Facing Brick Specification Guide
Sound Fire Water Absorption
WATER ABSORPTION, SOUND INSULATION + FIRE RESISTANCE Water Absorption The outer leaf of most cavity walls is not impervious. It should be assumed that water will run down the inner face of such cavities. See PD 6697:2010 and hEN 1996:2006 and (BS 8000-3 : 2020 Workmanship on building sites, Part 3: Code of practice for masonry.) Absorption is not a mandatory requirement inhEN 771-3 : 2011 + A1 : 2015 as there is no relationship between absorption and durability in AG Brick. However, as a guideline for suction rates and other calculations, it should be noted that AG Brick exhibit a typical water absorption of less than 8%. AG carries out regular testing on all its products and they appointed the Industrial Research & Technology Unit (IRTU) an independent testing station based in Lisburn Co. Antrim to devise a method to measure the degree of water penetration if any in its facing brick.
The purpose was to ascertain if excessive water penetration was possible through a wall constructed of Brick manufactured by the Company, into the wall cavity, directly through the brick. After extensive testing the Industrial Research & Technology Unit (IRTU) came to the following conclusions; "That the bricks did not exhibit signs of excessive water absorption when exposed to the test method" and as such, it would seem unlikely that significant amounts of water would penetrate a wall constructed with them through an actual brick. If such a situation were to occur, a more likely route for water penetration would be through the mortar joints". A copy of the testing method and full report is available on request, from AG’s Technical Department.
Sound Insulation / Building Solutions Building regulations and their supporting documents contain provisions which are based on the mass law, where-by the sound insulation value increases with increasing density and thickness of the wall. AG bricks have a slightly higher density than most other types of bricks and will therefore provide improved insulation. (PD 6697:2010 and hEN 1996:2006).
Fire Resistance Relevant fire resistance information is provided in PD 6697:2010 and hEN 1996:2006, which gives notional fire resistance figures for facing brick and other material. The entire AG Fine Cast Brick range entire range are made from Class A non-combustible materials.
GETTING THE BEST FROM AG BRICK – ONSITE BEST PRACTICE • AG Brick should be protected from the weather on site and during construction including the covering of completed but uncapped work. These precautions will reduce the likelihood of efflorescence and subsequent lime blooming. • Care should be taken to prevent mortar smearing the surface of the AG Brick, as cleaning at a later stage could be difficult and can lead to expensive and time consuming remedial treatments. Prevention is better than cure.
water reaching the inner leaf and can cause cold bridging. • AG Fine Cast Brick Storage areas should be sited close to the points of work to reduce unnecessary handling and minimise damage and waste. • Scaffolding boards should be turned back to avoid unsightly splashing of the work. • For protection of finished brickwork:
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• All mortar joints should be well filled to help prevent weeping.
• We advise against using flush copings, use sadleback / half round copings, which incorporates a drip.
• Cavities must be kept clean, as dirty cavities increase the risk of
• Design the roof with an overhang.
• Do not lay AG Brick when the temperature is at or below 3ºC or when freezing may occur before the mortar has hardened (remember to consider air and wind temperature). • The appearance of AG Brick may be affected by failure to carry out the above precautions. All products are manufactured from natural materials and although we strive to provide consistency of colour, variation may occur in the manufacturing process. We recommend that products are selected from at least three bales, within each delivery.
