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SPECIFICATIONS – Printable : PDF Version – Word Version

Part 1 - General

SUBMITTAL
Submit color samples for selection from manufacturer’s group A, B, C, D or E. Submit product literature, certifications, test reports and full-size sample(s) of each color specified.

QUALITY ASSURANCE
Certifications: All recycled ground face sound-absorbing masonry units shall be Verastone®/Acousta-Wal® units manufactured by Trenwyth Industries. Concrete blocks shall conform to ASTM C90. The ground surfaces shall have a factory-applied acrylic finish. Units shall conform to ASTM C1262 with respect to freezing and thawing.

Production shall be monitored so that the top of the units shall be completely closed and edges of slots and ends of the blocks shall be straight and clean. Type IV units shall have fillers, as supplied by Trenwyth Industries, inserted in the cavities at the block plant. Type IV fillers shall be fiberglass fillers laminated to metal septa. All filler material shall be cut accurately to size and installed as recommended for the type of Acousta-Wal units specified. All units contain Trenwyth-approved integral water repellent admixture at time of manufacture.

Verastone/Acousta-Wal units shall have a tighter, smoother face. Mold and moisture resistant, Verastone/Acousta-Wal units are graffiti resistant and easy to clean (never paint or refinish). No VOC’s. Available in a wide color selection, custom colors, and unique shapes and sizes, Verastone/Acousta-Wal units are ideal for interior and exterior applications. The structural integrity of the unit results in a one-step, single trade installation process. Verastone/Acousta/Wal units are distributed nationally.

Verastone contains post-consumer recycled content. Contact Trenwyth for details.

Fire Resistance: Define hourly ratings required as 1, 2, 3 or 4 hours.

Field Constructed Mock-ups: Construct a sample panel, no less than 4' x 4', of units of each color and size to be used in the project.

Trenwyth Industries requires ordering a full-size unit to illustrate color and texture for approval.

Trenwyth Industries requires that a jobsite sample panel be installed at the jobsite prior to installation of any Trenwyth products. This panel will represent both the quality of the product and the workmanship to be expected for the project. The panel must be approved by either the owner or the architect for the project. Trenwyth will provide 4" units for a 4' x 4' sample panel at no cost for the material (not including freight to the site).

DELIVERY, STORAGE AND HANDLING
Verastone/Acousta-Wal units shall be delivered to the jobsite on covered banded pallets with cardboard between layers. Store pallets in single stacks on level ground and cover with waterproof covering (e.g. tarpaulins) to protect the blocks from inclement weather. Handle blocks carefully to avoid breakage and damage to the finished surfaces.

PROJECT/SITE CONDITIONS:
Protection of Work: Cover walls each day after installation to keep open walls protected and dry. After units are installed, they should be protected from damage by other trades performing operations that can stain or otherwise damage the finished surfaces by covering walls with plastic. Corners should be protected from damage after installation by covering them with plywood.

Part II – Products

PRODUCT NAME
Verastone®/Acousta-Wal® premium recycled ground face sound-absorbing masonry units

MANUFACTURER
Trenwyth Industries
One Connelly Road
Emigsville, PA 17318
(800) 233-1924

Trenwyth Industries
3400 E. Bungalow Road
Morris, IL 60450
(800) 358-3003

RELATED MATERIALS
Colored matching or contrasting mortar is available at Trenwyth Industries. Consult NCMA TEK Notes, available at www.trenwyth.com, for mortar type and specifications. For all exterior mortar, use matching Trenwyth-approved water repellent mortar additive, following manufacturer's instructions. Consult manufacturer for recommendations.

SIZES AND SHAPES
Acousta-Wal units surfaces are manufactured to provide finished dimensions of 7-5/8" x 15-5/8" ± 1/8". Bed depth dimensions for single face units are 3-9/16", 5-9/16", 7-9/16", 11-9/16" ± 1/8". Two face units are 3-1/2", 5-1/2", 7-1/2", 11-1/2" ± 1/8". They shall be:

MASONRY CLEANERS
Use Burnished Custom Masonry Cleaner by PROSOCO (dilute one part to 3 parts clean water), carefully following manufacturer’s instructions. Available at Trenwyth Industries. Do not powerwash.

Caution! Never use Muriatic Acid solutions on units.

Part 3 – Execution

LAYING MASONRY WALLS
Draw blocks from more than one pallet at a time during installation. All exterior mortar shall include Trenwyth-approved water repellent additive added to each batch in the appropriate dosage rates for mortar type (M, S or N) per manufacturer’s instructions. Refer to NCMA TEK Notes, available at www.trenwyth.com, for Hot and Cold weather construction practices.

Verastone/Acousta-Wal units shall be installed by the general contractor or masonry contractor. Verastone/Acousta-Wal blocks shall be laid in running bond or stack bond as specified with the closed tops up. The slots shall face toward the room or area where sound absorption is required as shown on the plans. Units shall be laid in a full horizontal bed of mortar.

Lay units using the best concrete masonry practices. Install only quality units; reject all defective units as defined by ASTM C90. Lay blocks with the faces level, plumb and true to the line strung horizontally at the ground face. Units shall have uniform, 3/8"-wide joints both horizontally and vertically on the finished side of the wall. Tool joints neatly after they are finger-hard to make them straight and uniform. Size and place cut pieces appropriately to maintain consistency and bond. Slots shall be kept free of mortar and debris and the exposed mortar at the bottom of each slot shall be neatly tools. NO RAKE JOINTS.

INSTALLATION
Lighting: Provide adequate lighting for masonry work by placing all lighting at a reasonable distance from the wall for even illumination. Do not use trough lighting.

Cutting: Make all unit cuts, including those for bonding, holes, boxes, etc., with motor-driven masonry saws using either an abrasive or diamond blade. Cut neatly and locate for best appearance.

MORTAR BEDDING AND JOINTING
In all exterior mortar, we recommend using an approved water repellent additive (which may be purchased from Trenwyth Industries), following manufacturer’s instructions. Consult manufacturer for recommendations.

FLASHING OF MASONRY WORK
Install flashing at locations shown in the plans and in strict accordance with the details and the best masonry flashing practices.

WEEP HOLES AND VENTS
Install weep holes and vents at proper intervals at courses above grade and at any water stops over windows, doors and beams. Consult NCMA TEK Notes, available at www.trenwyth.com, for proper flashing and drawings.

INSPECTION
The ground faces shall conform to the requirements of ASTM C90 when viewed from a distance of twenty (20) feet at right angles to the wall with normal lighting.

CLEANING:
Keep walls clean daily during installation using brushes, rags and the burlap squares supplied on the Verastone/Acousta-Wal pallet. Do not allow excess mortar lumps or smears to harden on the finished surfaces. Harsh cleaning methods after walls have been erected may mar the surface of
the blocks.

FINAL CLEANDOWN
Clean the completed walls with PROSOCO Burnished Custom Masonry Cleaner (dilute 1 part to 3 parts clean water), strictly following the manufacturer's instructions – including thorough rinsing. Do not use acid or abrasives on the finished surfaces. Failure to strictly follow manufacturer's instructions can result in permanent damage to the finished faces. Do not apply Burnished Custom Masonry Cleaner with pressure spray above 50 psi. Do not powerwash.

FIELD COAT APPLICATION
For completely finished walls, a finish coat of TRENDCOAT® Acrylic (minimum 20% solids content) or TRENDCOAT® WB (water-base) is recommended. Apply to all Verastone/Acousta-Wal walls after cleandown and when the walls are dry. Apply the acrylic evenly to cover the entire surface without forming drips or runs. For maximum coverage and best appearance, apply TRENDCOAT Acrylic or TRENDCOAT WB with airless spray equipment. Consult Trenwyth Industries for further information. This clear, high-solids acrylic offers excellent graffiti resistance, provides moisture resistance and helps to cover any scuffs or scratches that may occur during handling and/or installation.

MAINTENANCE
Verastone/Acousta-Wal units, properly installed and cleaned, need virtually no maintenance other than routine cleaning (i.e. Pinesol or Fantastik). Graffiti, paint or dye stains may need special cleaning methods and products such as Trenwyth’s Graffiti Wizard® environmentally friendly cleaner. Contact manufacturer for specific cleaning recommendations.

INSTALLATION RECOMMENDATIONS
To ensure optimal sound-reduction performance:

• The unslotted side of Verastone/Acousta-Wal blocks must be painted or parged to seal the porosity of the aggregates.
• The units must be laid in a full horizontal bed of mortar. They should be laid with the closed tops up.
• The slots should face toward the noise source (with the exception of partitioning a small office off from a large noisy plant area). Slots must be kept free of mortar. The exposed mortar at the bottom of each slot should be neatly tooled and all debris removed. NO RAKE JOINTS.
• Under no circumstances should the units be laid upside down; that is, with the closed tops down. First, it would be impossible to lay the units in a full horizontal bed of mortar if they are laid upside down. Second, excess mortar would fall into the slots giving an unsightly appearance. If the cavity volume were reduced by more than 5 to 10% due to mortar falling inside, the acoustical performance of the units would be altered.
• For best appearance, use stack bond construction when stack bond appearance is desired (as opposed to scored units in running bond).
• A complementary or matching mortar color is recommended when using Verastone/Acousta-Wal units.

LIMITATIONS

• The facing is not intended for use as an impervious surface.
• Acid solutions or HCL-based cleaners should not be used as a cleaning agent or in direct contact with the facing.
• The facing should not be continuously exposed to temperatures above 250º F.