Your Q1 CCMPA Activity Report

In 2021, feedback gathered from our membership requested more in-depth communication from the CCMPA on all things Codes & Standards. We heard you, we’re listening & we’re acting! 

Click below to access the first edition of “Codes Quarterly” which will update you on the latest and greatest developments.  These updates will be housed at CCMPA.ca and you can access them anytime. 

If there is anything specific you would like to see featured, please send your request to Info@CCMPA.ca

A Youtube channel is a place where we can house all of our videos and various marketing tools so that they can be easily accessed by the public. This allows us to “share” within our networks, as well as with other target audiences such as the design / architectural communities and let them know about the great work we are doing.

2022 YTD Highlights

• Our Mitacs internship grant was successfully approved with University of Waterloo entitled “Advanced Masonry Training System: Learning from Experts with Augmented Reality and Motion Capture Systems” A longer-term NSERC Alliance grant is being drafted and will be submitted this year as well to continue our research in the areas related to apprenticeship training, ergonomics, injury prevention, and productivity as it relates to laying concrete masonry units.
• University of Alberta was able to test an 8.75 m tall concrete block out subjected to out-of-plane loading as a part of research program entitled “Resilient concrete masonry walls to meet the needs for the next generation of low-rise structures.” On a similar theme, York University has concluded its project looking at near surface reinforcement for slender masonry walls, which required testing of 7.9 m tall wall specimens. These results from these schools, and other ongoing work, are focused on improving our current design provisions for slender masonry walls.
• Testing at the Carleton University fire lab in Richmond, ON continued through 2021 with the set-up now fully operational. This research program, “Improving the Fire Endurance of Concrete Block Masonry Walls Towards Next-Generation Performance-Based Fire Standards” has explored the effects that block geometry and fill materials have on the thermal properties and fire rating of concrete block assemblies.

By. Dr. Mark Hagel, AMC

Alberta Masonry Council (AMC), Manitoba Masonry Institute (MMI), Masonry Institute of British Columbia (MIBC) and Masonryworks are collaborating with the University of Alberta using an NSERC (National Science and Engineering Research Council) Alliance grant to address missing thermal bridging values and improve existing thermal bridging values for concrete block walls. To date the research has bridged the gap with thermal models at-grade that improve the currently available values for at-grade linear transitions with block walls  (https://thermalenvelope.ca/catalogue/)  by up to 226% by providing values which account for continuous insulation at grade (knife plates) and surface mounted brick ties.

Several other improvements have been found as well that when used in combination can result in using up to 2” (50 mm) less exterior insulation in a concrete block with brick veneer assembly to arrive at the same thermal performance in the wall. Using 2” less insulation translates to a savings of $1 to $3 a square foot depending on the type of insulation in the cost of insulation materials only. Reduction in the size of shelf angles needed at-grade and floor levels will also bring savings.
 
Some of the thermal performance considerations that are not currently available include: the thermal impact of block sizes other than 20 cm units (the only size currently available), the use of vermiculite in the block cells, the use of light-weight concrete block units, at-grade transition on stand-offs (knife plates), and corner transitions.
 
Look for the First edition of the Thermal Catalog in the Spring of 2022 that will give designers the values they need to more accurately model concrete block brick veneer walls. If you have any questions, reach out to Mark directly at markhagel@albertamasonrycouncil.ca or click the link below!

In December 2021, two things of great significance occurred for concrete product industry. First, members of the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) and the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) voted to unify the two organizations into a single association. Second, concrete masonry manufacturers voted to approve the CMU Checkoff program. Both of these create a bright future full of opportunities.
 
Unification
For many years, NCMA and ICPI have worked together in many areas – codes and standards, hardscape installer workforce development, and many more. They both share a similar mission and vision to advance the market for concrete products, and they share many common members. Because of this, a dedicated group of individuals from both associations worked for nearly two years to develop a plan for what a unified association would look like. This plan detailed the governance structure, membership categories, operations, and more. It also provided the vision for how a single, unified organization can be more influential and better positioned to advance member interests.
This plan was approved by the boards of both NCMA and ICPI, and presented to the memberships. Ultimately, both groups voted to approve unification by wide majorities. While the decision has been made, there is still much work to do. Members and staff are working hard to implement this transition. The new association will officially be operating as of July 1, 2022, under the transitional name ‘ICPI-NCMA’. In the coming months, much more information will be available on the transition. In the meantime, you can review the unification plan at www.icpi-ncma-unification.com.
Specific to Canadian members, the unified association will continue the strong collaboration with CCMPA related to promoting concrete masonry, as well as build on success in hardscape markets for Canada. Members of CCMPA will continue to be members of the unified association. Additional details on how membership will transition to the new association will likely be available in March or April.
 
CMU Checkoff
Approval of this program has been more than 10 years in the making. Inspiration for this effort came from the success of the Canadian Environmental Levy program, which demonstrates the effectiveness of programs that have broad industry support and funding. The CMU Checkoff program, which is administered through the US Department of Commerce, provides US concrete block producers the ability generate needed resources for education, research, and promotion. All block producers in the US will be assessed $0.01 for each block sold, which will be placed into a fund controlled by the CMU Checkoff Board – a new organization that is being established now and whose members will be appointed by the US Secretary of Commerce.
This was a significant effort from US block producers. First the program had to be authorized through a bill passed by the US Congress, and then the Department of Commerce had to finalize the details in an Order, which the block producers had to approve in an industry referendum. With an affirmative industry vote, the program is considered established.  It is estimated this program will bring in $10 million or more annually to research, promote, and provide education on concrete masonry units and systems.  Assessments are projected to begin late in 2022 and program funding beginning sometime in 2023. 
 
Impact
Both of these things will have significant positive impact for the manufactured concrete products industry. “We have long recognized the need for more investment in the future of our industry,” said Bob Thomas, NCMA President. “The CMU Checkoff program will generate those funds for our concrete masonry market segment to grow and gain back market share.”
“Through unification of ICPI and NCMA, the concrete masonry and hardscape industry will have a stronger, more unified voice in advocacy and promotion,” says Thomas, who has been tapped to lead the ICPI-NCMA as its CEO. “The new association will find efficiencies in operations, develop stronger programs relying on the collective strengths or our combined staff, and speak with a unified voice to architects, designers, homeowners and more. All in all, this is a very exciting time for the industry.”

Questions or comments can be sent to: Nick Lang at nlang@ncma.org