Concrete block isn’t just strong — it’s smart, too. Thanks to its dense and solid composition, block has excellent load-bearing capacity resistance to wind, debris and compression. But it’s more than just brute strength; with its modular nature and flexibility, CMU can stand tall for 100 years or more.
Concrete masonry structures can generally endure speeds of 120 to 200 miles per hour. Their inherent mass, high compressive strength and interlocking design creates a barrier against winds and flying debris from hurricanes and tornadoes.
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Depending on the wall thickness, density and amount of grout used, CMU walls can provide up to a 4-hour fire rating. Additionally, CMU passes the “hose stream test,” which is an integral part of many fire testing standards.
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While the default value for the compressive strength (f’m) of masonry is currently specified at 2000 psi, many concrete block manufacturers produce block that exceeds ASTM minimums.
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“Every fire station design is a response to the owners’ requirements and needs. Projects evolve based on site constraints, plan organization, aesthetics, schedule, budget and a host of other factors. In this case, city officials wanted the building to fit into the context of the surrounding area with materials that conveyed a strong, permanent appearance appropriate for fire stations. CMU checked all the boxes and enabled us to combine both loadbearing and non-loadbearing walls.”
Scott Rihel, Senior Architect & Project Manager
HBPB
The city of Rolling Meadows, Illinois overhauled its fire station to optimize services and response times to better serve the community. The Naperville-based firm Healy Bender Patton & Been Architects (HBPB) was selected for its long-standing reputation of bringing practical, cost-conscious design concepts to its clients.
The design and skilled construction resulted in a remarkable, finished building. When the new fire station was completed in 2020, the community response was enthusiastic. Rihel said, “The feedback was overwhelmingly positive—the city loves it to this day, and so do the firefighters!”
“While the concrete blocks are used for the building structure, they also provide an interior finish, which eliminates the need for other interior finishes.”
Lead Architect
Clark Patterson Lee
Grace Chapel was built at the heart of the Lenoir-Rhyne University Campus in Hickory, NC, and immediately became a focal point for students and visitors alike. The 425-seat chapel accommodates religious services as well as music concerts and special events.
The new 10,000-square-foot chapel blends with its campus surroundings thanks to the selection of concrete masonry units (CMU) for both its structural and aesthetic qualities. While concrete block is used for the building structure, they also provide an interior finish, which eliminates the need for other interior finishes. The block’s durability greatly reduces the need for maintenance and upkeep. In addition, the block’s inherent fire resistance easily meets or exceeds local building codes and fire ratings. Grace Chapel won the “Award of Merit” in the 2015 NCMA/ICPI Concrete Masonry Design Awards of Excellence.
Joel E. Ferris High School in Spokane, Washington is one of the region’s largest high schools with nearly 1,700 students. It was recently replaced and modernized, condensing 20 buildings from the original 1963 campus to a single, 265,000 square foot two-story building comprising 85 classrooms, a cafeteria and a gymnasium. NAC Architecture entrusted the building envelope to concrete masonry and face brick, with split- and ground-face CMU adding exterior contrast throughout. While students are typically the ones earning the accolades, this striking structure received several Northwest Concrete Masonry Association (NWCMA) awards for exceptional concrete masonry design
Joel E. Ferris High School in Spokane, Washington is one of the region’s largest high schools with nearly 1,700 students. It was recently replaced and modernized, condensing 20 buildings from the original 1963 campus to a single, 265,000 square foot two-story building comprising 85 classrooms, a cafeteria and a gymnasium. NAC Architecture entrusted the building envelope to concrete masonry and face brick, with split- and ground-face CMU adding exterior contrast throughout. While students are typically the ones earning the accolades, this striking structure received several Northwest Concrete Masonry Association (NWCMA) awards for exceptional concrete masonry design
Joel E. Ferris High School in Spokane, Washington is one of the region’s largest high schools with nearly 1,700 students. It was recently replaced and modernized, condensing 20 buildings from the original 1963 campus to a single, 265,000 square foot two-story building comprising 85 classrooms, a cafeteria and a gymnasium. NAC Architecture entrusted the building envelope to concrete masonry and face brick, with split- and ground-face CMU adding exterior contrast throughout. While students are typically the ones earning the accolades, this striking structure received several Northwest Concrete Masonry Association (NWCMA) awards for exceptional concrete masonry design
