Masonry Support: Why early coordination matters

Taking a holistic approach

Positioned at the slab edge, the support system must coordinate with a wide range of façade products, structural elements and architectural features, all of which can influence the design, detailing, buildability and cost of the solution.

At ACS, we take a holistic approach to Masonry Support, considering these interfaces from the outset to develop solutions that are coordinated, practical and commercially efficient.

Products working in coordination

Cavity barriers, cavity trays, movement joints, balcony connections, canopies, rainwater pipes, GRC bracketry, scaffold ties, restraint ties and many other components can all influence the Masonry Support strategy.

The brickwork itself can also introduce additional considerations. Recessed panels, changes in bond, soffits and variations in façade geometry can affect how support angles are set out, where they terminate and the load paths they are required to accommodate. This means key decisions need to be considered together: where the support is positioned, which brick course it sits within, how it interfaces with the structure, and how it coordinates with the other components and features of the external wall.

Bringing the architect, structural engineer and Masonry Support supplier together during the early design stages provides an opportunity to identify these interfaces before they become difficult or costly to resolve. It also allows potential alternative solutions to be considered while there is still flexibility within the design. These alternative solutions can include opportunities to improve buildability or reduce costs before the design becomes too developed.

Why early involvement matters

One of the biggest challenges we see is when technical support is brought into a project after key design decisions have already been made.

By this stage, the available space at the slab edge may be restricted, interfaces may already be established, and changing one detail can have a knock-on effect across the wider façade. What may have been a straightforward coordination exercise at Stage 3 can become a significant design change later in the project.

At ACS, our Technical Specification team works with architects, structural engineers, main contractors, brickwork contractors and other construction professionals from the early stages of a project. Not every detail has to be resolved before involving the Masonry Support supplier. Early discussions can be used to identify the key interfaces, understand potential constraints and risks, then develop solutions and establish next steps to ensure a successful project delivery.

Masonry Support CPDs as part of the wider ACS technical support

ACS offers further support in the form of technical CPDs, understanding how Masonry Support relates to the façade is explained, and how these challenges can be overcome, even on the most complex of build.

Paul Ruding, Strategic Specification Director at ACS will be running a RIBA Accredited Masonry Support CPD on Wednesday 30^th September at 12.30pm – 1.30pm.

This technical session is aimed at providing any member of a design team an in-depth overview of factors impacting the choice of Masonry Support on projects and the best solutions to use to meet a range of design challenges. To sign up to this online session, fill out the short registration here.