Report of the MCAA Technical Committee
Words: Jim Tann, Rashod Johnson, Diane Throop, John MelanderAs Chairman of the MCAA Technical Comminee, I would like to submit the following report to the Board. Since our 2007 Annual Meeting, we have been working hard on many issues that protect mason contractors throughout the nation.
Masonry Standards Joint Committee (MSJC) ACI 530
The Masonry Standards Joint Committee (MSJC) has completed the 2008 edition of the Masonry Code (ACI 530). Throughout 2008, the International Building Code (IBC) will be holding hearings that will result in the adoption of portions or all of the ACI 530 Code. In the past, there were only a few sections of ACI 530 that did not get adopted by the IBC, so the 2009 IBC should prove no different. This being the case, the ACI 530 Code is the national authority for masonry design in the US.
This past November 2007, the MSJC newly elected Chair, Mrs. Diane Throop, P.E. officially took over the Committee and held the first meetings for the 201 1 ACI 530. Traditionally there has not been much contractor representation at the Code level; however I was excited to see a few new MCAA members join and participate in the new Code cycle. With these new MSJC members, our consultant, Rashod R. Johnson, and Diane Throop as the Chair, the MCAA is in a good position to affect great changes to the Masonry Code this coming cycle.
Chairwoman Throop has implemented some changes to the committee that will be summarized here. The intent of these changes are to make the committee more efficient and produce a better work product.
- Vice Chair - Dr. David McLean with Executive task groups
- Editorial Subcommittee - Rochelle Jaffe
- Meetings will be scheduled to allow members to "visit" other subcommittees
- Online Balloting
The next MSJC meeting will be held May 15-17.2008 in Cancun, Mexico. Please visit www.masonrystandards.org or contact MCAA's technical consultant Rashod R. Johnson, P.E., at rashod@theroderickgroup.com for additional information.
American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM)
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) held its semi-annual fall meetings at the Marriott Tampa Waterside in Tampa, FL on Dec 4-7th, 2007. Committees C 12 on Masonry Mortars and C 15 on Manufactured Masonry Units held task group, subcommittee and main committee meetings over these three days and debated a variety of topics.
Rashod completed his term as an Executive Committee member of Committee C15 and renewed his term as Recording Secretary of Committee C12. John Melander of PCA renewed his term as Committee C12 Chairman, while Diane Throop will be replaced by Jim Tann of the Brick Institute - Mid east Region as Committee C15 Chairman.
Rashod continues to serve in various capacities as task group chair of C12.05.03 - Placement and Production of Masonry Grouts, C15.03.07 - Finish and Appearance and C15.05.07 - Masonry Workmanship. His in depth involvement in these Committees allows MCAA to stay informed and ahead of the curve as it pertains to ASTM Standards development.
Last year, a new subcommittee was formed on Manufactured Stone Veneer. This subcommittee has the charge of developing a specification and installation standard for manufactured stone veneer. Committee C15 decided to divide this committee and place the installation Standard in C15.05 - Masonry Assemblies and the testing Standards in C15.04 - Test Methods and Research. The product specification will remain in C15.11 - Manufactured Stone Masonry Veneers.
The workmanship standard task group's leadership has shifted from Jerry Painter to Rashod Johnson, P.E. C15 committee chairwoman Diane Throop, P.E. charged the task group with the challenge of completing this standard within a year's time. While this charge may seem daunting, Rashod is confident he can lead this standard to completion.