LIGNACITE LTD
NORFOLK HOUSE
HIGH STREET
BRANDON
SUFFOLK IP27 0AX
Tel: 01842 810678
Fax: 01842 814602
Suppliers of: Concrete Blocks Masonry Blocks Dense Concrete Blocks lightweight blocks building Blocks Concrete Blocks Concrete Soffit Blocks concrete
Lignacite are a leading manufacturer of concrete and masonry products and have one of the most efficient and modern manufacturing sites in the U.K.
Sustainable and Environmentally Sensitive Manufacturing
Lignacite sets the standards for sustainable and environmentally sensitive manufacturing. Our curing chambers re-use heat given off by the exothermic reaction between cement and water and when additional heat is needed, gas emissions are pumped back into the chambers, where blocks absorb CO2.
All water used at Brandon comes from a on site borehole, and is recycled at up to 5000 gallons / hour. Sand and aggregate quarried on land adjacent to the plant saves around 36,000 lorry journeys over the period of extraction. The land is then restored on an annual basis for wildlife conservation.
Main Product Ranges:
Concrete Blocks
All our products are Kitemarked as conforming to BS EN 771-3 Aggregate Concrete Masonry Units. They comply with category 1 Masonry Units and are manufactured under a quality assurance scheme assessed and certified to BS EN 9001:2000 by the British Standards Institute.
Lignacite concrete blocks comprise a range of medium density loadbearing units, used in internal or external walls. Lignacite blocks contribute to sound environmental practices as they contain graded wood particles, a selected waste wood product as an alternative aggregate. They also provide exceptional sound reduction qualities.
Concrete Blocks - Lignacite Ash GP:
Ash GP is a medium density concrete block which is robust, durable and suitable for a range of walling applications. Typical uses include the inner leaf of cavity walls when used with cavity insulation, separating or partition walls, and infill blocks in beam and block flooring systems. Ash GP can also be used externally where rendering or cladding is to be applied to the wall. Ash GP blocks provide a strong background for holding fixings. Ash GP is produced using at least 35% of recycled aggregate (by volume) thereby conserving valuable sources of primary material.
Concrete Blocks - Fibo850 Blocks:
Fibo850 is an excellent light weight house builder block. The block is manufactured from expanded clay lightweight aggregate, and contains up to 24% recycled aggregates by volume.
Lignacrete is a robust and durable block that provides a good background for fixing, and that has excellent acoustic properties and thermal capacity. Lignacrete blocks are used in internal or external walls and manufactured from cement, sand and dense aggregates, and contains up to 20% recycled aggregates by volume.
Further technical information is available to download from the BPi download Library or directly from the manufacturer’s own website.
Lignacite - Staying in step: integrating our ISOs with PAS 99
At Lignacite, we’re continually improving our processes to protect our workforce, maintain quality and reduce our impact on the environment. Maintaining management standards that meet the stringent requirements of ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environmental management) and ISO 45001 (occupational health & safety) is a key part of this commitment.
To help us do this even more effectively, we took the proactive step to integrate our management systems into one efficient framework. We are delighted to announce that this has now been approved by independent auditors to meet standard PAS 99.
What is PAS 99?
PAS 99 is the British Standards Institution’s (BSI) standard for integrated management systems. An integrated management system is one that aligns the requirements for different ISOs into one cohesive framework. This means that the individual standards within the framework won’t be separately assessed. Instead, the integrated system will be assessed as a whole.
For our framework to receive a PAS 99 certificate, it had to meet BSI’s strict requirements and be verified by an independent auditor.
How was PAS 99 achieved?
Streamlining our ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 systems into one framework was a complicated process, especially as these ISOs applied over two sites.
“The biggest challenge was breaking down the silos that each site had built over the years,” said Marvyn Candler, our SHEQ Manager. “We had to instil a ‘one business, two teams’ mentality. Now that this has been achieved, we’ve been able to work together more.”
The next crucial step was to align the ISOs, identify overlaps and keep track of what processes were in place. To manage this more easily, we moved to a SharePoint system for the integrated management framework. This was made as user friendly as possible to ease the transition.
“Switching to SharePoint has many benefits. It allows for more improved collaboration; several people can have the same file open and see what the other users are doing. We can also control access better and prevent unauthorised changes,” commented Marvyn.
Following this, all of the separate files, databases and spreadsheets from our Brandon and Nazeing sites had to be amalgamated into single, integrated files. This now means that we have one accident log, one approved suppliers’ database and one non-conformance register. “It gives us greater visibility across the business,” explained Marvyn. “This makes it much easier to carry out trend analysis across both sites and compare performance.”
After training our teams on the new system, we had Stage One and Stage Two assessments from BSI. Stage One confirmed that our new integrated management system meets the requirements of PAS 99 and that of the individual ISO standards. The second assessment went deeper and checked that we are actively carrying out our processes.
We successfully passed these assessments and then agreed on an integrated approach to our surveillance audits going forward. This will reduce the number of individual audits that need to be carried out, saving us both time and money.
“What we can expect going forwards is a much more streamlined surveillance process with fewer audit days and much less repetition,” said Marvyn.
What are the benefits of PAS 99 for Lignacite?
By achieving PAS 99 and implementing an integrated management system, we benefit from several key advantages:
We now have just one set of policies and procedures for both of our sites.
Common objectives are highlighted for efficiency.
Roles and responsibilities are more clearly defined.
Both of our sites now work more closely together.
Systems have been updated and aligned across both sites.
Opportunities for improvement are more easily identified.
We can more effectively carry out our commitments to quality, health & safety and environmental responsibilities.
Commenting on the achievement, Marvyn said: “Developing the integrated management system and gaining the PAS 99 certification has taken a lot of time and involved a huge amount of work. I cannot emphasise enough just how much of an achievement this certification is and what it means for the business going forwards.”
In the future, our ISO 50001 for energy management will be assessed under PAS 99 too. Currently it is still being assessed separately, although its processes have already been integrated. We are also working on our ISO 27001 certification for information security management. Stay tuned!
An introduction to dense concrete blocks: Their properties, benefits and uses
Dense concrete blocks are a versatile material for builders. To find out why, take a look at our detailed introduction to this adaptable product.
Not all concrete blocks are made alike. In fact, their densities can be very different, ranging from lightweight to dense. But what exactly are dense blocks, and what can they be used for? In this introduction, we take a look at the advantages and applications of dense blocks.
What are dense blocks?
A dense concrete block is a durable construction material that is ideal for many applications, including foundation walls, retaining walls, party walls and other loadbearing structures.
This is because it is strengthened by its higher density. A dense concrete block typically has a density of 1,800 to 2,100 kg/m3 whereas a standard medium dense block, such as Lignacite, has a density of 1,300 to 1,550 kg/m3. This higher density makes the blocks very robust, durable and strong, perfect for when you need the extra support.
The properties of dense blocks What is the strength of dense concrete blocks?
Dense concrete blocks are very tough and strong. Our dense concrete block range, Lignacrete, is available in compressive strengths ranging from 7.3 to 30N/mm². This makes them a great choice for loadbearing purposes in low-rise and high-rise buildings.
How heavy is a dense concrete block?
Due to their higher density, dense blocks are heavier than standard concrete blocks. The wide range of dense blocks available means that their weight depends on exactly how dense they are and how large the block is. In our Lignacrete High Strength range, a midi-sized block with a strength of 17.5N/mm² weighs around 17.5kg per unit.
What are dense concrete blocks used for?
The extra density of these concrete blocks makes them adaptable materials for all kinds of buildings. Here are just a few examples of their applications and how you can use dense blocks in your next project:
Loadbearing walls: Dense concrete blocks are commonly used in construction for loadbearing walls due to their high strength and durability. They provide structural support to buildings and can withstand heavy loads. For instance, our dense Lignacrete blocks were used in the construction of The Cheesegrater in London.
Foundations: These blocks are ideal for building foundation walls as they offer excellent stability and frost resistance. They help distribute the weight of the structure evenly, ensuring a solid base for the building. See our case study of The Paddocks to see how our dense Lignacrete product was used in a residential project.
Retaining walls: Dense concrete blocks are often used in the construction of retaining walls to hold back soil and prevent erosion. This is because their weight and strength make them effective in resisting lateral pressure from the retained earth. In particular, hollow dense blocks are often a popular choice for this application. They can be strengthened even further by adding vertical reinforcing bars into the cores of the blocks.
Partition walls: Dense concrete blocks make excellent partition walls. Their density means that they offer very effective sound insulation. This provides privacy and acoustic comfort in all kinds of buildings, such as residential, commercial and industrial spaces.
Inner and outer leaves of external cavity walls: Dense concrete blocks are well-suited for both inner and outer leaves of external cavity walls. As the outer leaf, they provide protection against the weather and physical damage, while their high density ensures effective soundproofing from external noise. As the inner leaf, dense concrete blocks offer structural integrity while also providing thermal mass for improved energy efficiency and acoustic insulation.
Block and beam floors: Dense concrete blocks make great infill blocks for block and beam flooring.
The benefits of dense concrete blockwork
Dense concrete blockwork has a wide range of advantages. Here are just a few of them:
Strength and durability: Dense concrete blocks are strong and durable, making them capable of withstanding heavy loads and damage from external forces. This strength ensures long-term structural integrity.
Thermal insulation: Dense concrete blocks, in conjunction with appropriate cavity insulation, can provide adequate thermal insulation to meet Part L Building Regulations. Their thermal mass also protects against temperature changes within buildings. This is because they have the ability to absorb and release heat. For instance, during warm weather, unwanted heat is absorbed by the thermal mass of exposed floors and walls to reduce the risk of overheating.
Soundproofing: The density of concrete blocks helps dampen sound transmission, making them effective at reducing noise levels between rooms or from external sources. This feature enhances privacy and comfort in residential, commercial and industrial buildings.
Fire resistance: Concrete blocks offer excellent fire resistance, providing a barrier against the spread of flames and heat.
Versatility: Dense concrete blocks are versatile building materials suitable for loadbearing walls, foundation walls, retaining walls, partition walls and external cavity walls.
Find the right dense block for your project
Dense concrete blocks are a fantastic building material with many advantages and applications. You can learn more about our dense Lignacrete range on our website, or get in touch with our Quoting Team by calling 01842 778485 today.
