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Flames destroy apartment building under construction on Southside

1/13/2020

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110 firefighters worked for hours to get 3-alarm fire under control

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  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.

The only thing left standing by daybreak was the concrete-block stairwell in the center of the building.
It took more than three hours for 110 firefighters to bring the three-alarm blaze under control, but lingering smoke is keeping roads in the area closed.

None of the firefighters called to fight the fire were injured, although their heart rates and temperatures are being taken assess heat exhaustion or other ill effects. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Chief Keith Powers said 14 engines and seven ladder trucks were needed to battle the three-alarm fire.
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Powers said the fire grew quickly because the sprinkler system in the large, mostly wooden structure was not yet active.  ::Read entire article here: https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2020/01/12/jfrd-battling-structure-fire-on-southside/
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Brick, Block & Beers: Vol II Issue II- Masonry Best Practices: Control Joints for Concrete Masonry walls

7/30/2018

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The pictures provided show cracks under the precast header bearing at what appears to be both ends of an opening. These cracks then turn and extend up to the top of the wall through the course above the precast in a stair step fashion. The third picture provided shows cracking under the end of a precast sill which then extends from the lower right hand corner of the opening down the wall in a stair step fashion.
 
 My response to this inquiry is based strictly on the 3 pictures provided. There may be other extenuating circumstances that I am not aware of.
 
 The pictures provided are so indicative of classic masonry shrinkage cracking that I intend to catalog and use them in future presentations to show where cracking usually shows up in structures where shrinkage of the masonry has not been addressed by either horizontal reinforcing or properly placed control joints.

There are three important considerations to keep in mind when working with either concrete or concrete masonry - it's gray, it gets hard AND IT CRACKS. The cracking can be caused by movement (such as foundation failure), expansion and contraction due to temperature differential or drying shrinkage. Of these three, drying shrinkage is the by far and way the most common and MUST be addressed if random cracking is to be prevented. Concrete materials shrink when they loose moisture. Concrete poured under water does not

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Life is Better With Block, Always Has Been, Always Will Be! Visit www.blockstrong.com

5/10/2018

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Block Strong is a partnership between Florida Concrete & Products Association, Inc. and Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council, Inc.
© 2018 ConcreteBlockHomes.com
Website by: Bright Rain
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Brick, Block & Beers Vol II, Issue I :: March 2018

3/29/2018

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Masonry Wall Design: Single-Wythe
Moisture penetration through exterior walls is a concern on every project (or – it should be a concern on every project!). Single-wythe concrete block construction does a great job in preventing water from entering the interior of your building but there are several important “belts and suspenders” that should be included in your design to make sure your masonry wall does the best job possible.

So, what do we consider a single-wythe wall? There are three major types of masonry walls built in Florida.  The very best masonry wall to prevent water passage (we call it The World’s Best Wall!!) is called a double-wythe cavity wall and contains a drainage/air space between two separate wythes or “layers” of masonry.  Water that makes it through the first wythe runs down the back side of the wall and is discharged to the exterior through flashing and weeps.

​Read More> 




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Contact Don Beers, PE, CGC 
​561-310-9902
​don@floridamasonry.com 
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Brick, Block & Beers Vol I, Issue IV

12/28/2017

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Why does masonry perform so much better than other light frame products during high-wind events, such as hurricanes and tornadoes?
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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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2017 MAF Masonry Excellence Awards Publication

11/26/2017

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MAF Masonry Excellence Awards 2017 Submissions Needed

5/15/2017

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The categories for the 2017 Masonry Excellence Awards Program will follow the same format as last year, as part of our partnership with the AIA of Florida, we are awarding honors in three main categories:
  • Brick
  • Block and Stucco
  • Architectural Units
Each category is represented well in the construction industry in Florida, from traditional Mediterranean stucco and block, exposed ground face and split face architectural units to traditional brick and block cavity wall construction. 

An overall winner from each of the main categories, as well as one Project of the Year will be featured in a supplemental publication going to all 4400 AIA Florida member architects in the state.
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Deadline for entries is July 1, 2017.  Please submit your entry online at: www.masonryawards.com
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If you have questions, please contact Masonry Excellence Awards Chairman Chris Bettinger chris.bettinger@oldcastle.com  or MAF Marketing Director, Deb Bartolucci deb@floridamasonry.com.
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Congratulations to Peter D. Moor of Moor & Associates Architects

6/29/2015

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Moor & Associates Architecture Wins AIA Florida Honor & Design Award for Masonry

Duck Key, Florida |  June 25, 2015 :   The Masonry Association of Florida (MAF) held its annual Masonry Excellence Awards Reception at the Hawk's Cay Resort in Duck Key, Florida on June 25, 2015.  The 2015 MAF sponsored  “Honor Award in Masonry” was given to Peter D. Moor of Moor & Associates Architects in Vero Beach, Florida.  Moor & Associates was awarded for their superior vision in the creation of an outstanding masonry design for their project of Riverfront Residence, located in Vero Beach, Florida. 

Moor & Associates, Architects, P.A. was founded in 1992 by Principal Architect Peter D. Moor and partner Mary J. Juckiewicz.  Peter received his Bachelor of Architecture Degree from N.Y. Institute of Technology. 

Moor & Associates has built their reputation over the years creating architecture that incorporates the clients’ needs with firmness, commodity and delight.  The firm has won several state and local awards from the American Institute of Architects, been published in “A Decade of Art and Architecture” by the Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America and been featured in numerous magazines. 
 
Peter D. Moor is licensed in Florida, Vermont, New York and South Carolina, is a member of The American Institute of Architects and registered with NCARB.  He currently sits on the Board of Advisors to the Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America Florida Chapter, the Executive Board of the Indian River Land Trust and is a board member and past president of the Laura Riding Jackson Foundation. For more information on Moor & Associates, please visit their website: www.moorach.com.



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Congratulations 2015 Masonry Excellence Awards Winners

6/29/2015

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Duck Key, FL | June 25, 2015:   Art, Innovation and Endurance: the projects submitted for the 2015 MAF Masonry Excellence Awards are the embodiments of all of these qualities.  The Masonry Excellence Awards are the celebration of the art and craftsmanship of the mason, the innovation of the contractor and architect and the endurance of masonry materials produced here in Florida. 

Projects submitted were reviewed and judged anonymously by a distinguished jury of masonry and design professionals.  Consideration was given to the overall design and use of masonry, as well as the technical aspects of each project.  The winning projects listed showed superiority in technical design and craftsmanship.

2015 Masonry Excellence Award Winners:

Commercial 1st Place: Plant Street Market – Chris Bettinger Oldcastle
Merit:                   Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center – Bill Parsons, Pyramid Masonry

Residential 1st Place:               Private Residence 1 (Gordon) -- David Nelson Masonry
Merit:                   Private Residence 2 (Sheetz) – David Nelson Masonry

Hardscapes 1st Place:               Tequesta Residence – Lisa Pelham A1 Block
Merit:                   Ocean Avenue – Greg Strickland Titan Block
Merit:                   Eatonville Gateway – Chris Bettinger Oldcastle

Multi-family 1st Place:               Palladio – Joel Blackmon Oldcastle
Merit:                   Steelhouse – Steve Bischke Oldcastle

Institutional 1st Place:               Heavener Hall – Steve Bischke Oldcastle
Merit:                   Zephyrhills Public Library – Doug McCall Oldcastle

Creative Use of Masonry & Special Features 1st Place: Firemen’s Statue – Jerry Painter, Painter Masonry
Merit:                   Santa Fe College – Kem Butler – Argos US

Project of the Year (Tie):
Plant Street Market – Chris Bettinger Oldcastle
Private Residence 1 (Gordon)– David Nelson – David Nelson Masonry

Winners were honored at the MAF Awards Reception being held on June 25, 2015 at the Hawks Cay Resort in Duck Key, Florida.  Additionally, winning projects will be featured in the MAF Masonry Excellence Awards publication.  

The Masonry Association of Florida, Inc. (MAF) is a not-for-profit corporation established in 1987.  Our mission is to promote masonry construction 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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Code officials ignored it. Developers ignored it.

2/16/2015

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Wood you?
Demand concrete block.

It was built to code. It had working sprinklers. But as local firefighters pointed out, once the lightweight wood assembly caught fire, sprinklers were simply no match for the 5-alarm blaze that tore through this luxury apartment complex recently in Edgewater, New Jersey. It prompted local officials to declare a state of emergency, and displaced more than 1,000 residents. Read More>
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