Swift bricks
These specially designed hollow bricks are designed to provide safe nesting sites for swifts and other cavity nesting birds.
According to the RSPB, the UK’s swift population has fallen by two-thirds since 1995, with part of the problem being caused by a loss of nesting places. By integrating swift bricks into new builds, developers can help reverse this decline and support biodiversity. Swift bricks are now mandatory in all new builds in Scotland. In England, Government planning policy now expects bird‑nesting features like swift bricks in all new homes, but this is still policy guidance, not a statutory building regulation.
Each swift brick is made up of 3 hollow pieces, one of which has a cutaway entrance as well as a drainage hole. Ketley swift bricks are designed to course with regular brickwork, being 3 courses high and 1 1/2 bricks wide, and they are available in all 5 of the Ketley brick colours. Here in the Swift Tower at London's Walthamstow Wetlands the swift bricks are in a contrasting red while the rest of the tower is brown brindle, to make the swift bricks stand out and demonstrate the tower's transition from industry to ecology.
All swift bricks available in Staffordshire blue, blue multi, brown brindle, brown antique and red. Drawings of our Swift bricks available here
Environmental
Download third party verified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
Place of Manufacture: Brierley Hill, UK
Environmental Management: 14001 Download Certificate
Quality Management : 9001 Download Certificate
Download the Ketley Quality and Environmental Policy
Life Cycle: BRE Global Certification in accordance with EN 15804:2012 Download Certificate
Energy: Fired in gas kilns to 1130o C
Raw materials: Etruria Marl Clay from our own quarry in Cannock, 12 miles from our factory, and sand
Lifespan: Bricks are long life building product and Ketley's bricks are the toughest and most durable bricks you can buy.
Recyclability: Mortar can be cleaned off so the bricks can be reused. They can also be crushed and used as aggregate and/or as an inert bulk fill
Packaging: We keep packaging to a minimum using wooden pallets and we do not shrink wrap our brick packs.
Find out more about Ketley's approach to sustainability
Click for the Brick Development Association infographic on Sustainability of Brick
See below the latest video about Sustainability of Brick from the Brick Development Association
Technical Specification
Ketley Brick Specification Sheet
Standard: BS EN 771-1: 2011
Ketley Bricks are produced at our works located in the heart of the Black Country. They have been made from our own Etruria Marl since Victorian times and are recognised as a Class A engineering brick of high quality with a strong aesthetic appeal.
Download Specification sheet as pdf.
Download Specification clause as a word doc
Download water absorption and compressive strength test report for solidsDownload water absorption and compressive strength report for perforated bricks
Ketley is the only brick manufacturer to have had their bricks independently tested for freeze thaw performance within a textured facade, with bricks within the test panel projecting up to 50mm. The test was based on prEN772-22 and no damage was found on any of the bricks tested.
Download textured brickwork freeze thaw test report
|
Compressive strength: |
≥ 125N/mm² |
≥125N/mm² |
|
Category: |
II |
II |
|
Masonry Unit Group: |
HD |
HD |
|
Engineering Grade: |
A |
A |
|
Water absorption: |
≤4.5% |
≤4.5% |
|
Initial Rate of Water absorption: |
≤1.5Kg/m²/min |
≤1.5Kg/m²/min |
|
Thermal Conductivity: |
On Application |
On Application |
|
Bond Strength: |
0.15N/mm² (For general purpose and lightweight mortar) |
0.15N/mm² (For general purpose and lightweight mortar) |
|
Net Dry Density: |
2200 Kg/m³(Typically) |
2200 Kg/m³(Typically) |
|
Density Tolerance: |
D1 |
D1 |
|
Soluble salt content: |
S2 |
S2 |
|
Durability: |
F2 |
F2 |
|
Fire Reaction: |
A1 |
A1 |
|
Dimensional Tolerance Mean: |
T2 |
T2 |
|
Dimensional Tolerance Range: |
R1 |
R1 |
Special Shaped Bricks
Special Shaped Bricks
Because Special Shaped bricks are generally used in situations of severe exposure such as copings and cills, powerful resistance to water penetration and high durability has always been essential.
Ketley Bricks are generally solid and have stood the ultimate test, the test of time. In the early part of the 20th Century their blue colour was regarded as the stamp of durability, nowadays their performance under crushing tests, water absorption and abrasion tests is evidence of this.
The use of Ketley Specials to add a high quality finish to brickwork ensures extra durability and protection to vulnerable areas and will save time on-site by overcoming extensive hand cutting.
Download Special Shaped Brick Brochure
or browse our range of specials online
Consistent natural colours
Our unique plant produces traditional natural Staffordshire clay colours for both the Paver and Brick ranges in Blue, Brown Brindle and Red. Because our bricks, pavers and specials are fired together, our colours are consistent through the range.
Ketley Brick manufactures a wide range of special shaped bricks for a multitude of applications.
Ketley will also manufacture specials from drawings supplied, allowing you to explore imaginative design options and decorative detail, confident that Ketley will be able to acurately match requirements.
