9.20.4.1.(1)

Objective

OS3 Safety in Use

Attribution

[F20,F61-OS3.1]Applies to floors and elements that support floors.

Intent

Intent 1:

To limit the probability of:

  • excessively thick mortar joints in relation to the surface area of the masonry, which could lead to water leakage through shrinkage cracks and water absorption through mortar joints, or
  • excessively thin mortar joints, which could lead to inadequate support of masonry or inadequate masonry-to-mortar bond strength, which could lead to cracking.

This is to limit the probability of:

  • compromised structural integrity of masonry construction,
  • where masonry construction is part of an environmental separator, the displacement or failure of required environmental separation elements, which could lead to deterioration,
  • in assemblies exposed to moisture or the exterior, damage and deterioration, or
  • an inability to resist expected loads, which could lead to excessive deflection or vibration of floors.

For floors and elements supporting floors, this is to limit the probability of persons losing their balance, tripping or falling, which could lead to harm to persons.

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