Ohio School Facilities Commission & AAC

The Ohio School Facilities Commission included autoclaved aerated concrete, AAC, into its 2005 Design Manual Update effective April 15, 2005.  The Design Manual includes standards for high quality systems and materials that may be incorporated into school designs that are being built under the State of Ohio's Rebuilding Ohio Schools initiative, which is the largest public works program in the history of Ohio.  The Design Manual was developed in 1997 as a result of legislation for building assistance programs and provides guidance on all areas of construction and renovation.

Performance Concrete Products, representing Aercon Florida, a manufacturer of autoclaved aerated concrete, presented AAC product information to the Design Manual Update Committee twice; once in early 2003 and again in the first quarter of 2005.  Performance Concrete Products undertook the lead to have AAC placed in the Design Manual since it is the only midwest AAC distributor of any domestic  AAC manufacturer that provides engineering, estimating, training, field support, and a group of trained and experienced dealers and contractors available to install or erect AAC facilities.

Autoclaved aerated concrete, AAC, is listed under Division 4, Masonry.  The specifications are found in section 04225 of Chapter 9, page 1801 : Specifications.  Although the product configuration initially included in the manual is block, the OSFC variance process has already been used to gain approval for the use of 3 inch AAC cladding on OSFC funded school projects.  Performance Concrete Products believes that subsequent request for not only the 3 inch cladding but for the 2 foot x 20 foot AAC load bearing panels would be granted variances as well.

Performance Concrete Products focused on the following points in its presentation to the Design Manual Update Committee:

  • Productivity gains and subsequent scheduling benefits available with AAC blocks and panels.
  • Moisture resistance of AAC
  • Single wide masonry concept that addresses inherent insulation values of AAC.
  • Wide variety of exterior and interior finishes.
  • Quality control benefits per the dimensional uniformity of AAC blocks and panels.
  • Inherent UL rated fire resistance.
  • Green product that is 100 per cent organic and generates no gases.
  • Contributes towards LEED certified structures.