CFA Enters New Dimension of Education
Yes, the Internet can be a rather intimidating arena for people looking for information and services to improve their businesses. Fortunately, there are opportunities that exist to help break down the many barriers and intimidating factors. This issue, we would like to introduce you to one of the newest ways we at CFA are working to improve the level of comfort and increase the opportunities you have to interact with our online services.
We know that providing online engineering software is quickly becoming a key benefit for CFA members and is also becoming increasingly attractive to many non-members. Between software designing basement walls and the newest addition for retaining walls, the CFA has created a suite of possibilities that greatly reduce the hardships of determining what is required for a given design. We also know, however, there is room for improvement and one of the leading issues detracting use of the software is the lack of comfort with the Internet and computer software environments. This is why the CFA has selected WebEx to begin establishing a higher level of comfort with our more technical resources.
WHY WEBEX
WebEx is one of many collaborative websites that exist in today’s highly-evolving on-demand delivery market. More and more companies and individuals are finding less time available to travel while wanting to control costs associated with education. In addition, the improvements in collaborative technology is allowing service-related providers to deliver content and education to a wider audience with less cost and more frequency. Therefore, it is a perfect fit for our industry where schedules are far too crammed with work to be performed and distances to travel still too great to effectively educate significant numbers.
The CFA WebEx Advantage, through joint partnership with the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA), the CFA has created a unique and custom online classroom environment where training can take place at any time and on any schedule. The WebEx interface is not only clean, it is very efficient and allows you to participate seamlessly with training that we provide. This training will expand to additional resources that we currently offer as well as those that are in the development process. Together with a CFA staff member, you will be taken through the aspects of the subject both visually and audibly. All you need is a comfortable chair next to a computer with an Internet connection (dial-up will do if you have at least two lines) and a telephone.
A schedule of seminars will be continually updated on the CFA Events Calendar describing the type of topic offered. From here, all you need to do is register for the event by calling CFA headquarters or emailing the staff liaison listed. The fee for the class will be described and can be invoiced to you or received through one of these contacts.
Once we determine the best way for processing, you will also be able to sign up for these and pay automatically through our standard transaction service. One thing to note is that the individual classrooms are limited to 14 people plus the moderator so be sure to register early to reserve your participation. You may sign up more than one station for the same fee to be paid by each connection.
The moment you open the link provided to you for the conference, you will notice the clean look and ease with which this education will be provided. Figure 1 shows the main screen that will delivered to your computer once you have successfully logged on. There are three main areas to this screen for your participation.
The first is the program area, displaying initially the agenda for the meeting along with a welcome message. Once the class starts, this screen will change to the application that your staff liaison is using for the class. Whether it is the CFA online engineering or a PowerPoint presentation on educating builders, you will see exactly what we are portraying with very little and likely no delay.
The next area for you to be aware of is the Participants List. This is kept current to show who is logged in and what their status is. You will also be able to select a particular person from this list to chat with directly or pose a follow-up question if one is asked that you feel would best be responded to without interrupting the class.
Finally, the last area of the screen is the chat zone. This is the area where questions can be asked through typed messages, materials can be cued for download to the participants and general nonverbal communication. Through these areas, you will receive a full education on the subject matter we provide and be able to interact effectively, preparing you for the next step on your own.
WHAT WILL YOU HEAR?
We certainly recognize that most people are able to communicate through the phone much more freely than through the computer. Therefore we have chosen a telecommunications system (the same one we use for all committee conference calls) to allow all of us to be connected at one time. Through this add-on, we will be able to very effectively communicate with each other, to ask and field questions and describe the visuals that will be in front of us.
Occasionally conversations can be dominated or the moderator can get on a roll. This is the advantage of the combined chat message on the computer side so that you can interrupt or cue a question without feeling like you are interrupting.
That’s a quick overview of what you really need to know about WebEx. As we find more details or perhaps items of importance that come from users as they interface with us, we may bring you some updates. However, with two classes under our belts now and with the promise of many more to come, we hope to see each one of you in a classroom soon. So check out the available times and subjects on our Calendar of Events. If you have suggestions on topics you would like to see added, please contact us. We know that the future will hold opportunities for Cold Weather, ACI 332 and Cast-In-Place Foundation seminars. Although this can’t begin to replace the interaction and significance of our Summer and Regional meetings (see Talia’s wrapup article of the Pittsburgh event) we do know that it will open the doors to more of you discovering the advantage of being a CFA member.
Jim Baty, Technical Director jbaty@cfawalls.orgCFA Online Educational Opportunities
The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) now offers educational courses online. Jim Baty, CFA’s Technical Director, will instruct registrants on the features and benefits of the basement wall and retaining wall software packages available on the CFA website, www.cfawalls.org. Registrants will be able to view the step-by-step instructions online from their own computers while they ask questions over the phone in a teleconference environment.
After completing the hourlong course, registrants will have the tools necessary to make key decisions during the design process resulting in successful wall designs.
The CFA engineering programs help poured wall contractors design retaining walls to comply with ACI-318, the general design code for concrete construction (soon to be updated to ACI-332 for residential concrete). The basement wall program allows contractors to design a basement wall using CABO95, IRC 2000, UBC, BOCA97 or ACI318-99 codes. Designs can be submitted and approved by an engineering stamp within 24 hours through Consulting Engineers Corporation, the company who designed the software.
The class fee is $50 per connection, and classes are limited to fourteen registrants per session. The schedule for classes can be found at the CFA website.
Can’t Live With It, Can’t Live Without It
Technology, wow, what’s next? It is hard to comprehend how the life of the concrete contractor has changed in recent years. I remember when very simple (by today’s standards) Boman Instruments pocket calculators went on sale for about $120 each. If I recall correctly, it took three AA batteries. Now a solar powered -1/16 the size- much more capable version, is free in a box of cereal! My first cell phone weighed about nine pounds, was bigger than a shoe box, cost $1,800 to purchase and a small fortune per minute to use. I just ran my latest cell phone (which was free, has games, a calculator, calendar, and takes pictures) through the washing machine because it is so small I forgot it was in my pants pocket! Our company had been pouring concrete for a little local outfit called Spectra-Physics (now Trimble), for several years before they talked me into buying our first “Level-Eye” Laser. I think we own 15 or 16 of them now and cannot imagine doing without. In the mid 90’s we decided to purchase a Geodimeter robotic total station for layouts. This was after Barry Herbert (Herbert Construction Co.) and Scott Smith (MPW, Inc.) beat it into my head that such a big expenditure could pay off. Geodimeter (also part of Trimble now), as well as other instrument companies, have since expanded on this magic machine and its capabilities. The list goes on: fax machines and copiers, blueprint copiers, satellite weather systems, and concrete pumps, wow! All of these gadgets have done for us what plastic pipe did for plumbers – totally changed and improved our productivity.
And then there are the PC’s! My golly, how have they changed our lives and companies? Is there anybody out there who is not utilizing this powerful tool yet? There are not too many days when I don’t get an e-mail from a CFA member somewhere, written at 10:30 at night and I can open whenever it suits me. As a test, I just typed “Cold Weather Concrete” into “Google.” In less than half of a second, I got more information, ranked by importance, than I could ever weed through. I can’t define incredible if that isn’t it! Another small example of how the computer can help you is the “On-Line Engineering” program that CEC, Jim Baty, and the CFA staff have worked so hard to create. It is not only amazing that you as a CFA member can sit down at a computer for a few minutes and come up with an engineered plan for a basement or retaining wall, but it is kind of fun too! It certainly beats the heck out of scouring through the code books for hours and having to draw your own details. Give it a try or better yet, sign on for one of Jim’s “on-line classes” to see how it can help you.
Keep in mind all the good things these technological breakthroughs have done for us. This will help you smile through the times when your computer locks up or you are trying to understand the “users quick guide” which outweighs the cell phone it came with by about four to one!
Terry Lavy, CFA President, Lavy Concrete Construction Inc. terry@lavyconcrete.comHurricane Katrina: Can CFA Members Help?
The world was stunned by the devastation wrought on Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama by Hurricane Katrina. The images, as horrifying as they were, couldn’t convey how complete the destruction was. Hurricane Rita then extended the problems to the west, including Texas. The extent of the damage defies description and understanding.
What we do understand is that the area will be rebuilt. Perhaps not every block and structure as it was, but structures and homes to shelter the commerce, history, and people who call the area home will be replaced, as they should be.
Nature, or other forces, will undoubtedly strike the area again. Planning should consider the forces that need to be resisted so when the rebuilding is done, the result will be able to sustain the area through future events. The lowest lying areas should be raised or returned to marshland and if structures are built, they should be built higher and more durable. A lot of our tax dollars will be spent restoring the Gulf Coast to its prehurricane splendor but let’s not let the need perpetuate substandard solutions.
Disasters, such as the hurricanes, evoke the sympathy and most of us ask, “how can we help?” The CFA and its members are in a position to provide a significant contribution to this effort, one that will benefit both the area and our industry. We recently queried our members to see who would like to help and in what way. Suggestions included setting up a satellite operation in the area to build above grade homes (for a profit), providing personnel to assist in the clean-up and reconstruction, purchase of equipment from contractors who no longer have a business but still have debt on the equipment, and contributing money.
The results thus far indicate many are willing to set up a remote or satellite operation in the area to build homes. A lot of “ifs” need to be resolved before such an effort can take place but CFA staff will make certain this offer of assistance is channeled to the right people. It could be several months before many of the residents can return but that time will be needed to coordinate the reconstruction effort.
If you did not receive this initial survey of interest and want to assist, make sure you contact the CFA so that we can include you in our response. If you have connections that can expedite our efforts, communicate them to our staff. We will be working with other concrete and relief organizations to make every effort to see that our offer receives consideration. Let’s turn this catastrophe into a positive experience for all.
Ed Sauter, Executive Director, CFA esauter@cfawalls.orgInspectors and Home Builders Invited to CFA Regional Conference
Builders and inspectors in Western Pennsylvania are invited to the Concrete Foundations Association’s (CFA) Regional Conference on Friday, September 16, at the Embassy Suites Hotel Pittsburgh International Airport in Coraopolis, PA.
The regional conference, hosted by the CFA local chapter Western Pennsylvania Concrete Foundations Association, is a daylong event that offers seminars on such topics as the National Home Builders Association’s Cast-In-Place Concrete Foundations course and how cold weather influences residential construction.
The National Home Builders Association’s course covers the logistics of cast-in-place concrete foundation construction with references to design standards and code requirements. It also provides proper excavation techniques, safety considerations, and water management procedures. “The event covers topics regularly presented on a national scope but at a local level,” states Ed Sauter, executive director of CFA. “Builders and inspectors will come away with a better understanding of the issues and forces affecting cast-in-place foundations.”
CEU credits are available for attending. Contact the Concrete Foundations Association at 319-895-6940 for registration information, or visit www.cfawalls.org to register online.
CFA Members Working On Concrete Homes Progress
For more than 30 years, CFA members have been making it their priority to construct durable, superior basements, but recently many of these individuals have begun taking concrete construction to the next level— concrete homes.
Sharing a mutual love and respect for concrete, CFA members want to stay on the cutting edge of their industry and of concrete technology by diversifying their business with concrete home construction. Here’s some of the progress they’ve made to date this year.
One individual who has perfected the art of concrete home building is John Childs. The former president of Secure Structures in Raytown, Mo., Childs is now serving as the training coordinator for Wall-Ties & Forms, Inc. in Kansas City, Mo. Having worked with Wall-Ties on nearly 20 homes to date, Childs knows what is takes to pour one and two-story concrete structures.
His most recent build was a 6,200 square foot home in Kansas City, Mo., for his father-in-law, Ross Worley, CEO of Wall-Ties and CFA member since 1978. On this project, Childs also used concrete to produce a rounded breakfast room, swimming pool, hot tub, staircase, retaining wall and arched windows. The five bedroom, five-bathroom house also boasts a second-story safe room combination theater room. Worley opted to add two solid steel doors to his window-free theater room, achieving maximum tornado protection.
Childs and Worley plan to continue producing concrete homes. Their next project will be to design and build a 3,000 square foot, one-and-a-half-story home with a daylight basement for Childs’ sister-in-law in Raytown, Mo. They plan to break ground this fall.
A CFA member since 1991, Mark Markovich of Dependant Foundations, Inc. in Brighton, Mich., has also recently begun experimenting in concrete home construction. Markovich’s longtime friend, Matt Eckman, asked him to build him a traditional ranch home, made entirely of concrete. The Heartland, Mich., home will have a total of 6,068 square feet divided between the basement and main floor.
When finished, Eckman’s house will have three bedrooms and three bathrooms. In the basement there will be a room that is 30’8″ x 24’8″ with a 26’ concrete beam. Eckman opted for the extra-long beam to eliminate the need for poles throughout the basement and to achieve a more open space. This is just one of the details Eckman researched before construction began; he understands how important preparation is to get the ideal end result using concrete.
“You need to have all of your mechanicals well thought out ahead of time, as it is difficult and messy to cut concrete after the fact,” Eckman says. “Your plans will need to be more detailed than what you might use in a traditional stick-built home. It’s not easy to move a heating register, outlet or doorway after the pour.”
This project has been educational for both men and Markovich admits that the learning curve was much more difficult for his first concrete build than he expected. Being that it is also the first concrete home the majority of the crew has ever worked on, the basement level took a little longer than expected to form, but once they found their groove, the second story was poured in no time. Markovich plans to continue concrete home construction in the future.
Rich Kubica, owner of K-Wall Poured Walls, Inc. in Traverse City, Mich., has been a CFA member since 2001 and has recently completed his fourth concrete building project. The latest of these is a 2,400 square foot home in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom house was built into rock on the top part of a hill and was poured in one monolithic pour. It was a very challenging work environment, but according to Kubica, the benefits of concrete homes are ideal for the environment.
“People building on St. John choose concrete because they want their homes to be still standing after hurricane season and also because termites are a large problem in the area,” Kubica says. “The weather in St. John is beautiful year-round, making working conditions pleasant even in the winter season. Building on an island is also like living on one—there are risks, but so many gains. We gained the knowledge and pride of delivering our customer a beautiful, safe and secure concrete home.”
Kubica’s other projects include a 6,500 square foot, five-bedroom, four-bathroom home in Traverse City, Mich., that includes a concrete basement and first floor, along with a wood-frame second story. He also built himself a 2,400 square foot office and a 5,500 square foot shop with 18-foot walls. All of his projects were built using the E-MAXX Thermal Wall System that he and his wife, Patty, designed and patented.
With four concrete projects currently under his belt, Kubica plans to push forward in concrete home building by teaming up with open minded and quality conscious builders.
Dave Pfanmiller, partner of Security Building Group in Sneads Ferry, N.C., and CFA member since 2002, continues his progress in North Carolina with the completion of two million dollar custom homes—one in Surf City, N.C., and another 4,083 square foot, four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath home in North Topsail Island, N.C. His next project includes a town house project in Topsail Island, N.C.
Now that your fellow CFA members are taking concrete construction to new heights, when are you planning to build yours?
by Rachel Zwerneman, Op5 Creative, Inc. Rachel Zwerneman is a project coordinator for Op5 Creative, Inc. in Atlanta, Ga. She is a recent graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in magazine journalism.CIFA USA, Inc. Appoints New Senior Vice President
CIFA SpA of Milan, Italy, a worldwide leader in concrete management equipment is proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Matteo Rolla to Senior Vice President of CIFA USA, Inc., headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Matteo Rolla has been in this position since October 2004 and is relocating to the United States in September 2005. Mr. Rolla has been employed by CIFA SpA since 2002 and has held the positions of Far East Area Manager, India, South America and most recently Executive Vice President, responsible for North and South America operations.
CIFA USA, Inc. has manufacturing, parts inventory, service and sales facilities in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is a full-service subsidiary of the 77-year old, worldwide manufacturer and distributor of concrete management products. For over 35 years, CIFA has been in the forefront of design and technology of truckmounted concrete boom pumps which are distributed in the United States and Canada through CIFA USA, Inc.
CIFA USA, INC. — INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
CIFA SpA, headquartered in Milan, Italy, one of the world’s leading suppliers of truck-mounted concrete boom pumps announces future plans for its subsidiary, CIFA USA, Inc., located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Mr. Matteo Rolla, Senior Vice President of CIFA USA, Inc. reports tremendous growth in sales of CIFA equipment in the U.S. market. “Our philosophy of ‘Quality First’ has paid off in the marketplace and resulted in CIFA’s construction of a new, larger manufacturing facility to service this growth market”.
The groundbreaking ceremony for Phase I was held on July 18, 2005 at the 8-acre site of the new headquarters located in Yorkville, Wisconsin, just south of Milwaukee. “The initial construction project will include a state-of-the-art, 35,000 square feet facility for manufacturing, parts inventory, service and sales offices,” reports Matteo Rolla. “This initial $4 million investment will assure CIFA customers of our continued commitment to the highest level of service and quality equipment in the US and Canada.”
Scheduled completion of Phase I of the facility during the first quarter of 2006 will allow CIFA USA to accommodate the 25% growth in sales and increased personnel required to sustain this success. Future plans include expansion to quadruple the size of the Wisconsin facility.
CFA Awards Gary Bromley of ABI Corporation
Gary Bromley of ABI Corporation was awarded the Robert D. Sawyer Distinguished Service Award at the CFA annual awards luncheon July 8, 2005 at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco in San Francisco, CA.
Bromley, founder of ABI Corporation, is recognized for his dedication to the industry for over three decades. Founded in 1968, ABI was originally operated out of Bromley’s own basement. In 1988, ABI moved to its current location and has grown into a leading concrete foundation contractor in Kansas City. Their company now employs 50 dedicated employees with diverse experience in residential and commercial construction.
Bromley’s attitude about the industry goes hand in hand with how ABI Corporation is run.
“We constantly strive for and are driven by the highest customer satisfaction with a dedication to quality and service.” states Dan Bromley, president of ABI and son of Gary.
The ABI Corporation began sharing ideas and innovations with others in the CFA in 1988, and have been an active member ever since. Gary Bromley was CFA president in 1995 and 1996, and his son, Dan, currently sits on the board of directors. Over the years, Bromley has helped the CFA set higher industry standards by setting many fine examples of quality, several which were entries in the “Basement from Hell” contest.
Bromley accepted the award stating, “I am not only honored to be acknowledged on the same level as Bob Sawyer, but with all the men who have received this award before me.”
The Robert D. Sawyer Award is named on behalf of Bob Sawyer, the first CFA executive director, and it is presented to a contractor member whose contributions to the industry merit recognition. The award recognizes individuals who commit countless time and resources to serve the industry, as Bob Sawyer did for the CFA. Bob Sawyer passed away last year after a brief illness. His inspiration and leadership brought together a group of minds that are focused on improving the technology and practices in the poured wall industry.
CFA Board of Directors Elected at 2005 Summer Meeting
The Concrete Foundations Association elected five new members to the Board of Directors, and re-elected three current directors, at the annual meeting held in conjunction with the Summer Meeting in San Francisco, July 6, 2005.
New directors are Lance Jordan, Stephens & Smith Construction Company, Inc.; Kirby Justesen, Formco Foundations; and Jim Rowe, Fastrac Foundations. Phil Marone of Marone Contractors, Inc. was elected to fill a one-year term for Greg Peacock of Peacock Construction, who resigned from the Board to focus on developing the Georgia Local Chapter. Current members reelected were Dan Bromley, ABI Corporation; Bill Esker, J.B. Esker & Sons, Inc.; and Amanda Morris, Herbert Construction Company.
The Board of Directors met following the election of directors to determine the officers for the coming year. President Terry Lavy of Lavy Concrete Construction presided as he continues his two year term; Brad Schrock, Custom Concrete Company, Inc., was installed as vice president; Mark Markovich, Dependant Foundations, as secretary and Dan Bromley, ABI Corporation as treasurer. Bruce Neale, Modern Foundations, Inc. continues his role as past president coinciding with President Lavy’s term.
Directors are usually selected from those who are active in CFA committees and who express a desire to serve. To learn more about the current directors, visit www.cfawalls.org for their member profiles. If you are interested in learning what board and committee services entail, contact Executive Director Ed Sauter at esauter@cfawalls.org or call CFA national headquarters at 866-CFA-WALL (232-9255). A complete list of committees can be found in the CFA membership directory.
Alaskans Learn About Cold From the CFA
Until April, Anchorage, Alaska’s building department required a contractor to tent and heat foundations for 72 hours after placement when night time temperatures were below 35 degrees. This usually meant between October 15th through April 15th. For an average 2,000 square-feet two story house, this would cost $2,500 – $3,500 for sheet plastic, heat, and labor. It almost always means heating through the weekend, taking it down for the boom pump several times, resetting it numerous times when the wind blows it down on Sunday night or digging it out when a 12-inch snow storm buries it.
Many of us contractors did not grow up in Anchorage. I grew up in Lansing, Michigan and Paul Michelsohn grew up in New York. We both knew not all cities had such extreme requirements as Anchorage. About four years ago I called the building department in Lansing to find out that their policy is “if it is 20 degrees at 8:00 a.m., and it is scheduled to get to 21 degrees that day, you can do anything you want with no heat.” My friends say they pour when it’s even colder. That year, we put a request in the National Association of Home Builders magazine, asking people to email their local policy to us. That’s when Terry Lavy of Lavy Concrete Construction called, and we have been in contact ever since.
Our goal was to adopt a policy similar to Lansing’s, and also reduce the required tenting time when we are pouring below 21 degrees. From the beginning, we knew that guys from the CFA were pros on this subject and we should piggy back on CFA’s efforts. While waiting for the cold weather study results, Michelsohn started pumping the code review committee of the National Home Builders Association in 2002 to address this issue. Immediately after CFA’s final results were completed, Michelsohn invited CFA member Brad Barnes, of North Central Engineering LTD, to give a two hour continued education course, with the Anchorage building officials present, on December 5, 2004. Barnes kept everyone on the edge of their seats while he talked about concrete curing. Sounds impossible doesn’t it? Even the building officials were convinced. Then on January 10, 2005, Barnes attended the International Builders Show to speak to the code review committee.
“Finally, everybody’s lights went on,” stated Michelsohn.
People came up to Michelsohn and said they finally understood what he had been talking about for the past three years and they have the same problem in their area.
In February, when we finally received our CFA Cold Weather Concrete Reports, we immediately went to our building officials. We chose to pursue mixes that were in the study’s field test, since they were exposed to temperatures in the teens and lower. It was quite easy to convince the officials to allow the builders to “place Mix #29 or Mix #34 at a slump of six or less, without tenting, when the temperature at the jobsite is 20 degrees or warmer. Calcium is to be replaced with NCA.”
One hurdle we see as an issue is the resistance to pouring against cold rebar. Future studies need to address what is acceptable when rebar is used. As for now, we are thankful for the CFA’s hard work (Terry Lavy, Jim Baty, Brad Barnes, and the rest of the cold weather committee) and for keeping us informed along the way. Finally, we can pour concrete foundations in Anchorage like probably half the country always has – with cold hands.
By Evan Rowland, Alaska Homes Inc.
