Preface
This is the third edition of CSA Standard A371 , Masonry Construction for Buildings. It supersedes the second edition published in 1984 and the first edition published in 1980.
The CSA Technical Committee on Masonry Construction for Buildings has worked in close collaboration with the Technical Committee on Masonry Design and Construction for Buildings (Standard S304) and the Technical Committee on Masonry Connectors (Standard A370). Coordinated treatment of related topics is therefore possible by using this Standard in conjunction with CSA Standard CAN/CSA-S304 or S304.1 as a reference to construction requirements for the design process. In addition, on the topic of connectors, CSA Standard A371 contains requirements for construction, whereas A370 defines the requirements for the various types of connectors.
Appendix D - Chimneys and Fireplaces (A371 -M84) has been deleted from this edition, since the information contained therein is now part of A405-M87, Design and Construction of Masonry Chimneys and Fireplaces.
This Standard was produced to provide minimum requirements for good practice in unit masonry construction. It deals with the technical aspects of masonry construction and is not intended to designate responsibility. To prevent confusion with mandatory requirements, information of an advisory or educational nature has been minimized. However, where such nonmandatory material has been deemed necessary for the understanding or the completeness of the Standard, the information has been located either in short notes after the appropriate Clause or in a separate Appendix at the end of the Standard.
The content of this Standard is based on the requirements of the National Building Code of Canada; however, some extension of the NBCC requirements is included where this is felt
to be useful and necessary.
Scope
1.1 General
This Standard contains minimum requirements for masonry materials and masonry construction.
1.2 Items Not Covered
This Standard does not apply to prefabricated panelized unit masonry construction.
1.3 Related Items in Other Standards
Structural design of unit masonry shall meet the requirements of CSA Standard S304 or S304.1.
Note: It should be noted that the requirements in Part 9 of the National Building Code of Canada may be different from the requirements in this Standard.
1.4 Additional Guidance in Appendices
The Appendices contain additional guidance pertaining to good construction practice.
1.5 Approval of Alternate Systems
Systems deviating from this Standard shall be shown by field experience, engineering analysis and/or testing to perform satisfactorily before acceptance by the owner.
