Masonry Magazine April 2004 Page. 31
MASONRY COMPUTER ESTIMATING
Now in 3D
by Tradesmen's Software
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CIRCLE 163 ON READER SERVICE CARD
April 2004
Masonry 29
Exposed to fire, block doesn't burn, melt, twist or warp. And, after being blasted by a fire hose, block can be cleaned and repainted, while competing materials usually need replacement.
Flexibility
KRJ'S MASONRY DESIGN for the building takes into account the often unpredictable program changes that are sure to occur. "We're building in the capability for future wiring into the masonry with empty conduits and junction boxes with pull-wire where they can run cable or fiber optic wiring," says Anton.
Speed
ONE OF THE BEST-KEPT SECRETS about masonry is how fast it goes up. When Festus school officials moved the production schedule up by two months, their decision placed a heightened premium on speed of construction. To be able to meet or beat the tight deadline within budget, the decision was made to build with loadbearing construction techniques.
"As soon as the footings were in, we started laying masonry," says Dale Propst of Propst Masonry, the mason contractor on the job. "When we finished the first floor, the bar joists were there, and we moved on to the next floor. "It couldn't have gone any better," Propst states.
When people look at this building and the materials used versus other building materials, the quality of the project will be very evident." -Dr. Martin Boyer, Festus School District Asst. Superintendent
Paul Brockmiller, President of Brockmiller Construction and the project's general contractor, adds, "Loadbearing construction really allowed us to expedite our interior finishes. Once the block wall was scraped down and cleaned up, we were ready to paint."
Thanks to loadbearing masonry and everyone pulling together, the project sped along and the building was ready for the second semester.
"Masonry is what made the job," says Propst. "The masonry was done in time, and everything went well-a real win-win."
The Festus School District is especially happy, and with good reason. Not only was the new building completed two months ahead of schedule, but its masonry exterior and concrete block partition walls will be producing significant life cycle cost savings for decades to come.
Looking over all the benefits the district is going to receive by building with masonry, Dr. Boyer proudly summarized his satisfaction, saying: "I think that when people look at this building and the materials used versus other building materials, the quality of the project will be very evident."
The Voice of the Mason Contractor