What can you do before the concrete pumping truck arrives?
If you have worked in the construction industry, you will know that using concrete pumping to pour concrete is one of the most effective ways to rapidly create the concrete structures you need on your building site. Concrete pumping allows your workforce to get the exact amount of concrete that they need to the perfect spot without the inconvenience of mixing it on-site. Before concrete pumping became readily available, it was common for concrete to be mixed on-site before being poured into place. Mixing concrete on location creates multiple problems if access to the area the concrete is needed is restricted or difficult to access. Mixing concrete would either be left to the one or two people who could access the location, or in some cases, the concrete would be mixed at a distance and transported to where it was needed.
Preparing for concrete pumping
When you are planning to use concrete pouring on your building site, then it can be tempting to think that all you need to do is wait for the concrete pumping lorry to arrive and watch their team pour the concrete for you. In fact, while the concrete pumping truck will normally come with a crew who will do the work there are still some things you will need to do before the lorry arrives to ensure that the pumping can be completed safely and with minimum delay.
Is it safe to work?
The first thing that you will need to establish is that you have a safe location available where the pump can be set up so that the concrete pumping can take place. Look out for possible dangers such as power lines in the immediate vicinity.
Clear the area
You will need to ensure that the area the team will be working is free from debris and as level as possible.
Plenty of space
Ideally, you will want sufficient space for two concrete pumping trucks to discharge their load at the same time so that the job can be completed in the shortest possible time.
Check the ground
Finally, you will want to take into account the state of the soil in the area where the pump will be set up. Don't forget you are working on a building site and it's possible that there have been excavations there which have not yet been correctly backfilled and compacted. If you are in any doubt, it is wise to consult the as-built drawings and cover any concerning areas with trench plates to ensure the safety of your pumping team.
By making the necessary advance preparations, you can ensure that your concrete pumping team is able to start working the moment they arrive. The team will be able to start laying out the pumping equipment and pumping the concrete instead of standing around waiting for the ground to be prepared for them and adding unnecessarily to the construction costs.
Share