Welcome to the BlockAid News hub — your go-to source for updates, innovations, and expert insights in reinforced masonry construction. Whether you’re a builder, certifier, or asset owner, our stories reveal how BlockAid Rebar Positioners are transforming the way Australia builds — saving time, eliminating risk, and achieving compliance with confidence.
The AS3700 Standard Is Changing — Are You Ready?
Reinforced masonry is about to get an important upgrade — and BlockAid is here to help you stay ahead of the change. The upcoming amendment to AS3700, Australia’s Standard for masonry structures, will include a requirement for Reinforcement Positioners in reinforced masonry construction. This change will mandate that both horizontal and vertical reinforcement be accurately located and securely held in place prior to core filling, ensuring compliant and durable construction outcomes. According to Standards Australia, the draft of the new AS3700 will be released for [...]
Build Right. Certify with Confidence. Protect the Asset.
In reinforced masonry, compliance isn’t just a requirement—it’s a responsibility shared across the entire construction chain. From structural engineers and certifiers to builders and asset owners, everyone depends on getting reinforcement placement right. That’s where BlockAid Rebar Positioners provide a smart, simple solution. Here’s how BlockAid helps you achieve risk-free compliance, certification, and protection—from design to insurability. Achieve Compliance with Australian Standard AS3700 BlockAid Rebar Positioners are designed to accurately locate horizontal reinforcement as each course of block is laid and to provide a clear [...]
Helping Builders Comply with the Design & Building Practitioners Act
The introduction of the NSW Design & Building Practitioners Act 2020 has raised the bar on compliance and accountability. Builders and engineers must now ensure reinforced masonry meets the highest standards of construction quality. Key compliance insights: The Marine Environment zone (ISO Category 3) stretches inland up to 50 km in some regions, increasing cover requirements. Registered practitioners must sign declarations that their builds comply with the BCA and design specs. Non-compliant reinforced masonry—especially where reinforcement is not correctly located—can lead to insurance claim denials. [...]
Major Infrastructure Projects Deserve Long-Term Strength
In the world of major infrastructure projects, strength, safety, and compliance aren’t optional—they’re non-negotiable. Whether you're constructing public transport facilities, underground utilities, large-scale retaining structures, medical facilities or high-security walls, the way reinforcement is positioned in masonry construction can make or break the longevity of your project. Poorly placed rebar in masonry walls can lead to structural deficiencies, costly repairs, and serious safety risks. Unfortunately, even today, too many projects are approved despite non-compliant reinforcement. The upcoming amendment to AS3700 aims to change that—with a [...]
Why Stronger Stadiums Start With Stronger Masonry
Sports venues are more than just places for games; they're landmarks, community hubs, and often critical pieces of public infrastructure. Whether you're planning a local sports field upgrade or a state-of-the-art stadium, ensuring long-term structural integrity is key to protecting the people inside—and the investment behind it. At the heart of many stadium builds is reinforced masonry—chosen for its fire resistance, load-bearing capacity, and durability under stress. But unless reinforcement is positioned accurately, these walls may fall short of their full potential. That's where BlockAid [...]
When Reinforcement Goes Wrong: A Cautionary Example from Newcastle
In March 2021, a three-storey masonry building under construction in Newcastle, NSW highlighted a serious issue in reinforced masonry: incorrect placement of vertical reinforcement. Photos from the site reveal vertical steel bars pushed up against the shell face of the blocks, instead of being centrally located within the core. While this might look minor to the untrained eye, for those in the industry, it raises major red flags. The consequences are more than cosmetic, they’re structural. Why Central Placement Matters In a reinforced masonry wall, [...]
BlockAid: A Common-Sense Solution for Reinforced Masonry Compliance
In the world of construction, the simplest solutions are often the most powerful. BlockAid Rebar Positioners, also referred to as bar chairs for blockwork, offer a common-sense approach to one of masonry’s most persistent challenges: accurate and compliant reinforcement placement. Building Stronger, Smarter Walls BlockAid is designed to accurately locate horizontal reinforcement as each masonry block course is laid, while also providing a clear aperture for vertical reinforcement to be inserted cleanly and securely through the core. The result is a consistent and precise lattice [...]
12 Reasons to Adopt BlockAid for Masonry Block Wall Construction
When it comes to reinforced masonry, precision matters. BlockAid Rebar Positioners deliver peace of mind through compliant, durable, and efficient construction practices. Here are 12 compelling reasons why BlockAid should be your go-to solution for masonry block wall construction: Accurate Reinforcement Placement – Ensures both horizontal and vertical reinforcement is positioned correctly. Standards Alignment – Supports horizontal reinforcement off the web, in line with AS3700-2011. Control Joint Accuracy – Aligns dowels with precision for functional joints. Starter Bar Alignment – Ensures vertical reinforcement lines up [...]
Save Time. Save Materials. Save Labour. BlockAid Does It All.
In construction, every minute and every dollar count. Whether you're building residential, commercial, or high-risk infrastructure, improving efficiency without compromising compliance is critical. That’s where BlockAid Rebar Positioners come in. Our rebar positioning system doesn’t just ensure structural accuracy—it helps you save time, reduce materials, lower labour costs, and stay compliant with AS3700-2018 and NCC-2022. Here's how: Save Time, Save Money Traditional methods of tying or welding vertical reinforcement into masonry block walls are not only time-consuming—they're error-prone and expensive. With BlockAid, horizontal reinforcement is [...]
QUT Confirms BlockAid Delivers Safe, Compliant and Efficient Results in Reinforced Masonry
At BlockAid, we’ve always known our rebar positioners offer a smarter, safer, and more compliant way to build reinforced masonry structures. Now, independent testing by Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has confirmed it. The research assessed the structural performance of our bar chairs in a range of reinforced masonry wall configurations. The findings? BlockAid Rebar Positioners not only maintain accuracy and compliance, they also enhance the speed and safety of construction. Here’s a breakdown of the key outcomes: Accurate Positioning Without Compromising Strength QUT testing [...]
The Benefits of BlockAid to All Stakeholders
BlockAid Rebar Positioners aren’t just a smart construction tool—they offer benefits across the entire project lifecycle and to every professional involved. Engineers can rest assured that reinforcement placement meets design specs with precision and repeatability. Certifiers benefit from risk-free inspections, as reinforcement is clearly secured and visible with BlockAid. Local Government can eliminate non-compliance issues across developments in their LGA. Construction Companies gain efficiency by ensuring subcontractors meet compliance from the start. Masonry Contractors save time and materials, avoiding delays and reducing on-site risk. Building [...]
3 Common Causes of Non-Compliance in Reinforced Masonry
Despite the critical importance of reinforced masonry, many builds fall short of compliance. Here are three common oversights and how BlockAid helps avoid them: Unsupported Horizontal Reinforcement – AS3700-2018 Clause 5.9.2 requires support for horizontal reinforcement above webs when using flush-ended blocks. BlockAid provides that support. Insufficient Grout Cover – Table 5.1 of AS3700-2018 specifies minimum cover for durability, which is often missed. BlockAid ensures accurate spacing and cover. Lateral Misalignment – Clause 12.5.3 mandates reinforcement must be within ±5mm lateral tolerance. BlockAid locks steel [...]