Masonry Construction articles from March 2005

Masonry Construction archives from March 2005

Safety is everyone's bandwagon.(editor's note)
March 1, 2005... When my daughter turned 16 and received her drivers license, my wife established a new house rule. Kaitlyn is not allowed to drive any car without her cell phone. As usual, I wasn't consulted when the rule was enacted, so I went along with the...

Cleaning masonry.(readers' forum)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2005... The "Cleaning brick" item in the Troubleshooting section of the November/December issue prompted me to contact you. Cleaning of masonry, particularly clay masonry, is a remarkably unifying theme. There is an almost universally held...

Standard establishes diamond saw blade application codes.(brickbats)
March 1, 2005... Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association Standard CSDA-BC-107, "Blade Application Code for Diamond Saw Blades," helps identify the intended use of the products. The standard, which is recognized and endorsed by the Masonry and Concrete Saw...

Phone number correction.(brickbats)(Correction Notice)
March 1, 2005... The footnote in the "Bracing for Success" article (January, page 50) lists the fax number rather than the phone number for the Mason Contractors Association of America. The "Masonry Wall Bracing Design Handbook" is available by phoning MCAA at...

Dimension stone meeting scheduled.(brickbats)
March 1, 2005... ASTM Committee C18 on Dimension Stone will meet April 17-20 at the Hilton Reno Resort, Reno, Nev. Information on the meeting is available at http://www.astm.org/COM MIT/C18.htm or by contacting Jeffrey Adkins at 610-832-9738;...

Training improves aerial work platform safety.(brickbats)
March 1, 2005... Greater emphasis on operator aerial work platform safety was called for by Tim Whiteman, president of Aerial Work Platform Training and managing director of the International Powered Access Federation during his kickoff address to 200...

Hanley Wood and ServiceMagic form partnership.(brickbats)
March 1, 2005... A report by the Kelsey Group, a Princeton, N.J.-based research firm, found that 27% of online searches conducted by U.S. consumers are aimed at finding local services or businesses. To take advantage of this large market, Hanley Wood eMedia and...

Two brick companies plan major expansions.(brickbats)
March 1, 2005... Boral Ltd., an Australia-based building materials manufacturer, has announced plans to spend $35 million to replace its mothballed clay brick plant in Union City, Okla., which was closed 10-years ago. The new facility will have a capacity of...

Scaffolding violations head OSHA's "Top 10" list.(brickbats)(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... OSHA violations were up in fiscal 2004 over the previous year, with construction scaffolding again heading the list with 8682 citations. Scaffolding's 7696 violations also was #1 on the most serious rankings, which are defined as hazards with a...

Repair or replace equipment?(brickbats)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... An unreliable machine with slow cycle times hinders productivity and may be operating at a deficit because of high repair bills or limited working hours. New or rented equipment improves efficiency because of greater speed and/or power and...

Artfully askew.(showcase)(Cover Story)
March 1, 2005... Project Participants Masonry Contractor: Grande Masonry, Providence, R.I. Architect: Gehry Partners, LLP, Santa Monica, Calif. General Contractor: Skanska USA Building Inc., Boston Structural Engineers: John A. Martin &...

A place for everyone: masonry instructor encourages students to explore all the industry has to offer.(education)
March 1, 2005... Frustrated by his observation that "sometimes people put up brick like it's wallpaper," masonry instructor Jim Rivelli strives to instill pride in workmanship among his students. "They are the industry's future contractors and skilled...

Steel columns independent of masonry.(details, details, details)
March 1, 2005... Masonry walls are commonly designed and constructed independent of the steel structure. If the walls span vertically and are laterally braced by floors and roofs, anchorage to the steel columns is not required. However, if the walls span...

Toothing considerations.(troubleshooting)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Q Toothing of the masonry is not permitted in many architectural specifications. Why does toothing provide less strength than raking or stepping back the masonry wall? A Toothing is not as strong because of the difficulty involved in...

Coping questions.(troubleshooting)(Column)
March 1, 2005... Q Are metal copings effective in protecting the tops of masonry walls? How do you prevent them from leaking at splice joints? If they are used, how far should the vertical outside edge of a metal coping extend down over the top of brick masonry...

Green passion and greenbacks: the USGBC combines environmentalism with good business practices.(environmental)(United States Greenbuild Council)
March 1, 2005... There was a definite buzz at the Portland (Ore.) Convention Center. For the 2000 environmental faithful gathered in the room, it was the moment they had been waiting for. Most lingered in the outer hall sharing a healthy breakfast of...

Brick show 2005: Hollywood, Fla., will host the annual Brick industry association meeting.(brick)
March 1, 2005... BIA's Brick Show 2005 will offer attendees an impressive mix of business and social activities when they gather at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Fla., on March 17-19. This event is the only national trade show and conference...

Water penetration through exterior walls: weep holes provide the best protection against serious problems.(weep holes)
March 1, 2005... Rainwater penetration through exterior masonry walls to the interior space is causing serious problems around the country, even in some new buildings. Most contemporary walls are designed and built as a cavity system with a masonry veneer (clay...

System protects concrete block walls.(Weep System Products)
March 1, 2005... The BlockNet system reliably protects single-wythe concrete block walls by providing a path for water to migrate to the exterior of the building and preventing mortar droppings from blocking that path. It is composed of specially shaped 3...

Vents provide path for ventilation and drainage.(Weep System Products)
March 1, 2005... Driwall masonry wall vents provide a path at each weep to ensure that the entire surface has ventilation and drainage, even if a mortar bridge occurs at every brick course. The vertical vents disconnect the horizontal mortar bridge and provide...

Screen maintains wall separation.(Weep System Products)
March 1, 2005... Sure Cavity is a thin veneer screen system that maintains a separation between the cementitious material and the structural wall, while creating a percolation system that allows moisture to travel downward and exit at the bottom of the wall....

Wicking material laminates to flashing.(Weep System Products)
March 1, 2005... Flash-Vent polypropylene wicking material is laminated to the top surface of a flashing membrane. It flashes the cavity with copper and drains and vents it. The wicking material draws the water from the cavity and allows air to filter into the...

Product provides mortar control.(Weep System Products)
March 1, 2005... The Weep Guard extruded polystyrene system combines rigid foam insulation with a mortar control device that reduces labor costs by increasing installation efficiency. Designed for the bottom course in a masonry cavity wall, the product has...

Injection-molded brick vent made from PVC.(Weep System Products)
March 1, 2005... This injection-molded brick vent is made of flexible PVC, formed in an offset "T" shape. When inserted in vertical mortar joints between two brick, the slotted leg of the vent permits air to pass in and out, which allows water to weep out and...

ConExpo-Con/Agg 2005: world's largest international gathering for the construction and construction materials industries will convene in Las Vegas.(conexpo)
March 1, 2005... More than 100,000 industry professionals from 120 countries around the world will head to Las Vegas, March 15-19, to attend ConExpoCon/Agg 2005. The event is held every three years and provides a showcase for the latest in equipment, services,...

Excavator maneuvers in confined spaces.(Mini Show Preview)
March 1, 2005... The PC27MR-2 compact hydraulic excavator offers the same productivity and comfort of a larger machine, but with the ability to operate in confined spaces. It has an operating weight of 6590 pounds and a 25.5-hp engine running at 2600 rpm. The...

Skidsteers offer several enhancements.(Mini Show Preview)
March 1, 2005... The 300 Series skidsteers have a number of enhancements and a new unified design. The upgrade in stability comes courtesy of heavy components mounted lower in the frame, a long wheelbase, proper front/rear axle weight distribution, and large...

Backhoe loader designed for stability.(Mini Show Preview)
March 1, 2005... The Mini CX backhoe loader's compact size, 6.2-mph forward speed, and 3.7-mph reverse speed make it easy for operators to maneuver around a job. It features a heavy-duty chassis and an integral welded structure for stability and long service...

Electronic levels are fast and accurate.(Mini Show Preview)
March 1, 2005... Sprinter 100/100M electronic levels provide fast, reliable, and accurate performance. The units feature a large display, onboard tilt warning sensor, easy user interface, protection against dust and water, and ability to interface with office...

Towers provide more light.(Mini Show Preview)
March 1, 2005... Night-Lite PHO portable light towers include the company's SHO lighting system with parallel lamp fixtures that provide as much as 50% more light than competitive units. The towers feature an 1800-rpm, liquid-cooled diesel engine and 6-kW...

Build your own truck.(Mini Show Preview)
March 1, 2005... The interactive Body Builder Guide is a Web-based tool that enables the user to custom build L-Line trucks by adding and removing individual components on the cab and chassis, and to view the entire vehicle from four different angles (top,...

Generators feature inverter technology.(Mini Show Preview)
March 1, 2005... The i-Pro and i-Deluxe generators feature innovative inverter technology. The 5000-W and 6000-W machines deliver a clean, stable sine wave for use with sensitive electronic equipment. All models feature the company's load-dependent throttle...

Work machine line expanded.(Mini Show Preview)
March 1, 2005... A number of compact wheel loaders and track carriers have been added to the company's line of work machines. The two mini-wheel articulated loaders offer favorable lift capacities, operating weights of 6472 and 7376 pounds, and bucket...

Demolition machine incorporates ergonomic features.(Mini Show Preview)
March 1, 2005... The 330C MH demolition machine has a robust front linkage and upper frame that protects the equipment and operator, and a cooling system configured to reduce plugging and allow for easy cleaning. The machine weighs 80,265 pounds and has a...

Compressors power chisel scalers.(Mini Show Preview)
March 1, 2005... A line of portable air compressors is designed to run the company's chisel sealers. The PAC-5 is a 8.9-cfm, 5.5-hp air compressor that runs ALR chisel scalers, 3-5 framing/sheathing guns, or 4-7 roofing guns. The PAC-8 is a 16.2-cfm, 8-hp air...

Lease, rent, or buy: an improving economy is driving a strong construction equipment market.(management)
March 1, 2005... Business is beginning to look up for the construction market after a couple of rough years. Contractors are starting to feel more confident about the future, and as evidence of this fact, they are opening their purse strings to acquire...

Masonry Construction's "Project of the Year" contest.(project of the year)
March 1, 2005... Outstanding examples of masonry construction deserve to be honored and publicized. Performing this task recognizes top-quality design and craftsmanship and inspires excellence among others in the profession. MASONRY CONSTRUCTION magazine's 6th...

Safety products.(the mason's toolbag)
March 1, 2005... Most masonry jobsites involve some overhead work. The task could be tuckpointing or power washing an existing wall or building a new one, but sooner or later, on any masonry project, workers probably will be required to work above ground level...

Wheel locks safeguard construction vehicles.(Safety Products)
March 1, 2005... Safety and anti-theft devices are available for the most commonly stolen vehicles in the construction industry, including skidsteers, backhoe loaders, excavators, trucks, and ball or ring hitch trailer equipment. The products immobilize the...

Leather gloves handle tough duties.(Safety Products)
March 1, 2005... The Gunn pattern, split leather palm gloves are best suited for tough construction jobs and are available in knit wrist, safety cuff, or gauntlet cuff styles. All men's sizes feature a full leather index finger, lined palm, and leather tips,...

Earplugs "squeeze" sound waves.(Safety Products)
March 1, 2005... The dB Blockers provide superior hearing protection by "squeezing" high and low frequency sound waves. Even in excessively loud or piercing conditions, the customized earplugs are effective at significantly reducing damaging noise levels. They...

Safety net encloses scaffolding.(Safety Products)
March 1, 2005... This complete fall protection system covers from floor to ceiling on scaffolds or multistory construction. Installation takes just minutes by bolting the nets to the surface wall and ceiling. Adjustable straps keep the tension on the net. The...

Safety harness provides cool comfort.(Safety Products)
March 1, 2005... The next generation ExoFit XP safety harness has a number of design refinements to further improve comfort, performance, and safety. The harness has state-of-the-art 3-D padding that keeps the user cool and comfortable. The back and leg pads...

Fall protection harness includes tool belt.(Safety Products)
March 1, 2005... Construction Harness is designed for workers who carry a full load of tools all day and cannot have their work encumbered by fall protection gear. The shoulder strap eliminates the hassles of excess webbing, while the notched pass-through chest...

Tarps and enclosures protect against winter winds.(Safety Products)
March 1, 2005... Winter protection tarps and enclosures help scaffold and contracting companies manage heating costs while protecting employees and service equipment from harsh winds and precipitation. Three tarps are available: the standard 10 x 10 woven...

Helmets feature NASCAR drivers and NFL teams.(Safety Products)
March 1, 2005... Car racing and football fans can have on-the-job protection against impact from falling objects while showing loyalty to their favorite team with V-Gard helmets. The NASCAR Racing Team signature line includes six drivers and offers custom...

Contractor tip.(Onsite)
March 1, 2005... Merit Pay Verses Entitlements: Are we running businesses or charities? Do you pay your people solely by the hour regardless of their effort? We've all done it. And, if so, have you ever wondered who came up with the idea of paying...

Maximizing telehandler versatility.(Lifting Equipment)
March 1, 2005... Telehandlers or other material handling equipment are designed to perform a wide variety of tasks. Telehandlers are often the first machines brought to a site and the last to leave the completed project. An array of work tools transform...

Machines offer rotating capability.(Lifting Equipment)
March 1, 2005... Two new models have been added to a line of rotating telescopic handlers. The MRT 1432 has a 6500-pound basic capacity and 45 feet of lift, while the MRT 2150 handles 10,000 pounds and reaches 68 feet. Other features include a hydrostatic...

Two models added to line.(Lifting Equipment)
March 1, 2005... The Value series of telescopic handlers now includes two additional models. The 642 replaces the 638 and has an increased lift height of 42 feet. The 844 sports a lift height of 44 feet, a rated capacity of 8000 pounds, and a forward reach...

Hoist system handles 3300 pounds.(Lifting Equipment)
March 1, 2005... The Max Climber 3300 transport platform hoist system features heavy duty, galvanized mast sections with a payload lifting capacity up to 3300 pounds, an unloading ramp with side fencing and roof enclosure, and a certified safety brake system....

Telehandler easily moves from job to job.(Lifting Equipment)
March 1, 2005... This compact telehandler/forklift can be transported from jobsite to jobsite with a 3/4-ton pickup and a 12,000 GVWR trailer. Modular design features offer 2- or 4-wheel models, and 32-, 45-, or 65-hp choices with an overall width of 7 feet....

Customized winches and hoists match needs.(Lifting Equipment)
March 1, 2005... Modified winches and hoists for specific applications can be custom-built based on their needs. Ac electric, dc electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic versions are available. Winches, hoists, and positioning equipment also can be configured as...

Telehandlers designed for safety and stability.(Lifting Equipment)
March 1, 2005... The Extendo T-Series rough-terrain telehandlers offer lift capacities up to 8000 pounds, reach as far as 36 feet, and lift heights as high as 44 feet. They feature sealed pivots, 4-speed power-shift transmission, 360-degree visibility from the...

Larger capacity forklift joins product line.(Lifting Equipment)
March 1, 2005... The Zoom Boom line of telescopic forklifts now includes the ZB32032. This beefed up model features a capacity of 32,000 pounds, a lift height of 32 feet, and is powered by a 173-hp Cummins engine. It includes a Dana T32,000 powershift...

Detailing masonry's history.(bookshelf)(Brick Pavements and Fence Walls)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
March 1, 2005... Masons and architects are always looking for an inspiration in brick designs for paving or walls. Peter Joel Harrison, a Raleigh, N.C.-based artist, has drawn more than 210 historic patterns. He has preserved some of the interesting designs...

Add and deduct changes.(estimating)
March 1, 2005... "Add changes" and "deduct changes" are not the same. By the time a subcontractor is dealing with change orders, he has already gone through the original estimates and negotiated he contract, submittals, material buy outs, scheduling of crews,...