• CFA Tech Note 014: Interpreting Nominal Concrete Wall Thickness

    Wednesday, April 1, 2026

    Introduction  A frequent point of discussion between contractors, designers and code authorities involves the interpretation of “nominal” versus “actual” concrete wall thickness. This technical note provides clarification on this topic by examining relevant building codes and industry standards. Understanding the code-defined relationship between nominal and actual dimensions is essential for ensuring compliance and project continuity.  Analysis of Code Requirements  The International Residential […]

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  • Volver a construir mejor: Resiliencia

    Friday, March 13, 2026

    Cuarto artículo de la serie  De Joe Nasvik  Una vez que se toma la decisión de construir una casa, la siguiente cuestión que hay que resolver es cómo se debe construir. El mejor sistema de construcción es aquel que sea más adecuado para los ocupantes actuales y futuros. El uso de pautas de sostenibilidad y resiliencia […]

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  • Building Back Better Resiliency

    Friday, March 13, 2026

    BY JOE NASVIK  This is the fourth and final article of the Building Back Better series.  After the decision is made to build a house, the next issue to resolve is how it should be built. The best building system is one that will be best for the current and future occupants. Using sustainability and resilience guidelines is […]

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  • 2025 CFA Consulting Members Directory

    Friday, March 6, 2026

    CFA works with many great consultants. If you are looking for consulting services, visit one of the companies below: BIC bicauctions.com BIC is a used concrete equipment specialist serving contrac­tors, manufacturers and lenders nationwide. The company helps industry professionals unlock value from idle or un­derutilized assets—whether it’s a single unit or an entire fleet. Their […]

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  • Interns posing in front of Custom Concrete building

    We See You: Custom Concrete Shouts Out Their Interns

    Friday, October 3, 2025

    Custom Concrete recently took time to celebrate the next generation of industry leaders by highlighting the contributions of their interns.

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Feature

Jun
18

When it comes to your education, WHAT IS CFA PROVIDING?

CFA provides a forum… One of the essential ingredients of CFA is the forum that it provides for contractors to exchange ideas and information both through meetings and newsletter articles. With a membership in excess of 300, members throughout the United States and Canada turn to each other for advice and professional assistance. CFA provides meetings… […]

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Jun
18

THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION

Mechanization and technology have vastly improved the concrete foundation industry from the inception of the CFA only thirty years ago. Boom trucks, concrete pumps, and conveyors have reduced much of the back-breaking work accompanied with the construction of concrete foundations. Technology in the form of CAD and robotic layout instruments have greatly improved productivity and […]

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May
8

PCA Residential Director Honored in “Ten Most Infl uential People in the Concrete Industry” List

SKOKIE, Ill.–Concrete Construction magazine honored Michael H. Weber, PCA’s director of residential construction, as one of 2006’s “Ten Most Influential People in the Concrete Industry.” Weber was lauded for his efforts in marketing and promoting cement-based building systems and products for the residential construction industry. Instrumental in the creation of National Association of Home Builders’ […]

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May
8

Dennis Purinton — Contractor of the Year

The Concrete Foundation Association (CFA) recently presented its 2007 Contractor of the Year Award to Dennis Purinton. Purinton, founder of Purinton Builders, Inc. in East Granby, Conn. has been a member of CFA for nearly a decade. He was selected for this award for his enthusiasm and commitment to advancing the concrete foundations industry and […]

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May
8

WINNERS!

Whether custom or production – today’s homes are designed with many turns and offsets appearing more like an amalgamation of forms rather than the neat little boxes designed decades ago. Today’s consumers are demanding more than ever in their new home constructions, and housing plans have become increasingly more complex and detailed. The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) – a North American network dedicated to improving the residential […]

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Nov
9

Portland Cement — The Glue in Concrete

Concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world. It forms at least part of nearly everything we build – foundations, roads, dams, bridges, high-rise structures, sidewalks, and homes. It is comprised of some the most readily available materials on the earth – gravel, sand, water and a special type of cement. What […]

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Magazine Issues

Oct
15

Letter from the President: Learning from One Another…Being Friends

This month’s letter from the CFA Board President: Learning From One Another…Being Friends David Martinson Martinson Construction davem@martinsonconstruction.com   It gives me great pleasure to write to you as your president. As a third generation concrete contractor and a member since 1993, I have experienced first-hand what the Concrete Foundation Association has to offer. It was […]

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Oct
15

CFA Continues Popular Hotline for Members

CFA Continues Popular Hotline for Members Email hotline offers active CFA members convenient access to a wealth of information resources and experience. Access to technical information and solutions has never been easier. CFA members continue to have access to three levels of support for project, material and system questions. A technical staff member is available […]

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Jun
30

A New American National Standard For Material Placement Safety

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ALL PERSONNEL ON A CONCRETE POUR ARE NOW SPECIFIED IN ASME B30-2014 The American National Standard for material placement system safety is ASME B30.27. (Material placement systems are concrete pumps and concrete conveyors.) ASME has released B30.27-2014. It is currently available as an electronic download and as a printed booklet. The date of issuance […]

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Jun
30

Management Corner: Drug and Alcohol Testing Clearinghouse Comments

CFA MEMBER, FOLEY CARRIER SERVICES HAS SUBMITTED COMMENTS TO THE FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION REGARDING THE PROPOSED DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING CLEARINGHOUSE. While there was a lot to like about the rules, they feel that FMCSA needs to make some practical changes before they are ready. This update is republished from their Fast-FaxTM to keep you better […]

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Jun
30

The Social Age Evolutionary Workplace

…VERY LITTLE HAS CHANGED IN HOW WE HIRE AND MANAGE STAFF – WHICH HAS LED TO LOW EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY AND HIGH EMPLOYEE TURNOVER….WE MUST EVOLVE OUR BUSINESS PRACTICES… by Kim Seeling Smith The war for talent is over and talent has won. Technology and globalization have dramatically changed the way we work over the last 20 […]

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Jun
30

Management Corner: 10 Steps to Reduce Employment Related Risk

ATTEND CFA CONVENTION IN SANDUSKY, OHIO FOR MORE FROM DAVID WHITLOCK ABOUT EMPLOYER ISSUES As we are now about halfway through 2014, it is a perfect time to take the temperature of your employment compliance. There are a number of important changes in the law as well as compliance matters that you need to stay on […]

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Jun
30

MOVING UP, MOVING FORWARD

NEW MEMBERS | NEW BENEFITS | STRONG FOUNDATIONS This is an exciting time for the Concrete Foundations Association. Many of you are part of that energy and excitement and many of you are benefitting from it. At no time in the last decade has membership been growing as fast as it is right now and […]

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Jun
30

40 Years of Evolution Another Milestone

The CFA will celebrate its 40th year of service to the residential concrete foundation industry at this year’s Summer Convention in Sandusky, Ohio. I have been with the CFA for just over half of that time. During that period, a lot has happened to the nation; the concrete industry; technology; our member businesses, and the […]

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Jun
30

This Experience Has Served Me

Isn’t it enjoyable to see good people do good work? We are blessed to have a strong team of impressive individuals at our foundation company. Our team has a nice blend of people in different stages of their lives, and their careers. To be successful, we need a mix of new learners, skilled workers, coordinators, […]

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Jun
6

CFA Foundation Fundamentals

Positive Drainage…Curing Compound…Fluid Pressure? What were those words the foundation contractor used during our meeting yesterday? Construction projects, like so many other business endeavors, are not without communication problems between parties. Many are associated with terminology that is common to the contractor, yet distinctly foreign to the customer or owner. Although the following list of […]

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Mar
30

Marketing Corner: Building Your New Marketing Program

Q&A WITH NORTHERN CONCRETE Leveraging digital media and relationships may be about as far from your mindset as a concrete contractor as is venturing into new market such as high-rise core construction. The complex world of Google, Yahoo, facebook, LinkedIn, twitter, instagram, Pinterest and a host of others has for many turned competent and savvy […]

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Mar
30

OSHA Whistleblower Investigations

Employers need to make sure their policies and practices do not violate the law by Jim Rogers, jimrogers@asu.edu   As contractors, we are all aware of OSHA and its role in protecting the health and safety of our workforce. Many contractors send their personnel to receive training related to record keeping requirements and job site regulations; however, one area that is often […]

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