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Is
code approval required?
No. Fastfoot® is a temporary form, similar to
lumber.
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How
deep a footing can I pour?
Footing depths up to 24" are achieved with Fastfoot®.
If the height of the fabric under the 2x4 screed rail is greater than
10", install a second 2x4 to reduce fabric tension and bulge (the 10"
rule).
See the installation manual for more information.
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Will
Fastfoot® reduce my costs?
In most cases Fastfoot® will reduce your forming costs significantly.
Increased footing depth will lead to increased savings. Conversely, a
higher reuse of your forming lumber will reduce your savings. For a
detailed cost comparison using your project specifications,
please click here.
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Will
Fastfoot® improve my forming speed?
Yes. You no longer transport 2x10s or 2x12s to and from
the jobsite. Stripping of
2x4s and stakes is fast as they
haven't touched concrete. Concrete placement is fast as you use
a higher slump concrete without leakage.
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Can
I vibrate the concrete?
Yes, or kick the fabric.
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How
does the fabric affect steel placement?
Fastfoot® does not affect steel placement what so ever.
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What
about steps?
Forming steps is fast,
easy, and very inexpensive. The only lumber
required is the plywood bulkhead - the rest
is done with fabric. Dramatic cost savings are
obtained in materials, labor and concrete.
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Do
I use more concrete?
No. On full footing forms the 2x4s are spaced 3" closer
together than the footing contact width (1
1/2" offset). This reduces
concrete. As well, there is no concrete leakage
with Fastfoot® as you are pouring into a closed
form.
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Does
the Fastfoot® prevent rising damp?
As water is strongly attracted to concrete, it is essential to protect
the footing from external water sources. A 3 to 4" drainage layer
should be installed under the footing with impermeable soils.
Fastfoot® must be installed around the footing, with the wall membrane
lapped over the footing membrane. For additional information
please click here.
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Will
the Fastfoot® improve concrete quality?
Yes. In summer,
Fastfoot®
prevents rapid concrete desiccation by ground and form water absorption.
In winter, Fastfoot® prevents concrete contamination by muddy
ground and water. For additional information,
please click here.
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Will Fastfoot® affect the lateral resistance of the footing
with the ground?
As most footings are designed to transfer vertical loads from the
building structure to the ground below, the fabric will have no effect
on structural performance.
Significant lateral resistance is provided by footings as a result of
the following:
· the ground is uneven,
and/or
· there is a slab or floor inside the foundation
Under these conditions, the footing (either fabric or lumber formed)
can withstand normal lateral loading.
If the footing is constructed on very flat ground and there is
no slab to prevent lateral movement (for example with retaining
walls), the footing must be engineered to withstand lateral
loads. In this situation
an Engineer must design the proposed footing. The angle of interface
friction of the Fastfoot® fabric sliding on itself is 32 degrees
from the horizontal. Click here for
more information.
Standard engineering
practice is to 'key' the footing into the ground by digging a small
keyway parallel and under the footing before placing the fabric and
pouring the concrete to provide increase sliding resistance.
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What
size Fastfoot® do I use for my footing?
For the correct Fastfoot® width to use, please
click here.
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What is the
difference between a full footing form and an edging form?
A full footing form is when the fabric width forms both sides and
bottom of the footing with a single width of fabric.
Click here for the full footing. An edge form is
when the edge only is formed with a single width of fabric. Edging
fabric is typically used when the footing or slab is too wide to
form with a single width of fabric. Click here
for the edging.
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Will Fastfoot®
prevent my footing from acting as a 'ufer rod'?
Fastfoot®, manufactured from polyethylene, can prevent the footing
from grounding with the earth below. If your building inspector
requires a 20' length of rebar to act as a ufer rod in the concrete,
the fabric below the ufer rod must be cut away to allow the concrete
to make contact with the ground below.
For an engineering
letter on this, click here.
