Modern Masonry: Brick, Block, Stone 9e, Textbook Page 226 (242 of 543)

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 226 Section 4 Techniques 12.2.1 Locating the Building Line The building line is generally the face or side of the building being constructed. It is an important line because all crafts involved in the construction of the building refer to it. The line is frequently referenced on drawings. In residential construction, the contractor usually establishes the building line for the foundation walls. In commercial construction, a surveying crew will most likely locate the building line as defined on the plot plan. In some towns and cities, the zoning commission has already determined the distance the building line or setback is to be from the property line, center of the street, or some other reference point. The building line makes the front of all buildings on the street conform to a straight line. In most situations, the actual building line can be at a greater distance than the minimum required setback, but not closer than the specified dis- tance listed in the code. Therefore, building lines must be established exactly to prevent a code violation or other complications. 12.2.2 Erecting Batter Boards Batter boards are boards and stakes that locate and preserve the building lines during excavation and con- struction. Right angle boards are formed by nailing two boards to three stakes to form the angle. See Figure 12-14. Straight batter boards are made with one board and two stakes. Material used for batter boards is usually 1 × 4 or 1 × 6 boards, and the stakes are 2 × 4s. Batter boards are located in each corner of the structure to position corners of the building. The front edge and one side are measured from prop- erty lines or other points on the property. The 3-4-5 method is used to ensure that the layout of the first corner is square. The 3-4-5 method of checking for squareness is explained in Chapter 6, Math for Masonry Careers. Stakes are driven into the ground outside the area where the excavation will be performed and later the foundation walls will be built. Stakes must be placed well beyond the excavation area, (minimum 6′ to 8′) to ensure that the boards are not disturbed during exca- vation. If the boards are disturbed, the squareness of the building will be affected. The excavation process can remove from 3′ to 4′ outside the building lines. The extra space is needed to position the footing, erect forms, and build the foundation walls. Trade Tip It is good practice to check with the local building official to determine setback locations and to ensure accuracy. In certain communities, the building official may need to approve the location of the building lines prior to excavation. Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 12-13. A—Leads are the built-up sections of the wall at each corner. Leads establish proper height for each course and provide a place to attach a mason’s line. The blue chalk line will also be used to aid in determining the positon of the first course of brick. B—Mason is attaching a corner block to the outside of the corner lead to establish height for the first course of brick to be laid between the corner leads. A B

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Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 226 Section 4 Techniques 12.2.1 Locating the Building Line The building line is generally the face or side of the building being constructed. It is an important line because all crafts involved in the construction of the building refer to it. The line is frequently referenced on drawings. In residential construction, the contractor usually establishes the building line for the foundation walls. In commercial construction, a surveying crew will most likely locate the building line as defined on the plot plan. In some towns and cities, the zoning commission has already determined the distance the building line or setback is to be from the property line, center of the street, or some other reference point. The building line makes the front of all buildings on the street conform to a straight line. In most situations, the actual building line can be at a greater distance than the minimum required setback, but not closer than the specified dis- tance listed in the code. Therefore, building lines must be established exactly to prevent a code violation or other complications. 12.2.2 Erecting Batter Boards Batter boards are boards and stakes that locate and preserve the building lines during excavation and con- struction. Right angle boards are formed by nailing two boards to three stakes to form the angle. See Figure 12-14. Straight batter boards are made with one board and two stakes. Material used for batter boards is usually 1 × 4 or 1 × 6 boards, and the stakes are 2 × 4s. Batter boards are located in each corner of the structure to position corners of the building. The front edge and one side are measured from prop- erty lines or other points on the property. The 3-4-5 method is used to ensure that the layout of the first corner is square. The 3-4-5 method of checking for squareness is explained in Chapter 6, Math for Masonry Careers. Stakes are driven into the ground outside the area where the excavation will be performed and later the foundation walls will be built. Stakes must be placed well beyond the excavation area, (minimum 6′ to 8′) to ensure that the boards are not disturbed during exca- vation. If the boards are disturbed, the squareness of the building will be affected. The excavation process can remove from 3′ to 4′ outside the building lines. The extra space is needed to position the footing, erect forms, and build the foundation walls. Trade Tip It is good practice to check with the local building official to determine setback locations and to ensure accuracy. In certain communities, the building official may need to approve the location of the building lines prior to excavation. Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 12-13. A—Leads are the built-up sections of the wall at each corner. Leads establish proper height for each course and provide a place to attach a mason’s line. The blue chalk line will also be used to aid in determining the positon of the first course of brick. B—Mason is attaching a corner block to the outside of the corner lead to establish height for the first course of brick to be laid between the corner leads. A B

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Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 12 Laying Brick 225 Move the saw back to its original position before removing the pieces. Some masonry saws have a foot pedal to move the saw and blade up and down during the cutting process and a table that slides back and forth. Practice using the saw table and foot pedal prior to actually cutting brick. See Figure 12-12. 12.1.7 Leveling and Plumbing Brick To level brick, place a level horizontally on the top sur- face of the brick or bricks. Then look at the glass vial in the level to determine if the internal bubble is exactly in the middle between the two indicator lines. If the bub- ble is exactly in the middle, the surface being measured for angle is level. If the bubble is not centered, lightly tap on the high end of the brick or bricks to move them down into the mortar. Continue to tap the bricks until the bubble is exactly in the middle of the two lines. Turn the level 90° to check if the brick is level side to side. If the brick is not level, tap the brick (not the level). Once the brick is level side to side, check the bricks along their length to ensure they have remained level. Plumbing is the process of determining if the side and end of a brick or bricks are vertically plumb. If the top surface of the brick is level end to end and level Safety Note When using a masonry saw, a face shield should also be worn to protect from flying chips. Ear protection is also required. If sawing wet, wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. When dry sawing, always use a respirator because brick may contain silica, which is a severe health hazard. side to side, the bricks should be very close to being plumb. Set the level vertically and place it on the side of the brick. Check the vertical vial to see if the bub- ble is in the middle. Tap lightly on the brick to adjust the side. Check the end of the brick the same way and make adjustments. Lay the level horizontally across the surface of the brick or bricks again to recheck them to ensure that they have stayed level. Multiple Brick Leveling and Plumbing When leveling multiple bricks, ensure that all are flush across the top and flush with the level when it is laid on top of the brick. If one or more bricks are not flush with others, make adjustments until all are flush, the level rests on all brick uniformly, and the vial indicates lev- elness. When plumbing multiple courses, ensure that all bricks are again flush with the level and that no one brick sticks out beyond another. Make adjustments to correct bricks that are protruding and to ensure that the brick as a unit is plumb. 12.1.8 Using Mason’s Line Any straight wall longer than the plumb rule (4′) is usually laid to a line. A line is a guide that helps brick- layers build a straight, level, and plumb wall. Mason’s line is a light, strong cord that can be stretched taut with little or no sag. Pull the line to the same degree of tautness for each course. This is necessary so all bed joints are uniform and parallel. A lead is usually built first at each corner to establish proper height and provide a place to attach a mason’s line. See Figure 12-13. The height of each course is deter- mined by a mason’s rule or a corner pole with height marks on it. On long walls, it is impossible to eliminate sagging in the line. The proper course height should be checked with a corner pole to ensure accuracy. Avoid laying brick too close to the line. Stay a line width away so you do not risk moving the line, thereby destroy- ing its usefulness as a reference. After laying the brick, ensure that it does not touch the line. If the brick is touch- ing the line, the straightness of the wall will be affected. 12.2 Related Tasks The tasks discussed in this section may or may not be performed by masons. These tasks include locating the building line, erecting batter boards, and using a cor- ner pole and gauge stick. Trade Tip Laying brick too close to the line is known as “crowding the line.” Author’s image taken at Job Corps, Denison, IA Figure 12-12. Masonry student has marked the brick to the correct length prior to starting the electric masonry saw. The student is wearing appropriate PPE: rubber gloves, safety glasses, and hi-vis vest.

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Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 12 Laying Brick 227 over each other represent future wall corners in the structure. The locations of batter boards in the layout process are determined by the walls and corners shown on a foundation blueprint. The following is the general procedure for installing batter boards. P R O C E D U R E Erecting Batter Boards 1. String mason’s lines between batter boards to create a representation of the structure found on the blueprint. 2. Adjust location of lines and lengths of lines on the batter boards for accuracy. 3. Compare wall lines formed by the mason’s lines to the blueprint to determine if they are accurate. 4. Once the line measurements correspond to the blueprint, measure diagonally from corner to corner between the lines and compare dimensions to ensure that the building layout is square. A builder’s level, transit, or laser level is used to set the elevation height of the top edge of batter boards. The batter boards are usually installed at the future final height of the top of the foundation walls. Mason’s line is normally used when installing bat- ter boards. The locations where lines intersect or cross 5uni2032 3uni2032 4uni2032 Corner stake Corner stake Batter boards Batter boards Corner stake Corner stake Batter boards Mason’s line Batter boards Stakes Plumb bob 90° Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 12-14. Batter boards are located in each corner of the structure to position corners of the building. The 3-4-5 method is used to ensure that the layout of the first corner is square. Continued

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Page 2Section 1 Succeeding on the Job click to expand contents

Page 24Section 2 Introduction to Masonry click to expand contents

Page 110Section 3 Materials click to expand contents

Page 218Section 4 Techniques click to expand contents

Page 308Section 5 Construction Details click to expand contents

Page 380Section 6 Concrete click to expand contents

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