Hot & Cold Weather Masonry Construction

Requirements

Table 1

Cold Weather Preparation and Construction Requirements
(ACI 530.1-98/ASCE 6-98/TMS 602-98)

Temperature Range
(Ambient)*
Construction Requirements
(While Masonry Work is in Progess)
Below 40°F
(4.4°C)

or

Temperature of Masonry Units is Below 40°F (4.4°C)

Remove visible ice on masonry units before the unit is laid in the masonry.

Do not lay masonry units having a temperature below 20°F (-6.7°C)

Heat sand and water to produce mortar and grout temperatures between 40°F (4.4°C) and 120°F (48.9°C) at the time of mixing

Maintain mortar and grout above freezing until used in masonry

Below 25°F
(-3.9°C)

and

Above 20°F
(-6.7°C)

Same as above except:

Use heat sources on both sides of the masonry under construction

Install wind breaks when wind velocity is in excess of 15 mph (24.1 km/h)

Below 20°F
(-6.7°C)
Same as above except:

Provide and enclosure for the masonry under construction

Use heat sources to maintain temperatures above 32°F (0°C) within the enclosure

* The surrounding jobsite temperature while construction is in progress.

Table 2

Cold Weather Preparation and Construction Requirements
(ACI 530.1-98/ASCE 6-98/TMS 602-98)

Temperature Range
(Mean Daily)*
Construction Requirements
(While Masonry Work is in Progess)
Below 40°F (4.4°C) and Above 32°F (0°C) Protect top of completed masonry from rain or snow by covering with a weather resistive membrane for 24 hours after construction
Below 32°F (0°C) and Above 25°F (-3.9°C) Completely cover completed masonry with a weather resistive membrane for 24 hours after construction
Below 25°F (-3.9°C) and Above 20°F (-6.7°C) Completely cover completed masonry with insulating blankets or equal protection for 24 hours after construction
Below 20°F (-6.7°C) and Above 32°F (0°C) Maintain masonry temperature above 32°C F (0°C) for 24 hours after construction by enclosure with supplementary heat, electric heating blankets, infared heat lamps, or by other acceptable methods.
* The temperature calculated to be the average of the extremes forecast by the local weather bureau over the next 24 hours.

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