Instructions for Professionals

Construction and Installation Guidelines

Proper installation of the System 3E construction system ensures stability and optimal thermal insulation.

1. Installing the First Course (On the Foundation)

Precise alignment of the first block course is crucial for ensuring wall straightness and quality. Follow the steps below:

01

Marking the Axes

Secure the axes of the future walls on the foundation and check the diagonals. If the foundation height difference exceeds 30 mm at certain points, perform prior leveling.

02

Hydroinsulation

Apply horizontal waterproofing to the foundation (e.g., SBS or a special rolled material) to protect the wall structure from capillary rising moisture.

03

First Course Mortar

Apply a leveling and foundation mortar layer under the first course. We recommend using cement mortars with a strength class of M5 to M10.

04

Installing the Corners

Start installing the elements from the corners onto a 10–30 mm mortar layer. Ensure correct vertical and horizontal alignment and secure the blocks against displacement.

05

Checking the Level

Use a mason's line and a spirit level (or a leveling instrument) to check and guide the level and height between corner blocks and the elements forming the first row.

06

Filling the Rows

Place the intermediate blocks between the corners. Ensure the top surface of the blocks is at precisely the same height before starting the next course.

2. Dry-Laying Walls Using the "Click-Click" Method

After the mortar of the first course has hardened, construction continues completely dry (without glue or mortar).

  • Cleaning: Before installing a new course, ensure the top surfaces and locks of the blocks are completely cleaned of dust and debris.
  • Dry Laying: Mechanically stack the blocks on top of each other and lock them with light taps from a rubber mallet.
  • Tools: Always use a rubber construction mallet. Avoid heavy steel and hard tools that could damage the surface or locks of the perlite element.
  • Order: Install the elements of each course starting from the corners and progress along the building's perimeter.

NOTE: When installing the blocks, apply mechanical pressure (rubber mallet taps) only to the side surfaces (the smooth sides of the block). Avoid hitting the top and bottom profiled locks directly to maintain their shape stability.

Dry-laying walls

3. Creating Grooves and Chases for Utilities

Grooves created for the installation of utility networks (cables, pipes, etc.) must not compromise the stability of the SYSTEM 3E wall. Eurocode 6 (standard EVS-EN 1996-1-1) determines the maximum dimensions of grooves and recesses that do not need to be considered separately in structural calculations:

Section Type (Without Plaster) Max Vertical / Diagonal Groove Depth [mm] Max Vertical Groove Width [mm] Max Horizontal Groove Depth [mm] Max Horizontal Groove Length [mm]
SYSTEM 3E EKO+ (352 mm) 30 mm 200 mm 20 mm up to 1250 mm
SYSTEM 3E INTERNAL (175 mm) 20 mm 100 mm 10 mm up to 1000 mm

4. Load-Bearing Capacity Tables for Fastenings and Anchors

Special anchors have been tested for attaching heavy objects, window and door frames, and facade elements to the SYSTEM 3E perlite wall. Use Rawlplug or Hilti screw anchors and dowels with a no-impact drilling method.

Single and Multi-Point Fixing Anchors

(Applications: windows, doors, shelves, cabinets, railings, garage doors, etc.)

Type / Manufacturer Hole Diameter [mm] Anchorage Depth [mm] Allowable Load [kN] Edge Distance [mm] Spacing Between Anchors [mm]
Rawlplug R-FF1-N-08 8 mm 70 mm 0.34 kN (~34 kg) 100 mm 250 mm
Rawlplug R-FF-N-10 10 mm 70 mm 0.15 kN (~15 kg) 100 mm 250 mm
Hilti HRD-H 10 mm 50 mm 0.22 kN (~22 kg) 100 mm 250 mm
Hilti HUD-L 10 mm 70 mm 0.19 kN (~19 kg) 100 mm 250 mm

Advanced Chemical Anchors (Heavier Loads)

(Applications: stairs, canopies, large facade structures, sanitary equipment, etc.)

Chemical Anchor / Threaded Rod Drill Diameter [mm] Anchorage Depth [mm] Allowable Load [kN] Edge Distance [mm] Spacing Between Anchors [mm]
Rawlplug R-KEM-II + R-STUDS-08110 (M8) 10 mm 80 mm 0.27 kN (~27 kg) 100 mm 250 mm
Rawlplug R-KEM-II + R-STUDS-10130 (M10) 12 mm 85 mm 0.23 kN (~23 kg) 100 mm 250 mm
Rawlplug R-KEM-II + R-STUDS-12160 (M12) 14 mm 95 mm 0.31 kN (~31 kg) 100 mm 250 mm
Hilti HY 170 + HAS-U M8x80 10 mm 60 mm 0.31 kN (~31 kg) 100 mm 250 mm
Hilti HY 170 + HAS-U M8x150 10 mm 120 mm 1.39 kN (~139 kg) 100 mm 250 mm

5. Reinforcement and Finishing Layers

Reinforcing Openings

To reinforce the inner corners of window and door openings, it is recommended to use fiberglass mesh in three directions (horizontally, diagonally, and vertically). This protects the finish from potential microcracks.

Interior Finishing

The walls are covered on the inside with a thin layer of plaster (gypsum, lime, or cement-lime plaster). Before plastering, the surface of the perlite blocks must be treated with a primer or deep primer.

Exterior Finishing

On the outside of the building, a layer of cement plaster or cement-lime adhesive mortar with embedded fiberglass mesh is applied to the entire wall surface. The wall is then covered with decorative plaster or facade cladding.