FAQ SECTION

Q: What pressures can your form withstand?

A: Precise Forms are rated at 1200 P.S.F. The standard ties are rated at 7000 Lbs.

Q: Can you pour walls over 8 foot high?

A: Precise Forms are stackable allowing commercial or residential "tall" walls to be poured. Our home office is happy to assist with recommended tie placements for your specific jobs.

Q: How thick of walls can you pour?

A: Precise makes ties for any size wall. Very little lateral pressure is created by a thick wall. Vertical pressure becomes the concern on thick walls and the footing must be reflective of that.

Q: How do I attach blockouts to your forms?

A: Aluminum forms, like wood, can be nailed. Using a portable drill, holes can be made for attaching wood blockouts with duplex nails. If you prefer not to put holes in your forms, fillers can be used to position ties in proper blockout widths. The ties can then be used to attach the blockouts with wire.

Q: How do I run pipes through your system?

A: In the same way as above. Position ties into the proper position and slip an oversized pipe over the tie.

Q: I can't afford to buy your forms over wood. They are too expensive.

A: You can't afford to buy wood forms. The number of wood form sets you have to buy in proportion to one set of Precise aluminum can be as many as 15 sets. Even if the cost of one set of wood forms is only a third of Precise's cost, you could end up paying almost 5 times as much. An added benefit, aluminum forms retain their basic aluminum value. Lease/Purchase financing is also available from our associates.

Q: Why does the aluminum forming system have fewer accessories than plywood?

A: The aluminum system is a 36" modulation vs. 24". Therefore, 33% fewer accessories.

Q: My wood forms are fast.

A: Aluminum forms are just as fast. There is 50% more square footage of form carried each time and the 3 foot aluminum weighs in most cases the same as a 2 foot wood form.

Q: Do you sell used forms?

A: Precise Forms frequently carries a quantity of quality used forms at a fraction of the price of new. The availability of these forms is on a first come first serve basis, and some forms on our list may have already been sold. Please contact us for a listing of available forms.

Q: How can I determine the hole pattern?

A: The proper way to measure the hole pattern is from the end of the side rail to the center of the first pin hole. The remaining holes can be determined by measuring from the right side of one pin hole to the right side of the next. When ordering additional forms to match an existing set it is extremely important to note the correct hole pattern. It is standard policy for Precise to ask the customer to sign a shop drawing on all non-standard items or hole patterns. This ensures that the product is made to the customers specifications.

Q: How can I get forms repaired?

A: Forms over time may start to show signs of wear and tear due to everyday use. Many times forms may get abused by the occasional employee. In either case Precise Forms have qualified technicians that can repair your forms for you. Simply make arrangements with your local sales representative to have the forms shipped to our repair station. We will get your forms back in working condition and returned to your job site as quickly as possible.

Q: What impact will ambient temperature have on my pour rates?

A: Most wall tie failures occur in the spring and fall since this is the time of year that the outside air temperature can drop rather quickly and unexpectedly.  The concrete company has not yet adjusted for the temperature swings with the addition or deletion of hot water and other stimulants that enhance early settings of the concrete, therefore providing early support and lessening the liquid fluid head pressure.  The following information has been extracted from the text, FORMWORK FOR CONCRETE, fourth edition published by the ACI:

Temperature:
Temperature of the concrete at the time of placing has an important influence on pressures because it affects the setting time of concrete.  At low temperatures, the concrete takes longer to stiffen and therefore a greater depth can be placed before the lower portion becomes firm enough to be self-supporting.  The greater liquid head thus developed results in higher lateral pressures.  It is particularly important to keep this in mind when designing forms for concrete to be placed in cold weather or with fly ash replacement or retarding admixtures used in any weather.

Maximum Lateral Pressure for Design of Wall Forms:
Please find following pressure formulas for the placement at 10 feet per hour or less based on ACI Committee 347.  Note:  Do not design pressures in excess of 150-x height of fresh concrete in forms.

Maximum laterals pressure, pounds per square foot for temperature indicated:

© Copyright 2008 Precise Forms, Inc. 

Site Design by Wild-Webs, Inc.