HOW TO STORE CEMENT ON SITE?

Storing of Cement on Site – Guidelines

• Store cement in a building which is dry, leak proof and as moisture proof as possible.
• There should be minimum number of windows in the storage building.
• Stack the cement bags off the floor on wooden planks in such a way, so that it is about 150 mm to 200 mm above the floor.
• The floor may comprise of lean cement concrete or two layers of dry bricks laid on well consolidated earth.
• Maintain a space of 600 mm all-round between the exterior walls and the stacks.(see figure below)

• Stack the cement bags close to each other to reduce circulation of air.
• The height of stack should not be more than 10 bags to prevent the possibility of lumping under pressure.
• The width of the stack should not be more than four bags length or 3 meters.
• In stacks more than 8 bags high, the cement bags should be arranged alternately length-wise and cross-wise, so as to tie the stacks together and minimize the danger of toppling over.
• Stack the cement bags in such a manner so as to facilitate their removal and use in the order in which they are received.
• Put label showing date of receipt of cement on each stack of cement bags to know the age of cement.
• When it is required to store cement for a long period of time or during the monsoon; completely enclose the stack by a water proofing membrane such as polyethylene.
• Different types of cement must be stacked and stored separately.