In Ireland, the vast majority of housing is delivered using on-site masonry construction. There are many benefits of masonry construction, including fire resistance, thermal mass, durability, energy performance, acoustics and flood resilience.

As is the case for other concrete products, there has been ongoing development of product standards, associated guidance and design codes for concrete blocks (masonry). Compliance with all of these design codes, product standards and on-site construction regulatory requirements is essential to ensure that all of the benefits of masonry construction are realised during the buildings use. The relevant product standard for concrete blocks is I.S EN 771-3 – 2011: Specification for masonry units – Part 3: Aggregate concrete masonry units (Dense and lightweight aggregates). This standard is called up in national Building Regulations (Part A – Structure) and SR 325:2013: Recommendations for the Design of Masonry Structures in Ireland to Eurocode 6, as is the requirement for Category 1 blocks to be used in the construction of buildings and dwellings.