Masonry Magazine July 2001 Page. 45
MCAA EXPANDS ITS CODES AND STANDARDS INFLUENCE
We all know what ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) represents. They are the experts who write the standards that are adopted by building codes nationally and are used by every engineer everywhere. They are responsible for developing and maintaining ASCE 7 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, and many important construction Standards and documents. Over a decade ago, ASCE decided to develop a Standard entitled, ASCE 37-Design Loads on Structures During Construction.
The purpose of this Standard would be to help engineers determine the design loads on temporary and permanent structures during the construction process. It is the intention of the ASCE 37 committee to have this Standard adopted by building codes nationwide, just as their previous Standards.
What does this mean to the masonry industry and more importantly, to the mason contractor?
Because of structural masonry's unique inherent properties, masonry walls must be braced during construction. As most mason contractors know, OSHA's construction Standard 29 CFR 1926.706(b) states: "All masonry walls over eight feet in height shall be adequately braced to prevent overturning and to prevent collapse unless the wall is adequately supported so that it will not overturn or collapse. The bracing shall remain in place until permanent supporting elements of the structure are in place."
In 1999, the masonry industry and the MCAA addressed the issue of what "adequately braced" meant by releasing the Standard Practice for Bracing Masonry Walls Under Construction. This document was deemed acceptable to OSHA and is being widely used by mason contractors, general contractors and engineers everywhere. This document uses a 40-mph design wind speed, and an evacuation and restricted zone process that ensures life safety of all on or near the masonry wall.
The ASCE 37 Standard would require all engineers to design temporary bracing for wind speeds of 68-72 mph depending upon where in the US you are situated. If ASCE had its way, MCAA's document would be useless, and every mason contractor everywhere would have to hire an engineer to design bracing for 68 mph winds. This would drive up the total costs of the masonry wall tremendously, thus making masonry less competitive to other building systems. Contractors would bear most of this burden, because this affects the actual construction process. This not only affects the contractors, but also the suppliers, manufacturers, and engineers who specialize in masonry, because the higher the cost of the masonry system, the less likely it will be specified in the beginning.
What is MCAA doing about it?
In January of 2001, ASCE 37 released their Standard for public review. Upon finding out about this, MCAA, through Rashod Johnson, Director of Engineering, mobilized a large number of masonry industry professionals to fight this Standard that would make our product, masonry, cost-prohibitive.
In all, 8 different masonry industry professionals cast negative votes, five of which even appeared at the May 2001 ASCE 37 committee meetings to argue on our behalf. After months of discussion, ASCE agreed at their committee meeting to place the following wording in their Standard: "When an environmental loading is covered in another document, acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction, written to address a specific material or method of construction, the more applicable document shall be permitted to be followed."
They also agreed to place the July 2001 revision of the Standard for Bracing Masonry Walls Under Construction in the commentary section as a reference.
This was a big win for the masonry industry and mason contractors. This is just one example of how MCAA is starting to influence some of the codes and standards being developed. MCAA would like to thank the following organizations and people for their support in this matter: National Concrete Masonry Association, Brick Industry Association, Portland Cement Association, International Masonry Institute, Masonry Institute of Michigan, Illinois Masonry Institute, Incoming MSJC Chairman Professor Richard Klingner, and John S. Deerkoski PE, a consulting engineer from New York.
CONTRACTING BILL TO HALT BID SHOPPING INTRODUCED
Construction trade groups are lining up on opposite sides over a House bill that aims to end bid shopping on federal construction contracts.
The legislation, introduced May 16 by Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.), would penalize contractors who ask, require or pressure subcontractors to lower their bids. Penalties also would apply to contractors who, after submitting bids, accept lower prices from subcontractors without passing the savings on to the government. The bill has seven co-sponsors; there is no companion measure so far in the Senate.
The American Subcontractors Association supports Kanjorski's proposal, asserting it would improve federal construction management. But the Associated General Contractors opposes the bill, claiming it has potential for abuse.
Note from Editor: News Story appeared in the May 28, 2001 issue of Engineering News Record; compiled by Sherie Winston and Tom Ichniowski.