This document discusses various methods of communication and documentation used in the construction industry. It describes verbal, written, and drawn forms of communicating information, which must be clear, concise, and understood. It also outlines different types of documents used on construction sites such as delivery notes, drawings, plans and specifications to convey details, record work, and transmit ideas. Effective communication involves listening, following procedures, and working as a team while being respectful of diversity.

1. Information, Quantities and
Communicating.

2. Tutor Copy

3. Communicating
Communication on building sites can be done in
many ways, it can be:
–Verbal
–Written
–Drawn
No matter which way information is given it needs
to be:
–Clear
–Concise
–Understood.

4. Site Documents
Building sites require documentation to keep a record
of what has been done and what needs to be done.
These Could be delivery notes, invoices or even staff
personal details.

5. Delivery of Materials
Deliveries should be checked against the
Delivery Note.
Check for:
Damage, Quantities, incorrect materials
Any discrepancies or damages should be
recorded on the delivery note before you sign
it.
Delivery notes usually have two copies. One for
the delivery driver and the other should be kept

6. Some Documents will be left on site in locked
cabinets so that they can be accessed by the
site staff at work.
Other documents such as Order forms, Bills of
Quantities and Client details would be kept
secure OFF site.

7. Site Plans & Drawings
All construction drawings are produced in
accordance with BS 1192 Drawing
Office Practice.
Drawings are one of the simplest forms of
communication available in the construction
industry.
They are used extensively for transmitting
ideas and information.

8. Block/Location
Plan
These plans show the
building project in
relation to the
surrounding area and
will include other
properties and road
names.
Location plans are
usually drawn to a
scale of 1:1250 or
1:2500

9. Site Plan
These plans will show
the building in relation to
where roads and
services such as
drainage need to be
positioned on the site.
Site plans are usually
drawn to a scale of
1: 200 or 1:500.

10. Working Drawings

11. Detailed Drawing
These drawings will show individual
components in detail, usually drawn to a scale
of 1:1 or 1:10

12. Floor Plan
This drawing
shows the
ground floor and
first floor plan of
a house.

13. Computer Aided Design (CAD)
The best way to show how a building will
look before it is constructed.

14. Specification
A specification will accompany a drawing
and it is used to convey details about the
project such as:
–Quality of workmanship
–Materials to be used
–Sizes not available on the drawing
such as Size of bricks type of wall
ties etc.

15. Drawing Scales
It is impracticable to draw buildings, to their full size.
They would not fit on a piece of drawing paper.
Instead, they are normally drawn to a smaller reduced
size called a scale.
• The ratio of sizes is kept by using certain
scales.
• These drawings are called: Scale drawings.
The size they are reduced will be to a ratio of the real
item:
• 1:2 Twice as small.
• 1:10 Ten times smaller

16. The main ratios used in
construction scales drawings are:
1:1 > Full size used for details or templates
1:2
1:5 > Building details
1:10
1:20
1:50 > Plans, elevations and sections
1:100
1:200
1:200
1:500 > Site plans
1:1250
1:1250
1:2500 > Block or location plans

17. A scale rule is graduated on both sides and each
edge combines two scales,
giving a total combination of eight scales.
Scale Rule
Two scales here
Two scales here

18. Calculations
Quantity of materials will be worked out
allowing for waste.
Cost of materials will be worked out using
the drawings.
Estimating is important when working on site
because of storage and manual handling
requirements.

19. Construction Measurements
On detailed drawings construction
measurements are written in millimetres.
e.g. 1580 mm
On larger plans measurements are written in
metres.
e.g. 1.58 m

20. Construction Measurements
• Bricklayers measure in area
Length x Height = Area.
• There are 60 bricks per square metre in a half
brick wall.
• There are 120 bricks per square metre in a one
brick thick wall.

21. • Volume is calculated using
Length x Width X Depth
• Linear measurement is the measurement of
lengths only.
• If you needed to find the perimeter of a building
you would use
2 x (length + breadth)
Construction Measurements

22. Hatchings
Hatchings help to reduce the amount of writing on a
Drawing
Symbols are used for different materials.

23. Abbreviations reduce the amount of writing needed on
drawings.
Recognised Abbreviations are used for different materials.
Boarding bdg
Brickwork bwk
Building bldg
Concrete conc
Copper cu
Damp proof course dpc
Foundation fdn
Hardwood hwd
Insulation insul
Joist jst
Abbreviations

24. Symbols
Symbols reduce the amount of writing needed on
drawings.
Recognised symbols used in drawings:
Bath
Door Window
Sink WC (Toilet)

25. Specifications are usually found on the working
drawing
Specification

26. An example of a door
schedule.
Hatching / symbols are used to cut down on lengthy wording.

27. Example of a
door lining
schedule
A typical specification for this lining would be:
150 x 38mm wrot rebated door lining in European
Redwood, moisture content 8% to 12%, fixed to
preinstalled slips with two 62mm brad nails. The
nail heads to be well punched below the surface,
and the surface being free from blemishes. The
surface of the lining is to be prepared to receive a
priming coat of paint. The lining is to be protected
from other trades.

28. All projects need planning.
Reasons for planning:
•Materials need to be ordered in time.
•Materials could get damaged or be in the
way if they are ordered too early.
•Changes to materials may be made during
the project.
•Trades people need to be organised.
Programme of Work

29. Programme of Work
example of a Gantt Chart

30. Programme of Work
example of a Critical Path Analysis

31. Communication with
other people
Different methods of
communication are:
• Telephone
• Fax
• Written
• Oral
• E-mail
It is important that when using any of these
methods of communication you use it in a
clear and concise way.

32. Important information
It is important that written communication needs to
be recorded with the time and date of the message
so that the recipient knows when the message was
taken.
Verbal Instructions need to be clearly spoken with
eye contact and confident responses between
whoever is talking and listening.
Remember: There is a time and a place for
transferring important information. Operative break
times are not ideal! Tool box talks would be better.

33. Effective site communications
Efficient working practices and minimal problems on
site would prove that effective site communication
was taking place.
Listen carefully and ask if you do not understand
Don’t mumble when talking
Follow company procedures
Work as a team
Work quality and output would be
affected by poor communications

34. Effective site communications
Equality and diversity must be used when
communicating on site.
You will probably talk different to the site manger
or client, than how you would talk to your work
colleague.
Race , gender and personal abilities should not
alter the way you speak or deal with people.