BAC and IMI are taking a lead role in addressing concerns over public safety and the condition of our existing building stock in the aftermath of last year’s earthquakes.  The magnitude 5.8 earthquake that hit the Washington DC area in August of 2011 surprised many construction experts, who assumed that this area has the lowest possible seismic risk.  Other seismic events of 4.0 magnitude or greater in seven other states during 2012 further show that the United States and Canada are vulnerable to the effects of earthquakes. 

Current building codes allow masonry structures to withstand seismic forces with little or no damage.  More difficult are older structures with little or no reinforcing in the masonry walls. This is why IMI is partnering with the University of Buffalo and the Multi-Disciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (MCEER) on a project to determine the behavior of multi-wythe masonry buildings with wood frames.  Estimates have New York City alone with over 10,000 of these mid-rise structures.  “The research findings will lead us to appropriate solutions for retrofit and work opportunities in making our existing building stock safer for the occupants and general public,” says  IMI National Director of Industry Development, David Sovinski.

In Maryland, a meeting between IU President James Boland and Governor Martin O’Malley led to the creation of a Seismic Task Force at the Department of General Services, where both President Boland and  Sovinski serve.  This task group is already identifying state-owned and operated buildings at risk and determining the best methods for retrofit.

IMI is partnering with masonry industry manufacturers and suppliers in developing training programs for the retrofit techniques.  For more information, contact dsovinski@imiweb.org.

Restoration, retrofit and repair continue to be one of the strongest construction markets for BAC members and contractors and IMI has the education and training courses to maximize those market opportunities. Two of this year’s IMI outreach programs in this area have been with APPA, the group of facility managers responsible for the maintenance of higher education facilities and a national seminar series with Cathedral Stone Products, Inc.

IMI’s National Director of Industry Development David Sovinski presented a masonry restoration and troubleshooting program for the Annual Meeting of the Regional Chapter of APPA covering New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and D.C.  Several follow-up meetings resulted from this presentation including ones with George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and Rutgers University.

The joint seminars with IMI and Cathedral Stone Products, Inc. address new technology and proper restoration techniques, as well as a demonstration of Cathedral’s new environmentally safe cleaning and paint removal products for masonry.  In some cities, attendees will also get to try their hand at stone patching using Cathedral’s Jahn material.

In addition to the seminar at the John J. Flynn National Training Center, in Bowie, MD, seminars have also been held this year in Long Island City, NY; Bordentown, NJ; Milwaukee, WI and Boston, MA.  One is also scheduled for Indianapolis, IN on June 19 and Detroit, MI on June 21. Fall seminars are being planned for Chicago, IL; Hudson, OH and Pittsburgh, PA.

For more information regarding APPA presentations or IMI restoration seminars with Cathedral Stone, contact dsovinski@imiweb.org.