Edmonton Fire Chief Speaks Out

Edmonton fire chief fears public at risk because new homes burn too quickly Jim Macdonald, THE CANADIAN PRESS EDMONTON – Lives are being put at risk in Alberta because inadequate fire and building codes mean that newly constructed homes are burning much too quickly, says Edmonton’s fire chief. Randy Wolsey says the codes that came […]

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How different cladding materials stack up

Today’s most popular cladding materials include vinyl siding, exterior insulation finishing system (EIFS), stucco and masonry. Here’s a look at how they compare for maintenance, cleaning, durability, life cycle cost and fire safety: Maintenance Cleaning Durability Typical Lifespan Fire safety Vinyl siding High, susceptible to mold Requires regular cleaning Vulnerable to damage from extreme weather […]

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Minimum performance data needed for paperless drywall technology

Minimum performance data needed for paperless drywall technology

RE: “Georgia-Pacific’s paperless drywall gains foothold in new low-rise construction” Feb. 21, DCN Mar. 14, 2008 Letter to the Editor In the article referenced above, the real issues of firewall performance and compliance should have been identified and the associated technical issues factually revealed and discussed. Instead, the article focuses on the purported cost savings […]

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Improving Fire Safety at Home

According to Fire SAFE Ontario, 1 in 10 Canadians have experienced a home fire. While the cause of the fire may not always be in our control, how we choose to build our homes can keep us safe and minimize structural damage. Balanced design is a four-part approach to fire safety that includes active (fire […]

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Fire Performance and Building Materials Defined

To help homeowners better appreciate the differences in fire performance of popular building materials, Judy Pryma, president of MasonryWorx, defines some of the common terms that are important to know and understand: Fire resistance is the ability of a material or assembly to withstand fire, by resisting passage of flame and transmission of heat. Fire […]

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CCMPA raises over $6,000 for people with disabilities

CCMPA raises over $6,000 for people with disabilities

Concrete-Masonry Producers raise over $6,000 to support programs for people with disabilities Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre to benefit from Bronze Sponsorship of CCMPA through the Mason Carter Memorial Fund PUSLINCH, ON, Nov. 28 /CNW/ – A horse-riding farm that helps people with disabilities has received over $6,000.00 from the Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers […]

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Is it block?

Is it block?

Click to view video brought to you by CCMPA. Note: No old ladies were harmed during the making of these videos. 7 Good reasons to ask if it’s Block Fire Safety Concrete block products can prevent the spread of fire to and from other building materials. Insects & Vermin Resistance Not even the strongest burrowing […]

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CMRI Ballistics Report – Resistance of Exterior Walls to High Velocity Projectiles

CMRI Ballistics Report – Resistance of Exterior Walls to High Velocity Projectiles

This paper contains the findings of an experimental evaluation on the behavior of common exterior wall assemblies found in residential construction when impacted by bullets fired from a wide variety of firearms of different caliber. Three basic types of exterior wall finises were evaluated: stucco, vinyl siding, and masonry. All the walls were constructed in […]

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