firebrick

huangyhg

firebrick
i own a home with a foundation made of a red clay brick (a little smaller than cinder block, but similar design with vertical marks on the face).  they are not concrete filled.  a seismic engineer who looked at it several years ago said that it was called firebrick and was commonly used to house furnaces or boilers because of its heat resistance.  the house is small (700 sq ft and one storey) and is about 90 years old.
i really want to build up, but the first engineer said he didn't think the foundation could support it.  i have been unable to find anything about this stuff and i'm hoping that the engineer was wrong.  
anybody know about his stuff?
thanks
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are you sure it is not terra cotta?
it looks like terra cotta.  it doesn't seem to be as hard, though.  when i installed (or tried to install) water heater straps, the toggle bolts pulled out of the brick - too soft.  i should add that the foundation is in good shape -- no cracks, etc.