Browse Forums Building A New House Re: ******* roof frame? 4Mar 09, 2008 12:45 am Building again . . with Redink Pre-start 04/12 Keys - 03/13 Finishing off. . . Painting/Floor Tiles/Carpet - 04/13 Walk In Robe/Lighting/Blinds and Moving 05/13 Gates/Front Landscaping / Pool 05/13 Re: ******* roof frame? 5Mar 09, 2008 4:14 pm Peter Clarkson - AusDesign Australia www.ausdesign.com.au This information is intended to provide general information only. It does not purport to be a comprehensive advice. Re: ******* roof frame? 9Mar 09, 2008 6:22 pm OK, so Western Australia is a third world country, so it may be acceptable there, but I doubt it.
One brick maybe, but four bricks???? Also, at the other end you have only one brick, but it's on its side presenting only 76 mm. I bet this is not acceptable. So, you need to find out what is the maximum number of stacked bricks and can a brick be used sideways. Next they'll be builidng whole houses out of bricks just laid on top of each other. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: ******* roof frame? 10Mar 09, 2008 7:53 pm Casa,
The initial question was whether this method was common place / accepted in WA - The answer is yes. Is it Structural sound? That's a different matter PS > WA uses stick construction where the rest of us have most of our roofs pre-fabricated. That doesn't mean there a 3rd world country. Re: ******* roof frame? 11Mar 09, 2008 10:12 pm Just to clarify, the photo showing a single brick is an example of how all the other steel beams are mounted (there are five beams mounted this way). The two pictures showing bricks stacked four high are at either end of a single steel beam.
I'm going to have to go have another look at this as thinking about it now I'm not sure that particular beam is even supporting anything... Re: ******* roof frame? 12Mar 09, 2008 10:43 pm A huge steel beam is being supported on either side by just four bricks ?
I'm absolutely flabbergasted. The slightest earth tremor will cause this come smashing down. Hell, even a few years of rumbling trucks could cause it to move. I can't believe for a moment that it's acceptable. Re: ******* roof frame? 13Mar 11, 2008 7:52 am blackmax Ausdesign, You can't compare what is acceptable in the eastern states to WA. Their method of construction is different to the rest of us. I wasn't comparing construction methods. We do design work throughout all states and I would personally not permit 4 bricks set cold sitting on a timber pitching plate to support anything. Peter Clarkson - AusDesign Australia www.ausdesign.com.au This information is intended to provide general information only. It does not purport to be a comprehensive advice. Re: ******* roof frame? 14Mar 11, 2008 8:17 am have the roofies finished? maybe they intend to move it later, a beam that size might need a crane to get it up, maybe they lifted it up while they did the other ones and will position it in its final place later.
depends on if anythings attached to it yet.. 1 brick is typically acceptable Re: ******* roof frame? 15Mar 11, 2008 7:30 pm Well, as suspected, my builder has advised that this is normal practice and nothing to worry about.
I'm confused as I really have trouble believing this is acceptable yet numerous people over here in WA are telling me it's normal, not that they like it either mind you, but that there's little I can do about it. I'd not be particularly happy paying for an inspector at this point just to have him tell me it's ok... I find it interesting (and annoying) that the Building Codes of Australia isn't readily and freely available to the general public on the internet. Re: ******* roof frame? 16Mar 11, 2008 8:24 pm Hi there Arc,
As a co-incidence, I visited a display home in Perth, currently under construction, last weekend and saw this exact thing, however only one brick high. I took a photo as I was concerned about this method and it is likely that we are going to go with this builder. I'm amazed to read this is a std WA practice. What can you do Brett Re: ******* roof frame? 17Mar 11, 2008 10:15 pm The single brick to prop up the steel beams is very common and I can confirm is apparently within 'standards' since someone I know had this independently checked and passed. It's the stack of four bricks which really bothers me. When looking around at other homes being constructed I did see one which appeared to use a short square steel tube welded to the underside of the main beam in place of a single brick, this would seem a much better practice. Re: ******* roof frame? 18Mar 14, 2008 9:32 pm Update;
I had a building inspector out today to discuss this steel beam and brick issue and also check everything over. Unfortunately, he did not consider the stack of four bricks to be a problem He did say it was unnecessary though since they could have used the typical single brick and achieved the same overall outcome in supporring the roof. Anyway, he did pick up one major roof issue which I never would have noticed. I'm using colourbond for the roof cover and with a metal roof it's very important that the roof frame is secured to the walls to stop it lifting with the wind. They normally use metal straps, one end cemented in with the wall and the other wrapped and tightened over the rafters. In my case, while they had put straps in they appear to have made no effort in properly tensioning them so they were all but useless. The inspector said it's one of the worst efforts he's seen... He also picked up a few other items, a note for those building in WA; gaps in the brick work larger than 12mm should be packed with mortar and not simply covered over by the plasterer. He also gave me good advice on what to look out for as the rest of the tradies do their work. I think it was money well spent. I've now sent the inspectors report to my builder and we'll see what eventuates. I've told them I am holding off paying the current progress payment until this is sorted. Re: ******* roof frame? 19Mar 15, 2008 12:06 am Hmmm.
Make note to self - when buying real estate in WA - if 2007 -xx period houses - check on quality of work I'm astounded that a pile of 4 bricks is acceptable., let alone the what looks like a twisted steel beam sitting on a single brick. Steve Re: ******* roof frame? 20Mar 15, 2008 1:09 am When I raised my concern on those stacked bricks and what would happen with an earthquake the guy essentially said not to worry because all of the steel beams would likely come off anyway! Not particularly re-assuring! A few times he mentioned a particular structural engineering company that he says essentially writes the standards in WA in what I took to be a less than flattering light.
I might have to do something about this myself once I move in if it continues to bother me. A roll of duct tape each end ought to do it This is 100% true. You can not hang anything on steel frames. very frustrating 8 8033 This certainly doesn't look good. I would be engaging with an independent inspector to have a look at this. As for the unscheduled site visits, most builders are quite… 1 28323 Hi, I have a steel frame house which was built 2 years ago. When you are down stairs you can hear clunking noises when someone is walking around. We were told if you… 0 4461 |