Storage of Cement

Cement can be safely stored in sacks for a few months if kept in dry and air-right room. If prolonged storage of cement is
unvoidable, it is better to empty the bags and stock the cement in as deep a heap as possible in a damp-proof enclosed space.
Paper sacks are better than jute sacks as regards deterioration by moisture. Cement stored for more than six months should be
tested for soundness before use on all important works and which period may be three months when stored in jute bags.
Concrete made with storage-deteriorated cement takes longer to harden.
Cement in bags should be stored in a dry room on a raised wooden platform 15 to 23 cm above the floor level and 30 cm away
from walls. Bags to be stacked in not more than 10 layers high (max: 4.5 m) to prevent bursting of the bags in bottom layers. The
bags should be placed close together to reduce circulation of air and all openings in the room should also be well closed. If the
piles are to be more than seven or eight bags high, the bags should be placed in headers and stretchers, i.e., alternatively
lengthwise and crosswise.

10 Precautions while Storing Cement Bags in Godown

Modern Portland cement is a very finely ground material and as such it is highly hygroscopic, that is to say
, it readily absorbs moisture not only in the form of free water but also moisture from the air. It is
necessary, therefore, to protect it from dampness before it is used if it is to fulfill its function.
Storage of cement is very important. Hence proper arrangements for storing the cement for constructions
projects are required. It preserves its quality and fitness for use.

Bad example of storing of cement

Proper way of cement storage

Following are some basic points which one should be considering while storing cement bags either in
warehouse or godown.
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01. Moisture
It is found that cement will maintain its quality if moisture is kept away from cement. Absorption of
1 to 2% of moisture has no significant effect on quality of cement. But if moisture absorption
exceeds 5%, the cement becomes totally useless. Hence cement should be stored in such a
manner that no moisture or dampness is allowed to reach cement either from the ground, walls or
from the environment etc. This becomes particularly important during the humid season and in
coastal regions when atmospheric air contains higher amount of moisture in it.
02. Raised floor
Cement bags shall be stacked off the floor on wooden planks in such a way as to keep about 150
mm to 200 mm clear above the floor with an impermeable plastic sheet underneath.
03. Strictly use no hook
Do not allow hooks to facilitate in storage of cement. Using hooks has been marked as a
detrimental practice for handling of bags as it exposes the cement to the open atmosphere which
may be damp and misty. Hence to avoid any negative effects of atmosphere to affect the quality
of cement, it is best to provide the workers with proper cement handling tools.

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04. Keep distance from side wall

One important factor to consider while storage is keeping a safe distance from the side walls ,
ensuring isolation of cement bags from the leaky and damp walls especially if the walls are
exposed to the external atmosphere.
A space of 600 mm minimum shall be left all-round between the exterior walls and the stacks.
05. Proper method of stacking
The arrangement should be such that it is convenient both for stacking and removal of cement
bags and it also leaves adequate space for movement and inspection of bags for counting
purposes etc.
In between individual pile a passage of 600 mm should be provided for easy access.
Cement bags should be stacked in step wise manner on wooden plank so that plank is stable and
will not topple/overloaded at on one side.
In the stacks the cement bags shall be kept close together to reduce circulation of air as much as
possible.
The height of stack shall not be more than 10 bags to prevent the possibility of lumping up under
pressure.
In stacks more than 8 bags high, the cement bags shall be arranged alternately lengthwise and
crosswise so as to tie the stacks together to give the stack better stability and minimize the
danger of toppling over.
The width of the stack shall be not more than four bags length or 3 meters.
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06. Store cement bag separately

Never store the cement bags with fertilizers or other products, as any contamination can affect
the quality and performance of the screed. Different types of cements shall be stacked and stored
separately.

07.Removal of cement
Cement should be removed in order of its storage period, i.e. the rule of first in, first out should be
followed.
Cement bags should be stacked in a manner to facilitate their removal and use in the order in
which they are received.
A label showing date of receipt of cement should be put on each stack to know the age of
cement. Check the manufacturers date and use the oldest stock first accordingly.
Never remove all bags from the top layer. It is recommended that bags should be removed from
two or three layers in a stepwise manner so that the pile is stable and will not topple.
Sometimes warehouse pack or lump is developed due to pressure on the bottom layer of bags.
This can be removed easily by rolling the bags when the cement is taken out for use. Roll the
bags once or twice to break the lumps if any.
08.Store leftover cement carefully
Always first use left in torn or opened bags. But ideally they should be re-bagged in plastic bags
or heavy duty garbage bags and the mouths sealed securely with string or tape.
09. Monsoon advisory
In monsoon or in situations when it is necessary to store cement for unusually long periods.
Therefore the cement stacks should be completely enclosed by 700 gauge (175 micron or 0.175
mm) polyethene sheet or some other water-proofing membrane materials.
Plinth level of the godown/warehouse should be higher as compared to the adjacent locations, so
that water accumulating in the surroundings does not enter inside.
10. Warehouse/Godown
Avoid storage of cement in basement; preferably the storage should be done in the first or higher
floors.
The entry to the warehouse should be having a slope towards the outside and under no
circumstance the level should be lower or of same level as the adjacent road.

The slab of the shed/godown can be either of leak proof reinforced concrete slab or of adequately
sloped water tight galvanized/asbestos sheets.
The small windows are provided at sill level and normally kept tightly shut. Due to this the
moisture or rain water is prevented from entering into shed.
The height of the plinth of the cement godown should be built in such a way that the bottom level
of the truck is of the same height as that of the godown so that, the loading/unloading operations
of the bags are done conveniently.

The bottom level of the truck and the plinth of the cement are of the same height.
The floor of the shed should be of at least 150 mm thick densely compacted concrete slab on
rubble soling. It should be in proper line, level and slope.
The drainage system should be checked and maintained on regular basis.
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