• Foundations and slabs per Engineers specification and design.
• Foundation walls built with FinnBUILDER® at a concrete strength to be specified in the site specific FinnBUILDER® rational design.
• The dimensions of the wall building FinnBUILDER® Gemini mould overall are 605mm long, 230mm in height. Wall thickness to be 220mm, 150mm or 110mm.
• The shortest wall sections from a corner (external measurements):
  • 220mm wall thickness should be 770mm
  • 150mm wall thickness should be 700mm
  • 110mm wall thickness should be 660mm
  • Shorter sections can be built but with more difficulty.
• The internal measurement for the placement of any window or door should be situated no closer than 550mm from a corner or a return (internal measurement and for all wall thicknesses).
• The shortest sections of a column i.e. between a window and a door, or between two windows to be 500mm.
• The FinnBUILDER® Gemini mould slides forward horizontally to allow for any length of wall as per the design.
• The mould also builds vertically so that any wall plate height can be accommodated – although heights of 2300mm, 2530mm, 2760mm, 2990mm and 3220mm are standard.
• Jib wall sections are treated separately as per the site specific rational design.
• Brickforce every row in foundation walls.
• Above floor slab the normal building regulations of dpc, brickforce every second course and then brickforce every course above lintel height.
• Precast lintels above openings.
• Requirements for ring beams specified in the FinnBUILDER® rational design.
• Top of wall detail to accept first storey slab specified in site specific FinnBUILDER® rational design.
• First storey slab and staircase to Engineers specification.
• FinnBUILDER® rational design to specify roof tie-in wire or hoop iron detail in the fixing of any roof.
• Gable walls and beam filling built using specialised FinnBUILDER® technique.
• Specifications for window cills as per design. Standard brick window cills with dpc accommodated with cement stock bricks.
• External walls to be plastered as specified per climatic zone with an Agrement approved IWR to be included in the Temperate Coastal zone. Internal walls can be plaster floated with a 3mm material to present an acceptable paintable surface (significant cost saving) or plastered and finished with a required coating.
• NOTE TO BE INCLUDED ON MUNICIPAL BUILDING PLANS
• WALLS - To be constructed with FinnBUILDER slip form concrete shuttering using re-inforced no-slump concrete of 15 MPa strength as per site specific rational design from FinnBUILDER. A Certificate of Compliance to be issued by FinnBUILDER on completion of the walling.

The FinnBUILDER® system is compliant with SANS 10100 – Structural use of concrete.

In terms of compliance with the NHBRC Home Building Manual, if the FinnBUILDER® system is benchmarked against a masonry building since the system has a minimum strength of 15 MPa, it outperforms the performance of a masonry building.

The FinnBUILDER® system is suitable for single and double storey residential home construction. The roof fixing details meet, as a minimum, the SANS 10400-K specifications. The roof design is conventional and to be as per SANS 10400-L.

The FinnBUILDER® material is concrete. The system complies with the requirements of SANS 204: Energy Efficiency in Buildings and the requirements of SANS 10400.

The R-value of 220mm FinnBUILDER® walls constructed with 15 MPa no-slump concrete was evaluated by the NHBRC and calculated at R-0.67

The performance of the FinnBUILDER® wall for water penetration meets or exceeds the requirements of SANS 10400-K: Walls Clause 4.5 Water Penetration.

Water penetration is measured by the fact that no damp patches are visible on the inside of the wall. This is ensured by meeting the provisions of SANS 10400 with a minimum external wall thickness of 140mm, 15 MPa concrete and plastering and finishing external walls as specified for each climatic zone as shown in the table below.

In Zone 4 Temperate Coastal regions, the FinnBUILDER® system specifies the use of:

i) IWR Admixtures

An Agrement certified IWR (integral water repellent) admixture such as Coprox to be used as per manufacturer’s specification on all external wall faces.

Internal walls to be plastered.

All walls to be finished with one coat plaster primer and two coats of external acrylic paint

However, if specifically required by the engineer/architect, the FinnBUILDER® system may be used to build:

ii) Cavity Walls

In Zone 4 Temperate Coastal regions, if cavity walls are the preferred option for external walls, then the FinnBUILDER® system specifies 110mm inner leaf and a 110mm outer leaf. Cavities to be not less than 50mm or more than 110mm. Design details to conform to SANS 10400-K.

Rising damp is controlled by building foundation walls to a height sufficient to ensure that the bottom of the floor slab is at least 200mm above natural ground level, under surface bed (USB) plastic SABS 250 - 375 microns is correctly laid under the floor slab and that damp proof course (DPC) is placed under the first row of all external and internal walls. All the provisions of SANS 10 400 of this section apply.

The FinnBUILDER® system is a concrete wall and has similar properties to that of a cement masonry wall.

The system conforms to the requirements of SANS 10400-K: Walls.

The general problem of condensation would be considerably reduced if the number of occupants in a dwelling unit were to be limited to the number for which it was designed. The use of appliances that burn paraffin or gas for cooking, heating or lighting should be avoided, except where the dwellings are properly ventilated. Adequate permanent ventilation which cannot be easily blocked by the occupants should be provided in all dwelling units.

The use of air bricks or air vents should be incorporated where the design allows and these should be located and installed so as to maximise the cross ventilation of fresh air and prevent moisture build up. Burglar bars should also be considered so that windows can be safely left open to provide the necessary air movement.

The FinnBUILDER® system meets or exceeds the acoustic requirements of the NHBRC Home Building Manual and the National Building Regulations.

Concrete is known for its exceptional durability, making it a cornerstone in construction worldwide.

The FinnBUILDER® system meets and exceeds the durability requirements of SANS 10400.

Concrete is non-combustible and does not support the spread of flames.  It produces no smoke, toxic gases or emissions when exposed to fire and does not contribute to the fire load. Concrete as a building material internationally has the highest possible fire designation.

The FinnBUILDER® concrete building system meets or exceeds the requirements of SANS 10400-T: Fire Protection.

Greening Your Tomorrow

Greening your tomorrow by building with FinnBUILDER® technology, using natural materials from the earth to create superior homes in an energy efficient envelope. The modern concrete home design has a low carbon footprint, low embodied energy, natural insulation and a home that resonates with the earth.

Water usage in the FinnBUILDER® process saves 60% of the water usually used in building, limiting the impact on this scare resource.

Recover, Re-cycle, Re-use

All material waste is recovered and recycled back into the FinnBUILDER® process to make sure that everything provided by the earth is used to provide a home for its people. Nothing goes to waste.

Modern Concrete Home Design

Modern concrete homes are an ideal design choice in Africa where weather events, termite infestations and long hot summers are the order of the day. The concrete is strong and provides an ideal medium to ensure the longevity of your most precious investment.

The most crucial structural attribute of modern concrete home design in Africa is a continuous load path. A continuous load path ensures the home has the ability to resist in-plane shear forces, like storm surge, high winds and seismic loads.

Modern concrete home design is the best choice for creating an energy efficient home because it creates a tight thermal building envelope and nothing goes to waste.

1. Introduce the FinnBUILDER® system to clients who are looking for cost efficient innovations to make their home more affordable.
2. Design homes to accommodate FinnBUILDER® mould dimensions.
3. Include a note on the plans that walls to be built with solid concrete block using nominally reinforced concrete and plastered per the site specific FinnBUILDER® rational design
4. Submit a copy of the FinnBUILDER® Licensed Building Contractor’s currently dated FinnBUILDER® License as supporting documentation to the Municipality on submission of Building Plans.
5. Once the plans have been approved by the Municipality, the FinnBUILDER® Licensee sends a copy of these approved plans to FinnBUILDER® for review.
6. FinnBUILDER® draws up a site specific rational design for the structure and sends this to the Engineer responsible for enrolling the site with the NHBRC.
7. The Engineer confirms acceptance of the rational design, marks the NHBRC Enrolment Application as RD4 and attaches the FinnBUILDER® rational design as part of the supporting documents submitted to the NHBRC.
8. Once enrolled, the Licensee sends FinnBUILDER® a copy of the NHBRC  Enrolment Certificate before commencement of construction. Only sites so notified will be issued with a FinnBUILDER® certificate of compliance on completion.
9. FinnBUILDER® conducts site inspection visits to confirm that all aspects of the rational design have been correctly followed, that concrete test cubes are prepared, marked and available. FinnBUILDER® tests concrete strength in situ and confirms that steel reinforcement is in place.
10. A FinnBUILDER® certificate of compliance is issued on successful completion of the rational design.

• Correct selection of local materials to make a good concrete and achieve specified strengths.
• The mixing procedure to achieve a good no-slump concrete and use of the material within 60 minutes of mixing.
• Compaction.
• Building on a wet joint to ensure proper bonding.
• Inter-locking of corners and internal walls to external walls.
• Incorporation of 1st stage plumbing and electrical to avoid chasing of the walls as much as possible.
• Application of the rational design.
• Curing.
• Test blocks.
• Fixing of any roof. 
• Plastering and painting of all external walls to ensure weather tightness. Different specifications are given in the rational design to cover the various climatic zones.

The MPa specified for the concrete in the site specific FinnBUILDER® rational design can vary from 10 MPa to 30 MPa. By comparison, cement stock bricks are manufactured at 7 MPa; 10 MPa or 14 MPa.

On commencement of a FinnBUILDER® project, test blocks are made to confirm that the materials and the mix ratio will deliver the MPa required by the rational design. During construction, test blocks are made at certain intervals and for every 50m3 of concrete mixed.  These test results form an integral part of the quality management system (QMS) that confirm that the specified concrete strength has been achieved.

1. Advise FinnBUILDER® of all projects using FinnBUILDER® technology.
2. On receipt of the building plans FinnBUILDER® will prepare and send the Engineer a site specific rational design for comment and approval.
3. Enrol the site with the NHBRC specifying the FinnBUILDER® site specific rational design for the walling, marking RD 4.
4. Receive the FinnBUILDER® Notice to Commence Building directly from FinnBUILDER®. This confirms FinnBUILDER® participation in the on site QMS.
5. Receive FinnBUILDER® site inspection reports for comment.
6. Receive FinnBUILDER® Certificate of Compliance on completion of the walling.
7. Issue the Certificate of Completion only once you are in possession of the FinnBUILDER® Certificate of Compliance. This is your assurance that the FinnBUILDER® portion of the work has been correctly built.