Page 38 - Built Expressions - Online Construction Magazine - November 2014 Issue

Cover Feature Optimum Utilisation of Equipment Basically, various items of construction equipment are expensive and have to pay for themselves by way of effective utilisation on the projects. Towards this end, it is necessary to plan all aspects of provision, operation and maintenance of construction equipment in advance and ensure that utilisation is as planned. Such planning is usually a cooperative effort involving the owner, the construction agency and the owner of the equipment if he is a separate agency. Even within the organisation of the construction agency, different disciplines have to come together to realise the planning. The project manager, who may be usually a civil engineer and the plant engineer at the project site, will need to have a continuous dialogue during all stages of planning and execution. Continuous review and revision of the plant allocation may be called for, based on changes in feld conditions. Equipment Cost The cost of project must include the deployment of necessary equipment and the rates be quoted accordingly. While including the equipment cost, constructor should consider repetitive and depreciation components of the equipment output. Depending on the size of the project, the constructor can Though the Indian construction equipment industry is a either lease/rent the equipment or fraction of the global market, whose size is over US$ 75 billion, own the equipment. In case of leasing option, following are to be examined it has been growing at an average of 30 per cent annually and considered. compared to the global growth of 5 per cent. • Time factor- whether the rate quoted is for one shift or two shifts or per month etc • Cost of Repairs-Clear understanding • Insurance-It is standard practice • Availability of equipment. to be arrived at in respect of repairs, for the lessee to furnish the lessor a • Suitability of job condition with maintenance, consumables etc. certifcate of insurance prior to the special reference to climatic and • Operator-Usually accompanies the delivery. operating condition. equipment. • Uniformity type (easier operation • Fuel and Lubricants- usually Lessee’s Selection Criteria and maintenance, easy exchange of responsibility Factors affecting the selection of spare parts and operating personnel) • Freight Charges- Whether delivery construction equipment can be listed • Size of equipment. at site or transportation extra in the following; • Use of standard equipments (made PG 38 Built Expressions Vol: 3 Issue: 11 November 2014