Spectra-Glaze® Block General and Technical Web Page

 Performance Data
Test Results, Requirements, Additional Testing, Standards and Approvals

Specifications
General, Products, Execution

Maintenance
General Maintenance of Spectra-Glaze® walls

Recommendations
Lighting, Door Frames, Scoring, Double Face, Mortar Joints, Miters

Frequently Asked Questions
How to Specify, Cost, Cutting, Patching, Color Fastness, Custom Colors, Interior / Exterior,
Fire Ratings, Fire Resistance, Graffiti, Double Face Alignment, Mortar, Will the Face Pop Off



Exterior Construction Detail

  1. Full Flashing behind parapet wall.
  2. Roof system.
  3. 2" unobstructed airspace.
  4. Flashing with protruding drip lip.
  5. Flexible water-proof sealant around all window and door openings.
  6. Flashing
  7. Metal coping with 6" legs (shown), or pre-cast concrete or stone cap with adequate horizontal overhang and drip edge. Fixing dowels must be completely sealed at flashing performance.
  8. Weep joints or weep vents 1/4" wide (in joint) spaced as 32" O.C. immediately above flashing, bond beam, solid filled or other water stop locations in the wall, and at the top of the wall.
  9. Same as (8) eight.
  10. Concrete, metal or stone sill.
  11. Flashing with drip lip sufficiently protruding to direct water out and away from mortar joint and wall.
  12. Weep joints or weep vents 1/4" wide (in joint) spaced at 32" O.C. immediately above flashing, bond beam, solid filled or other water atop locations in the wall.















P E R F O R M A N C E
Back To Top | Test Results | Requirements | Additional Testing | Standards and Approvals


Test Results

Spectra Glaze® units are tested at Froehling & Robertson, Matertials Engineering & Testing (MET), Penniman & Browne, Southwest Research, U.S. Testing, radiation Technology (RT), South Florida Testing (SFT), Underwriters labs of Canada, Warrington Center, and other independant laboratories to assure conformance to published specifications for pre-faced concrete masonry. Copies of all test reports are available upon request. Special testing can be obtained.




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Glazed Facing Requirments
Conforms to ASTM C 744 and Federal Specification SS-C-621b, Form B,
for Pre-faced Concrete Masonry Units with respect to:



Resistance to Crazing
No evidence of crazing, cracking or spalding.

Resistance to Chemical
No change from most chemicals, including:
Acetic Acid (5%)..................................24 Hour
Potassium Hydroxide (10%)...................3 Hour
Trisodium Phosphate (5%)...................24 Hour
Hydrogen Peroxide (3%)......................24 Hour
Blue-Black Ink.......................................1 Hour
Ethyl Alcohol, Indus. Denat. (95%)......3 Hour

Adhesion of Face to Block
No Failure

Abrasion Resistance
Highly resistant, exceeds requirements.

Surface Burning Characteristics
Flame spread less than 25, fuel contribution 0, smoke density less than 50.

Color and Color Change
No significant change in color, gloss or texture after 500 hours of accelerated weatherometer (Additional testing, B&R 27B4 and SFT 12 month exposure data available).

Soiling and Cleansibilty
Exceeds stain resistance and readily cleaned.

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Additional Testing

Dimensional Tolerances
Face dimensions and distortion, ± 1/16"
Through-the-wall dimension for single faced units ± 1/8"
Double faced units ± 3/16"
Scored joint variance, 1/16".

Water Absorption
Any increase in weight due to absorption of water after 24 hours immersion was too small to be measurable.

Freeze/Thaw Durability
(ASTM C 67-68 Paragraph 8 & Thermal Shock Test B100-JL.24P) no separation, spalling, cracking or disintegration of facing.

Acid Rain Resistance
(MET Standard) no change to surface characteristics after 20 year simulated exposure.

Gamma Radiation Resistance
(RT Standard) no change when exposed to normal doses; slight darkening in accident conditions.

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Standards And Approvals


ASTM C 744:
Prefaced Concrete and Calcium Silicate Masonry Units.

Federal Specification SS-C-621b, Form B:
"Prefaced Masonry Units are intended for use where ever masonry with a glazed surface is desired."

The City of New York, Department of Buildings:
MEA 171-90-M

USDA:
For federal inspected meat processing facilities.

Public Health Service:
Sanitary walls in compliance with Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance: Public Health Service Publication Number 229.

National Standard of Canada:
CAN3-A 165.3-M85, Prefaced Concrete Masonry Units.

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S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
Back To Top | General | Products | Execution



(Cross-out, add and edit to suit local practices and local availability.)
Pre-faced Concrete Masonry Units



Part 1 - General:
This section covers information specific to pre-faced concrete block and its installation.


Related Work:
Usual requirements for block work, mortars, reinforcing and other details applicable to the concrete block portion of this product shall be in accordance with the Sections covering these items (or) shall be in accordance with best practices for block work, all proposed products and execution subject to prior approval.

General Conditons and Other Requirements:(define)

Submissions:
Supply complete product literature, color kit, test report copies, representative shapes.

Sample Panels:
Construct a panel at least 4'x4' for each color. Include all block types and sizes to be used in that color. Do not remove panels until building has been accepted.

Delivery:
Palletized with individual faces protected. Keep dry.

Storage and Handling:
Keep dry. Store on level ground. Do not double stack pallets. Avoid excess movement before installation.

Job Conditions:
Follow ordinary good practices for concrete block work; suitable temperature and lighting.

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Part 2 - Products:


Pre-Faced Concrete Block:
"Spectra-Glaze® II Units."

Manufacturer:
Licensed by The Burns & Russell Company, Baltimore, Maryland.

Facing Components:
Facing ingredients must be Spectra-Glaze® Compound made with Spectra-Glaze® polymers, supplied to approved manufacturers by The Burns & Russell Company, and other ingredients as required to meet or exceed Burns & Russell product standards and ASTM C 744.

Pre-Faced Surfaces:
Interior use - smooth, colored satin finish conforming to Burns & Russell product standards and ASTM C 744. Exterior use - smooth, satin finish conforming to ASTM C 744, ASTM C 67, paragraph 8 (freeze-thaw) and Thermal Shock Test B100JL,24P.

Colors:
Select from Manufacturer's established or custom colors. All Standard, Vari-tone® or Special Colors Series must conform to ASTM C 744.

Surface Burning Characteristics of Facing:
ASTM E 84; flame spread less than 25; fuel contribution 0; smoke density less than 50. Products of combustion considered non-toxic as determined by BRC 4690 (toxicity testing)

Types:
Plain, scored, engraved, embossed and/or sculptured faces; extent of each as shown.

Glazed Face Sizes & Joints:
Modular 8"x 16", 4" x 16", 8"x 8", 12" x 12", 16" x 16" including 1/4" exposed face joints, sizes as shown; long dimensions horizontal or vertical as shown.

Concrete Block for Glazing:
ASTM C 90 for hollow and solid load-bearing units; Type 1 (moisture controlled). For exterior use require Block-Rite integral efflorescence control system.

Exterior Use:
For enhanced durability, use Spectra-Glaze® Plus units.

Hourly Fire Ratings for Concrete Block: (define)

Concrete Block Sizes Before Glazing:
Modular; 2", 4", 6" 8" 10", & 12" thickness as needed.

Through-The -Wall Units:
Use pre-faced block thickness equal to nominal wall thickness where possible.

Shapes:
Provide shapes to suit the condition shown.

Jointing Tools:
Use glass 5/8" for concave joints; clean, non-staining metal tools elsewhere. Replace worn tools promptly.

Mortars: (define)

Related Products:
Provide setting mortar, horizontal wire reinforcing, ties and anchors and other accessories needed to properly complete the work.

Wiping Rags:
Select clean cotton waste or equivalent.

Cleaning Compound:
Use masonry detergent cleaners such as Spectra® brand of cleaners, Vana-Trol® or Deox® in strict accordance with each manufacturer's directions. Do not use any product containing unbuffered hydrochloric acid or other unbuffered acids.

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Part 3 - Execution:
Inspect related conditions; do not start at any location until all adverse
conditions at that location have been corrected.



Lighting:
Do not work without proper lighting.

Floor Surface:
Test for straightness, levelness. Notify job superintendent where grinding or troweled filler corrections are needed.

Aligning Base Course:
Do not set base course to follow an inaccurate floor line.

Cove Base at Thin Floor Coverings:
Set cove base tight to a straight, level floor so edge of floor covering will hide the joint.

Workmanship:
Align glazed faces plumb, level and true to line; uniform joint widths carefully tooled; joints arranged neat and symmetrical, cut units sized and located for best appearance; free of imperfections detracting from overall appearance when viewed at 90 degrees from 5 feet.

Cutting:
For all cuts, including chases, holes and notches for pipes, switch boxes, etc. use saw and other power tools.

Jointing:
Except where tuckpointing is noted, strike and tool setting mortar.

Tuckpointing:
Rake out joints at least 1/4". Tuckpoint with the required mortar type. Do not use smeared grout method to fill joints.

Scored-Face Block:
Lay block in stack bond when aligned vertical joint appearance is required. Rake setting mortar 1/4" and allow to dry. Tuckpoint raked joints and scored joints.

Horizontal Reinforcing:
Use in accordance with best practices for concrete block work and applicable building codes.

Veritical Control Joints:
Use in accordance with best practice for concrete block work.

Exterior Weep Vent Installation:
Use weep vents at least 4" long in vertical joint for every second block in base course immediately above grade and immediately above flashing, bond beams, solid fill or other water-stop locations.

Exterior Wall Coping:
Use continuous metal with 6" minimum overhang, or maximum length stone or pre-cast (define flashing and overhang). Exposed joints must be raked back at least 1/4" and caulked with (define) flexible, waterproof sealant in accordance with manufacturer's direction.

Keeping Glaze Clean:
Wipe off all mortar smears and spatters at once, using clean, soft, damp rags. Do not allow hardening.

Final Clean Down:
Use industrial strength detergents in strict accordance with cleaner manufacturer's instructions, including thorough rinsing. Damp-dry with clean, soft rags. Do not use steel wool, other abrasives or any product containing unbuffered hydrochloric acid or other acids.
(Insert floor-correction requirements in Division 3 Concrete and in Division 9 under Floor Coverings.)


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M A I N T E N A N C E
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Spectra-Glaze® Block, properly erected and cleaned after construction, should require no maintenance other than normal cleaning procedures. Commercial cleaning agents such as pine oils or industrial detergents are recommended in most instances but some paints and special marking inks not soluble in usual cleaning materials may require special cleaning procedures. Contact your local representative.











R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S
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Keep overhead lighting at least 3" from the plane of a masonry wall to avoid unsightly shadows.

Use flush mounted, full wythe modular door frames to insure a neat appearance of masonry walls and reduce cost by deleting cuts and special shapes.

With scored units, broken bond patterns reduce the cost of installation.

With scored units, always use stack bond construction when stack bond appearance is selected.

Use double faced (ST) units through-the-wall only when tight bed depth tolerance or second face alignment is not mandatory. Cavity wall construction (2" minimum cavity) should be used for all exterior walls, with weep vents (rather than weep holes or wicks) every 32" top, bottom and above all water stops for proper venting and control of water penetration.

For through-wall construction, glazed one side, use sled runner to strike joints on exposed block side of wall.

Strike concave joints in Spectra-Glaze® Block walls with at least 5/8" jointing tool.

For exterior Spectra-Glaze® Block walls, always rake exposed mortar joints back 1/4" and tuckpoint with epoxy mortar or other waterproof systems.

For concrete masonry construction, use wall reinforcing and control joints in accordance with established procedures to accommodate wall movement and prevent wall cracking. See NCMA TEK bulletins 3, 44, 53.

Always consider a complimentary mortar color for use with decorative masonry units.

Use factory-cut units for mitered corners, for better alignment and reduced cost.

When laying Spectra-Glaze® Block, adjust raw block bed joints and coursing to assure alignment of glazed facings and uniformly wide mortar joints (approx. 1/4" exposed).


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