Lazarian Polystyrene Insulated Concrete Forms

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Lazarian World Homes

Manufacturing/Building Method

Lazarian World Homes brings the machine, chemicals, and molds to the site that are necessary to produce the polyurethane blocks. The cement and gravel for the concrete and the rebar are obtained locally and brought to the site.

Intellectural Property Type

Patent Protected

User Provision Model

Individuals and organizations can reach out to Lazarian World Homes with a project proposal. Lazarian World Homes works as a product manufacturer, installing contractor, and donor/fundraising organization. Their services come together and cannot be obtained separately.

Distributions to Date Status

104 projects have been completed and 3 are in progress.

Design Specifications

The assembling of walls requires four styrofoam pieces, which include the Standard and Lintel Block, a Plug, and the End Cap. The Standard Wall Block and Lintel/Header Block comprise the main pieces. These blocks are 121.9 x 30.5 x 20.3 cm³ and weigh about 1.4 kg. The blocks interlock for assembly. It uses 3/8 rebar and concrete into holes/studs every 40.6 cm on-center throughout the wall and the same is done through the lintel block every 120 cm from the ground to structurally tie the building vertically and horizontally.

Technical Support

Lazarian World Homes does not provide ongoing technical support. The user would need to contact a general building contractor.

Replacement Components

Since Lazarian World Homes builds homes and does not sell the blocks as a separate product, a user would likely have to obtain additional blocks from elsewhere.

Lifecycle

Lazarian World Homes projects an economic life of 40-50 years. They also suggest that the blocks can be recycled by grinding up the foam and mixing it into gardens for easier watering, or mixing as an additive into concrete blocks.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Lazarian World Homes claims that their homes are durable, affordable, and eco-friendly (because they are high insulating).

Vetted Performance Status

Unknown

Safety

Workers are subject to the general dangers of a construction site that include working from heights and with machinery and sharp tools. EPS and EPU are combustible and therefore many codes require a thermal barrier such as drywall or plaster as a finish on the ICF.

Complementary Technical Systems

The Polyurethane Portable Factory is one of the machines used to create the blocks and can be purchased from E-Z Flow Foam Packaging Systems.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Unknown