Concrete idea for Habitat
Donated masonry walls between duplex units are fireproof, quiet
There’s a block party going on in St. Albert — a concrete block party, that is.
A construction site on Arlington Drive is home to an initiative that partners Habitat for Humanity Edmonton with the Alberta Masonry Council.
Masonry party walls and concrete-block foundations are being used in the construction of two of the 15 duplexes being built on the site by Habitat, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating affordable housing for low-income families.
It’s a classic win/win scenario, as it serves as an opportunity for the AMC to support Habitat’s efforts in the community, while at the same time demonstrating the strengths of masonry construction techniques and materials.
Mark Hagel became executive director of the AMC in September 2011. Prior to that, he worked in Calgary as a structural and building envelope engineer.
One of the most important aspects of masonry, Hagel says, is its performance in the event of a fire. The fireproof nature of concrete block is in contrast to the fire-resistant characteristics of gypsum walls. Non-combustible concrete will be more effective in keeping a fire from spreading from unit to unit.
“With masonry, the main thing is fire compartmentalization. There is a true separation of the living spaces,” says Hagel.
In addition to preventing the spread of fire, masonry can limit water damage during firefighting efforts.
High-pressure fire hoses can smash through fire-compromised gypsum walls, sending water cascading into the adjoining living space.
Masonry, on the other hand, will stand up to the impact, a trait that is demonstrated dramatically on videos hosted on the AMC website (albertamasonrycouncil.ca).
But there are also other, more everyday advantages of masonry construction.
“I think you find with gypsum, even with the insulation, there is still some sound transmission,” Hagel says.
“When you have the concrete block wall, there’s a reduction of noise, particularly in the lower frequencies. That’s because the material is denser and more robust than the typical wood products.”
“Another advantage of concrete block is that it’s non-organic, so that it doesn’t rot or mould. When it gets wet, it actually gains strength, because that is hydrating the concrete.”
Hagel says the choice of a concrete-block foundation isn’t typical for Alberta construction.
For the most part, foundations are poured concrete.
“There’s not a huge advantage, one over the other. The one thing with concrete block is that it is a little more versatile. (Poured) concrete takes the shape of its container, so you need to do that form work in order to pour the walls. If you want to add a door or a window later to poured concrete, that’s very difficult to do, whereas with masonry, you can just add blocks or knock out blocks.”
The AMC’s involvement in the project was something that grew over time.
“We started off with just the concrete block firewall, but then expanded things by donating the products for the concrete block foundation wall,” Hagel says.
“We actually ended up donating the material for the siding, as well. It was originally going to be vinyl siding, but now it will be concrete brick.”
As with all Habitat for Humanity buildings, the St. Albert project has been a group effort, relying on the support of companies and organizations donating time, material and expertise.
For the masonry portion of the build, Expocrete Concrete Products and the Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers Association provided materials, while Scorpio Masonry and Inline Masonry provided skilled masons for the installation.
Williams Engineering provided engineering expertise in conjunction with the AMC.
“It was a chance to say, ‘Hey, how can we help out?’ ” Hagel says. “It has been an excellent project to be involved with.”
At the job site in St. Albert, Habitat Edmonton communications co-ordinator Kyle Keller surveys the duplexes in various stages of construction, and marvels with Hagel about the support the project has received from the community, volunteers, and partner organizations.
Keller has worked for Habitat for four years, and finds it a chance to make a difference in the community while doing something he loves.
“I enjoy the fact that I get to do some writing, sometimes a bit of graphic design, talk to people who are interested in what we’re doing,” Keller says.
“Then you add in the fact that it’s an organization that does this type of work in the community, and, well … ”
He smiles and taps over his heart to finish the thought.
You can find more information on the work of Habitat for Humanity Edmonton at hfh.org.