Market demand for more versatility
encourages manufacturer
to extend range.
EVOLUTION OF MASONRY BLOCK
THBLAUNCHoftheFirthMasonryVilla
construction system meant a breakthrough
for concrete as a domestic construction
material. It allows house floors and walls
to be constructed solely of concrete,
enabling a home to be built of permanent
materials, that are both affordable
and practical.
HOTBLOC is a lightweight, 200mm
masonry block which incorporates an insu-
lation panel. This panel makes the block
self-insulating, exceeding the requirements
of the Building Code.
HOTBLOC is a multi-functional
building system, providing structural,
veneer and insulation capabilities in a
block which is laid in the conventional
way, fitting standard industry construc-
tion modules. The outside face of the
blocks provides a concrete surface,
well suited to the application of various
plaster finishes, ensuring durability and
low maintenance.
HOTBLOC is structurally equivalent
to a 15Omm masonry block with an addi-
tional face shell which gives it the same
dimensions as a 200mm block.
It can be used as a housing material
without the need for added insulation
such as strapping and lining or thermal
plaster. The insulation values are created
by the combination of the encapsulated
polystyrene biscuit and lightweight
~tzgrega~.
The evolution of any new prod- pro-
gresses from market demand. In this case,
the blocklayers requests were for more
versatility in the block range and to include
an open-ended block. As with all manufac-
turers, the challenge is to keep the range of
blocks as narrow as possible.
After careful study of all options, Firth
has developed the HOT-MP or multipur-
pose block. This block will serve to
replace the traditional .Ol - standard
whole, .OS open-end and .016 open-end
bond beam with a depressed web. To com-
plement this block the HOT-END has also
been produced to satisfy the requirements
of the .04, standard comerand the .15, cor-
ner bond beam. In addition the HOT-
HALF has been produced in lieu of the
0.02 standard half and the 0.44, half
knock-in bond beam. The remainder of the
range is essentially unchanged.
Such advances in the product range
further enhance the potential cost and
time savings in house construction pro-
vided by HOTBLOC.
An underlying principle behind
the masonry villa is a house built of solid,
permanent materials which will minimise
the lifetime cost of the building. It embod-
ies all the advantages of concrete con-
struction, beginning with durability and
low maintenance.
A concrete floor provides a solid base
which will not rot, burn or assist the spread
of fire and resists chemicals, fungi, vermin
and insects.
The concrete floor and block walls pro
vide an anchor for the house and enable it
to perform better in earthquakes and high
winds. It is also less likely to suffer from lop: HOT-MP. Thermal open-end,
structural movement than a traditional tim- knock-out biscuits.
ber house. Middle: HOT-END. Thermal plain ends
The efficiency of concrete as a sound and comers, knock-out biscuits.
insulator means quiet living, with interior Bottom: HOT-HALF (I and r). Thermal
and exterior sounds being absorbed. Where half, knock-out biscuits.
a suspended concrete flwr is used in a two- Left HOT-MP.
 storey house, the noise created upstairs is
blocked out from the ground floor.
The masonry villa system capitalises
on the thermal efficiency of concrete
houses. Concrete masonry is an excellent
material for passive solar design as it can
accept, store and radiate heat. The high
thermal storage capacity evens out the
effects of temperature fluctuations. In
winter, walls and floors absorb and store
heat during the day. At night when
the temperatures drop, heat flows from
this store.
In summer, direct sunlight is kept
out of the house by the use of eaves
although heat is still soaked up by the con-
crete during the day and released at night,
thereby maintaining more even, cool con-
ditions inside.
Orientation of the house towards
the sun and placement of windows and Masony villa.
interior concrete block walls are
important in boosting a houses solar efft- masonry villa system has been its ver- range of contemporary housing design -
ciency. Consideration of these issues can satility and potential for innovative and including traditional bungalows, town-
provide an ongoing saving in energy costs. attractive design. Completed houses and houses, English cottage-style and
A major reason for the success of the those under construction cover a full Mediterranean-style homes. a