View Full Introduction Video
QPOD™ CONTINUOUS PLACEMENT OF COMPONENTS FIG. a
Place 300mm spacers at 550mm centres for perimiters & beams.
Open side QPOD are capped off with the QPOD Cap.
QPOD™ RAFT PLACEMENT OF COMPONENTS FIG. b
Place 100mm spacers at 1200mm centres for ribs.
Place 300mm spacers at 1200mm centres for beams.
Plumbing and Pipe Penetrations
There are two options for installing the plumbing services in combination with waffle slabs. The pipes can either be installed within the subgrade beneath the pods and concrete foundation or within the depth of the waffle slab itself.
Services for a QPOD™ foundation is preferred to be arranged underground leaving only vertical penetrations in the pod configuration according to local consent and ground condition specifications. Follow standard detailing procedure for penetration. The following instruction applies only to specific locations where services are preferred above ground due to seismic movement concerns, ie Christchurch.
In Slab Services
Where falls allow and for all gas or critical ducting it is recommended the pipes are installed within the depth of the floor slab (type 1) flexible lagging shall also be included around the pipes. Installing the pipes within the depth of the slab will mitigate the risk of damage occurring underneath the floor (where it would be difficult to repair) in the event of an earthquake.
Subgrade Services
Where pipes cannot achieve the required fall, or if the diameter is too large, these can be installed within the subgrade (type 2) and penetrate up vertically through the slab. Again, a clearance around the pipe shall be maintained (25mm minimum or recommended 50mm as per the MBIE guidance).
Rib & Footing Penetrations
Pipes are not permitted to run along or within ribs and footings or penetrate up through ribs and footings without special detailing. Pipes are permitted to cross perpendicular through a rib or footing providing they are located with the middle third of the depth of the waffle slab and are 50mm diameter or less.
SERVICES ABOVE GROUND
If services are going to be places above ground please follow the correct method demonstrated here for best results:
1. Services are placed and trenched according to the QPOD layout plan before QPOD configuration is laid.
2. As QPOD configuration is laid holes are cut in the side of pods to create the necessary fall required, please see diagram a. ‘creating fall’ on following page.
3. Follow method described in diagram c. to cut holes in QPOD Closed 2 sides pods or QPOD End caps.
4. Use flexible sealant and foam lagging to seal off all penetrations appropriately.
STEP #1
STEP #2
Fold back cut to slot pod over the pipe. Repeat this on each pod creating the required fall based on Creating Fall on following page, diagram a & b.
STEP #3
QPOD™ SHOWER RECESS
Shower recesses can be formed to a maximum of 50mm deep by lowering the QPOD standard height of 220mm. The QPOD Codemark solution (a) pictured here, where the QPOD is reduced 50mm in height are available to purchase pre-made from QPOD for your site.
QPOD’s modified shower recess with 50mm cut from bottom to
reduce the height.
QPOD™ FREE JOINT
Slabs longer than 30m or with an irregular shape and narrow corridor as demonstrated in the QPOD design manual will require a free joint. Cladding and floor coverings in particular which cross the free joint need to be detailed appropriately to tolerate the horizontal movement which could occur. Where the floor incorporates a step down free joints shall be required if the distance from the step down to edge of slab exceeds 15m.
