IntroductionA variety of problems may arise in the construction of new homes and extensions. The home builder should be aware of potential issues that may effect their investment.
Issues for many existing homes could have been avoided if a thorough site investigation and soil testing was conducted prior to construction. Since the mid 1990's all new house developments have been required to have a site and soil test and site classification investigation conducted prior to building. The classification report is used by builders and engineers to plan building site preparation and provide site specific information to assist in appropriate foundation design.
Currently in Queensland a soil testing service may be offered by professionals licensed by the Queensland Building Construction Commission. Usually this service will be offered by a geological consultant, engineering consultant, environmental consultant or drilling contractor with sufficient skills and knowledge. Potential IssuesThere are a variety of issues to consider when planning to build on a specific site. Reduced bearing capacity may require specialised foundation design at considerable expense. Vegetation, tree roots, slope and local topography may effect on site drainage with roots required to be removed and any drainage issues addressed. Changing moisture conditions in the soil cause a change in soil volume.
These factors will combine to effect local soils and the building structure above. The properties of the local site soil must be tested and measured. Soil testing requirements are outlined in Australian Standards AS1684, AS2870 and AS3798.
Why Test Soils?Inclusion of these requirements for building of residential homes has resulted in a great reduction in homes with defects such as dropped floors, cracked slabs, cracked brick work and binding doors. Water is commonly the greatest issue when it comes to building damage. Reactive soils absorb water and change in volume. Where foundation design is not appropriate to compensate for the amount of movement expected, damage to buildings will occur. Water can also cause erosion of some soils which may result in subsidence of foundations and building damage. Where building or extensions are planned a soil test must be conducted to satisfy council requirements and ensure correct design. What is a Site Classification Report?A site classification report involves soil testing to define the soil reactivity.
SummarySite Classification including soil testing and investigation is compulsory across all areas of South East Queensland including Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and surrounds. At Express Soil Testing we endeavour to undertake a full and complete site investigation addressing the issues outline here and also take note of other issues that may be effect the integrity of your new building, house, extension or any other building project that requires a soil test and site classification.
Australian standards for editing practice also tells employers what to expect from the editors they hire and shows new editors the range of skills and knowledge they should aspire to. It helps the Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd), educational institutions and other training providers to devise material, seminars and courses on editing. And it is the foundation for IPEd’s national accreditation of editors.Australian standards for editing practice does not attempt to capture the full array of knowledge, skills, best practice, sequential tasks and responsibilities required by all editors on all projects in all settings.
However, professional editors should meet certain core standards.The term ‘standard’ is used here to mean ‘anything taken by general consent as a basis of comparison; an approved model’ ( Macquarie dictionary). Australian standards for editing practice does not attempt to codify the quality of editors’ work – how well a particular task has been performed. Rather, it aims to set out the knowledge and skills needed for editing practice, those that experienced editors routinely use in their work. History of the StandardsThe first edition of Australian standards for editing practice was devised by the Standards Working Group of the Council of Australian Societies of Editors (CASE), approved by the members of all Australian societies of editors and ratified by CASE in 2001.CASE was an informal national body that brought together the seven Australian societies of editors to work on projects of common interest. The successor to CASE, the Institute of Professional Editors Limited (IPEd), a not-for-profit company, was established in 2008 as the peak national body for Australian editors.This revised edition is the result of the efforts of three working groups, the first in 2005–2006. The 2010–2011 working group, comprising members of the Canberra Society of Editors, consulted with members of the other Australian societies of editors through IPEd Council and the committees of IPEd’s member societies.In 2011, IPEd appointed a facilitator to consult with all Australian societies of editors, through their committees and a series of workshops, in a process similar to that used for the preparation of the original edition of the Standards.
After the workshops, each society appointed a coordinator; together the coordinators and facilitator devised the final revision through national teleconferences and consultation with their workshop participants. The resulting document was submitted to IPEd Council and approved by the members of all Australian societies of editors in August 2012. The new edition was published in early 2013. Obtaining the StandardsSome member societies have ordered print copies of the Standards for their members; others are happy to use the onscreen versions. Check with your society.