Safe height to leave building work while work is is held up.

[Chrissy123]

I am wondering if there's a standard practice for this. If builders are away for a while or the money runs out, stop for Xmas, winter anything really. I suppose the locality is a factor but is there a guideline. For example walls of a certain length should be below a particular height. Sorry if I've not explained it very well.

 

[jj4091]

Are you questioning what has been done or planning ahead

 

[Chrissy123]

Are you questioning what has been done or planning ahead

Planning. Cheers.

 

[noseall]

Planning. Cheers.

Cavity wall?
As long as it it backed in, lintel height 2.1m is fine. Masonry becomes more secure, once restraint weight is placed upon it. If there are slender piers, you might need to sprag it

 

[Chrissy123]

Cavity wall?
As long as it it backed in, lintel height 2.1m is fine. Masonry becomes more secure, once restraint weight is placed upon it. If there are slender piers, you might need to sprag it

Thanks. So that's 2.1 from the internal floor height?
And what's backed in mean?

 

[stevie888]

I very much doubt if any normal buider would consider this except for an exposed gable

 

[noseall]

Thanks. So that's 2.1 from the internal floor height?
And what's backed in mean?

Cavity wall = blockwork as well as brickwork.

 

[^woody^]

Normally, covering it properly is more important that supporting it.

However, raking timber to long runs and slender piers, and flat timber bracing across the tops of parallel walls and returns might be prudent in exposed locations.

 

[Chrissy123]

Normally, covering it properly is more important that supporting it.

However, raking timber to long runs and slender piers, and flat timber bracing across the tops of parallel walls and returns might be prudent in exposed locations.

Yes I've been trying to find out if there are any rules stating if this is compulsory in any particular circumstances?

 

[^woody^]

There are no rules, but there are guides. It's just practical steps to prevent issues with part completed work.

The biggest concern - whether it's overnight or over several months, is that you don't want part complete work getting saturated, or in some cases freezing. That will cause longer term issues. This applies to site stored materials too.

You could see 3.2 of the NHBC technical guide or parts of BS 8000, 5975 and 5250.

The other concern - stuff being blown down, is really a practical assessment of the actual risks.

 

[Chrissy123]

There are no rules, but there are guides. It's just practical steps to prevent issues with part completed work.

The biggest concern - whether it's overnight or over several months, is that you don't want part complete work getting saturated, or in some cases freezing. That will cause longer term issues. This applies to site stored materials too.

You could see 3.2 of the NHBC technical guide or parts of BS 8000, 5975 and 5250.

The other concern - stuff being blown down, is really a practical assessment of the actual risks.

I heard a story about a job where the internal blocks got mouldy. They were made to take them down and start again. If the story is true. Thanks

 

[^woody^]

It might be true, but it's not something that would be a valid reason for rebuilding.

 

[noseall]

I heard a story about a job where the internal blocks got mouldy. They were made to take them down and start again. If the story is true. Thanks

You might get some green build-up, especially under trees etc. A stiff brooming would sort it out. Masonry is surprisingly resiliant.

 

[Chrissy123]

You might get some green build-up, especially under trees etc. A stiff brooming would sort it out. Masonry is surprisingly resiliant.

I would have thought a wire brush and no one would know.

 

[noseall]

I would have thought a wire brush and no one would know.

Correct. As Woody says - keep your powder dry.