Construction question

A

Adoxographist

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2010
Messages
727
Reaction score
92
Location
Gauteneleng
We are currently constructing a building and there is a space width about 5 meters in length. The guy from the roof trusses told us to put like beam/lentils through this space.
The builder put 2, 2.7meter lentils together put cement in the middle and put bricks on top. There will be about 15% of the roof going on top of this. He told us its okay but it looks like it's not going to last long.

Any advice on this?
 
Last edited:
I wouldn't trust that and I would request a written guarantee in his personal name with ID everything on it.
 
Adoxographist said:
We are currently constructing a building and there is a space width about 5 meters in length. The guy from the roof trusses told us to put like beam/lentils through this space.
The builder put 2, 2.7meter lentils together put cement in the middle and put bricks on top. There will be about 15% of the roof going on top of this. He told us its okay but it looks like it's not going to last long.

Any advice on this?
Click to expand...

Definitely not! Ask him to remove it or he will accept full responsibility if the opening caves in. Take a picture. If he's registered with any building association you can report him.

The lintel should rest on the brickwork on either side and there should be extra brickforce (grid reinforcement sandwiched inbetween the brick layers) above the lintel to relieve some load on the lintel.
 
It sounds like you have taken one of the cheapest builders in the country who has no sense of responsibility...the truss supplier telling the builder about his walls!???
Any good builder would know what to do, how to do it and refuse to do anything unsafe/ risky.
Sounds like specialised lintels or a concrete beam ought to go in over that opening.
Don't rely on "hope it is ok", and " should be fine" What does the plan/structural drawing say?
 
Adoxographist said:
We are currently constructing a building and there is a space width about 5 meters in length. The guy from the roof trusses told us to put like beam/lentils through this space.
The builder put 2, 2.7meter lentils together put cement in the middle and put bricks on top. There will be about 15% of the roof going on top of this. He told us its okay but it looks like it's not going to last long.

Any advice on this?
Click to expand...

I can't picture what you're trying to describe... can you post some photos or a drawing?

Is the builder trying to cross a 5m span by joining 2x 2,7m lintels? That is dodge in the extreme if unsupported underneath. You can't "join" lintels mid-span... unless it's supported underneath by a load bearing wall or column right under the join. (which isn't really joining them)

1) What's on the approved building plans (you got those right?)
2) Who signed the approved building plans (accredited engineer?)
3) What's on the roof truss layout plan? Sometimes the roofing people "suggest" changes to make their job easier. (they're not right all the time, after all, they do roofing, they're not architects.)
4) If you're even a little suspicious that something isn't structurally sound, make the builder explain and ask the architect/engineer for a site visit. If they won't come out and the builder is dodging, call the NHBRC.

After that slab collapse in Alberton last year or so, everyone is a little more jumpy. Gone are the days of building without plans, you can get into serious poo.
 
We have proper registered architect and engineer.
In the architect's drawing they put in a dotted line for the roof line and the guy from trusses suggest putting a beam through to make it easier. The architect said he got approval from engineer.
p.s. We are not enrolled with NHBRC. But we do have all proper paperwork from the city.

Here is the pictures: http://1drv.ms/1K7hlxQ
 
Where is this house so I can stay away from it? That's nuts.

You can get extra long lintels for gaps like that.
 
You need 1 solid lintel for the full length of the opening. Thats is going to collapse.
 
No way never, are you flipping crazy???? Tear down that collapse waiting to happen right now. I can tell you that no inspector will,pass that and if it is plastered over before the inspector has a chance to see it it is tantamount to a cover up.
 
Just took a look at those pictures.
It's insane that the builder did that.
Get the engineer , architect and builder to site to review this
 
Another thing: In pic 4 you can clearly see how the left end of this 'lintel' where it goes into the wall is 2 courses of bricks above another lintel. Even if the main lintel in question wasnt joined in the middle it is still not correct. Who the hell designed and approved these plans?
 
Adoxographist said:
We have proper registered architect and engineer.
In the architect's drawing they put in a dotted line for the roof line and the guy from trusses suggest putting a beam through to make it easier. The architect said he got approval from engineer.
p.s. We are not enrolled with NHBRC. But we do have all proper paperwork from the city.

Here is the pictures: http://1drv.ms/1K7hlxQ
Click to expand...

Definitely dodge
 
Suggest the builder and architect stand underneath it as they remove the props see their response: if any one of them agree to do it kick them off the site as they are opening you to manslaughter charges from dept. of Labour.
 
Had a moment to think:whilst this is very funny to look at, you are x1 prop away from VERY serious trouble.
Cordon off the area and make VERY sure that the prop is NOT removed, and carefully dismantle the section.
As the owner You? can and likely will be held liable for injury and death at very best a big legal bill and loss of time
 
D tj said:
Had a moment to think:whilst this is very funny to look at, you are x1 prop away from VERY serious trouble.
Cordon off the area and make VERY sure that the prop is NOT removed, and carefully dismantle the section.
As the owner You? can and likely will be held liable for injury and death at very best a big legal bill and loss of time
Click to expand...

You forgot a step: Fire everyone!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X