Masonry Magazine January 2010 Page. 25
MASONRY COMPUTER ESTIMATING
Masonry Computer Estimating
That Does It All... in 3D!
by TRADESMEN'S SOFTWARE
Figure 2. Landfill gas to brick kiln
Brick industry addresses limitations of self-reported product verification
WHEN COMPILING documentation to substantiate the green claims of a building product, many architects, builders and designers currently rely on a product manufacturer's own claims. In this scenario, total trust is placed in the manufacturer's ability to correctly apply the various environmental attributes of its product to a green rating system. With such potential for inconsistency and misinterpretation, the Brick Industry Association (BIA) recognized that architects, builders and designers need a higher level of verification. In April, 2009, BIA approved a policy, developed in conjunction with the National Brick Research Center (NBRC) entitled, "Certifying Brick an Environmentally Preferable Product Policy." This policy is the first of its kind in the masonry industry.
BIA enables manufacturers to certify brick as environmentally preferable product with comprehensive, empirically based policy
TO MEET the highest level of verification, a manufacturer subjects its product's green claims to the scrutiny of a third-party, impartial and qualified organization. Since designers frequently place their trust in such a group to interpret and apply the aspects of being "green" across all of the products it certifies, it is important for a third party organization to have expertise and understanding of the brick industry. Given NBRC's extensive experience with brick, and the fact that it follows the various ethics policies of Clemson University, the NBRC clearly possesses the kind of knowledgeable, third party credibility needed to implement this policy.
The certification program provides clay brick manufacturers a means of verifying "green" claims and focuses on three primary areas:
1) The Amount of Recycled Content. The recycled content of a brick is accurately determined so that the quantities assigned to earn points per the green building rating
New for 2009!
On-Screen 3D Take-Off
Just point and click on the digital blueprint and see your walls displayed. Our new On-Screen 3D Take-Off Engine makes it simple and fast. Runs on Windows PCs and Bootcamp/Windows on Intel Macs. 30 day money back guarantee. Support available 7 days a week. Comes with more than 400 items in material database. See the actual building being displayed in 3D as you do your take-off in either PLAN mode, PERSPECTIVE mode, OUTSIDE mode, INSIDE mode or at any ELEVATION. Complete your take-off, then walk through or around and see the actual finished building(s). Calculates CMU: HALF and FULL BULLNOSE, DOUBLE BULLNOSE, CHAMFER, or SASH for any or all OPENINGS, JAMBS, CORNERS, CONTROL JOINTS and any SPECIAL CUTS. Integrate with Accounting Software and transfer data to Microsoft Excel
Negotiating projects with a 3D image will win you more contracts and enhance your professional image
TRADESMEN'S SOFTWARE, Inc.
1-800-494-4899
See for yourself at:
www.tradesmens.com
SEE US AT WOC 2010 MASONRY SHOWCASE BOOTH #512407
READER SERVICE #163
January 2010
MASONRY 23