

In hot & dry weather the mortar is likely to dry up before it has attained its final set in the
block work. This leads to crumbling of mortar and resulting in weak block masonry. This
shall be prevented, by keeping the new block work constantly wet, for at least seven
days.

Traditional floor screed basically consists of sand & cement mixed at a ratio of between 3 to 5
parts sand & 1 part cement. In the majority of cases 4 to 1 is quite sufficient.

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TOOL BOX TALK ON:

1. Importance of PPE
2. Use and service of hand tools and electrical tools
3. Safe handling of power supply
4. Use of mechanical equipment and service
5. Housekeeping safety
6. Risk Assessment
7. MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)
8. Access clearance
9. Lifting, Shifting and Storing
10. Rest Area
11. Restriction of Mobile and Radio
12. Noise restriction
13. Cutting of materials that makes noise and dust
14. Approved shop drawing
15. Working at height
16. Use of scaffold

ISD Format 033.9 Rev 00 27/06/16 AR