Millenium Block

[msquared48]

I am attempting to help a friend design and build an ICF residence in the mountains of Colorado using ICF block as manufactured by the Millenium Corporation. It appears that there may be no tested asnd approved structural design manuals for the product, ICBO rated or otherwise, similar to other ICF suppliers as Premier Building Systems.

Has anyone dealt with this brand of ICF material before? If so, what did you have to do? Without any tables, I will have to be very conservative, and if I have to be conservative with non-tested material, I wonder the actual savings over better tested products.

As my friend wants to employ a sod roof, the live loads to the roof are in excess of 200 psf, raising my concerns further as this is a concrete honeycomb structured insulated wall.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[concretemasonry]

The shape of the ICF forms have no real importance to the structural properties of the wall. The key item is the reinforced concrete wall it is covering.

Unfortunately, the ICF forms are made by foam producers that also make foam meat trays for the Walmart (and others) meat. Many of the better supporters know far more about the design and construction of this type of wall than the typical structural engineer.

Check for any code approvals and demand proof of testing/acceptance conducted by a responsible independent party. The good suppliers have a wide range of testing, documentation, installation instructions for the design of the walls, including the critical rebar placement, bracing of the walls that will want to move and the placement of the concrete at a proper rate (height/hour). - It is not as foolproof or reliable as placing grout in a masonry wall.

Contrary to folklore, the ICF system is not for DIYers because it requires familiarity with that type of construction. Since the forms are never removed and the surface is not seen, errors in concrete placement and vibration are never seen until after the problem occurs.

Bottom line - If there is no proof of performance and technical assistance, demand a different form supplier because there are many good, qualified form suppliers.

Millenium is definitely a minor supplier by comparison to others and may just be operating out of a bare bones office with only a P.O. Box.

Dick