Method Statement for Plastering

1.0 Revision Status

Revision Number	Date	Originator	Reviewed	Approved	Description of Re-submittal

2.0 Scope & Objectives

Plastering work to correct line, level, and plumb within acceptable tolerances includes preparing surfaces and applying plaster. Work may be executed in single coats or multiple coats depending upon the Bill of Quantities (BOQ).

3.0 Reference

• Project Technical Specification
• IS 1200 (Part 12): 1976 – Methods of measurement of building and civil works: Part 12 Plastering and pointing (Third Revision)
• IS 383: 1970 – Specification for coarse and fine aggregates from natural sources for concrete (Second Revision)
• IS 1489 (Part 1): 1991 – Specification for Portland Pozzolana Cement: Part 1 Flyash based (Third Revision)
• IS 1489 (Part 2): 1991 – Specification for Portland-Pozzolana Cement: Part 2 Calcined clay based (Third Revision)
• IS 1542: 1992 – Specification for sand for plaster (Second Revision)
• IS 1661: 1972 – Code of practice for application of cement and cement-lime plaster finishes (First Revision)
• IS 2402: 1963 – Code of practice for external rendered finishes
• IS 2645: 2003 – CED 2 Integral Cement Waterproofing Compounds

4.0 Health & Safety Hazards

Specific safety measures have to be followed as applicable. All detailed safety measures are covered separately in the Project Safety Plan.

5.0 Definitions

• Background: The surface to which the first coat of plaster is applied.
• Blistering: The development of defects on the finished plastered surface in the form of swelling.
• Hacking: The process of creating corrugations on a solid background surface (such as concrete) to establish a mechanical bond with the plaster.
• Dado: The lower part of a plastered wall (up to 2 m above the floor) made more resistant than the upper part to protect against floor cleaning, moisture, dust, and dirt.

6.0 Responsibilities

6.1 Project Engineer

• Ensure plastering activities are carried out according to specifications and approved drawings.
• Ensure ongoing works progress according to the planned schedule and that all required equipment is available and in good working condition.
• Coordinate with Client, Consultant, Project Manager, Site Engineer, Safety Engineer, and Surveyor for safe and proper execution.
• Pay specific attention to all safety measures and quality control in coordination with the Safety and QC Engineers, in line with the HSE and Quality Plans.

6.2 Site Engineer

• Ensure plastering works are executed according to specifications.
• Provide all necessary technical information and distribute responsibilities to the plastering team.
• Monitor work progress in accordance with the project schedule and report status to the Project Engineer / Project Manager.
• Coordinate with the Safety Engineer to maintain safe site practices.
• Ensure optimal daily productivity from equipment and manpower against daily reports.
• Pass revised site information promptly to supervisors and ensure proper implementation.
• Coordinate with the surveyor to plan survey work in advance per the work sequence.

6.3 QA Engineer

• Ensure all works comply with specifications and approved quality procedures.
• Inspect completed works prior to requesting client approval.
• Maintain complete plastering inspection records for future reference.

6.4 Safety Engineer

• Implement all safety measures in accordance with the HSE plan and ensure worker awareness.
• Verify that implemented site safety precautions remain adequate.
• Inspect ongoing activities, conduct safety trainings, and report incidents to the Project Manager and Client.
• Maintain clean and tidy work areas across the site.

7.0 Procedure / Method to be Employed

7.1 Checks Before Plastering

• Sequence: External plastering should ideally be completed before internal plastering to avoid rapid drying and shrinkage of internal surfaces.
• Curing Gap: Allow a minimum gap of 7 days following brickwork completion before applying plaster.
• Surface Wetting: Wet brickwork surfaces two days prior to plastering. On the day of plastering, surfaces should achieve a Saturated Surface Dry (SSD) condition.
• Level Pads (Thiyyas): Fix 60 mm × 60 mm level pads on walls and ceilings as reference markers. Spacing between pads must not exceed 2 meters.
• Surface Preparation: Remove all nails, wooden inserts, and concrete projections from surfaces. Clean the surface using wire brushes to remove dust, oil spots, and algae.
• Hacking: Create rough textures on concrete surfaces by hacking at 20 mm intervals to ensure proper mechanical bond with mortar.

7.2 Checks During Plastering

A. Cement Sand Plaster

• Cube Testing: Cast 7.07 cm mortar test cubes for 28-day compressive strength testing (Minimum required strength: 3.5 MPa).
• Batching: Weigh-batch cement and sand. If weigh-batching is not feasible, use calibrated gauge boxes (pharmas). In the absence of specific guidelines, use a 1:3 mortar mix for ceilings and 1:4 for side walls.
• Cement Selection: Use PPC or OPC blended with fly ash to reduce water demand, shrinkage, thermal cracking, heat of hydration, and to improve resistance against sulphate attack.
• Water-Cement Ratio: Maintain w/c ratio per mix design, or adjust to achieve optimal workability.
• Mixing: Dry-mix cement and sand thoroughly before adding water. Mix wet mortar for at least 3 minutes. Any plasticizers used must be pre-approved by the Chief Engineer.
• Pot Life: Use mortar within 90 minutes of mixing to prevent premature drying (unless approved retarders are used).
• Thickness: Internal plaster coat thickness must remain within 12 mm to 15 mm.

B. Gypsum Plaster

• Thickness Limits: Restrict Gypsum plaster thickness on walls to 8–15 mm. If wall undulations require >15 mm thickness, apply a cement-sand back coat first.
• Back Coat Requirements: Apply a 6–10 mm thick 1:4 cement-sand mortar back coat on brickwork. Wet-cure the back coat for 7 days before applying Gypsum. Clearly mark application dates on site to monitor curing.
• Ceiling Thickness: Restrict ceiling Gypsum plaster thickness to 6–10 mm.
• Level Strips: Form full-height vertical Gypsum level strips and verify right angles.
• Door Frames: Align door frames accurately with respect to Gypsum level pads (thiyyas).
• Application Timing: Apply Gypsum plaster only after the cement back coat has completely dried.

7.3 Checks After Plastering

A. Cement Sand Plaster Finishing

• Neeru / Sanla Finish: Apply neeru/sanla finish within 2 hours while the plaster coat is green. Trowel smoothly to a thickness not exceeding 1.5 mm, followed by curing.
• Shrinkage Grooves: Cut 5 mm deep grooves spaced at 5 ft horizontally and vertically on finished surfaces (including back coats) to control shrinkage cracking. Fill these grooves with Plaster of Paris (POP) after 4 weeks.
• Site Cleaning: Immediately clean window/door frames, sills, switch boxes, fan boxes, plumbing fittings, and glass surfaces after plaster application.
• Tiling Preparation: Roughen plaster surfaces receiving wall tiles to improve bond strength. Do not apply neeru, sanla, POP, or Gypsum over tiled zones.
• Skirting & Waterproofing Cuts: Cut plaster clean above floor slab level to match skirting tile heights. In toilets, cut plaster 300 mm above finished floor level (FFL) to accommodate base-coat waterproofing.
• Date Stamping & Curing: Mark the plastering date on walls to monitor curing schedules. Keep plaster continuously wet for 7–10 days. Apply water gently from the top of walls to prevent surface peeling caused by high-pressure water jets.

B. POP / Gypsum Post-Checks

• No Surface Chasing: Avoid chasing or grooving walls/ceilings after final POP or Gypsum application.
• Immediate Cleaning: Clean wooden sections and fittings on the same day to avoid stubborn white staining after polishing.

7.4 Curing Requirements

Damp Curing: Keep each coat damp for at least 5 days. Allow coats to dry before applying subsequent coats (dampen the previous coat lightly before applying a new one).

Hot / Dry / Windy Weather: Commence curing immediately upon initial setting of the plaster to prevent rapid moisture loss.

8.0 Materials Required

• Cement (OPC Grade 43 / PPC)
• Natural Sand
• Crushed Sand
• Fly Ash
• Water
• Admixtures / Plasticizers

9.0 Tools & Equipment

• Trowels & Floats
• Plumb Bob
• 3 m Spirit Levels
• Right Angles (Try Squares)
• Measuring Tapes
• Scratchers / Hacking Tools
• Approved "Good for Construction" (GFC) Drawings

10.0 Health & Safety Provisions

• Prioritize safe working practices across all plastering operations.
• Install physical barriers, warning signage, and flashlights around active work areas.
• Ensure all site personnel wear mandatory PPE (eye protection, gloves, skin protection).

11.0 Quality Control Approvals

The following quality documentation must be approved prior to starting plastering operations:

• Quality Control Procedure (QCP) for Plastering
• Inspection & Test Plan (ITP) for Plastering
• Project Field Quality Plan
• Plastering Inspection Checksheets

12.0 Supporting Documentation

This Method Statement shall be read alongside:

• Contract Specifications and GFC Drawings
• QCP & ITP for Plastering Works
• Method Statement (MS) for Plastering
• Project Quality Plan
• Project HSE Plan

13.0 Distribution List

Copies of this Method Statement are distributed to:

• Management Representative
• Project Manager
• Project Engineer
• Site Engineer
• HSE Engineer
• QA/QC Engineer