Masonry Magazine August 1993 Page. 25
Use of Stone Overlooks
Traditional Backup
With lightweight aggregates, it's difficult to understand why block backup, which can be installed by the masonry contractor erecting the stone facing, isn't used.
Thin marble, granite and stone veneer are widely used on many structures. In some situations, designers are adding onto buildings that were originally built with the nominal 4 stone and masonry backup. Now when additions abut these walls, we see the use of thin stone cladding and a backing of one of a variety of metal stud, steel frame systems on the market today. This altering of the original system can complicate the designs, specifications, erection and coordination of construction. Traditional concrete block backup would be much simpler to design, specify, erect and coordinate. Some designers have either forgotten the many attributes of concrete block backup, or they entered the field unaware that masonry was used to backup stone for good reasons. Today, with the new lightweight aggregates available, it's difficult to understand why block backup isn't used. Concrete block backup can be installed by the same masonry contractor erecting the stone facing. This simplifies schedules and coordinating major jobsite considerations. Imaginative designers can simplify ties, anchors and support systems if modular coursing of the stone is worked out. Faster systems are available that will appreciably accelerate the stone-setting process. The interior finish of masonry backup protected by a cavity wall system, can be as elegant as a ground face block, glazed face block, or a choice from extensive range of colors and textures available from local suppliers. If desired, standard block can have wallboard applied. Block walls are proven fire resistant, create the advantage of thermal mass to save energy, control acoustics and enhance aesthetics by variable dimension and face texture selection. Additional insulation can be accomplished by inserts, loose-fill or a rigid insulation board similar to insulation used in a cavity wall system, which is considered to be the most superior wall system available. Once the structural qualities and cost efficiencies of a concrete block backup are designed and used with stone, it will be greatly appreciated for life cycle costs and as an asset value for both new structures and for additions to older structures.
A Solid Work Platform
Non-Stop towers are built from heavy gauge tubular steel and trussed every 4-6 in height. This gives our 16" wide towers incredible strength and sway-resistance. Because of this advantage, you can safely land materials on the laborers' platform, exactly where other systems tell you to never land a load. In actual on-the-job tests of free-standing Non-Stopsowen, landing a full cube of 12 blocks (2350 pounds) on the laborers platform at 20 feet high produced a backward flex of less than one inch! This kind of strength and stability means your men will feel safe and secure on a solid working platform. And, you can safely stock ahead to free your Forklift for other duties.
X-Braces Stay In Place
The s-braces are always in place for maximum safety and stability. They simply pass through the work platform both going up and coming down. Non Stop introduced this unique design to eliminate the dangerous, time-consuming chore of removing and replacing -braces as the platform is raised. When the wall is topped out, Non-Stop can be lowered and ready to go to work again in one-third the time of scaffolding without this feature This advantage reduces your laborers' duties to only two feeding materials to the masom, and raising the scaffold as needed.