Construction Joint Protection
Preventing concealed termite entry as per Australian Standard AS 3660.1-2014.
What Are Construction Joints?
Construction joints occur where separate concrete elements meet — formed during staged pours, slab extensions, building additions and other details where adjoining concrete is poured at different times. As concrete naturally shrinks during curing, gaps can develop at these connections, creating concealed termite entry points into buildings.
Vale Pest Group provides construction joint protection for commercial construction projects, and residential projects through the builder, working with builders, developers and project managers to install compliant termite management systems that help seal these joints and reduce the risk of concealed termite entry.
Why Construction Joints Require Protection
Concrete Shrinkage Creates Gaps
Concrete naturally shrinks during curing. As adjoining concrete elements shrink independently, gaps can develop where slabs, walls and structural elements meet. These gaps can provide concealed termite entry points if appropriate termite management measures are not installed.
Concealed Termite Entry Points
Construction joints are often concealed beneath walls, floor coverings and building finishes. This can allow termites to gain access into buildings without visible signs of activity, making detection difficult.
Movement Throughout The Life Of The Building
In addition to initial concrete shrinkage, buildings experience movement throughout their lifespan due to settlement, structural loading and environmental conditions. Effective construction joint protection helps accommodate this movement while maintaining termite protection.
How Construction Joint Protection Works
Construction joints occur where new concrete is poured against existing concrete, walls, footings, columns or other structural elements. To protect these areas, a folded strip of the physical termite barrier is mechanically fixed to the vertical face of the existing structure prior to the new concrete placement.
When the new concrete is placed, the physical termite barrier becomes sandwiched between the existing structure and the new concrete. Because the barrier is installed with a folded profile, it remains compressed immediately after placement. As the new concrete cures and naturally shrinks away from the existing structure, the folded barrier expands into the newly formed gap. This allows the termite barrier to maintain protection even as the construction joint opens over time.
Construction Joint Protection Applications
Pour Breaks
Large concrete slabs are often poured in stages, creating construction joints commonly referred to as pour breaks. As the concrete cures and shrinks, these joints can widen and require termite management measures to help maintain protection.
Precast, Block Walls & Column Joints
Precast and block walls and columns are commonly founded directly onto footings before the concrete slab is placed around them. This creates a joint where the slab abuts the structural column (also known as an isolation joint). As concrete naturally shrinks during curing, gaps can develop between the slab and the column. These gaps may provide concealed termite entry points if they are not appropriately protected.
New to Existing Slab Connections
Extensions, renovations and building modifications often require new slabs to connect to existing concrete structures. These details create construction joints that require termite management measures to maintain continuity of protection.
Lift Shafts & Stairwells
Lift shafts and stairwells create multiple construction joints within commercial and multi storey developments. These areas are important components of the overall termite management system and require careful detailing during installation.
Related Services
Technical Resources
Access technical documentation and supporting information relating to the termite management systems used for construction joint protection applications.
| Ref | Document | Description | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| D-01 | JH Technical Data | Technical product information outlining system specifications, construction joint applications, installation requirements and performance characteristics. | Download |
| D-02 | CodeMark Certification | Access CodeMark certification documentation supporting compliance and approval requirements for termite management systems used in construction joint applications. | Download |
| D-03 | Global GreenTag Certification | Global GreenTag certificate verifying JH Termite Barrier as an Eco-Preferred product. | Download |
| D-04 | Warranty Information | Review warranty information relating to installed termite management systems, including warranty periods and coverage details. | Download |
What is a construction joint?
A construction joint is the interface where two separate concrete elements meet. Construction joints commonly occur between staged concrete pours, slab extensions, retaining walls, columns, footings and other structural elements that are constructed at different times.
Why are construction joints protected?
Construction joints are protected because concrete naturally shrinks during curing. As adjoining concrete elements shrink independently, a gap can develop at the joint interface. These gaps can provide concealed termite entry pathways into the building if they are not appropriately protected.
How does concrete shrinkage affect construction joints?
Concrete naturally reduces in volume as it cures. Where separate concrete elements meet, this shrinkage can cause the joint to widen over time, creating a gap that may allow concealed termite entry into the structure.
Can termites enter through construction joints?
Yes. Construction joints can provide concealed access pathways into a building if termite management measures are not installed. Because these joints are often concealed beneath walls and finishes, termite activity may occur without obvious visible signs.
What is a pour break?
A pour break is a construction joint created when a concrete slab is poured in stages rather than as a single continuous pour. As the concrete cures and shrinks, a gap can develop at the interface between the separate pours, requiring termite management protection.
Why are joints required around walls and columns?
Walls and columns are often constructed directly onto footings before the surrounding concrete slab is poured. This creates an interface where the slab meets the wall or column. As the slab cures and shrinks, a gap can develop at this junction, which may create a concealed termite entry pathway if it is not protected.
Do basement construction joints require termite protection?
Yes. Basement construction commonly contains numerous joints between slabs, retaining walls, lift pits, columns and structural elements. These interfaces form an important part of the overall termite management strategy and often require protection to maintain continuity of the termite management system.
How are lift shafts and stairwells protected?
Lift shafts and stairwells typically contain isolation joints as these areas are stabilised on foundations first, prior to the concrete slab construction, therefore creating a discontinuity, i.e., a construction joint.
Do construction joint protection systems comply with AS 3660.1?
Termite management systems are installed in accordance with manufacturer specifications and project requirements. AS 3660.1 provides guidance for termite management systems used in new building work and forms an important part of termite risk management throughout construction. Construction joint protection must allow up to 15mm of shrinkage, as per Australian Standards.
Do you provide compliance documentation?
Yes. Vale Pest Group can provide Certificates of Compliance, warranty information and marked installation plans identifying the locations of termite management measures installed throughout the project. For Queensland projects, Form 12 and Form 43 documentation can also be provided where required.
Discuss Your Project
Whether it’s a commercial refurbishment, a tenancy fit-out or a plumbing modification, Vale Pest Group can provide cut-out and infill slab protection solutions tailored to your project requirements.
Our team works closely with builders, contractors, consultants and property owners to ensure termite management systems are correctly reinstated following slab modifications and supported by appropriate documentation.