The traditional beam and block flooring system uses precast, prestressed concrete beams laid across or between walls, with infill concrete blocks placed between them to form a strong, durable floor.
Benefits of Beam & Block
- Cost effective and quick to install
- Immediate working platform for other trades
- High quality factory-manufactured precast concrete
- Can be installed in all weather conditions
- Resistant to rot and decay
- 30-minute or 1-hour fire resistance (up to 1.5 hours with enhanced construction)
- Easy accommodation for service pipe penetrations
- CE marked and fully compliant
Atlas Concrete beams are available in 150mm, 150Wmm and 225mm sections, with stock sizes from 600mm to 6m (in 50mm increments). Longer spans and 225mm beams can be manufactured to order. Minimal excavation is required.
We offer supply-only or supply & fix services. Stock is held in Silloth and Manchester, with over 60,000 linear metres available.
Technical Information
Ground Floors
A minimum 150mm void is required between the floor soffit and solum, with a continuous damp proof course beneath the beams.
Infill blocks (aerated, aggregate or concrete) measure 440 x 215 x 100mm and must have a minimum compressive strength of 3.5 N/mm² (or 7.0 N/mm² for garage floors). Floors are designed for a transverse load capacity of 3.5kN over a 420mm span.
Joints should be grouted as soon as possible using a 3:1 sharp sand/cement mix, brushed into well-wetted joints to ensure full penetration and a rigid floor structure.
Floor finishes may include screed, chipboard with insulation, or asphalt applied directly to the grouted surface.
Upper Floors
Infill blocks are the same size (440 x 215 x 100mm) with minimum compressive strength of 3.5 N/mm² or 7.0 N/mm², designed for a 3.5kN transverse load over a 420mm span.
Where separating dwellings, floors must comply with Building Regulations Approved Document E (Robust Details E-FC-6 or E-FC-7).
A plasterboard ceiling fixed to metal clips and 50 x 50mm timber battens improves fire resistance. Standard construction provides up to 1 hour fire resistance, while enhanced beam systems provide up to 1.5 hours.
Where blocks bear onto load-bearing walls, block strength must match or exceed wall block strength.
Quality & Accreditations
Atlas Concrete Ltd is CHAS registered, Constructionline approved, and part of the Greenlight Safety Assessment Scheme.
Beams are wet-cast in steel mould beds using C60 concrete (60N/mm² at 28 days) with 5mm and 7mm indented steel reinforcement wires depending on design. Our facility and production systems are ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified, with BSI Kite-marked batching.
Atlas Concrete also offers insulated block flooring in partnership with Bewi.
Bewi and Atlas Partnership
Bewi Structural Board is a thermal floor system for suspended floors. It is designed to replace block and beam suspended floors with a fast, safe build and an excellent thermal performance that assists with achieving Part L compliance.
- Key Benefits:
- Reduced excavation
- Less spoil removal
- Improved health and safety
- Achieves specified U-values
- Outstanding Psi values
- Zero waste on site
‘Bewi Insulation & Construction Ltd and Atlas Concrete have a fantastic partnering relationship. Close contact between the two business allow us to work efficiently and effectively. Atlas Concrete are a key part of our business operations and we continue to go from strength to strength.’
