Polyethylene Fabric Footing
The FastFoot Footing System is a high-density polyethylene fabric that is staked and anchored using conventional lumber to create a form for footings. The fabric stays in place and provides waterproofing protection for the footing. This system creates a fast and efficient way to create footings in a variety of built environments. A single 12.5 pound roll of FastFoot forms the same footing as 900 pounds of lumber, representing a dramatic increase in efficiency. Footing lumber is discarded after several reuses because of alkaline damage. FastFoot protects all lumber and stakes from concrete.
- Made of high-density polyethylene fabric, FastFoot is a green replacement of lumber and plywood for forming concrete footings.
- A 100′ roll of FastFoot forms the same concrete as 1,500 pounds of lumber.
- FastFoot is now printed in three colors for easy reference of footing width lines and QR codes for onsite reference to the installation guide.
- Nominated in 2010 and 2012 as the Contractors’ Choice product of the year. Click on image to visit Concrete Contractor website.
- FastFoot is ideal for residential and commercial strip footings and pad edging.
See BuildBlock ICFs in action!
Prevents Concrete Damage
FastFoot is a closed form this eliminates the need for form boards and prevents any damage to the concrete and from screed boards and stakes. This means your 2x4s and stakes can be re-used indefinitely. All of the lumber used to support and stake the forms during the pour can be reused on future projects or other areas in your project.
Adapts to Uneven Ground & Rock
Special colored width lines allow FastFoot to be ‘let out’ or ‘pulled in’ to accommodate uneven excavations. No need to scab lumber on the sides of your footings or shovel the ground to achieve the footing depth.
FastFoot is perfect over rock or other features and will form itself smoothly as you pour.
Ideal for Stepped Footings
FastFoot quickly adapts to the uneven contours of your bank.
No need to waste plywood. Footings are the most basic structural support for buildings in contact with the earth. Building on level ground is straightforward. The footings are very simple and maintain a consistent elevation.
More complicated footing designs are needed with changes in elevation on the job site and this typically requires a “step” in the grade. Stepped Footings allow depth of footings to transition from one elevation to another.
Easily Form Deep Footings
Footing sizes will vary based on soil conditions or engineering requirements. For example sandy soils may have a wide footing that is not extremely thick. Expansive soils may require both deep and wide footings. FastFoot is ideal for deep footings and commercial pads.
Form footings up to 4′ deep. Eliminate expensive and heavy plywood and eliminate expensive re-cycling of formwork.
Prevents Rising Damp
Concrete is both hygroscopic and hydrophilic which means it will wick up ground moisture and water into and through the concrete. This is what leads to a damp and moldy interior. FastFoot is a damp proof membrane, preventing ground moisture wicking into the footing concrete, providing a drier, healthier indoor environment.
This combined with other waterproofing strategies will keep your home and foundation clean, safe and dry.
Prevents Ground Water Contamination
FastFoot is a closed form, preventing cement fines from entering the water table. FastFoot® is a damp proof membrane and prevents impurities from entering the environment. With lumber footing forms, the concrete is in direct contact with the ground, and cement fines could enter the environment.
Stronger Concrete
FastFoot prevents the footing concrete from being contaminated by mud and water, leading to a stronger concrete. In the summer, FastFoot® prevents rapid evaporation of moisture in the sides and bottom of the footing. This ensures adequate moisture for proper hydration of the cement particles.
FastFoot Product Videos
FastFoot is a true green product
“GreenSpec is the best resource in my collection of sustainable product guides and I refer to it frequently for my own projects and when providing recommendations for others.”
– Grant Crosby, Historical Architect, National Park Service (Alaska Region).
GreenSpec Listed
GreenSpec® is the highly respected green products directory produced by BuildingGreen, Inc. The company does not charge for listings or for the review process, nor do they accept advertising. As their resources are totally subscription supported, they have complete editorial independence and integrity – providing information that can be trusted.
Contributes to LEED Certication
There are seven categories where Fastfoot® contributes:
| Main section | Subsection | Detail | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – Sustainable Sites | Prereq 1 | Construction Activity Pollution Prevention | With lumber footing forms, concrete is poured directly on the ground, contaminating the water table with cement toxins. With Fastfoot® the concrete is poured into a membrane, preventing all ground water contamination. |
| 2 – Materials & Resources | Prereq 1 | Storage & Collection of Recyclables | Lumber formed concrete footings are not environmental because of transportation, storage, and waste. Approximately 35% of lumber forms are sent to the landfill. Fabric forms are very green: 300 times lighter and 1% the space of lumber, and stay in place to prevent ground moisture entering the concrete and causing mold and health issues. |
| 3 – Materials & Resources | Credit 2.1 | Construction Waste Management: Divert 50% from Disposal | Fabric forms divert 100% of forming materials from disposal. Any lumber used is completely protected by Fastfoot® from concrete damage and is reused. |
| 4 – Materials & Resources | Credit 8 (Canada) | Durable Building | Fastfoot® prevents rapid hydration leading to stronger and more durable concrete. Lumber forms lead to excessive drying and weaker concrete. |
| 5 – Materials & Resources | Credit 8 (Canada) | Durable Building | Fastfoot® eliminates rising damp, thereby preventing the deterioration of the building structure and interior finishes from mold and dampness. |
| 6 – Indoor Environmental Quality | Credit 3.1 | Construction IAQ Management Plan: during Construction | Fabric forms for footings stay in place to act as a permanent membrane, preventing rising damp through the concrete and into the building interior. Elevated moisture levels are linked to mold and the proliferation of other indoor air borne pathogens that directly affect human health. |
| 7 – Innovation & Design Process | Credit 1.1 | Innovative Performance not specifically addressed by LEED® | Fabric formwork for concrete footings is a dramatic innovation over temporary lumber forms. This technology is not only more efficient than lumber forms, but offers ongoing benefits to the building occupants for the life of the structure. |
Product & Technical Specifications & Dimensions
| PRODUCT NAME | ITEM CODE |
|---|---|
| Fastfoot® II | 00FF37, 00FF50, 00FF62, 00FF74 |
| Fastfoot® II Sewn Corners | 00FF37C, 00FF50C, 00FF62C, 00FF74C |
| Fastbag® II | 00FB18, 00FB24, 00FB30, 00FB36 |
| SECTION I – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial | Metric | Test Method | ||
| Color | Natural | |||
| Core diameter | Cardboard | 1.5 in | 38mm | |
| Construction | warp | 10 tapes/in | 3.94 tapes/cm | ASTM D3775 |
| Construction | weft | 10 tapes/in | 3.94 tapes/cm | ASTM D3775 |
| Coating | LDPE | 0.0098 in | 250 µm | ASTM D1777 |
| Weight | 3.83>oz/yd² | 130 g/m² | ASTM 5261 | |
| Strip tensile | warp | 152.8 lbs | 680N | ASTM D5035 |
| Strip tensile | weft | 132.0 lbs | 587N | ASTM D5035 |
| Grab tensile | warp | 166.7 lbs. | 741.5N | ASTM D5034 |
| Grab tensile | weft | 146.1 lbs. | 650N | ASTM D5034 |
| Tongue tear | warp | 35.0 lbs | 156N | ASTM 2262 |
| Tongue tear | weft | 35.4 lbs | 157N | ASTM 2262 |
| Nominal tear | warp | 45.1 lbs | 200.6N | ASTM 2262 |
| Nominal tear | weft | 41.5 lbs | 184.6N | ASTM 2262 |
| Water vapor transmission | 0.03906 psi | 0.0272 kPa | ASTM E96B | |
| Permeance | 0.0628 perms | 3.59E-09 g/Pa.s.m² | ASTM E96B | |
| SECTION II – ROLL, BOX SIZE & WEIGHT | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00FF37 Edging | 00FF50 Narrow | 00FF62 Standard | 00FF74 Wide | |
| Width (in) | 37 | 50 | 62 | 74 |
| Length (ft) | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Weight/roll (lbs) | 8.3 | 11.2 | 13.9 | 16.6 |
| Rolls/box | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Weight/box (lbs) | 68 | 46 | 57 | 68 |
| Box height (in) | 39 | 27 | 33 | 39 |
| Box length, width (in) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |