WE'RE HAPPY TO
ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS.
THE CLOSER YOU EXAMINE SPEEDBLOCK,
THE BETTER IT LOOKS.
With SpeedBlock ushering in a new era of concrete wall building, there will no doubt be questions. Developers and site managers can see weeks and months shaved off of building delivery dates. Builders and contractors can see huge time savings and crew savings while building a stronger building. We’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions below. If there’s anything else you’d like to know, simply contact us for a no-obligation consultation.
- ‣ Is SpeedBlock engineered the same as conventional concrete masonry walls?
- ‣ How easy is SpeedBlock to build with?
- ‣ What type of equipment is needed to build SpeedBlock walls?
- ‣ Does SpeedBlock use the same mortar, rebar and grout as conventional ASTM C90 CMU?
- ‣ How is SpeedBlock inspected?
- ‣ How does SpeedBlock compare to other solutions in terms of price?
- ‣ In what regions is SpeedBlock available?
- ‣ How does SpeedBlock compare to standard cmu?
Q. IS SPEEDBLOCK ENGINEERED THE SAME AS CONVENTIONAL CONCRETE MASONRY WALLS?
SpeedBlock walls are engineered, built, and inspected as CONCRETE MASONRY WALLS PER ICC CHAPTER 21. SpeedBlock CMU are manufactured per ASTM C90 concrete masonry specifications and certified in strengths up to 6,000 PSI.
Q. HOW EASY IS SPEEDBLOCK TO BUILD WITH?
SpeedBlock is delivered to the job site pre-cut to Shop Plan dimensions, and ready to lift and install. The process required for the install, mortar and grout work utilizes typical masonry and concrete construction skills. However, it is easier and faster than the process workers undergo for the years of training required to build hand laid block, or the carpentry skills required for cast-in-place and tilt-up form work, and the special skills for place and finish of tilt up wall panels.
Q. WHAT TYPE OF EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED TO BUILD SPEEDBLOCK WALLS?
To lift and place our blocks we recommend truck mounted cranes. In some conditions, reach forklifts can be used. Our largest 24-feet long precision grey blocks weigh approximately 2,300 pounds, plus any additional weight added by patterns, textures and masonry veneers. Each job is unique and requires professional crane operators to evaluate and analyze reach and working conditions to determine proper safe minimum crane size. Workers use man lifts to install rebar, mortar and grout walls.
Q. DOES SPEEDBLOCK USE THE SAME MORTAR, REBAR AND GROUT AS CONVENTIONAL ASTM C90 CMU?
Yes, these are the same materials used to build concrete masonry walls. Mortar, reinforcing steel and concrete grout.
Q. HOW IS SPEEDBLOCK INSPECTED?
SpeedBlock is inspected and tested the same as conventional steel reinforced, fully grouted, concrete masonry walls. For each job, SpeedBlock provides representative 8 x 16-inch specimen blocks taken from our standard 24-feet length blocks, which are used to construct prism samples for the inspection agency to test and approve.
Q. HOW DOES SPEEDBLOCK COMPARE TO OTHER SOLUTIONS IN TERMS OF PRICE?
The cost savings with SpeedBlock are two-fold; the speed in which the structural walls can be erected and the need for a smaller crew to install the walls. This gives predictable savings versus traditional efforts:
• 80% faster than hand build CMU walls
• 60% faster than tilt-up
• 80% faster than cast in place
Q. IN WHAT REGIONS IS SPEEDBLOCK AVAILABLE?
SpeedBlock is currently available for projects in California and Nevada, with additional manufacturing facilities planned for the rest of the US market.
SpeedBlock plants will use our patented and proprietary block machines and manufacturing processes. We plan to own, joint-partner or license SpeedBlock manufacturing operations throughout the US and Canadian, Latin America and European markets. We are currently entertaining inquiries.
Q. HOW DOES SPEEDBLOCK COMPARE TO STANDARD CMU?
One SpeedBlock large format CMU is equal to 72 standard 16 inch blocks. The SpeedBlock CMU can be installed into place in approximately 15 minutes, where the 72 blocks will take long hours to complete.
LET'S TALK.
If you have an upcoming project you’d like to discuss, contact us and see how SpeedBlock can help you save on time and labor costs.