Within the last year the number of large scale fires destroying wood-frame apartment complexes while under construction has increased, causing huge amounts of damage. In Phoenix this past week, another 5-alarm fire struck, resulting in massive evacuation around the area and destruction of the construction. Read more.
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The month of January has been a busy one for the Masonry Association of Florida, holding three masonry courses, and issuing over 700 CEU’s to Florida masonry industry professionals.
The video-taping of the Masonry Construction & Inspection Certification Workshop for the AIA Florida Distance Learning Program, and the soon-to-be-launched online certification program for engineers, contractors and building officials was completed in Tallahassee on January 13th and 14th to rave reviews! The next week saw Don Beers, putting in more miles as he travelled to the Seminole State College, Wharton Smith Center for Construction to provide a 2-hour masonry education program to more than 30 students. And finally, last-but-not-least, the MAF held a Masonry Workshop in Orlando this past Friday and Saturday.
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. HACKENSACK, N.J. (CN) - Tenants displaced from last week's massive residential apartment fire along the Hudson River in Edgewater, N.J., claim in court that the lack of sprinklers in attics of their complex and use of lightweight wood construction "may have accelerated the spread of the fire." The class action against Avalon Bay Communities in Bergen County Superior Court comes just days after a Jan. 21 fire burned to the ground the 408-unit luxury housing complex known as Avalon Bay at Edgewater, constructed in 2002. Read More> Once again, a massive fire destroys a large stick built apartment complex, this time in Edgewater, NJ. Miraculously, there were no fatalities, just a few minor injuries. However, the comments made by Edgewater Fire Chief Thomas Jacobson are priceless: "the fire appears to have started on the first floor and quickly spread through the floors and walls because of the building's lightweight wood construction. If it was made out of concrete and cinder block, we wouldn't have this problem," adding the building complied with construction codes. He said the sprinklers were working and going off when crews first arrived to the scene.
This is the second time this complex has burned down; the first was in 2000 while under construction! Follow this link for videos and the complete story: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/01/22/hundreds-displaced-after-massive-fire-engulfs-edgewater-apartment-complex/ On Thursday October 23, 2014 the Masonry Association of Florida sponsored a luncheon for the Builders Association of North Florida. Approximately 200 people were in attendance from the Gainesville Florida area. Argos Employee – Dewayne Stidham enjoyed working the information table as well as handing out technical and picture brochures that highlight construction with masonry. Masonry contractors worked along with suppliers to get the word out about the advantages of building with block. All involved agreed this was a highly successful event. Governor Scott Proclaims Saturday, September 27, 2014 Statewide Concrete Masonry Day in Florida9/24/2014
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MASONRY HELP DESKSubmit your questions regarding masonry construction to the MAF Staff Engineer or Masonry Consultant:
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