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Get Ready for World of Concrete and the 2017 MCAA Annual Convention

The 2017 World of Concrete (WOC)/World of Masonry exposition will be held Jan. 16–20 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. This annual international event, dedicated to the commercial concrete and masonry construction industries, will feature indoor and outdoor exhibits, an extensive education program, and exciting competitions like MCAA’s Fastest Trowel on the Block. It’s a can’t-miss event for every masonry professional.

What’s in a Grade?

One of the most durable and cost-effective choices for scaffold plank by mason contractors is solid sawn scaffold plank. The two main choices these days are MSR (Machine Stress Rated) and DI 65 (Dense Industrial 65), both made from Southern yellow pine species, manufactured mostly in the Southern United States. Before the very first load of “Scaffold Grade” plank was made in 1972, mason contractors and other trades used solid lumber boards of whatever species they could find.

Quiz: Scaffold Planks and Platforms

By Jeff Jack Compiled by Karen D. Hickey A plank is not just a piece of lumber. There is a lot to think through when purchasing and using planks for jobsite scaffolding. Test your knowledge on scaffold plank identification and inspection with this quiz, which recently appeared in a free MCAA webinar entitled “Scaffold Plank …

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Wood Scaffold Plank Performance

Wood scaffold plank is undoubtedly a critical component within scaffold assemblies, as worker safety depends on the performance of the planks on which they stand. Nowadays, the product offering of wood scaffold plank is quite diverse. Aside from traditional solid sawn lumber planks that are visually graded to meet OSHA standards, there are various types and qualities of manufactured or laminated wood scaffold boards to consider.

McGee Brothers

The EZ Compact Mast Climber: Unconventional Scaffold for Tight Spaces

“I hate frames!” How many times have you heard that phrase? I hear this one a lot, too: “I’d love to use EZ Scaffold, but this is not a mast climber job. I don’t want to use frames, but I don’t have a choice.” The fact is, we will never completely eliminate the need for frame scaffold. However, the use of mast climbers dramatically increases safety and production while decreasing labor.

The Fraco Model: A New Working Environment for the Bricklayer

The advent of the mast climbing work platform has brought about a reduction of the laborer-to- bricklayer ratio in the masonry industry. This has forced the identification of new ways to work with masonry equipment. The concept of division of labor may represent a solution.

Case Study>>>> Pillsbury A-Mill Artists’ Lofts Get a Lift

The Pillsbury A-Mill was erected in 1881 in Minneapolis, Minn., and operated two of the most powerful direct-drive waterwheels ever built. It was listed on the National Register of Historic places in 1966 — one of the earliest registrations. Coincidentally, buildings built in 1966 are now eligible for listing on the National Register.

Case Study>>>> The Impact of Staining on Masonry

World-famous for its Golden Dome, the 137-year-old Administration Building at the University of Notre Dame (UND) serves as headquarters for its president and provost. The 1879 building is a must-see destination and a popular place for picture taking. Its exterior brick, in particular, demonstrates the ingenuity of builders in the late 1800s. Since the clay was excavated from the two lakes on campus, the finished yellow bricks are known as “Notre Dame bricks.”

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