Masonry walls in Morocco: block and brick standards, seismic detailing and site checks

Most Moroccan buildings use masonry as infill between a reinforced concrete frame, built from hollow concrete blocks, clay bricks or, increasingly, autoclaved aerated concrete. Among the products, only cement carries a mandatory standard (NM 10.1.004); the block and brick standards (NM 10.1.009, NM EN 771-1, NM EN 771-4) are homologated and become binding when the CPS cites them. The seismic code RPS 2000 still matters: it governs tie beams, lintels and the connection of walls to the frame. Earth buildings follow their own seismic regulation (Decree No. 2-12-666).

Scope

Covered here: external infill walls, internal partitions in blocks or bricks, parapets prepared for roof waterproofing, lintels and the small reinforced concrete ties that hold masonry panels together. The mortar used for laying is included; plaster and render belong to the renders page.

Masonry begins once a storey of the frame has been struck and accepted, and ends at the acceptance of the structural works, when the building is weathertight. In a renovation, a condition survey of the existing walls comes first.

Regulatory table

Reference, edition, status, the text that makes the rule mandatory and the verified source (standards catalogue 2026-10-25; NM statuses checked against the official list of the Ministry of Industry and Trade).

ReferenceEditionStatusText making it mandatorySourceNote
Décret n° 2-02-177 du 22/02/2002
Règlement de construction parasismique RPS 2000 version 2011		version consolidée du décret au 11/11/2024mandatoryThe text itself (published in the Official Bulletin)full textConstruction details that keep infill panels from collapsing in an earthquake: tie beams, lintels, links to columns.
Décret n° 2-12-666 du 28/05/2013
Règlement parasismique des constructions en terre		2013 + 2024mandatoryThe text itself (published in the Official Bulletin)full textSpecific seismic rules for rammed earth and adobe; only when the walls are built in earth.
NM 10.1.004
Liants hydrauliques — ciments et constituants : composition, spécifications, conformité		NM 10.1.004-2019mandatoryDécision/arrêté d'homologation n° 2542-19MCINET listCements allowed in Morocco and their classes; mandatory for the cement in laying mortar.
NM 10.1.009
Éléments de maçonnerie en béton de granulats (blocs / agglos)		2015approved—IMANORConcrete masonry units (agglos); homologated standard to quote in the CPS so that block quality can be enforced.
NM EN 771-1
Éléments de maçonnerie — briques de terre cuite		2016approved—IMANORClay masonry units (hollow bricks); homologated product specification.
NM EN 771-4
Éléments de maçonnerie — béton cellulaire autoclavé		2016approved—IMANORAutoclaved aerated concrete blocks; homologated, also relevant to thermal performance under the RTCM.
NM EN 13139
Granulats pour mortiers		2021approved—IMANORAggregates for mortar; homologated reference for the sand used on site.
NM EN 934-3
Adjuvants pour béton, mortier et coulis Partie 3 : Adjuvants pour mortier de montage Définitions, exigences, conformité, marquage et etiquetage		2020approved—IMANORAdmixtures for masonry mortar; homologated, relevant only where a ready-made or admixed mortar is used.

Materials and documents to request

MaterialStandardsSupporting documentsBasis
Cement for laying mortarNM 10.1.004Full designation and class printed on the bag, matching the type named in the CPS.Legal obligation
Hollow concrete blocksNM 10.1.009Delivery note from the block plant, uniform blocks without broken webs, and test results when the CPS asks for them.Specification (CPS) requirement
Hollow clay bricksNM EN 771-1Manufacturer's declaration and delivery note; a sample approved before the first order.Specification (CPS) requirement
Autoclaved aerated concrete blocksNM EN 771-4Data sheet stating density class and the thin-joint mortar to use; laying method agreed with the architect.Specification (CPS) requirement

Who does what

PartyRole
ArchitectSets out walls and openings, chooses the block or brick type with the client, details parapets and accepts the masonry.
Structural engineering consultancy (BET)Specifies tie beams, lintels and wall-to-frame connections under RPS 2000, and checks any load the masonry is asked to carry.
Masonry contractorLays walls plumb and level, fills joints, builds ties and lintels as drawn, and leaves chases for services only where agreed.
Services contractors (electrical, plumbing)Mark and cut their chases before rendering, without cutting through ties or weakening narrow piers.
Client (owner)Approves the wall materials and keeps delivery notes for cement and blocks in the project file.

Inspection milestones

  1. Survey and condition report of the existing building Good practice
    For renovations: condition of existing walls surveyed and their capacity assessed before any new opening or added storey.
  2. Masonry and parapets Specification (CPS) requirement
    Walls plumb and aligned, joints filled, ties and lintels in place, parapets ready to receive waterproofing.
    Standards to check at this milestone: NM 10.1.004
  3. Embedded services tested before closing up Good practice
    Conduits and pipes embedded in the walls inspected and photographed before chases are filled and walls rendered.
    Standards to check at this milestone: NM 06.6.071
  4. Structural works accepted (weathertight) Specification (CPS) requirement
    Masonry included in the acceptance of structural works, snags listed and cleared before finishing trades start.

Common non-conformities and follow-up

FindingAction
Infill wall built tight against the slab above without the specified detail at the top.Ask the structural engineer; rebuild the top course or add the joint detail shown on the drawings.
Lintel missing or replaced by a few bars in the mortar bed.Open up, cast or fit a proper lintel and record the correction.
Horizontal chase cut along a wall for a cable or pipe.Stop cutting, agree a vertical route with the architect and repair the weakened section.
Blocks crumbling at the corners or broken on delivery.Reject the load and ask for blocks that meet the standard quoted in the CPS.

Frequently asked questions

Are concrete blocks covered by a mandatory standard in Morocco?

No. NM 10.1.009 for concrete blocks is homologated, not mandatory. It becomes enforceable on your project when the CPS refers to it, which is worth doing.

Which masonry product has a mandatory standard?

The cement in the mortar, under NM 10.1.004. Steel used in ties and lintels follows the reinforcement standards described on the structure page.

Does the seismic code apply to infill walls?

Yes, through its construction details: tie beams, lintels and the way panels are held by the frame. A wall that falls out in an earthquake is a danger even if the frame stands.

Can I use aerated concrete instead of hollow blocks?

Yes, it is covered by NM EN 771-4 and helps with thermal performance, but it needs its own mortar and laying method, and the architect should detail fixings.

When should the electrician cut chases?

After the walls are built and before render, following routes agreed with the architect, and never through ties or lintels.

Sources, author and revisions

Written by , architect · under review · updated . Professional reading, separate from the text of the standard: each requirement is classed as a legal obligation, a specification (CPS) requirement or good practice.

Revision log

All standards for this trade (72)

In short: for the "Masonry" trade, the library lists 2 Moroccan regulation(s), 1 mandatory Moroccan standard(s), 20 approved NM and 11 foreign reference(s) used as equivalents.

Moroccan regulations (2)

Mandatory Moroccan standards (NM) (1)

Approved Moroccan standards (NM, voluntary) (20)

Eurocodes (5)

European and French standards (EN, NF, DTU) (3)

Other jurisdictions (equivalents) (3)

Cross-cutting texts (all trades) (38)

2026 reference prices — Masonry

Public reference prices from the CITURBAREA materials library (October 2026), in dirhams excluding VAT; 20% VAT on top (incl. VAT = excl. VAT × 1.2), Rabat-Salé-Kénitra base. These are benchmarks, not supplier prices.

MaterialFrom (excl. VAT)From (incl. VAT)Range excl. VATReliability
Ciment CPJ 451,3 DH / kg1,56 DH / kg1,3 DH – 1,42 DHB
Agglo creux ciment 10×20×403,33 DH / u4 DH / u3,33 DH – 5 DHC (indicative)
Agglo creux ciment 15×20×405 DH / u6 DH / u5 DH – 5 DHC (indicative)
Agglo creux ciment 20×20×405 DH / u6 DH / u5 DH – 5,84 DHC (indicative)
Brique creuse 8 trous1,66 DH / u1,99 DH / u1,66 DH – 2,5 DHC (indicative)
Ciment blanc2,5 DH / kg3 DH / kg2,5 DH – 2,5 DHC (indicative)
Ciment CPJ 351,28 DH / kg1,54 DH / kg1,28 DH – 1,29 DHC (indicative)
Ciment CPJ 551,45 DH / kg1,74 DH / kg1,45 DH – 1,45 DHC (indicative)
Gravier 15/25 (rendu)183 DH / m³220 DH / m³183 DH – 292 DHC (indicative)
Gravier 5/15 – 8/15 (rendu)166 DH / m³199 DH / m³166 DH – 167 DHC (indicative)

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19 materials for this trade in the materials library. Gros œuvre

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