Checklist: Foundations

[ToughButterCup]

This checklist is intended as a starting point for your own thinking. It isn't definitive, it is intended as a guide. There's a downloadable pdf (a link at the bottom of this list) version which I'll update in the light of comment. Comment and discussion make this list more useful: please add to it, and make suggestions or offer constructive criticism. This particular list is far from complete - there's a lot to think about getting the foundations right.

• Soil survey : get one done
• Topographical survey datum: have two
• Costed
• Enabling work
• Delivery access, how?
• Site Signage
• Perimeter Fence
• How will you pump out when necessary?
• Temporary sump for perimeter drain
• Ridge line? Marker system to avoid over-filling
• Logistics of getting concrete to site, access track, concrete pump, crane and skip etc
• BCO requirements and experience

======ARCHITECTS==================

• Architects proposal
• If relevant, has the Architect ever done passiv before?

======STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS=======

• SE calcs, but if passiv slab care needed
• Insulated Concrete Foundations needed?
• SE and Professional Indemnity Insurance.
• Strip, pile, pad, raft : which?

===================================

• Trees? TPOs?
• Services already on site: dead? marked? protected?
• Perimeter Drain
• Drainage layers
• Shuttering for existing drain runs.
• Neighbours informed, how close? Party Wall Act
• Detailed drawings to BC
• Crossheads in place
• Trenches checked
• Levels checked
• Location of services within the makeup, drains, water, phone, gas, etc
• Redundant ducting to be included (for use at a later stage)?
• BC contacted
• Build up? Detail
• Steel reinforcement, where, how much, starter bars for walls etc
• UFH pipes within concrete mass or in screed?
• Quality of workmanship

======Logistics=====================

• Calculate concrete volume
• Route instructions for driver: tricky approach, tight turns, weak bridges?
• How many loads
• Load Timing
• Left over concrete: where to dump?

==================================

• Shuttering support
• Levels during pour
• Height to which to build
• BC visited and signed off
• Preparation for the day(s) of the pour
• Compaction: whacker, bomag, twin drum
• Damp course,
• Radon barrier

Checklist Foundations.pdf

[MikeSharp01]

Great Checklist - first one, soil survey! Any idea what to ask for when requesting such, I have a quote, several K, which has 2 x 8m boreholes and 16 samples, the site is brown field. I am wondering if I have under or over specified. Any thoughts anyone.

[ToughButterCup]

Hello Mike,

Here, have a look at this, and this (the phase two study)

We are on quarry spoil; and so potentially contaminated land. Which is a bit of a harumphhhh because lead was found .... 1ppm above the reporting threshold. Annoying because the core was taken just outside the shed door... and I know the old geezer who used the shed used to clean his paint brushes out exactly where the core was taken. Bummer.

Cost is detailed here.... (January 2015)

[MikeSharp01]

Hmmmm. Very interesting... so your two phases cost £1260 did I read that right? My quote is £1909+VAT I guess for what looks very similar, you can get a hint at the desktop study from soilscapes (Cranfield) it only gives you the 1Km square (free) I could get closer and pay a little I guess. There won't be any contamination, the house was built on a field in 1911 and no quarrying, gravel extraction etc has been undertaken anywhere close. As it will be a passive slab I guess the SE might have an idea of the scope needed, I don't want to skimp but I also don't want to spend more than I need. Thanks for the details I will give it some more thought.

[Daedalus]

To give people an idea of what 'might' be under the site. You can view historic borehole information online at:

http://www.bgs.ac.uk/data/boreholescans/home.html

Although for most this data is not useful without any context or guidance. It will give an indication of what is on or around your site and therefore need to allow for e.g. clay therefore make allowances for increased depth due to trees etc.

I should point out that it is in no way a substitute for an actual soil investigation report by a suitable company.