Masonry Magazine April 1993 Page. 36
SILICONE SYSTEM
Continued from Page 26
Place the first block into the floor/sill channel at an angle and slide firmly into the adjacent jamb channel. Install one of the vertical spacers and a second block in the channel tightly against the first block. Repeat the procedure until last block is inserted into the channel against the opposite jamb. Next, place a precut horizontal spacer along the full length of the top of the first row. Install the second row of block and all remaining rows of the panel through the next to the last in the same fashion as the first. Install the top course by inserting each glass block through the previously cut notch in the head channel.
Employ the usual practices to ensure unbowed panels. At some point, stability may become a problem if the installed block is higher than four feet or over 40 square feet in area. Before proceeding, caulk both sides of the panel and let it set for 24 hours for partial curing before completing the remaining rows.
The final step is to fill the joints with silicone sealant. Only Trade Mate Glass Block Sealant should be used since it has been specially formulated for use with glass block and the plastic spacers, and provides the correct tooling time. It also has a mildewcide for wet applications. For best results, wipe all joints to be caulked with a clean cloth soaked in common household isopropyl alcohol. Allow five minutes for the alcohol to evaporate and wipe with a clean dry cloth before caulking.
Pull the caulking gun along all the joints in one direction, filling the joints to their full depth with a liberal amount of silicone. Then fill all the joints in the opposite direction. Work in an area no larger than fifteen square feet at one time.
APPLYING A LIBERAL amount of silicone, pull the caulking gun through the joints, first in one direction, then the other. Work in areas no larger than fifteen square feet in diameter.
FINISH SEALED JOINTS by pushing the spoon-like finishing tool through the joints. Excess sealant will collect in the spoon bowl. Then create a smooth finish at joint intersections by pulling the spoon outward in all directions from the center of the joint.
Non-Stop
SCAFFOLDING
Increase Production 20%-35%
When the wall is waist high to the bricklayer, he will produce more. Government studies, the experience of our customers, and our own experience have proven that point most convincingly. Actually, it's basic human nature. When the bending, reaching, and stooping are eliminated, a mason will fall into a fast, comfortable side-to-side rhythm when laying brick and block. He'll put in more units and be less tired at the end of the day. How much more production depends on the type of work. Production increases of 20% are common, while 35% is typical for Mask walls like warehouses. Our users have reported production increases as high as 47% on 12" blocks.
When you calculate the labor savings from this feature alone, you will see that Non-Stop can easily pay for itself in the first 10 to 20 weeks. Some masonry contractors say that their scaffolding paid for itself on the first job.
Never Run Scaffold-High Again
Building a wall from the ground to scaffold high and then moving your men is another unnecessary expense to eliminate from your operation. It tends to scatter your men, creates extra work for the laborers, and it wastes ten to fifteen minutes of production time getting the crew started again.
Using Non Stop, you will set your scaffolding in place first, before any work begins. Stock it with materials and your masons start the wall right off the scaffold. Once they have reached a comfortable working height, their walk-boards can be dropped in place in about 30 seconds and they continue working uninterrupted until the wall is topped out. Non-Stop gives you the ability to put your masons walkboards as low as 4" off the ground.
Another standard feature Non-Stop provides is the ability to add an extra walkboard for the masons. In many situations, like brick veneer with block back-up, you must run the block up first. Using Non Stop, you can run the block with 3 planks for the masons, let the scaffold down and then run the brick with 2 planks, without moving or replumbing the scaffolding.
The Faster Way
36 MASONRY-MARCH/APRIL, 1993