Insulated Concrete Forms Construction Overview

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1. Properly installed footings are the key to quick and accurate installation. Footings should be smooth, square and level to ensure walls are straight, plumb and level. Refer to your local building code for required dimensions and reinforcement.
2. Strike a chalk line on the outside edge of the wall location. Follow building code requirement to determine the required size, length and spacing of vertical footing dowels. Consult Reward’s Product Manual for reinforcement requirements for single family residential projects. Work with an engineer for commercial projects.
3. Use one of several methods to attach formwork to footing:
   1. Glue the bottom of the first course of forms to the footing.
   2. Anchor 2 ½ inch metal wall track along chalk line to straddle inside layer of foam.
   3. Anchor light gauge metal angle along exposed face of inside layer of foam. Anchor metal angle along exposed face of outside layer once two courses are stacked.
   4. Anchor 2x wood cleats along exposed face of inside layer of foam or anchor 2x wood cleats along exposed face of outside layer once two courses are stacked.
      
      Shim or shave bottom of form to level up to the first course.
4. Vertical wall reinforcement is typically inserted down through the formwork once the wall forms have been stacked to their final height. There are two favored methods to secure vertical rebar to reinforcement dowels:
   1. Place a PVC collar over footing dowels or
   2. Create 2 inch deep depressions in top of footing at wall reinforcement locations.
      
      Consult local building codes for approved methods.
5. Set corner blocks first, then work out in both directions toward the middle of each wall. The location where a full block is cut to close the required corner to corner dimension becomes the common seam. To start the second course, flip the corner blocks to stagger the seams between blocks and work out in both directions. Cut again at the common seam location established on the first course. This will maintain the alignment of form ties out from the corners on both sides of the common seam.
6. Secure the corner blocks to the straight blocks on the outside of the forms by applying fiber reinforced tape across the vertical joints and wrap around the corner or connect the block ties inside the forms on either side of the joint with heavy duty cable ties. Apply bracing on both sides of the corner.
7. Continue to install horizontal reinforcement, as required, as the forms are stacked. Vertical reinforcement will be inserted down through the formwork once stacking has reached the final height of the wall.
8. Assemble and place all door and window bucks, making sure they are braced straight, level and plumb and secured to the wall. Install all reinforcement required around each opening.
9. Bracing should be placed every 5 feet on center along one side of each wall. Windows and doors should be braced separately. Proper bracing helps ensure straight and plumb walls.
10. Walls are most often braced from the inside, but bracing on the outside is also an option. Windows and doors can be braced to the outside to reduce inside clutter. At this stage, you will want to be sure that penetrations through the wall for vents, outlets, fixtures and utility lines have been properly planned for, installed and reinforced. Be sure to provide proper bracing at T-wall intersections.
11. Anchor bolting a ledger board prior to concrete placement allows joist hangers to be used to frame intermediate floors and external decks. Refer to Reward’s Product Manual. You can also use a ledger connection system such as one offered by Simpson Strong-Tie. Refer to manufacturer’s instructions for installation. Using Reward’s ledge form and xLerator reinforcement is another option. Install the ledge form at the required floor bearing height. Wet set anchor bolts in the concrete ledge, then anchor a continuous treated plate. Refer to Reward’s Product Manual for the allowable loading capacity of ledge form and xLerator.
12. Prior to placing the concrete, review Reward’s pre-pour checklist in the Product Manual. Place concrete in multiple lifts, each at a maximum height of 4 feet, properly consolidated. Reward recommends using a reducer at the end of the hose to slow the flow of the concrete.
13. Reward’s patented xLerator™ is designed to meet ACI 318 requirements and reduce labor significantly. Place the xLerator into the foam slot of the ledge form with the 90-degree bend side resting on the plastic ties in the wall cavity. Center the xLerator in each of the corbels. The adjacent xLerators merely need to be butted up to each other—no tying or lapping is required.
14. The Reward ledge form can be used to support up to 40 feet of masonry. It is easily integrated into the wall and reduces the required thickness of the foundation below. Use Reward’s tieKey to provide strength and security when installing exterior finishes.
15. he taper top form allows for wider concrete structural bearing in the following applications:
    1. A wood framed structure built on top of a Reward basement or crawl space
    2. Roof trusses bearing on top of the above-grade iForm wall
    3. Transition from a 13" iForm basement to a 9"above-grade iForm wall
       
       The xLerator™ simplifies reinforcement requirements. Refer to the Reward Product Manual for more information.
16. As with any below-grade structure, it is important for Reward walls to receive waterproofing protection. Any approved basement exterior waterproofing membrane that is compatible with expanded polystyrene is acceptable, provided it is installed in accordance with the waterproofing membrane manufacturer’s instructions.
17. To easily install utilities, cut a channel into the foam with a hot knife or router to the depth required by local code. Insert the electrical or plumbing into the channel. Use EPS compatible foam adhesive or foam backer rod to hold in place.
18. The recessed fastening strips on the ends of the form ties are clearly marked on the exterior of the foam and provide continuous attachment every 6" on center. Any type of interior or exterior finish can be applied directly to the form. Building codes require EPS foam to be covered by a 15-minute thermal barrier (1/2" drywall, for example).