Reclaimed bricks save CO₂, but they must be documented before they may be laid again. Here are the five properties DS/INF 167 requires to be documented, why bond is the special thing about reclaimed bricks, and BR18's limit values for climate impact.
Why reuse?
When building new, a life cycle assessment (LCA) must be made. It calculates how much CO₂ the building emits over its life. The requirement applies to the construction of buildings and extensions. Unheated buildings under 50 m² are exempt (BR18 § 297). New bricks must be fired, and that costs energy. A reclaimed brick has already been fired, and that is why reuse can help a building project stay under the limit value.
Five properties must be documented
DS/INF 167, Annex 1, requires documentation for reclaimed bricks. This applies whether the bricks are bought or taken from a building that is being demolished. Five properties must be documented:
- 01Format — the brick's dimensions.
- 02Compressive strength — how much the brick can carry.
- 03Density — how heavy the brick is per volume.
- 04Initial rate of absorption — how fast the brick draws water from the mortar.
- 05Bond — how well the mortar sticks to the brick.
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