BuildBlock FieldNotes – 006 ICF Safe Rooms
We’ve all seen what happens on the news when disaster strikes: shattered homes and lives after the tornado or hurricane, smoking ash after the wildfire, and collapsed rubble after the earthquake. Disasters happen when we least expect them,but are something we need to be prepared for. We wear seat belts and have…
Asked & Answered: What is the Prescriptive Method and why do we talk about it?
What is the Prescriptive Method? The Prescriptive Method for Insulating Concrete Forms in Residential Construction is the accepted method for installation, general engineering, and standard for ICF home design. The Prescriptive Method for Insulating Concrete Forms in Residential Construction is a document, originally drafted by the Department of Housing and…
Asked & Answered: Unfinished Basement Fire Barrier
What's required for my unfinished ICF basement?The BuildBlock Intertek IRR1003, requires a 15 minute fire barrier for all EPS that is exposed to the interior of the building. This can be drywall, which is typically the most cost effective method, stucco, plaster, EIFS, wood paneling, or any other finish product with…
BuildBlock Field Notes – 005 Transporting ICF Blocks
Manufacturing BuildBlock ICFs is the first part of the process. Today we will talk about how to make sure they arrive safely and ready for your project. When manufactured, the ICF blocks are closely inspected to ensure they meet strict quality standards. They are then interlocked together, stacked in bundles,…
Educare Childcare & After School Program Building 75+ Person Safe Room & Media Class Room in Perkins, OK
Educare Childcare & After School Program Building 75+ Person Safe Room & Media Class Room in Perkins, OK Educare child care is using BuildBlock ICFs to build EF5 multi-purpose safe room tornado shelter for children and staff at First United Methodist Church in Perkins, OK. (Oklahoma City, OK, June 12,…
Video: Perkins Educare Safe Room Part 2
Perkins Educare Safe RoomConstruction continues on the Educare safe room in Perkins. While the kids had a blast helping stack the first two courses of block Educare Director Betty Weems and James Ladwig, Ladwig Construction discuss the challenges of the project and their hopes for the future.Look for more updates as…
Video: BuildBlock Helps Build 75+ Person Educare Safe Room Part 1
Oklahoma has been in the middle of "Tornado Alley" since it was first defined in the early 1950s. We see our share of tornadoes and strong storms throughout the year. In May 2013 devastating tornadoes hit the community of Moore, Oklahoma and took the lives of several children who were sheltered…
EPS Foam Significantly More Energy Efficient Than XPS
There are many reasons BuildBlock ICFs are the premiere ICFs on the market, our use of EPS foam is one of those reasons. As reported by Concrete Construction, "what makes EPS and XPS different is their manufacturing processes. EPS uses steam and the blowing agent pentane to expand polystyrene…
Video: ICF Carrier Footings and Concrete Pour Preparation
BuildBlock Field Notes are technical updates for professionals and homeowners about building with Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs). These short videos address a variety of topics. If there is something specific you'd like to know more about please contact us 866-222-2575 or [email protected]
Fastfoot & Rising Damp
BuildBlock uses and recommends FastFoot products on any home construction job to protect the foundation, walls, and structures from unwanted moisture. A link to their article is here: http://www.fab-form.com/fastfoot/fastfootRisingDamp.php http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6iiwvi1tx4&feature=share&list=UUH4ezCqRXHQhsETfl0dainA