Steel bars are placed in footings and stem walls to reinforce the concrete. In situations where the ground is higher than the floor level, such as in a basement or behind a retaining wall, steel reinforcing is also present, often at horizontal and vertical intervals of 12 inches or less.
If an owner wishes to eliminate large amounts of conductive metal from structures, it is possible to use fiberglass reinforcing bars. These rebars were originally designed for bridge construction because they do not rust, corrode, or dissolve from galvanic action. Because fiberglass rebar cannot be bent onsite and must be preordered, you should plan well in advance if you wish to use this product. It can be ordered through Tillco or V-rod. If you plan to use fiberglass rebar, ask your local code enforcement officials prior to purchase whether they will accept a particular product. We have used fiberglass rebar successfully in a few homes but have found it to be expensive and inconvenient. You also can reduce electric fields by grounding metal rebar, but the presence of the metal can still provide a potential pathway for stray magnetic fields.
Concrete formwork is usually coated with release agents so that it can be easily removed and reused once concrete has cured. Although many inert products may be used for this purpose, diesel fuel and other equally noxious substances are commonly used because they are least expensive and readily available. These practices should not be allowed in a healthy house and we suggest the following be specified:
* The use of petroleum-based form oil as a release agent is prohibited. The following are acceptable for use as form release agents:
• Non-rancid vegetable oil or an acceptable paint specified in Division 9
• Bioform: 100 percent biodegradable form release agent, environmentally safe, VOC compliant, does not freeze
• Crete-Lease: Very low-odor, non-toxic, nonflammable, biodegradable spray-on concrete form release agent
• ELM Concrete Form Release WS: Very low-odor, nontoxic, biodegradable spray-on concrete form release agent
• SOYsolv: Very low-odor, water-based, nontoxic, nonflammable, biodegradable spray-on concrete form release agent
