Masonry Magazine October 2001 Page. 23
The industry's customers, owners and developers of retail facilities, restaurants, automotive service centers, schools, hotels, and motels are all involved with licensed, certified, and/or registered employees. They deal with registered and licensed design professionals. Why? Because they see that these programs help improve quality, which in turn saves them time and money, while helping to keep their customers happy. Repeat customers are very important to these businesses.
Does the masonry industry need certified installers? Customers do not yet demand certification programs for masonry installation. However, many other sections of their specifications ask for certification. One major retail change specifies that the installer of insulation in the cores or cavities of masonry "shall be certified or approved by manufacturer of insulation." The specification goes on to describe the qualifications for the individual who will verify that the insulation was properly installed: "Thermographer Qualifications: Level 2 Certified Thermographer, certified in accordance with ASNT SNT-TIC-1A, with at least three years experience performing infrared inspections of building envelopes."
Can a masonry industry program be developed? The use of concrete pavers did not become popular in the United States until the 1970s. Segmental retaining wall systems had their initial growth spurt in the 1980s. The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) has nearly 1,000 firms listed as Certified Paver Installers and the Institute is just over ten years old.
How huge of a task would certification or licensing be? The task can be as huge and as detailed as the industry wants it to be. Much will depend on local markets and regulations. One easy place to start is to ask that all specifications cite provisions for contractors and suppliers to be members of the industry associations, Mason Contractors Association of America, Brick Industries Association, National Concrete Masonry Association, etc. While Association staff cannot promote provisions in specifications that exclude non-members, individual members of associations can encourage the support of their associations. While membership in associations may not be a high degree of certification, in general, the members of associations have strong interest in the long-term success of the industry and invest in the marketing and development of the industry. In the product section of project specifications the cite might read: "Clay masonry units shall be produced and supplied by members of the Brick Industries Association" and "Concrete masonry units shall be manufactured by a member of the National Concrete Masonry Association." The execution section can be written to qualify contractors: "Masonry shall be installed by a member of the Mason Contractors Association of America."
PRESUMPTIONS & ASSUMPTIONS
What happens if we presume we know the answers? One example involved a Hilton Hotel prototype being designed for a complex in Laughlin, Nevada. The cost of masonry in this seismic zone was deemed to be too high. The alternate system was post and beam precast concrete construction. (more on next page)
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MASONRY OCTOBER, 2001 23