Section 9 Brickwork and Blockwork

SECTION 9

BRICKWORK AND BLOCKWORK

GENERALLY

Generally 9.01 Brickwork and blockwork to be in accordance with PD 6697, BS EN

1996-1-2, BS EN 1996-2 and BS EN 1996-3.

MATERIALS

Bricks 9.02 Clay bricks shall be well burnt, hard, sound, square, clean and approved.
Bricks with high sulphate content should be rejected. Bricks for fair faced
works to be "selected", being picked for evenness, texture, sharpness of arrises
and uniformity of colour. Any ‘cracked’ bricks should be rejected.

Brick size to comply with National Annex of BS EN 771-1, Table NA.1 with
Work size to be 215 x 102.5 x 65 mm and Coordinating size to be 225 x 112.5
x 75 mm, or other dimensions subject to approval by the SO.

Facing bricks 9.03 Facing bricks to have the following properties in accordance with ASTM
C216:

1. Compressive strength, the average compressive strength of 5 bricks

must exceed 20.7 MPa; while the individual should not be less than
17.2 MPa;

2. Saturation coefficient cannot exceed 0.78;

3. Chippage, 85% to 100% of the brick can have chips that are
measured from an edge that range between 0 to 7.9 mm and
measured from a corner that range between 0 to 12.7 mm. No more
than 15% of the brick can have chips that are measured from an edge
that range between 7.9 to 11.1 mm and measured from a corner that
range between 12.7 to 19.1 mm. The cumulative length of the chips
around the perimeter edges of face cannot exceed 10% of the
perimeter length;

4. The faces shall be free of cracks or imperfections when viewed from

a distance of 6 meters.

Engineering 9.04 Engineering bricks and loadbearing bricks to be HD Type bricks to BS EN

bricks & 771-1 and comply with National Annex to BS EN 771-1, Table NA.6 (Class
loadbearing bricks A: 125 N/mm2 and Class B 75 N/mm2, having absorption limits 4.5% and 7%
respectively).

Fire bricks 9.05 Fire bricks to be fire clay refractionary bricks of specified class of the best
quality, light in colour, uniform in texture and of standard sizes to BS 3056-1.
Testing, if specified, shall be to BS 1902-3.13 or ISO 12678-2.

Concrete bricks 9.06 Concrete bricks and blocks to be to BS EN 771-3 & BS EN 772-2. The mean
and blocks compressive strength to be not less than 7.0 MPa. Concrete bricks to be of the
same size as clay bricks.

Concrete blocks to be of the thickness specified and other dimensions as

approved.

Concrete bricks or blocks for fair face work to be "selected", being picked for
evenness, texture and sharpness of arrises.

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Concrete hollow 9.07 Same as in Clause 9.06, except that the mean compressive strength to be not
block less than 5.0 MPa of the gross area.

Glass blocks 9.08 Hollow glass blocks to be hermetically sealed hollow units made of clear,
colourless glass with a polyvinyl butyral edge coating, manufactured strictly
in accordance with BS EN 1051-1, to a single compressive strength value of
not less than 6 N/mm² and an average value of not less than 7 N/mm².

Samples 9.09 Submit samples of each type of brick or block, and obtain approval before
placing orders with suppliers.

Damp proof 9.10 Damp proof courses to be 2 layers of 2-ply bituminous paper, or of other
courses types, to BS 6398, BS 6515 and BS 8215. Do not use hessian based types of
bitumen damp proof courses.

Wall ties 9.11 Ties for cavity walls to be formed 20x3.2 mm galvanized steel flats and to be
vertical twist type to BS EN 845-1+A1, except that the overall length of the
ties shall be minimum 100 mm longer than the width of the specified cavity.

Ties between ends of walls and concrete to be one of the following:

(a) 6 mm diameter steel rods 350 mm long, painted with 2 coats of

bituminous paint.

(b) 20 x 3 mm galvanized steel flats 350 mm long, fanged at both ends.

Strips of approved brickwork reinforcement 350 mm long of the

following widths:

(i) For 100-105 mm walls, 60 mm

(ii) For 200-225 mm walls, 110 mm

Where strips are to be fixed by shot firing, the length may be reduced subject
to approval.

Ties for walls built against face of concrete to be formed from 20 x 3 mm

galvanized steel flats 150 mm long, fanged at both ends.

Cement 9.12 Cement to be as Clause 6.27.

Water 9.13 Water to be as Clause 6.35.

Sand 9.14 Sand to be clean, hard, durable crushed rock or clean sand to conform to the
grading limits set out in Table 9.1

TABLE 9.1

Grading

BS Sieve % by weight passing BS sieves

5.00 mm 100
2.36 mm 90-100
1.18 mm 70-100
600 m 40-100
300 m 5-70
150 m 0-15

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Sand, other than the 5.00 mm size, whose grading falls outside the limits set
out in Table 9.1 by a total amount not exceeding 5% may be accepted. The
quality of clay, fine silt and fine dust present when determined by the methods
given in BS EN 932-1, BS EN 932-6 and BS EN 933-7 shall not exceed 10%
by weight. Sand for fair faced works to be free from salt causing
efflorescence.

Lime 9.15 Lime to be hydrated lime to BS EN 459-1, delivered in sealed bags bearing the
manufacturer’s name or brand.

Lime putty 9.16 Prepare lime putty as PD CEN/TR 15123, BS EN 13914-2 and BS 8481 by
adding hydrated lime to water, and mix to a thick, creamy consistency. Leave
undisturbed for 16 hours (minimum) before use.

Plasticiser 9.17 Plasticiser to be an approved proprietary brand to BS EN 934-3.

WORKMANSHIP

Handling 9.18 Unload and handle bricks and blocks without soiling, chipping or subjecting
to other damage.

Storing 9.19 Stack bricks and blocks on level hard-standings, protect from damage and
contamination.

Where blockwork to be used for acoustic wall, the concrete block to be cured
for 28 days minimum after manufacturing before use.

Brickwork & 9.20 Where specified, provide expanded metal lathing or mild steel rods of specific
blockwork size, galvanized or painted with 2 coats of bituminous paint as brickwork
reinforcement reinforcement.

Provide galvanized expanded metal strip or other materials to the SO’s

approval, to blockwork at every 4 courses of the following widths:

i. For 100 – 105 mm walls, 60 mm

ii. For 299 – 225 mm walls, 110 mm

Gauge boxes 9.21 Measure mortar constituents by volume, using clean gauge boxes made to
sizes to suit volumes required.

Proportion 9.22 Mix constituents to the following proportions:

(a) Cement mortar cement and sand 1:3.

(b) Cement/lime mortar cement, lime putty and sand 1:1:6 for external
walls and 1:2:9 for internal walls.

(c) Firebrick mortar to be:

(i) An approved proprietary brand of fire cement, used neat, or

(ii) High alumina cement to BS EN 14647 and fine crushed

firebrick 1:2, tested to BS 4551+A2 if required by the SO.

Proportions given are for dry sand. Allow for bulking.

Where plasticisers are used, they shall be used strictly in accordance with the
manufacturer’s recommendations and the proportions of the mortar mix
adjusted accordingly.

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Mixing 9.23 Mix mortar by mechanical mixer, or, where approved, by hand on a clean,
closeboarded platform. Mix thoroughly, but do not overmix mortar containing
plasticizers.

Testing 9.24 The proportions of the materials used in clause 9.22 with proper mixing shall
have a mean compressive strength as Table 9.2

TABLE 9.2

Strength of mortar

Type of mortar Mean compressive strength at 28 days

(cement: lime: sand) (site tests)

1: 0 to 0.25: 3 11 MPa
1: 1: 5 to 6 2.5 MPa
1: 2: 8 to 9 1.0 MPa

Testing on strength of mortar is normally not required. However, when

specified, the testing to be in accordance with PD 6697, BS EN 1996-1-2, BS
EN 1996-2 and BS EN 1996-3.

Use of mortars 9.25 Mortars to be used as follows:

(a) Cement mortar for the following:

(i) Work below damp proof course, including basement walls.

(ii) Chimney stacks above roof level.

(ii) 70 and 105 mm brickwork.

(iv) Concrete blockwork not exceeding 150 mm.

(v) Load-bearing brick or block walls.

(vi) Brickwork in engineering brick.

(vii) Pointing where directed and where bedding is of cement mortar.

(b) Firebrick mortar for firebrick work.

(c) Cement/lime mortar as Clause 9.22 (b) for brickwork and blockwork
generally, except as specified.

Samples of face 9.26 Prepare sample panels of approximately 1 m2 of faced brickwork and fair
brickwork and faced brickwork or blockwork, including pointing, and obtain approval before
blockwork proceeding.

Dry weather 9.27 During dry weather, wet bricks and blocks as necessary to prevent premature
drying out of the mortar.

Wet weather 9.28 During wet weather, protect freshly laid brickwork and blockwork at the
completion of each day’s work or in heavy rain.

Faced work 9.29 Protect faced and fair faced work until practical completion.

Colour mixing of 9.30 Distribute facing bricks, selected bricks and selected bricks for fair faced work
facing bricks of varying colour, evenly throughout the work, so that no patches appear.

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Uniformity 9.31 Carry out work with no portion more than 900 mm above another at any time,
racking back between levels.

Dimension 9.32 Gauge brick courses with four courses to 320 mm including joints.

Joints 9.33 Lay bricks or blocks on a full bed of mortar with the joints filled solid to a
consistent thickness of 10 mm.

In loadbearing walls, lay single frog bricks with the frog uppermost, and fill
with mortar.

Accuracy 9.34 Keep courses level, and perpends vertically in line. Plumb quoins and other
angles as the work proceeds.

Tolerances 9.35 Build brickwork and blockwork to the tolerances in Table 9.3

TABLE 9.3

Tolerance (mm)

Position on plan 15
Length 15
Height 10
Level of bed joints (in any 5 m) 10
Straightness (in any 5 m) 15
Verticality (in any 3 m) 15

Cavity walling 9.36 Build cavity walls with cavities of the widths, and walling of the thicknesses
required. Bond the two thickness of walling together with ties spaced 900 mm
apart horizontally and 320 mm vertically, staggered, and with additional ties at
reveals and openings. Carefully position ties so that they fall toward the outer
thickness of the wall. Keep cavity clean by means of lifting battens. Leave
openings at the base of the cavity to facilitate clearing out on completion and
subsequently close up to match the surrounding work.

Bonding 9.37 Lay 70 mm and 105 mm brick walls in stretcher bond. Lay brick walls 225
mm and over in English bond, unless otherwise specified. Lay blockwork in
stretcher bond. Lay bricks throughout the work with the perpends in any
course not less than a quarter of a brick from those in the course below.
Notwithstanding the above, lay faced brick walls and fair faced brickwork or
blockwork with joints to an even and regular pattern.

Ties to concrete 9.38 At junctions of walls with concrete structure cast in, cut and pin or shot fire
ties to concrete at 320 mm centres vertically to project 250 mm into brick or
block walls.

For brickwork or blockwork built against the face of concrete structure, cast in
or out and pin ties to concrete at 900 mm centres horizontally, 320 mm centres
vertically and staggered, to project 75 mm into brick or block walls.

Finishing of joints 9.39 Strike off joints not visible in the finished work as the work proceeds. Fill
joints in fair faced work as the work proceeds to provide a smooth surface
flush with the brick or block face or with details as approved.

Finish joints in faced brickwork with either a trowelled weathered joint as the
work proceeds, or rake out to a depth of 10 mm as the work proceeds and point
with a weathered joint on completion. Rake out joints to a depth of 10 mm in
brickwork to provide key for plaster or other wet applied finishes.

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Damp proof 9.40 Flush up brickwork to form a level and even bed with mortar used in the
course general brickwork to receive the horizontal damp proof course.

Lay damp proof course in continuous strip with 150 mm laps at end of length
and at returns, and complete mortar joint to normal thickness.

Wedging and 9.41 Pin up and wedge brickwork and blockwork to structural soffits, and fill solid
pinning with mortar.

Building in 9.42 Build in lintels and bed solid door and window frames and the like with mortar
similar to that of adjacent walls.

Holes and chases 9.43 Leave, form or cut chases, holes, recesses and reveals in walls to receive
frames, rainwater or other pipes, conduits, electric cables, sleeve and the like
as required and subsequently make good with mortar similar to that of
adjacent walls.

Raking out and 9.44 Rake out joints to a depth of minimum 25 mm for turn-in of flashings or
pointing flashings skirtings. Point flashings and skirtings in mortar similar to that in adjacent
walls.

Glass block panels 9.45 Paint all sides of structural opening to receive glass block panels with two
coats of bituminous paint.

Lay blocks in cement/lime mortar and point both sides. Provide 12 mm

clearance at jambs and head of panels. Fill gap with movement joint filler and
seal both sides, as Section 6.

Build in strips of blockwork reinforcement 64 mm wide at every fourth

course. Carry ends of strips across the clearance gap and build into or secure
to jambs of opening in an approved manner. Use proprietary fixing
components supplied by glass block manufacturer, and follow all fixing
details recommended by the manufacturer unless required to do otherwise by
the SO.

Lintels 9.46 Construct concrete lintel for openings at brickwork and blockwork as per
Clause 6.68. Alternative proprietary product may be accepted subject to
approval by the SO.

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