jamiehamy

What he said!

Hi all, Before I knock something spectacularly crude and ugly up to get us a temporary Habitation certificate, I thought I'd see what the brains here think about building a temporary handrail. Eventually we will get something bespoke made which will bolt into the steps but I need something to get us approval from BC. It's got to be cheap, safe but wondering if there are any cleverer ways of making it look presentable until the end of summer? It will be exposed to winds from the right so something that'll let the wind go through. As I say, I could probably make something from 2x2 but there must be other good options my brain isn't seeing right now. Thanks! Jamie

We used a rotating Tele handler with a crane jib attached. Mainly because our site was so awkward - a 130t crane which was needed for the reach couldn't safely get up the road. They said they could get a 110t up the drive but not a chance I was letting them do that. Once we got it up the hill and into position, it was easy! It reached right down to the driveway and put in the steel and floor beams. Saved ploughtering up the ground. https://theoldwatertank.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/flooring-is-going-in.html?m=1

That was a good result, even if it shouldn't have happened in the first place. Bit of a pain if you have/had the next stages ready to go. Thanks for explanation @StructuralEngineer

Because of the way I built our reinforced icf garage walls - creating the mesh from vertical and horizontal bars - , I needed to do around 1500ties. Wasted so much time at first until I hired a machine. Was worth the money for the significant time saved. I'd go so far as to say to anyone with over a couple of hundred ties not to waste time doing them by hand. You could spend two days just doing manual ties or less than half a day with the machine. And get a better tie with no effort.

DId I not say something like this a few days ago @recoveringacademic RA Construction Ltd....

Theoretically it could corrode over time and cause the concrete to crack or spall.

It's okay, wasn't aimed at anyone in particular, it's just that in various threads I've noticed terms being used in a way I wouldn't - doesn't mean it's wrong, but might help us all! J

If I may, can I suggest we discuss terms, three in particular that I think are distinct and not interchangeable? Bracing (in ICF context) - a method of supporting a wall prior to concrete being poured. Main aim is to offer horizontal support to the wall before and during pour, especially advantageous to long sections, but also can be used to ensure wall is plumb - both during Co structure and during pour. Does not offer any shuttering effect. Shuttering - creation of formwork, mainly using sheet timber or metal formwork to create a form(shape) into which concrete is poured. Shuttering can be used to create foundations, walls, steps or other shapes. Once concrete has gone off, this shuttering is removed. In ICF terms, generally the blocks are the shutter themselves and remain in situ as the insulation. Whilst the icf block work is a shutter, it can be prudent to add additional shuttering at vulnerable sections or as a 'belt and braces' approach. Propping - offering direct support to prevent movement, often a vertical prop for lintels or roof/ceilings but can be used horizontally to support shuttering. If used horizontally, offers similar support as bracing. Thoughts?

Smiling with you - with you! The penny will drop soon - just don't tell Debbie - Once you've done it once by hook or by crook, a sneaky urge to do it all a again quicker, cheaper and better sets in. You only get good any any part of it just as you finish that part! Both of us are agreed we'd like to do another one some day now we know how to actually do it!

Never a truer word said... Ask me how I know... ? we found a way around the issues but life could have been easier!

That's fair enough! I wouldn't disagree some bits you could assess and fairly determine that a section doesn't need it - I'm definitely of the safe rather than sorry camp - but I suppose we had to be as we were in an exposed location and we pouring up for 3.3m - and had never done ICF before. Even looking back at your pics, it does make you shiver about what might have happened if you'd gone for a check in the night to see all was okay (like I would do in the late evenings sometimes on way home from somewhere).

For luckylad to give the back story.

okay, I'll agree to disagree with you on this. 1 - It's of little consequence that the contractor 'up sticks' - pours could have been delayed for any number of reasons at all during the course of a build - weather, illness, design issues, money, concrete (pump) availability etc etc.. 2 - Whether weather was 'exceptionally turbulent' again - is neither here nor there. Abnormal weather happens - whilst you can't prepare for everything, leaving a gable wall so vulnerable is not a good idea. I've stated here before as an example when extreme wind that comes down the glen when a warm easterly arrives after a cold spell - the warm air comes over the hills and drawn down ever faster into the glen by the cool air Bracing offers many advantages before and during pour - not only from a construction perspective, but from a safety perspective so I'll leave my input here for @Luckyladto consider when weighing up different ICF systems.

I'm baffled that Durisol say it doesn't need bracing. That's the very reason your gable collapsed Ian. I think that statement is a but irresponsible tbh. Until the concrete is poured and cured, any icf wall us inherently unstable. Weather is unpredictable for a start but I'm unsure how walls stay plumb without bracing. When the concrete goes in, there's a massive weight there to move things about. We poured our walls in one pour and there is not a chance we could have done that without bracing. It would have been highly dangerous. Happy to hear how Durisol is different?

I know I know. A lazy shower the load of them!

http://www.gridwatch.templar.co.uk Barely using any gas just now but as Andrew Neil says, even during peak demand they are not using much but blitzing coal. One big station goes down unplanned and we have a serious problem.

Just a heads up as I can se this far enough. Last week I was unable to fill my car with LPG anywhere in Glasgow or Ayrshire. Lady as Asda told me there was a shortage, but Asda head office acted the goat and said there was no issue. Flogas - 'no comment'. Calor - no issue. However, an LPG forum I'm on has users across the counrty reporting the same. I was in Topps Tiles earlier in the week and the girl there told me that they needed oil for heating and normally they phone in the morning and it comes down from the depot in the afternoon - they've been told it'll be a few days at least and they can't get their full order. Anyway, smelling a rat, I contacted the Glasgow Herald, BBC and the Daily Fail - none reported it back then. And guess what? There is a shortage and only now is it coming out. Any forum members using gas cans, might be worth trying to get ahead of the curve and get fresh ones asap before supply is restricted. Possible perfect storm of weather, politics and bad planning...it amazes me - if petrol or diesel ran out at the pumps the media would be all over it. Jsut because it's gas for cars, it's not hard to see that it's a big problem if you just look a bit wider as to what that means. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43229297 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/temporary-relaxation-of-the-enforcement-of-drivers-hours-and-working-time-rules-delivery-of-lpg/extension-to-temporary-relaxation-of-the-enforcement-of-drivers-hours-and-working-time-rules-delivery-of-lpg

I'm not sure what you're point is? You asked a question about 'thought leadership', and the answer is no - there are standards already in place to route these services - hence why ''veering' towards trade standards. But that doesn't mean they are the only methods, as long as they are not dangerous or contrary to guidance. What method are you planning using?

in short - no. As discussed, and we did on our build, pipe clips for pipes, cable ties for MHRV and Q crimps for cables. Dead easy,really quick and as @PeterW said, massive saving during first fix.

Don't forget carrying the frames and facings - which will be at least 100mm longer if you get them pre-cut. Nothing worse than being chuffed at getting the doors home and not being able to put the linings in the car! Then there is hard wood flooring if you have any - weighs a lot and ours were 2225mm long - too long for a car and even if I could get 10 packs in at a time, I wouldn't have been happy with the weight. We hired a van and did a whole load of things in one day (my camper is out of action).

The man said it...

So that one is booking only. One half of me says it's not a bothy in the traditional sense but actually, apart from the plumbing and small kitchen, it's just a basic but well built wee hoose - a modern bothy as it should be. Sitting on stilts, timber framed, ply interior, one single room, warm and cosy. There is a key in the door but that's only used to stop it rattling in the wind - we never locked it and no need to. The islands are such a great place to visit for so many reasons. They have community the way it probably used to be when my parents grew up in Glasgow. Crime pretty much non existent. Everyone helps out. If you need a lift, just flag down the next passing from vehicle . but I digress slightly!

Lucky he doesn't have @curlewhouse 's BCO - instant fail

They were not a-moo-sed...