June 2016: From the Editor

Words: Dan Kamys

Safety in Building Codes

Editor Karen HickeyKaren D. Hickey, Editor karen@lionhrtpub.com

Back in April, two earthquakes of at least 7.0 magnitude occurred — one on April 15 in Japan and the other on April 16 in Ecuador. It got me thinking… and Googling. I wrote in the last issue that May was Building Safety Month. Building safety is based on building codes. I came across an article by David Z. Morris in Fortune magazine: “L.A. Is Mandating Thousands of Earthquake Retrofits for Old Buildings.” Late last fall, Los Angeles had passed the nation’s strictest earthquake safety rules, requiring retrofitting of old buildings in the city. Japan has had strict building codes in place for decades, but 32 people still died in the Kumamoto region from the quake. Meanwhile, according to AIR Worldwide, “Building code enforcement varies within and across Ecuador [and] seismic performance of buildings…is greatly influenced by local construction practices.” The death toll from the earthquake in Ecuador was 272. Building codes have played an integral part in shaping the masonry industry. Masonry structures may be required to have enhanced structural integrity as part of a comprehensive design against progressive collapse due to accident, misuse, sabotage or other causes. Standards from various organizations govern how we work every day. Not only do we adhere to state and local building codes, but many times we work in conjunction with an owner-engaged special inspector. When we follow code, we end up with a building that will last for many generations to come. We can place brick and CMU in a wall all day long, but if we allow for out-of-spec tolerance, incorrect material placement, or faulty workmanship, not only have we provided a misuse of our profession, but a structure in which the owner will be held liable. I hope this month’s feature articles help you in furthering your professional knowledge of the masonry industry.
Terminations: The Hardest Part of Leadership
May 2026

Throughout my career, I’ve faced a wide variety of challenges, some technical, some interpersonal, and many that forced me to adapt quickly. These days, most of my work is behind a computer in an office, but the lessons I’ve learned apply wherever I go.

Damian Lang
Business Management
Read More
The Compliance Shield: Navigating the New Standards of Field Oversight
May 2026

The modern job site is undergoing a quiet but significant transformation. While the physical act of laying a block remains the core of the trade, the environment surrounding that work is becoming increasingly data-driven. We are moving away from the era o

Shayne Sanders
MAP Partner
Read More
When GEORGE Met BOB: Ironsite Is MCAA's First AI-Centered Cornerstone Partner
May 2026

Earlier this year at World of Concrete, I taught the AI Test Drive class and gave attendees an early look at GEORGE 3.0, which we're set to release later this year. As I was wrapping up the session and people were still asking questions, the team from Iro

Dan Kamys
MAP Partner
Read More
Ironsite Joins Masonry Alliance Program as Newest Cornerstone Partner
May 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is thrilled to announce that Ironsite will be joining the Masonry Alliance Program (MAP) at the Cornerstone level.

MAP Partner
Read More