PRE-BURN AND CURING RECOMMENDATIONS

New structures or refurbished structures with new concrete block walls should be allowed to cure for two months before you start burning.  The idea is to allow the concrete and concrete block walls to dry out as much as practically possible before you burn.  High temperatures associated with burning will draw the water out of the mortar joints and concrete.  If too much water is still present, concrete can literally explode as the water turns to steam, creating pressures that are greater than the tensile strength of the concrete.  Further, as water is drawn out of the block mortar joints, the mortar will lose its’ bond with the  block. This will eventually occur regardless of how long you wait before burning.  In time, the mortar will dry out and crack away from the concrete block in the hottest burn areas.

We have a pre-burn procedure that should be followed after replacing a significant number of fire tile plugs.  Burning pallets, allowing them to burn out without extinguishment, develops some heat to allow the bolt hole plugs to harden before you hit them hose streams.