Usage

Commercial Buildings

Basements

BenexBlock™ H600 is ideally suited for many applications in commercial construction.

BenexBlock™ is ideal for use in basements as the perimeter wall. Because BenexBlock™ H600 is waterproof it is possible to reduce the size of typical basement excavations. For dry basement construction, the only safe method of constructing the perimeter wall is to over excavate and bench the excavation to allow the application of liquid membrane, and install core drainage and drainage gravel.

With BenexBlock™ H600 there is no need to apply the external waterproof membrane, so significant saving on excavation can be achieved.

The BenexBlock™ wall can be built from the basement interior either directly on the footings or on the basement slab. BenexBlock™ retaining wall construction methodology will ensure the wall achieves the desired structural performance, is waterproof, and is aesthetically pleasing. The saving in tanking alone is in excess of $50/m² — add to this the saving on excavation and you will find there is no logical alternative to the H600 series for basement construction.

Spandrel Walls

BenexBlock™ is also ideal for the construction of Spandrel walls to commercial office buildings. All commercial buildings need fire and smoke separation between floors of 900mm to comply with the current BCA requirements.

Using BenexBlock™ alone achieves this. Spandrel walls are typically a composite built of timber or metal stud, insulation, and sisolation, fire check, or masonry with battens and gyprock

The exterior of the spandrel can be colour back glass as is typical for curtain wall façade, or aluminium or compressed sheet and render as is typical for floor by floor façade systems.

Using BenexBlock™ as spandrel structure eliminates several building elements.  Externally it is possible to fix the curtain wall frame directly to the BenexBlock™  wall (no need to drill and plug), fix the aluminium directly to the BenexBlock™, as it is easy to lay straight and there is no need for any battens or packing, or simply render to the BenexBlock™  face.  Internally, the acoustic and thermal properties of BenexBlock™ walls ensure that the requirements for insulation is reduced or eliminated (depending on the climate zone of the building).  It is possible to fix gyprock directly to the internal face.

Spandrel wall construction is so much easier now that BenexBlock™ has arrived.

Shaft Rises and Lift Shafts

Because of BenexBlock™ superior acoustic properties and fire rating properties, the product is ideal for service risers required in all multi-level commercial buildings.  The wall can be constructed from outside the shaft at a much quicker rate than standard masonry or stud work, and because the blocks are glued together and do not use mortar there is minimum cleanup on the floor or in the shaft.

With lift shafts the walls can be selectively or completely core filled allowing for the installation of the rails or openings at any location.  The BenexBlock™ wall acts as a monolithic structure once cured, thus performing like a solid concrete wall--not traditional masonry. This is because of the interlocking lugs and patented BenexMix adhesive. The advantages of this property in lift shaft construction are significant and will become another major recognised advantage as BenexBlock™ is used in the industry.

Wet Areas Walls

Toilet and showers blocks in commercial buildings are typically constructed from concrete masonry.   Using BenexBlock™ H600 has many advantages over the alternative.  As each block weighs only 13kgs and covers an area of 600mm x 200mm, there is a 50% decrease in the cost and time hoisting & handling the material for each square metre of wall constructed.  Add to this the fact that there is no need for sand, cement, concrete mixers, and all the associated floor area and mess that normal masonry has, and it is clear BenexBlock™ is the only logical choice for wet area construction in commercial buildings.  Additionally, because BenexBlock™ is waterproof there is a reduction in the risk of water intrusion issues to office areas in the life cycle of the building.

The better acoustic properties of BenexBlock™ over alternative masonry properties are also an added benefit.

Secure Rooms

Many commercial office installations require secure facilities built within their tenancies for the security of in-house and client documents and files.  BenexBlock™ can be reinforced both vertically and horizontally and then core filled.  The structural integrity of the completed wall will achieve any security endorsed criteria.