AIA CES Credits for Insulating Concrete Forms
October 8th, 2009 | From the Field, Marketing
As part of our due diligence of educating the building community on our industry, as well as increasing awareness of our product, we offer Continuing Education Units for AIA members. If you want to learn about ICFs on your own or if you gain credits for CSI or other state education credits, we’re here for you as well! We are hosted through an online program through AEC Daily. We just renewed for 2010 and are currently in the process of updating our presentation so it will qualify for the Health, Safety, Welfare (HSW) and Sustainable Design (SD) credit. If you want to take our course it’s FREE! Go to AEC Daily to get started!
Our training doesn’t stop here
Reward Wall Systems takes pride in having the best training and customer support out of anyone in our industry. We understand a few things other people don’t. We want you to build better buildings and have positive first time experiences with ICFs. After all it would be better for your business, for our industry, and for the environment.
We are available for in-person jobsite training to make sure everything gets started well and all the tricks of the trade are handed down from the experts. We have an engineer on staff to solve any structural issue on hand, giving you the confidence in knowing we are teaching YOU correctly. We don’t let you buy our forms off the internet and forget about you after that, or let you purchase from us without proper training or consultation. It’s those standards we have that makes our network of builders the best, and why our projects go up on schedule and maintain the high quality that the owner expects.
Plus, with our thousands of distributors and builders in our network there are many opportunities for in-person “lunch and learn” training days. Here you can learn about the system, how it applies to your trade, get your hands on the product and see why it’s the future of building sustainable structures. Contact us if you are interested in having a “lunch and learn” training session, which also qualifies for AIA credits!
New Standards for Sustainability?We’re Already There.
Tall Walls Applications with ICFs
July 14th, 2009 | Lets Get Technical!
One of the most common inquiries we get is about the proper types of bracing best suited for Tall Wall ICF Construction. As we can go as high as you need, I swear. Darryl U was able to give me his insight on recommended uses and types when constructing tall walls.
Tall wall applications work well with ICF construction if scaffolding and bracing systems are incorporated together. There can be different types of scaffolding systems that will work. First you need to determine the height of wall that is to be constructed as there are two types of tall wall that will figure into your bracing mechanisms. There is the 12’ to 24’ and the 24’ and beyond.
The 12’ to 24’ can be built with the standard bracing systems that are on the market. The standard bracing systems offer extensions for their systems. The extensions would include the extended strong back that splices to the lower strong back. Also there is tall wall turnbuckle longer in length for the upper adjustment of the upper pour. The first pour of the wall will just require the standard 10’ to 12’ bracing system. The extension kit for the bracing system will be added for the second pour. The issue with this type of scheme is the transition from walking platform to second walking platform. There is that area where you can’t reach the height of wall on first walkway and it is too low for the second walkway. This area, without moving the first walkway up, can be stacked using a man lift. The man lift could also be used for the setup of the second walkway bracket and turnbuckle. The first turnbuckle will stay in place while the second section of wall is being stacked and poured. This system will work for walls in these height ranges.
The method I like best is using masonry frame type or tower type scaffolding that in most instances is readily available. This type of scaffolding can be used from the ground up to the top of wall. This method of scaffolding & bracing will accommodate walls from ground floor to at least 54’ in height… which is the tallest wall in the industry so far, courtesy of Reward Wall Systems and our Largest ICF structure to date, in the U.S.
The mason’s frame is easier to add to the wall as it is coming up. The working platform can be added to as each section as each are being constructed. This type of scaffolding is something that most construction companies are familiar with. Also large construction companies usually already own their own. Or the scaffolding can be rented local. This type of scaffolding can be adapted to also brace the wall as it is being constructed. The system is OSA compliant if constructed properly. Also, material can be stocked in place as the walls are being constructed much like CMU type construction. By using our standoff bracket and strong back the walls can be braced and adjusted off of the scaffolding. The system will work best using side bracket for the walkway.
Reward recommends using pipe & clamp that will attach to the frame for the standoff attachment. The pipe & clamp will allow the standoff bracket to be attached where it is needed instead of where the frame is located.
One of the benefits to using this type of bracing/ scaffolding is that you can have multiple people working on the walls at once. This method of tall wall ICF construction will give you the ease of access to different areas of the wall at once. For instance to inspect the forms for any missing reinforcement or special embed applications. Also if there are areas that might need bracing added while pouring or if problem might arise while pouring you can get to the area. We also like the fact that it allows you to adjust the walls with better precision. The main focus is that the walls turn out straight, plum, level and flat. Using this method you can accomplish just that.
There are, of course, other methods of bracing tall wall that might have been used. But from Darryl’s experience, this method has proven itself to work and work very well.
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Common Misconceptions of 1st Time ICF Builders
July 7th, 2009 | Common Troubleshooting
There are a lot of misconceptions that continue to float around about how “easy” ICFs are to build with. This creates the misconception that you don’t need any training or construction skill sets to build with ICFs.
Sounds simple, you just pick up these 5.5 lb giant “Legos”, stack them together, slap down some rebar, start filling them with concrete and Waa Laa…you have yourself the perfect structural wall for your building envelope, right?
WRONG!
This notion has caused more incorrect and costly mistakes during ICF installations than is necessary. Most if not all of these problems are avoidable if you have the necessary information and support from the ICF manufacturer, or are working with an ICF distributor that has a good reputation and support structure in place. Whether you are building a single family residential project or a large scale commercial building such as a theater or multistory building, when incorporating ICFs many of the same considerations need to be taken into account. Here are the main areas of consideration.
Capabilities and Skill Sets
As with any other construction trade, having the necessary skills such as carpentry skills, concrete forming skills and general overall knowledge of the construction process are critical to the success of the project. Do you need to be an expert..no. But one would need to have the understanding of the reasons for doing proper methods of things like bracing, alignment, rebar placements, windows and doors bucks, concrete slump etc.
Pre-Planning
Making sure the appropriate materials, equipment and crew size are coordinated and in place is one of the biggest factors in the successful completion of an ICF project. If you do a good job of pre-construction planning and anticipating the sequence and preparing for it, your project will go much smoother. Too often the advice of the ICF professional is ignored causing mistakes and inefficiency.
Some of the most common mistakes made in pre-planning are:
1. Not building rough opening bucks in advance
2. Not having the correct tools and equipment coordinated and available prior to the start of the project
a. Adequate Number of cordless drills
b. Glue, hooks, starter tracks
c. Rebar should be pre-ordered for proper lengths and fabricated for corners, etc OR Proper rebar cutting and bending tools should be on-site
d. Embed plates need to be determined and fabricated
e. Using the correct type of screw fasteners for bracing and temporary forming elements.
“It is best to use torx, star, or driver head screws-they don’t strip out like Phillips head. If the bracing system will attach to the slab you will need 3/16” x 1 ¾ tap con,” Darryl recommends…see below to meet Darryl
3. Not developing and implementing an efficient bracing strategy-Some of the first time installers will use lumber to brace with.
It should be noted many first time installers will use lumber to brace with. The amount of lumber and time to construct with lumber can and will take more time and material than expected and it is not recommended.
Using a Trained Installer or On-site Trainer
Darryl
While the perception is that this adds to the cost, in actuality the money spent for this support mechanism is well spent as a trainer help you to avoid costly mistakes. They will teach you a successful method for constructing high quality insulating concrete form walls helping you to avoid trial and error, which ultimately leads to a shorter learning curve. Once a qualified contractor has been trained they are usually very well positioned for future projects and will be much more efficient as they go forward without picking up bad habits from not knowing any better.
A combination of skill sets such as layout, carpentry and concrete forming/placement experience are ideal but not necessary if you take the advice and direction of a qualified ICF professional– we’ll bring Darryl U. to you (Short for Ulrich or University, whichever you prefer) Plus, once yo are flying solo on a project, you’re still not alone as our phone lines are always open for any questions.
So hopefully it’s apparent, building with insulated concrete forms is not for a hobbyist looking for something new to do. Nor the weekend builder wanting to expand their skill set. Sure the hobbyist and weekend warrior could both be trained into being a fine installer, however we are one of the few companies that will refuse selling direct to a customer, that has never had any experience before and is refusing training.
REMEMBER we are looking out for our customers’ best interests, as well as their clients, and we are trying to do our best to manage expectations of the customer. As in all other building products, the maximum benefits will not be realized if not installed properly. By working through the pre-planning we assure you every structure will meet your expectations of building a sustainable, green, energy-efficient residential or commercial structure.