Blog Posts - Masonry Association of Florida, Inc. Florida Builds with BLOCK, BRICK & Stone.

MAF SE Chapter Meeting :: AUgust 15, 2018

8/9/2018

We will be meeting at Galuppi’s located at 1103 N Federal Hwy, Pompano Beach, FL 33062.
Please RSVP to doris@coastalmasonry.com if you will be attending.
Thank you!
Kind Regards,
Doris Portes
Coastal Masonry, Inc.
Office 954-984-0600 Ext.205
1909 NW 16th Street
Pompano Beach FL 33069

Brick, Block & Beers: Vol II Issue II- Masonry Best Practices: Control Joints for Concrete Masonry walls

7/30/2018

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

House Bill 98 Ohio High School Career Opportunity Act

7/30/2018

Thanks to a recent vote in the Ohio House, apprenticeship recruiting in Ohio’s public high schools may become easier for unions affiliated with the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades.
House Bill 98, the Ohio High School Career Opportunity Act, which gives equal opportunity for representatives from colleges and universities, the armed forces, skilled trades, businesses and charitable organizations to present information on future career and post-graduate opportunities to high school students, was passed by a members in a unanimous vote.

MCAF TAMPA BAY MASONRY APPRENTICESHIP COMPETITION

5/30/2018

TAMPA BAY MASONRY APPRENTICESHIP COMPETITION
WHEN: SATURDAY JUNE 2, 2018
TIME: 8:30 AM -12:00 PM
WHERE: CEMEX YARD, 9117 Florida Mining Blvd, Tampa, FL
CONTACT: RSVP 239 201-6089

AWARDS CEREMONY & LUNCH BEGINS IMMEDIATELY AFTER COMPETITION

SAVE the date :: MAF Annual convention 9/6 - 9/9, 2018

5/21/2018

MAF Central Chapter Apprentice Competition 5.19.18

5/16/2018

Saturday, May 19, 2018
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Orlando Technical College
Mid Florida Campus
Directions

Come out to show your support as the MAF Central Chapter Apprentices compete for a space at the MAF State Apprentice Competition! Hamburgers, Hot dogs & Cold Drinks after the competition!

Click on the flyer at right for more information or contact:
Sheila Parsons - Program Coordinator
407-251-6050 mafapprentice@gmail.com

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

5/10/2018

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

10 Best Jobs In Construction :: Brick & Block Masons

4/26/2018

The construction industry has experienced a winding road of recovery. The good news for those considering a construction job is that the industry is starting to hit its stride. The Labor Department remains upbeat on this sector, predicting overall employment growth of about 11 percent, or roughly 758,400 new jobs by the year 2026. Plumbers, electricians, carpenters, painters and construction managers will be needed to build new structures and update existing buildings. Find out which construction jobs we consider a cut above the rest, and read more on how we rank the best jobs.

money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/best-construction-jobs

Masonry Association of Florida Hires New Executive Director : Welcome Donna Hinson!

3/29/2018

Fort Lauderdale, FL March 12, 2018: The Masonry Association of Florida (MAF) has hired Donna Hinson to fill the critical role of the MAF State Executive Director. MAF State Chairman Jerry Painter said the board voted unanimously at their 1st Quarter Board meeting on the decision to offer Ms. Hinson the position.

“Donna thankfully accepted,” said Painter. “Donna has a long history within the masonry industry. We are all very happy to open a new chapter in the Masonry Association of Florida with having a full-time executive director. Through her leadership we will continue to further on the MAF mission to educating the masonry industry decision makers on the benefits of masonry construction.”

“I am honored to accept this position and I look forward to working with our current members. Together, we will expand our membership base and continue to promote masonry by educating builders, educators, and the public on the strength and sustainability of masonry”, stated Hinson.

Donna holds a B.A. in Economics from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Donna gained extensive experience in management, sales, and finance while working for several Fortune 500 companies, including AT&T and Morgan Stanley, as well as Florida Masonry Contractors. Among her accomplishments, she facilitated critical cost-saving measures for several companies during periods of slow economic growth. She was a key participant in the merger of multiple businesses, streamlining a set of best practices for the newly formed company and thereby ensuring its future success. Donna has developed innovative safety programs and human-resource initiatives for several companies so as to ensure a safe work environment for their employees while also saving the companies time and money.

Most recently she worked for the Florida Masonry Apprentice and Educational Foundation as the Apprentice Coordinator of the Masonry Apprentice Programs in the West Coast Region. During her tenure as coordinator, she expanded the program by more than 400%.

Donna Hinson
MAF Executive Director
239-201-6089
donna@floridamasonry.com

###

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.

Brick, Block & Beers Vol II, Issue I :: March 2018

3/29/2018

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>

Contact Don Beers, PE, CGC
561-310-9902
don@floridamasonry.com