Construction of Footings and Flooring Systems

Construction
Construction Sequence
There are a number of steps in a construction sequence. The following steps show the expected
construction sequence for a brick veneer dwelling.
1. Site set out

The site gets marked to show where the dwelling will be located, and levels are also taken to
determine the required depth of excavation. Profiles are used on site and these are left in place
until the footing or the slab on ground is poured and the base structure is completed. Profiles are
two timber pegs driven vertically into the ground; a horizontal member gets nailed to the pegs.
From this horizontal member, markings are made to show the centre of the footing and
measurements are taken from here. Profiles are put in each corner of the building and are opposite
each other, a string line gets tied between the opposite profile and this is how the centre of the
footing is determined. The centre of the footing should always be used as a reference point.
2. Site excavation
This stage is also known as bulk excavation as the site is cleared removing any organic vegetable
matter and trees from the top soil. At this stage if the house is on a sloping site, drainage is put
around the site to divert the water away from the building. This is called a cut off drain. If a septic
tank or other form of on-site waste disposal is required, this is also done at this stage.
3. Excavation of foundation for footing and slab

The foundation is excavated for the footing after the site is set out. Usually lime is used for marking
on the ground to show the outline of the footing and where the piers are located. Lime is used
because it is white and inexpensive. If a slab on ground is used, the same procedure takes place
except if the slab has loadbearing walls. Slab thickening beams also need to be done at this stage.
At all times, while the excavator digs the foundation it is important to know the levels on site,
otherwise the strip footings as shown in Figure 3.2 will be unnecessarily deep. When the concrete
is placed in the footing, the footing must finish 100 mm below the finished ground level (FGL). This
is to ensure that the moisture in the ground is kept the same around the footing edge. The raft slab
must finish 150 mm above the FGL to ensure that the dwelling cannot be flooded.
The drainage and plumbing excavation can be done at this stage as well.
4. Drainage and plumbing services

All the drains are now put in place, and if they need to go through a footing, a sleeve is put around
the drains to allow the pipe to move freely. The sleeve is also required if the drain pipes penetrate
the slab. Care must be taken to ensure when the waterproofing membrane is later placed, that the
penetration is sealed properly around the membrane. This is because the membrane under the
concrete slab stops any water penetration into the building in the form of dampness.
Construction: Footings and floor systems CPPBND5001A 1

© New South Wales Technical and Further Education Commission 2015
5. Placement of trench mesh in foundation
The trench mesh is placed on the foundation and chairs are put under the trench mesh to maintain
the required cover for the steel. All laps must be done as per the Australian Standard or the
approved plans. At this stage if a slab is used, the top steel is put in place as well. Reinforcement
steel in slabs must be placed on chairs.
6. Preparation under raft slab

Once the excavation is complete, a layer of sand is put on the soil. This layer of sand is there to
protect the membrane from any penetration or damage that could occur if it was placed directly
onto the soil. Then the membrane is put in place and care is taken to seal off penetrations and to
provide the appropriate lap. This lap also gets taped to ensure a complete seal under the concrete
slab.
7. Placement of fabric and trench mesh in raft slab

Fabric mesh is placed on the membrane and trench mesh is placed in the perimeter edge beam, in
the thickening beams and under loadbearing walls. Once all the steel is in place it is tied together.
This is to stop any movement while the concrete is placed. Chairs are placed under the steel to
obtain the appropriate cover to the steel.
8. Placement of concrete in foundation and isolated piers

When the concrete is placed in the trench, care must be taken that the trench mesh maintains the
required cover. The trench must be free from any loose soil and water. Piers must also be clean,
free from any loose materials.
9. Placement of concrete for raft slab

Concrete is placed on the membrane.
10. Construction of dwarf wall and brick piers for timber floor
For timber floor framing a dwarf wall or brick piers with ant caps for termite protection are
constructed for bearers and joists.
11. Framing, windows and exterior doors

The carpenter or builder builds wall and roof frames with window openings on site, or erects
prefabricated frames by fixing them together. Windows are installed. Platform sheet flooring are
installed once floor framing is complete.
12. Exterior Cladding

The interior frame is enclosed by the chosen exterior building material – either brickwork,
weatherboards, mud bricks, AAC etc.
13. Stairs
Stairs would now be installed so that the subcontractors working inside can get from one floor to
the other without depending on ladders.
14. First fix Plumbing

The plumber would now install all pipework for water supply and sanitary drainage for all wet
areas.
15. Roofing
The roofer can install the roofing to make the building now watertight.
2 Construction: Footings and floor systems CPPBND5001A

16. First fix Electrical
Codes call for the house to be weatherproof before the wiring is installed, with the exterior windows
and doors in place and the roof on. The electrician will now put in the boxes (switch, outlet, and
lighting) and will pull the wires into them. Cable, telephone, speaker wires, etc. are also installed at
this point.
17. Exterior Paint

Many surfaces on the outside need to be protected from the elements, so it is a good idea to paint
exterior surfaces (where required) as soon as practicable.
18. Internal lining and Insulation

Only once everything else is in the walls and inspections are completed, can walls be insulated
and lined.
19. Strip timber flooring and trim

Timber strip flooring and trim are installed including door and window architraves, skirtings and
mouldings.
20. Tiling to wet areas

All wet areas have water resistant plaster. Ceramic tiles or other water-proof material are applied
to this surface. This ensures that water is contained and does not affect the structural integrity of
the floor members.
21. Cabinets and Benchtops

Kitchen and Bathroom cabinetry and benchtops are now installed.
22. Finish Electrical

Here is where the electrician comes back to install the switches, outlets, light fittings, ceiling fans
etc.
23. Finish Plumbing

The plumber will install the sinks, baths, toilets and all the taps.
24. Paint, finishes, carpet

Carpet should be one of the last trades to come in.

Floors
Introduction
The base of a building consists of:
• Floor—timber, steel framing, concrete
• Sub-floor support—columns, piers, continuous walls
• Footings – strip footings, isolated pad footings, slab footing
The ground on which the building sits is referred to as the foundations.
The base of a building provides a stable support and link for the remainder of the structure to
prevent it falling over, falling apart or blowing away. It also prevents surface water from entering
the building and forms the principle barrier against termite infestation from below the ground.
The areas applying to the base of buildings that the drafter or building designer needs to pay
particular attention to as part of the building design and documentation are:
• footing design by a structural engineer
• protection from subterranean termites
• water and moisture entry
• ventilation for sub-floor spaces
• fixing of member to member for stability of the structure in relation to bracing and tie-down
requirements
Foundations and Footings

The foundation is the earth or strata upon which the footings for a building are constructed.
For buildings the bearing capacity of the soil or foundation is very important as well as any
settlement of the soil/foundation that may occur.
The footings are constructed immediately on the foundation. They both support the building and
spread the weight of the building across the foundation. The footings, so to speak, are the meat in
the sandwich.
In reactive soils like clay, footings protect the building from expansion and contraction due to
moisture changes in the foundation. Footings must be rigid enough to protect the building from
foundation movement and spread the weight of the building evenly over the foundation.

Generally, if the surface is capable of adequately supporting the structural loads, pad footings, strip
footings or a raft slab is usually used. However, if the surface cannot support the structure, piles or
piers are used to transmit the load to a foundation at a greater depth that can support the loads.
The foundation level should be below the seasonally affected levels of shrinkage and swelling.
Footing systems
A footing is that portion of a building which rests directly on the foundation and is used to support
the walls above. Footings are designed to distribute the loads on the foundation below. The width,
depth and type of footing will depend on the foundation below and the building that is to go on the
foundation.
Generally if the surface is capable of adequately supporting the structural loads, pad footings, strip
footings or raft slab is usually used. However, if the surface cannot support the structure, pile or
piers are used to transmit the load to a foundation at a greater depth that can support the loads.
The foundation level should be below the seasonally affected levels of shrinkage and swelling.
Footings other than simple pad footings for small loads are required to be designed by structural
engineers.
The essential requirements for footings for buildings are that:
• Any settlement be as small as possible.
• Any settlement shall be uniform.
The possible causes of failure are:
• Unequal settlement
• Incorrect design
• Scour or the removal of part of the foundation by water
• The effect of moisture on reactive soils
AS 2870–2011 Residential slabs and footing construction is the Australian Standard that can be
used to design standard footing for residential construction. If the footing does not fall into the
standard site classification or building type then it must be designed by a Structural Engineer.
Councils generally require that any reinforced concrete construction is designed and documented
by a Structural Engineer for Construction Certificate approval.
The vast majority of footing systems for houses complying with AS 2870–2011 and constructed on
Class A, Class S or Class M sites could be described as shallow footings of the following division
and types.
• Spread (pad) footings
• Continuous footings - they include strips, footing slabs/raft slabs, stiffened slabs.

When foundations are of a poor material and cannot support the load of the structure piers are
used to bear the footings on better foundation deep down and can be used in a combination of pier
and beam, pier and slab etc.
Section 3 of AS 2870–2011 sets out the requirements for standard design footing system
alternatives. It also allows for the modification by engineering principles of the standard designs.
The vast majority of footing systems for houses complying with AS 2870–2011 and constructed on
Class A, Class S or Class M sites could be described as shallow footings of the following division
and types.
Strip footings consist of a continuous strip under all walls to distribute the weight of the wall to the
foundation material. The most common material for strip footings is reinforced concrete although
brick and stone have been used in the past. Concrete and strip footings are used in domestic
buildings where sectional size is governed by the Australian Standard 2870 – 1996 Residential
slab and footings – Construction. A description of the different strip footings follows.
Spread (pad) footings

Spread footings are usually square or round, and support a concentrated load. They include pad
footings.
Pad footings for houses comprise a pad used to support a pier or stump. See Figure below:
Continuous footings
Continuous footings may take the form of a slab or strip that supports an essentially uniformly
distributed load usually used for walls. They include:
• strips
• footing slabs
• stiffened slabs.

•
Continuous Footings – In Sections and details, continuous footings can look like this. This is an example of a
stiffened slab continuous footing.
Stumps and Piers

Where footings are used on fill, unstable soils (subject to slip), low bearing capacity soils, etc. the
footings (and slab) will need further support which may be provided by:
• Bulk piers—using a backhoe or excavator to dig down to firm ground at regular intervals.
Bulk piers are generally poured at the same time as the footing.
• Bored piers—either reinforced or unreinforced depending on diameter, length, side

movement expected, etc. Theses are usually dug and poured prior to digging the footings.
• Driven pile footings—timber, concrete, steel piles are mechanically driven prior to work
commencing on the footings.

• Screw piles—propriety systems using specially built steel columns which are mechanically
screwed into the soil prior to work commencing on the footings.
Screw piles can also be used as stumps for a building with a raised floor. No concrete
footing is required when they are used for this purpose.
When used under the footing the top of the bored pier or the driven pile is generally left flush with
the bottom of the footing or just protruding. The footing is then dug and poured so that it is directly
supported by the pier or pile.
With poured in-situ reinforced piers, the reinforcement is usually left long and tied to the footing
reinforcement.
Driven reinforced piles may be left long and the concrete removed down to the bottom of the
footing and the exposed reinforcement is tied to the footing reinforcement.
Steel stumps
Steel stumps are usually made from hollow section steel such as CHS (or Circular Hollow Section),
SHS (or Square Hollow Section) or RHS (or Rectangular Hollow Section).

Timber stumps
Timber stumps can be supplied using:
• ‘natural’ finish poles—have the bark removed and vary in size from one end to the other.
• machined poles—are the same size from end to end. They have either been sawn to give a
multi-faced finish or turned to give a cylindrical surface.
• machined posts—are generally square in section. However, rectangular section posts are
sometimes used but usually in pairs with bolted spacer blocks. Paired rectangular posts are
used where long lengths of posts are required such as on steep blocks where the post is to
go from footing right up to the roof in one continuous length.
Masonry piers and continuous walls

Masonry piers and continuous walls are usually either brick or concrete block.
Masonry sub-floor walls can be either pier-and-brick, cavity, single skin or double thickness.

Stone
Stone foundation walls used as a support for residential building are common in older houses.
Stone sub-walls are built using mainly cleaned natural stone held together with cement mortar.
Various methods of footings

Flooring Systems
There are two main types of flooring systems:
1. Those in contact with the ground
2. Suspended floors.
The choice of floor system depends upon a number of factors; the structural system of the building,
the types of floor finish required, the thermal performance required, the sound insulation required,
the ease of erection and economy.
Different floor systems
Floors in contact with the Ground

This generally means a slab-on-ground. A slab on ground can be a number of different types of
slabs such as a raft slab, waffle pod slab, slab with dropped edge beams or a reinforced slab on
fill.
The main faults that arise with a slab are cracking due to ground movement and keeping out the
damp and the cold. Another important component of slabs is the termite protection but this will
discussed in another section.

To stop moisture/water in the ground penetrating into the building it is necessary to waterproof the
slab. This is usually in the form of a plastic membrane. See figure 19.
This type of construction is particularly popular in housing construction around Australia.
The slab-on-ground combines all the elements that make up the base of a building, in a compact
low profile system. Slab-on-ground construction needs special attention paid to the control of
surface water flow around the building and also to the prevention of access to the building by
subterranean termites.
Slab-on-ground systems include:
a) Combined slab/footing (thickened edge slabs)—where the edge of the slab is deepened
thus replacing the need for a separate footing. The slab, with the thickened edge, is poured
all-in-one.
b) Separate slab/footing—footings and slab are poured at different times and so a

construction joint occurs. The construction joint may vary from direct concrete to concrete
contact to several or many courses of masonry.
c) Raft slabs—these are slabs with large beams (similar to footings) that form a grid under the
slab and are tied to the slab using ‘starter bars’ to allow the slab, footing and beams to act
as one unit.
The grid beams are usually poured at the same time as the footings.

d) Waffle raft slabs (sometimes called waffle pod slabs)—these are like raft slabs but have
purpose made forms to create voids under the slab with a series of thin grid beams.
In this case the slab and the grid beams (formed by leaving gaps between the void forms)
are formed and poured sitting on top of the ground. Later the ground level may be raised
around the edge of the slab.
e) Post-tensioned slabs—in these slabs the mesh reinforcement is replaced by a series of

cables which are tightened after the slab is poured to enhance the slabs structural
performance. The cables form an open grid, usually between 1.2m centres and 2.5m
centres depending on soil conditions.
The slab is poured and after the designated time to allow the slab to set, the cables (which
are inside sleeves) are tensioned in two or three stages over a period of several days.
When the full tension is achieved the sleeves and the open ends are filled with grout.
Post-tensioned slabs can be designed as thick plate slabs of between 150mm to 180mm
deep with no internal beams required. A post-tensioned slab will generally have reduced
visual cracking as the slab is slightly compressed due to the effect of the tension cables.

Different types of slabs
Suspended Flooring System

These are usually suspended concrete slab or timber floors. These are used in both ground floor
and upper floor levels. With a suspended flooring system moisture penetration is less of a problem
than heat loss. Damp will not enter the building through the floor itself but can enter through the
supporting walls as rising damp and therefore the placement of the damp course is very important,
see figure below.

Suspended slab
Timber is the most common form of suspended floor and can be either of the following:
Cut-in floors in which the floor is fixed in position after the walls are erected. In double brick
buildings all timber floors are cut in.
Platform floors in which the floor is placed before the walls have been erected.
Cut in floor

Platform Floor
Unlike floors on the ground in which the load bearing capacity of the ground provides structural
support, in suspended floors the system has a support structure that carries and transfers the load
to the footings.
The structural support for suspended slabs for the ground floor is dwarf masonry walls. For timber
floors the sub-structure consists of joists, bearers and engaged piers along the external walls and
isolated piers internally as shown in Figure below.
To prevent dampness causing timber deterioration the sub-floor area must be ventilated. To
prevent rising damp affecting the timber the piers must have a damp proof course or ant cap.
Suspended timber floor showing internal isolated piers
Minimum sizes and spacing for timber members for the floor can be found in AS 1684 –
Residential Timber Framed Construction.
Timber flooring
Timber flooring may be either solid timber floor boards or engineered timber floor sheeting.
Strip flooring (floor boards)

Timber strip flooring is of two main types, tongued and grooved or specially tongued to permit
secret nailing. Flooring is normally 19 mm thick by 50, 100 or 150 mm wide.
The choice of timber most suited to needs is generally determined by the location, usage and the
floor finish required. The most common and cheapest timber used for floor boards in NSW is
Cypress Pine. Other timbers are used for qualities of colour, hardness and finish and for aesthetic
appearance.
Laying of timber flooring

As timber boards expand and contract according to the moisture level in the environment, it is
necessary for boards to be left to acclimatise in their final position.
The tongue is inserted into the groove and boards are clamped together to ensure a tight fit. The
boards are then nailed to the joists, twice at each joist crossing, and nails punched to below the
surface. A gap should be left between the edge of flooring and walls to allow for expansion of the
flooring with changes in moisture content.
The floor is then sanded to give a level surface and if the floor is to be sealed or polished additional
fine sanding is needed.
Floor boards may also be laid over a concrete slab or sheet flooring. Fixing is by direct gluing or by
fixing to battens. Allowance for moisture movement is critical.
Engineered Timber Sheet flooring

Platform flooring materials such as particleboard or plywood flooring is commonly used as a base
for floor finishes such as carpet, vinyl and tiles. The sheets have tongue and grooved edges for
ease of fixing and sheet sizes and thicknesses are available to suit different joist spacings.
Waterproof particleboard and plywood may be used in wet areas such as bathrooms.
Installation is strictly in accordance to manufacturer’s written instructions.
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) floor systems

Hebel floor panels
CSR Hebel Floor Panels are reinforced AAC panels designed as loadbearing components in
commercial, industrial and residential construction applications. They are manufactured in various
thicknesses for specific load/span configurations and provide an instant dry floor with excellent
thermal and acoustic properties.
The panels can be from 150mm to 250mm thick depending on the load requirement. Floor Panels
are 600mm wide and up to 6 metres in length. Unsupported spans up to 5.85 metres can be
achieved.
Hebel Floor Panels

Hebel SoundFloor / PowerFloor
In a typical bearer and joist construction, Hebel SoundFloor (PowerFloor) is used to provide
thermal and acoustic insulation. SoundFloor panels are glued and screwed directly to timber or
steel joists. Hebel Flooring is lightweight - 25% the weight of conventional concrete.
The surface is smooth and flat, providing a stable substrate for tile, slate, marble and other hard
surface flooring including for bathrooms, laundries and other wet areas. Other floor finishes include
carpet, vinyl, timber boards, parquetry and decorative plywood flooring.

Termites
Termites live in underground colonies, travelling up to 100 metres from the nest in continuous mud
tunnels or galleries, searching for food. They live on cellulose, predominantly found in timber. They
favour wet and dark conditions and being blind, smell out food from a long distance.
There are more than 350 termite species in Australia of four types, of which the first (subterranean)
is the most worrying for the building industry:
1. Subterranean termites - Subterranean termites’ parent colony remains concealed

underground at the base of trees, beneath buildings or as a mound, with galleries to the
food source.
2. Dampwood termites - Dampwood termites eat timbers affected by moisture and decay,
including poorly ventilated sub-floors where timber-soil contact occurs.
3. Drywood termites - Drywood termites are tropical sub-species that do not require ground
contact, active in northern Queensland.
4. Harvester termites - Harvester (grass) termites again are tropical, forage in grasses and
pose no threat to buildings.
http://mindjourney1962.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/what-are-termites/
0.
Building Code requirements

The BCA (Volume 2) Part 3.1.3 requires primary building elements (load-bearing and bracing
components) to be either termite resistant or adequately protected from termites.
Common materials that are termite resistant are:
• steel
• concrete
• masonry
• fibre-reinforced cement
• naturally termite resistant timbers (Appendix A of AS 3660.1)
• preservative treated timbers (Appendix B of AS 3660.1).
But this alone may not provide adequate protection. Termites can and do tunnel their way through
or past structural components to eat skirting boards, cupboards and furniture, and sometimes
further on walls and roofs. Therefore, acceptable construction practice includes installation of
termite barriers in accordance with AS 3660.1 ‘Protection of buildings from subterranean termites –
new buildings’. This requires a notice fixed in a prominent location (typically the meter box)
advising the nature of the termite protection system, plus maintenance and inspection
requirements.
Concrete slabs by themselves are not accepted as adequate protection against termite attack. Too
often there may be cracking in the slab or gaps where service pipes penetrate, thereby making
easy access for a hungry termite to get to its food. Therefore, depending upon geographic region
and severity of the termite problem, authorities will require treatment to the entire sub-slab area or
in lesser risk areas, termite collars to penetrations and perimeter areas.
Termite management
There are three broad methods of protection, each with advantages and disadvantages:
1. physical barriers
2. chemical barriers
3. termite-resistant materials.
1. Physical barriers
These barriers protect buildings by isolating timbers from ground contact through a number of
different methods.
• Metal ant-caps as traditionally used for elevated timber framing require regular inspection
as termites can work around or past them.
• Stainless steel mesh (Termimesh) either to the perimeter and around service pipes, or full
ground cover under slab on ground to stop them getting through the fine mesh.
• Graded granite (Granitgard) consists of crushed and angular granite particles laid and
compacted under slab on ground, plus collars around service pipes to block termite access
through the mass, hardness and voids between the angular stone. Perimeter and
penetration installation is also an acceptable treatment where the slab is laid to AS3600.
• Combined termite and moisture barrier—Two layers of LDPE plastic have a central
synthetic web chemically treated with deltamethrin, combining waterproofing and termite
protection functions in one product (Kordon).
• Combined termite and moisture barrier/flashing (Alterm) uses 0.5 mm marine grade
aluminium which termites cannot get through.

• Combined termite and moisture barrier/flashing (HomeGuard) uses a single layer
polymer sheet containing bifenthrin.
Slab edge details
More slab edge details
Typical detail for slab penetrations
2. Chemical barriers
Since the banning in mid-1995 of organochlorines due to their toxicity and persistence in the
environment (and human body), chemical sprays are now less popular. Previously, chemicals with
a ‘half-life’ (half as effective) of 30 years were being sprayed sometimes every year under and
around concrete slabs and buildings. These chemicals accumulate in the soil or may slowly leach
out into the ground elsewhere causing toxicity and pollution of wider concern.
All chemical spray systems have implications for occupational health and safety on building sites
for installers, trades and later occupants. Those of us touching the soil, the slab or anywhere else
sprayed are likely to take the chemicals into our body. These chemicals remain dangerous to

humans and will still be around and under most houses. Use personal protective clothing and
equipment, plus personal hygiene of washing hands before eating or smoking if in any doubt.
Chemical barriers required spraying under and around slabs during construction. Their
effectiveness is highly dependent upon the expertise of the installer to get the correct dosage and
coverage for the particular site conditions. They are also rendered ineffective if disrupted through
later alterations, pathways, new pipes or added topsoil, actions which allow termites to bridge the
chemical treatment in the soil.
With the banning of organochlorines, less persistent organophosphates are now used, requiring re-
treatment every 10 years under slabs and every five years around the perimeter. A newer
development is a synthetic pyrethroid (Bifex). As these less hazardous treatments do not last as
long, they require a system of reticulated pipes under the building to permit later pressurized
retreatment into the soil.
Reticulated treatment systems
Approximately 20% of all timber sold in Australia is treated with chemical preservatives to extend
their life. All preservatives pose some risk to health and create disposal hazards (in NSW they are
banned from landfill with general putrescible wastes).
Preservative treatment uses a variety of chemicals for resisting particular insect pests (not just
termites). The main groups are boron compounds and sodium fluorides, creosote, CCA and ACQ,
and LOSP.
Boron compounds and sodium fluorides

Boron compounds and sodium fluorides are mainly used against borers in internal situations as the
chemicals will leach out in water.
Creosote, a derivative of coal tar, has been in use for 200 years. It is now known to be
carcinogenic and so is banned from construction but can still be found in some agricultural uses.
CCA (copper chrome arsenic) and ACQ (ammoniacal copper quaternary) are used to treat radiata
and hoop pine to Hazard Class up to H5 (AS 1604 – 1997). The chemical treatment gives up to
eight times the longevity in ground contact than the untreated wood, but produces serious

environmental and health issues in the process and at disposal. Some countries have banned
these treatments.
LOSP (light organic solvent preservatives) are used for above ground timbers. They contain
pyrethoid synthetic insecticides, following the banning of organochlorines in 1995.
Termite-resistant materials
Apart from the obvious non-organic materials listed above (steel, concrete, masonry, etc), some
timbers are not attractive to termites either naturally or following chemical treatment.
Many common timber reference books list those species that have resistance to termites (which
may not be the same as resistance to borers). Some of the more common naturally resistant
timbers include:
• native cypress pine (Callitris spp.)
• river red gum (E. corymbosa)
• grey box (E. moluccana)
• yellow box (E. melliodora)
• ironbark (E. siderophloia)
• turpentine (E.Syncarpia glomulifera).
Alterations and additions

Alterations and additions commonly pose a particular challenge for termite protection because:
• existing construction may not be fully protected
• new work may bridge termite barriers
• soil (from previous chemical treatment) is moved
• termites may already be in the structure!
• Termites have a way of sneaking through cavities into new work, or coming up in the join
between new and old concrete slabs.
Landscaping
Even if you have taken steps during construction to protect a building from termite attack, there are
a number of measures that can be taken to avoid providing conditions that suit termite activity.
• Avoid placing wood chips in garden beds against the building. This may attract termites. If
possible, it is best to avoid garden beds alongside the dwelling, particularly if the dwelling
has a chemical barrier at the perimeter. Topsoil and gardens may destroy the barrier,
particularly when gardens are disturbed.
• If it is necessary that garden beds abut the dwelling, the beds should not be raised above
the existing ground level, particularly with slab on ground construction. It is vital that the

edge of the slab and the weep holes are left exposed – about 75mm below the bottom of
the weepholes is a good level. If garden beds or soil levels are built up over the edge of the
slab, termites can gain undetected entry into the building and break the established
barriers. It is also important to choose planting that will not hide weepholes, vents in walls
or the exposed edge of concrete slabs.
• It is important that areas with suspended timber floors are kept well ventilated and dry.
Ensure that vents to the subfloor areas are never blocked. Ensure leaking taps, showers,
pipes etc. under the dwelling or adjacent to it are repaired immediately to reduce moisture
levels in the sub floor area. Any material that may contribute to termite infestation such as
timber formwork, timber, tree stumps and similar materials must be kept out of the subfloor
area and away from the external walls of the dwelling.
• Never use untreated timbers to form garden beds or retaining walls as these can attract
termites.
• Ensure that the termite shielding is not damaged. For example, consider what trees are
planted adjacent to the dwelling. If an inappropriate tree is planted, its roots may damage
the termite barrier under or beside the concrete slab or cause the slab itself to crack.
• Any termite barrier can be rendered ineffective if alterations and additions are constructed.
Termite protection needs to be considered for all building work, no matter what the extent.
Maintenance
The selection and installation of an effective termite protection system is the responsibility of the
builder. However all systems require ongoing maintenance and regular inspections to detect any
termite activity.
The type of system installed will determine the upkeep necessary to ensure its effectiveness. The
following is a general list of maintenance items covering all types of systems:
• ensure good underfloor ventilation which will discourage termite activity
• do not allow timber to be stored or accumulate around or under a building
• do not build any ‘in ground’ untreated timber structures
• always follow all manufacturers’ guidelines
• do not disturb the perimeter protection system, for example by installing landscaping etc.
• any termite protection system can be made ineffective by the construction of additions, eg
verandahs and pergolas
• for ‘slab on ground’ construction the weep holes must always be visible
• for suspended floor construction, all timber that may attract termites must be removed from
the sub floor area
• always carry out regular inspections of the protection system.


Construction of Footings and Flooring Systems

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Construction of Footings and Flooring Systems

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Construction

1. Site set out

3. Excavation of foundation for footing and slab

4. Drainage and plumbing services

Construction: Footings and floor systems CPPBND5001A 1

6. Preparation under raft slab

7. Placement of fabric and trench mesh in raft slab

8. Placement of concrete in foundation and isolated piers

9. Placement of concrete for raft slab

11. Framing, windows and exterior doors

12. Exterior Cladding

14. First fix Plumbing

2 Construction: Footings and floor systems CPPBND5001A

17. Exterior Paint

18. Internal lining and Insulation

19. Strip timber flooring and trim

20. Tiling to wet areas

21. Cabinets and Benchtops

22. Finish Electrical

23. Finish Plumbing

24. Paint, finishes, carpet

Construction: Footings and floor systems CPPBND5001A 3

• Floor—timber, steel framing, concrete

• Sub-floor support—columns, piers, continuous walls

• Footings – strip footings, isolated pad footings, slab footing

The ground on which the building sits is referred to as the foundations.

• footing design by a structural engineer

• protection from subterranean termites

• water and moisture entry

• ventilation for sub-floor spaces

Foundations and Footings

4 Construction: Footings and floor systems CPPBND5001A

The essential requirements for footings for buildings are that:

• Any settlement be as small as possible.

• Any settlement shall be uniform.

The possible causes of failure are:

• Scour or the removal of part of the foundation by water

• The effect of moisture on reactive soils

• Spread (pad) footings

Construction: Footings and floor systems CPPBND5001A 5

Spread (pad) footings

6 Construction: Footings and floor systems CPPBND5001A

Stumps and Piers

• Bored piers—either reinforced or unreinforced depending on diameter, length, side

Construction: Footings and floor systems CPPBND5001A 7

8 Construction: Footings and floor systems CPPBND5001A

Masonry piers and continuous walls

Construction: Footings and floor systems CPPBND5001A 9

Various methods of footings

10 Construction: Footings and floor systems CPPBND5001A

1. Those in contact with the ground

Different floor systems

Floors in contact with the Ground

Construction: Footings and floor systems CPPBND5001A 11

This type of construction is particularly popular in housing construction around Australia.

Slab-on-ground systems include:

b) Separate slab/footing—footings and slab are poured at different times and so a

12 Construction: Footings and floor systems CPPBND5001A

e) Post-tensioned slabs—in these slabs the mesh reinforcement is replaced by a series of

Construction: Footings and floor systems CPPBND5001A 13

Suspended Flooring System

14 Construction: Footings and floor systems CPPBND5001A

Construction: Footings and floor systems CPPBND5001A 15

Suspended timber floor showing internal isolated piers