w w w. c e m e x . c o .

u k / r e a d y b l o c k
CEMEX UK Building Products Ltd
CEMEX House, Evreux Way, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 2DT
850 SOLID LIGHTWEIGHT READYBLOCK

STANDARD FINISH
Material Datasheet
Product Specifications
CEMEX READYBLOCK

TO BS EN 7713:2003
Aggregate Concrete Masonry Units Category 1 (dense and light-weight aggregates)
CATEGORY : AGGREGATE CONCRETE MASONRY UNIT
DIMENSIONAL TOLERANCES : Category D1 (+3mm, -5mm)
Flatness No Performance Determined
Plane Parallelism No Performance Determined
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH : Mean 3.6 N/mm
2
MOISTURE MOVEMENT COEFFICIENT : = < 1.0 mm/m
BOND STRENGTH : Fixed Value, 0.15N/mm
2
REACTION TO FIRE : Class A1
WATER ABSORPTION : No Performance Determined
WATER VAPOUR PERMEABILITY(EN 1745) : 5/15
GROSS DRY DENSITY : 850 kg/m
3
NET DRY DENSITY : 850 kg/m
3
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY : Int, 0.30 W/mK Ext, 0.32 W/mK
DURABILITY AGAINST FREEZE-THAW : No Performance Determined
DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES : Information on dangerous substances will only be given when
and where required and in the appropriate form.
Features and Benefits
Designed to meet the requirements of the building regulations
Manufactured utilising lightweight aggregates for a lighter block
Meets the requirements of the manual handling regulations
Open textured finish provides an excellent medium for surface finishes and fixings
Demonstrates a high level of thermal resistance thereby enhancing heat loss thermal calculations
Also available in 1100 and 1400 densities to provide a range of excellent thermal and acoustic properties

With the ReadyBlock

range of Dense and Lightweight

Aggregate Blocks from CEMEX, you are assured to find the
building solution you need. Our blocks can be used with
confidence in a wide variety of internal and external
applications. Our quality assured manufacture ensures that
ReadyBlock

units are of a consistent and superior quality to

meet the requirements of all European and British standards.
Length
Sizes available (in mm)
Width Height
8.0 11.3
8.2 11.6
Block Weights (kg)*
Dry
3% Moisture Content
*These figures are a national average and variations may occur geographically,
please contact your nearest Sales Office for more precise block weights.
ReadyBlock

Sales Office:
North: 01236 822461
South: 01298 22244
440 215 100 140
100 140
For more information on CEMEX visit www.barbourproductsearch.info
Delivery and Storage
Blocks are normally delivered to site in banded packs on
crane-offload road vehicles. Where requested packs can
be delivered shrink-wrapped and/or palletised to aid
subsequent site movement activities. All packaging
should be disposed of carefully in accordance with local
environmental requirements.
If possible, delivered blocks should be stacked in planned
locations on the site. This reduces the double-handling of
the blocks.
Packs should be stacked carefully onto a prepared, clean,
firm area to minimise soiling and damage. They should
also be protected from inclement weather and passing
vehicles. Allow air to circulate through and around
the stacks.
Health and Safety
Care and attention should be given to the working area to
minimise accidents. Further information may be found in
HSE Construction Sheet 37-Handling Building Blocks.
Safe lift/build heights will vary dependant upon the block
type, thickness, etc. Weather conditions can also affect lift
heights and restrictions may be needed due to forecasted
windy weather. Generally, lift heights should not exceed 6
full block courses in a single working day. For cavity wall
construction, the 2 leaves should be built up together and
the difference in leaf height, at any stage during
construction, should generally not exceed 675mm.
A separate material safety datasheet from precast concrete
products is available from CEMEX.
Blocklaying
General Construction: The building of masonry
walling should be to the workmanship guidance given
in BS 8000-3.
Walls Below DPC: 850 Solid Lightweight Standard
Finish ReadyBlock

are not suitable for use below DPC

and ground level. We recommend the use of dense
aggregate blocks in this situation.
Laying in cold weather conditions: Blocks should
not normally be laid when the temperature is at or below
3C and falling or 1C and rising.
Laying: Solid blocks should be laid on a full bed of
mortar and the cross/perpend joints fully filled. When
necessary, adjust the consistency of the mortar to suit
the suction of the blocks.
Bond: Blocks should be laid to achieve a good bond,
normally not less than one quarter the block length.
In certain situations, consideration should be given
to the addition of bed joint reinforcement.
Cutting and Chasing: Where cutting of blocks is
required on-site, the use of a central cutting area should
be encouraged. Vertical chasing in blockwork should
not exceed one third of the block thickness and horizontal
chasing one sixth. Back to back chases should
be avoided.
Jointing: Mortar joints should be struck off as work
proceeds. Where subsequent rendering or plastering is to
take place, then rake out the joints to a depth of 15mm to
act as a mortar key. Flush joints are recommended for
facing work. Lightly tooling the joints highlights the
arrises of the blocks and hence the coursing, scale and
appearance of the finished wall. Raked joints should be
used with caution.
Mortar: Mortar should be specified in accordance
with Cl. 5.7 of BS 5628-3. To limit the visual impact
of shrinkage cracking, the weakest mortar specification
appropriate to the structural design should be chosen.
Finished Work
Protection of finished work: All blockwork should
be protected from inclement weather and other on-site
practices. Suitable protective sheeting should be placed
over the blockwork and firmly tied into place. Care must
be taken to protect the work from frost damage or rapid
drying out.
Movement Control: After construction, buildings are
subject to small dimensional changes due to settlement,
temperature change, moisture movement & carbonation.
To account for this, movement joints should be provided
in accordance with the recommendations of BS 5628:
Part 3. Generally, they are required at intervals of 6-8m for
external work. Movement joints are not normally required
for basic domestic dwellings. Consideration for the
location of movement joints should be given:
At changes in wall height or thickness
At changes of loading conditions
At abutments of walls and columns and junctions of
dissimilar materials
To align with movement joints in concrete floor slabs
Between 1m & 3m from a corner
At locations of chases, recesses & openings
In areas of concentrated stress, such as above and below
openings, consideration should be given to the use of
mortar joint bed reinforcement.
Render: All work should conform to recommendations
stated in BS EN 13914-1 - External Rendering.
In conditions of severe exposure, 3 coat work
is recommended with a total thickness of 20mm.
Allow adequate drying time between finishes or coats.
Plastering: All work should conform to the
recommendations stated in BS EN 13914-2:2005 -
Internal Plastering. The surface of 850 Solid Lightweight
Standard Finish ReadyBlock

provides a good key for all

types of plaster. Dry-lining systems are compatible with
the ReadyBlock

range.
Painting: 850 Solid Lightweight Standard Finish
ReadyBlock

is not intended to be directly painted.

Where a paint finish is required a plaster or render
finish should first be applied.
Fixing: The ReadyBlock

range provides an excellent

medium for most types of fixings and readily accepts
masonry nails, plugs or screws.
Efflorescence: Concrete products with high cement
content may suffer the temporary phenomenon of
efflorescence. This is not detrimental to the performance
of the product and no responsibility can be accepted for
its occurrence.
Sustainability
At CEMEX our environment matters, and the thermal mass
of our ReadyBlock

range not only could reduce the need for

air-conditioning in the summer but could also reduce the
consumption of winter heating fuel by capturing solar gains.
FAQs
Q. What is the U value (thermal performance) of
ReadyBlock

?
A. Individual blocks do not have U Values. A U Value
is determined by the type and thickness of each of
the elements used to construct the wall, including
airspaces. Extensive thermal insulation data is given
in BRE Special Digest (SD4) Masonry walls and beam
and block floors available free of charge from CBA,
alternatively, call our ReadyBlock

Helpline
Tel: 0800 667 827.
Q. What is the life expectancy of aggregate
blockwork?
A. It has been shown over a period of many decades that
if protected from aggressive chemical or abrasive
situations, concrete blockwork does not deteriorate
with time.
Q. Are 850 Solid Lightweight Standard Finish
ReadyBlock

suitable for the construction of

party walls as regards sound insulation?
A. These blocks do not meet the general wall mass
guidance in Building Regulations for party wall
construction. The 100mm wide block has insufficient
mass to be used in sound resistant external flanking
cavity walls or single leaf internal walls. We do not
therefore recommend their use in these situations.
For more information contact
our ReadyBlock

Helpline
Tel: 0800 667 827.
The information contained in this publication was accurate at the time of production, however
CEMEX reserves the right to introduce modifications or changes to detail at any time, as part of a
policy of continuous improvement.
This paper is produced from pulp sourced from properly managed sustainable forests, is
elemental chlorine free, uses up to 20% best white waste and is totally biodegradable.

For more information on CEMEX visit www.barbourproductsearch.info

With the ReadyBlock

range of Dense and Lightweight

Aggregate Blocks from CEMEX, you are assured to find the
building solution you need. Our blocks can be used with
confidence in a wide variety of internal and external
applications. Our quality assured manufacture ensures that
ReadyBlock

units are of a consistent and superior quality to

meet the requirements of all European and British standards.
CEMEX UK Building Products Ltd
CEMEX House, Evreux Way, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 2DT
1100 SOLID LIGHTWEIGHT READYBLOCK

STANDARD FINISH
Material Datasheet
Product Specifications
CEMEX READYBLOCK

TO BS EN 7713:2003
Aggregate Concrete Masonry Units Category 1 (dense and light-weight aggregates)
CATEGORY : AGGREGATE CONCRETE MASONRY UNIT
DIMENSIONAL TOLERANCES : Category D1 (+3mm, -5mm)
Flatness No Performance Determined
Plane Parallelism No Performance Determined
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH : Mean 3.6 N/mm
2
MOISTURE MOVEMENT COEFFICIENT : = < 1.0 mm/m
BOND STRENGTH : Fixed Value, 0.15N/mm
2
REACTION TO FIRE : Class A1
WATER ABSORPTION : No Performance Determined
WATER VAPOUR PERMEABILITY(EN 1745) : 5/15
GROSS DRY DENSITY : 1100 kg/m
3
NET DRY DENSITY : 1100 kg/m
3
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY : Int, 0.39 W/mK Ext, 0.42 W/mK
DURABILITY AGAINST FREEZE-THAW : No Performance Determined
DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES : Information on dangerous substances will only be given when
and where required and in the appropriate form.
Features and Benefits
Designed to meet the requirements of the Building regulations
Demonstrates a high level of performance in loadbearing and other structural applications
Manufactured utilising lightweight aggregates for a lighter block
Meets the requirements of the manual handling regulations
Open textured finish provides an excellent medium for surface finishes and fixings
Inherent light weight limits heat loss through external walls
Also available in 850 and 1400 densities to provide a range of excellent thermal and acoustic properties

w w w. c e m e x . c o . u k / r e a d y b l o c k
Length
Sizes available (in mm)
Width Height
10.4 14.6
10.7 15.0
Block Weights (kg)*
Dry
3% Moisture Content
*These figures are a national average and variations may occur geographically,
please contact your nearest Sales Office for more precise block weights.
ReadyBlock

Sales Office:
North: 01236 822461
South: 01298 22244
440 215 100 140
100 140
For more information on CEMEX visit www.barbourproductsearch.info
Delivery and Storage
Blocks are normally delivered to site in banded packs on
crane-offload road vehicles. Where requested packs can
be delivered shrink-wrapped and/or palletised to aid
subsequent site movement activities. All packaging
should be disposed of carefully in accordance with local
environmental requirements.
If possible, delivered blocks should be stacked in planned
locations on the site. This reduces the double-handling of
the blocks.
Packs should be stacked carefully onto a prepared, clean,
firm area to minimise soiling and damage. They should
also be protected from inclement weather and passing
vehicles. Allow air to circulate through and around
the stacks.
Health and Safety
Care and attention should be given to the working area to
minimise accidents. Further information may be found in
HSE Construction Sheet 37-Handling Building Blocks.
Safe lift/build heights will vary dependant upon the block
type, thickness, etc. Weather conditions can also affect lift
heights and restrictions may be needed due to forecasted
windy weather. Generally, lift heights should not exceed 6
full block courses in a single working day. For cavity wall
construction, the 2 leaves should be built up together and
the difference in leaf height, at any stage during
construction, should generally not exceed 675mm.
A separate material safety datasheet for precast concrete
products is available from CEMEX.
Blocklaying
General Construction: The building of masonry
walling should be to the workmanship guidance given
in BS 8000-3.
Walls Below DPC: 1100 Solid Lightweight Standard
Finish ReadyBlock

are not suitable for use below DPC

and ground level. We recommend the use of dense
aggregate blocks in this situation.
Laying in cold weather conditions: Blocks should
not normally be laid when the temperature is at or below
3C and falling or 1C and rising.
Laying: Solid blocks should be laid on a full bed of
mortar and the cross/perpend joints fully filled. When
necessary, adjust the consistency of the mortar to suit
the suction of the blocks.
Bond: Blocks should be laid to achieve a good bond,
normally not less than one quarter the block length.
In certain situations, consideration should be given to the
addition of bed joint reinforcement.
Cutting and Chasing: Where cutting of blocks is
required on-site, the use of a central cutting area should
be encouraged. Vertical chasing in blockwork should
not exceed one third of the block thickness and horizontal
chasing one sixth. Back to back chases should
be avoided.
Jointing: Mortar joints should be struck off as work
proceeds. Where subsequent rendering or plastering is
to take place, then rake out the joints to a depth of 15mm
to act as a mortar key. Flush joints are recommended
for facing work. Lightly tooling the joints highlights the
arrises of the blocks and hence the coursing, scale and
appearance of the finished wall. Raked joints should be
used with caution.
Mortar: Mortar should be specified in accordance
with Cl. 5.7 of BS 5628-3. To limit the visual impact
of shrinkage cracking, the weakest mortar specification
appropriate to the structural design should be chosen.
Finished Work
Protection of finished work: All blockwork should
be protected from inclement weather and other on-site
practices. Suitable protective sheeting should be placed
over the blockwork and firmly tied into place. Care must
be taken to protect the work from frost damage or rapid
drying out.
Movement Control: After construction, buildings are
subject to small dimensional changes due to settlement,
temperature change, moisture movement & carbonation.
To account for this, movement joints should be provided
in accordance with the recommendations of BS 5628:
Part 3. Generally, they are required at intervals of 6-8m
for external work. Movement joints are not normally
required for basic domestic dwellings. Consideration for
the location of movement joints should be given:
At changes in wall height or thickness
At changes of loading conditions
At abutments of walls and columns and junctions of
dissimilar materials
To align with movement joints in concrete floor slabs
Between 1m & 3m from a corner
At locations of chases, recesses & openings
In areas of concentrated stress, such as above and below
openings, consideration should be given to the use of
mortar joint bed reinforcement.
Render: All work should conform to recommendations
stated in BS EN 13914-1 - External Rendering.
In conditions of severe exposure, 3 coat work
is recommended with a total thickness of 20mm.
Allow adequate drying time between finishes or coats.
Plastering: All work should conform to the
recommendations stated in BS EN 13914-2:2005 -
Internal Plastering. The surface of 1100 Solid Lightweight
Standard Finish ReadyBlock

provides a good key for all

types of plaster. Dry-lining systems are compatible with
the ReadyBlock

range.
Painting: 1100 Solid Lightweight Standard Finish
ReadyBlock

is not intended to be directly painted.

Where a paint finish is required a plaster or render
finish should first be applied.
Fixing: The ReadyBlock

range provides an excellent

medium for most types of fixings and readily accepts
masonry nails, plugs or screws.
Efflorescence: Concrete products with high cement
content may suffer the temporary phenomenon of
efflorescence. This is not detrimental to the performance
of the product and no responsibility can be accepted for
its occurrence.
Sustainability
At CEMEX our environment matters, and the thermal mass
of our ReadyBlock

range not only could reduce the need for

air-conditioning in the summer but could also reduce the
consumption of winter heating fuel by capturing solar gains.
FAQs
Q. What is the U value (thermal performance) of
ReadyBlock

?
A. Individual blocks do not have U Values. A U Value
is determined by the type and thickness of each of
the elements used to construct the wall, including
airspaces. Extensive thermal insulation data is given
in BRE Special Digest (SD4) Masonry walls and beam
and block floors available free of charge from CBA,
alternatively, call our ReadyBlock

Helpline
Tel: 0800 667 827.
Q. What is the life expectancy of aggregate
blockwork?
A. It has been shown over a period of many decades that
if protected from aggressive chemical or abrasive
situations, concrete blockwork does not deteriorate
with time.
Q. Are 1100 Solid Lightweight Standard Finish
ReadyBlock

suitable for the construction of

party walls as regards sound insulation?
A. These blocks do not meet the general wall mass
guidance in Building Regulations for party wall
construction. The 100mm wide block has insufficient
mass to be used in sound resistant external flanking
cavity walls or single leaf internal walls. We do not
therefore recommend their use in these situations.
For more information contact
our ReadyBlock

Helpline
Tel: 0800 667 827.
The information contained in this publication was accurate at the time of production, however
CEMEX reserves the right to introduce modifications or changes to detail at any time, as part of a
policy of continuous improvement.
This paper is produced from pulp sourced from properly managed sustainable forests, is
elemental chlorine free, uses up to 20% best white waste and is totally biodegradable.

For more information on CEMEX visit www.barbourproductsearch.info

CEMEX UK Building Products Ltd
CEMEX House, Evreux Way, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 2DT
1400 SOLID LIGHTWEIGHT READYBLOCK

CLOSE TEXTURED FINISH

Material Datasheet
Product Specifications
CEMEX READYBLOCK

TO BS EN 7713:2003
Aggregate Concrete Masonry Units Category 1 (dense and light-weight aggregates)
CATEGORY : AGGREGATE CONCRETE MASONRY UNIT
DIMENSIONAL TOLERANCES : Category D1 (+3mm, -5mm)
Flatness No Performance Determined
Plane Parallelism No Performance Determined
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH : Mean 7.3 N/mm
2
Other strengths available on application
MOISTURE MOVEMENT COEFFICIENT : = < 1.0 mm/m
BOND STRENGTH : Fixed Value, 0.15N/mm
2
REACTION TO FIRE : Class A1
WATER ABSORPTION : No Performance Determined
WATER VAPOUR PERMEABILITY(EN 1745) : 5/15
GROSS DRY DENSITY : 1400 kg/m
3
NET DRY DENSITY : 1400 kg/m
3
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY : Int, 0.46 W/mK Ext, 0.49 W/mK
DURABILITY AGAINST FREEZE-THAW : No Performance Determined
DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES : Information on dangerous substances will only be given when
and where required and in the appropriate form.
Features and Benefits
Ideally suited for use in commercial and leisure developments
Perfect for use where durability, economy and colour co-ordination are major considerations
Provides an even surface for paint or other finishes
May be utilised without an additional finish in internal situations*
Provides excellent resistance to air permeability when utilised with two coats of masonry paint
Manufactured utilising lightweight aggregates for a lighter block
Meets the requirements of the manual handling regulations
*
A consistent natural surface colour cannot be guaranteed

w w w. c e m e x . c o . u k / r e a d y b l o c k
With the ReadyBlock

range of Dense and Lightweight

Aggregate Blocks from CEMEX, you are assured to find the
building solution you need. Our blocks can be used with
confidence in a wide variety of internal and external
applications. Our quality assured manufacture ensures that
ReadyBlock

units are of a consistent and superior quality to

meet the requirements of all European and British standards.
Length
Sizes available (in mm)
Width Height
13.2 18.5
13.6 19.1
Block Weights (kg)*
Dry
3% Moisture Content
*These figures are a national average and variations may occur geographically,
please contact your nearest Sales Office for more precise block weights.
ReadyBlock

Sales Office:
North: 01236 822461
South: 01298 22244
440 215 100 140
100 140
For more information on CEMEX visit www.barbourproductsearch.info
Delivery and Storage
Blocks are normally delivered to site in banded packs on
crane-offload road vehicles. Where requested packs can
be delivered shrink-wrapped and/or palletised to aid
subsequent site movement activities. All packaging
should be disposed of carefully in accordance with local
environmental requirements.
If possible, delivered blocks should be stacked in planned
locations on the site. This reduces the double-handling of
the blocks.
Packs should be stacked carefully onto a prepared, clean,
firm area to minimise soiling and damage. They should
also be protected from inclement weather and passing
vehicles. Allow air to circulate through and around
the stacks.
Health and Safety
Care and attention should be given to the working area to
minimise accidents. Further information may be found in
HSE Construction Sheet 37-Handling Building Blocks.
Safe lift/build heights will vary dependant upon the block
type, thickness, etc. Weather conditions can also affect lift
heights and restrictions may be needed due to forecasted
windy weather. Generally, lift heights should not exceed 6
full block courses in a single working day. For cavity wall
construction, the 2 leaves should be built up together and
the difference in leaf height, at any stage during
construction, should generally not exceed 675mm.
A separate material safety datasheet for precast concrete
products is available from CEMEX.
Blocklaying
General Construction: The building of masonry
walling should be to the workmanship guidance given
in BS 8000-3.
Walls Below DPC: 1400 Solid Lightweight Close
Textured Blocks can be used below DPC and ground
level as noted in Table 12 of BS 5628-3.
Laying in cold weather conditions: Blocks should
not normally be laid when the temperature is at or below
3C and falling or 1C and rising.
Laying: Solid blocks should be laid on a full bed of
mortar and the cross/perpend joints fully filled. When
necessary, adjust the consistency of the mortar to suit the
suction of the blocks.
Bond: Blocks should be laid to achieve a good bond,
normally not less than one quarter the block length.
In certain situations, consideration should be given to the
addition of bed joint reinforcement.
Cutting and Chasing: Where cutting of blocks is
required on-site, the use of a central cutting area should
be encouraged. Vertical chasing in blockwork should
not exceed one third of the block thickness and horizontal
chasing one sixth. Back to back chases should
be avoided.
Jointing: Mortar joints should be struck off as work
proceeds. Where subsequent rendering or plastering is to
take place, then rake out the joints to a depth of 15mm to act
as a mortar key. Flush joints are recommended for facing
work. Lightly tooling the joints highlights the arrises of the
blocks and hence the coursing, scale and appearance of the
finished wall. Raked joints should be used with caution.
Use in Sulfate Soils: 1400 Close Textured Lightweight
Blocks can be used in chemically aggressive ground
conditions up to & including Class DS-3 as detailed
in BRE Special Digest 1.
Mortar: Mortar should be specified in accordance with
Cl. 5.7 of BS 5628-3. To limit the visual impact of
shrinkage cracking, the weakest mortar specification
appropriate to the structural design should be chosen.
Finished Work
Protection of finished work: All blockwork should be
protected from inclement weather and other on-site
practices. Suitable protective sheeting should be placed
over the blockwork and firmly tied into place. Care must
be taken to protect the work from frost damage or rapid
drying out.
Movement Control: After construction, buildings are
subject to small dimensional changes due to settlement,
temperature change, moisture movement & carbonation.
To account for this, movement joints should be provided
in accordance with the recommendations of BS 5628:
Part 3. Generally, they are required at intervals of 6-8m for
external work. Movement joints are not normally required
for basic domestic dwellings. Consideration for the
location of movement joints should be given:
At changes in wall height or thickness
At changes of loading conditions
At abutments of walls and columns and junctions of
dissimilar materials
To align with movement joints in concrete floor slabs
Between 1m & 3m from a corner
At locations of chases, recesses & openings
In areas of concentrated stress, such as above and below
openings, consideration should be given to the use of
mortar joint bed reinforcement.
Painting: For 1400 Solid Lightweight Close Textured
ReadyBlock

, two coats of alkali resisting masonry

paint is recommended, applied after the masonry has
dried out. Before application any signs of efflorescence
or other surface staining must be removed.
Fixing: The ReadyBlock

range provides an excellent

medium for most types of fixings and readily accepts
masonry nails, plugs or screws.
Efflorescence: Concrete products with high cement
content may suffer the temporary phenomenon of
efflorescence. This is not detrimental to the performance
of the product and no responsibility can be accepted for
its occurrence.
Sustainability
At CEMEX our environment matters, and the thermal mass
of our ReadyBlock

range not only could reduce the need for

air-conditioning in the summer but could also reduce the
consumption of winter heating fuel by capturing solar gains.
FAQs
Q. What is the U value (thermal performance) of
ReadyBlock

?
A. Individual blocks do not have U Values. A U Value
is determined by the type and thickness of each of
the elements used to construct the wall, including
airspaces. Extensive thermal insulation data is given
in BRE Special Digest (SD4) Masonry walls and beam
and block floors available free of charge from CBA,
alternatively, call our ReadyBlock

Helpline
Tel: 0800 667 827.
Q. What is the life expectancy of aggregate
blockwork?
A. It has been shown over a period of many decades that
if protected from aggressive chemical or abrasive
situations, concrete blockwork does not deteriorate
with time.
Q. Are 1400 Solid Lightweight Close Textured
ReadyBlock

suitable for the construction of

party walls as regards sound insulation?
A. These blocks when built as a 75mm cavity wall have
sufficient weight to comply with the recommendations
of Part E of the Building Regulations. It is
recommended that a plaster finish is applied to both
sides of the wall.
For more information contact
our ReadyBlock

Helpline
Tel: 0800 667 827.
The information contained in this publication was accurate at the time of production, however
CEMEX reserves the right to introduce modifications or changes to detail at any time, as part of a
policy of continuous improvement.
This paper is produced from pulp sourced from properly managed sustainable forests, is
elemental chlorine free, uses up to 20% best white waste and is totally biodegradable.

For more information on CEMEX visit www.barbourproductsearch.info

CEMEX UK Building Products Ltd
CEMEX House, Evreux Way, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 2DT
1400 SOLID LIGHTWEIGHT READYBLOCK

STANDARD FINISH
Material Datasheet
Product Specifications
CEMEX READYBLOCK

TO BS EN 7713:2003
Aggregate Concrete Masonry Units Category 1 (dense and light-weight aggregates)
CATEGORY : AGGREGATE CONCRETE MASONRY UNIT
DIMENSIONAL TOLERANCES : Category D1 (+3mm, -5mm)
Flatness No Performance Determined
Plane Parallelism No Performance Determined
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH : Mean 7.3 N/mm
2
Other strengths available on application
MOISTURE MOVEMENT COEFFICIENT : = < 1.00 mm/m
BOND STRENGTH : Fixed Value, 0.15N/mm
2
REACTION TO FIRE : Class A1
WATER ABSORPTION : No Performance Determined
WATER VAPOUR PERMEABILITY(EN 1745) : 5/15
GROSS DRY DENSITY : 1400 kg/m
3
NET DRY DENSITY : 1400 kg/m
3
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY : Int, 0.46 W/mK Ext, 0.49 W/mK
DURABILITY AGAINST FREEZE-THAW : No Performance Determined
DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES : Information on dangerous substances will only be given when
and where required and in the appropriate form.
Features and Benefits
Designed to meet the requirements of the Building regulations
Demonstrates a high level of performance in loadbearing and other structural applications
Can be used both above and below ground
Manufactured utilising lightweight aggregates for a lighter block
Meets the requirements of the manual handling regulations
Open textured finish provides an excellent medium for surface finishes and fixings
Inherent light weight limits heat loss through external walls
Also available in 850 and 1100 densities to provide a range of excellent thermal and acoustic properties
All 7.3 N/mm
2
ReadyBlock

are suitable for use in ReadyFloor

Beam and Block floor system.

For 3.6 N/mm
2
please consult your local sales office for approved certification

w w w. c e m e x . c o . u k / r e a d y b l o c k
With the ReadyBlock

range of Dense and Lightweight

Aggregate Blocks from CEMEX, you are assured to find the
building solution you need. Our blocks can be used with
confidence in a wide variety of internal and external
applications. Our quality assured manufacture ensures that
ReadyBlock

units are of a consistent and superior quality to

meet the requirements of all European and British standards.
Length
Sizes available (in mm)
Width Height
13.2 18.5
13.6 19.1
Block Weights (kg)*
Dry
3% Moisture Content
*These figures are a national average and variations may occur geographically,
please contact your nearest Sales Office for more precise block weights.
ReadyBlock

Sales Office:
North: 01236 822461
South: 01298 22244
440 215 100 140
100 140
ReadyFloor

Beam and
Block Flooring System:
Tel: 01179 373740
For more information on CEMEX visit www.barbourproductsearch.info
Delivery and Storage
Blocks are normally delivered to site in banded packs on
crane-offload road vehicles. Where requested packs can
be delivered shrink-wrapped and/or palletised to aid
subsequent site movement activities. All packaging
should be disposed of carefully in accordance with local
environmental requirements.
If possible, delivered blocks should be stacked in planned
locations on the site. This reduces the double-handling of
the blocks.
Packs should be stacked carefully onto a prepared, clean,
firm area to minimise soiling and damage. They should
also be protected from inclement weather and passing
vehicles. Allow air to circulate through and around
the stacks.
Health and Safety
Care and attention should be given to the working area to
minimise accidents. Further information may be found in
HSE Construction Sheet 37-Handling Building Blocks.
Safe lift/build heights will vary dependant upon the block
type, thickness, etc. Weather conditions can also affect lift
heights and restrictions may be needed due to forecasted
windy weather. Generally, lift heights should not exceed 6
full block courses in a single working day. For cavity wall
construction, the 2 leaves should be built up together and
the difference in leaf height, at any stage during
construction, should generally not exceed 675mm.
A separate material safety datasheet for precast concrete
products is available from CEMEX.
Blocklaying
General Construction: The building of masonry
walling should be to the workmanship guidance given
in BS 8000-3.
Walls Below DPC: 1400 Solid Standard Finish
Lightweight ReadyBlock

can be used below DPC and

ground level as noted in Table 12 of BS 5628-3.
Laying in cold weather conditions: Blocks should
not normally be laid when the temperature is at or below
3C and falling or 1C and rising.
Laying: Solid blocks should be laid on a full bed of
mortar and the cross/perpend joints fully filled. When
necessary, adjust the consistency of the mortar to suit
the suction of the blocks.
Bond: Blocks should be laid to achieve a good bond,
normally not less than one quarter the block length.
In certain situations, consideration should be given
to the addition of bed joint reinforcement.
Cutting and Chasing: Where cutting of blocks is
required on-site, the use of a central cutting area should
be encouraged. Vertical chasing in blockwork should
not exceed one third of the block thickness and horizontal
chasing one sixth. Back to back chases should
be avoided.
Jointing: Mortar joints should be struck off as work
proceeds. Where subsequent rendering or plastering is to
take place, then rake out the joints to a depth of 15mm to act
as a mortar key. Flush joints are recommended for facing
work. Lightly tooling the joints highlights the arrises of the
blocks and hence the coursing, scale and appearance of the
finished wall. Raked joints should be used with caution.
Use in Sulfate Soils: 1400 Solid Standard Finish
Lightweight ReadyBlock

can be used in chemically

aggressive ground conditions up to & including Class
DS-3 as detailed in BRE Special Digest 1.
Mortar: Mortar should be specified in accordance
with Cl. 5.7 of BS 5628-3. To limit the visual impact
of shrinkage cracking, the weakest mortar specification
appropriate to the structural design should be chosen.
Finished Work
Protection of finished work: All blockwork should
be protected from inclement weather and other on-site
practices. Suitable protective sheeting should be placed
over the blockwork and firmly tied into place. Care must
be taken to protect the work from frost damage or rapid
drying out.
Movement Control: After construction, buildings are
subject to small dimensional changes due to settlement,
temperature change, moisture movement & carbonation.
To account for this, movement joints should be provided
in accordance with the recommendations of BS 5628:
Part 3. Generally, they are required at intervals of 6-8m for
external work. Movement joints are not normally required
for basic domestic dwellings. Consideration for the
location of movement joints should be given:
At changes in wall height or thickness
At changes of loading conditions
At abutments of walls and columns and junctions of
dissimilar materials
To align with movement joints in concrete floor slabs
Between 1m & 3m from a corner
At locations of chases, recesses & openings
In areas of concentrated stress, such as above and below
openings, consideration should be given to the use of
mortar joint bed reinforcement.
Render: All work should conform to recommendations
stated in BS EN 13914-1- External Rendering.
In conditions of severe exposure, 3 coat work
is recommended with a total thickness of 20mm.
Allow adequate drying time between finishes or coats.
Plastering: All work should conform to the
recommendations stated in BS EN 13914-2:2005 -
Internal Plastering. The surface of 1400 Solid Standard
Finish Lightweight ReadyBlock

provides a good key for

all types of plaster. Dry-lining systems are compatible
with the ReadyBlock

range.
Painting: 1400 Solid Standard Finish Lightweight
ReadyBlock

is not intended to be directly painted.

Where a paint finish is required a plaster or render
finish should first be applied.
Fixing: The ReadyBlock

range provides an excellent

medium for most types of fixings and readily accepts
masonry nails, plugs or screws.
Efflorescence: Concrete products with high cement
content may suffer the temporary phenomenon of
efflorescence. This is not detrimental to the performance
of the product and no responsibility can be accepted for
its occurrence.
Sustainability
At CEMEX our environment matters, and the thermal mass
of our ReadyBlock

range not only could reduce the need for

air-conditioning in the summer but could also reduce the
consumption of winter heating fuel by capturing solar gains.
FAQs
Q. What is the U value (thermal performance) of
ReadyBlock

?
A. Individual blocks do not have U Values. A U Value
is determined by the type and thickness of each of
the elements used to construct the wall, including
airspaces. Extensive thermal insulation data is given
in BRE Special Digest (SD4) Masonry walls and beam
and block floors available free of charge from CBA,
alternatively, call our ReadyBlock

Helpline
Tel: 0800 667 827.
Q. What is the life expectancy of aggregate
blockwork?
A. It has been shown over a period of many decades that
if protected from aggressive chemical or abrasive
situations, concrete blockwork does not deteriorate
with time.
Q. Are 1400 Solid Lightweight Standard finish
ReadyBlock

suitable for the construction of

party walls as regards sound insulation?
A. These blocks when built as a 75mm cavity
wall have sufficient weight to comply with the
recommendations of Part E of the Building Regulations
provided that a plaster finish is applied to both sides
of the wall.
For more information contact
our ReadyBlock

Helpline
Tel: 0800 667 827.
The information contained in this publication was accurate at the time of production, however
CEMEX reserves the right to introduce modifications or changes to detail at any time, as part of a
policy of continuous improvement.
This paper is produced from pulp sourced from properly managed sustainable forests, is
elemental chlorine free, uses up to 20% best white waste and is totally biodegradable.

For more information on CEMEX visit www.barbourproductsearch.info