Strong Acid System - Containment Areas
March 31, 2003

Introduction Material Trenches Expansion Joints

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Introduction

Acid brick is the most durable option for lining a concrete floor or containment area to protect it from sulphuric acid spills.   The initial cost for an acid lined floor is higher than a painted protective coating but long term maintenance costs are lower over the long term.

A typical acid resistant brick lining system will consists of the following:

• Prepared concrete surface
• Membrane lining laid directly on the concrete surface
• One layer acid resistant brick laid in a mortar bed

Vertical surfaces generally will not require the underlying membrane since the risk of

A minimum brick thickness of 1 1/8” is recommended.  This will allow the load to be more evenly distributed over the membrane and is sufficiently thick to support the normal expected loads on the floor without damage to the brick.

The floor should be installed using the bricklayers method employing mortar joints 1/8” wide rather than the tile setters method with ¼” mortar joints.

Material

The acid resistant brick used for the flooring must have the following characteristics:

• Durable
• High compressive strength
• Abrasion resistant
• Skid resistant
• Visually appealing

Of the two types of brick generally available, red shale is preferred over fireclay brick.  Red shale brick possesses all of the above characteristics and is generally less expensive than fireclay brick.

Trenches

The lining of trenches is similar to the method employed for the general floor area.  A standard brick (i.e. 2 ½” thick) is recommended for the vertical walls of the trench to ensure that the wall is properly supported.

Expansion Joints

Acid brick is subject to irreversible growth over time due to absorption of moisture and acid.  Sufficient allowance for this growth must be allowed for in the design and installation of the floor otherwise failure of the lining will result.