TORONTO — MARCH 4, 2011 — The national body representing Canada’s masonry industry continues to call for tougher government legislation in building codes following a near fatal incident recently in which a stray bullet penetrated several townhome walls in Calgary. A man was reportedly handling his registered handgun when it went off. The bullet shot […]
A bill mandating the use of wood in federal-building construction has passed second reading in the House of Commons — prompting everyone from architects and engineers to steel and masonry producers to question the wisdom of favouring one economic sector at the expense of others. It began as a regional, relatively grass-roots movement in British […]
Two recent fires in Canada, one in Ontario and the other in Alberta, point to the need for a more balanced approach to fire safety — one that combines the use of sprinklers with masonry firewalls. On Thursday April 22, 2010, the owners of several longstanding businesses at a plaza in Waterloo, Ontario arrived at […]
RE: Article, July 17, 2009, Wellington Advertiser, “Township Approves Demolition Permit After Termites Hit Elora Home” The Canadian masonry industry is concerned about the misinformation conveyed by Building Inspector Bob Foster to the readers of the Wellington Advertiser. In particular, Mr. Foster allegedly stated, to the effect, “…one problem with the house was its construction […]
Everyone in the construction industry — as well as many people outside it — are aware of the issues of rot and mould that have come to light in homes in western Canada. Stories of leaky condos in British Columbia and, more recently, rotting, mouldy homes in Alberta have made news headlines and have elicited […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 13, 2009 First Seismic Guide for Masonry now available free from CCMPA TORONTO — The Canadian construction industry now has ready access to a comprehensive guide on masonry seismic design and construction. The first edition of The Seismic Design Guide for Masonry Buildings is now available online and free of charge, […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 28, 2009 Concrete block in buildings contributes to ‘balanced design’ that helps contain fires BY PAUL HARGEST When fire strikes, there can be any number of contributing factors, from human behaviour (an untended fry pan; a cigarette left burning) to the proximity of hazardous materials (half-empty paint tins stacked in […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 7, 2009 Are current building codes doing enough to protect us against fire? When the (fire)walls come tumbling down… Experience shows that while wood frame and drywall receive acceptable ‘fire resistance’ ratings in industry testing, in real-life situations these materials burn. The tragic consequences of recent fires in Orillia, Ontario […]
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