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Skills on Site March 2011 1

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2 Skills on Site March 2011

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March 2011

CopyrightAll rights reserved. No editorial matter published in Skills On Site may be reproduced in any form or language without written permission

of the publishers. While every effort is made to ensure accurate reproduction, the editor, authors, publishers and their employees or agents

shall not be responsible or in any way liable for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in the publication - whether arising from negligence or

otherwise or for any consequences arising therefrom. The inclusion or exclusion of any product does not mean that the publisher or editorial

board advocates or rejects its use either generally or in any particular eld or elds.

COVER STORY

4 PPCs Ne Brnd Cmpin

Brethes Lie into the Compnys

Iconic Elephnt

CONCRETE & CEMENT

6 Storin Cement

POwER TOOLS

9 Poer Tools: Hire or Buy

11 Ho to Drill Cores

waTERPROOfINg & DRaINagE

14 Dont foret Drine!

aLTERNaTIVE BuILDINg

18 Ho to Build Steel frme Rooms

ELECTRICaL

22 whts Inside n Electricins Toolbox

Promech Publishing has a BEE

rating of 97.2%

Proprietor and Publisher:

PROMECH PUBLISHING

Tel: (011) 781-1401

Fax: (011) 781-1403

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.promech.co.za

Printed by:

CTP PrintersTel: (011) 230-7000

The Skills On Site team - Top: Susan Custers, publisher; Zinobia Docrat, production;

Raymond Campling, editor. Seated: Candis Allen, advertising sales; Catherine Macdiva,administration; Jackie Nene, subscriptions/circulation.

AcknowledgementsIn order to bring you the most up-to-date infor-

mation from around the globe, we make use of

Internet websites that are current and provide

information that is relevant to local builders.

Information from the following sites has been

included in this issue: WikiHow www.wikihow.

com, Stock.Xchange www.sxc.hu

CONTRaCTORS CORNER

25 Corruption Sinks Contrctors

TRaNSPORT

26 Bkkie or Vn, You Choose27 Vns or gutter Contrctor

29 LEaDINg INfO

fINaNCE

30 Bnk Trets aordble Mrket

ENDORSINg BODY

33 Celebrtion to Mrk 2010s achievemen

SuCCESS STORY

35 Bein Your On Boss is Briht Ide!

38 IN TOuCH

18

35

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Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC) today

launched a new 360-degree brand campaign

using its strong South African heritage to rein-

force its commitment to the local market. The

campaign will inject a fresh personality into

the PPC brand and entrench PPCs position as

leading supplier of cement in southern Africa,highlighting the companys intentions to grow

into an emerging-markets player.

In a stirring television commercial a majesticAfrican elephant, made of cement, suddenlycomes to life in the city. As it traverses the South

African landscape, the majestic creature beginsa journey of transforming nothing into something,based on peoples needs.

Throughout the brand campaign, PPC clearlydemonstrates the strength, reliability and consis-

tency of its cement products that continues to deliversuccessful construction results.

By breathing life into the companys iconic elephant,the campaign marks a denite change to PPCscampaigns from previous years. The new campaign

is designed to communicate what the PPC brandis about and how, together with the company, itsstrength continues to meet customer needs.

At PPC all our core principles are based on the factthat we are more than cement producers. We help

our customers shape their success. Our new campaigntalks to this and demonstrates how we can be partof making a difference, said Richard Tomes, PPCs

Customer Executive.

As the South African market grows, so does PPCs

ambition to be at the cutting edge of innovation.By depicting change and growth throughout the

commercial, PPC is demonstrating the importanceof using building material of high-quality cement insolving everyday needs for South Africans.

We are taking a clear message to the nation - thatPPC and its cement products not only has the ability

to help customers realise their construction dreams,but also the compassion to better the lives of everycitizen, commented Tomes.

A dedicated team of 114 people worked over athree-day period, putting in 2900 hours of pre andpost production to create the emotive PPC television

commercial. Innovative technology incorporatinglm, stock frame and 3D was used to produce the

new commercial.

PPC is an iconic brand and its cement has been usedfor the past 119 years and will continue being used to

build South African landmarks and the developmentof its infrastructure and major construction projects,

just like it did with the Union Buildings, Gariep Dam,Van Stadens River Bridge, and some of the new2010 stadia.

To view the new

campaign please visit

www.ppc.co.za

PPC Cement

Tel: +27 (0)11 386 9000

Fax: +27 (0)11 386 9001

[email protected]

Paul Stuiver (PPC CEO) and Richard Tomes (PPC Customer Executive)

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When youre building a home, you need strength you can rely on. For over 100 years, the

consistent and reliable strength of PPC Cement has helped engineers, concrete product

manufacturers and builders just like you to do exactly that. From renovations around the

house to walls and extensions, if you can think it, you can build it with PPC.

For more information call our toll-free line on 0800 023 470 or visit www.ppc.co.za

TJDR4564

4

OUR STRENGTH, YOUR VISION.

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Storing cement properly is important because if you

dont, you might have to throw away brand new bags

of unused cement! Follow these simple tips and youwill never waste a bag of cement that got damaged

in storage again!

How to store cement For short periods, cement can be stored outside on

a platform raised above the ground and covered

with plastic sheeting to keep it dry. But this is riskyif there is a possibility that it might rain. It is veryimportant to keep the bags dry and away from

moisture. Because cement is nely ground, it easilyabsorbs water and also moisture from the air.

To store cement for longer periods, you will need

a storage area or storeroom that is as watertightand as airtight as possible. Provide a damp proof

barrier on the oor such as a plastic sheet or woodplanks and stack bags at least 30cms away from

the walls. Stack bags close together to reduce aircirculation around them.

Do not stack the bags more than 15 bags high toreduce the risk of the stack toppling over. A falling50kg bag of cement is a dangerous thing! You can

place the bags along and across so the bags useeach other for support. This makes the piles sturdierand less likely to topple over.

Due to pressure from the weight of high stacks,cement in the lower bags may begin to cake.

When taken out to use, all you need to do is toroll these bags over. Also, when removing storedbags, remove them from two or three stacks, rather

than all from one stack. This will prevent the stacktoppling over. Be careful when going near stacks

or removing bags from them, these have 100s ofkilos of weight.

Use the cement as soon as possible, preferably

within two to three months. When taking bags touse, always use the bags youve had the longest

rst. To be able to make sure you do this, stack the

bags carefully as they arrive so you can keep trackof which are the newest and oldest bags.

For larger projects, or if you plan to store the cementfor a while, get it delivered to the site on pallets

shrink-wrapped in plastic by the supplier.

Dead cementLumps in cement indicate that the bag has beenexposed to moisture. If these lumps can be brokeneasily by hand, you can still use the cement, but add

a little extra cement to the mixture.

Dead cement is where the cement has already

begun the chemical reaction with water. You can tellthis has happened because the cement has started

Safety tips when working with cement! Avoid eye, mouth and skin contact with

cement.

Wash skin exposed to wet concrete as soonas possible with plenty of fresh water.

Remove and wash any clothing that getscement on it.

CONCRETE & CEMENT

Cement bags on a pallet stored along and across To reduce the risk

of them toppling over

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CONCRETE & CEMENT

Always use your oldest cement bags rst

hardening and clumping. Throw that bag away, it'sdead and it wont be safe to use in construction. But

if you need cement for unimportant work, you canuse it but this cement might not be very strong. Onlyuse this cement if the strength of the cement neededfor the job doesnt matter, dont take chances!

So remember, It is not only bags of cement that haveturned from powder into solid cement blocks that

need to been thrown away!

Concrete and Cement Institute, Hanlie Turner, Tel (011) 315 0300,

Fax: (011) 315 0584, Email: [email protected], Web: www.

cnci.org.za

Prize winner!Elija Matlala of Mpumalanga is the lucky winner of a R2000

voucher to buy Enduro Purple turbo and continuous rim blades

from Diamond Products. The prize will make a big differencein his business because in the past he has been using normal

grinding wheels and less advanced blades to do wall chasing

for electrical conduits. The concrete blunts them quite quickly,

but with Diamond Products range one blade will last weeks. His

electrical contractor business will go from strength to strength.

Elija Matlala, Tel: 082 474 2286.

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POWER TOOLS

At some point in time every building contractor is

faced with the question: should I rent or buy certain

power tools.

T

his one little question is, in fact, quite com-plicated and Skills On Site has compiled afew rules of thumb to help you make the

decision more easily.

Rule 1: Determine how often you willneed it

The most important factor in whether to hire or buy

is how often you will need the power tool for the jobyou do. If it is once a day or even once a week thenit is probably time to go to your dealer and buy the

tool. If on the other hand you use that type of toolonly occasionally then it makes no sense to buy and

you should rather hire.

If you put together a list of the tools you cant dowithout then those are the power tools that you

should buy. Tools that you would not want to takewith you wherever you go are most likely the ones

you should hire. It is true that you will leave the toolsthat are not part of your everyday kit at the ofceand probably wont have them on site the day you

need them anyway.

Rule 2: Get the tool thats right for the job

This is very important because you have to decide

which tool is right for the job you want to have done.

The right tool for the job means that you are doingthe job easily and in the least amount of time. It also

means you are not wasting money on things like bits,blades etc. that may wear out or break if they areused for the wrong job.

Sometimes the right tool for the job is more expensivethan you wanted to pay. In this situation you should

look back to Rule 1 and decide on the best route totake. On the other hand, if you really cant afford to

buy it and need it often then you can hire it. Also,remember if you cannot afford the right tool for thejob, but need that tool often - you are charging yourcustomers too little!

Rule 3: Cost vs quality

Every contractor has a different opinion about whichbrand of tool is better for them. One thing is for sure

buy quality when it comes to the tools you buy. Thedifference between quality branded products thatare made for professional usage and supermarket

DIY tools is very big and goes back to using the righttool for the job.

Remember when buying tools for everyday use, onthe construction site, buy only professional tools. DIYtools are not made for this type of heavy duty work

and rough conditions and will not last very long. Also,

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it pays to buy products from companies that guar-antee their products and that have service facilities

and spares available in your area.

Professional tools may cost double or three times the

price of supermarket brands, but if you consider thatprofessional tools will outlast them 10 or even 100times longer then its better to pay more upfront. For

the same reason you will nd that most reputable hirecompanies only stock reputable brands of power tools.

Rule 4: Calculate the cost of hire vs buy

On average the expected lifespan of a power toollike a grinder or saw is two years under normal condi-

tions, including accidental breakages, theft and wearand tear. In order to make a decision based on cost

alone divide the cost of the power tool needed bythe amount of times you will use the tool over a twoyear period. For example, R5000 divided by 20 (based

on using a power tool 10 times per year for two years)= R250. This means that as the owner it is costing youthe equivalent of R250 every time you use this tool.

The same tool may cost you between R70 and R130per day to hire. So, based on cost it would make sense

to rather hire the tool. If you do the same calculationwith tools that you use often the calculation will bereversed and show that it is cheaper to buy these

power tools.

Rule 5: Be ready and prepared

A good contractor knows power tools are an impor-tant part of the job and in order to be prepared has

access to the right tools for the job. For this reason itis important that you either own the tools or that you

partner with a good tool hire company where youcan get whatever you need whenever you need it.

Also look at the risks involved. If you do not have a

safe place to store expensive equipment, you mayrather want to hire your tools. On the other hand if

you work out of town the cost of transport to hire theequipment and inconvenience of travelling to thenearest store to hire equipment may be unbearable.

Either way, both have their place for contractors.

POWER TOOLS

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Step 1

Drill a pilot hole using a 14 mm masonry drill bit in the

wall with a standard drill.

POWER TOOLS

When you need to drill a core into thewall for plumbing or electrical conduits it

is important that you use the best tool forthe job. The right tool means you will doit accurately and quickly without damagingeither the power tool or the cutting edge.

Step 2

Use the hole as a guide, by inserting the pilot exten-

sion into the hole. Start drilling (with your drill runningat 1200 - 2200 RPM).

Step 3

Gently move the Dry-Core bit in and out to clear thedust and avoid binding or caking of material on thecutting edge.

Suppliers of cutting products for the building

industry, Diamond Products, gives us some tipson coring. They produce a big range of highperformance dry cut bits that offer great per-

formance and their products are affordable.

This is howUsing a dry-cut core bit like the LD10, that is designed

and manufactured specically for the plumbing, elec-trical and air-conditioning industries, you can use a

standard drill (800 - 1200 Watt Drill) running between1800 2200 RPM.

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POWER TOOLS

Remember no force is needed because the tool willdo the work for you.

Step 4Once youve cut through the rst brick, remove the

Dry-Cut bit and tap the bit until the core is removed.

Step 5Re-insert the Dry-Core bit to start the process againto drill through the second brick.

Step 6Remove the core and you will have a perfectly, neat

hole for inserting pipes, cables, etc.

RememberDo not use hammer action when drilling cores. Even if the material is hard and the going is slow always letthe tool and the bit do the work. Never put too much force behind the tool to try and cut faster, as this

can damage the powertool over a period of time. It will also blunt the bit quicker and probably not makeyour work go any quicker.

Diamond Products, Tel: (011) 552 8310, Fax: (011) 552 8312, Email: [email protected], Web: www.diamondpc.co.za

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WATERPROOFING AND DRAINAGE

It is also important because of new laws that

are being introduced. Housing developmentsthat release more than 5% more rainwater than

the natural veld did before it was developedwill no longer be allowed. It is always best to

plan your drainage system before you start building

because installing it afterwards is more difcult andexpensive!

When working out drainage, think of where the waterwill come from, where it needs to go and how it will

get there. All drainage systems

need a place where the waterenters it, a pipe, drain or trench totransport the water, and a place

where the water can be sent sothat it doesnt cause ooding on

another part of the property, ora neighbours property. It is bestto try and send the water as di-

rectly as possible into the stormwater system.

Remember you cant only worryabout the water that collects on

your property, you need to alsoplan for water that will run into yourproperty from other properties.

To design drainage you rst needto work out where the big owsof water will come from. Gutters

always collect a lot of water thatneeds somewhere to go. Look atthe properties around your prop-

erty to see if their water is goingto ow into yours and where it is

going to ow from.

Standing waterWater also collects on big paved,concreted or tarred areas. Youwant to stop this because standing

water can damage the surfaceand is also unhygienic.

Giving the surface a slight slopelets the water runs off. But thiscan also cause a heavy ow of

water, so you need to have adrain in the direction that the

water is going to ow.

Putting proper drainage in a property is very impor-

tant because without it, buildings and belongings

can get damaged in heavy rains and gardens will

turn into mud. Leaks, damp problems, collapsing

foundations and soil erosion (where soil gets washed

away) can all be caused by water not draining prop-

erly.

Remember to plan for water

running into your property!

14

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Water always flows downhill and collects in anylower part of the surface but water flow can be

controlled simply and cheaply by angling surfacesproperly to direct the water to where you need it

to go, so that your drains can do their job.

Controlling water flowThere are a few different ways you can control theow of water on the property:

Gutters help control the flow of water that lands

on your roof during a rain storm. The water goesdown the downpipe and can then be channelled

into a direction so it drains away properly.

Channel drains are long narrow troughs that have

metal grates at the top and drainage pipes atthe bottom to get rid of the water that flows into

the trough. These are often used in driveways andpaved areas.

French drains are trenches dug into the soil and

filled with gravel. The trench must slope downhill ormust be dug so that it gets deeper and the waterwill flow along the slope.


French drains can be lled with pebbles or gravel

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Here are FIVE solid reasons why you

should use a Cemcrete product in your

next construction project:

View www.cemcrete.co.za for the full range or visit

the Ideas Centres in Johannesburg (10 Telford Road,Industria) and Cape Town (1 Franschhoek Crescent,

Panorama) for loads of inspiration...

Cemcrete the cement innovation company.

cement innovation

1.Cemcrete boasts a product range of over 60 products:ranging from beautiful swimming pool plasters, internal

and external wall and oor nishes, cement- and

acrylic-based waterproong systems, adhesives,

grouts, mortars; and more - well help you nd the

perfect product for your construction or renovation

project.

All Cemcrete products are made t-for-purpose,

bragging desirable qualities such as being UV-stable,

waterproof, durable, easy to maintain, hard-wearing,

and more, giving you peace of mind...

Cemcretes dedicated national sales and technical

teams are just a phone call, email or site visit away for

all your product and application queries.

Cemcrete offers you hands-on product training courses

at the Head Ofce in Industria, Johannesburg; fully

equipped to provide attendees sufcient backgroundand hands-on experience needed to tackle projects

with absolute condence.

Cemcrete is all about innovation - if you have a specic

problem youre not sure how to solve, well use our 37

years of experience to advise you on how one of our

products can solve your problem.

2.

5.

4.

3.

Cemcrete (Pty) Ltd www.cemcrete.co.za [email protected] Tel. (011) 474 2415 Fax. (011) 474 2416

New Ideas Centre Opening 31 March 2011: 227 Jan Smuts Avenue, Johannesburg

the cement innovation company

swimming pool plasters

wall coatings

oor coatings

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They work even better when there is a pipe with holes

in it for the water to travel along. You can buy this pipeor to save money make your own by buying some PVC

pipes and drilling holes into them. Remember not tomake holes along the bottom of the pipe because

that is where the water will ow.

SafetyAll of the parts of your drainage system need to be

Channel drain


Buildings can get damaged by damp if the water isnt drained away

installed in a way that they cant cause any injuries,so make sure pipes are properly covered so people

cant trip over them, and holes are covered withmetal grates. Doing this also stops your drains fromgetting clogged up or damaged.

Your customers will be happy that you, the contrac-tor, installed a good drainage system every time the

rains come!

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ALTERNATIVE BUILDING

It has many advantages over concrete and bricks

or even wood frames when it comes to dry wallingor prefabricated buildings. Steel studs are perfectlystraight. They dont shrink or split. They are light and

easy to store, plus they resist re, insects and rot. Theyare also easier to move or correct.

In this article we look at interior walls and how to eithernish the interior of a steel frame house or add roomsin existing houses. Heres how:

Steps1. Screw lengths of track to the oor (slab) and ceil-

ing. The frame or tracks are slightly wider than studs,so you can snap them in.

2. To trim to correct length, cut both side anges ofa steel stud, using straight-cut snips. Then bend one

ange up (clear of the snips jaws) and cut across thelength. To cut multiple pieces at once, use a miter sawwith a metal cutting blade. For easier electrical and

plumbing installations later on, keep all the keyholeknockouts aligned by cutting all studs to length from

the same end. Protect your hands with heavy-dutygloves.

How to Build Steel Frame

RoomsSteel framing is used in many offices and housesfor quick and easy construction. It is also known asprefabricated building or dry walling when it is used

indoors.

3. Join studs to tracks by clamping the two memberstightly with a C-clamp locking pl iers and driving a 12mm pan-head screw in the middle where they meet.

Drive the screws at medium speed. Choose a clutchsetting strong enough to drive the screw home but

not so strong that it strips the screw hole and weakensthe joint.

4. Fasten to the ceiling track or fabricate metal head-

ers by cutting the track 50 mm longer than the roughopening width. Cut each ange of the track (on both

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Building tips Levels with one magnetic side are helpful when

working with steel studs. At door jambs, if you trim a wooden 2x4 (5 cmx 10 cm) slightly, it will slide inside of the steel stud

which makes the door frame much sturdier... thismakes hinges easier to attach and the house moresoild.

Self-tapping screws make joining pieces mucheasier.

Things Youll NeedSteel studs are sold in a

variety of widths, lengthsand gauges (the lower

the gauge number, thethicker the steel. The studsare screwed to steel track

(of matching width) with 12

mm pan-head screws.

ends) 25 mm lengthwise and bend the web down 90degrees using sheet metal locking pliers. Screw these

into concrete roof or steel frame.

5. Secure electrical cable along the center line of

each stud with cable ties screwed to the studs. Popa plastic bushing into each knockout to keep thecable from rubbing against the sharp edges.

6. Add wood nailers as needed for doors, windowsand cabinets. If your steel stud wall seems imsy,

keep in mind that it gains full rigidity once drywall orsheathing is applied. Hang drywall or sheathing using31 mm self-tapping drywall screws spaced every 20.3

cm along edges (where two sheets meet on a stud)

and 30.5 cm on centre elsewhere. You may needscrews placed closer together, and youre better off

having too many than having to add more after theinspector comes.

Drywall screws

Pan head self drilling screws

ALTERNATIVE BUILDING

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Flexible waterproong slurry. durafex

Protection on

Completionduraex may be left as is, be tiled

over or over coated with a high

quality PVA/acrylic paint.

ColoursGrey

Off White

Black

USES: Protection and repair of balconies, terraces, concrete structure

supports and bridges.

Waterproong of new and old buildings (inside and outside).

Waterproong of showers, tanks, containers & water reservoirs

Can be painted and covered with tiles.

For more in format ion

please cal l an a.b.e branch

or vis i t www.abe.co.za

Whatyouneed? Mechanicalmixer short bristled brush, rubber squeegee, trowel or spray to

applyduraex

Timeneeded Acoattakes16hourstodrybeforeyoucanapplyanothercoat. After3daysitisresistanttomechanicalstress Itisfullycuredafter7days Noprimingrequired.

PreparationAllsurfacestobeclean,dry,sound,freeofalllaitance,grease,oil,fungalgrowthandlooseandakingparticlesthatmightaf-fecthowwellitstickstothesurface.Concretemayrequiregritblasting.Crackslessthan3mminwidthcanbecoatedaslongasthecrackisnotlikelytoopenupmorethan3mm.Cracksgreaterthan3mminwidthshouldbechased-outto4mminwidthand15mmindepth.Thisshouldbelledw

ithduraexappliedusinglessliquidprovidingathickerconsistency.Whenmaterialinthecrackhashardenedthecoatingshouldbeappliedoverthecrack.

durex is a slurry waterproong solution that can be used for a wide

range of applications. Contractors should always have duraex

with them for waterproong and damp problems.

Benefits Excellent waterproof barrier.

Effective on negative or positive side.

High bond strength.

Excellent freeze/thaw resistance.

Excellent resistance to chloride

Brush, trowel, or spray applied.

Reliable application

Self-curing

Low in lace cost.

Non-toxic

Good abrasion resistance.

Approved for use in drinking water systems.

MixingIt is very important to use a mechanical mixer, such as a slow speed

electric drill tted with a suitable paddle. Fill approximately three quarters

of component A (milky liquid) into a pail and, with continuous stirring,

slowly add component B (grayish powder). Mixing must be continued

until the mix is completely mixed and free of lumps. For horizontal sur-faces such as the base of reservoirs, add the remaining component A.

For other applications only add enough of component A to provide the

right consistency. When the two components are mixed together you

get a plastic liquid that starts off thick but gets thinner the more you

mix it. This makes it easy to apply.

ApplicationDuraex may be applied with a short bristled brush, rubber squeegee,

trowel or spray.

Brush: should be applied in 3 coats to provide a nal dry thickness

of 2mm - 3mm on surfaces. Alternate coats should be applied at right

angles to each other, allowing 16 hours between coats.

Trowel: 1st coat should be applied at a thickness of 1mm - 1.5mm

using a normal trowel. Allow to cure for 16 hours.

2nd coat should be applied by using a notched trowel and leveledimmediately by using a spiked roller.

Pot life @ 10C : 2 hrs, @ 20C : 1 hour, @ 30C : 0,5 hours

Resistance to water pressure: Attained after 7 days cure pressure:

20 atmospheres, Negative

Pressure: 4 atmospheres

Coverage8m2/15kg per coat (requires 2 coats).

CleaningTools, brushes and mixing equipment should be cleaned immediately

after use and before material has set with a.b.e. super brush cleaner

followed by washing with soap and water.

Waterproof a shower before tiling

Waterproof balconies

Waterproof structures and bridges

15 kg

5 kg

Treat rising damp

2 Part

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For more in format ion

please cal l an a.b.e branch

or vis i t www.abe.co.za

Asphaltic waterproong membrane malthoid 2, 3 & 5 ply

USES: malthoid 2 ply: Damp-proof coursing in brickwork (DPC) 1,7mm

malthoid 3 ply: Damp-proof coursing in brickwork (DPC) 2mm

Damp-proof coursing under oor screeds

malthoid 5 ply: Damp-proof coursing in brickwork (DPC) 2.8mm

Damp-proof coursing under oor screeds

Flat roof waterproong when an asphaltic membrane is used.

(min. falls 2%)

As an underlay on timber decks.

As a protection layer over a.b.e. index torch-on waterproong

membranes before applying screeds and tiles.

Whatyouneed? a.b.ebituprimetoprimethec

oncrete a.b.e. bitugrip to put on primed concrete when usingmalthoid5 a.b.e. silvakotewhenmalthoid is going to be exposedtoweather Sharpknife

PreparationAllsurfacesmustbeclean,dryandfreefromanythingsharpstickingout

Used on wendy house roofs

Used under roof tiles

Surface FinishFine washed sand.

m

althoid 2,3 & 5 ply is a specialised application product for damp

proong as well as an underlay or protection layer.

Benefits Very difcult to puncture.

Easy to apply.

Protection for torch on membranes.

Rot proof.

Economical.

Bonding/Priming Prime concrete surfaces with a.b.e.

bituprime and allow to dry.

Use a.b.e. bitugrip as an adhesive to

bond malthoid 5 ply to primed concrete,

and the overlaps.

ApplicationTear off the paper wrapper and simply roll

out product on surface. Use a sharp knife

to cut to right length. Overlaps: 75 mm side

& end laps 100 mm.

Protection on CompletionIn the event of the malthoid being exposed,

coat with a.b.e. silvakote for protection

against UV rays. Allow malthoid 5 ply to

weather for 6 weeks before overcoating.

Caution

2 & 3 ply not for exposed roof water-proong.

Do not use on completely at roofs.

Stack full rolls on end no more than 2

layers high.

Stack cut rolls no more than 1,8m high.

Packagingmalthoid 2 & 3 ply is supplied in various roll sizes:

20m x 900mm

20m x 112mm

20m x 225mm

20m x 300mm

20m x 450mm

malthoid 5 ply is supplied in 20m x 900mm rolls.

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1. Utility knife: You will be using this a lot so make

sure it ts comfortably in your hand and that cheapblades are easily available for it.

2. Screwdrivers: Rubber grip screwdrivers providea little more protection from accidental shocks. Dif-

ferent size Phillips (star tip) and at screwdrivers arealways useful.

3. Fish Tape: A reusable coil of at wire that is used

to pull electrical wires through conduits.

Ti me is mone y and using the right tools for the job can help you save both. These items should be in any

electricians toolbox to help them get the job done right.

Whats Inside an

Electricians Toolbox

ELECTRICAL

6. Volt meter: Checksvoltages and verifiesthat circuits are live

and working correctly.

4. Tape Measure:Helps you workneatly and not

waste materials.

5. Wire Stripper/cutter: Use to strip the plastic coating

off wires or cut the wire completely.

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ELECTRICAL

7. Electricians Pliers:A good set of needle

nose pliers allow you togrip, cut, strip and crimp

wires as well as helps you workquickly. Rubber insulation onthe handles provides extra

safety.

8. Hammer: Claw Hammer is a very versatile tool tohave.

9. Insulating tape: Protects and insulates live wires

and connection. Get a roll of Red and a roll of blackto match to the colour of your wiring.

10. The Toolbox: A good tool

box is easy to carry andhas lots of space foryour tool collection

to grow. It shouldalso have places tostore smaller screws

and connectors.Make sure its durable

and it can even beused as a handy stepladder.

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CONTRACTORS CORNER

The Construction Industry Development Board(cidb) is working tirelessly to stop fraud and cor-

ruption in the building and construction industry.It has introduced a toll-free fraud and corruption

hotline where contractors can report corruption on

tenders and contracts. It can also be used to report

contractor fraud where companies obtain cidb grad-ing based on fraudulent information.

Call 0800 11 24 34The hotline is managed by an external consulting rmand is totally anonymous, in other words nobody cannd out the callers details or information. Even senior

management of the cidb, who set up the hotline donot have access to the information, and by agree-ment with the consultant they dont even know where

the hotline is based.

This was done by the cidb to encourage people in the

industry to feel free to report fraud and corruption. If

you are aware of the following fraud and corruptioncall the hotline:

Contractor fraud Companies that provide the cidb with fraudulentor overstated nancial and project information inorder to be registered on a higher grade on the cidb

register of contractors

Public sector (Government) corruption Tenders or contracts awarded by governmententities to contractors that are not registered or arenot at the required cidb level

Where tenders are awarded to friends and family

or business associates of the ofcials working for gov-ernment departments or entities responsible withoutfollowing proper tender procedures and procurementpolicies

Where ofcials ask for money for favours

Cases that are reported to the hotline are investigatedand can lead to contractors being ned and their trackrecord of fraud being published on the cidb website.

Government entities, departments and municipalitiesfound guilty will be reported to the Auditor General

for further investigation, and may face nes. In ad-dition fraudulent or corrupt activities will be made

public and published on the cidbs website and incertain media.

How it affects youFraud and corruption are like slow poisons that instantly

make some people rich while the masses suffer formany years afterwards. Not only does service deliverybecome less effective, but in time government money

is spent fruitlessly and on fewer projects because cor-rupt ofcials and contractors charge overly high rates.

In this way honest contractors get fewer opportuni-ties and those opportunities that are made publicare not the protable ones. When law enforcement

agents nd out about it the ofcials and contractorslose everything including their reputations.

Fraud and corruption also lead to higher tax for ev-eryone, poorer quality building and construction andunhealthy competition where only the chosen few

are in a position to make money.

Chain reactionStop the chain reaction today and make sure thatthe industry is free of fraud and corruption for the sake

of our country and its citizens. Call the cidb Fraudand Corruption Hotline on 0800 11 24 34. All callsare anonymous and each caller will get a reference

number that they can use to follow the progress ofthe investigation.

The two biggest enemies of contracting firms are

fraud and corruption. That is because both have the

ability to ruin a business instantly and to ruin ser-

vice delivery to entire communities.

Corruption is a dead end

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hen it comes to moving equipment a van

can offer many advantages includingbetter security for high value loads, walk-in convenience of getting to different

goods without necessarily unpacking - and crew-cab

congurations can carry staff safely and comfortablywith a load in the back.

Where loose loads are carried or in areas with verybad access (rural tracks) a bakkie is obviously a bet-

ter choice, but particularly electricians, plumbers andcarpenters should look at vans as an option.

Nowadays many contractors are seeing vans as theway to go especially where the vehicle is not used

for oversized loads. They see it as creating a betterimpression on site and when visiting clients sites,especially when pulling in with a vehicle from a top

manufacturer like Mercedes Benz or Volkswagen.

Vans also offer more car-like benets such as bet -

ter ride quality and in many instances better fueleconomy.

Here are some more benets of vans:

Low load bed Better access through walk in doors (either side

and back) More secure load area protected by in-vehicle

systems

Safer staff carrying capacity in crew-cabconguration

More professional image presented to clients

Contractors usually think no further than buying a

bakkie or truck to move goods around from site to

site, but in many instances a van is a better option.

New Merc on the blockMercedes Benz South Africa has justlaunched the all-new Vito and Viano

van models. The newcomers combinethe reliability and comfort that is stan-

dard on all Mercedes Benz vehicles ina hard-working package.

Aiming for a low cost-of-ownership

the vans only need to be servicedevery 30 000km and use less fuel than

the previous models, despite havingmore power.

TRANSPORT

Most popular vans available in South Africa:

Manufacturer Models

Mercedes Benz Viano, Vito and Sprinter

Volkswagen Combi, Transporter, CrafterToyota Quantum

Iveco Daily

Nissan Primastar, Interstar

Hyundai H1

Fiat Ducato

Opel Vivaro, Movano

Peugeot Expert, Boxer

CAM Inyathi

Renault Trac

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A Durban gutter contractor, Longspan Gutters

replaced its fleet of bakkies and trailers with vans

a number of years ago and has never looked back

since then.

he company just bought eight more Mer-cedes-Benz Sprinter vans because they aremore manoeuvrable in and out of driveways

and send the right image of the company

to clients.

Gus Behn, CEO of Longspan Gutters shares his reasonsfor choosing the vans with Skills On Site.

For the transport of the long seamless gutters Longspanjust bought another eight Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vansto add to its growing van eet We specializes in the

roll-forming and installing of seamless aluminium gut-ters. Business is 80% residential with the rest dividedbetween commercial and industrial work, he says.

All our manufacturing is done on site with the acces-sories being pre-loaded so the loads are quite long

and fragile. We used to have bakkies and trailers but

they were a problem for a variety of reasons, includingjack-knifing. Sprinters give us the good, clean image

we are looking for plus the manoeuvrability to get inand out of narrow driveways, he adds.

The Sprinter 518 CDI panel van with a load capacityof 15.5 m3 and a loading area of 4 300 mm, togetherwith a loading height of 1 940 mm is extremely flex-

ible when it comes to packing a load.

Extra-large door openings at the rear and left-

hand-side, together with the easy access design,allows for fast, efficient and convenient loading andunloading, says Mpumelelo Zulu, Product Specialist,

Mercedes-Benz Vans.

Twin co-drivers seat with a number of storage

compartments and a folding table in the backrest isideally suited for assisting the workmen with ease ofdealing with administrative paperwork, refreshments

and the like, concludes Zulu.

Mercedes-Benz, Shirle Greig, Tel: (012) 677 1904,

Fax: (012) 677 1682, Email: [email protected]

TRANSPORT

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LEADING INFO

Value of awarded projetcs by province in Rmillions

Province Value in Rmillions

Eastern Cape 201.12

Free State 289.93

Gauteng 1301.20

KwaZulu Natal 439.22

Limpopo 529.69

Mpumalanga 262.91

North West 71.05

Northern Cape 199.26

Western Cape 2086.56

Grand Total 5380.93

CIDB GRADING CIDB

Grade 2

Value in

Rmillion

CIDB

Grade 3

Value in

Rmillion

CIDB

Grade 4

Value in

Rmillion

CIDB

Grade 5

Value in

Rmillion

CIDB

Grade 6

Value in

Rmillion

Eastern Cape 3 1.67 11 16.55 1 2.50 7 28.90 3 20.00Free State 1 1.50 7 9.73 6 15.20 3 65.00

Gauteng 1 1.40 1 1.80 1 4.80 1 4.00 2 14.80

KwaZulu Natal 3 1.99 18 20.55 11 60.20 7 34.28 6 94.50

Limpopo 1 0.50 5 10.04 6 14.78 25 185.62 8 75.45

Mpumalanga 13 23.19 1 2.62 2 36.80 3 30.60

North West 5 13.00 5 47.05

Northern Cape 2 0.00 3 7.90 3 12.36 4 44.00

Western Cape 15 6.04 13 15.38 6 10.69 7 54.30 10 103.00

Total value per grading in Rmillions 24 13.10 75 110.24 35 118.69 52 356.26 44 494.40

These statistics are provided exclusively for Skills on Site readers by Databuild, the leading provider of co nstruction related information in

South Africa. Databuild has been providing information for thirty f ive years and tracks projects from planning through to awarded stages.

Each month Databuild will provide statistics ref lecting trends in the industry.

For more information about Databuild please contact us on (011) 259-4500 or visit us at www.databuild.co.za

2

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FNB has f i -nanced more

than 76 000 af-fordable hous-

ing units since the

establishment of itsaffordable housingnance business unit

in 2002. The bank aimsto nance more than

10 000 housing units byend June 2011 and anadditional 15 000 by

end June 2012.

Profit growthDespite the economic downturn and a tough reces-sion, FNB Housing Finance managed to grow its prot

from end user nance in this market by 84% in the2009/2010 nancial year.

Marius Marais, CEO of FNB Housing Finance, says this

growth emphasizes the importance of being a respon-sible lender and always putting customers needs rst.

The bottom line is that we focused on the quality ofthe loans granted rather than on the quantity. Thisenabled us to endure the hardships of the recession

and limit our defaults within acceptable levels.

First National Bank (FNB) has targeted affordable

housing as a key growth area, setting a target of

financing 100 000 homes in this sector by 2012.

Marius Marais

FINANCE

Huge demandDespite huge demand for housing in South Africathere is still an undersupply in the affordable hous-

ing market space (currently defined as houses in theR180 000 to R500 0000 price range).

FNB Housing Finance has been working with govern-ment and other stakeholders to come up with solu-

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tions to address the housing backlog and increasehousing delivery.

At FNB we support governments drive of develop-ing an integrated human settlement. To us it is more

than providing end-user finance to our customers,it is also about enabling and creating sustainablecommunities through the provision of quality afford-

able housing and to achieve this it is crucial for allstakeholders to work closely together and share best

practises for the benefit of our country, says Marais.

As we move out of a recession, and stability re-turns to the property market, we see tremendous

opportunities, adds Marais. The rapid growth ofour cities, and the increasing demand for affordable

shelter, means an ongoing demand for affordablehousing. We intend to hold onto our position as a

major player in that space, and to ensure respon-sible consumers have access to the best possiblehousing finance solution, he concludes.

First National Bank, Busi Mngomezulu, Tel: (011) 371 9124, Email:

[email protected]

FINANCE

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ENDORSING BODY

he event marked the end of a tough yearof learning and they were nally free to cel-ebrate their achievements in style without

the pressures of learning and studying - forthe rst time in eight months since they

had begun.

The evening started with a cocktail party in Hollywood

style, and from the beginning it was clear that learners,

partners, lecturers, mentors and guests are not onlysmart and savvy business people, but also smart and

stylish dressers with an eye for fashion.

Even despite some of the heaviest rain of the year

the event was moved indoors where the speakersreminded all present of the important work that liesahead in the building and construction industry.

Also, of the important role that Khuthaza plays in posi-tioning women (and for the rst time in 2010 men) for

entrance into the housing and construction relatedprofessions.

Learners graduated from the following 8-month cer-

ticate programmes:

Learners in Khuthazas three skills development programmes celebrated their graduations from the courses at

a glitzy a year-end function in Sandton at the end of last year.

Cornerstone (Entry level)The Khuthaza Cornerstone programme is for thosenew entrants to the construction industry and enablesthem to build a foundation of knowledge and skills.

This programme is aimed at those who are in the earlystages of setting up their construction businesses.

Connection (Intermediate level)The Khuthaza Connection programme is for partici-

pants to build on their existing knowledge and skills.It provides learners with skills, exposure, networks andknowledge that will enable them to improve the ef-

cient operations of their companies.

Re a abelana (More Experienced)Re a abelana creates a forum for participants havegreater access to leaders in the industry and oppor-

tunities with the established sector. It provides partici-pants with skills, exposure, networks and knowledgethat will enable them to grow their businesses and

plan for the long term.

Khuthaza, Elizabeth OLeary, Tel: (011) 275 0268, Fax: 086 648 6379,

Email: [email protected], Web: www.khuthaza.org.za

Graduates, their partners, guests and lecturers celebrated a year of hard work, sweat and achievement at the annual year end function of Khuthaza

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NEW! The most competent demolition hammer for work in concrete, stone or asphalt: the

Bosch GSH 27 VC Professional. With its impact energy of 69 joules, the GSH 27 VC is the

world s most powerful electric breaker. Capable of an average material removal rate of 3.2

tons/ hour, the Bosch demolition hammer is an essential for the professional. Despite its

power, users will benefit from very low vibration thanks to its vibration- reduced hammer

mechanism and its decoupled handles. Designed for rugged operations and constructed

from quality materials, the GSH 27 VC boasts an extended lifetime. Professional tools for

Professionals.

www.bosch- pt.com/za/ en

Demolishthe competition

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SUCCESS

kills On Site spoke to Enock to nd out how he

built up his own successful electrician companyfrom nothing and what he plans for the future.

Enock used to work for a company that didntlook after its clients well, so it didnt have a

good reputation. Because of this, the company was

struggling and in 1998 Enock got retrenched, but helearnt from their mistakes and has always taken pride

in his work. When I was still working for that companymy boss used to sometimes borrow my toolbox on theweekends because it was the most pristine he tells us.

Taxi to successAfter being retrenched, he took his toolbox, caught

a taxi to Fourways and knocked on doors to look forbusiness.

He tells us about the rst job he got by himself. Whengoing from door to door I met someone whose friendwas renovating a house and the electricity wasnt

working. He agreed to let me have a look and see ifI could nd the problem.

I quickly found out that the problem was the elec-tricity cable going to the house, but the client didntbelieve me! Back then it was difcult to get taken

Enock Phiri has strong ideas on how a contractor should treat their clients. As an electrician with his own

company, he believes that reputations are everything, so he makes sure he keeps his good reputation!

Enock always keeps his toolbox neat

Enock Phiri

seriously being black and having no experience of

working on my own. The client even got two otherelectricians in because he didnt trust my opinion butthey all agreed with me that it was the cable.

So I got a cheque to go and buy materials, this wasthe rst cheque I had ever been given! Enock laughs

when he remembers how scared he was that theelectricity still wasnt going to work after he installedthe new cable, but when he turned on the switch,

the lights went on.

Enock Electrical was startedI was paid well for that job but I didnt go and buyclothes or shoes, I bought more tools. After that job I

also got more condence and I slowly started gettingmore and more work, mostly from builders he says. Andso his company, Enock Electrical was started.

It wasnt easy though, Enock tells us about when heused to have to catch taxis and take all his equipment,

including ladders with him. This was very difcult todo in a crowded taxi!

But he always made a plan and would pay the drivera little extra to drop him closer to his job. Now ofcourse he has his own truck, which he keeps in good

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Put work firstWeekends and nights are great to get work. A res-

taurant called me on a Saturday night because their

electricity had stopped working. When I got there,

people were using candles at the tables but theywere waiting for their food.

It took me 2 minutes to get the electricity workingagain and when I did the people started clapping!

Enock laughs. I gave out my number to some ofthem and got new business from that.

Another tip he gives is how important it is alwaysstay in contact. If you lose contact in this industry,youre dead warns Enock. Ive had the same phone

number for 13 years and I never switch off my phone,so clients can always get hold of me, even the ones

from a long time ago. If you do a good job and are

always available, your clients will use you forever, ifthey cant get hold of you then they will nd some-

one else.

Dont get left behindAs his nal piece of advice, he tells us that there arealways new products in the electrical industry and lotsof ways to save electricity. This is important as clients

want to be energy efcient.

Times have changed and you need to keep upwith the technology, says Enock. So he makes sure

he always knows about the latest products and tellsclients about them. When he does an installation his

clients can be rest assured that he is using the latestequipment.

Clients dont always know what they want so Enock

makes lots of suggestions and plans very carefully.He also isnt afraid to tell clients if what they want

is a bad idea or if it is not allowed and will lead tothe installation failing the electrical inspection for acerticate of compliance.

Looking to the futureRight now Enock has jobs lined up for the next 3

months. He also has on-going work from big clientslike Romans Pizza, which uses him for all electrical

work when renovating stores, as well as installationsin new stores. Now he is considering expanding hiscompany and knows it will have a lot of challenges.

At the moment he inspects every job his employees doand he is always very involved with every project. Thisis how hes kept his reputation of always doing very

good work. With a big company I wont be able to dothat, but lets see what happens, concludes Enock.

Enock Electrical, Enock Phiri, Tel: 082 732 7992, Email: abde@

yahoo.co.uk

condition and services often, so it will never let himdown and make him late for a client.

RelationshipsEnock always comes back to the importance of

relationships and he has a few secrets to his successthat are easy to follow, but very few people do follow

them. Relationships with clients are important andyou have to accommodate them, he says. Ivenever advertised, all my business comes from refer-

rals. Honesty drives me.

He tells us about all the dishonest people in his in-

dustry, like those who will charge a big amount to

fix a small fault, and tell the customer the fault wascomplicated and needed lots of parts. This is nothow he operates, as he always calls his clients after

finding the problem and explains it to them.

He communicates with them to build up the trust. All

my clients are happy, says Enoch. Ive never had anunhappy client because I dont charge a deposit, sothey pay me when theyre happy.

Sub-contractingBut it isnt only important to build good relationships

with clients. Building good relationships with other elec-

tricians has landed him a lot of sub-contracting jobs.His relationships with other contractors like builders,plumbers and security installers have also got him alot of new business and he is always networking with

them, telling clients about them if they are good andthey tell clients about him.

People need to be able to trust the contractors whocome into their homes and ofces. Sometimes theygive their contractors keys and alarm codes. he says.

Enock has a gets on well with his employees and hehas never had a problem of an employee stealinganything from a clients premises. Pay your guys

well and look after them so they will look after you.

SUCCESS

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Tsakane Mudau

In TouchChristmas dreamscome true

Warm hearted learners onKhuthazas Cornerstone pro-gramme used their newly gained

building skills to make the Christ-mas dreams of a granny inFinetown come true.

The learners on Khuthazas Cor-nerstone programme decided

that they wanted to do some good within a needycommunity and with the help and assistance of oneof the main contractors on the Finetown housing de-

velopment, Tsakani Mudau, they were able to buildGogo Maria Mokoena her high quality dream house.

According to Cindy Shai, Programme Coordinatorof Khuthaza, Cornerstone is the organisations entry

level, 8 month certicate programme.

Participants from the Cornerstone Programme

showed great initiative by asking Khuthaza to helpthem build a house. We spoke with Tsakani, one ofthe more experienced contractors involved with us

and she welcomed the idea.

She also welcomed the participants to her site in

Finetown and the volunteers gaining valuable ex-perience at the same time as doing good for thecommunity. They helped build a house for Mama

Maria, affectionately known by our participants asGogo and they demonstrated signicant commit-

ment to the programme and to the development oftheir businesses. At the end of the hard work we arehappy to say that Gogo got her new house before

Christmas, Cindy says in closing.

Khuthaza, Cindy Shai, Tel: (011) 275 0268, Email: info@khuthaza.

org.za, Web: www.khuthaza.org.za, Tsakani Mudau, 082 333 7705

Cornerstone learners built a house for Gogo Maria Mokoena

Truck manufacturer trains localsUD Trucks Southern Africa, has invested more thanR5 million in the training of staff and community

members this year, and is planning to continueexpanding its programme and investment in thefuture.

Trucking forms an integral part of the South Af-rican economy and it is of great importance to

ensure that the wheels of industry and businesscontinue to rotate effectively, explains JohanRichards, CEO of UD Trucks South Africa.

We strive to provide our staff and surrounding

community with ongoing developmental oppor-tunities that not only allow us as a company toachieve our goals, but empower and contribute

to the overall development of the learners who

participate.Apart from providing training for its staff, UD alsois providing numerous free opportunities for un-

employed and disabled community members toempower and equip themselves. .

We believe the best place to start is with our own

staff, allowing them the opportunity to create abetter life for themselves and their communities

at large, concluded Richards.

Nissan Diesel, Ray Schulz, Tel: (012) 564-9550, E-mail: ray-

[email protected]

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Documents

SOS-mar-2011