A publication of the Concrete Foundations Association
Concrete Facts Magazine Online
Feature
2013 Projects of the Year Overall Grand Project: Private Single-Family Residence >5000 sq.ft.
Private Singe-Family Residence >5000 sq.ft. Private Residence Ekedal Concrete Laguna Beach, California The Overall Grand project for 2013 is a cliff-dwelling private residence foundation from Laguna Beach, California. Submitted by CFA member, Ekedal Concrete, Inc., this 11,000 square foot California “cliff-hanger” has a mat slab footing ranging from 4 feet to 4 feet 6 inches […]
Shut Down: DOT Compliance in the Twenty-First Century
Shut Down: DOT Compliance in the Twenty-First Century What do you think about DOT compliance? Do you consider it your number one concern? Number two? Number three? The chances are it is not something that you think about very much. In your industry, DOT compliance has simply not been that big of a problem […]
8 Steps To Prevent Construction Site Theft
by Kimberly Hegeman, originally published on ForConstructionPros.com Theft and vandalism account for $1 billion a year in losses and other costs to contractors; here’s how to prevent it from happening at your jobsites Construction equipment and material theft is big business, and it’s growing. Estimates say that theft and vandalism account for $1 billion a year in losses and other costs to builders, a number […]
Post-Injury Testing
To efficiently and effectively manage workers’ compensation claims, many companies have implemented a program for injured workers to undergo a physical capability evaluation and functional assessment of the major muscle groups of knees, shoulders and low back along their entire range of motion in both extension and flexion. This evaluation will show the injured worker’s current physical abilities and aid […]
Robotic Systems for Layout — A Consultant’s View
It has been a while since any of us have even wanted to think about investing in more layout equipment or upgrading the current systems. Here are just a few ideas on the subject and things that you may want to consider: 1st…Relax, you did it right the first time Chances are your existing system (Geodimeter/Trimble 5600 systems or […]
CFA WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS… ANOTHER GENERATION
Without a doubt, one of the most exciting aspects of remaining connected to a powerful industry organization is the evidence of evolution and the perspective that it brings to your business. Benjamin Franklin once said, “When you’re finished changing, you’re finished.” Certainly one can adamantly support this for the goals and challenges of an Association […]
Magazine Issues
How to Remove Concrete Buildup
By Destry Kenning, Forming Market Segment Manager, Nox-Crete Products Group We have reached the end of this series, and this final article is timely, as this time of year many contractors are burdened with hardened concrete buildup on their forms. The hardened concrete makes forms heavier and can lead to more buildup. Stripping the forms […]
Letter From the Director
Spring Will Arrive! “I am done with winter!” I’ve heard this statement throughout my community, noticed it in most conversations with members and others that use us for our information resources, and seen it plastered across news and social media. Yet, I’m reminded that we have only had six weeks of it. While short, it […]
Casting Residential Foundation Walls in Cold Weather
By James R Baty II, F.ACI, Executive Director During a recent CFA event, conversation took place regarding the research significance undertaken by the Association at the start of this new millennium – research that was, in most respects, the first of its kind. What plagued the industry at that time was scrutiny that concrete placed […]
What Causes Concrete Build-up on Forms
Part 3 of a 4-Part Series By Destry Kenning, Forming Market Segment Manager, Nox-Crete Products Group Just about all concrete-forming contractors will tell you that one of the challenges they face on job sites is keeping their forms clean, or, more specifically, preventing concrete buildup on the working faces of their forms. Theoretically, if you […]
Letter From the Director
Thoughts From My Desk… “You are simply not going to believe it.” This is the phrase I have been using regularly as I talk with many of you reading this magazine, whether you are a CFA member, or one of the many companies across this great country to whom I have the privilege of casting […]
Letter from the President
Hello CFA Contractor and Associate Members! With the close of 2018 almost here, I view this as the perfect time to offer some thoughts regarding our businesses and our association. It seems that each year brings new challenges and that running our businesses takes more of our time and energy. Even in a good economy, […]
Stephens & Smith Construction Company Revives Student-Learner Program
FEATURE ARTICLE: Stephens & Smith Construction Company Revives Student-Learner Program By Jereme Montgomery, Business Development Many of you reading this article will testify that the skill gap is real. There is a shortage of skilled craftsmen in the construction industry, and it has continued (and will continue) to effect quantity and quality of structures built […]
Get More Workers: How to Use an Employee Referral Program to Bring in More People
By Doug Herbert How much does it cost a contractor to hire one employee? According to my concrete contractor buddies, Sean Smith from Cleveland, Ohio and Jason Ells from Indianapolis, Indiana, the amount is at least $1,000 per new employee. Based on my experience and calculations, that number is spot on. Here are just […]
Maintaining “Alternative Fall Protection Plans” Under OSHA Regulations
Adequate Fall Protection in Residential Concrete Foundation Pouring: Maintaining “Alternative Fall Protection Plans” Under OSHA Regulations By Michael G. Latiff and Mark W. Steiner On May 1, 2017, the secretary of labor for the Northeast District of Ohio issued what can be fairly characterized as an unprecedented serious citation to a residential concrete foundation […]
Projects of the Year: Customer Challenges Deliver Award-Winning Results
CFA PROJECTS OF THE YEAR 2018: Customer Challenges Deliver Award-Winning Results This article features the Concrete Foundation Association’s Projects of the Year, the expanding industry recognition program that features high-quality concrete work that is all too soon, never seen again. Projects are submitted by member organizations in a variety of project categories and are reviewed […]
Matching Form Release Agents to Application Methods: Part II
TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT: Matching Form Release Agents to Application Methods Part 2 of a 4-Part Series By Destry Kenning, Forming Market Segment Manager, Nox-Crete Products Group Formwork requires a considerable investment, but even the best forms cannot produce the best results unless they are paired with the proper form release agent. To prevent the adhesion […]
Letter from the Director: Thoughts from my Desk…
Thoughts From My Desk… Throughout the 26th volume of Concrete Facts magazine, I will be sharing insights from the many interactions I have with members, non-member companies and the general public. My goals are first, to show you how the challenges faced are universal throughout North America, and second, to use these interactions to help […]
