Can masonry be installed on the exterior walls?
Yes, Fox Blocks has a brick ledge form and the xLerator ledge reinforcement that is designed to support masonry. Fox blocks also has a tieKey accessory which is a specifically made as a masonry tie, to be inserted through the form into the concrete.
Is a high performance ICF home less expensive to build than a wood framed high performance home?
Yes, marginally higher on the initial capital costs, but, it is a recorded fact that Fox Blocks high performance homes out perform in comfort and operating costs over a wood framed home. These creates monthly cost savings for the life cycle of the Fox Blocks home.
What if my contractor doesn’t know how to build with it?
Fox Blocks offers the most comprehensive installer training in the industry. We can train your contractor or help you locate a trained installer in your area.
Does expanded polystyrene (EPS) present a serious fire hazard?
The EPS in an Fox Blocks has a flame retardant that allows the forms to be flame resistant. The EPS will melt when exposed to sustained temperatures over 300°F (149°C). The ignition point of the melted styrene is 600°F (315°C) (wood is approximately 500°F (260°C). Fox Blocks have been tested to meet the building code requirements for flame spread and smoke development, plus Fox Blocks may be used as fire resistant rated wall assemblies in schools and hospitals.
Does EPS ‘off gas’?
EPS does not off-gas. Fox Blocks forms do not and never have contained any CFC or HCFC products. The forms are made by a steam process that utilizes ‘pentene gas’ as a blowing agent. The blowing agent dissipates from the product within 48 hours of manufacturing. Fox Blocks forms are odorless, do not deteriorate, and do not off gas.
Can you vibrate or consolidate the concrete in ICFs?
Yes, consolidation of the concrete is one of the key elements in the placement of concrete in an ICF wall. Fox Blocks recommends internal vibration with a pencil vibrator, quickly in and slowly out.
What is EPS made from?
Polystyrene is virgin material, manufactured from petroleum. Polystyrene beads are expanded with steam heat to be up to 40 times their original volume and then the expanded beads are molded again by steam heat into 25⁄8″ rigid insulation panels to create a Fox Blocks ICF.
Is burning EPS toxic?
Test reports conducted by the National Research Council state: “The maximum toxicity index obtained from the combustion of polystyrene was of the same order as that of wood.” Fox Blocks ICFs have been tested to meet building code requirements for flame spread ratings, smoke development and toxicity
Can you build and pour concrete in cold weather?
Yes. The forms insulate the concrete and enhance the curing process. The top of the forms, or exposed concrete areas will need to be covered, temporarily, with insulation to prevent the exposed concrete from freezing. Fox Blocks projects can be constructed any time of the year, no delays for cold weather.
Can the plastic webs be detected by using stud finders?
A stud finder typically uses the density of materials to locate studs. The polypropylene (plastic) web material will show up on high quality density stud finders. Note, the webs in Fox Blocks are spaced at 8″ (200 mm) on center and will be continuous vertically on each side of the wall.