[Greenbuilding] Concrete foundation forms

[Chris Green]

Rushd45 wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I'm looking for a concrete foundation system, I think that somebody on this list provided a link, which I have lost... 
>
> The system is basicly thin polypropelene, 6 mils thick or so, that is preprinted with dimensions/lines on it.
The company is called FabForm, and the material (pun intended) you are 
looking for is called FastFoot.
http://www.fab-form.com/

I finally got to work with this product about a month ago, to build 
forms on the uneven rock created when we dug the hole for the basement 
in a rock outcrop.
It's great stuff, and other people I've talked to who have worked with 
it love it.

As a bonus, the fabric acts as a damp-proofing barrier under the footings.
.
The idea for the product probably originated because some people have 
been using lumber wrap fabric to build forms with. Then a contractor in 
North Vancouver designed the FastFoot and other products, and is having 
them manufactured. He may have a patent for this.

If you want to save some money, you can use the lumber wrap in place of 
the FastFoot material, but if you're paying someone an hourly wage to do 
the prep work, the rolls will be cheaper.

Check out the how-to videos on this site, and the other neat ideas, like 
using a FastTube as a "tremie chute" instead of renting a concrete 
pumper truck.
Also see:
http://www.fab-form.com/images/Media/fast-foot-graphic.gif  
for a graphic of a proper installation.

One thing you'll have to watch for is that the fabric doesn't form a vee 
or u-shape when filled. It's supposed  to look like a radial tire profile.

And use lots of staples to hold it in place.

Cheers,

Chris Green.