Brick, Block & Beers *LIVE* AVAILABLE NOW!
Episode 1 - Masonry Safety - Silica
Host Don Beers, PE, GC with special guest, Jerry Painter, GC, FASTM discuss masonry safety - specifically respirable silica on the jobsite.
For more information: www.floridamasonry.com or for more on Silica Training, visit www.masoncontractors.org
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Baker Correctional Institution winners of first ever competition


SANDERSON, Fla. — Inmates from across the state traveled to Baker Correctional Institution to compete in the first ever Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) inter-institutional inmate masonry competition. Seven teams from various Florida correctional institutions showcased their masonry skills, judged by members of the Florida Masonry Apprenticeship and Educational Foundation (FMAEF).


“This is a perfect model of how we are trying to take our rehabilitation programming and actually have it contribute to restoring the men and women under our care back to their communities with a skill that can immediately result in employment,” said FDC Secretary Mark S. Inch. “This competition demonstrates the skill that meets industry standards for immediate employment. We have skilled instructors that are following industry standards, and we have great support from the business community; both from professional and educational organizations.”


Masonry competitions are used industry wide to highlight the quality, skill and fidelity of masonry education programs. FDC’s masonry programs offer industry-recognized certifications through rigorous coursework and hands-on experience. This training program equips inmates with the skills necessary for employment. Prior to release, inmates are paired with industry professionals through FMAEF to assist with immediate employment opportunities.

Read more:: http://www.dc.state.fl.us/comm/press/Main/01-27-Masonry.html

  JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A four-story apartment building under construction on Jacksonville’s Southside burned to the ground before dawn Sunday morning in a fire that kept the eastbound lanes of Baymeadows Road blocked at Interstate 295 all morning.
Flames from the Fusion Apartment at Baymeadows being built along Baymeadows Road East spread to woods but the fire was stopped before it could spread into the neighboring Hampton Park neighborhood.

​A man built his vacation home in the fire zone, and when the Thomas Fire blazed through, it reached his property. But it didn't burn it down. He says it's due to his fire-resistant design and materials, and officials are saying it's the way to go.

As Woolsey Fire victims start to rebuild their homes, fire experts say they need to rethink how they rebuild. And maybe they should be doing it the way Jeremy wolf did — rebuilding with specific materials to prevent their home from burning down in a future fire.
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"It’s a beautiful place to spend time," said Jeremy Wolf about his weekend home in Ojai Valley. He built the house five years ago, and knew he had to rebuild wisely.
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Read more: https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/fire-proof-home-california-wildfires-ojai-valley-thomas-fire/82278/

The MAF held it's 3rd Annual Block-toberfest Event at the Preferred Materials Plant in Bonita Springs on Friday, October 18, 2019.  The event was very well-received with approximately 30 architects and engineers in attendance. 

Thank you to our Sponsors:

• Preferred Materials
• David Nelson Masonry
• Jerry Painter Masonry Consulting
• Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council
•  Oldcastle
  

Interested in attending the next Block-toberfest Event?  Click here to register for the November 21, 2019 "Block-vember" Event at Oldcastle in Zephyrhills, FL!