Block C – Masonry systems

Trends

There is an increasing trend in using surface-bonded units on the outside of commercial and residential buildings. There is a greater variety of surface-bonded masonry products being used such as thin cut brick and natural stone, and manufactured stone.

Prefabricated masonry units are slowly becoming more common.

Related Components (including, but not limited to)

Masonry units, air and vapour barrier, insulation, flashing, vertical/horizontal reinforcing, base plates, expansion and contraction joints, soft joints, grout, fastening and anchoring systems, ties (anchors), adjustable veneer ties, mortars, nails, adhesives, bonding agents, epoxies, stone bond, rigid insulation, steel wire cables, stickclips, caulking, parging, compressive backer rod, insulation tape, air ventilation accessories, draining systems, lateral support system, lintel supports, lintel reinforcements, sills and soffits, water repellents, waterproofing, cleaning agents, shelf angles, fire stops, wedges, batter boards.

Tools and Equipment

See Appendix A.

Task 8 Builds masonry walls.

Context

Non-load-bearing masonry walls include veneer walls, interior partitions and exterior curtain walls. This task describes the proper method of installing these walls using brick, block and full-bed manufactured stone, and accessories. Stone walls are described in Block D. Load-bearing walls, columns and pilasters are designed to carry loads in addition to their own load. Load-bearing walls include structural and cavity walls which are above grade, and foundation walls which are below grade. They also include retaining walls which resist lateral forces. Reinforcing systems in loadbearing walls are always included and are critical as they carry or resist stresses and forces.

Required Knowledge

• K 1 applicable sections of National Building Code (NBC)
• K 2 types of masonry units such as clay brick, concrete brick, sand-lime brick, concrete block and full-bed manufactured stone
• K 3 sizes and shapes of masonry units such as bricks and blocks
• K 4 types of non-load-bearing walls such as curtain walls, garden walls and partition walls
• K 5 types of load-bearing walls such as retaining walls, cavity walls and windload walls
• K 6 columns, pilasters and buttresses
• K 7 bonds and patterns
• K 8 types and consistencies of mortars
• K 9 construction joints such as expansion and control (movement joints)
• K 10 masonry wall drainage and ventilation systems such as weep and vent holes
• K 11 horizontal and vertical coursing
• K 12 ground conditions and grades
• K 13 retaining wall systems and designs
• K 14 footings and foundations
• K 15 building envelope components such as membranes and insulation
• K 16 types of reinforcing material such as rebar and reinforcement wire
• K 17 reinforced wall systems
• K 18 specifications for reinforcing
• K 19 accessories such as anchors, plates and bolts
• K 20 finished height of column and pilaster
• K 21 regional reinforcement requirements such as seismic and hurricane
• K 22 use of cleanouts

Sub-task C-8.01 Builds non-load-bearing walls.

Key Competencies

• C-8.01.01 select and use tools and equipment
• C-8.01.02 determine wall properties such as finished height, length and location according to drawings
• C-8.01.03 install reinforcements according to specifications for additional wall stability
• C-8.01.04 build lead to establish each course and height
• C-8.01.05 cut units using hand and power tools to required sizes and shapes
• C-8.01.06 maintain bond
• C-8.01.07 lay units to the top of the line
• C-8.01.08 adjust joint thickness within code requirements to allow for openings
• C-8.01.09 install lintels such as cast-in-place, precast and angle iron to support units over openings
• C-8.01.10 build in accessories such as electrical, mechanical and plumbing
• C-8.01.11 brace and support walls at required intervals

Sub-task C-8.02 Builds load-bearing walls.

Key Competencies

• C-8.02.01 select and use tools and equipment
• C-8.02.02 determine wall properties such as finished height, length and location according to drawings
• C-8.02.03 install reinforcements and structural accessories according to specifications for additional wall stability and load-bearing requirements
• C-8.02.04 build lead to establish each course and height
• C-8.02.05 cut units using hand and power tools to required sizes and shapes
• C-8.02.06 maintain bond
• C-8.02.07 lay units to the top of the line
• C-8.02.08 adjust joint thickness within code requirements to allow for openings
• C-8.02.09 shore up openings to receive and support lintels
• C-8.02.10 install lintels such as cast-in-place, precast and angle iron to support units over openings
• C-8.02.11 build in accessories such as electrical, mechanical and plumbing
• C-8.02.12 batter and slope retaining walls in order to offset lateral forces
• C-8.02.13 brace and support walls at specified intervals
• C-8.02.14 install drainage systems on retaining walls

Task 9 Builds horizontal masonry surfaces.

Context

Bricklayers build horizontal surfaces such as patios, walkways, stairways and driveways. These surfaces must be built to specifications. Bricklayers may use various types of masonry units such as brick, flagstones and pavers to build flexible or rigid surfaces.

Required Knowledge

• K 1 excavations
• K 2 soil conditions
• K 3 drainage
• K 4 membranes
• K 5 codes and regulations
• K 6 slope and grade
• K 7 assemblies in mortared and mortarless applications (rigid and flexible)
• K 8 types of masonry units for horizontal surfaces such as brick, pavers and flagstones
• K 9 bonds and patterns
• K 10 mortars and aggregates
• K 11 bonding agents and additives
• K 12 sealants
• K 13 required tools and equipment such as a tamper, screed poles and guillotines (brick splitter)

Sub-task C-9.01 Prepares horizontal substrate.

Key Competencies

• C-9.01.01 clean, clear and excavate area
• C-9.01.02 layer and compact aggregate to grade and slope
• C-9.01.03 install landscape fabric
• C-9.01.04 determine borders according to job requirements
• C-9.01.05 install edge restraints
• C-9.01.06 select required mixture of concrete for application such as stairs and patios
• C-9.01.07 form and pour concrete to required thickness
• C-9.01.08 screed and finish surfaces to maintain and produce even surfaces

Sub-task C-9.02 Lays masonry units on horizontal surfaces.

Key Competencies

• C-9.02.01 determine and layout pattern such as basket weave, herring bone and running bond
• C-9.02.02 cut masonry units to fit required space and create uniform joints
• C-9.02.03 place and align units to be aesthetically pleasing and according to bond used
• C-9.02.04 apply sand and use tamper to compact masonry unit
• C-9.02.05 sweep to remove excess sand and to fill voids
• C-9.02.06 finish joints in mortared systems
• C-9.02.07 incorporate construction joints to allow movement
• C-9.02.08 seal assemblies

Task 10 Builds and installs prefabricated masonry units.

Context

Prefabricated masonry is usually fabricated off-site and delivered to be assembled and/or mechanically fastened. They are made of masonry units, reinforcing steel, grout and mortar. Bricklayers are involved in both the fabrication and installation of these components. They may be used for greater efficiency of installation or for situations where masonry cannot easily be built on site.

Required Knowledge

• K 1 form release agents
• K 2 storage, stacking and transport
• K 3 colour matching and inspection for installation
• K 4 effects of temperature and humidity on the prefabrication curing process
• K 5 fastening systems
• K 6 grouting and caulking procedures
• K 7 rigging and hoisting

Sub-task C-10.01 Builds prefabricated masonry. (NOT COMMON CORE)

Key Competencies

• C-10.01.01 align and level units of prefabricated masonry according to engineered design
• C-10.01.02 build panel to gauge according to installation location and specifications
• C-10.01.03 prepare forms or jigs to accept materials by applying form release agent and adding materials such as reinforcing, anchoring and bearing plates
• C-10.01.04 add masonry materials to forms to complete prefabrication
• C-10.01.05 remove forms or jigs

Sub-task C-10.02 Erects prefabricated masonry.

Key Competencies

• C-10.02.01 verify that substrate has been prepared using required anchoring systems
• C-10.02.02 align and set panels and anchors in place for welding or bolting
• C-10.02.03 repair damaged masonry on site, if necessary
• C-10.02.04 seal joints using materials such as caulking and mortar

Task 11 Installs surface-bonded masonry units.

Context

Surface-bonded masonry units are thin masonry components applied to a variety of surfaces. They are used for aesthetic purposes using a variety of applied components.

Required Knowledge

• K 1 mortar and bonding agents
• K 2 standards (CSA and NBC) and manufacturers’ specifications
• K 3 types of material such as brick, stone and cement products
• K 4 layout dimensions
• K 5 types of bonds and patterns

Sub-task C-11.01 Prepares substrate for surface-bonded masonry units.

Key Competencies

• C-11.01.01 install weatherproofing components to allow for drainage according to jurisdictional regulations
• C-11.01.02 install backing material using specified mechanical fasteners over entire substrate area to support masonry unit
• C-11.01.03 apply scratch coat into wire mesh to ensure full coverage

Sub-task C-11.02 Applies surface-bonded masonry units.

Key Competencies

• C-11.02.01 dampen the substrate and back of the surface-bonded masonry unit to improve bonding
• C-11.02.02 butter back of surface-bonded masonry units
• C-11.02.03 apply and finish joints for surface-bonded masonry units
• C-11.02.04 clean and seal surface-bonded masonry units according to manufacturers’ specifications