Construction

Pitfalls of Construction.…

So what do WE need to know?

Australian Standards

Legislation

Measurements

Method of Construction

Service Penetrations

Understanding of Ventilation

What builders leave for US

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Currently under review

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Currently under review

Slab on Ground Constructions

The Australian Standard AS 3660.1-2000 Termite management Part 1: New building work specifies that a slab on ground should be designed and constructed either in accordance with AS 2870 or AS 3660.

Section 2: Performance Criteria

2.3.1 Concrete slabs as termite barriers

• A concrete slab or footing used as a termite barrier shall

(a) be designed and constructed so that any cracks passing through the slab or footing do not exceed 1 mm in width through the depth of the slab;

(b) have all interfaces between the penetrations and slab or footing provided with a termite barrier system integrated with the slab; and

(c) have all joints, except for tied footing slab construction joints, provided with a termite barrier system integrated with the slab.

Legislation

• Queensland amendment to the BCA.

• BCA amendments only apply to building classes 1 & 10

• AS2870 -2011 Residential Slabs and Footings

• Soil Classification – A, S, M, H, E, P

− Slightly reactive to Extremely reactive.

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‘The Measurements’

Standard Height Brick – 230mm x 110mm x 75mm

Besser Block – 390mm x 190mm x 190mm

Mortar Joint – 10mm-12mm

Render – 8mm-10mm

Bagging – Up to 3mm

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Timber Detail

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Figures from HIA

The Beginning……..

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‘The Exposed Edge Slab’

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‘The Exposed Edge Slab’…..gone!

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‘The Exposed Edge Slab’

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‘The Monolithic Slab’

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Monolithic Slab Construction

‘The Infill Slab’

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‘The Infill Slab’

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‘The Waffle Pod’

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‘The Waffle Pod’

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‘The Inslab Water Tank’

• Inslab water tanks have been developed to cater for new houses constructed on a concrete slab.

• They provide architects, designers and builders with a unique water storage solution, especially where space is limited.

• Inslab water tanks conform to BCA AS2870-1996

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‘The Inslab Water Tank’

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‘The ServicePenetration’

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‘The Service Penetration’

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‘The Service Penetration’

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‘The Open End’

‘The Service Penetration’

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‘The Open End’

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‘The Open End’

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‘The Service Penetration’

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‘The Shower Recess‘

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‘The Shower Mess’

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‘The Pier’

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Piers

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‘The Pier’

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Ventilation

Sub-floor ventilation is often a forgotten part of termite management.

The BCA (Vol. 2) requires the sub-floor between a suspended floor and the ground to be ventilated.

AS3600 specifies ventilation to be minimum of 8,400 mm squared nett ventilation/Lm

This minimises sub-floor moisture which helps to prevent timber decay, and creates an environment that discourages termite attack.

To be effective, acceptable sub-floor construction must:

• Be free of building debris and vegetation

• Provide cross ventilation,

• Contain no dead air spaces

• Be graded to prevent ponding and be above the external ground level

• Have evenly spaced openings

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Minimum Ground Clearance

Ventilation(cont)

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• 230mm x 150mm• Terracotta 6,200 – Veta 11,200 – Galvanised

Metal11,700

Ventilation(cont) House only 6 months old poor ventilation and

termite damage

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‘The Good’

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‘The Good’

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‘The Bad’Retaining wall tinsel

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‘The Bad’

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‘The Bad’

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‘The Bad’

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‘The Ugly’

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‘The Ugly’

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‘The Ugly’

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Summary

• Understand construction methods

• Always ask for a plan

• Ask customer questions

• Each house is Different

• Never ASSUME

• If in doubt, phone a friend…….

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Pestech Promotion 2014

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