BRICKWORK AND BLOCKWORK

BRICKWORK AND BLOCKWORK

1.0 GENERAL

A Submit samples of each type of brick and block and obtain approval
before placing orders with suppliers. If requested by the Architect,
submit samples of the bricks and block for testing and pay fees in
connection therewith.

B Stack bricks and blocks clear of the ground and protect from
inclement weather, chipping or damage.

2.0 MATERIALS

2.1 Cement, Sand And Water

A Cement shall be Portland cement with BW 12.

B Sand shall be natural sand complying with BS 1200 and well graded
from 5mm down.

C Water shall be cleaned fresh water from the Authorities main supply
suitable for drinking.

2.2 Bricks

A Common bricks and facing bricks shall be of standard size 215 x

102.5 x 65mm of even shape, hard, well burnt, machine made
pressed bricks with true arises complying with SS 103 Second Grade
having a minimum compressive strength of 20 MN/m².

B Bricks for use in external walls shall be free from hairline cracks.

2.3 Plasticiser

A The plasticiser for mortar shall comply with the requirements of

relevant Singapore Standard and used strictly in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
2.4 Damp Proof Course

A All damp proof courses shall consist of one layer of three-ply purpose
made bituminous sheeting with fibre base complying with BS6398
Class B or other equal and approved products, laid with 150mm
overlap at joints and angles on a 19mm bed of 1:3 cement mortar. A
full coat of hot bitumen shall be applied over the mortar and again
over the bitumen sheeting.

2.5 Damp Proof Membrane

A This shall be approved heavy grade polythene sheet with minimum

thickness of 0.25mm or other specified products, with all joints twice
50mm folded and taped together and laid on top of lean concrete
blinding. Taking all necessary precautions to ensure that the
polythene sheets or other specified products are not torn or
punctured, particularly during construction stage.

2.6 Mesh Reinforcement

A Mesh reinforcement shall be bitumen coated “Exmet” 22 gauge or

other approved mesh reinforcement at every fourth course and shall
be 25mm narrower than the width of the wall. Number 24 gauge
“Hyrib” metal lathing 200mm wide or other equal and approved shall
be laid vertically over joints between concrete columns and brickwall.
For blockwall, alkaline resistance nylon or fibreglass mesh shall be
used according to manufacturer’s recommendation.

2.7 Concrete Hollow Blocks

A Concrete hollow blocks shall comply with relevant Singapore Code

and shall be of the shape and sizes as shown on the drawings.
Minimum Compressive Strength shall be 7 N/mm. The hollow blocks
shall be manufactured from ordinary Portland cement, dry mixed in
the ratio of 1 part cement to 3 parts of sand and pressure - pressed in
metal moulds. All blocks shall then be cured for at least two weeks
and shall not be used until at least two months after date of
manufacture had lapsed. All defective, chipped or under strength
blocks shall not be used and shall be removed from site immediately.
All blocks shall be finished smooth, ready to be painted.

B Build concrete hollow block walls at locations indicated bedded and

pointed in cement and sand mortar (1:4).
2.8 Glass Blockwalls

A Glass blockwalls shall be as specified. The glass block shall be laid in

accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, in particular to the
provision of expansion joints, sealants, pointings, fixing accessories,
etc and to be approval of the Architect.

2.9 Aerated Concrete Blocks

A Aerated concrete blocks shall be “Thermalite” or other equal and

approved and shall be sound, hard, properly cured and of the shape
and sizes as shown on drawings.

B All aerated concrete blocks shall be of an approved manufacture.

The Contractor shall submit samples of blocks for the approval of the
Architect before delivery to site.

C The blocks shall be manufactured from a mixture of pulverised fuel

ash, sand, cement, lime and water in moulds left to set under
controlled temperatures. All blocks shall then be cured for at least
twelve hours under saturated steam pressure and shall not be used
until at least two months after date of manufacture had lapsed. All
defective, chipped or under strength blocks shall not be used and
shall be removed from site immediately.

3.0 WORKMANSHIP

3.1 Mortar

Unless otherwise specified, the mortar shall consist of one part of cement to
four parts of sand by volume, well mixed with an approved mortar plasticiser
used strictly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The exact
amount of sand required, where not fixed by the above, is to be varied
between the limits stated according to the nature of the sand, so as to obtain
adequate workability.
 Mixing of all mortar is to be done either by means of mechanical batch mixer
of an approved type or by hand on a clean watertight platform of adequate
size, the materials being turned over twice in a dry state and twice while
water is added. The materials for mortar are to be measured in accurate
gauge boxes, which are to be completely filled and the top struck off level.

No mortar containing cement is to be used later than 30 minutes after the

addition of water to the cement or after it has commenced to set, and no
mortar, which has commenced to set, is to be knocked up for reuse. The
mortar plasticiser shall be approved by the Architect prior to their use in the
works.

3.2 Setting Out

The Contractor shall provide proper setting out rods and set out the same all
work showing opening heights, cills and lintols and shall build the various
walls and piers to the thickness, widths and heights shown on the drawings.

All bricks shall be soaked in water for at least half an hour immediately
before being laid and all constructed brickwork must be cured with water for
five days and protected from the sun’s rays for two days after laying.

All bricks are to be well buttered with mortar before being laid and all joints
are to be completely filled with mortar as the work proceeds. Single-frogged
bricks are to be laid frog uppermost. Brickwork is to be laid to rise four
courses to not more than 300mm.

Brickwork is to be carried out uniformly, no portion under construction being

raised more than 900mm above another at any time. All perpends, quoins,
etc are to be kept strictly perpendicular true and square, and every course is
to be kept truly level.

Tops of walls where work is left off shall be well wetted before work on them
is resumed.

Cracked, broken or damaged bricks will not be allowed for use in the work.

Overhand laying must not be used without the approval of the Architect.

Predetermine setting out so that full bricks occur under lintol bearings.
3.3 Key For Plaster

All faces of brickwork are to be left rough and the joints raked out to a depth
of 13mm whilst the mortar is green to form adequate key for plaster.

3.4 Restrictions on Brick and Block Laying

No brickwork is to be built off or supported on reinforced concrete beams,

slabs or concrete encased structural beams until a minimum of 7 days after
formwork and props supporting the concrete have been removed. Care
should be taken to avoid the stacking of bricks, which may induce excessive
concentrated load on the structure.

Block shall be laid in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendation.

3.5 Bond

All brickworks except half brick walls shall be in English bond. Half brick
walls shall be in stretcher bond. All shall be built in level courses. No four
courses shall rise more than 25mm above the same laid dry. All perpends,
reveals quoins and other angles of the walls, etc shall be built strictly true
plumb and square. No broken bricks or bats shall be used except where
closers are required at quoins, joints, etc to make bond. Bats are to be used
only where required for bond. No portion to exceed 900mm above adjoining
parts whilst being built and all working junctions to be racked back and not
toothed up.

3.6 Bonding Ties

Provide bonding ties consisting of 6mm diameter mild steel rods 450mm
long, hooked both ends one cast into concrete columns and the other built
into brickwork. Tie 450mm x 50mm strips of Exmet to top of bars to form
adequate brickwork bond.
3.7 Faced Work

All facing bricks shall be constructed with a uniform face internally or

externally as shown in the drawings, carefully set in cement mortar raked out
joints and pointed with a neat weathered joint as work proceeds. Coloured
cement jointing will be used if so specified.

All areas of facing brick shall be protected by gunny sacking, kagangs or

other suitable materials from mortar droppings, rubbing, staining or other
surface adhesions until such time as work is handed over as complete. No
rubbing down of brickwork staff be permitted.

No face work shall be painted or shall be given any form of surface treatment
without the approval of the Architect.

3.8 Hollow Walls

Cavities or hollow walls are to be kept clear by lifting screeds or other means,
and all wall ties are to be wiped clean. Openings are to be left at the base of
the cavity and over lintols, etc for clearing out on completion and are
subsequently to be bricked up.

3.9 Openings in Walls

A Opening for doors, windows, vents, etc shall be properly mapped out
and left until the wooden frames have been fixed in position.

B All timber frames shall be built in as the work proceeds and the backs
of frames to include for one coat of aluminium wood primer before
fixing.

C All door frames, window frames, vent, frames, plates, etc are to be
bedded solidly at the back in cement mortar (1:4) and pointed as
described.

D Provide and fix 31 x 3mm and 140mm long galvanised wrought iron
holdfast at 450mm centres to all timber frames abutting walls one end
twice holded, bent and screwed to timber frame, other end fishtailed
and built into brick or concrete wall.
3.10 Mortices, Holes, Chases

A Cutting of openings for other trades shall be avoided as much as

possible. The bricklayer shall provide in walls the openings required
by other trades and shall do all cutting and making good.

B All chases, fair and raking cutting, beam filling, corbelling and cutting
groove go flashings shall be formed or cut as required.

C All ducts, recesses for service lines and the like shall be formed to the
correct dimensions.

3.11 Chases

A Form chases in brickwall for concealing pipes, conduits etc. Such

chases shall be of the smallest depth necessary for the purpose and
excessive cutting shall be avoided at all times.

B Chases shall be formed by hand cutting without cracking or splitting

the brickwall or causing any serious damage. The Contractor shall
rectify all damage caused at his own expense and in the manner as
directed by the Architect.

4.0 CLEANING DOWN

A On completion, make good all damaged joints on exposed faces of

brickwork and make good after all trades.

Clean down all exposed faces of brickwork with a solution of diluted

hydrochloric acid and clean water and afterwards with clean water
only to remove surplus mortar, stains and dirt.
5.0 SUNDRY ITEMS

A Leave or form all holes, mortices, chases, etc, cut and fit brickwork
around steelwork and concrete, build in ends of cills, joist, etc and
carry out all other labours shown on the drawings or as necessary for
the execution of the work.

B All bolts, brackets, lugs, etc are to be grouted or pinned in solidly with
cement mortar, and holes and chases for pipes, conduits, etc are to
be packed solidly with cement mortar or fine concrete.