Masonry Construction articles from October 2003

Masonry Construction archives from October 2003

10 reasons why non-stop became the gold standard in masonry scaffolding. (Non-Stop. Every Wall. Every Job.
October 1, 2003... (P.S.--Costs 70% Less Than Mast Climbers) 1. Non-Stop has been perfecting adjustable masonry scaffolding for nearly 30 years and it is the only masonry scaffolding designed and manufactured by a masonry contractor for masonry contractors....

Rising to new levels.(scaffolding safety)(Editorial)
October 1, 2003... My favorite buddy in the old St. Louis neighborhood was a brew master for one of the largest breweries in the Midwest. It was a prestigious job, and he earned his break in a unique manner. As a part-time employee at a the brewery's New York...

Carolina Association announces "Design with Brick 2003" winners.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... The Brick Association of the Carolinas recently recognized six architectural design firms for exceptional skill and creativity in its "Design with Brick 2003" competition. The President's Award and the Unique Brick Detailing Award were...

Hanson Brick opens new plant.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Hanson Brick, Monroe, N.C., recently opened its new 110,000-square-foot plant incorporating the latest in manufacturing technology, including robots for loading and unloading operations and computers for system control. The facility is capable...

AEM updates rough terrain forklift manual.(Association of Equipment Manufacturers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has updated its safety manual for rough terrain forklifts to focus specifically on vertical masted and variable reach (telehander) models. The AEM Rough Terrain Forklift Safety Manual provides...

Industry's first masonry library dedicated.(International Masonry Institute opens library)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... The International Masonry Institute recently dedicated the industry's only masonry library. The George Spencer Library, which is named after a former BAC vice president from Detroit, is housed at IMI headquarters in the historic James Brice...

Masonry exhibit opening in Washington, D.C.(National Building Museum)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Exploring the untapped potential of masonry is the subject of a national exhibit opening October 16 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. "Masonry Variations," which runs until spring 2004, is sponsored by the International...

Arizona masons create a village.(masonry competition)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... The Arizona Masonry Guild's second annual design/build competition pitted 10 teams of architects and mason contractors in a timed event to produce the most creative "village" structures with brick, block, and natural stone. "Masonry: It Makes a...

Virginia masons assist habit for humanity.(complete 14th foundation for group)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... A masonry consisting of four students and four alumni from Valley Vocational Technical Center recently completed their 14th foundation for the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro (Virginia) Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Masonry instructor Robert B....

How are you surviving 2003?(question of the month)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... If you listen to many economic experts and informed sources, 2003 could be labeled as "The Year of the Bubble." If you are working in a residential hot spot, activity could be booming. But if you are not, 2003 might be the year you wish you'd...

Masonry Showcase joins Construct America.(brickbats)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... The Mason Contractors Association of America has signed a three-year agreement with the Construction Specifications Institute to co-locate its Masonry Showcase trade show with two others at Construct America in Chicago during April 2005. CSI...

Design throws a curve.(auditorium addition to existing school)
October 1, 2003... Auditoriums, movie theaters, and similar facilities pose a construction challenge by their very nature: The floors slope. "We start off with a raked surface, so we build from the inside out," said Steve Borman, president of Keystone Masonry...

A winning team: collaborative spirit drives Kinateder Masonry.(Company Profile)
October 1, 2003... Teamwork is an integral value in the success of Fred Kinateder Masonry Inc., and this concept means partnering both internally and externally, according to Fred Kinateder, founder and president of the Waukesha, Wis.-based firm. "One of our...

Drug-free workplace dilemma.(Masonry news constructor tip)
October 1, 2003... Are you missing out on opportunities because you don't have a drug-free workplace policy in effect? Even worse than that, are you putting your employees at risk? This subject is a sensitive topic for most companies & it was for Lang...

Masonry construction's: top contractors.(Illustration)
October 1, 2003... MASONRY CONSTRUCTION magazine's second-annual "TOP CONTRACTORS" listing based on 2002 masonry sales volume is nearly, 50% larger than last year's version with 74 companies participating. These contractors combined for over $1.1 billion in...

Measure of success: a look at three masonry projects that epitomize "successful.".(masonary projects)
October 1, 2003... What defines a successful masonry project? Profitability, certainly. But a contractor can make a quick 50% on a job that has little long-term impact on the company or its position in the marketplace. The projects that really count are the ones...

Horizontal lifeline lives up to its name: fall protection device saves worker from deadly accident.(safety equipment on construction site)
October 1, 2003... Thirty-seven percent of serious injuries and deaths that occur at construction sites and similar workplaces throughout the United States are a result of falls. To combat this problem, OSHA mandates several measures to reduce the occurrence of...

Fall protection system accommodates two workers.(Jobsite Safety Products)
October 1, 2003... The Edge fall-protection system reduces the need for a safety monitor or a temporary cable lifeline system on leading edge deck construction. It has continuous 100% tie-off and overhead anchorage points for two workers, and it travels with them...

Strap system protects workers.(Jobsite Safety Products)
October 1, 2003... Safe-T-Strap is a simple fall arrest system that consists of a 2-inch-wide strap, with a 2 1/2-inch D-ring attached at one end and the other end folded over and stitched in place. To install the strap, attach the stitched end to the top plate...

Video series provides numerous safety tips.(Jobsite Safety Products)
October 1, 2003... The "7-Minute Solutions for Construction" video series reminds employees of important safety procedures to reduce the likelihood of injury on the jobsite. The six videos cover fall protection, personal protective equipment, electrical safety,...

Product line includes numerous safety products.(Jobsite Safety Products)
October 1, 2003... An extensive line of fall protection equipment includes horizontal lifeline systems to meet the needs of industrial and construction applications. Safety harnesses, retractables, lanyards, anchorage devices, and confined space equipment also...

Safety harness shaped like an "X".(Jobsite Safety Products)
October 1, 2003... The design of the Exofit safety harness uses a single piece of material constructed in the shape of an "X" that wraps around the worker. It slips on like a vest and features soft, lightweight webbing outside and padding and vents inside. The...

Device provides for emergency egress.(Jobsite Safety Products)
October 1, 2003... Escape-Rite is a compact and lightweight industrial descent device used for emergency egress. The product lowers the user to safety at a controlled rate of descent and self-adjusts to each person's weight, which means it operates by gravity and...

Road to Orlando: first regional Bricklayer 500 contest held in Geneva, III.(Mike Boll wins first regional contest)
October 1, 2003... The skills and show portions of a county fair often demonstrate the best in what people can accomplish. There are often grudge matches between neighbors who may spend the following year debating the result of the judges' choice. Winning a blue...

Metallic staining on masonry: using the proper cleaning techniques eliminates the problem.(brick tips)
October 1, 2003... The huge metallic stain was a light rusty brown. It spread like a rash across the buff-colored brick of the gymnasium's north face. It was bad, but the contractor who did the original work made the problem even worse by trying to remove it. ...

Different recommendations for corrugated ties.(troubleshooting)
October 1, 2003... Q Corrugated ties are commonly used in residential construction and are recommended by The Brick Industry Association (BIA) in Technical Note 28. However, BIA Technical Note 28B does not recommend corrugated ties in brick veneer over steel stud...

Adding expansion joints.(troubleshooting)
October 1, 2003... Q I have an interesting dilemma at a building that my firm has been hired to repair. Shrinkage of the concrete frame over the last 30 years, along with expansion of the brick masonry, have caused the masonry to move upward relative to the...

Brick tools.(the mason's toolbag)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Masons require few tools compared to the other construction trades, but the intense repetitive motion involved in the work demands professional-grade products that are ergonomically friendly and are safe to use. Consequently, great care should...

Brick and block saws feature direct-drive design.(the mason's toolbag)
October 1, 2003... The Americutter-14 brick saw and the Americutter-20 block saw feature a direct-drive design that supplies increased horsepower to the blade, which provides faster cutting cycles. A sealed arbor shaft eliminates grease maintenance. The...

Stainless steel trowel reduces user fatigue.(the mason's toolbag)
October 1, 2003... The first-ever stainless steel brick trowel is designed to last longer and reduce worker fatigue. Unlike carbon trowels, the stainless steel model will not rust, so there is no risk of dark spots on finished mortar joints. The blade is made...

Catalog displays about 1800 trowel trade tools.(the mason's toolbag)
October 1, 2003... This 79-page annual catalog covers about 1800 hand tools made for those who work in the trowel trades--specifically concrete, masonry, drywall, and plaster. Highlighted in the catalog are 17 new innovations for concrete and masonry contractors,...

Pointing trowel made from special steel.(the mason's toolbag)
October 1, 2003... This pointing trowel made from a special tool steel features a blade that is forged and heat tempered for just the right flex, strength, and durability. The trowel is manufactured in a two-step process: first, the company binds the blade,...

Blades easily remove mortar and grout.(the mason's toolbag)
October 1, 2003... Eight new wafer style tuck point blades offer superior grinding speeds at a reasonable price. With their stream-lined blade thickness, operators easily remove grout and mortar between brick and in foundation wall concrete block in less than...

Retaining wall has 15-foot turning radius.(new products)
October 1, 2003... Each standard block measures 48 inches x 16 inches and encompasses 5.33 square feet of retaining wall when installed. Its large mass (1400-2500 pounds), combined with a unique locking system, allows contractors to build walls as high as 10 feet...

Backhoe generates 6000-pound digging force.(new products)
October 1, 2003... The TLB-535 heavy-duty compact tractor loader backhoe offers a 6000-pound digging force that enables the machine to achieve an 11-foot depth. Its dual-cylinder, 180-degree hydraulic cushioned swing suits the backhoe to precise work in tight...

Rotating laser is self-leveling.(new products)
October 1, 2003... The XV-1 AccuBeam automatic rotating laser features two-way horizontal or plumb beams for 90-degree setups and layout work. It self-levels automatically in seconds in both the horizontal and vertical orientation using built-in stainless steel...

Masonry saw features fixed engine platform.(new products)
October 1, 2003... The GMS-20 gas-powered masonry saw features a patented fixed engine platform that provides stability, a 14- to 20-inch blade capacity, a fixed or adjustable cutting head for extra versatility, and an extra-large rolling table that supports...

Pins remove mortar from vertical joints.(new products)
October 1, 2003... These steel pins feature diamond-impregnated buttons on the end that clean out hard-to-reach vertical mortar and butt joints without damaging existing bricks. A pin is inserted into an electric-powered hand-held grinder which spins at about...

Wall system protects against explosions and quakes.(new products)
October 1, 2003... The Blastec blast-mitigation tool--also known by the USACE Protective Design Center as the Masonry Reinforcement Technique (MRT)--strengthens and reinforces masonry walls to make them more resistant to internal and external explosions and...

Ointment protects workers hands.(new products)
October 1, 2003... This ointment is made for workers whose job or environment causes severe dryness in their hands or other areas of the skin. The ointment can cut healing time by nearly 50% and absorbs quickly, leaving behind little or no greasy residue....

Sealant gets tires up and running.(new products)
October 1, 2003... ReSeal tire sealant and conditioner with Kevlar fiber eliminates flat tires caused by slow leaks and instantly repairs punctures up to 1/4 inch in diameter. The pump is attached to the lid of the 5-gallon pail of product by simply unscrewing...

Power screwdriver serves high-torque applications.(new products)
October 1, 2003... The USE 8 professional corded power screwdriver features a 4.8-amp motor, 10 easily adjustable torque settings that range from 27-159 inch-pounds, and torque switch-off and depth-stop switch-off. A "rigid drive" setting provides up to 354...

Water seal protects foundation from seepage.(new products)
October 1, 2003... FrontLine water seal protects exposed above-ground portions of block or poured-wall foundations from water seepage. The acrylic elastomeric membrane can be spray- or roller-applied in two coats in temperatures as low as 50[degrees] E The...

ICF system resists blowouts and rot.(new products)
October 1, 2003... An ICF system provides 5 1/2 inches of Type-2 EPS and an R-value of 35. Fully assembled in 12-inch x 48-inch block and requiring no onsite assembly, the system offers 3 inches of backing at outside wall corners. It resists blowouts and rot,...

Crane includes work platform and boom.(new products)
October 1, 2003... The ECL-5-135 crane offers aerial work platform capabilities and has a fully powered telescoping boom with no jibs or extensions that reaches a maximum working tip height of 135 feet. The crane's 16-foot outrigger spread and fully powered boom...

Lasers accurately measure distances up to 500 feet.(new products)
October 1, 2003... The PD 22 and PD 28 laser range meters allow the contractor to aim at the target, press the measuring key, and get a reading that shows a distance up to 500 feet with an accuracy of [+ or -] 1/12 inch within 3 seconds. A Pythagoras function...

Weather conditions immediately available.(new products)
October 1, 2003... A localized radar display and tracking system monitors weather at individual jobsites and communicates any approaching threats to workers. The system's 2 1/2-minute radar updates are coupled with a built-in mapping database consisting of all...

Buggy features all-wheel drive.(Barrows and Buggies)
October 1, 2003... The WPB-16EAWD power buggy is an all-wheel-drive model with a 16-cubic-foot capacity. The machine transports material in rough jobsite conditions, and a unique traction-assist valve lets operators activate its all-wheel drive with the flick of...

Vehicle maneuvers around tough jobsite conditions.(Barrows and Buggies)
October 1, 2003... The MTB16 tracked power buggy is used on just about any jobsite condition, including mud, sand, loamy soil, and wet grass. In contrast, standard buggies with wheels have to run on a firm, compacted surface. A contractor easily can change the...

Mortar buggy carries 2500 pounds.(Barrows and Buggies)
October 1, 2003... The 16-cubic-foot Stone Mud buggy has a load capacity of 2500 pounds and is powered by a 13-hp Honda engine. It features a one-person, one-piece lift-away engine cover for easy access, dual-mounted front-load tires with a quick-release tire...

Wheelbarrow mixer handles variety of materials.(Barrows and Buggies)
October 1, 2003... Wheelman, a 5-cubic-foot portable wheelbarrow mixer, generates up to 275 pounds of mortar, grout, concrete, or stucco in less than 5 minutes. The device uses a fully-enclosed 1/2-hp motor to mix all types of construction materials placed in its...

Walk-behind and rider buggies available.(Barrows and Buggies)
October 1, 2003... All three Morrison power buggies can be used in several applications in and around the jobsite: construction debris removal, onsite tool and equipment transportation, material handling and distribution, and landscaping and agricultural...

Keeping up with technology.(construction industry and computers)
October 1, 2003... Are you convinced that computers are here to stay? Many construction companies and contractors still have not embraced technology as a required business survival tool. And survival is not just being a leading company that stays 'ahead of...