Construction site conditions and corresponding site safety in drywall construction with RIGIPS

Interior construction at the highest level is no problem with today's drywall systems. However, the success of construction work largely depends on the conditions present on the construction site during the construction period. To ensure that the drywall work achieves the best possible results, it is advisable to establish certain framework conditions. If the contractor gains clarity about the situation on the construction site in advance and considers what needs to be taken into account during the various phases of interior construction before work begins, errors can be avoided and quality can be ensured. Only a well-prepared construction site can guarantee an optimal long-term construction result. The workflow on the construction site can be roughly divided into four phases, each requiring different preparations.

I. Phase: before the delivery of materials

To ensure a smooth workflow on the construction site later, two things should be urgently clarified before materials are delivered:

1. Where should the delivered materials be stored during the construction period?
2. When should the materials be delivered?

The question of the most suitable storage location requires careful consideration during the preparation of the construction site and should not be considered only when the fully loaded truck is already at the door. Important details could be overlooked during the hectic unloading process. This question can be most easily clarified using the floor plan. A thorough study of the construction plan should therefore always be the starting point of any planning. A well-chosen storage location must meet certain requirements:

• It should be central, i.e., as close as possible to the processing area
• It must not block traffic routes on the construction site
• It should not be located in a place where a partition wall is planned later

Adhering to these guidelines ensures that the gypsum boards will require minimal movement after delivery. This is important because relocating materials carries the risk of damage. For example, the gypsum core can break or the edges can chip.

When determining the appropriate storage location, the load-bearing capacity of the floor construction should also be urgently clarified. Considering that a single pallet of standard boards weighs over a ton,  it is clear that storing the materials needed for dry interior construction is generally associated with a high weight load. Floors that cannot withstand load, such as wooden beam constructions, often bend, which can lead to irreversible damage. In some cases, there is even a risk of collapse. The best time for delivering materials depends on the general progress of the construction site. It is especially important that the materials can be stored in a dry place. Since plastering and screeding work usually lead to a drastic increase in general humidity, these processes must be completed and the screed or plastered walls must be dry before the gypsum boards are delivered. In any case, adequate ventilation of the construction site must be ensured.

The same applies if windows have been taped over during exterior plastering work. In this case, too, ventilation is required to allow room humidity to escape.

Immediately before delivery, it is advisable to inspect the construction site and review the considerations made so far on-site for feasibility. This opportunity should also be used to establish a certain level of order there. This ensures, on the one hand, that the designated storage area for materials is not blocked by huge piles of waste, which would require finding an alternative location at the last minute. It also significantly contributes to the safety of the workers and prevents accidents.

Contractors carrying a board have a very limited field of vision due to its size. Items lying on the floor, no matter how small, become a significant accident risk in this way!

II. Phase: delivery of materials

When delivering building materials, it is important to store them straight and flat on a level surface to prevent damage. Improper storage of boards, such as standing them upright, can cause deformations that will make them difficult to install properly.

The supplied pallet provides a suitable, level surface for this purpose. Alternatively, wooden supports arranged at 35 cm intervals serve the same function. This type of storage also ensures the materials are well ventilated, which helps prevent mould growth.

III. Phase: processing of materials

1. General considerations
When installing gypsum boards, it is important to make sure that the relative humidity in the room does not exceed 80%. If it exceeds 80%, work with gypsum boards should cease.

The optimal humidity range for processing gypsum boards is between 40% and 80%.
How much moisture can a wall contain, i.e. what is the maximum moisture content of a wall?

It is important that the substructure is dry. This is particularly important if it is made of wood. The maximum permissible moisture content of the wood is 20%. If this is exceeded and the wood dries after being boarded, the boards will deform and crack. There is also a risk of mould growth in the substructure.

The same applies to attic construction, since roof trusses are typically made of wood. If gypsum boards are to be used for dry plastering on concrete or masonry substrates, they must also be sufficiently dry.

2. Special case: winter construction
If construction work is taking place in winter, interior work should only be carried out in rooms with temperatures above +5°C.

Rapid and intense heating of rooms should be avoided. This can cause stress cracks due to changes in length. For the same reason, gypsum board surfaces should not be exposed to direct hot or warm air. Even during winter construction, adequate ventilation must be ensured at all times.

IV. Phase: completion of installation work

After the installation work is complete, the jointing process usually begins. Even at this stage, it is essential that the construction site is well ventilated, as the boards must release any absorbed moisture back into the room. Jointing work should only be carried out once this process has occurred. This moisture release process results in a change in the length of the boards: moist boards are longer and shrink as they release some of their moisture back into the room. If this process is not allowed to occur and jointing is done too early, cracks will appear.

Changes in length can also result from heat exposure. This must be considered when planning jointing, for example, if hot asphalt is to be used as a screed. The heat from the hot asphalt will cause a change in length. If jointing has already been carried out, it will crack.

Important: Jointing work must never be carried out at temperatures below +10°C. This applies to both the room temperature and the surface temperature of the boards.

How to measure moisture in walls? When is a wall considered moist?

Moisture in walls can be checked using a moisture meter. Measurements should be taken at various points.

Conclusion

Contractors have a significant influence on the success of their drywall work. It is worthwhile considering the construction in advance, as precise prior planning can optimise the framework conditions. Adequate ventilation throughout the entire construction period is the key to success in dry interior construction.