Delivery and Installation
Site Preperation
The ground below the joist should be stripped of all vegetation and prepared in accordance with the local Building Authority requirements.
Delivery
Unless otherwise instructed/stated the beams will be delivered on articulated vehicles. It is the responsibility of the customer to advise CUBE6 of any problems with access to or on the site. Beams will be delivered and off-loaded to a central point.
Stacking and Storage
Floorjoists will break if not handled with care. They must be stored on ground that is firm, dry and level. Beams must be stacked in line with the Stacking Procedure Guide (available as a download). Timber bearers will be provided by CUBE6, we ask that you do not throw these timbers away as CUBE6 will return to collect them.
Underfloor Voids
A minimum ventilation void of 150mm should be provided below floor joists to the top of ground level. On shrinkable soil where heave could take place, an allowance for movement should be added as follows.
- Heavy potential - 150mm
- Medium potential - 100mm
- Low potential - 50mm
These voids will require venting to achieve not less than 1500mm2 per metre run of external wall (see ventilation document for more information).
Placement of Beams
Beams at ground floor are to be placed on a mortar bedded Damp Proof Course. The beams must achieve a minimum bearing of 90mm on masonry, 75mm on steel. The beams must not be allowed to protrude into the cavity.
Care must be taken not to overload the floor joists or blocks during the construction period. Boards are to be laid where any wheel barrows are to be used. Palleted blocks are to kept close to the foundations.
Blocks
There are a wide range of blocks available from a multitude of manufacturers that can be used within the beam and block floor, each having their own characteristics. The blocks can weigh from 750kg/m3 to 2000kg/m3, manufactured in sizes from 440 x 215mm to 540 x 440mm, offering a range of advantages from improved thermal values to increased sound resistance. CUBE6 has no preference to which block is used but can offer a suitable competitively priced block within the floor package. Please check with your supplier that you use a block that is suitable for use within the floors, they must achieve a minimum 3.5N/mm2 with a transverse point load capacity of 3.5N on a 420mm span.
For polystyrene blocks see the Thermal Section of the web site.
Grouting
Where required the traditional beam and block floors must be finished with a brushed, 1:6 cement/sharp sand, grout mix, this will ensure that the floor is structurally sound. In domestic garages we recommend an A98 reinforced C30 concrete screed applied directly to the floor.
