Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Features
December 22, 2006

Material Standards for small buildings

The quality and types of material used in the construction of buildings is an important aspects of the building code.

For large commercial buildings, engineers and architects pay careful attention to the quality and type of material. These design professionals sign off on the plans and can be held liable for future failure.

However in smaller buildings such as homes, few people can afford the services of an engineer and architect and this is where the guidelines to the building code help home owners.{{more}}

The guidelines are user-friendly, written in easy-to-understand language and filled with drawings and illustrations which provide direction for concrete, timber and steel frame structures. The guidelines provide for the design and construction of new residential or retail buildings containing not more than 2500 square feet of gross floor area and two storeys high.

CONCRETE

The guidelines provide information on what quality concrete should be used as well as steel reinforcements. The tables in the guidelines show the diameter of the steel, how and where it should be placed to reinforce the concrete, and how the concrete should be mixed and the time required for curing. The approximate proportions normally required to provide a mix of adequate strength are 1 bag of cement (94 lbs.), 2 cubic foot of sand, 4 cubic foot of stone and about 5 gallons of water.

There are details for roof construction, styles, and pitches as well as how to construct the foundation, columns, beams and the limits of the weight that should be placed on these.

When applying for planning permission after the code comes into effect in 2007, detailed drawings must be filed with the Physical Planning Unit. The structural detail drawings in the guidelines are useful in this regard as there are a variety of styles from which to choose.

TIMBER

Wooden homes, as with concrete homes, can be constructed to withstand hurricane and seismic activity – two of the hazards to which St Vincent and the Grenadines is susceptible.

The guidelines provide illustrations on how to properly brace wooden buildings, secure foundations, and reinforce the roof to withstand hurricane force winds and earthquakes.

STEEL STRUCTURES

The guidelines provide for the use of “cold form steel” which is something similar to a frame used in timber construction. Instructions are provided to show how to securely attach walls, roofs, and foundations to withstand the natural hazards to which St Vincent and the Grenadines is susceptible. However, cold form steel is not widely used here.

MATERIALS

The materials to be used in either concrete, timber or steel frame buildings are specified in the code. Once it comes into effect, efforts will be made to ensure these materials are available from all retail outlets. The St Vincent and the Grenadines Bureau of Standards is charged with the responsibility of enforcing that aspect of the code and guidelines to ensure that no sub-standard materials are imported and sold. The regulations are not intended to prevent the use of construction, materials or methods of designs as alternates since such alternates may be offered for approval. New types of construction, materials or design must be at least equal to the standards of the code.

Owners, developers and applicants should be aware of and consult the following legislation and other revelant legislation in force: Consumer Protection (Bureau of Standards) Act No. 70 of 1992.

EXCAVATION

Excavation for the foundation of the home is an important aspect of building construction, as if done properly ensures the strength and durability of the structure.

The guidelines provide clear instruction on what measures must be taken during excavation particularly when dealing with certain types of soils. When constructing on clay, it is recommended that professional advice must be sought before planning the foundation.

Compaction may be necessary to increase the bearing strength of soil or to support ground floor on fill. Fill under floor is sometimes preferred on slightly sloping areas. Where fills greater than 3ft are required, the floor should be constructed as a suspended reinforced slab. This will prevent ultimate collapse of the floor.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

The guidelines also show where to place openings in the wall, such as windows and doors and describe the pitfalls of placing them in the wrong locations, such as close to a corner. This could significantly weaken the structure and make it fair game for a hurricane or earthquake.

Plumbing, electrical, and waste water disposal facilities are also covered by the guidelines.

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    12 left homeless in mid-day fire at Richland Park
    Front Page
    12 left homeless in mid-day fire at Richland Park
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    A fire that destroyed a multi-family complex in Richland Park over the weekend has left at least 12 people homeless, including a 23-year-old mother of...
    PM responds to US military strike on small boat off Venezuela
    Front Page
    PM responds to US military strike on small boat off Venezuela
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves has responded to reports by the United States administration that its military had carried out the bombing of a boa...
    Building material disappear from the Mary Hutchinson Primary School
    Front Page
    Building material disappear from the Mary Hutchinson Primary School
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Police investigators on Union Island are said to be looking into the “disappearance” of building materials that were sent to the Southern Grenadine Is...
    What’s new at Fitz Hughes Government School?
    Front Page
    What’s new at Fitz Hughes Government School?
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    by Grace Francis After sharing a small space for over a year, children and teachers at the Fitz Hughes Early Childhood Centre went into brand new prem...
    MRI-6 donates over $70,000 for school meals for vulnerable students
    Front Page
    MRI-6 donates over $70,000 for school meals for vulnerable students
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Several secondary schools and special needs institutions across St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) have received $5,000 donations towards meals for s...
    Minister of Information Technology  emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    News
    Minister of Information Technology emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Robust cybersecurity must be at the heart of the digital transformation that is currently taking place in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) says Min...
    News
    Minister of Information Technology  emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    News
    Minister of Information Technology emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Robust cybersecurity must be at the heart of the digital transformation that is currently taking place in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) says Min...
    Entities team up to boost disaster communication capacity
    News
    Entities team up to boost disaster communication capacity
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    The Climate Change Resilience Network (CCRN) in collaboration with the Youlou Radio Movement (YRM) recently embarked on a disaster preparedness initia...
    Ministry of Health to get more dialysis machines
    News
    Ministry of Health to get more dialysis machines
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, is to obtain three more Heamodialysis machines as part of the revolution in the healthcare secto...
    PM Gonsalves heads delegation to Ethiopia
    News
    PM Gonsalves heads delegation to Ethiopia
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, is leading a delegation to the East African country of Ethiopia; the delegation left the state on Wednesday, Septe...
    New Port to be opened on October 24- PM Gonsalves
    News
    New Port to be opened on October 24- PM Gonsalves
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    The modern port in Kingstown is expected to be handed over to the government just before this country celebrates its 46th anniversary of political ind...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok