propless suspended floor system
Build the slab.
Skip the props
Prestressed precast upright single T-beams form a strong, self-supporting base for suspended concrete floors—installed quickly with less disruption below.
No Propping
Keep the space below usable during installation.
No Shuttering
Fewer temporary works and a cleaner site.
500 mm
Consistent top-flange module across beam sizes.
Up to 600 m²/day
Erection potential where project conditions allow.
why bass beams
A simpler way to create suspended floor space
choose the right depth
Three beam sizes. One clear comparison.
130 mm deep
For shorter spans
INDICATIVE SPAN
Residential Loading: 1.5 kN/m² at 5.2 m span
Industrial Loading: 10 kN/m² at 3.1 m span
A compact option for suitable residential and lighter floor layouts
200 mm deep
For medium spans
INDICATIVE SPAN
Residential Loading: 1.5 kN/m² at 8.5 m span
Industrial Loading: 10 kN/m² at 5.2 m span
A versatile middle depth for a broad range of suspended floor applications.
300 mm deep
For longer spans
INDICATIVE SPAN
Residential Loading: 1.5 kN/m² at 12.5 m span
Industrial Loading: 10 kN/m² at 8.8 m span
A deeper section for projects where longer clear spans may be required,
from plan to slab
Make the next step feel straightforward
The Bass Beams T-Beam is a Self Supporting Floor Slab manufactured with prestressed steel in precast concrete beams, 500mm wide at the top, which when laid side by side form the basis of a suspended concrete slab. Bass Beams are made in three cross sections, 130, 200 and 300mm overall depth. The top flange is always 500mm with only the rib depth varying.
Bass beams are prestressed concrete T-beams, 500mm wide at the top, which when laid side by side form the basis of a suspended concrete slab. Bass beams are made in three cross sections, 130, 200 and 300mm overall depth. The top flange is always 500mm with only the rib depth varying.
- The 130 Beam normally spans up to 5.5m.
- The 200 Beam normally spans up to 8.5m.
- The 300 Beam normally spans up to 12.5m.
(Load capability dependant on span)
Key Benefits
- Cost Effective.
- High Quality – Factory manufactured to SABS standard.
- Convenient.
- No propping.
- Lightweight structure.
- No framework.
- Versatile.
- Quick erection.
- Dry erected.
- Don’t have to leave premises.
- No shuttering.
- No Mess.
Performance
- Large spans of up to 12m clear spans.
- Domestic, commercial and industrial loads
- Convenient, Quick, Effective.
- Steep view sites are now attractive to development with Bass Beam Decks.
- Mezzanine floors erected into existing factories or warehouses without loss of production.
- Up to 600m2 erected in a day.
- Improves and enhances a property.
Erection of Bass Beams
- Minimum bearing for all beams 100mm on each end unless otherwise specified.
- Minimum screed 50mm 25mPa unless otherwise specified by engineers.
- Reinforcing ref 100 BRC mesh positioned 25mm from top of concrete unless otherwise specified.
- Brick infill below all beams to be completed prior to pouring of concrete.
- Lintel Type 1645 and 2547 to be placed rough side up with a minimum bearing of 200mm either side. (Not applicable to standard Lintels.)
- Load bearing walls must be in position and provide effective support to beams.
- Surface of beams to be wire brushed and cleaned of all loose material prior to installation of mesh and concrete topping. No D.P.C. permitted between the surface of beams and concrete topping.
- Electrical conduits can be laid on top of the beams and covered with the required topping.
- It is important to note that Bass beams cannot be aligned up perfectly. The joints may need to be skimmed should a good finish be required. Skim with rhinolite before painting.
- Keep tarpaulins available to close up existing structures at end of each working day. (Contractor to supply tarpaulins.)
Although very popular overseas there is only one supplier of BASS beams in this country. The main advantage of the Bass Beams slab is that it is the cheapest way to produce a suspended slab. This is due to its slender design which gives more strength than other systems. (The T-beam is a perfect shape for combining concrete and steel and this shape is used extensively in bridges etc.) The shape of the beam is extremely adaptable to precast moulds and can be economically produced, even in small quantities. Its inherent strength enables it to be propless and it requires nominal insitu concrete.
With alterations to houses becoming the vogue, a new market has grown for the precast beams. Where the additions to the house are upstairs, the ribbed beam outsells all other types in that the existing ceilings remain intact and the new floor is never seen. The added bonus of the client not having to move out during the renovations makes the Bass beams so suitable to this market that even their competitors insist that Bass beams be used.
There are customers that use the ribbed effect as a finished product by highlighting the rib in Tudor fashion or with a stipple finish. A big market does however exist for the ribbed beam in domestic buildings when a suspended floor is needed on sloping sites, providing a basement area or where backfilling can be avoided.
Garages are almost entirely done by Bass Beams as the ribbed ceiling is acceptable as a garage ceiling. When the suspended slab has to carry the vehicle the superior strength of the ribbed beam becomes a strong selling point. The demand for housing ensures that concrete slabs will be in demand for many years to come. Particularly in the growth of townships and the trend in duplexes and tenement buildings.
