The International Masonry Institute (IMI) provided the latest information on maximizing building performance at a recent seminar for architects, engineers, contractors and owners at its International Training Center in Bowie, MD. The seminar featured Maria Spinu, Building Sciences Integration Manager for Dupont Building Innovations who focused on Sustainable Building Envelope: Moisture and Energy Management in Buildings stressing the importance of how the various cavity wall components need to work together to reduce energy costs and improve durability for sustainable building design.  She discussed strategies to control air and moisture, including proper choice of barriers, design criteria and applicable building codes.  “You need to integrate the components,” said Spinu, “an air barrier will not work, for example, if not coordinated correctly with the flashing system.”

David Sovinski, IMI’s National Director of Industry Development, and Maria Viteri, IMI’s Director of Sustainability discussed High Performing Masonry Wall Systems showing how masonry satisfies the functions of the building envelope/enclosure – controlling air moisture and vapor transmission, as a system rather than a collection of individual components.  Performance is tied to how well all of these components are integrated.

The IMI training center provided the perfect venue for the exploration of the building envelope by allowing designers to witness apprentices in training and to observe rain screen mock-ups of different masonry applications from terra cotta to cast and panelized stone systems.

“This seminar is a must for all owners, designers, engineers, and trades people who play a role in developing or maintaining the exterior wall of a building.”

Mark Swanson
Purple Cherry Architects

Question: What do you get when you take the most recognized sustainable masonry certification program for contractors and add the only industry recognized green masonry craftworker training program?

Answer: One hundred percent commitment by the union masonry industry to prepare EVERY craftworker to deliver quality skills that will enhance the goal of building sustainable and high performing masonry buildings well into the future.

Earlier this year, the International Masonry Institute (IMI) submitted a 7 hour Green Crafts Training program to US Green Building Council (USGBC).  IMI’s Green Crafts Training program builds off our Sustainable Masonry Certification Program (SMCP) for signatory contractors and provides craftworkers with specific information that can be incorporated into training programs for all masonry crafts.   The goal was to assure that our BAC craftworkers would be up to date on the skills needed to compete in today’s green marketplace.

The review for this program was intensive, yet we recently received notification that the IMI Green Crafts Training program was approved for 7 Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) continuing education hours.   As additional good news for us, the course was also approved for 7 LEED-specific hours under the Building Design + Construction and Interior Design + Construction Specialties.  With this step, IMI becomes the only masonry organization with green construction training programs for contractors and craftworkers recognized by the sustainability leaders of today.

This is a major milestone for the future of our training program and we’re looking forward to this program providing an added distinction for our BAC craftworkers.  With industry recognized sustainability concepts being taught at the apprenticeship level, our BAC craftworkers will be able to continue to build necessary skills to remain competitive in the world of construction today.  For the full USGBC course listing go to: www.usgbc.org.