Archive for May, 2009
A Solid Foundation for Building Inspectors
Building inspectors all over the country are partnering with IMI to boost their masonry knowledge, and get the best possible construction for their constituents.
Knowing a little bit about a lot of things doesn’t always work well for masonry. Often, inspectors have to deal with masonry that is already covered up or unfamiliar veneer systems. When you add constant code changes and interpretations, it can get confusing fast.
That’s why inspectors appreciate IMI’s hands-on education, which gives them some clues of what to look for, like flashing, mortar droppings, floor preparation and proper installation of adhered veneers.
In Wisconsin, where inspectors have yearly continuing education requirements, IMI recently took a group from a variety of communities out of the classroom and onto a real jobsite - LaCrosse’s new transit station. They asked a lot of questions, and vowed to keep in touch for their future projects.
“It really helps to have an expert in the field,” says Calvin King, past president of the Wisconsin Building Inspectors Association.
In Chicago, IMI’s South Suburban Building Officials Masonry Day in March had an immediate impact on many of the 50-plus attendees. Thomas C. Pahnke, CBO Building Commissioner for the Village of Manhattan, found the solution to a vexing water problem hampering a large residential development. The next day, he asked IMI to help revise the village’s Masonry Ordinance and Design Guidelines.
In Northwest Indiana, inspectors regularly rely on IMI to keep them up on new codes and standards, and to help them be proactive about quality installation. It is particularly appreciated in a tight economy where “pickup truck contractors” try to get away with stuff (like the Lake County fellow who argued that Tyvek was the same as flashing).
Once they understand the difference that quality training and extra measures like grout certification can offer, the result is more work for quality contractors, and better values for residents.
The next Northwest Indiana session is June 2. Contact Faith Blackwell at fblackwell@imiweb.org for details.
No commentsA Bright Future for School Construction
One bright spot in this economy is school construction. Between demographics and stimulus funds, the need to build and repair schools will continue. When you add in the emphasis on sustainability, masonry systems are more desirable than ever.
IMI educates contractors on how they can take an active role in school construction. This June, we launch our Sustainable Masonry Certification Program.
Another way we help contractors get school work is solid relationships with firms like Fanning Howey Associates. The prominent firm, which tops national lists for both school work and green design, had more than 720 K-12 school projects worth $5.2 billion in the past five years. We recently convened a special panel to address their technical concerns and offer ways for the firm to be more competitive with masonry. We provide similar advice for school officials all over the country.
We like schools because they offer a chance to apply masonry’s full palette of materials. At the Pennsylvania School Boards Association’s annual School Construction Summit last week, for example, terrazzo was back in fashion, thanks to its affordability and durability.
Those qualities are important to protect America’s schools investment. What also helps is quality installation, which we work towards through programs like grout certification and flashing training. Those make all the difference, say contractors like Ed Ford, manager of Kirk Bros. Co. masonry division in Ohio:
“After being a bricklayer for 20 years I did not know all the details to install flashing properly…until I attended my first IMI class. Fanning Howey, 360 Architecture and Turner Construction are very impressed with the education and training the IMI brings to the table. They are confident we are going to give them a quality product. “
Working with the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission, we enlightened more than 90 architects, engineers and construction managers at a special “Masonry Education Day” held at Smoot Construction in April.
When it comes to schools, quality masonry construction is the smart choice.
