BRANZ Appraisals

Technical Assessments of products

for building and construction
BRANZ Limited
Private Bag 50 908
Porirua City 5240
New Zealand
Tel: +64 4 237 1170
Fax: +64 4 237 1171
www.branz.co.nz
BRANZ Pty Ltd
P O Box 830
Brookvale
NSW 2100
Australia
Tel: +61 2 9938 6011
Fax: +61 2 9938 6911
www.branz.com.au
Readers are advised to check the validity of this Certifcate by referring to the Valid Certifcates listing on the BRANZ website, or by contacting BRANZ.
BRANZ
APPRAISAL
CERTIFICATE
No. 06/033
ULTRAFAST BRICK
Midland Brick Co. Pty Ltd
102 Great Northern Highway
Middle Swan
Western Australia 6056
Tel: 0061 8 9273 5552
Fax: 0061 8 9273 5554
Product
1.1 Ultrafast Bricks are horizontally cored clay bricks for use in brick wall
construction. Perpends are lled in external wall leaves but do not need to be lled
internally except around windows, doors and corners. The wall system is rendered
externally with a 13 mm cover of cement render.
Scope
2.1 The product has been appraised for use in the forming of inner and outer
leaves of external cavity walls for buildings within the following scope:
single storey, residential, detached, single occupancy dwellings constructed
in accordance with the limitations of Volume 2, BCA 2006, Type 1 and 10
Buildings; and,
constructed in Western Australian metropolitan, non-cyclonic areas.
2.2 The product must be installed and used in accordance with the Technical
Literature.
Building Regulations
Building Code of Australia (BCA 2006)
3.1 In the opinion of BRANZ, Ultrafast Bricks if used, installed and maintained
in accordance with the statements and conditions of this Certicate, will meet or
contribute to meeting the following BCA 2006 Performance Requirements:
BCA 2006 Volume 2 Class 1 and Class 10 Buildings.
Part 2.1 - Structure: Performance Requirement P2.1. Ultrafast Bricks will
contribute to meeting this requirement. See Paragraphs 8.1 - 8.3.
Part 2.2 - Damp and Weatherproong: Performance Requirements P2.2.2 and
P2.2.3. Ultrafast Bricks will contribute to meeting these requirements. See
Paragraphs 10.1 - 10.7.
Part 2.3 - Fire Safety: P2.3.1 and P2.3.3. Ultrafast Bricks will contribute to
meeting these requirements. See Paragraphs 11.1 and 12.1.
2
BCA 2006 Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions
3.2 Ultrafast Bricks can be used in the construction of
walls to comply with the structural performance requirements
of AS 3700. AS 3700 is called up in BCA 2006 Volume 2
as an Acceptable Construction Manual in Clauses 3.3.1.0
Unreinforced Masonry, 3.3.3.0 Masonry Accessories and
3.11.6 (g) Structural Design Manuals.
3.3 AS 3700 is also an Acceptable Construction Manual
that complies with BCA 2006 Volume 2 Performance
Requirement P2.2.2 Weatherproong.
3.4 The performance requirements of BCA 2006
are met by a combination of compliance with AS 3700
which is called up in the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions and
equivalence to these provisions as per Section 1.05 of BCA
2006 Volume 2.
Technical Specication
Ultrafast Bricks
4.1 Ultrafast Bricks are extruded, horizontally cored,
kiln-red clay masonry units having dimensions of 305 mm
long x 90 mm wide x 162 mm high.
4.2 Ultrafast Bricks are General Purpose (GP) grade as
dened in AS/NZS 4456.10.
Accessories
4.3 Accessories provided by the building contractor
and/or bricklayer include, but are not limited to:
Brick ties - in accordance with the requirements of AS
3700 and AS/NZS 2699.1.
Steel lintels and shelf angles - in accordance with the
requirements of AS 3700 and AS 2699.3.
DPC and ashings - in accordance with AS 3700 and
AS/NZS 2904.
Cement render - in accordance with HB161 having a
thickness of at least 13 mm.
Packing, Handling and Storage
5.1 Ultrafast Bricks are delivered from the factory in a
pack conguration, incorporating tyne entry recesses, and
held together with plastic strapping. They must be handled
carefully to avoid damage, and stored to remain dry to
comply with the requirements of AS 3700 at the time of
laying.
Technical Literature
6.1 Refer to the Appraisals listing on the BRANZ website
for details of the current Technical Literature for Ultrafast
Bricks. The Technical Literature must be read in conjunction
with this Certicate. All aspects of design, use, installation
and maintenance contained in the Technical Literature and
within the scope of this Certicate must be followed.
Design Information
General
7.1 Ultrafast Bricks can be used in both the internal
and external leaves of cavity walls.
7.2 Leaves of Ultrafast Bricks that form an external wall
must have all perpends mortared. In addition the external
face of the wall must be nished with at least a 13 mm thick
skin of cement render.
7.3 Leaves of Ultrafast Brick that form internal walls
do not have to have their perpends mortared except around
windows and doors and at corners where the horizontal cores
are exposed. Finishes are not necessarily required internally
if the appearance is aesthetically acceptable to the building
occupants, however it is normally rendered or lined as well.
Structure
8.1 Walls constructed from Ultrafast Bricks are
designed as standard clay brick walls to the requirements of
AS 3700.
8.2 The characteristic unconned compressive strength
of Ultrafast Bricks is 3.5 MPa.
8.3 Further information is provided in the Technical
Literature for the basic design properties of Ultrafast Bricks.
Durability
9.1 Walls constructed from Ultrafast Bricks are expected
to have a service life comparable with conventional red clay
brick and cement mortar walls.
9.2 Ultrafast Bricks are General Purpose (GP)
classication as dened by AS/NZS 4456.10.
9.3 The mortar must have the durability classication
dened in Table 5.1 of AS 3700. Suitable mortar mixes
to comply with this requirement are given in Table 12.1 of
AS 3700.
9.4 Built-in components such as brick ties, connectors,
shelf angles and lintel bars are to have a minimum durability
classication as dened in Table 5.1 of AS 3700.
Damp and Weatherproong
Weatherproong
10.1 Ultrafast Brick walls must be nished on the
exterior face with a suitable external nishing system such
as 13 mm cement render. The perpends and open cores
on external corners on external walls must also be lled to
ensure the restriction of moisture penetration in accordance
with Clause P2.2.2 of BCA 2006, Volume 2.
10.2 Openings around windows, doors and other
penetrations and at junctions with adjoining construction,
must be designed and detailed to prevent the penetration
of moisture such that BCA 2006 Volume 2 Performance
Requirement P2.2.2 is met. BCA 2006 Volume 2 Part
3.3.4 Weatherproong of Masonry provides detailing
that meets BCA 2006 Performance Requirement P2.2.2
Weatherproong. Alternative details may be acceptable and
are the responsibility of the designer.
Damp-proong and Flashing
10.3 BCA 2006 Volume 2 provides details for damp-
proong in Acceptable construction practice Clauses 3.3.4.4,
3.3.4.5 and 3.3.4.6 for Class 1 and Class 10 buildings.
Weepholes
10.4 Where ashings or DPCs are incorporated, the brick
course immediately above must have weepholes provided
at maximum 1200 mm centres to drain moisture from the
cavity.
10.5 Weepholes are usually empty perpends (10 mm
wide) and proprietary products are available to prevent the
entry of insects.
10.6 In high wind areas it is possible for water to be
blown up the cavity onto the inner wall. This is undesirable,
and it is recommended that a greater number of narrower
3
weepholes be built into the wall where this is likely to
occur.
10.7 It is essential that weepholes remain open and that
render and other applied coatings are raked out of the joint.
Fire
11.1 While there are no general re requirements for
single detached residential buildings, the requirements of
proximity to the boundaries and requirements for bush re
zone categories must be observed.
Heating Appliances, Fireplaces, Chimneys and
Flues
12.1 Ultrafast Bricks have not been assessed for
construction associated with heating appliances and must
not be used as such.
Maintenance
13.1 Exterior nishes must be maintained to prevent
moisture penetration. An inspection of the structure should
be made at least annually, and any cracks, chips or spalling
of the cement render should be repaired immediately. Any
paint coating should be maintained according to the relevant
manufacturers instructions.
Installation Information
General
14.1 Installation must be in accordance with the
Technical Literature and the requirements of AS 3700.
14.2 The rst course of Ultrafast Bricks is laid on a
standard cement mortar bed to provide a level, true and
plumb surface for the laying of subsequent Ultrafast Brick
courses.
14.3 No mortar is required to be applied to the perpends
of any Ultrafast Brick course in an internal wall. Mortar must
be applied to the perpends between Ultrafast Bricks in an
external wall.
14.4 The mortar used must be as specied in AS 3700.
14.5 Where DPCs or ashings are required they are to be
laid in the mortar beds, depending on the moisture draining
detail.
14.6 Ties must be installed and spaced as specied in
AS 3700.
14.7 Ultrafast Bricks may be hand cut using a purpose
designed brick cutting jig designed by Midland Brick or
alternatively a bolster and club hammer, or a brick power
saw can be used. Suitable dust control and safety equipment
must be used.
14.10 Brick walls require, in certain situations, the
inclusion of control joints to accommodate movement. The
Technical Literature provides further details.
14.11 Renders or sheet linings can be used to internally
nish Ultrafast Brick walls. Paints may be applied directly
to internal Ultrafast Brick walls, but this will not seal the
perpends.
14.12 Exterior surfaces must be nished with a minimum
13 mm thick cement render.
Basis of Appraisal
Investigations
15.1 The Technical Literature for Ultrafast Brick has been
examined by BRANZ and found to be satisfactory. 15.2
Site visits were carried out to assess the practicability of
installation.
15.3 Test data from the manufacturers NATA Registered
laboratory was examined in relation to basic brick
properties.
15.4 Assessments of durability and structural aspects
were made by BRANZ technical experts.
Quality
16.1 The manufacture of Ultrafast Bricks has been
examined by BRANZ and details of the quality and
composition of the materials used were obtained and found
to be satisfactory.
16.2 The Midland Brick Co. Pty Ltd is responsible for
the quality of product supplied. The quality control system
of The Midland Brick Co. Pty. Ltd has been assessed and
registered as meeting the requirements of AS/NZS ISO 9001:
2000 by SAI Global, Certicate No. QEC 1338.
16.3 Quality on site is the responsibility of the
contractor.
Sources of Information
AS 3700-2001 Masonry Structures.
AS/NZS 2699.1 2000 Built-in components for masonry
construction Wall ties.
AS/NZS 2699.3 2002 Built-in components for masonry
construction Lintels and shelf angles (durability
requirements).
AS/NZS 2904: 1995 Damp-proof courses and
ashings.
AS/NZS 4455: 1997 Masonry units and segmental
pavers.
AS/NZS 4456: 1997 Masonry units and segmental
pavers Methods of test.
HB 161-2005 Guide to Plastering.
Building Code of Australia, Australian Building Codes
Board, 2006.
In the opinion of BRANZ, Ultrafast
Bricks are ft for purpose and will
comply with the Building Code
to the extent specifed in this
Certifcate provided they are used,
designed, installed and maintained
as set out in this Certifcate.
The Appraisal Certifcate is issued
only to the Certifcate Holder,
Midland Brick Co. Pty Ltd, and is
valid until further notice, subject to
the Conditions of Certifcation.
Conditions of Certifcation
1. This Certifcate:
a) relates only to the product as described
herein;
b) must be read, considered and used in full
together with the technical literature;
c) does not address any Legislation, Regulations,
Codes or Standards, not specifcally named
herein;
d) is copyright of BRANZ.
2. The Certifcate Holder:
a) continues to have the product reviewed by
BRANZ;
b) shall notify BRANZ of any changes in product
specifcation or quality assurance measures
prior to the product being marketed;
c) abides by the BRANZ Appraisals Services
Terms and Conditions.
3. The product and the manufacture are
maintained at or above the standards, levels
and quality assessed and found satisfactory
by BRANZ.
4. BRANZ makes no representation as to:
a) the nature of individual examples of, batches
of, or individual installations of the product,
including methods and workmanship;
b) the presence or absence of any patent or
similar rights subsisting in the product or any
other product;
c) any guarantee or warranty offered by the
Certifcate Holder.
5. Any reference in this Certifcate to any other
publication shall be read as a reference to the
version of the publication specifed in this
Certifcate.
For BRANZ
P Robertson
Chief Executive
Date of issue: 27 October 2006