Public comment period for Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures

Words: Phillip SamblanetThe Masonry Standards Joint Committee (MSJC) has proposed revisions to the 2011 Edition of its Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures (TMS 402-11/ACI 530-11/ASCE-5-11), Specification for Masonry Structures (TMS 602-11/ACI 530.1-11/ASCE6-11) and their companion commentaries for a planned 2013 edition of the Standards.

The MSJC is sponsored by the The Masonry Society (TMS), American Concrete Institute (ACI), and the Structural Engineering Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers (SEI/ASCE). In accordance with the rules of The Masonry Society, and consistent with the rules of the other sponsoring organizations, proposed changes to standardized documents must be open for public comment for a period of not less than 45 days.

A summary of major proposed changes to these documents can be reviewed by clicking here. A complete Working Draft of the MSJC Code, Specification and Commentaries, including proposed revisions can be viewed by clicking here (note this file is almost 6 Megs and may take some time to download).

Comment can be made online at www.masonrysociety.org.
Beyond the Block: Aesthetic Innovations in CMU Construction
August 2026

Concrete masonry units (CMUs) have long been a mainstay of construction. They are well known as a “tried and true” material with a long history of high-strength structural performance, affordability, ease of assembly, and a long lifecycle. CMU constructio

Peter Roberts
Technical Talks
Block
Read More
The Most Overlooked Profit Center on Your Job Site
August 2026

The real cost of equipment ownership isn't what you pay on day one. It's what happens over the years that follow. The purchase price of a new mortar mixer, grout pump, material handling system, or masonry saw is only part of the investment. What happens

Steve Wheeler
MAP Partner
Read More
Installation Starts Before the First Course
August 2026

Some of the most expensive masonry installation problems begin long before crews arrive onsite. By the time a project reaches the field, many coordination decisions have already been made. Dimensional conflicts, congested reinforcement, specialty materia

Technical Talks
Read More
Designing for Performance: Key Considerations for Efficient, Durable Masonry Projects
August 2026

A successful masonry project starts well before the first stone is set. The craftsmanship on site matters, of course, but many of the decisions that shape the final result are made much earlier—during design, detailing, and material selection. Those choic

Jeff Tew
MAP Partner
Manufactured Stone MAP Partner Stone (Exterior) Stone (Interior)
Read More