ICF Bracing Installation Guide

The bracing system fulfills two functions: first to align the ICF wall and second, to provide a walkway for building the top of the wall and placing the concrete. WorkSafe BC requires a 20" wide walkway (two 2x10s) and a guard rail when the catwalk height is greater than 6'.

We rent out bracing for all our projects. Please call for pricing (604)229-9829.

Click on each image below for a printable PDF installation guide.

Zont Installation for catwalk below 6'
  1. Attach first row of block to the slab or footing as per ICF manufacturer's instructions. Install about 5 courses of ICF block (as high as possible without walkway).
  2. Starting 16” from inside corners, and using courses of ICF as a guide, install the first Zont at roughly 4’6” from the footing. Using two 1 ½” #8 flat head screws. Space Zonts @ 5'4" max horizontal.
  3. Nail min 12” 2x4 to top of footing or slab flush up against ICF, directly below where first Zont bracket is.
  4. Place horizontal 2x4” waler into the Zont saddle. Scab 4’ lengths of 2x4 over each joint and screw attach from below.
  5. Place STRAIGHT vertical 2x4 strongbacks to the right side of the Zont. Tighten cam counterclockwise to lock waler and strongback to wall. Toenail base of strongback into 2x4 nailed to the footing. Screwing into walers and strongbacks is not necessary, but provides options where one or the other is not available.
  6. Cut 2x6s 20” long as supports for catwalk, and 2x4s about a foot longer than the catwalk height. Nail or screw the strongback, 2x6 and 2x4 diagonal as shown to support the catwalk. Use #10 or #12 screws for adequate strength.
  7. Screw Zuckle to end of diagonal 2x4, and attach near where top of ICF wall will be.
  8. Solidly drive two stakes into ground at different angles. Screw stakes to base of kicker. For slabs use two 24” 2x6 jointed to form an “L”, foamed to the slab. Adjust Zuckle to plumb strongback (fine tune adjustment later).
  9. Place 2x10s for walkway. Ensure both ends are completely supported.
  10. Build rest of ICF wall. Attach top row of Zonts at top of wall on the left side of the strongback. Use 8” Extension on drill to screw around strongback. Place 2x4 walers in Zont, and twist cam to lock to ICF wall. A single screw can be placed into the strongback portion of Zont, to prevent slippage during the pour.
  11. Align wall by plumbing corners with 6’ spirit level. Attach 2x4 blocks on outside end of each face, run string line between. Adjust Zuckle to align walls against string lines. Replumb before, during, and after concrete pour.
Zont Installation for catwalk over 6'
  1. Attach first row of block to the slab or footing as per ICF manufacturer's instructions. Install about 5 courses of ICF block (as high as possible without walkway).
  2. Starting 16” from inside corners, install the first Zont at the bottom of the second block and the second Zont at the bottom of the fifth block using two 1-½” #8 flat head screws per Zont. Space Zonts @ 5'4" max horizontal.
  3. Place horizontal 2x4” walers into the Zont saddles. Scab 4’ lengths of 2x4 over each joint and screw attach from below.
  4. Place vertical 2x4 strongbacks (must be straight) to the right side of the Zonts and tighten cam counter-clockwise to lock waler and strongback to wall. Screwing Zonts to walers and strongbacks is not required.
  5. Unfold Zat bracket and screw to strongback about 3’ below full height of wall using six 1-½” #8 flat head screws.
  6. Install 2x10s around perimeter to create walkway. Screw Zat to 2x10s loosely to allow for wall adjustment. Slide 52” 2x4s into Zat post holder with 5” showing below Zat and attach with two screws.
  7. Screw Zuckle to end of diagonal kicker 2x4 with two screws and screw Zuckle end to bottom of post. If not using handrail, screw Zuckle to vertical strongback as high as possible for better leverage.
  8. Solidly drive two stakes into ground at different angles and screw stakes to base of kicker. For slabs use two 24” 2x6s joined to form an “L”, nailed or foamed to slab. Roughly adjust Zuckle to plumb strongback (fine adjustment will be done later).
  9. Screw 2x4 handrail 42” above catwalk. A handrail is not required if the catwalk height is less than 6’.
  10. Build top of ICF wall using walkway. Attach top row of Zonts at top of wall on the left side of the strongback using an 8” drill extension. Place 2x4 walers in top Zonts and twist cam to lock lumber to wall.
  11. Screw 2x4 blocks on the corner of each face and run stringlines between. Adjust each Zuckle so top of ICF is exactly 1 1/2” from stringline. Replumb wall during and after concrete pour.