What is Plant in Construction? A Detailed Guide
Construction projects require heavy machinery and equipment known as ‘plant’. This guide explains what plant is, why it’s important, and the main types used in the industry.
What is Plant in Construction?
In construction, ‘plant’ refers to the heavy machinery and equipment used during construction works. It includes equipment such as excavators, cranes, concrete mixers, generators, compressors and forklift trucks.
Plant is essential for the successful execution of a contractor’s activities. It forms a key part of construction projects, from road building to high-rise developments.
The term plant originates from the Latin ‘planta’, meaning ‘thing planted or fixed in place’. In construction, it refers to tools and vehicles that perform specific tasks and are ‘planted’ on site for the duration of works.
Common types of plant include:
- Excavators – Used for digging trenches and foundations
- Cranes – Used for lifting and moving materials
- Concrete mixers – Used for producing concrete on site
Plant is usually very large, heavy and expensive. Many contractors choose to hire plant rather than invest in purchasing it. Forklift trucks, scissor lifts and telehandlers are popular rental items.
It’s important to segregate plant vehicles from pedestrians on site. Operators should be fully trained to use machines safely and efficiently.
Investing in plant and equipment can benefit construction firms undertaking projects like road paving, forestry, demolition and mining. With dozens of categories and countless models available, plant takes many forms on modern construction sites.
Types of Construction Plant
There are many types of plant used in construction projects. Here are some of the most common:
– Excavators – Hydraulic excavators like backhoe loaders are used to dig trenches, holes and foundations. They come in different sizes for tasks like bulk excavation or precision digging.
– Bulldozers – These powerful tracked vehicles are equipped with substantial metal plates and blades to push and flatten earth or debris.
– Graders – Used to level surfaces and prepare the ground before building work begins. Their long blades can flatten large areas.
– Dumpers – Large dump trucks transport materials like rock, sand or waste around sites. Rigid and articulated models are available.
– Scissor Lifts – Elevating work platforms that allow workers access to height. Useful for construction and maintenance tasks.
– Telehandlers – Versatile machines like JCB Loadalls that can lift, load and dig. Their telescopic arms provide excellent reach.
– Concrete Mixers – Used to blend cement, aggregate and water to produce concrete on site. Drum and pan mixers are common.
– Cranes – Tower cranes are a familiar sight rising above construction sites. Mobile cranes also lift heavy loads.
– Generators – Provide electrical power to sites that lack connections to mains supplies.
– Rollers – Ride-on rollers compact materials like asphalt and soil. Vibrating rollers are very effective.
From drills to pumps, chainsaws to compressors, plant takes many forms. But all play a crucial role in construction and development projects.
Types of Construction Plant
There are many types of plant used in construction projects. Here are some of the most common:
– Excavators – Hydraulic excavators like backhoe loaders are used to dig trenches, holes and foundations. They come in different sizes for tasks like bulk excavation or precision digging.
– Bulldozers – These powerful tracked vehicles are equipped with substantial metal plates and blades to push and flatten earth or debris.
– Graders – Used to level surfaces and prepare the ground before building work begins. Their long blades can flatten large areas.
– Dumpers – Large dump trucks transport materials like rock, sand or waste around sites. Rigid and articulated models are available.
– Scissor Lifts – Elevating work platforms that allow workers access to height. Useful for construction and maintenance tasks.
– Telehandlers – Versatile machines like JCB Loadalls that can lift, load and dig. Their telescopic arms provide excellent reach.
– Concrete Mixers – Used to blend cement, aggregate and water to produce concrete on site. Drum and pan mixers are common.
– Cranes – Tower cranes are a familiar sight rising above construction sites. Mobile cranes also lift heavy loads.
– Generators – Provide electrical power to sites that lack connections to mains supplies.
– Rollers – Ride-on rollers compact materials like asphalt and soil. Vibrating rollers are very effective.
From drills to pumps, chainsaws to compressors, plant takes many forms. But all play a crucial role in construction and development projects.
Uses of Plant in Construction
Construction plant is utilised right across the industry for a wide variety of applications. Here are some of the main uses of plant on building sites:
– Site preparation – Bulldozers, graders and excavators prepare the ground for building works.
– Digging foundations – Excavators and diggers create voids for foundations and service trenches.
– Lifting materials – Cranes lift structural elements, plant and other loads into place.
– Transporting – Dump trucks and telehandlers move materials around site.
– Accessing height – Scissor lifts provide safe elevated working platforms.
– Mixing concrete – Concrete mixers blend ingredients to produce concrete.
– Compacting – Rollers flatten and compact layers of fill, aggregate and asphalt.
– Powering – Generators provide electrical power for tools, equipment and welfare facilities.
– Pumping – Pumps move liquids and slurries like concrete to where they’re needed.
Construction projects simply couldn’t happen without the plant on site. It’s an essential element in the process of building.
Benefits of Using Plant in Construction
Utilising plant on construction projects provides many advantages. Here are some of the key benefits of using plant in construction:
– Increased efficiency – Plant often performs tasks faster and more efficiently than manual labour. An excavator can dig foundations much quicker than a team with shovels.
– Improved safety – Machinery can undertake hazardous jobs in place of workers. A telehandler lifting loads high up removes the risks of working at height.
– Higher quality – Precision tools like concrete mixers help achieve high standards of finish. Vibrating rollers thoroughly compact layers for a durable result.
– Enhanced capabilities – Plant expands the scope of what’s achievable. Cranes enable large prefabricated components to be lifted into place.
– Reduced costs – Although plant requires investment, it lowers long-term costs through the time savings and productivity gains it brings.
– Increased consistency – Mechanised processes give more uniform results. Concrete mixed by a machine will be consistent batch after batch.
– Improved morale – Taking workers away from arduous manual labour can boost motivation and job satisfaction.
– Environmental benefits – Newer plant tends to have reduced emissions and better environmental performance.
– Accessibility – Telehandlers and scissor lifts allow workers to easily and safely reach height when required.
For major infrastructure and construction projects, plant is an indispensable element. The efficiencies and capabilities it brings are key to delivering projects on time and within budget.
Safety Considerations for Operating Plant
While plant delivers many benefits, it also introduces hazards that require careful management.
Operators need extensive training to gain the skills and experience to use machinery safely. All equipment should be thoroughly checked and maintained to ensure it is in sound working order.
Safe working practices must be established, such as designating exclusion zones around moving machinery and ensuring spotters are used when visibility is limited.
Particular risks to consider include:
– Crushing injuries from plant tipping or objects falling
– Being struck by moving vehicles or swing radii
– Electrocution from contact with overhead power lines
– Noise induced hearing loss and hand-arm vibration injuries
– Slips, trips and falls around equipment
– Dust and fume inhalation
– Fire hazards from fuel or hydraulics
– Collapsing trenches and excavations
Using plant safely requires planning and constant vigilance. But with proper precautions, training and maintenance, the risks can be effectively controlled.
The benefits machinery delivers on construction projects make thorough safety management an imperative. With a robust approach, plant can be operated safely to drive efficiency and deliver projects on time and budget.
FAQ
Why is construction equipment called plant?
Construction equipment is referred to as ‘plant’ because it encompasses a range of machinery and tools used to complete construction projects, similar to how a manufacturing plant contains various machines. The term dates back to when construction work was likened to planting or sowing seeds to build structures.
What is a plant area in construction?
A plant area in construction refers to a designated location on a construction site where all the heavy machinery, equipment, and vehicles are stored when not in use. This keeps the plant neatly in one place and separates it from work zones for safety.
What is difference between plant and equipment?
Plant refers to heavy machinery and vehicles like excavators, cranes, bulldozers. Equipment refers to smaller tools like power drills, saws, shovels. Plant is large, fixed assets and equipment are portable tools.
Does plant mean machinery?
In construction, “plant” refers to the machinery and equipment used on-site, such as excavators, cranes, and loaders. For smaller projects or short-term needs, digger hire is a cost-effective way to access essential equipment without the expense of ownership. It’s a practical solution that keeps your project moving efficiently.
Conclusion
In summary, ‘plant’ is a key construction industry term referring to heavy machinery, equipment and vehicles used on building sites. Common examples of plant include excavators, cranes, bulldozers, dump trucks and concrete mixers. Plant hire involves renting this equipment as needed. Investing in plant can benefit construction firms, especially for major projects. Proper plant management, training and segregating plant from workers ensures site safety. Overall, plant is an essential component in the construction process.
what is plant in construction?
Plant refers to machinery, vehicles and heavy equipment used in construction works. This includes excavators, dump trucks, concrete mixers, cranes, bulldozers and more. Plant is essential for tasks like earthmoving, road surfacing, lifting materials, power generation and mixing concrete. Renting plant through hire companies is common.
Key Points
- Plant refers to heavy machinery and equipment used in construction.
- Common examples include excavators, dump trucks, cranes, bulldozers.
- Plant hire involves renting equipment like concrete mixers as needed.
Our Opinion
Plant is the backbone of any major construction project. Investing in the right plant machinery improves productivity and efficiency on site. Proper plant management, including regular servicing and staff training, enhances site safety. With the variety of equipment available, plant hire gives constructors flexibility. Overall, plant is an invaluable asset in the construction industry.
