[CCMC 13043-R] CCMC Canadian code compliance evaluation

It is the opinion of the Canadian Construction Materials Centre that the evaluated product, when used as an insulated concrete form in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this evaluation, complies with the following code:

National Building Code of Canada 2010

The above opinion(s) is/are based on the evaluation by the CCMC of technical evidence provided by the evaluation holder, and is bound by the stated conditions and limitations. For the benefit of the user, a summary of the technical information that forms the basis of this evaluation has been included.

Product name

Amvic Building System (ICF)

Product description

The product is a modular, interlocking concrete form system consisting of two expanded polystyrene panels. Embedded in the polystyrene panels are polypropylene connectors that are equally spaced at 150 mm horizontally and 200 mm vertically. The extremities of the polypropylene connectors are embedded close to the exterior surface of the polystyrene panels.

The polystyrene face panels have a preformed symmetrical interlocking expanded polystyrene (EPS) design along the top and side edges which makes the forms reversible (top and bottom, left and right) to facilitate stacking and alignment, as well as to prevent leakage of freshly placed concrete.

The units are dry-laid and stacked in a running (staggered) configuration. The stacked units form a rectangular space that, after being filled with concrete, results in an insulated, monolithic concrete wall of uniform thickness. Reinforcement may be placed where required to satisfy strength requirements for above- or below-grade loadbearing walls, beams, lintels and shear walls.

The units have external dimensions of 1 213 mm in length and 406 mm in height. The polystyrene panels are each 64-mm thick, resulting in an overall wall thickness of 228 mm, 278 mm, 328 mm or 378 mm that in turn encloses a 100-mm-, 150-mm-, 200-mm- or 250-mm-thick concrete wall.

The product units are available in straight, 90° or 45° corner forms, tapered top and brick ledge forms.

Two units are illustrated in the figures below.

Manufacturing plant

This evaluation is valid only for products produced at the following plant:

Product evaluated by the CCMC Indicates that the product from this manufacturing facility has been evaluated by the CCMC

The CCMC’s compliance opinion is bound by this product being used in accordance with the conditions and limitations set out below.

• The product is permitted to be used in the construction of houses and small buildings up to two storeys above grade that do not include residences with walkout basements, and fall under the provisions of Part 9 of Division B of the NBC 2010, and subject to all of the conditions listed below.
• The structural applications of this product must be in strict accordance with the design analysis as prepared by Amvic Inc. and included in Report No. 110822.1, dated 23 July 2012, from which the tables in the Design requirements section of this Report have been reproduced. When the product is used in structural applications outside the scope of the referenced design analysis, the engineering design analysis, related documents and drawings must bear the authorized seal of a registered professional engineer skilled in concrete design and licensed to practice under the appropriate provincial or territorial legislation. The engineer must certify that the construction provides a level of performance equivalent to that required by Part 4 and/or Part 9 of the NBC 2010.
• The maximum permitted building plan dimensions are 24 m × 18 m. Engineering is required on a case-by-case basis for buildings that exceed these dimensions.
• For loadbearing wall and shear wall applications, the minimum core thickness of the product must be 150 mm.
• For non-loadbearing wall applications, the minimum core thickness of the product must be 100 mm.
• Concrete used with this system must comply with Subsection 9.3.1. of Division B of the NBC 2010. It must be Type 10 or Type 30 with a minimum compressive strength of 20 MPa and a maximum slump of 150 ± 12 mm.
• The maximum aggregate size to be used in conjunction with this product must be no greater than 14 mm.
• For the wall heights indicated in the Vertical and horizontal steel reinforcement for above- and below-grade walls tables , the pouring of concrete must be made at a rate of 1.3 m per hour in consecutive lifts; each lift is limited to a maximum height of 1.3 m.
• All point loads, such as concentrated loads created by girder trusses, columns and beams, must bear directly on top of the concrete wall and must not be supported in any manner to create an eccentric loading on the concrete wall.
• Floor and roof connections to ICF walls must be designed to accommodate diaphragm action in seismic zones and zones of high wind pressure.
• The concrete must be cured a minimum of seven days before backfilling. The wall must be laterally supported at the top and bottom prior to backfilling.
• The EPS insulation used in this system must comply with CAN/ULC-S701-05, “Thermal Insulation, Polystyrene, Boards and Pipe Covering,” Type 2, as a minimum.
• The product’s EPS insulation panels must be aged for at least three weeks from their date of manufacturing.
• The concrete wall must be constructed on a footing designed as per Article 9.15.3.4., Basic Footing Widths and Areas, of Division B of the NBC 2010.
• The attachment of exterior cladding and interior finishing materials has not been assessed by the present evaluation.
• The interior face of the EPS panels must be protected from the inside of the building in accordance with Sentence 9.10.17.10.(1), Protection of Foamed Plastics, of Division B of the NBC 2010.
• For above-grade installations, the exterior face of the product must be protected with materials conforming to Article 9.20.6.4., Masonry Veneer, and Sections 9.27., Cladding, and/or 9.28., Stucco, of Division B of the NBC 2010.
• For below-grade installations, dampproofing must be provided in accordance with Article 9.13.2., Dampproofing, of Division B of the NBC 2010.
• Where hydrostatic pressure exists, waterproofing must be provided in accordance with Article 9.13.3., Waterproofing, of Division B of the NBC 2010.
• For foundation-wall installations, the backfill must be placed in such a way as to avoid damaging the wall, the exterior insulation panel and the waterproofing and dampproofing protection. The backfill material must be well drained and a drainage system must be installed around the footing in accordance with the requirements of the NBC 2010.

The installation of the product must be in strict compliance with the latest edition of “Amvic Technical Manual” without conflicting with the requirements stated in the NBC 2010 or in this Report. The wall system must be set up only installers trained and authorized by Amvic Inc.

This evaluation is based on demonstrated conformance with the following criteria:

The Report Holder has submitted technical documentation for the CCMC’s evaluation. Testing was conducted at laboratories recognized by the CCMC. The corresponding technical evidence for this product is summarized below.

Material requirements

Conformance of the EPS

Compliance of the expanded polystyrene thermal insulation with the requirements of CAN/ULC-S701-05 is covered under Intertek Testing Services (NA) Ltd. Certificate and /or Label service.

Design requirements

Conformance of structural capacity (steel reinforcement designs)

The design analysis in the Engineering Analysis Report provided to the CCMC of walls using the product provides a level of performance equivalent to that required by applicable provisions in Part 4 and/or Part 9 of Division B of the NBC 2010. The corresponding design analysis is summarized in the tables below. The tables provide steel reinforcement specifications for a number of different wall and lintel applications based on specific structural loads. The design assumptions are indicated below each table.