CI/SfB Ff November 1997 Product Selector & Range Guide Concrete block masonry 1
P r o d u c t S e l e c t o r The product selector This brochure describes the range of concrete blocks manufactured in the UK by Tarmac Topblock. The Topblock range includes the following products: Hemelite; lightweight concrete blocks, Topcrete; dense concrete blocks, Toplite; aircrete blocks, Fair Face; blocks for facing work, Echomaster; sound absorbing blocks, Toptherm Super; thermal insulating blocks. Topblock concrete blocks are suitable for a wide range of applications in loadbearing and non-loadbearing constructions. Most products are available in several grades: Standard grade units are suitable for render or plaster finishes, whilst the fine surface texture of Paint Quality units is ideal for walls intended to receive a direct paint finish. Fair Face units give an attractive surface appearance without the need for applied finishes. Topblock products are manufactured under a Quality Assurance Scheme complying with BS EN ISO 9002 and conform to the Special Category of Manufacturing Control requirements specified in BS 5628: Part 1. The extensive range enables Topblock to supply products which will meet the performance and visual requirements of your project. Whilst many products may be used in a wide variety of applications, their differing characteristics make some blocks more suitable for particular applications. The product selector table, based upon Topblock s research and experience of blockwork, contains the core recommendations for the use of blocks. 2
& R a n g e G u i d e Selecting blocks Use the product selector to identify those blocks most likely to meet your requirements, then consult the product pages in this brochure for key properties and performance data. Product Selector Should you require further information on a product, consult the individual product brochures which contain detailed performance data as well as design and sitework guidance. Where designs include fair faced work, Topblock can provide samples to enable the visual aspects of product performance to be considered. The recommendations in the product selector are not exhaustive. Should you wish to know whether a product can be used in applications not featured here please contact Topblock Technical Services who will be pleased to advise you. Hemelite Topcrete Toplite Fair Face Other Standard Paint Quality Outer leaf applied finish or cladding 1 Foundation Standard Paint Quality SPW Standard GTI 7 Foundation Floor Block Topcrete Fair Face Lignacite Fair Face Weathered Masonry Echomaster Toptherm Super Outer leaf direct paint External cavity walls Outer leaf fair face Inner leaf applied finish Inner leaf direct paint 2 2 External solid walls Inner leaf fair face Applied finish or cladding At least one face directly painted At least one face built fair 2 Below DPC Solid or cavity wall 3 Applied finish Internal walls Direct paint Fair face Party walls Cavity wall Solid wall Walls for sound absorption Internal External 4 Floors Infill for beam & block Notes 1 For the application of render finishes Toplite Standard or 7 blocks will normally be recommended. 2 Performance depends upon the block type specified. 3 Recommended for inner leaves of cavity walls only. 4 The use of cellular or hollow blocks laid flat is recommended. 3
T o p b l o c k H e m e l i t e Hemelite lightweight concrete blocks The physical characteristics of Hemelite blocks make them particularly suitable for a wide range of applications in both loadbearing and non-loadbearing constructions where good sound insulation and a strong background for wet finishes and fixings are required. BS 6073 Pts. 1 & 2 Hemelite blocks are made in all three types defined in BS 6073: Precast concrete masonry units as: solid cellular (voids closed at one end) hollow (voids open both ends) All three types are available in Standard grade and Paint Quality. Standard grade units are suitable for render or plaster finishes whilst the finer surface texture of Paint Quality units is ideal for walls intended to receive a direct paint finish. Hemelite blocks are available in compressive strengths of 3.5, 7.0 and 10.0N/mm 2. Regular blocks are all available in face sizes of 440mm long 215mm high and in thicknesses from 75 to 215mm. A range of blocks with face sizes of 390 190mm can be manufactured to order. Special Hemelite blocks are made for foundations, for coursing and for forming reveals; Foundation blocks are solid, Standard grade with a strength of 7.0N/mm 2 ; they are designed for the construction of solid walls below ground and are formed with recessed grooves in each short edge to facilitate lifting. They measure 255 290 140mm. Coursing bricks are available solid, Standard grade or Paint Quality in strengths of 7.0N/mm 2, and measure 215 65 100mm. Reveal blocks are available solid, Standard grade or Paint Quality in strengths of 3.5 and 7.0N/mm 2. Intended to allow reveals to be constructed without cutting, they are L shaped and available in thicknesses of 100mm or 140mm with cavity returns of 40 or 65mm. 4
T o p b l o c k H e m e l i t e Material properties Average compressive strength (N/mm 2 ) Solid block Standard Grade 3.5, 7.0, 10.0* Paint Quality 3.5, 7.0, 10.0* Cellular & hollow Nominal dry density, (kg/m 3 ) 3.5N/mm 2 7.0N/mm 2 Thermal conductivity at 3% 3.5N/mm 2 moisture content (W/mK) 7.0N/mm 2 3.5 1360 1450 0.47 0.55 3.5* 1400 1400 0.51 0.51 Notes *manufactured to order Hemelite Foundation blocks 7.0N/mm 2 have material properties similar to 7.0N/mm 2 Standard Grade Unit sizes & weights (face size 440 215mm*) Unit weights (kg) Block thickness (mm) 75 90 100 140 150 190 200 215 255/290* Standard Grade Solid 3.5N/mm 2 9.9 11.8 13.1 18.4 19.7 25.0 26.3 28.3 7.0N/mm 2 12.6 14.0 19.6 21.0 26.6 28.0 30.1 Cellular 3.5N/mm 2 11.0 15.0 19.0 Hollow 3.5N/mm 2 15.0 19.0 Paint Quality Solid 3.5N/mm 2 & 7.0N/mm 2 12.2 13.5 18.9 20.3 25.7 27.0 29.1 Foundation Solid 7.0N/mm 2 15.0 Notes *Foundation blocks have face dimensions of 290/255 140mm depending on direction of laying. Unit weights, which are given for design purposes, are approximate only and based on 3% moisture content. Tolerance to BS 6073: Length +3/-5mm, Height +3/-5mm, Thickness +2/-2mm. The availability of Cellular and Hollow Paint Quality blocks should be checked with a Regional Sales Office. Office World Distribution Centre, Milton Keynes utilising Hemelite 5
T o p b l o c k T o p c r e t e Topcrete dense aggregate concrete blocks The physical characteristics of Topcrete blocks make them particularly suitable for a wide range of applications in both loadbearing and non-loadbearing constructions where good sound insulation, durability and all round strength are required. Topcrete blocks are made in all three types defined in BS 6073: Precast concrete masonry units as: solid cellular (voids closed at one end) hollow (voids open both ends) BS 6073 Pts. 1 & 2 All three types are available in Standard grade and Paint Quality, whilst solid units are also available as SPW (Special Party Wall). Standard grade units are suitable for render or plaster finishes whilst the finer surface texture of Paint Quality units is ideal for walls intended to receive a direct paint finish. SPW units are intended for the construction of solid slender party walls. Topcrete blocks are available in compressive strengths of 3.5, 7.0, 10.0, 15.0, 20.0 and 24.0N/mm 2. Regular blocks are all available in face sizes of 440mm long 215mm high and in thicknesses from 75 to 215mm. A range of blocks with face sizes of 390 190mm can be manufactured to order. SPW blocks are available 440mm long 65mm high 195mm thick. Special Topcrete blocks are made for coursing and for forming reveals; Coursing bricks are available solid, Standard grade or Paint Quality in strengths of 7.0N/mm 2, and measure 215 65 100mm. Reveal blocks are available solid, Standard grade or Paint Quality, in strengths to match the appropriate regular blocks. Intended to allow reveals to be constructed without cutting, they are L shaped and available in thicknesses of 100 or 140mm with cavity returns of 40 or 65mm. Topcrete blocks are also available in a range of colours: see the Fair Face section of this brochure for details. 6
T o p b l o c k T o p c r e t e Material properties Average compressive strength (N/mm 2 ) Solid block Cellular & hollow Standard Grade 7.0, 10.0, 15.0, 20.0 3.5, 7.0 Paint Quality 7.0, 10.0 3.5, 7.0 Special Party Wall 24.0 Nominal dry density, (kg/m 3 ) 1900 2000 1800 1900 2000 2100 Thermal conductivity at 3% moisture content (W/mK) 1.06 0.93 1.20 Unit sizes & weights (face size 440 215mm*) Unit weights (kg) Block thickness (mm) 75 90 100 140 150 190 195* 215 Standard Grade Solid 14.0 17.0 18.5 26.0 28.0 35.0 40.0 Cellular 14.5 19.0 Hollow 17.0 27.0 Paint Quality Solid 17.8 24.9 26.7 33.8 38.2 SPW Solid 11.7 Notes *SPW blocks have a face dimension of 440 x 65mm Unit weights, which are given for design purposes, are approximate only and based on 3% moisture content. Tolerance to BS 6073: Length +3/-5mm, Height +3/-5mm, Thickness +2/-2mm. The availability of Cellular and Hollow Paint Quality blocks should be checked with a Regional Sales Office. St. James Park, Newcastle United Football Club utilising Topcrete 7
T o p b l o c k T o p l i t e Toplite aircrete concrete blocks The physical characteristics of Toplite blocks make them particularly suitable for a wide range of applications in both loadbearing and non-loadbearing constructions where good thermal performance is required. Toplite blocks are solid as defined in BS 6073. Toplite GTI is low density with a compressive strength of 2.8N/mm 2, and is intended primarily for inner leaves or solid external walls; it is well suited for constructions which meet current U-value requirements without the need for added insulation. Toplite Standard has a compressive strength of 3.5N/mm 2 and is suitable for a wide range of walling applications above and below ground. Toplite 7 has a compressive strength of 7.0N/mm 2 and is suitable for more demanding loadbearing conditions. Toplite GTI, Toplite Standard and Toplite 7 are available as regular blocks with face sizes of 440mm long x 215mm high and in a comprehensive range of thicknesses. Special Toplite blocks are made for foundations, flooring and for coursing. Toplite Foundation blocks are for construction of solid walling below ground and are frost and moisture resistant. They have compressive strengths of 3.5 or 7.0N/mm 2, face dimensions of 440mm long x 215mm high, and are available in thicknesses of 260, 275 or 300mm. Toplite Floor blocks are for use in beam and block flooring systems. They have a compressive strength of 3.5N/mm 2 and measure 440mm long x 360mm wide x 100mm thick. Coursing slips in 37 or 65mm bedding heights are produced for infilling beam ends. Coursing bricks with face sizes of 215mm long x 65mm high are available in a range of thicknesses. BS 6073 Pts. 1 & 2 CERTIFICATE No. 97/3323 CERTIFICATE No. 97/3324 Toplite GTI Toplite Standard Toplite 7 Toplite Foundation 8
T o p b l o c k T o p l i t e Material properties GTI Standard 7 Foundation Floor Average compressive strength (N/mm 2 ) 2.8 3.5 7.0 3.5* 3.5 Nominal dry density, (kg/m 3 ) 480 630 730 630 630 Thermal conductivity at 3% moisture content (W/mK) 0.11 0.15 0.19 0.15 0.15 Note * Foundation blocks also available in 7.0N/mm 2 compressive strength. Unit sizes & weights (face size 440 215mm) Unit weights (kg) Block thickness (mm) 75 90 100 115 125 130 140 150 190 200 215 260 275 300 GTI Standard 7 Foundation Floor block* 4.8 5.5 6.0 6.3 6.8 7.2 9.2 9.6 10.4 4.7 5.6 6.2 8.7 9.4 11.9 12.5 13.4 6.5 7.2 10.1 10.8 13.7 14.4 15.5 16.2 17.2 18.7 10.5 Notes *Floor blocks have face dimensions of 440mm 360mm. Unit weights, which are given for design purposes, are approximate only and based on 3% moisture content. Tolerance to BS 6073: Length +3/-5mm, Height +3/-5mm, Thickness +2/-2mm. The Waterfront, Merry Hill Shopping Centre, Dudley utilising Toplite 9
T o p b l o c k F a i r F a c e Fair Face blocks for facing work Topblock manufacture three products for facing work: Topcrete Fair Face, Lignacite Fair Face, Weathered Masonry. Topcrete Fair Face blocks are manufactured from natural aggregates to close dimensional tolerances. Their durability and robustness make them suitable for the construction of internal and external walls which are to be built fair. Walls built with Topcrete Fair Face blocks give a pleasing appearance without the need for surface finishes and require little maintenance. Lignacite Fair Face blocks are medium-density with a fine surface texture and a smooth finish. Their good performance characteristics, particularly fire resistance and sound insulation, make them well suited for the construction of fair faced internal walls. Lignacite blocks smooth finish can also be used as a background for direct painting when a high quality paint finish is required. Weathered Masonry blocks have a distinctive shot blasted finish and are intended for fair face work requiring a pre-weathered appearance. They may be used for the construction of external and internal walls and combine a hard wearing surface with an interesting surface texture. Fair Face blocks are manufactured to BS 6073: Precast concrete masonry units. All Fair Face blocks are available in a range of colours and sizes. Fair Face blocks are manufactured under a Quality Assurance Scheme complying with BS EN ISO 9002. They conform to the Special Category of Manufacturing Control requirements specified in BS 5628: Part 1. Topcrete Fair Face Lignacite Fair Face Weathered Masonry 10
T o p b l o c k F a i r F a c e Material properties Average compressive strength (N/mm 2 ) Nominal dry density, (kg/m 3 ) Solid block Cellular & hollow Thermal conductivity at 3% moisture content (W/mK) Topcrete Fair Face 7.0, 10.0, 15.0 Unit sizes & weights (face size 440 215mm) 7.0 1900 Lignacite Fair Face 7.0 1500 0.99 0.59 Weathered Masonry 10.0 7.0 1900 0.99 Available colours Colour Topcrete Fair Face Lignacite Fair Face Weathered Masonry Buff Availability Grey Red Unit weights (kg) Block thickness (mm) 90 100 140 150 190 215 Topcrete Fair Face Solid Cellular 16.4 18.3 25.6 27.4 34.7 39.3 14.2 18.7 Hollow 17.0 23.0 26.0 Lignacite Fair Face Solid 14.2 19.8 21.3 26.9 Weathered Masonry Solid 16.4 18.3 25.6 27.4 34.7 Cellular 18.7 Notes Unit weights are approximate and based on 3% moisture content. Fair Face blocks are usually manufactured to customer order. Forres Sandlemanor School, Fordingbridge utilising Lignacite Cranborne House, Bournemouth utilising Topcrete Fair Face Buff 11
T o p b l o c k E c h o m a s t e r Echomaster sound absorbing blocks Echomaster blocks have been designed by Tarmac Topblock primarily to absorb sound instead of reflecting it. They are suitable for applications which require effective control of reverberant sound without the use of secondary linings or finishes, such as sports halls, swimming pools, lecture theatres and plant rooms, as well as industrial and institutional buildings. Echomaster blocks are made of dense concrete in two of the types defined in BS 6073: Precast concrete masonry units : cellular (voids closed at one end) hollow (voids open both ends) Slots formed in one face of the block connect to the voids, which are then filled with mineral wool. The slots allow sound energy to pass into the voids which act as sound absorbers: the inclusion of mineral wool within the voids extends the sound absorption performance across a wide range of frequencies. The face size of the blocks is 440mm 215mm: cellular blocks are 100mm thick and hollow blocks 140mm thick. The blocks are buff to grey in colour (depending upon factory of origin) with a close textured finish. Echomaster products are manufactured to BS 6073 under a Quality Assurance Scheme complying with BS EN ISO 9002. They conform to the Special Category of Manufacturing Control requirements specified in BS 5628: Part 1. Comparison of the acoustic performance of Echomaster masonry against plain dense masonry Absorption coefficient 1 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 100mm Echomaster 140mm Echomaster Plain dense masonry or plaster on solid background 100 160 250 400 630 1000 1600 2500 4000 125 200 315 500 800 1250 2000 3150 5000 Frequency (Hz) Material properties and performance Compressive strength (N/mm 2) Unit weight (kg) Laid weight (kg/m 2) Notes 100mm Echomaster 7.0 14.5 155 140mm Echomaster 7.0 17.0 Unit and laid weights are approximate and taken at equilibrium moisture content. 181 Echomaster is a registered trademark of Tarmac Heavy Building Materials (UK) 12
T o p b l o c k T o p t h e r m S u p e r Toptherm Super thermal insulating blocks Toptherm Super blocks are solid as defined in BS 6073: Precast concrete masonry units. They consist of a layer of foil-faced CFC-free phenolic foam insulation bonded to blocks from the Hemelite, Topcrete or Lignacite Fair Face ranges: blocks based on Hemelite or Topcrete are available in both Standard grade and Paint Quality. Toptherm Super blocks are intended for the construction of the inner leaves of external cavity walls: they are suitable for all building types and, used in walls with a nominal residual clear cavity of 50mm, will achieve U-values of 0.45W/m 2 K or lower. Toptherm Super blocks are available in compressive strengths of 3.5, 7.0, 10.0 and 20.0N/mm 2. Regular blocks are available in face sizes of 440mm long x 215mm high and in overall thicknesses of 135 or 175mm (including 35mm thick insulation material). Special blocks are made for external corners, reveals and coursing: External corner blocks have insulation on two outer faces and have an overall face size of 475mm x 215mm, in thicknesses of 135 and 175mm. Reveal blocks are L shaped to allow reveals to be constructed without cutting. They are 440 or 215mm long, 135mm thick with a cavity return of 30mm. Unit & laid weights & thermal resistance Coursing blocks are 440mm long, 65mm high and 135mm thick. Block type Thickness* (mm) Unit weight (kg) Laid weight (kg/m 2 ) Thermal resistance (m 2 K/W) Hemelite Standard grade 135 175 14.0 19.6 150 210 2.14 2.21 Hemelite Paint Quality 135 175 13.5 18.9 145 203 2.11 2.18 Topcrete Standard grade 135 175 18.5 26.0 198 275 2.03 2.06 Topcrete Paint Quality 135 175 17.8 24.9 187 262 2.04 2.09 Lignacite Fair Face 135 175 14.5 20.3 155 217 2.11 2.18 %Notes *listed thicknesses include 35mm insulation thermal resistance includes block and insulation. 13
P r o d u c t S e l e c t o r Ordering, supply & delivery Customer services Tarmac Topblock is committed to customer care and places a high value on those who specify and use its products. The company offers a comprehensive range of customer services from initial design concept through to completion of project. Sales enquiries To provide customers with a better service, there are four Area Sales offices (see map), with a sales office negotiator responsible for a specific territory within each sales area. When telephoning your enquiry, please give the town or county of the site so you are connected to the appropriate negotiator without delay. Pricing Blocks are normally priced in square metres and the number supplied is based on the co-ordinating size of the masonry unit and assumes 10mm mortar joints. Block face size 440 x 215mm 10 blocks supplied per m 2 Block face size 390 x 190mm 12.5 blocks supplied per m 2 Coursing bricks and concrete commons are priced per thousand. Reveal blocks are normally purchased in pairs each pair will close 0.45 linear metres of cavity wall. Certain specialised products such as low line special party wall blocks are priced per 100. Special shaped units manufactured to customers instructions will be priced individually. Ordering Orders should be placed through the appropriate Area Sales Office. All quotations have a reference number, please use this when ordering. Please confirm telephone orders by fax or letter. Delivery Topblock products can be delivered throughout Great Britain on road vehicles, many equipped with crane off-load facilities. Enquiries for export are also welcome. For details of load sizes contact one of the Area Sales Offices. When requesting a delivery, please quote the reference number from the Acceptance of Order which gives details of the supplying depot where off-calls should be placed. A unique mixed load facility is available allowing different types and sizes of blocks to be combined for delivery to any project or to a stockists yard. This avoids small load charges which may otherwise be incurred. Packaging Having the blocks in the right packaging is an essential part of facilities management. Blocks are available in standard and fork-lift packs. Deliveries can be palletised or banded to pallets if required. Fair Face blocks are also supplied shrinkwrapped to pallets. Shrinkwrapping is a standard feature for all Toplite Aircrete products and can be provided as an optional extra for other block products. Presentations Topblock offers a series of presentations to explain the use of its products, and to describe the requirements of Building Regulations. 14
& R a n g e G u i d e Tarmac Topblock sales offices and areas For deliveries into: Northern Region North Tarmac Topblock Limited, Littleburn Industrial Estate, Langley Moor, Durham DH7 0DR. Tel: 0191 378 0406 Fax: 0191 378 2160 or from Scotland Tel: 0141 248 6700 For deliveries into: Northern Region West Tarmac Topblock Limited, Hilton Industrial Estate, Cannock Road, Featherstone, Wolverhampton WV10 7HP. Tel: 01902 305 060 Fax: 01902 305 320 For deliveries into: Northern Region East Tarmac Topblock Limited, Hawton Lane, New Balderton, Newark NG24 3BU. Tel: 01636 704 151 Fax: 01636 605 366 For deliveries into: Southern Region Tarmac Topblock Limited, Ford Airfield Industrial Estate, Ford, Arundel, BN18 0HY. Tel: 01903 723 333 Fax: 01903 730 884 For technical advice Telephone: 01903 723 333 15
Topblock Tarmac Topblock, the UK s leading block manufacturer, offers a comprehensive range which includes aircrete, dense and lightweight concrete blocks. The breadth of range coupled with long experience of the construction industry, enables Topblock to supply blocks which meet the demands made of today s building materials. Backed by the resources of Tarmac Heavy Building Materials (UK), Topblock has developed a network of modern factories and depots which give a good geographical coverage, and are supported by Topblock s national sales and technical advisory service. The Company has a policy of continuous improvement and product development. Therefore information contained in this literature is subject to alteration without notice. Tarmac Topblock Limited Wergs Hall, Wergs Hall Road, Wolverhampton, WV8 2HZ