Do you need a DPM on a beam and block floor?

A DPM or concrete oversite in not usually required, unless needed for gas or vapour protection as per the Building Regulations. Some manufacturers do recommend a DPM over the beam and block floor before insulation – be sure to check manufacturers instructions.

Do you need DPC under block and beam?

We do recommend that the bearing wall be protected by a suitable dpc at some point below the bearing level of the floor beams. This is a requirement of our BBA certificate and is to protect the pre-stressed steel within the beam.

How much void is beam and block floor?

Typically a minimum void of 150mm (225mm in heavy clay soils) must be maintained between underside of the floor beam and the ground surface. This should be confirmed with local authority building control.

Which blocks for block and beam?

Insulite and Dense concrete blocks suitable for use in floors: Solid (Group 1) Insulite or Dense Concrete wall blocks of nominal dimensions 440mm x 100mm x 215mm with a compressive strength of 7.3 N/mm² or above.

What is the minimum end bearing of a pre cast beam to a beam and block floor?

Beams are positioned in accordance with the layout drawings, perpendicular to the end supports with a nominal bearing of 100mm to each end when supported by brick or block. A 75mm nominal bearing is required when supported by steelwork.

Is beam and block expensive?

Beam & block floors It’s slightly more expensive, especially on relatively small jobs, but for speed and convenience it’s hard to beat. The system is dry laid, so there is no waiting for concrete or mortar to cure. These are laid on top of the inner leaf of the walls sitting on the DPC, but with no mortar bed.

Do you need damp protection for block and beam floors?

With the continued increase in block and beam ground floor construction it’s essential that damp protection for the porous beam ends and exposed rebars (reinforcing bars) is not overlooked.

How big is a block and beam floor?

Concrete floor beams (for block and beam flooring) are typically manufactured in one hundred and fifty (150) metre lengths and then cut to the working sizes such as 3.6 and 4.8 metres. By the nature of this manufacturing technique the reinforcing bars will always be exposed at the ends of the beams.

What are the regulations for concrete floor beams?

The relevant regulatory requirements are quite clear. Under Part C Floors, Section 4.17 states that:

How are concrete blocks used in beam construction?

The blocks are either designed to lap under the concrete T-beam in order to prevent cold bridging, or an additional insulation layer is positioned over the EPS infill blocks. More manufacturers are developing EPS block systems which have varying profiles and methods of construction.