THE BAUTEX BLOCK
The Bautex Block is a composite insulating concrete form (ICF) that makes design simpler, construction faster, and buildings perform better. The blocks are large elements that are lightweight and easy to install by a single person. The blocks serve as forms for building a steel-reinforced concrete wall where the blocks stay in place after the concrete is installed to provide enclosure and insulation for the building.
Bautex Block has been fully tested and is recognized by international building codes. Today, the blocks are manufactured in a fully automated and high production facility in Central Texas utilizing an innovative patented process.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE MATERIALS
The basic material technology used in the Bautex Block is over 60 years old, and has been used extensively in Europe and Asia. The concept was to create a lightweight concrete mixture that would be durable and highly insulating. The Bautex composite material is simply regular concrete (Portland cement, sand, rock, and water) where the sand and rock have been replaced by expanded polystyrene (EPS).
The benefits of the composite material are clear. EPS is lightweight and highly insulating. Portland cement is durable and fire resistant. The Bautex EPS-Cement composite material is lightweight, insulating, fire-resistant, sound reducing, and immune to mold, mildew and decay.
The result is a durable and lightweight block that make construction fast and simple while providing tremendous performance benefits to our built infrastructure.
EPS-CEMENT COMPOSITE
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
| PROPERTY | VALUE | RESULT |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 22 lbs/ft³ | Lightweight material that makes construction simpler |
| Compressive Strength | <100 lbs/in² | Material is not load-bearing but durable for concrete pouring |
| R-Value | R-1.84/in yield an R-14 c.i. system | Insulation greater than energy codes |
| Fire | Flame Spread: 0 and Smoke Develop: 20 | Class-leading fire resistance. 4-hour fire rating. |
| Mold & Mildew | ASTM G21: 0 | No mold or mildew growth |
| Sound | STC: 51 and OITC: 49 | High sound reduction |
LAB TESTED. CODE RECOGNIZED.
THE BAUTEX WALL SYSTEM
Insulating Concrete Forming
The Bautex Block Wall System has been evaluated for use as interior or exterior, reinforced, load-bearing or non-load-bearing walls. Bautex meets the requirements of the 2018, 2015, 2012, and 2009 International Building Code (IBC) and the 2018, 2015, 2012, and 2009 International Residential Code (IRC).
IAPMO® UESTM Evaluation Report Number 559 has been issued for the Bautex Block Wall System.
| APPLICABLE STANDARDS | REQUIREMENTS | PERFORMANCE |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM E84 - Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials | Flame Spread: <25 Smoke Development: <450 | Flame Spread: 0 Smoke Development: 20 |
| ASTM E119 - Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials (Unfinished Bautex Wall under load). Conforms to UL 263, NFPA 251, and CAN/ULC S101. | Declared Value | Fire resistance rating of 4 hours, load bearing |
| NFPA 286 - Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution Of Wall And Ceiling Interior Finish To Room Fire Growth (Unfinished Bautex Wall) | Pass | Meets NFPA 101 Life Safety Code® |
| NFPA 286 - Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution Of Wall And Ceiling Interior Finish To Room Fire Growth (Finished with 5/8” gypsum drywall) | Pass | Meets NFPA 101 Life Safety Code® |
| ASTM C518 - Standard Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus | Declared Value | R-value per inch: 1.84 R-value system: 14 c.i. (thermal mass wall) |
| ASTM G21 - Standard Practice for Determining Resistance of Synthetic Polymeric Materials to Fungi | Score: 0 to 4 | Score: 0, No Growth Detected on Surface of Sample |
| ASTM E90 - Standard Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and Elements (Finished Bautex Wall) | Declared Value | STC: 51 OITC: 47 |
| ICC 500 - ICC/NSSA Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters | Protocol 1 & 2 Hurricane | Unfinished: 200 mph Finished: 225 mph |
| FEMA 320 - Taking Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe Room for Your Home or Small Business | Protocol 3 Hurricane Protocol 4 Tornado | Unfinished: 160 mph Finished: 250 mph |
| FEMA 361 - Design and Construction Guidance for Community Safe Rooms | Protocol 3 Hurricane Protocol 4 Tornado | Unfinished: 160 mph Finished: 250 mph |