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.
Smarter Time Tracking on the Jobsite: Introducing Geofence Notifications and Logging in CrewTracks
April 2026

For masonry contractors, time tracking is more than just a payroll task; it’s a key part of managing crews, understanding job costs, and keeping projects running smoothly. Yet many companies still struggle with one common challenge: making sure employees

Erin Koets
MAP Partner
Read More
Fechino Files: Diesels Below 32 Degrees
April 2026

I am guessing that if you are reading this, then you experienced the cold, late-January spell that took over most of the country. The cold weather has many effects on the operations of a masonry contractor, from job shutdowns to equipment starting issues,

Steven Fechino
Fechino Files
Read More
Outreach Outlook: Building Momentum Across the Southern Region
April 2026

As April arrives, the pace of our outreach and workforce efforts across the Southern Region reaches a new level of intensity. This is the time of year when our programs, partners, and state collaborators all accelerate at once. SkillsUSA competitions are

Conner Birdsong
Outreach Outlook
Read More
Marvelous Masonry: Elbphilharmonie
April 2026

Most people know the Elbphilharmonie for its glass façade and dramatic roofline. From a distance, that’s what defines the skyline in Hamburg’s HafenCity district. But for masonry contractors and suppliers, the real story starts at the base.

Cass Stern
Marvelous Masonry
Read More