This section describes the various requirements and topics related to general masonry work that appear within specifications. It is important for many of these topics to be directly addressed through pre-construction meetings. At such an early stage, it would be critical to ensure coordination and scheduling alignment with material suppliers and other trades.

Shop drawings that indicate reinforcement details, connector design, etc. may be required. It is important that responsibility for said drawings be clearly defined within any project. In many cases, the lead project structural engineer is only made responsible for the design work involved for the structure itself, design for masonry partitions or veneers may inadvertently “slip through the cracks” of responsibility for procuring and paying for such services. It is therefore important to remember that in many cases both partition walls and veneers must be designed using loads derived from the National Building Code of Canada (or local Provincial code). It is critical that these designs do not get ignored or otherwise left out from project budgeting, planning, and execution standpoints, as veneers and partitions can play a role in life safety

This section describes the various requirements and topics related to masonry mortars and grouts, specifically related to materials, mixing, and testing. As noted in the previous section, many of the specifications that relate to mortars and grouts are best left as references to masonry standards, specifically, CSA A179, instead of creating something completely new. Also, as noted in the previous section, mortar and grout materials benefit greatly from preconstruction meetings with the masonry contractor, architect, and engineer to plan how mortaring and grouting will be executed for the project. The following section will provide some relevant discussion pertaining to aspects of mortaring and grouting specifications that are often the sources of possible conflict or concern. This discussion is no way exhaustive and is not intended to replace detailed and properly written specifications.

One of the most common errors in masonry specifications is when reinforcement or tie spacings are given prior to design work being completed. Loadbearing and partition wall reinforcing is to be selected based on the engineering design for loads resistance subject to prescriptive minimums given by CSA S304.

Tie spacing in masonry veneers shall be based on the engineering analysis required by CSA S304 (9.1.3) subject to the prescriptive maximums specified by CSA A370, unless prescriptive ties are used. Of particular interest, is the responsibility for the design of masonry ties, which is a common misunderstanding between the design team and masonry contractor. Specifications should clearly indicate when a masonry contractor is required to provide stamped structural drawings.

Specifications for masonry materials are often actually the starting point for any masonry project, particularly veneers. The type of material selected will affect bonding patterns, connectors design, movement joints, and labour requirements. The following factors must be considered by the design team when specifications are being written, and by the masonry contractor when bidding a project, respectively.

Specifications for masonry materials are often actually the starting point for any masonry project, particularly veneers. The type of material selected will affect bonding patterns, connectors design, movement joints, and labour requirements. The following factors must be considered by the design team when specifications are being written, and by the masonry contractor when bidding a project, respectively.