Masonry Magazine April 1997 Page. 46
Manufacturers, distributors, contractors or laborers of masonry, having a legitimate interest in the development and maintenance of the provisions of the international Building Code and other codes and standards which influence masonry may be elected to organizational membership in the Alliance by a majority vote at any annual or special meeting of the members.
Corresponding member: Any person, individually or as a designated representative of a firm or organization engaged in the manufacture, distribution, sale, or construction of masonry, having a legitimate interest in the development and maintenance of provisions of the International Building Code and other codes and standards which influence masonry may elected to organizational membership in the Alliance by a majority vote at any annual or special meeting of the members. See figure C.
The purpose of MACS is to develop consensus within the masonry industry on codes and standards issues. In fact, MACS has adopted the following policy statement:
To develop consensus within the masonry industry on codes and standards issues by:
1 Forging consensus for the masonry industry on codes and standards issues
2 Influencing and coordinating codes and standards which affect masonry
3 Monitoring codes and standards which influence masonry
4 Exchanging information with state and regional organizations
5 Identifying needed research related to masonry codes and standards
MACS is committed to a pro-active position in the development of the International Building Codes by a broad cross section of masonry industry representatives. MACS has developed a strategy for effectively positioning masonry provisions consistent with masonry's field performance and consistent with its properties documented in laboratory research. This strategy has identified 18 topic areas, each requiring a specific plan of action. These actions are currently under development by the members of the Alliance. Topics being addressed include: Construction, Empirical Masonry Design, Energy, Fire Safety, Fireplaces and Chimneys, Glass Unit Masonry, One and Two Family Dwelling-Foundations, One and Two Family Dwelling-Other, Prestressed Masonry Design, Quality Control/Quality Assurance, Seismic Design, Sound Transmission, Strength Design, Structural Forces, Working Stress Design-Reinforced Masonry, Working Stress Design-Unreinforced Masonry, Veneers, and Wind Design.
MACS met four times in 1996. At these meetings policy and procedures were established, officers elected, and the task to implement the strategy outlined above began. Masonry provisions for the International Building Code were presented and approved for MACS support. Additionally, an energy code strategy was discussed and support was given to submitting a change to the Model Energy Code. This change will allow the energy conservation provisions of the ASHRAE 90.2 as an alternate for code compliance. The ASHRAE 90.2 governs energy conservation for residential construction. Also, MACS will take on the issue of fire safety (more on the MACS developments on fire safety later in this article). MACS has two meetings scheduled in 1997, May and October, where progress reports will be heard on the activities of the ICC.
Arizona Masonry Guild
Brick Association of NC
Brick Institute of America
Brick Institute of
America-Mid East Region
Brick Institute of California
Carolinas Concrete
Masonry Association
Chemical Lime Co.
Clay Flue Lining Institute
CMS Industries Inc.
Concrete Masonry Assn. of CA & NV
Concrete Masonry Mfrs. Assn. of UT
Dur-O-Wal, Inc.
Expanded Shale Clay
and Slate Institute
Florida Concrete and Products Assn.
Georgia Concrete & Products Assn.
Interstate Brick Co.
International Masonry Institute
Kansas Masonry Industries Council
Kentuckiana Masonry Institute
Lafarge Corporation
Masonry Advisory Council
Masonry Contractors Assn. of America
Mason Contractors
Assn. of Greater Chicago
Masonry Fireplace & Chimney Assn.
Masonry Industry Promotion Group
Masonry Institute, Inc.
Masonry Institute of America
Masonry Institute of Oregon
Masonry Institute of St. Louis
McNear Brick & Block
Midwest Masonry Research Found
Minnesota Concrete Masonry Assn.
Mission Clay Products
Missouri Concrete Masonry Council
Mutual Materials Co.
National Concrete Masonry Assn.
National Lime Assn.
New England Concrete Masonry Assn.
North Carolina Masonry
Contractors Assn.
Northeastern Ohio Masonry Institute
Northwest Concrete Masonry Assn.
Ohio Concrete Masonry Assn.
Pennsylvania Concrete Masonry Assn.
Portland Cement Assn.
Southwestern Brick Institute
WA State Conf. of Masonry Contractors
Western States Clay Products Assn.
Wisconsin Concrete Masonry Assn.
Figure C. The Masonry Alliance for Codes and Standards now has 48 members.
International Building Code
The Masonry Alliance for Codes and Standards is currently involved with supporting the development of the masonry provisions for the International Building Code (IBC). The IBC, scheduled to be published in the year 2000, will replace the
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