Q-LITE® Quality Lightweight Concrete Masonry Units, developed in 1991 by BIG RIVER INDUSTRIES, INC., is a major innovation in standard gray units. Q-LITE® concrete masonry units are the lowest density blended aggregate units available, and combine the benefits of blending multiple aggregates with a U.L.-certified fire rating.
This Product Information Sheet explains the features that give Q-LITE® concrete masonry units their unique quality, and addresses specific Q-LITE® attributes that will be of interest to specifiers, designers and other members of the construction industry.
FIRE RESISTANCE is the keystone of the Q-LITE® system. Full scale fire tests conducted by Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. resulted in 2-Hour certification for 8X8X16 units having a minimum equivalent thickness of 3.8 inches and made with Q-LITE®'s exclusive "70-30" formulation. The "70-30" formulation is defined as a blend of 70% Rotary Kiln Expanded Clay lightweight aggregate manufactured by Big River Industries, Inc., and 30% natural aggregates, by volume. "Natural aggregates" include natural siliceous sand, limerock, limestone and granite. Fire resistance ratings for Q-LITE® concrete masonry units having an equivalent thickness other than 3.8 inches can be calculated using the ACI 216.1, " Code Requirements for Determining Fire Resistance of Concrete and Masonry Construction Assemblies". For more information please refer to "Fire Resistance of Q-LITE® Concrete Masonry Units". [Link]
INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY is critical for growth of any manufacturing or construction industry. Q-LITE® concrete masonry units allow increased productivity in delivery, handling, and installation of concrete masonry units. Tests conducted by the National Concrete Masonry Association, the Expanded Shale Clay & Slate Institute and Masonry Consultants, Inc. in the field and at NCMA's Research and Development Laboratory confirmed that lighter weight units result in improved mason productivity, compared to conventional units. Productivity improves even more when lightweight units of larger sizes are used. To optimize mason productivity, Q-LITE® concrete masonry units can be made in 24-inch lengths. These oversize units weigh less than conventional size heavyweight units, and allow the mason to dramatically improve his production - as much as 65%, according to one test. Increased productivity with Q-LITE® CMU's will help the industry address the current mason shortage. Other advantages include lower delivery costs, increased payloads for delivery trucks, reduced handling costs and lower scaffolding costs. Productivity features of Q-LITE® concrete masonry units are discussed in more detail in Technical Information Sheet No. 3, "Increased Mason Productivity with Q-LITE® Concrete Masonry Units". [Link]
ENERGY EFFICIENT CONSTRUCTION is an important consideration today and for the future. The affordability and sustainability of residential, commercial and industrial construction is directly related to the energy efficiency of major construction materials. Q-LITE® CMU's made with Big River Industries, Inc. lightweight aggregates provide excellent thermal performance in a cost competitive wall system. Because insulating values are a function of concrete density, Q-LITE® CMU's achieve superior thermal properties, with "U" values of 0.32 or lower for 8X8X16 units. This is equivalent to an "R" value of 3.12, which is 27% higher than a typical 28 lb. unit. Of course, the thermal performance of Q-LITE® concrete masonry can be further enhanced by the use of insulation inserts, loose fill insulation, or rigid insulation applied to the exterior or interior of the wall. For more information on the thermal properties of Q-LITE® concrete masonry units, see Technical Information Sheet No. 4, "Energy Efficient Construction with Q-LITE® Concrete Masonry Units". [Link]
ACOUSTICAL PROPERTIES of concrete masonry are greatly enhanced with Q-LITE® CMU's. The problem of noise pollution has become a primary consideration in the design of industrial, commercial and residential buildings. With each advance in technology comes more and more types of noise. Government agencies have tightened restrictions on noise pollution to protect the American public from long term exposure to high noise levels. Concrete masonry's mass and rigidity are extremely effective in reducing the transmission of unwanted sounds. With Q-LITE® CMUs, superior sound reduction is maintained while reducing the weight of the wall, a claim no other wall system can make. For more information please refer to Technical Information Sheet No. 5, "Acoustical Properties for Q-LITE® Concrete Masonry Units". [Link]
MODEL BUILDING CODE ACCEPTANCE is a major consideration when specifying any construction product of system. Q-LITE® concrete masonry units meet or exceed all Model Building Code requirements pertaining to concrete masonry. Q-LITE® CMUs meet all the requirements of ASTM C 90, "Specification for Load-bearing Concrete Masonry Units" and have been fire tested by Underwriters' Laboratories. In short, Q-LITE® concrete masonry units ensure the building official, the designer and the consumer that they are receiving the highest QUALITY LIGHTWEIGHT concrete masonry units. A detailed analysis of Q-LITE® CMUs and the Model Building Codes may be found in Technical Information Sheet No. 6, "Q-LITE® Concrete Masonry Units Compliance with Model Building Codes". [Link]
In summary, the development of Q-LITE® Quality Lightweight concrete masonry units by Big River Industries, Inc. is a milestone in construction history. With Q-LITE® CMUs, the masonry industry has a tool to provide stability and growth for the standard gray units in an ever-changing construction market.
Q-LITE® Quality Lightweight concrete masonry units are manufactured using Rotary Kiln Expanded Clay lightweight aggregates produced by Big River Industries, Inc., the nation's largest producer of expanded clay aggregates. Big River aggregates, are the PREMIUM lightweight aggregates, manufactured in accordance with ASTM C 331, "Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Concrete Masonry Units". In addition, Big River lightweight aggregate fines are classified as a recovered material that contributes to the recycled content of concrete masonry units, thereby contributing to potential LEED® certification of building projects.
Big River Industries, Inc. stands firmly behind the masonry industry through National, State and Local Masonry Association participation. We are committed to the production of quality aggregates for quality concrete masonry units to ensure the future of the masonry industry. We welcome your comments and suggestions for improving the quality of masonry construction.
Q-LITE® is a registered trademark of Big River Industries, Inc. LEED® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
Product Documents:
Q-LITEŽ QUALITY LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS
FIRE RESISTANCE OF Q-LITEŽ CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS
INCREASED MASON PRODUCTIVITY WITH Q-LITEŽ CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS
INCREASED MASON PRODUCTIVITY WITH Q-LITEŽ CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS
ACOUSTICAL PROPERTIES OF Q-LITEŽ CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS
Q-LITEŽ QUALITY LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS
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