Method Statement for Erecting Timber Framed Houses

This is a generic example of a typical erection sequence for timber framed house construction:-

Example Sequence of Works:-

Scaffolding to be erected around the outside of  three sides of the floor slabs, with access  maintained for the movement of the ground floor panels:-

  • Ground floor panels to be delivered to site.  Delivery vehicle to be unloaded by mechanical means. All panels to be stored on a prepared hard standing of suitable size adjacent to the plots to be erected. Offloading to be supervised by a competent member of erection team.
  • Sole plates fixed to slab as per Engineer’s specification.
  • Ground floor panels erected and adequately braced.
  • Scaffolding completed to front elevation by scaffolding subcontractor.
  • Joist and decking fixed.
  • First floor panels delivered and stored adjacent to plot
  • First floor panels hoisted by crane onto decking.
  • First floor panels erected and adequately braced.
  • Trusses delivered and stored adjacent to plot
  • Trusses craned into position and braced as per manufacturers   specification

Fixing of Sole Plates

The slab is to be checked for line and level with the dimensions checked against the design drawings. The sole plate will be set out from the highest point and sole plates can be packed in accordance with the agreed tolerances. If a mortar bed is required, the main contractor will carry out this work. A Dpc membrane will be fixed to the underside of all sole plates. Once the sole plate is set out and levelled it will be fixed in accordance with the engineers fixing schedule. All cut ends of sole plate are to receive brush-applied treatment.

 

Erection of Panels

The  panels will be offloaded will be by forklift or crane. The panels will be stored on a designated level and dry storage area adjacent to the relevant plots of the delivery. At this stage, scaffolding will have been erected around three sides of the slab. Once the ground floor panels have been placed on the slab, the remaining scaffolding can be completed to enclose the slab. The erection team leader will liaise closely with the site manager to ensure that such scaffolding is completed before progressing to the next phase. The external panels will then be installed and braced in a plumb position, followed by the installation of the internal partitions. All these panels are to be nailed in accordance with the fixing schedules. Before the head binders are fixed in place, all panels are to be checked for plumb and line.

The panel erection element in this section is then repeated on all subsequent floors,  However steps must be taken on all other floors to prevent falls by the provision of a suitable, sufficient and secured deck for the stairwells.

 

Joists and Decking

All timber joists are to be positioned and fixed using stepladders from the floor below. Once this operation is completed, the soft fall system (crush bags) is to be fully installed on the floor below. The floor decking is to be positioned perpendicular to the joists, and fixed starting from a suitable point that can be reached from the scaffold. Work can then progress by fixing the flooring board using the last fixed board as a platform. The type, specification and fixing schedule of the boards shall be in accordance with the scheme specification.

 

Roof Trusses

As each truss is positioned, adequate initial bracing is to be undertaken from off the scaffolding. Once a sufficient number of trusses have been fixed and braced, a temporary platform may be formed, by placing and fixing boards within the trusses, to enable the bracing to be completed. All bracing shall be undertaken in accordance with the truss designer’s specification. Truss clips are to be fixed to all trusses.

 

Building a timber framed house
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