by TimCrump
17. August 2010 09:57
The whole reason for building with Oakwrights is the Oak Frame. With finding the plot, buying the plot, trials and tribulations of planning, the messy job of clearing the site and building the foundations the oak frame may some times just feel like a dream and as though it will never happen. Then the glorious day comes when the lorries arrive with your frame.
The access to Derek and Sue’s site was very tight and awkward as are many sites. The first thing to get in and set up is the crane. Once the crane is in the lorries can then start to roll in with the oak.
When erecting an oak frame we have scaffolding set up around the perimeter of the slab so that we can work off the scaffolding while dropping the oak frame in and onto the prepared foundations.
With the crane and lorries on site it is now time to unload and sort out the packs of oak. The Forman will instruct his team about the sequence of the frame erection and the packs of oak will be sorted accordingly. Once the oak is sorted the frame erection moves at a rapid pace.
The frame erection crews work in teams of between three and five depending upon the size of the project. In Derek and Sue’s case the Oakwrights team was built up of the team Forman and his right hand man plus the frame designer and one of the carpenters from the work shop who made the frame. The teams are built up this way to make sure all the required knowledge for erecting a bespoke oak frame is where you need it on site.
The Forman and his right hand man have all the site knowledge and crane training. The workshop carpenter has lived with the frame while it is being made and knows the jointing sequence better than anyone. The frame designer is the person who has brought the planning drawings to life and understands the whole project. This group team knowledge makes the site erection run smoothly and is also the best fun part of any project.
The post & beam frame incorporating sling brace and arch brace trusses rose from the slab and was complete in four days, all pegged up and ready to receive the Wright Wall encapsulation system.
