What a great idea! Would www.papercreters.net be a place to store and
sort this out? Or can this be done in yahoogroups? I sort of looked
around yahoogroups to see if there is a database design that would
work and came across the papercreters.net site. But it would be nice
to have a two together somehow.
On Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 7:55 PM, slurryguy <slurryguy@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> I would like to propose a new initiative for everyone in this group.
>
> "The Papercrete Design, Construction, and Maintenance Manual."
>
> What would this manual be?
>
> Well, the document doesn't exist, YET. I propose that we create this
> document right here inside this group. We just might have fun doing
> it. It will be a long term project. We would be constantly updating
> it and improving it as we learn new things. It would be written by
> all of us. It would represent the best that each of us can offer.
>
> I look around at our membership and I see a great deal of expertise
> that could be a great benefit in writing this manual. A lot of what
> would be inside this manual has been covered in old posts. It may be
> just a matter of pulling the information together in one big document.
>
> We have Architects that are members.
> We have a member that teaches classes in Electrical wiring.
> We have members that are professional plumbers.
> We have members that are building inspectors.
> We have members that are professional Heating and Cooling contractors.
> We have members that are professional foundation contractors.
> Roofers, Framers, Finished carpenters, all are represented here.
>
> We have many members that have built a wide variety of structures.
>
> I hope that we can get significant input from all of these
> specialties.
>
> I would like for us to attempt to collect together all the BEST
> IDEAS. Think of this manual as a big list of Do's and Don'ts when
> building with papercrete.
>
> 1. We should have a section in the manual about drawing up plans.
> We should not try to teach everyone how to be an architect,
> draftsman, or a structural engineer. There are other books and
> resources for that. We should focus on what special considerations
> are important when dealing with papercrete. How can an individual
> determine if a particular architect can do a quality job with a
> papercrete design? What are appropriate expectations for both sides
> of an architect/owner relationship? What are appropriate fees? How
> can an individual determine if someone is unqualified? What does a
> quality set of plans look like? What details on those plans will
> best communicate to other contractors the important details about the
> papercrete?
>
> 2. We should have a section in the manual about approaching building
> departments and inspectors. What works? What doesn't? What will
> inspectors be looking for? What should a builder do to have the best
> chances of a smooth and productive relationship with inspectors while
> building with papercrete?
>
> 3. A section about selecting qualified contractors and
> subcontractors would be important. What are the right questions to
> ask them? What are warning signs a contractor may not be qualified?
> How and when should payments be made? What important documents and
> signatures should be gathered before making payments? How can a
> builder best address schedule and time line issues? Where can
> contractors turn to learn about building with papercrete? What is
> appropriate training for employees that will be working with
> papercrete?
>
> 4. We should have a section in the manual about Foundations. What
> types of foundations are used with papercrete? What are the
> advantages and disadvantages of each type? What special measures
> should be taken with each foundation type for it to perform best with
> a papercrete structure? I recognize that many good books already
> exist about foundations, and I'm not suggesting we re-invent the
> wheel. Our manual should refer to the best documents available about
> Foundations and how each system should be modified to work the best
> with papercrete. Examples of existing structures built by our
> membership should be cited whenever possible. Where/how should
> materials for the various foundation types be acquired? What are the
> expected costs? What are the expected fees from contractors? What
> documents and signatures should be acquired before payments are made?
>
> 5. What makes a good HVAC plan? How should a builder select a HVAC
> contractor to work on a papercrete house? What makes a good HVAC
> plan? It is common for large holes to be cut in walls to accommodate
> these systems. What are the best ways to do this? HVAC systems can
> be potential fire hazards. What are the best methods to protect
> papercrete from any potential hazards. What are the potential
> problems to watch out for? What/Where are the best places to acquire
> materials and components? What are expected costs? What are
> expected fees? What documents and signatures should be acquired
> before payments are made?
>
> 6. Plumbing is also important. What techniques are best when
> dealing with papercrete? How should pipes be run through or inside
> papercrete walls? What are the best techniques for cutting holes and
> channels? When should plumbing be run inside a papercrete wall and
> when should it be avoided? How should the pipes be protected from
> nails and screws if someone decides to hang a picture some day? Is
> pipe corrosion with papercrete ingredients a potential problem? How
> should those issues be addressed? What about leaks and repairs? How
> can someone select a good plumber? Again, there are many good books
> about plumbing. We shouldn't reinvent the wheel. Our focus should
> be to illustrate how the best industry practices should be
> incorporated into a papercrete structure. What/where are the best
> places to acquire materials? What are expected costs? What are
> expected fees? What documents and signatures should be acquired
> before payments are made?
>
> 7. Electrical systems tend to get inserted in nearly every wall and
> ceiling of any structure. Shock and fire hazards are possible. How
> should someone select an Electrical Contractor? When should conduit
> be used? What are the best techniques for cutting holes and
> channels? How should the wires be protected from nails and screws if
> someone decides to hang a picture some day? What/where are the best
> places to acquire materials? What are expected costs? What are
> expected fees? What documents and signatures should be acquired
> before payments are made?
>
> 8. Doors/Windows. How are they best installed in papercrete
> walls?... similar philosophy and questions like the other systems.
>
> 9. Papercrete Mix recipes. What ingredients and ratios are best
> used in what situations?
>
> 10. Papercrete handling. How to avoid damaging papercrete before it
> dries. Keeping it dry.
>
> 11. Papercrete wall types. Blocks? Slip-formed? Monolithic
> Pours? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each style?
> Reinforcement? Weatherproofing techniques? What works best? What
> should be avoided?
>
> 12. Finances. How should a builder finance a papercrete project?
> What are appropriate safeguards?
>
> 13. Time lines. What are reasonable expectations for the time
> various phases of a project take?
>
> 14. Site Security. Sadly construction sites are prime targets for
> thieves. How should building materials and tools be kept secured?
> How does a builder protect himself and how do contractors protect
> themselves? How does someone catch and prosecute a thief? How does
> someone keep a safe worksite? What precautions are appropriate to
> avoid injuries? How can an owner or contractor protect themselves
> from potential lawsuits?
>
> 15. Any other areas I have missed?
>
>
--
Chinese herbals for the Western Mind
www.ozbotanicals.com
Skype~eve8mon
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