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The Masonry Association of Florida, Inc. (MAF) is a not-for-profit corporation established in 1987.  Our mission is to promote masonry construction, provide professional education to construction decision makers and support the mason contractors in Florida.  Additional information is available on our website: www.floridamasonry.com or by contacting, Deb Bartolucci, 954-295-9926 or deb@floridamasonry.com.

This course covers the repair and prevention of 8 typical problem areas encountered with masonry construction. These are cracking, moisture leakage, stucco de-bonding, stucco cracking, un-grouted cells, missing rebar, soft mortar and efflorescence.

​Date: February 28, 2018
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 AM EST
Registration: https://elearning.masonryworkshop.com/index.cfm?pg=semwebCatalog&panel=showLive&seminarid=8641

Understanding the role of each of the team players involved with a masonry project is imperative. That’s why this one-of-a-kind workshop was developed. Unique in its big-picture approach to masonry it offers the latest information on all aspects of Design, Workmanship and Materials. Members from the entire masonry family, from building inspectors and architects to masons and engineers, are in attendance at each class. The course instructors are 5 distinguished members of our industry each with a lifetime of “on the job” experience. Instructors present both basic and up-to-date issues in their field while focusing on how each discipline works with the others to ensure quality masonry.

NEW CODES & STANDARDS
Workshop covers all the new codes and standards used in masonry: 2016 TMS 402/602 (Formally ACI 530/530.1); Updated ASTM Standards referenced by the 6th Edition Florida Building Code; Updated BIA and NCMA Tech Notes; changes to the Florida 6th Edition masonry chapter and much more!

Masonry Testing Protocols
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I hope everyone had a great 2017. I am believing that it will be a better than ever year for the masonry industry in 2018. As I began to think about starting a new year, I looked at it similar to starting a new building project. As you review the specifications for the materials you will submit for approval you see the section on quality assurance. If it is a small project you will probably take care of it with paper work in your submittal. But if the project is a large project, it will probably include onsite testing. Serious thought and planning should be put into the testing procedures to be used. Chapter 3 of the TMS 402 Code says that “Masonry design requirements in this Code are valid when the quality of the masonry construction meets or exceeds that described in the Specification.” The designer will set up the QA (Quality Assurance) Program based on one of three requirement levels. The program will also describe the procedure for reporting and review as well as resolution of non-compliance. The QA Program will also state the qualifications of the testing laboratory and inspection provider. You will notice the last three sentences had mandatory language, such as “will” in them. This is not optional. If this is not provided, you should...

Masonry's Greatest Strength
Long time South Florida residents who have weathered a severe hurricane often express a heartfelt thankfulness that they were in a concrete masonry structure. Structures built of many lesser products have weathered hurricanes but block homes provide the secure comfort of rock solid construction. This is not just antidotal – its common sense. After reading this article perhaps you will have a better understanding of concrete masonry’s built in strength.

It’s all about the “safety factor”. Simply stated the “safety factor” is the difference between what engineers expect will be the largest wind load a structure will ever be exposed to --- and the wind load that they calculate would rip the structure apart. Structural engineers always like a good safety factor – usually around 3 times or 300%. Poor construction and material deficiencies erode safety factors but if you have sufficient safety factor there is some room for error.

Understanding Wood Frame Connection Problems
Wood frame residential structures have performed poorly in every wind event I have had the opportunity to do wind damage assessment on. The problem is not in the wood itself but in the connectors. A tree branch can be very strong – but if you saw it off you will have a real problem on your hands to nail it back on to its original strength.
The lumber industry is extremely sophisticated in their design procedures. Nails and connections are assigned industry accepted load carrying capacities and safety factors based on extensive testing. All of this is proper engineering. There is, however, a number of factors which explain why Hurricane Irma left dozens of modern wood structures in ruins and zero concrete masonry structures in ruins.

These are:

• Product Weight and Stability
• Natural Safety Factors in Design
• Complexity in Design
• Complexity in Connections

Read More: "Brick, Block & Beers" Volume I, Issue IV (December 2017)
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The Masonry Association of Florida is seeking a full-time Executive Director.  The Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a small contractor trade association.  Additional duties include coordination with eight local chapters, apprentice programs, membership increase and retention, grant writing, finances and budgeting, etc. Interested individuals should send their resume to: admin@floridamasonry.com 

Pompano Beach, Florida. October 4, 2017:   The Masonry Association of Florida, partnering with Coastal, an Oldcastle Company, Titan Block, Echelon, Bonsal, In-Spex, LLC. and Boral Cultured Stone came together on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at Oldcastle’s Pompano Beach showroom to celebrate “Careers in Construction Month” with a day-long educational event for south Florida architects, engineers, building inspectors and masonry contractors.  The Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council provided additional support through grant funding.  Approximately 40 – 50 masonry industry professionals were on-hand to take advantage of the masonry continuing education, masonry apprentice program product demonstrations (sponsored by the MAF Treasure Coast and Southeast Chapters) and networking featuring German food and drinks from Fort Lauderdale Octoberfest favorite, The Ambry Restaurant.
 
Highlights of the event included a tour of Oldcastle/Coastal Amerimix production facility, followed by Don Beers, PE, GC (Masonry Association of Florida), Chris Bettinger (Oldcastle) and Lisa Pelham (Oldcastle) presented, “Life is Better with Masonry” and G. Michael Starks’ (In-spex, LLC) presented “Stucco, 10 Factors to Ensure Project Success”.   Participating professionals received three continuing education units for their attendance.  Raffle items were provided by Fi-Foil, the Masonry Association of Florida and Oldcastle and included numerous gift cards, Oakley sunglasses and coolers and the grand prize of a Belgard Fire Pit kit.
 
For pictures of the festivities, please see: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xbugm9of2lral2d/AADx4kZHPMNwGz9oulLqVipEa?dl=0
 
The Masonry Association of Florida, Inc. (MAF) is a not-for-profit corporation established in 1987.  Our mission is to promote masonry construction, provide professional education to construction decision makers and support the mason contractors in Florida.  Additional information is available on our website: www.floridamasonryawards.com  or by contacting, Deb Bartolucci, 954-295-9926 or deb@floridamasonry.com.
 
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