Impact of Regulations on Use, Storage and Handling of Construction Materials

This article explores the impact of regulations on the use, storage, and handling of construction materials. It discusses the benefits of product declaration and environmental certification in the construction industry. The article also includes relevant testing procedures to identify the performance characteristics of selected construction materials.

Science & Materials

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Impact of regulations on the use, storage and handling of vocationally typical construction
materials.......................................................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................2
P2 Discussion on material environmental profiling and lifecycle assessment............................2
P3 Discussion on benefits of product declaration and environmental certification....................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................5
(a) Results of relevant testing procedures to identify performance characteristics of selected
construction materials..................................................................................................................5
b) Result discussion in terms of the material properties and regulatory requirements, with
reason of occurrence....................................................................................................................6
(c) The way testing procedures are designed to overcome the variation inherent in construction
materials with statistical methods for investigating results.........................................................7
d) Construction materials for a given building based upon their performance properties in use 9
(f) The use of appropriate materials and other sustainable practices and design work contribute
to an improved environmental rating...........................................................................................9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
P7 A material selection strategy with regard to human comfort requirements.........................10
P8 Identify materials for a selected area within a building and explain how these contribute to
a balanced indoor environment..................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Handling and storage of materials involves a number of diverse operations, like passage of
vehicles loaded with the concrete blocks; hoisting tons of steel by crane, and more. Each and
every activity that includes in constructing of a building site, needs to be efficiently done because
negligence in the same, will result in costly injuries with potential hazards for labours (Baradan,
Dikmen and Akboga Kale, 2019). A report is presented to review impact of regulations on
storage and handling of construction materials. Along with this, discussion is also made on
environmental and sustainability factors that influence choice of such materials for a particular
construction project, including their performance properties and experimental data. Furthermore,
performance of a building project in terms of human comfort requirements is also been
described.
TASK 1
P1 Impact of regulations on the use, storage and handling of vocationally typical construction
materials
For construction purpose, a number of building materials are used like cement, aggregates,
concretes, clay, wood, bricks and more. These are generally categorised into two main sources
that are natural and synthetic, where naturally found materials are unprocessed or might be
minimally processed like glass (Onubi and Hassan, 2020). Whilst, synthetic ones are artificially
prepared like cements, plastic, petroleum based paints and so on. Therefore, handling and usage
of these materials that are done specifically in terms of trade, like roofing, plumbing, insulation
work etc. involves various safety practices, to conduct the diverse operations such as carrying
materials manually; stacking the palletized bricks; etc. which provide flow of parts continuously
and assemblies via workplace by ensuring availability of materials when needed. But as these
operations involves a number of threats, where improper handling and storing of materials may
cause severe injuries or even death of associated individuals or labours (Fairclough, 2019).
Henceforth, to minimise the potential hazardous and control risks associated with construction
work, especially which handling and storage process, a number of regulations have been made.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health & Regulations 2002 (COSHH) - Since,
usage, handling and storing of construction materials could cause serious harm, therefore, as per
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this act, it is essential for employers to prevent exposure of labours from substances like
biological agents, nanotechnology, chemicals or products that contain chemicals, fumes, vapours
and more (Marr, 2019). This act provides a proper guidance about way to handling and usage of
materials with risk assessments, to determine way to prevent workers from harm if certain
situations could arise at site. Along with this, it is also essential for employers to provide proper
training to management and associated people to understand type of hazardous issues and
process to keep safer from the same.
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR) – Transporting, lifting and
pulling down a load of construction materials manually, if done in incorrect manner, then it
could arise work-related injuries, due to weight of item, its nature and corrosive properties,
twisting, bending or any type of awkward position during moving the materials and more (Wong
and et. al., 2019). All these causes MSD (musculoskeletal disorders) kind of injuries for workers,
that might affect longer or even life time for workers. Therefore, MHOR act, place obligations
and guidance for employers to control occurrence of such risks. It is duty of management under
construction field, to follow work systems for safety of labours; install and use safety equipment;
always keep an eye on handling, lifting and moving of substances which are done to prevent
risks and more (Wu and et. al., 2019).
Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM) 2015 – This act is mainly
intended to ensure that all issues associated with health & safety, should properly considered on
priority while working on a project, so that prior risk assessment can be made for prevention of
same (Oliveira and et. al., 2019). As per this act, it is essential for project designers, contractors,
clients and all associated people, to ensure that risks are controlled or eliminated by design work;
sharing information about hazardous risks to associated ones; operations and entire processes
must be complied with safety regulations; etc.
TASK 2
P2 Discussion on material environmental profiling and lifecycle assessment
The most complex challenge faced by constructing industry is maintenance of
sustainability in its work, that requires holistic approach for bringing together the socio-
economic and environmental dimensions in the same (Bamgbade and et. al., 2019). Therefore,
with vast consumption of resources and energy, as well as minimisation of resultant emission
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and wastage of harmful chemicals and other substances, from construction work, it is essential
for builders to ensure that environmental standards must met in all building process. While in
context with life cycling assessment, it emphasises on exemplifying the impact of materials,
especially the products that contain chemicals, should be gone manually with a broader agenda
of handling, storing and using properly (Jackson, 2020). In this regard, for profiling the
materials, Environmental Profiles Methodology can be applied, which refers to a standardised
method to identify and assess the impact of building materials on ecosystem, in terms of life-
cycle, extraction, production, usage, handling and maintenance process, even its disposal.
Figure 1: Environmental Profile Methodology (EPM), 2020
In profiling the construction materials, EPM techniques cover all stages of life cycle
assessment that includes –
 Product stage – raw material supply, product manufacturing and entire upstream
processes from cradle to grave);
 Construction process stage – this stage includes transport to construction site, building
installation and more.
 Use stage – handling, maintenance, refurbishment, repair and replacement etc.
 End of life stage – disposal of substance containing chemicals properly and recycling of
wastage etc.
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Concerning on such requirements of environmental profiling of materials and maintenance
of sustainability, it has evaluated that all such factors highly influence the choice of
constructors (or contractors, building developers, designers, project managers and more),
regarding with usage of materials in building a property effectively, with maintenance of
entire compliance (Caiazza, Belitski and Audretsch, 2020).
P3 Discussion on benefits of product declaration and environmental certification
Environmental Profiles of the construction materials or products are mainly intended to
provide entire information related to planning, monitoring and assessing buildings with intention
for business-to-business communication (Francart and et. al., 2019). In this regard, getting
environmental certification for usage of products in constructing a site, allows manufactures to
declare that life-cycle of materials used in the same, are met with guidance and comes under
consideration of environmental aspects (excluding the working environment) in ISO 14001.
However, impacts in use or operation such heat loss if avoided via use of insulation, are
excluded, but it is under maintenance and replacement of the products till over their life. Such
aspects of product performance are taken under considerations in terms of BREEAM standards,
Code for Sustainable Homes, Eco Homes and more. Hereby, BREEAM refers to one of the
world’s leading sustainability assessment method under construction, for master planning
projects (Baradan, Dikmen and Akboga Kale, 2019). It recognises as well as reflects the value in
terms of higher performing assets throughout the built environment lifecycle, including from
new construction to refurbishment. The benefits of getting environmentally certification on
construction products like Cellular Lightweight Concrete Blocks, Calcined Phosphogypsum Wall
Panels, Clay Roofing Tiles, Calcium silicate boards and Tiles, Precast concrete slabs etc. aid
trade associations and manufacturers to publish data regarding eco-friendly nature and
characteristics of their products with respect to “level playing field” (i.e. in such a manner which
is comparable as well as robust to compete with product types).
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TASK 3
(a) Results of relevant testing procedures to identify performance characteristics of selected
construction materials
Before usage of any new construction materials, it is essential for trade associations or
manufacturers to apply an effective testing procedure first, that helps in identifying its
performance characteristics including its sustainability criteria (Onubi and Hassan, 2020). For
example – Ballast refers to a mixture of sharp sand and materials such as gravel, kankar, broken
stone, Moorum, Ashes/Cinders, Blast furnaces and other granular used to make concrete. It helps
in constructing a range of landscaping, gardens etc.
Test on Moisture content in Ballast
Moisture content in ballast so that the water in concrete can be accurately
known.
Weight of
beaker g
Weight
beaker +
sample g
weight
sample g
Weight
beaker +
sample
3min
drying g
weight
of
beaker +
sample
4 min
drying g
weight of
beaker +
sample 5
min drying
g
Dry
weight
sample g Moisture %
53.02 61.99 8.97 61.34 61.35 61.36 8.34 7.023411371
54.73 63.08 8.35 62.48 62.49 62.49 7.76 7.065868263
52.87 65.17 12.3 64.28 64.30 64.30 11.43 7.073170732
53.96 65.89 11.93 65.03 65.04 65.05 11.09 7.041072925
53.81 62.77 8.96 62.12 62.13 62.14 8.33 7.03125
53.45 61.14 7.69 60.59 60.59 60.60 7.15 7.022106632
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Standard Deviation can be calculated by –
Moisture
% (X - Mean) (X -Mean)2
7.02 -0.0194
0.00037643
6
7.06 0.02305 0.00053153
7.07
0.03036
0.00092157
2
7.04 -0.0017 0.00000289
7.03 -0.0116 0.00013371
7.02
-0.0207
0.00042876
7
Average
= 7.04
0.00239490
6
So, average moisture content in Ballast is 7.04%
Now, Standard Deviation (S D) = Sum (each sample moisture – mean)2
number of tests - 1
= 0.0024 / (6 – 1)
= 0.00048
Standard Error (S E) = SD/ square root of the number of tests
= 0.00048/√6
= 0.00006
It has been interpreted from this test that moisture content in the ballast is less than 10%,
therefore, it doesn’t affect the shear behaviour of unsaturated ballast.
b) Result discussion in terms of the material properties and regulatory requirements, with reason
of occurrence
Ballast which combines with various materials, consists of aggregate particles with large
sized and uniform size distribution. It is one of the essential component used in construction,
specially to track the substructure, facilitate load distribution as well as drainage (Francart and et.
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al., 2019). Since freight tonnage mostly accumulate with huge traffic, therefore, usage of ballast
materials helps in accumulating the increase percentage of fine by aggregating breakdown or
outside contamination process, like subgrade soil intrusion, coal dust collection and more.
Ballast degradation include up to more than 76% of fouling cases, where voids might be
occupied through fines from its bottom layer that gradually causes the ballast clogging as well as
losing drainage ability of same (Baradan, Dikmen and Akboga Kale, 2019). But when ballast
trap with moisture then layer stability in this case, is highly compromised. By investigating the
laboratory test on moisture content in ballast, on different-different time period, it has been
analysed that chosen samples contain only 7% of moisture, therefore, it reflects strong and
durable properties of the same. If this type of ballast material will be used in construction, then it
would provide maximum stability to track and can be used for high speed track also.
Since in heavy loaded structures and high-rise buildings where columns are subjected
mostly to heavy loads, therefore, High Strength Concrete (HSC) in construction of the same is
essential with aim to reduce column size with increase in its capacity. Although, from the
economic standpoint, it has been analysed that combination of NSC (normal and high strength
concrete) in building construction refers to one of the common practice, where it is used for slabs
floor system and surrounding beams while, for columns HSC material is used (Bamgbade and et.
al., 2019). This results in creating a situation where column portion’s concrete strength at the
beam or slab floor level seems to be lower as compared to concrete strength for rest of the
column. Therefore, such kind of variation in concrete strength result in affecting the load
carrying capacity of RC columns. For this purpose, usage of ballast materials like broken stone,
Blast furnaces and more, helps in reducing such kind of variations and increase stability of
concrete for construction purpose.
(c) The way testing procedures are designed to overcome the variation inherent in construction
materials with statistical methods for investigating results
Quality control and safety are considered as important aspect in construction, where any
defects or failures in the facilities would result in damage or heavy costs. Even in case of minor
defects, possibility of re-construction might be raised with impairment of facility operations,
which ultimately increased costs and create delays in project completion (Caiazza, Belitski and
Audretsch, 2020). Along with this, in major or worst case, it has evaluated that failures in
controlling quality and safety, will result in fatalities or personal injuries. In fact, accidents
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during any activity of construction can occur similar kind of result i.e. huge costs burden and
personal injuries. Similarly, indirect costs which includes insurance, inspection as well as
regulatory compliance also increase rapidly if direct cost is increased. Therefore, before usage of
any new construction materials, it is essential for trade associations or manufacturers to apply an
effective testing procedure first, that helps in identifying its performance characteristics
including its sustainability criteria (Onubi and Hassan, 2020). For example - basic raw materials
that include for production of calcium silicate bricks include airy lime and silica sand, which are
considered as important element of manufacturing of sand-lime brick also known as autoclaving.
Therefore, Non-destructive testing methods are used to determining strength of calcium silicate
bricks, such as rebound hammer and ultrasonic pulse techniques. Hereby, strength could be
determined in terms of calibration relation between the parameter obtained such methods.
Whilst, compressive strength could be assessed either separately from both methods or on the
basis of various parameters from non-destructive tests. Therefore, for testing the strengths and
other characteristics of Calcium silicate bricks of side 290 x 140 x 65 mm is taken as a sample,
including the basic parameters as Compressive strength fc ϵ {16.5; 61.2 Mpa}; density of bricks
(dried) D ϵ {1661; 1874 kg/m3}, number of bricks – 140.
After applying the rebound hammer Schmidt (type L) test on calcium silicate bricks, the
result obtained as
fcL = 1.91R – 27.69 with coefficient of correlation r = 0.96
While using Ultrasonic pulse method, result obtained as –
fcU = 2.301e1.025V with coefficient of correlation r = 0.96
Using combined method (also known as SonReb),
fc,SR = 0.255082V1.246 R1.055 with coefficient of correlation r = 0.97
Other than this, compressive strength of calcium silicate bricks by applying non-destructive test,
obtained as
Method Compressive strength
Rebound Hammer Schmidt,
type L
S = 0.066
Ultrasonic pulse method S = 0.056
SonReb (Combined method) S = 0.043
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Therefore, from all over the testing methods, differences in predicting the compressive
strengths of calcium silicate bricks is determined as per accordance with relations processed for
respective methods are lower than other concretes (Fairclough, 2019). It has been obtained by a
lower parameter variability of components of raw materials include in production of calcium
silicate, via substantially invariable parameters included in production technology, with a higher
homogeneity and definitely the defined moisture condition of chosen samples prior to testing.
d) Construction materials for a given building based upon their performance properties in use
Calcium silica bricks possess unique benefits and abilities that is very relevant in context of
manufacturing of stones. In construction material it helps in having an exceptional durability and
strength as it possesses authenticity in appearance and texture (Oliveira and et. al., 2019). These
naturally present materials are mixed together and then are formed in a modular sized unit that is
created in high pressure. Then these are subjected to a highly monitored team system that can
help in production of a uniformly grained textures in building construction. These stones possess
high durability and strength benefits as they are offered with a warranty of lifetime and do not
possess attributes that it will shrink, crack or fade because of the changing weather conditions.
These products are also helpful in determination of specific requirements for absorption and
compressive strength. It also leads to broad style selection as there can be an advantage in terms
of style and performance (Bamgbade and et. al., 2019). It creates a unique production process
that leads towards wide customisation. The mixing of unites help in creation of perfect shaped
stones that are hand chiselled, shaped properly and are dressed at actual site that helps in
maintaining of proper colour and fine grained texture. Calcium silica bricks help in completion
of process of building manufacturing that helps in creation of an institutional and commercial
projects with a required architectural designs and it varies from historical to modern deigns.
(f) The use of appropriate materials and other sustainable practices and design work contribute to
an improved environmental rating
Testing result on calcium silica bricks indicates that characterization results indicated that
being incorporated such materials in clay bricks result in decreasing the average particle size
including the optimum moisture content values. Along with this, it also enhances the plasticity of
the calcium-rich quick lime and lime-bentonite clay composite (Marr, 2019). Therefore,
incorporation of the materials like lime-bentonite composite in unfired and compresses bricks
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leads to yield the increased compressive as well as flexure strength, with reduction in absorption
of water or moisture and unit weight as well observed. However, it has seen that compressed
bricks type might appear as the most desired one, out of such brick types having compressive
strength value of near about 10.40 MPa (where MPa – Mega Pascal unit of pressure), that will
satisfy the strength requirement for building code of BREEAM for building bricks including the
negligible weathering characteristics (Wong and et. al., 2019). In addition to this, in terms of the
corrosion resistance of such compressed bricks, its durability will also increase from 0.72 to
0.81, including the bentonite inclusion. Although, thermal conductivity may be reduced from to
0.38 from 0.72 W/m-K as comparison to conventional fired brick, that are used in the
construction industry. This would result in reducing the cooling loads by 32.03% and carbon
footprints for the B20 compressed bricks. It indicates the properties of calcium silica bricks as
energy-efficient as well as eco-friendly nature. Therefore, conclusively, it has been evaluated
that lime-bentonite or calcium silicate compressed clay bricks will provide eco-friendly,
sustainable and energy-efficient options to construction industry for the production of green clay
bricks (Wu and et. al., 2019).
TASK 4
P7 A material selection strategy with regard to human comfort requirements
The role of construction material is having procure and effective process as well as supply
chain scope that exists in worldwide. It generates huge risk negative impact on economic, social
and environmental to allows harmful diseases to human life, it formulated the compliances
oriented policies that determining the essential responsibility to control and managed the
materials (Jackson, 2020). The importance of transparent and holistic is having optimum
procedure which derives the sensitivity and bunkered supply chains. The responsibility of
independent and holistic which is having sourcing certificate schemes (RSCS) that assure with
guarantee to the clients about the raw materials which incurred in construction product which
easy to assort and it reduces the further risk elements that generates the negative impact. By
getting BREEAM'S recognition of these schemes that relates to the scope and degree of scrutiny
and proper versification which they provide rather than quantification of negative impacts
(Caiazza, Belitski and Audretsch, 2020).
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Therefore, to develop strategies for regarding material selection as per human comfort
requirements, BREEAM'S updated schemes will be utilised, towards recognition of responsible
point of view that implies action are:
 To enhancing better control and managed of the construction raw material that utilised by
holistic effective responsible sourcing plan through which it provides the better designers
and constructors who are expertise in this filed and experienced to control and measure
the risk to minimise.
 By promoting the construction products specification that covered by a credible RSCS
verification.
 On the basis of worst of corrupt product as per the material group in each key factor of
elements where project is easily approachable.
Therefore, substances like Cellular Lightweight Concrete Blocks, Calcined Phosphogypsum
Wall Panels, Clay Roofing Tiles, Calcium silicate boards and Tiles, Precast concrete slabs and
more, will be utilised for constructing building in eco-friendly manner (Francart and et. al.,
2019). This would help in getting consumers’ attention and influencing their purchasing power
for buying apartments or real estate properties that are built through green-constructed materials.
P8 Identify materials for a selected area within a building and explain how these contribute to a
balanced indoor environment
For completing the project in an adequate manner, calcium silicate bricks have smooth
faces, sharp corners and good regularity. They possess low salt content which means that little
efflorescence is present. In addition to this, calcium silicate bricks have fairly moisture
movement and wide variety of strengths which makes them environmental friendly. An instance
can be taken into consideration like in case normal bricks are used then they lead to creation of
dust and small particles into the air and even water (Baradan, Dikmen and Akboga Kale, 2019).
This goes into the ground and when underground water from wells is consumed by people then it
leads to severe health issues even cancer. These aspects can be eliminated when calcium silicate
bricks will be used. The durability is identical to concrete which may deteriorate within polluted
sulphur-containing environment. In context of calcium silicate bricks natural occurring materials
are blended and then they are further pressed into modular sized units at high pressure. These
units are then subjected into highly monitored steam system, for producing fine-grained texture.
This replicates the way in which stone is formed in the earth (Onubi and Hassan, 2020). The
11

calcium silicate hydrate binder results within strong, durable as well as integrally bonded units.
They are regarded as green units which are entirely natural and are shaped, cut or dressed but its
texture is maintained. These leads to creation of green environment.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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construction firms. Journal of cleaner production. 208. pp.1537-1545.
Baradan, S., Dikmen, S. U. and Akboga Kale, O., 2019. Impact of human development on safety
consciousness in construction. International journal of occupational safety and
ergonomics. 25(1). pp.40-50.
Caiazza, R., Belitski, M. and Audretsch, D. B., 2020. From latent to emergent entrepreneurship:
the knowledge spillover construction circle. The Journal of Technology Transfer. 45(3).
pp.694-704.
Fairclough, I., 2019. Deontic power and institutional contexts: The impact of institutional design
on deliberation and decision-making in the UK fracking debate. Journal of
Argumentation in Context. 8(1). pp.136-171.
Francart, N. and et. al., 2019. Requirements set by Swedish municipalities to promote
construction with low climate change impact. Journal of Cleaner Production. 208.
pp.117-131.
Jackson, B. J., 2020. Construction management JumpStart: the best first step toward a career in
construction management. John Wiley & Sons.
Marr, K., 2019. Environmental Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom and Germany:
Comparision of EIA Practice for Wastewater Treatment Plants. Routledge.
Oliveira, M. L. and et. al., 2019. Nanoparticles from construction wastes: a problem to health and
the environment. Journal of Cleaner Production. 219. pp.236-243.
Onubi, H. O. and Hassan, A. S., 2020. Understanding the mechanism through which adoption of
green construction site practices impacts economic performance. Journal of Cleaner
Production. 254. p.120170.
Wong, P. S. and et. al., 2019. Does carbon accounting have an impact on decision-making in
building design?. International Journal of Construction Management. 19(2). pp.149-161.
Wu, X. and et. al., 2019. Impacts of lean construction on safety systems: A system dynamics
approach. International journal of environmental research and public health. 16(2).
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Online
Environmental Profiles Methodology. 2020. [Online] Available Through:<
https://www.bregroup.com/greenguide/page.jsp?id=2106 >.
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