General Questions: |
1. Where can Bigfoot Systems® Footing Forms be used?
Bigfoot Systems® Footing Forms can be used in most construction situations where pier footings are required or desired. They suit applications from residential to light commercial or industrial.
View the various footing form applications.
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2. How does Bigfoot work?
Bigfoot Systems® Footing Forms work in a similar fashion to traditional footings in pier and tube construction. However, Bigfoot offers the increased advantages of stability, and strength, plus saves time, money and aggravation to the installer. Bigfoot’s bell-shape with a round base beats all square footings hands down. Bigfoot works with the natural laws of physics to bond the footing to the earth, something a square shape cannot do easily. It also offers the advantage of one monolithic pour and eliminates the problems associated with cold joints and a 90° angle. Doug Steadman P.Eng, Texas, USA offers his view on the engineering of our footings.
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3. What size Bigfoot should I use?
In every case, two main factors determine the number and size of Bigfoot footings you will require. These factors are the size and type of your construction which determines the load the footings will be required to carry and the soil bearing capacity of the site. For allowable gravity loads to help choose the footing that is right for you please click on the following pdf's:
USA Allowable Gravity Loads
Canada Allowable Gravity Loads
Always check with the building code in your area for specifics on pier construction.
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4. What is the advantage of using Bigfoot over the traditional wooden box method?
Bigfoot Systems® Footing Forms work in a similar fashion to traditional footings in pier and tube construction. However, Bigfoot offers increased advantages of stability, and strength plus saves time, money and aggravation to the installer. Its advantage rests in its bell-shape with a round base — which beats all square footings hands down. Bigfoot works with the natural laws of physics to bond the footing to the earth, something a square shape cannot do easily. It also offers the advantage of one monolithic pour and eliminates the problems associated with a cold joint and a 90° angle. Click here to see the Bigfoot Advantage explained in detail.
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5. How many Bigfoot will I need to use and how far apart do I place them?
In every case, two main factors determine the number and size of Bigfoot footings you will require. These factors are the size and type of your construction which determines the load the footings will be required to carry, and the soil bearing capacity of the site.
For allowable gravity loads to help choose the footing that is right for you please click on the following pdf's:
USA Allowable Gravity Loads
Canada Allowable Gravity Loads
Also, always check with the building code in your area for specifics on pier construction.
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6. Can I place a two-story building on Bigfoot?
No, not unless designed by a qualified engineer who is knowledgeable in pier footing applications.
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7. Are Bigfoot Systems® Footing Forms code approved?
Yes, Bigfoot Systems® Footing Forms have been independently evaluated to meet international standards. Agencies included are:
CCMC-12839-R
ESR-2148
Bigfoot also meets or exceeds building codes across North America. In fact, in some provinces in Canada, Dek-Block, previously used for footings, no longer meets code. All pier construction must now utilize footings that meet code, such as Bigfoot Systems® Footing Forms do.
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8. What is the largest sized tube that can be used?
Our footing forms feature adaptor rings to accept various sized construction tubes, from 6” to 18”. In every case, two main factors determine the number and size of Bigfoot footings you will require. These factors are the size and type of your construction which determines the load the footings will be required to carry, and the soil bearing capacity of the site.
For allowable gravity loads to help choose the footing that is right for you please click on the following pdf's:
USA Allowable Gravity Loads
Canada Allowable Gravity Loads
Also, always check with the building code in your area for specifics on pier construction.
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9. Why would I use Bigfoot Systems® Footing Forms in a drilled pier hole?
You wouldn’t use Bigfoot in a drilled pier excavation, unless the drilled excavation was large enough to accommodate the size of the Bigfoot footing. In general, Bigfoot Systems® Footing Forms are intended for an excavation that has been created for construction tube footings.
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10. Are they reusable?
Once they have been used as a footing, no. As a funnel for pouring concrete, yes
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11. Why should I change to this system?
Bigfoot Systems® Footing Forms offer many advantages over traditional wooden box construction and beat any other engineered footing hands down. Click here to find out more.
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12. How do building codes apply to this product?
Bigfoot meets or exceeds building codes across North America and when installed properly will outlast the structure placed on them.
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13. Why are they round? Is round better than square?
Bigfoot Systems® Footing Forms are bell-shaped with a round base.Their shape offers increased strength and stability and works with the natural laws of physics to bond the footing to the earth. Round beats square for ease of leveling and alignment. Doug Steadman , P.Eng, Texas, USA offers his view on the engineering of our footings.
Check out why round is better than a square footing.
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14. What are the products made from?
Bigfoot Systems® Footing Forms are constructed of sturdy, lightweight, recycled, high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
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15. How deep can I bury them?
Bigfoot footings can be buried up to a maximum of 5 feet below grade. They should be installed, as with all footings, 4-6 inches below the frost line. If you are in an area without frost, then the system should be backfilled 2 feet to hold it in place when it is being filled with concrete.
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16. What kind of weight will they bear?
For allowable gravity loads to help choose the footing that is right for you please click on the following pdf's:
USA Allowable Gravity Loads
Canada Allowable Gravity Loads
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17. Can Bigfoot footings be used as a base for flagpoles?
Yes, they make great footings for flagpoles. They offer ease of installation, save you time, money and aggravation and provide greatly increased stability over traditional footing methods.
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18. Can they be used for stop signs?
Yes, they can be used as footings for all types of signage, from residential to light commercial and industrial.
View the various footing form applications.
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19. Is this product really necessary?
Absolutely; especially where building codes require footings for pier construction. Even where codes do not dictate footings for pier construction, Bigfoot Systems® Footing Forms should be used as they provide added stability, strength and safety. Don’t risk having to redo the job, do it right the first time!
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20. How are Bigfoot Systems® Footing Forms used in marine applications, such as wharf construction?
They are used as piers on which to place the wharf’s decking. There are two ways to accomplish this. 1. Pour the footing and tube on shore and have an excavator set them in place in the water. 2. This option requires a diver: Set the footing with tube attached in the water on level ground, and fasten it to the bottom (as per above ground installation instructions)
Then use a concrete pumper truck with elephant trunk. Place the elephant trunk just off the bottom in the footing. Pump the concrete in the system, and as it is filling, raise the elephant trunk. The concrete will displace the water and fill the system with concrete.
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21. I want to use Bigfoot for a mooring. How do I get the concrete out there and at the bottom of the lake?
There are two ways to accomplish this. Pour the Bigfoot footing form to be used as the mooring on shore (as per above ground installation instructions), and either 1. pull the footing out with a boat and place into position,or 2. place the concrete filled Bigfoot on the stern of the boat and roll it off when in position..
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22. Is the Bigfoot Systems® Footing Form environmentally-friendly?
Absolutely, all models are made from recycled, high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
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23. Have the forms been tested by accredited organizations?
Yes they have. Please have a look at our Technical Testing page.
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