Building concrete foundations requires a solid understanding of changing building codes, emerging materials and safe construction practices. Contractors face new challenges on job sites every day. To help our members navigate these complexities, the Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) has revised the CFA Technical Committee.

This dedicated group of professionals was established to support the broader mission of the CFA. Their primary focus is to help staff review and develop technical resources and documents. The group will also help monitor important industry committees and ensure the accuracy of the educational materials provided by the CFA.

Understanding the function of this new committee is important for all members. This article explores the core purpose of the group, its key activities and how its behind-the-scenes work directly supports the concrete foundations industry.

STRUCTURE OF THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

The committee operates under the direction of the CFA Board of Directors. It is composed of industry professionals with diverse backgrounds in concrete construction. To ensure a thorough review process and prevent the workload from falling on just one or two people, the committee maintains a roster of at least five members.

The committee recently had its first meeting and is planning to meet a minimum of four times annually to discuss ongoing projects, draft resources and plan future initiatives. By centralizing this review process, the committee helps the CFA maintain a high standard of quality assurance across all its published materials.

We want to thank the following dedicated members who have stepped up to the plate to help launch this committee a pave the way to ensure it serves as an efficient and helpful resource:

• Kirby Justesen
• Amanda Kurt
• Bruce Neal
• Evan Resetar
• Scott Smith
• Sean Smith
• Russ Talpey

A TIERED APPROACH TO TECHNICAL INQUIRIES

One of the most valuable services the CFA provides is fielding technical inquiries from our members. Because the CFA receives questions regarding codes and practices, a streamlined process is necessary. The Technical Committee plays a specific role in a newly defined three-tiered response system.

First, the CFA staff handles initial responses within six hours. The staff directs inquiries to existing CFA resources, provides information as available and suggests outside consultants when necessary.

The second line of response involves ACI Engineering. Inquiries that require more code-related technical information are sent to this group with a target turnaround of 48 business hours. This option provides technical context but does not offer specific design guidance. If a member requires dedicated design help, the CFA team can help connect them with outside engineering consultants.

The CFA Technical Committee serves as the third line of support. They can review inquiries within the month for individuals who need an added layer of information beyond what the CFA staff and ACI can provide. This tiered system ensures members get answers quickly while preserving the committee’s bandwidth for broader resource development.

DRAFTING RESOURCES, TOOLS AND GUIDELINES

The bulk of the committee’s work centers on collaborating with the CFA team to develop, review and maintain valuable resources like our Tech Notes. These documents address specific challenges and standard practices within residential concrete  construction. The committee is actively reviewing and finalizing several important Tech Notes for the membership. Completed notes include guidance on using ACI 332 with the International Residential Code, backfilling foundation walls, casting residential foundation walls in cold weather and most recently, interpreting nominal concrete wall thickness.

MONITORING INDUSTRY COMMITTEES & STANDARDS

To keep the CFA and its members ahead of the curve, the Technical Committee actively monitors other industry updates and activities. This monitoring is critical for advocating for the residential concrete sector and ensuring that new codes do not negatively impact contractors.

Committee members keep a close eye on the American Concrete Institute and its specific subcommittees. This includes monitoring ACI 380 for residential concrete work and ACI 332. The team also tracks ACI C655 to stay informed on the latest testing and certification criteria and standards for the Residential Concrete Foundation Certification . By keeping a pulse on these external committees, the CFA Technical Committee can advise the association on upcoming changes and help prepare members for shifting regulatory landscapes.

The Technical Committee also supports CFA’s goal of education by soliciting and contributing content for various educational platforms. They play an active role in shaping the technical topics covered in the CFA Magazine and are even planning a technical panel discussion at the upcoming CFACON.

The establishment of the CFA Technical Committee marks a significant step forward for the association. By dedicating a specific group to review documents, draft resources and monitoring industry standards, the CFA is better equipped to support its members and help staff maintain excellence within our organization.

Through their virtual meetings and deep industry knowledge, the committee ensures that contractors have access to vetted tools and accurate information. As the concrete foundations industry continues to evolve, this committee will remain a steadfast resource for promoting safety, accuracy and professional excellence across every project.