Bricklayer

BRICKLAYER

1.0 BRICKS GENERALLY

All bricks, unless otherwise stated, shall be of standard size, hard, sound, well burnt,
machine-made wire-cut clay bricks from an approved kiln.

The dimensions and tolerances shall conform in all respects to B.S. 3921.

Bricks shall be stacked on a dry level surface in a manner that permits free air circulation.
Adequate measures shall be taken to protect bricks from rain and contact with soil,
clinkers and ashes. No facing bricks are to be tipped out of vehicles.

2.0 SAMPLES

Samples of bricks are to be submitted to the Engineer/S.O. for approval before placing an
order with the manufacturer. All deliveries shall be up to the standards of the sample
approved. The Engineer/S.O. reserves the right to reject any bricks which are not in
conformity with the accepted samples. No soft, broken, twisted or otherwise defective
bricks will be permitted to be used.

3.0 COMMON BRICKS

The common bricks, unless otherwise described, shall be wire-cut clay bricks, even in
size, smooth in texture and with sharp well defined arrises and shall be obtained from an
approved manufacturer.

4.0 FACING BRICKS

The facing bricks shall be hard, well burnt, machine made, wire cut klinker bricks with a
vitreous finish and from an approved source. They shall all possess the same colour and
texture and shall not exhibit any efflorescence.

5.0 CALCIUM SILICATE BRICKS

Calcium silicate bricks shall comply with the requirements of B.S. 187, Class 3 with a
minimum compressive strength of 20.5 N/mm2.

6.0 CEMENT SAND BRICKS

The cement sand bricks, unless otherwise described, shall be of a nominal size of 225mm
x 113mm x 75mm depth. The bricks shall consist of an intimate and uniform mixture of
sand and cement. The sand and cement shall be mixed in the ratio of 6 parts of sand to 1
part of cement by volume. The sand used shall be as described hereinafter and the
maximum size shall pass through a 4.8mm mesh B.S. sieve. The cement used shall be
Ordinary Portland Cement as described in “Concretor”.

The bricks shall be even in size and texture and shall be manufactured, cured and tested
to the satisfaction and approval of the Engineer/S.O. All rejected and condemned bricks
shall be removed from the site at the Contractor’s expense.

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7.0 FAIR FACE BRICKWORK

Where brickwork is described as fairfaced, these shall be constructed of selected

common bricks which are of regular sizes, evenly burnt, with perfect arrises and true
faces where exposed. All selected bricks shall be as far as possible of an even colour.

Fairfaced bricks shall be kept clean; rubbing or staining will not be permitted. Scaffold
boards shall be turned back during heavy rain and at night to ensure this.

8.0 PATENTED BLOCK WALLS

Patented blocks shall comply strictly to B.S. 2028 and 1364 and shall be used strictly in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

9.0 CEMENT

The cement shall be as described in “Concretor”.

10.0 SAND

Sand for mortar shall comply with B.S. 1200 and shall be hard, clean, sharp, fresh water
river naturally occurring sand, free from clay and any other impurities and shall be
washed and screened if required by the Engineer/S.O.

11.0 WATER

Water shall be as described in “Concretor”.

12.0 CEMENT AND SAND MORTAR

The cement and sand mortar shall, unless otherwise described, consist of one part of
Portland Cement to three parts of sand by volume and approved plasticiser. The
plasticiser shall be mixed with the mortar in strict accordance with manufacturer’s
instructions to provide workability.

Mortar for brickwork below damp proof course or ground floor level shall be in the
proportion of 1 part cement and 3 parts sand.

13.0 GAUGED CEMENT AND SAND MORTAR

The gauged cement and sand mortar shall, unless otherwise described, consist of one
part of Portland Cement to six parts of sand by volume with the addition of an approved
mortar plasticiser and shall be used in the proportion and manner strictly in accordance
with the manufacturer’s instructions. Alternatively, an approved ready-mix ‘plasticised’
cement mortar may be used in strict accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations.

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14.0 MIXING MORTARS

The ingredients for all mortars shall be measured in proper gauge boxes and mixed on a
boarded platform. Alternatively, mixing may be by means of an approved mechanical
batch mixer as described for concrete. The cement mortar and gauged mortar shall be
used within thirty minutes of first wetting and any surplus shall not be re-tempered or re-
used.

All mixing boards and boxes shall be cleaned at all times and thoroughly at the end of
each day’s work. Similarly cleaning operations shall be maintained on platforms where
used.

15.0 WORKMANSHIP

Construct brick walls to the required dimensions, thickness, height as shown in drawings
and leave surfaces ready for plastering or rendering. Build in cramps, frames and precast
units as necessary. If bricks to the specified thickness are not available, the contractor
shall make up to the specified thickness with cement and sand (1:3) at his own expense.

All bricks shall be soaked in water for at least half an hour immediately before being laid
and the tops of walls left off shall be well wetted before work is recommended. All bricks
shall be well buttered before being laid and all joints shall be thoroughly flushed up as the
work proceeds. Brickwork shall be protected from the sun’s rays during the day on which
it is laid and also during the following day by covering with gunny sacks and/or kajangs
and any other means to ensure that this is done.

All brickwork, except half brick walls, shall be in English bond. Half brick wall shall be in
Stretcher bond. All shall be built in level courses, no four courses to rise more than 25mm
in addition to the height of the bricks laid dry.

Brickwork shall be accurately set out to courses and an accurate gauge rod is to be
prepared and adhered to. Carry up all brickwork in a uniform manner with no one portion
being raised more than1 metre above another at one time and the working junctions to be
raked back and not toothed up. Walls are to be set raking where one length of the walls is
to be bonded with another adjoining wall at later stage, thoroughly wetting raking portion
before work is recommended. All variations in levels are to be evenly stepped. Bats are to
be only used for bond. All perpends, quoins, etc., shall be kept strictly true and square
with all angles plumb and all courses to be kept horizontal. All arches, cuttings, sinkings,
setbacks and projections shall be properly formed.

All joints of brickwork to receive plaster or rendering shall be raked out to a depth of
12mm as the work proceeds.

Form all necessary holes, chases and cutting away for all services and make good on
completion. Chases are to be neatly cut or formed to the least depth possible. on no
account are structural concrete members to be cut or hacked without the prior approval of
the Engineer/S.O. Chases in concrete hollow block walls shall be avoided or minimized to
avoid impairment to the stability of the wall.

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16.0 DAMP ROOF COURSE

Damp proof course, unless otherwise described, shall comply with requirements of B.S.
743. Damp proof course shall be provided to all brickwalls minimum 150mm above
ground level and are to be laid full width of the wall with 228mm minimum laps at joints
and 114m laps at angles 20mm bed of cement mortar (1:1) and coated on the upper
surface with hot bitumen.

17.0 BUILDING IN CRAMPS, BONDING TIES, ETC.

Where ends of brickwork or blockwork abuts concrete wall or column, they are to be
secured to the concrete with 6mm diameter mild steel bonding ties 450mm girth, hooked
both ends, one end cast into concrete column and other end built into brickwork or
blockwork at every fourth course.

Build in mild steel fixing cramps of the type and size described or shown on drawings for
doors and window frames. The cramp shall be bent on end, drilled and screwed to back
of frame and the other end flanged and built into brickwork at 600mm centers.

Build in and bed in mortar all plates, templates and frames. Rake out joints to receive
flashings and weathering and point up upon completion.

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