There is no code for the wastage of building materials till date. To allow maximum wastage of building materials we, generally follow the CPWD guideline. Materials from different sources have different quality and strength and hence their wastages are different. Perhaps this is the reason that no code is formulated.
Also, wastage of building materials mainly depends on the following aspects;
•Quality of materials
Good quality materials delivers less wastage than inferior quality materials as it passes through tough test to ensure quality. For instance first class bricks have less chances to break during loading and unloading than third class bricks. Poor quality bricks get broken more during stacking and shifting.
•Skill of the laborer
Skill of labors play very important role to manage wastage. For example a competent mason can cut quin closer of brick perfectly and uses both the parts accurately. An unskilled mason breaks 3 to 4 bricks to get a quin closer and creates huge wastage.
A skilled competent fitter cuts steel from a full length bar such that the rest part can be used to another work thus generating less scrap. So skill of the labor is important.
•Storage and stacking of materials at site
Properly stacking and storage of materials can reduce wastage drastically. Properly made cement godown with raised platform and stacking cement in rows keeping gap in between and dispatching lots first come first serve basis can reduce wastages. Most of the cement godown are made unscientifically and cement being stacked directly on the ground, it’s a bad practice, causes more wastage. Generally bottom two to three layers cement got hardened and of no use. So, properly storage is important.
•Waste management policy at site
Proper and effective planning too can impart waste management at site. From the beginning of the project a suitable planning for different waste materials can lead to generate less wastage. All waste material should not be heaped or dumped in one place. It should be stacked at site separately so that these can be used for different creative works later on. This practice helps to reduce the cost drastically.
In general practice following percentage are considered for maximum wastage:
•Wastage for brick, sand, stone aggregates etc. : 5%
•Wastage for steel reinforcement : 3% (1% invisible & 2% visible)
•Wastage for cement : 2 - 3%
•Wastage for concrete (RMC) : 1%
•Wastage for tiles, marble , granite etc. : 8 - 10%
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