Frequently Asked Questions about BecoWallform.
On this page is a list of questions most often asked about BecoWallform. From cladding and concrete to lintels and U-values. Hopefully you’ll find answers here to your questions, however our technical team are always happy to help if you can’t find the answer you’re looking for.
How are lintels formed?
Lintels are light preformed components delivered as part of the BecoWallform package. Manufactured to suit the various opening sizes required for the building, they interlink with the other components. Reinforcing bars are laid inside and the lintels are then filled with concrete at the same time as the wall is poured, integrating the reinforced lintel with the overall wall construction.
Apart from lintels, is steel reinforcement required?
It is quite practical to design buildings up to three storeys as concrete masonry structures, i.e. without reinforcement. Any requirement for steel reinforcement will be dependent on the type, size and location of the building and will be recommended by the specifier/designer or structural engineer.
Is there a limit to the number of storeys?
The number of storeys or height of the building is limited only by the structural design and local legislation.
Is a special concrete required?
A simple designated C25 pump grade concrete with a 100mm slump and ideally a 10mm aggregate is typically specified. Ask for concrete supplied under QSRMC or BSI quality assured schemes.
What size and weight are the BecoWallform components?
The size and light weight of components are such that they do not require mechanical handling, which helps to control damage and reduce waste. Dimensions are listed on our Components pages.
How are the walls erected?
BecoWallform components are delivered to site in packs or bags. They are light and easy to handle, and can be quickly cut with hot wire or hand saw as required. They interlock vertically and horizontally to form a continuous void that is filled with concrete.
What holds the leaves together?
The two leaves of the formwork system are connected and held together by a matrix of polystyrene or metal connectors which become cast into the concrete core.
How stable are the walls during construction?
During construction, it is necessary to support the formwork system and check for alignment during the pour, adjusting if necessary. We have our own temporary bracing system which is available to hire.
How is the concrete placed and does it need vibrating?
The pump grade concrete is placed into the formwork by means of a pump or skip and fills the system through gravity flow. The correct pump grade concrete will flow, fill and self-compact without the need for mechanical vibration.
How many pours are required per storey?
The pattern of concreting will vary from project to project, depending on circumstances and resources available. A storey height pour may be completed in one operation, supplied by one or more ready-mixed concrete deliveries, working round the perimeter of the formwork several times until it is full.
How thick are the walls?
The thickness of the walls will vary according to the performance specification required. The concrete core may vary from 140mm to 265mm depending upon the structural design, while the two leaves of insulation may vary from 110mm to 300mm depending on the thermal insulation specification. Consequently, total wall thickness may be between 250mm and 563mm.
What is the U-value of the walls?
The U-values of the Wallform system varies according to the overall thickness of the EPS, ranging from 0.30W/m2K to as low as 0.11 W/m2K. Full technical figures including U-values are available on our Technical Data page.
Why is the insulation thicker on the outside in some systems?
The thicker leaf gives additional protection to the structure, enhances the use of concrete’s thermal mass and improves energy efficiency.
Does a BecoWallform house burn?
The concrete cannot burn, and the EPS foam is self-extinguishing. In a really fierce blaze, well after the occupants have left, the main gases produced are CO2 and water vapour, with a minute amount of styrene, bromide and CO, which are less harmful than the compounds produced by the same volume of other building materials burning e.g. timber. The structural stability of the concrete reduces the risk of building collapse.
Has BecoWallform undergone fire testing?
BecoWallform has to achieve the minimum fire performance standards to satisfy the Building Regulations applicable to the project. From a minimum 30 minute fire rating the design of the wall may be adjusted and fire tested to achieve the highest fire standards required.
How robust is the system?
Buildings built with BecoWallform have been in use on the Continent, North America and Australasia for over 35 years with no record of failure.
How are internal and external finishes applied?
Finishes are normally applied directly onto the surface of the insulation. Plasters and lightweight renders will adhere directly to the insulation. Timber, masonry, curtain walling and other claddings are applied over the insulation with appropriate mechanical fixings to the concrete core. Dry lining can be attached to the internal leaf using proprietary adhesives.
Is a specialist Architect required and is there a source of technical information?
The design process is quite practical and, once familiar with the system, most designers find it simple to use since there are fewer components involved, all manufactured to modular sizes. We can provide details of local architects with Wallform expertise, or alternatively provide technical support to architects who are specifying the system for the first time.
How are operatives trained?
Operatives are usually trained through on-site experience. We offer on-site support as part of the package, or alternatively can provide details of local contractors with experience of BecoWallform construction.
What happens at foundation level?
BecoWallform can be built off any foundation, the wallblocks being held in position by their self-weight, just as for traditional masonry construction. The normal procedure would be to build a couple of courses of the Wallform system around the perimeter, adjust it to the correct alignment and level and then pour in the first 150 – 300mm of concrete to fix the position of the system on the foundations. See our Standard Construction Details for more.
How is a DPC introduced?
Normally a waterproof or water resistant concrete is specified for that section of wall where the traditional dpc would be located. This may be specified and supplied by the concrete supplier or a suitable admixture may be added on site prior to placement. Alternatively, a non-solvent based liquid dpc system may be applied onto the concrete at dpc level.
How are upper floors attached to walls?
Floors are normally built into the wall as the work proceeds, providing a solid connection between the two building elements.
Is there any special scaffolding required to enable the site operatives to reach the tops of the walls?
Normal scaffold systems may be used for access but we also can supply a specialist scaffold system which is also used to provide temporary propping for the formwork system until the concrete has cured.
How are internal walls constructed?
BecoWallform may also be used for internal walls. However, any internal partition system can be used, subject to making suitable connection to the concrete core within the Wallform system.
How weather tight is BecoWallform?
A Wallform structure with roof installed and without cladding is sufficiently weather tight to enable installation of internal services and finishes. Application of the appropriate cladding is required to ensure the long term weather tightness of the building and protect the insulation.
How are internal fitments attached to the walls?
Lightweight items may be fitted directly to the plasterboard or EPS with appropriate fixings. For heavyweight items such as kitchen cupboards, it may be preferable to drill and plug into the concrete core of the wall.
Is there a risk of condensation?
The internal wall surface temperature is usually within 1 or 2 degrees of the room temperature, eliminating the risk of condensation. As a breathing (vapour permeable) wall construction, any interstitial condensation quickly dissipates when conditions improve.