1) What is GLOC?

GLOC is essentially a type of light weight concrete which is termed as aerated foam concrete.

2) Where did GLOC originated from?

GLOC light-weight concrete blocks is a 100% Made in Malaysia product which was formulated and perfected by GLOC engineer Charles Yii, with 30 years" experience in the construction and concrete manufacturing industry including working with a top cement manufacturer in the world. GLOC has been in the market for the past 5 years since 2007 but mostly based in the northern region of Malaysia.

3) What is Aerated Foam Concrete?

Foam concrete is a lightweight building material combining good mechanical strength with low thermal conductivity and ease of working. It is now widely used as a new technology material worldwide for its lightweight, insulating, high heat resistance, sound proof and fast-build properties.

4) What is the difference between Aerated Foam Concrete and Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
(AAC) in Production?

Aerated Foam Concrete differs from AAC in production, installation and as well its specifications. In production, aerated foam concrete is made using a natural curing process, which simply allows the pieces of concrete blocks to dry with exposure to the sun. For AAC, the process requires a step called autoclaving which provides external heating to dry up the concrete pieces.

5) What is the difference between Aerated Foam Concrete and Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
(AAC) in Installation?

As for installation, AAC blocks are smooth on the surface which results in a thinner surface finishing. This may result to the appearance of hairline cracks on the wall surface due to the expansion and as well soil movement. As for aerated foam concrete, the less smooth and textured surface allows easy application of plastering and as well requires a thicker amount of skim coating or plastering. This thicker layer protects the surface finishing preventing cracks.

6) What does GLOC stand for?

GLOC is an abbreviation of Green Building Material, Light-weight, Overall Cooling, and Cost Efficient.

7) Why is GLOC a green building material?

GLOC is made with 1/3 of sand only as compared with regular clay bricks. Also a certain composition of each concrete block is made with fly ash. Fly ash is a by-product of coal burning and is essentially a waste material. What H3 Frio does is to "upcycle" this waste material into the concrete blocks thus creating a product with value.

8) What type of building can utilise GLOCs?

GLOCs is suitable for almost all types of low-rise and high-rise buildings including residential, commercial towers, hotels, low rise mixed development projects, ware houses and hypermarkets, and many others. GLOC is a non-load bearing material which is used as fillers such as partition walls and third party walls. GLOCs excellent weather properties also make it an ideal external wall material.

9) How does GLOC keep the indoors cooler?

Each piece of GLOC comes with insulation free of charge. This layer of air within each block prevents the outside heat to penetrate into the interior, and as well prevents the interior heat to escape into the exterior. This helps to maintain indoor temperature cool with a reduction of up to 3-4 Degree Celsius inside.

10) How does GLOC save you money on exterior wall paint?

GLOC"s low water absorption renders the surface unsuitable for growth of fungi and moles thus increases the lifetime of the paint coated. This protects the external look of the walls with lesser prone to paint peeling off, decolourization or accumulation of moisture with pattern staining.

11) How do you calculate the quantity of GLOCs needed for construction?

One standard GLOC can cover one square foot area. In addition to that, you need to add 10% for wastages. One GLOC is equivalent in size to six pieces of regular bricks.

12) How does GLOC reduce construction cost to developers?

GLOC is a light-weight material which compliments new age steel structures and is half the weight of its equivalent in clay bricks. With a lighter wall material, the cost for structural works is lesser, which means savings in piling works on the building foundation and the steel support beams that is common in use with clay bricks.

GLOC has a smoother surface compared to clay bricks which enables it to be used in walls without the application of internal plastering. The removal of plastering works is a cost reduction for contractors as a layer of skim coat is sufficient to produce a smooth fall finishing.

13) Is GLOC approved by BOMBA/Fire Department?

GLOC has the certification of fire proof rating of up to 2 hours for a regular 4 inch thick block with heat transfer of 54 Degree Celsius. It can also achieve up to 4 hours of applied heat and essentially the same material used in GLOCs are used as fire proof doors.

14) Are there any differences in installation of GLOCs as compared to Clay Bricks?

GLOC installation accessories are the same as normal clay bricks accessories with the addition of normal saw to cut and shape the GLOCs.

15) How is the water absorption rate like for GLOCs?

Due to cellular structure of foam concrete, water absorption of this material is much more less than normal dense concrete. If clay brick is to be considered 100% water absorption, normal concrete will have a figure of 56% and foam concrete of 900kg/m3 would only be 14%. GLOCs have the ability to float on water for up to 3 months.

16) Can GLOCs be made insitu on project site?

Yes. GLOCs are made using a simple process which can be made on a project site closer to the construction. As GLOCs dry under the sun, a minimum of ¼ acre of land is required to store the GLOCs while it is produced. A total of 10 days is required to cure the blocks and a dedicated engineer will be assigned at project site to monitor the quality control of each GLOC.

17) Are GLOCs available to markets outside Malaysia?

Currently with two factories in Malaysia, GLOC is expanding to markets in the Middle East and India in 2012. If you are requesting for GLOCs outside of Malaysia, India or the Middle East, kindly contact us and we will advise you on the availability.

18) How do I stay in touch with the latest updates for GLOC?

Our Facebook fan page is updated frequently with new projects and as well information with regards to green construction and development. Please join us at www.facebook.com/gloc.my