BRICK ASSEMBLIES

For memorable,
timeless spaces

IMI Services

Project Support

  • Drawing, detail, and specification review
  • Constructability mockups
  • Sample panels
  • Project Troubleshooting
  • Qualified contractors and craftworkers

Education

  • Webinars
  • Seminars
  • Hands-on material workshops

DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION BEST PRACTICES

project spotlight

Fire protection

When it comes to life safety, masonry offers the utmost protection against fire, helping to minimize destruction to our communities. In fact, a masonry wall can remain intact and contain a fire burning on one side for 2, 3, 4 hours, or even longer, depending on its configuration

Installer Certifications & Training

Adhered Veneer Certificate

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Self-Adhered & Fluid Applied Installer Certification Course

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Flashing Training

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WEBINARS

Brick MDS

Codes & Standards

Here are some of the most common codes and standards that you may find helpful to reference when designing with brick. For a complete list, and for guidance on how to use these codes and standards, contact IMI.  

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a code requirement to have 1” min. air space behind all masonry veneers. This is best practice in site walls as well. Decoupling the veneer from the back-up wall provides an opportunity for drainage and ventilation to better manage moisture in the wall assembly and keep the new veneer from experiencing moisture-related issues.   

For brick veneer over wood frame structures, there is a prescriptive code requirement to have a shelf angle at 30’-0.” However, to save cost and minimize thermal bridging, some design and construction teams prefer to minimize or eliminate shelf angles. To accomplish this, they use an alternative design path and develop and an engineered solution to accommodate differential movement between the veneer and the shrinking wood structure. This sometimes results in using engineered wood members to minimize shrinkage and strategically placed horizontal gaps in the veneer. These gaps are sometimes cumulative in width the higher they are located in the veneer There is no  height limitation for masonry veneers over CMU or concrete structures. 

We prefer to install loose lintels in the veneer whenever it works – even if it means using composite steel sections for longer lengths.  Typically, loose lintels can be used up to approximately 14’-0” spans, depending on project specific conditions. When veneer lintels are fastened to the back-up wall, they create differential movement in the veneer due to a portion of the veneer bearing on the fixed lintel, and adjacent veneer bearing on a different condition like a foundation. These differential bearing conditions can create cracks in the veneer if vertical movement joints are not strategically placed. Loose lintels provide designers more flexibility for the location of vertical movement joints aligned with opening jambs or even between openings.

There are a few different stories about the history of rope wicks.  An old training book we have in the office from 1924 explains that rope wicks were to be removed to leave a weep hole. Cotton rope wicks eventually petrify when moisture transports cement and sand fines into the rope. This hardening of a rope wick negatively impacts drainage efficiency.  Modern masonry wall assemblies are designed to be drained and back-ventilated rainscreen walls.  The purpose of a weep vent is to allow moisture out of the wall cavity and air into it.  Rope wicks do not let air into the wall cavity 

We recommend using a masonry lintel (bond beam) in the CMU wall and a loose lintel in the veneer.  This will allow wood blocking to be located at the window head and the water/air barrier to be wrapped over the blocking and into the opening. Doing so significantly reduces thermal bridging at the window head. Overall, this method provides a more durable detail than introducing dissimilar materials, which can generate long lead times, unnecessary cost, and differential movement.   

Let's Build Responsibly.

Contact us for technical assistance on your next brick project.

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