Water: Is It The Basement Contractor s Worst Enemy?

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1 Water: Is It The Basement Contractor s Worst Enemy? Author: Mike Hancock, President Basement Contractors 6300 S. Industrial Blvd. Edmond, OK Sit down at any contractor s round table and start a discussion about the predominant headache or source of callbacks for basements and you are likely to get common agreement that it is water or moisture. The presence of moisture is a sure sign to the homeowner that a) something dire is wrong with the foundation walls, b) it is the contractor s error, and c) the walls are either going to fail or the house is going to become a fish tank. Is water in the basement a function of poor design, poor quality control or poor maintenance? There are reasons for each of these to be the case, and certainly not every instance can be explained by the same response. However, understanding the most common forms or sources of moisture collecting in basements is essential to developing top-notch customer

2 service, preventive education and mitigation of the problem. Roof Leaks, Flashing This is an area most basement contractors and builders do not think about when water shows up in the basement. After all, water is in the basement not the main floor of the house. However, water coming from the roof can travel behind flashing, around pipe vents, skylights, down a wall, to the sill plate and into the basement. There are many types of roofing materials used in construction. The main purpose of the material is to protect the house from the outside environment namely snow, wind, hail, and rain. It also adds an aesthetic appeal to the structure. When considering the water barrier for the home, it is the outer layer of roofing material that sheds most of the water. Other components making up the roof also have a role or are required to keep water out of the house. These additional layers or components are actually where most roofing leaks come from. Components such as flashing, W valleys and pipe 1 boots are critical in keeping the building dry. The 2015 IRC addresses roof flashing in sections R903 and R703, Exterior Covering (figures 2, 3, 4). Section 903 begins: R903.1 General. Roof decks shall be covered with approved roof coverings secured to the building or structure in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Roof assemblies shall be designed and installed in accordance with this code and the approved manufacturer s instructions such that the roof assembly shall serve to protect the building or structure. R903.2 Flashing. Flashings shall be installed in a manner

3 that prevents moisture from entering the wall and roof through joints in copings, through moisture permeable materials and at intersections with parapet walls and other penetrations through the roof plane. R Locations. Flashings shall be installed at wall and roof intersections, wherever there is a change in roof slope or direction and around roof openings. A flashing shall be installed to divert the water away from where the eave of a sloped roof intersects a vertical sidewall. Where flashing is of metal, the metal shall be corrosion resistant with a thickness of not less than inch (0.5 mm) (No. 26 galvanized sheet). Section 703 directs the flashing requirements for the exterior wall as follows: R703.1 General. Exterior walls shall provide the building with a weather-resistant exterior wall envelope. The exterior wall envelope shall include flashing as described in Section R Roofing companies and builders often misinterpret or apply the IRC regulations when installing such roof flashing. For example, when roof flashing is installed along the rake of a roof with a brick veneer, the IRC requires the roof-step flashing to be installed with a counter flashing placed over the roof flashing and woven into the brick; followed by a through-wall flashing against the house with water-resistant protection over the base flashing and extending up the wall. The builder and roofing sub-contractor often ignore this regulation for aesthetic reasons and instead place the step flashing directly against the building wall, behind the masonry veneer. When this is done, water traveling on the step flashing has a direct path down the wall to the sill-plate or basement-wall intersection where it often makes its way to the

4 basement floor. Figure 1: Incorrect flashing behind brick at roof line forces water behind brick wythe and down to sill plate where it then enters the interior at the foundation wall. Water reaching the top of a basement wall has an opportunity to reach the basement floor for many reasons. The top of the wall is where most shrinkage cracks appear. Even if the basement wall is waterproofed on the exterior, the crack in the top of the wall provides a location for water to migrate down the wall to a form-tie hole leading to the inside of the wall. From there, the water leaks down to the floor.

5 Figure 2 Common vertical shrinkage crack at form panel joint.

6 Figure 3: IRC Figure R703.8a depicting proper masonry cladding flashing at window sills and foundations.exterior Wall Penetrations Windows, doors, condenser lines, electrical conduit, electrical boxes, plumbing hydrants, poorly installed brick, stone, stucco, siding and even the doorbell are possible locations for water to penetrate the house. Manufacturers of products that risk water penetration provide explicit directions for proper installation of their products. Industry organizations such as the Brick Industry Association, the Engineered Wood Association, the Manufactured Stone Veneer Association and the Masonry Veneer Manufacturers Association, to name a few, also provide installation directions to meet

7 the requirements of the IRC. However, many builders and installing sub-contractors are not familiar with the manufacturer s directions and simplify the installation of the product. The IRC provides prescriptive requirements covering the penetrations of veneers in case a manufacturer s installation instructions are not provided. R609.1 General. This section prescribes performance and construction requirements for exterior windows and doors installed in walls. Windows and doors shall be installed and flashed in accordance with the fenestration manufacturer s written instructions. Window and door openings shall be flashed in accordance with Section R703.4 (see figures 3 and 4). Written installation instructions shall be provided by the fenestration manufacturer for each window or door.

8 Figure 4: IRC Figure R703.8 depicting proper masonry cladding flashing at window heads and roof. As a secondary layer of protection from moisture, the IRC requires that a Water-Resistant Barrier (WRB) system be installed on the building between the sheathing and the veneer, regardless of the type of veneer or nature of the penetration. This is available as a liquid application, a roll-out sheet product, or as products pre-applied directly to the sheathing. While each system has manufacturer s installation requirements, many of these installation instructions are incorrectly followed and thus the systems are incorrectly installed, leading to water infiltration. Incorrectly installed WRB followed by incorrectly installed penetration or veneers can lead to basement water problems. IRC section requirements as: provides direction on the flashing R703.4 Flashing. Approved corrosion-resistant flashing shall be applied shingle-fashion in a manner to prevent entry of water into the wall cavity or penetration of water to the building structural framing components. Self-adhered membranes used as flashing shall comply with AAMA 711. Fluidapplied membranes used as flashing in exterior walls shall comply with AAMA 714. The flashing shall extend to the surface of the exterior wall finish. Approved corrosionresistant flashings shall be installed at the following locations: Exterior window and door openings Intersections of chimneys or other masonry construction Under and at the ends of masonry, wood or metal copings and sills

9 Continuously above all projecting wood trim Where exterior porches, decks or stairs attach At wall and roof intersections At built-in gutters Figure 5: Window installation completed incorrectly leaving gaps for water penetration behind the brick façade. Figure 6: Building wrap installed with joist penetration

10 leaving route for moisture into framed wall past sheathing. Maintaining Proper Grade After living in a house for a short period of time, some homeowners decide the builder s landscaping needs to be improved. A local landscaper is called and a plan is made. They are both proud of their work and protective of the plants to be installed. Raising the beds against the house is often the first decision reached. The results often lead to planting bed dirt-levels that are above the weep holes in the brick, riding up against the siding or stucco, and bringing soil elevations above the top of the foundation wall elevation. Sprinkler systems often added to keep the ground moist spray against the house siding, further saturating the soil that has been newly placed above the foundation line and that have a direct line of entry to the basement space under the sill plate. The IRC requires that exterior grade levels be kept 6 inches below the sill plate and have a slope from the home no less than 6 inches in the first 10 feet away from the foundation. Simply put, maintaining this elevation for the life of the house will help keep water from infiltrating the basement.

11 Figure 7: Backfilling of rough grade on this foundation wall is to high leaving no room for final grade. Waterproofing Systems Figure 8: Completed waterproofing spray-on membrane covering entire wall surface from top of wall to footing interface. Waterproofing the basement walls prior to backfill is a must if the basement is to be kept dry. No waterproof coating or

12 even damp proofing alone can lead to water problems inside the house. The waterproofing products presently on the market are far superior to those used in the past. They may be sprayed, rolled, troweled, put on in sheets and even mechanically fastened. Most waterproofing systems use a combination of polymer and asphalt, several are rubber based, some include plastic compositions, and some even use clay sheets. While it is becoming more common for concrete suppliers to market a crystalline additive to the concrete as waterproofing, be cautious of this application. Tie holes and cracks in walls are not sealed with these products. Their purpose is to prevent water from wicking through the concrete, protect steel reinforcement and stop the formation of capillary channels, which are microscopic paths that allow moisture to move through concrete. Figure 9: Protection board installation on top of waterproofing application. Basement Floor Systems The basement floor is often ignored when considering

13 waterproofing a home or developing a water drainage system, but it can be a main source of water infiltration. IRC section R506 requires a vapor barrier under all concrete slabs-onground floors. R Vapor retarder. A 6-mil (0.006 inch; 152 μm) polyethylene or approved vapor retarder with joints lapped not less than 6 inches (152 mm) shall be placed between the concrete floor slab and the base course or the prepared subgrade where no base course exists. This has been widely ignored and often incorrectly installed when used. The use of polyethylene sheets under the floor is an acceptable practice. The sheet thickness is important to prevent puncture during installation and placement of concrete as heavy foot-traffic is a reality during the preparation, reinforcement and placement of the concrete. While ACI 302.1R-04 provides a decision chart on when a vapor barrier is to be used and where it is to be placed with respect to the slab, contractors have placed the vapor barrier below sand rather than under the concrete directly. As noted in the IRC section above, in a residential basement, this will lead to the moisture being trapped between the plastic and concrete, forcing the concrete to wick the moisture into the basement living space. The environment for this installation drastically affects the air quality in the house. Plastic placed directly under the floor slab keeps the transmission of unwanted gasses and moisture from permeating the floor of the basement. Concrete contractors often blame concrete cracking on the vapor barrier being placed directly under the floor. In fact, using a lower water-to-cement ratio, with water-reducing concrete additives to increase the slump, will counteract this condition and reduce cracking by reducing the overall shrinkage.

14 Figure 10: Vapor barrier installed and all penetrations taped prior to placement of concrete for floor slab. Drainage Systems Figure 12: Exterior drainage solution with outlet to interior sump pit per Building America Solution Center at U.S. Department of Energy. Sub-surface drainage is an important factor in water protection and in reducing hydraulic pressure against a basement wall. Hydraulic pressure is measured in height. The

15 higher the wall the higher the potential hydraulic pressure. Soil type mixed with water also has an impact on hydraulic pressure. The denser the soil and water mixture becomes, the higher the hydraulic pressure will be. A common method of removing hydraulic pressure is to place perforated pipe covered with course aggregate and protected with a filter fabric at the base of the footing and wall. It is often a debate whether to place the drainage pipe below the footing or below the floor. Ideally, placing it lower would help remove more hydraulic pressure. However, placing it on the concrete footing below the floor reduces the chance of hydraulic pressure rising above the floor of the basement and reduces the chance of silting in the pipe. It is important the drain pipe has a location to direct water. A sump pit should be installed inside the building with a pump capable of discharging the input rate of water to a location away from the basement. A common mistake is to take the sump pit discharge to the sewer system. There are several reasons to not connect the two and for starters, the IRC prohibits the connection. Figure 11: Sump pit installed with cross tubes from footing drainage system.

16 Residual Wall Moisture vs. Relative Humidity Humidity in new basements as well as existing basements is often confused as a water leak. Water vapor migrates from a cool environment to a warm one. The interior temperature of a building with habitual space in the basement is normally around 72 F. The temperature gradient on the inside of a basement wall varies with outside ground temperatures when no insulation is against the wall. In the summer, the ground will be warmer at the surface than it is during winter, which will then warm the surface of the inside wall. The soil temperature will begin to stabilize to a consistent temperature around a depth of 3 feet in most places in the United States. The concrete temperature at 3 feet against the ground is typically about 65 F. This varies throughout the country, but in most cases this is the average ground temperature. An uninsulated basement wall will typically match ground temperature gradients through the height of the wall. Figure 13: Condensation at uninsulated exterior foundation

17 wall due to thermal gradients and high humidity in the enclosed space. The moisture in the ground and in the concrete migrates to where it is warmer. This is typically the surface of the concrete, which includes surface cracks. The moisture will not be seen, however, because it evaporates at the surface when the space is conditioned or the air temperature and surface temperature of the concrete are above the dew point. When the humidity reaches a point where the dew point is at or below the concrete temperature, condensation occurs at the surface, including surface cracks. Often the dew point is above the concrete temperature when the basement is a conditioned space. In homes with an exposed concrete floor in the basement, air flow across the room when there is high humidity will show as lighter areas and there will be damp, dark areas where the air moves slower or not at all in a room. Areas of darkness or surface moisture are typically seen along the lower corners of the basement wall-to-floor interface. Air movement removes the appearance of moisture by evaporating moisture at the surface. Dark concrete in the corners and edges typically indicates high humidity and surface temperatures below the dew point. Waterproofing the basement walls and placing a vapor barrier under the floor are great ideas and are effective at controlling moisture movement but will not reduce air humidity enough to eliminate condensation in most climates. Adding insulation to the exterior of the wall and below the floor with extruded polystyrene will help bring the wall and floor temperatures closer to room temperatures, reducing the appearance of condensation but the dew point of the air will remain the same. There are several ways to reduce humidity. Conditioning the space through the home s air conditioning system or a dehumidification system will bring the dew point down by reducing humidity.

18 The temperature and humidity form energy, like a power plant but at lower levels. Reducing the energy to a value where the temperature is around 72 F and the humidity is around 40 percent will provide a comfortable living space. As the humidity rises and the temperature stays the same, the environment becomes uncomfortable to live in. The longer the humidity stays high the more moisture will accumulate on the basement walls, equipment, and items stored in the basement resulting in that musty smell of mildew. Therefore, conditioning the space is top priority in resolving the basement climate issue. Perhaps the best method for control is to mix the basement air with the main floor air, which can reduce energy bills and control humidity at the same time. The basement wall and floor temperatures at 65 F provides a great starting temperature for the air conditioning system to work with. By mixing the air of the main floor, which is subject to heat transfer with the exterior temperatures, and the 65 F basement air, a lower energy cost can be achieved. For example: The heat is transferred to the ground from a 72 F room temperature to the 65 F basement walls, the main floor heat is transferred from exterior summer temperatures to a conditioned 72 F interior. Through mixing, a portion of the exterior heat is lost to the basement walls. The movement of air through the cool coil of the air conditioning system removes moisture and does not need as much input energy to reduce the temperature. Climate Control HVAC vs. Dehumidifier Instead of spending money on an air conditioner, many contractors place a dehumidification system in the basement to control air quality. When an HVAC contractor chooses to install an oversized air-conditioning unit, one advantage may be that it can still control the humidity level in the basement by running a dehumidifier. However, the disadvantage

19 is that now the homeowner has a unit that runs heating and cooling to control the environment, resulting in higher utility bills in order to keep the space at a constant level of humidity. A dehumidifier accomplishes dehumidification by super cooling the intake air so moisture will condense around the intake coils then heat up the air to discharge back into the room. A fan keeps the air moving across the coils. If this sounds like an air-conditioning system without the heating element, that s because it is. In most cases a high-quality, variable-speed AC unit will serve the same purpose while circulating more air throughout the house. Dehumidifiers are more effective solutions for removing large amounts of moisture such as when a roof leak or a pipe break brings surface water into the space. Plumbing Leaks Plumbing leaks can be a homeowner s most catastrophic event regardless of the type of foundation. When under pressure, plumbing leaks can wash out the soil under the foundation, causing severe structural damage. Plumbing leaks can flood and damage a basement, the main floor of a house, and even the second and third floors. Hot water lines spray a mist of hot water in the air while creating a whole-house sauna. Drain lines can discharge sewage, filling the basement, the sump pit and the drain tile under the floor with waste a problem left for those in full body suits to clean up. Those of us in the basement wall business have several recommendations to help builders minimize these problems: Keep the water supply lines above the footings. Keeping the water lines below frost line while above the footing will help reduce damage to the footers, should a line leak. Backfill the wall and provide as much compaction or support where the water line enters the wall as possible. This keeps the water line from shearing at the wall, should the backfill settle

20 over time. Put a vertical sweep in the line coming into the wall, again helping with shear, should the excavation settle over time. Use a high-quality penetration seal where the line enters the foundation. IRC section P requires the pipe through the wall to be placed through a sleeve that is two nominal pipe sizes larger than the pipe, but it does not say what the sleeve should be made of. A Link seal with an additional coating of sealant on the outside, for those using ridged pipes, will provide a tight seal between the pipe wall and foundation wall. For flexible pipes through the wall, a sealant filling the cavity between the wall and pipe can serve as a sleeve and be watertight. Polyurethane sealants not expansion foams or silicones are best for this application. They have little shrinkage and attach to concrete and Pex piping well while maintaining flexibility and toughness for long periods of time. Drain lines made of a UV protective PVC tend to make very stable drain line systems. Keeping the drains from being affected by foundation movement or by soil settlement is also critical. Should a penetration be needed in the wall, make sure a good penetration seal is used between the wall and the pipe. Figure 14: Oversized pipe sleeve protects penetrations in foundation walls from settlement of backfill

21 condition. A common mistake made to sewer systems is connecting the storm sewer to the sanitary sewer system. Doing so is a code violation and can cause the house to fill with methane gas and cause the drain tile and sump pit to fill with sewage. It can cause the discharge of the storm sewer to pressurize the gravity-fed sewage system, causing line failures, and it can back up the floor drains into the house. Overall, this is a bad idea. Another mistake is to tie the roof gutters into the sump pit discharge or the drain tile. When tied into the discharge, the sump pit pump is required to overcome the head pressure now added to it by the height of the roofline. When tied into the drain tile the sump pump is required to pump roof water along with any water that reaches the base of the wall after draining through the ground. This system is not designed to handle the added work in most cases, so it results in a backed-up system in the basement. Sump Pump Failures Until now we assumed the sump pump was always a reliable, working system. Sometimes the sump pump fails from not working all winter, power outages, old age, blown breaker, Faulty GFI, etc. When spring thaws the ground and April showers arrive, we need to make sure the pump is operable. There are several types of pumping systems available today. The electric, motordriven centrifugal pump is the most common and available pump at most hardware stores or plumbing suppliers. A single pump is often installed but, for safety reasons, an additional pump driven by a battery backup is a good idea. A generator should have the additional pump connected to the generator feed as a critical item. A mechanical siphon (inductor) driven off the water supply can also be used as a backup. Turn the water on and the inductor creates a vacuum in the sump pit with a discharge to the outside.

22 When a sump pump is installed, make sure a check valve is also installed on the discharge side. A pump without a check valve will allow water in the discharge pipe to return into the sump pit and cycle the pump again. This constant cycling will burn out a pump in a short period of time. A sump pump is often omitted from a walkout out basement. The belief is that the exterior drain tile will discharge to the exterior at the ends of the walls, and therefore no pump is required. However, neglect to the drainage system can inhibit the ability to discharge water at the same rate water is entering the pipe, causing excessive head pressure on the basement walls. This head pressure may cause water to enter the basement from under the floor. Without interior drain tile or a sump pump, the basement is at risk of water damage. These are among the top discussion topics at the contractor roundtables I ve been part of during my time as a foundation contractor and home builder. Paying attention to the critical issues during construction and communicating with the builder are keys to preventing many of these. However, understanding the nature of these common water problems is critical to protecting your interests in new foundation construction; facilitating the right solution and reducing call backs that result in warranty work. About the Author Mike is founder and president of Basement Contractors located in Edmond, Oklahoma and a professional engineer. For more than sixteen years he has constructed over 1000 basements in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. While others had difficulty in constructing efficient, waterproof basements in Oklahoma, Mike perfected the methods of construction that allow all our customers to enjoy the benefits of basement living. From walk-out to full basements, concrete decks, safe rooms,

23 retaining walls, staircases, or fireplace surrounds, Basement Contractors provides full-service as a concrete construction company. He has been a featured speaker at regional conferences and national conventions including the American Concrete Institute, Concrete Foundations Association and the National Association of Home Builders and their local or state affiliates. References: International Residential Code For One- and Two-Family Dwellings published by the International Code Council, Inc., 4051 West Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, IL Phone U.S. Department of Labor s OSHA Extends Compliance Date for Electronically Submitting Injury, Illness Reports to December 15, 2017

24 WASHINGTON, DC To allow affected employers additional time to become familiar with a new electronic reporting system launched on August 1, 2017, the U.S. Department of Labor s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has extended the date by which employers must electronically report injury and illness data through the Injury Tracking Application (ITA) to December 15, OSHA s final rule to Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses sets December 15, 2017, as the date for compliance (a two-week extension from the December 1, 2017, compliance date in the proposed rule). The rule requires certain employers to electronically submit injury and illness information they are already required to keep under existing OSHA regulations. Unless an employer is under federal jurisdiction, the following OSHA-approved State Plans have not yet adopted the requirement to submit injury and illness reports electronically: California, Maryland, Minnesota, South Carolina, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Establishments in these states are not currently required to submit their summary data through the ITA. Similarly, state and local government establishments in Illinois, Maine, New Jersey, and New York are not currently required to submit their data through the ITA. OSHA is currently reviewing the other rule to Improve Tracking of Workplace and intends to publish a notice of reconsider, revise, or remove portions provisions of its final Injuries and Illnesses, proposed rulemaking to of that rule in 2018.

25 Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA s role is to ensure these conditions for America s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at The Department s Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the Department at (202) (voice) or (800) (federal relay). Seven Lessons Learned From Firing 300 People Over the course of many years, I ve fired more than 300 employees at our concrete construction company. The list of reasons for the dismissals is long and varied. I ve fired people because they ve caused problems on job sites, refused to take direction from their Foremen, stolen from the company or coworkers, been under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and a number of other offences. Most of the time, though, I ve let people go because they just weren t working hard enough. Even after discussions about working harder and being more productive, they stayed in first gear and never improved. This has been the most common reason

26 for letting someone go. Along the way, I ve learned a few lessons that may help you when you find yourself in the same situation. Lesson #1: Do It in Private There are very rare exceptions where you have to fire someone immediately and publicly to set an example for the entire organization. In those cases, do it compellingly and be sure everyone knows exactly why the person is being fired. In the other 99% of cases, let the person go in private and without a lot of employees around. For example, if all of your laborers come into the office in the morning before heading out to the job site, keep the person to be fired at your office until the crews have left. Then fire the person. Let them leave with dignity. Lesson #2: You Never Know How the Firing Will Go The people you don t think will cause a problem will sometimes be the most trouble for you. Those that you are sure will make a huge scene will sometimes go away quietly. You never know. Expect the best outcome, but be prepared for anything. Lesson #3: They Will Be Surprised Most employees believe they are working harder than anyone else on the job site. Their dismissal will be a surprise to them. They will insist that you talk with their coworkers to substantiate their value. These coworkers, by the way, will be the same ones that demanded that you get that person off their crew and replace them with a better worker.

27 Lesson #4: Present Have Others If you think the person you are going to fire will cause a problem at that moment or later on, then have one or more additional people present during the firing. This will give you witnesses if there is a claim made against you. It will also deter the person from acting out at the time of firing. Lesson #5: Have A Good Labor Attorney on Speed Dial Find an exceptional attorney that specializes in labor law and establish a good relationship with them. Make sure they are accessible for a quick phone call if you are mulling over a labor issue. If they don t return your call for two days, you won t be likely to call them when you have an urgent issue. Before acting on a difficult decision or situation, talk with this attorney to get their input. While you don t have to do

28 exactly as they recommend, they will likely point out something you haven t yet thought of. I have to mention that we use the attorney David Whitlock also a contributor to this magazine and have found his counsel to be invaluable. Lesson #6: Pay Them a Little More In many industries, it is common to pay severance pay when a person is fired. I ve learned that when you fire an employee, it s best to pay them for a little extra time. For example, fire them at the bottom of the hour, but pay them until the top of the hour. As you are letting them go explain that you ll pay them for that extra half hour. This one simple act costs you little, yet makes the firing go much more smoothly. It also allows you to focus on that act of generosity, which softens the blow and makes them more receptive to the firing. Trust me, this works. Lesson #7: Sometimes, They ll Thank You If a person doesn t work well at your company, it is often because it s just not a good fit for them. Their ideal job may be in a totally different industry. When you fire them, you put them one step closer to finding their dream job. We once fired a young man who stopped by our office a few months later simply to thank us for firing him and to report that he was currently working at a job that he loved. As you ve surely learned from being in the construction industry, whenever you are dealing with people, it s impossible to predict how they will react. When you do find yourself in a position where you have to fire someone, consider these seven lessons and you ll make the dismissal a

29 little easier on you and on them. Doug Herbert About the Author Doug Herbert is President of Herbert Construction Co., one of the largest residential concrete contractors in the southeast. Doug is a regular presenter for the CFA and World of Concrete. He is the Founder of ProfitableContractor.com where he shows concrete contractors how to reduce their costs and increase their profits with effective sales and marketing systems. Reach Doug at Doug@ProfitableContractor.com Code Compliance with

30 Insulated Concrete Foundations Form Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) are increasingly being used as foundations in commercial and residential projects. Part of the reason is that ICFs naturally help comply with increasingly strict energy codes. While many are familiar with ICFs for above-grade walls, their benefits transfer to foundations as well. Energy code compliance, quicker more efficient construction, and safer site conditions are present in ICF construction, whether above or below grade. However, it is the need for improved energy performance in foundations that is really driving the use of ICFs below grade. ICFs offer a stay-in-place, double-insulated, steel-reinforced concrete forming system. It is for these reasons many designers and contractors are choosing ICF walls. Insulated Concrete Forms are increasingly being used as foundation walls. Building Codes and Energy Efficiency Energy codes have been changing rapidly. Designers and

31 builders must keep up with and be compliant with these changes. Changes include stricter requirements for continuous insulation, higher R-Values and tighter building envelopes. These requirements are now changing the landscape of exterior wall assemblies. Insulated concrete form (ICF) wall systems inherently meet the new building code requirements. Designers, contractors, and owners can comply knowing that the ICF wall has an exterior and interior continuous insulation panel of typically 2-5/8 in. thick expanded polystyrene (EPS) continuous insulation on every project. Combined, the two layers of insulation meet and exceed today s energy code standards, even in the most stringent climate zones. A typical straight ICF block segment. The applicable energy standards referenced by the International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC) include ASHRAE 90.1 and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). These documents establish the requirements for continuous insulation and R-Value requirements. Chapter 11 of the 2015 IRC defines the energy efficiency requirements for residential construction. The map in Figure 1 depicts the location of the different climate zones and corresponds to IRC tables providing county-by-county listings of climate zones and R-Value requirements for both above grade and foundation walls. This information is

32 duplicated in the IECC, whereas Chapter 13 of the IBC refers the user directly to the IECC IRC Climate Zone Map The IECC divides the United States into eight climate zones, each with specific requirements for the type, placement and amount of insulating materials both cavity and continuous in the wall assembly. Several versions of the IECC are currently in effect across the country (visit iccsafe.org for look-up), making it vital to be aware of which version has been adopted by the state or local jurisdiction in which a project is located.

33 R-Value Requirements from 2009 and 2012 IECC Each update of ASHRAE Standard 90.1 and IECC adoption has increased the amount of continuous insulation required in commercial buildings (see Figure 2). The latest ASHRAE Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High Performance Green Buildings adds the requirement for an air barrier as well as requiring and increasing the thickness of C.I. in ALL climate zones (1-8). ICF walls typically provide continuous insulation layers totaling an R-22+ as well as a continuous air barrier found in the solid, monolithic continuous concrete core. This core also qualifies the building envelope component as a mass wall by building codes. Mass walls typically require less R-Value insulation than non-mass or cavity walls. The most stringent climate zone requires an R-19 for a mass wall, which is less than the typical ICF. Therefore, these new energy code requirements have not affected the ICF wall assembly price or speed of construction in order to meet the new code requirements. Other wall systems, including masonry walls and traditionally formed concrete walls, have had to make a more concerted effort to

34 meet the new energy code requirements. These efforts have significantly affected both the cost and scheduling of these systems. Prior to the increased energy code standards, these wall system types were not typically as energy efficient as an ICF wall. Even with the new continuous insulation and energy requirements, the traditional systems still do not match the natural ICF energy performance, which in many instances exceed code requirements. ICF corner segment block Whereas previous codes only alluded to general air sealing of the building envelope, the 2015 IECC changed to a mandatory requirement for air barrier performance. This includes specific, mandatory provisions for air barriers in climate zones 4-8. The requirements may be met through the use of approved materials, approved assemblies, or whole building air leakage testing (ASTM E779). As more states adopt this code, these provisions will become mandatory for designers of commercial buildings in those jurisdictions. The energy code requirements of today have forced some building systems to need additional continuous insulation as

35 part of their assembly. Installing these additional layers has added material and labor costs. It has also impacted the construction scheduling and construction time for some systems. There is little doubt that future codes will be even more stringent when pertaining to energy efficiency. Building Code Requirements Insulated concrete form building systems have an ASTM standard, ASTM E2634 adopted by both the IRC and the IBC. This standard provides the minimum requirements for certifying any ICF system. In the IRC, insulating concrete forms are provisioned in Sections R404 and R608 and can also be found addressed in the referenced concrete code, ACI 332, which is an optional requirement code for residential concrete design. Benefitting the Construction Process Because colder climates translate to higher insulation requirements, concrete and concrete placement into the ICF formwork is protected by the double-insulated, stay-in-place concrete formwork. Concrete work and the ICF walls can continue in colder weather where masonry and traditional concrete wall construction may be shut down or require expensive heating and sheltering to continue in the cold weather. In addition to the newer energy code requirements that are driving more designs towards ICF construction, there are also many advantages that contractors are enjoying. ICF is often referred to as a 5-in-1 construction. This means the ICF wall assembly consists of 1) a structural concrete wall, 2) a double-sided continuous insulation, 3) furring or studs on both sides of the concrete wall for interior and exterior attachment, 4) an air barrier, and 5) a vapor retarder. Any

36 other wall system requires multiple steps to add layers to the assembly in order to achieve the same result. The net result of this 5-in-1 construction is reduced construction costs and schedules, largely due to a reduction in the number of trades involved in the wall construction. Time is saved completing the building shell sooner as other sub-trades such as electricians, plumbers, and drywallers can begin work earlier as well. ICFs Provide a 5-in-1 Construction Assembly While larger capital investments, maintenance, handling and storage for reusable formwork is eliminated, contractors also discover that ICF formwork is easy and light to work with, positively impacting the physical health of the workforce and improving job site safety by reducing job site incidents. While the building codes are driving toward tighter building envelopes and less energy consumption, ultimately, there are many reasons ICFs are increasingly used in residential and commercial construction. When added up, it comes down to meeting codes while saving time and money.

37 About the Author Kelvin Doerr, P.E. is a registered professional engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a MBA degree from University of Nebraska-Omaha. He has 19 years of experience working in the insulating concrete form (ICF) industry with Fox Blocks. He has been involved with several different industry technical committees through the years. Was on the committee to create and write the ASTM E2634 standard for flat wall ICFs. The ACI 332 and ACI 560 technical committees. The EPS-IA technical committee. Has a designed and a patent on a couple of ICF ancillary products. Planning Workforce for the Future Understanding how to recruit, train, and

38 motivate a younger generation is helping create successful industry leaders and social media is helping. by Tina Grady Barbaccia, AEC Editorial Constructive Communication, Inc. Specialist, One of the common stories in concrete construction that remains today is that of the son or daughter who began working with his/her dad on construction jobs during the summers. During those teenage years, many will often claim they never anticipated it would become a lucrative career, one that would see them become leaders of their own crews, sometimes not long after becoming full-time employees. This type of success story remains common for someone in the construction industry in the post-millennial generation, fondly referred to as the 21 & Under Crews, and is part of the latest excitement at Lee s Summit, Mo.-based ABI Corporation. It is significant, especially as the industry faces an aging workforce, a shortage of qualified workers and image issues. However, by providing good on-the-job training, appealing to what motivates the younger generation, and educating prospective workers about the many opportunities available in the construction industry, finding qualified workers may not be so difficult in the future.

39 When I started at ABI, my friends saw me working hard and doing well and they all wanted jobs, Engel Jr. says. A handful of Engel Jr. s friends applied at the company and now work as part of his crew with plans to make their job a career. One of Engel Jr. s friends now on his crew and part of the 21 & Under age group had been working at a fast food restaurant when he realized that he was able to make the same amount of money working 40 hours a week in construction as working 80 hours a week in fast food. It was then that he decided to pursue a job in the construction industry and make it a career. Mike Doherty, a crew leader/foreman for ABI Corporation, started his career in the construction industry at a young age

40 when he realized it would pave the way for a profession with great opportunities. Doherty, now 22 years old, realized after one semester of college that it wasn t a good fit for him. College isn t for everyone, he says. There are a lot of people who have a good head on their shoulders and can succeed without a four-year degree. Find something that you are good at or like to do and work really hard. If you do that, have common sense and intelligence, you will get noticed pretty quickly. Doherty recognized that he needed a job that allowed him to be physical. He says he also realized that the construction industry would provide a steady income and that skills and talents can sometimes pay almost as much sometimes even more than a job that requires a four-year degree. Good, on-thejob training such as Doherty received from experienced industry veteran Brandon Mitchell, who has now moved up to a superintendent position, and other seasoned crew members, sealed the deal on his career choice. You need to figure out what works for you, Doherty says. Whatever is going to make you go to work every day and make you enjoy your job is more valuable to me than what is going to make someone else happy. Give everything a chance until you find something you are passionate about and makes you want to go to work every day. Now, Doherty says his best recruiting tool for showing others what the industry has to offer is himself. His success and love for his job help dispel the mindset sometimes associated with the construction industry that it is a last resort option and just a paycheck. I came in at the very bottom of the totem pole as a beginning laborer, he says. I worked as hard and learned as much as I could, and within a year and a half, they saw my potential and that I d be around for a while. You can really make a job in

41 this industry into a lifelong career. Don t worry about the money. The money will come. Balancing multigenerational crews Being a young foreman has its advantages but it doesn t come without its obstacles, especially when leading a multigenerational crew. Doherty says the generation above him taught him everything he knows, and that about half of his crew is 10 to 15 years older, than him. They want younger guys in this industry someone who can be around for a while so they can teach their trade to them,

42 Doherty says. They want to train a new generation to come in and take over. However, this leadership position at a younger age also comes with paying your dues by starting out as a new laborer and putting your all into the job to really learn how the job is done that is, done well and correctly. The older generation and more experienced members of my crew helped me figure out everything I didn t master yet and how to get through tougher challenges, Doherty says. These people have been around the business for years and years and are valuable. There are times when I am teaching 20-year-olds and times I m teaching people who have been here for a while. We all learn from each other. Although there may be some animosity when a younger crew leader takes over, this is remedied by going on the job and proving to the more experienced crew members that you really paid attention while being trained and that you respect them and what they have taught. When you go out and prove to them that you know what you are doing, respect can be earned, Doherty says. That respect isn t just given though. You have to earn it from people who have been doing this job since you were five years old and show that you can work just as long and hard as them and do the job right.

43 Showing success social media on With their young leadership, Doherty and others at ABI have dispelled the often pre-conceived notion that the current generation new to the job force and those soon entering it don t want to work hard and they and their young crew members are doing so via social media with the Under 21 Facebook group. Ironically, they use the social media group as a way almost a competition to show just how hard they do work. Many of the 21 & Under crew members are active on the Foundation Contractors the Wall Dogs, a closed Facebook group with nearly 2,900 members, and use the group as a way to share

44 successes and accomplishments. Using a social media platform something this age group identifies with and understands has been effective in motivating the young crew members and leaders. It is providing a way to show accomplishments and share ideas to learn from each other. The crews all work hard then they post it to the Facebook page, says Jeremy Engel Jr., a 21 & Under lead crew member. They want to show what they have gotten done. It motivates them to show their work and use it as fuel. It s kind of like a competition on who can work the hardest or set the biggest wall. It makes sense to combine Facebook and work, Engel Jr. points out, because all of the crew is familiar with Facebook and they all need to be at work every day. Why not combine the two work and Facebook and make the best of it? he says. It s a great way to show the accomplishments of everyone going to work and giving it their all. Doherty adds that it also provides a good opportunity to see what other companies in the industry in different states and throughout the country are doing on their job sites. There are so many ideas that get thrown out there, he says. We can see what other people are doing. Plus, a little healthy competition never hurts. One of my biggest training tools is competition, Doherty says. Whenever we get to show something off and say we were able to get it done in this amount of time, I think it makes the guys feel good. Finding and training young talent Recruiting and retaining young talent in the construction

45 industry has become increasingly important with an aging workforce. This means finding future employees and foreman and ensuring they are taught how to do a job correctly. It also means showing the younger generation that there are many opportunities in the business and identifying future leaders. How do you recognize potential young talent? You look for someone with a light in their eyes and the drive to work, says Dan Bromley, president/part owner of ABI Corporation and past president of the Concrete Foundations Association (CFA). He takes note when he finds someone who is smart, has a good personality, gets along well with others, is hardworking and has a willingness to do all different types of training. Bromley says it is important to communicate with promising members of this younger generation, to let them know if they have been pinpointed as future foremen or equipment operators and tell them the steps necessary to get there. If these future leaders are able to pass a drug screen and do not have any DUI/DWI history on their driver s licenses, Bromley finds out what their goals are and how they view their future. As soon as we see someone younger with talent and the drive and intelligence to succeed, we work on getting them their commercial driver s license (CDL), he says. When we need to replace someone, we want to be able to fill the position with someone we have already trained. Bromley points out that almost every person who has moved up in the company or has a supervisor role (with the exception of accounting) has started as a laborer. This is important to help them understand the business from the ground up. If your driving record is clean and you work hard, you will move up, he says. Even if a position is not open, the company is big enough where there are always opportunities.

46 Bromley shares the example of one young employee who had passed the written exam for his CDL but just wasn t able to get down shifting the truck. We spent a week with him driving in a quarry to teach him how to do it properly, he says. You earn loyal workers when you spend time working with and training them, making sure they know how to do a job properly. It might not always work out, but it s an investment. You have to try. ABI takes the same approach with training new employees and potential foremen time and time again, with management remembering what it was like just starting out and the importance of someone taking the time to teach them. Many foremen don t have the patience and don t put the time in to teach the crews to complete their tasks the right way. At ABI, the focus is on teaching crews to do it right; we preach the importance of doing it correctly, not fast. Speed is a product that comes with experience and time. No expectations are made for new hires to be able to just come out, set forms and pour concrete on day one. And though the younger generation has to earn the respect of the experienced workers, the team at ABI believes that respecting those learning goes a long way. Accessibility to and visibility of mentors and even, at times, father figures by those being trained is critical. Give them respect, receive respect back is a slogan that one perceives when listening to the stories told by these mentors. From respect grows confidence, loyalty and the performance that keeps the younger generation crews around. It can be difficult to be patient when trying to teach or get a point across that may be second nature to an industry veteran, but it s a key to success. Some of the main points the ABI crew leaders make are: 1) Don t yell at them and call them idiots. 2) Give them the respect they deserve. 3) You ll

47 get more guys to work for you if you treat them nicely than if you are a grumpy S.O G (son of a gun). Ultimately, the future depends on training the current young workforce and finding prospective industry leaders, and ABI s training and management approach sets this standard. In fact, supervisors and their teams are often glad to be teaching the trade to a younger generation that they see as motivated and hardworking. Instead of voicing frustration with this new generation of possible labor force, they realize that if this generation doesn t do it, we won t have anywhere to live. What final word of advice do they give? These kids really are interested in what we are trying to teach them. When people say underage kids don t want to work, they don t know our group. Recharging Your Leadership CFA Board of Directors adds four new faces for By James Baty Brian Cottom

48 Jay Middleton Matt Van Wyk Scott Renfroe

49 Like most organizations, the Board of Directors is the governing body for the Concrete Foundations Association (CFA). It consists of leaders volunteering their time, attention and financial resources in response to their pride and passion for this industry. As the CFA fiscal calendar turns each summer, one of the most apparent changes is that of participants on the Board of Directors. This is an exciting time that also comes with appreciation and melancholy. At present, this Board consists of 20 individuals serving staggered three-year terms. Three seats represent the exclusive membership category of National Associates, manufacturing and supply companies that represent the top echelon of products, equipment and technology that shape the present and future of cast-in-place concrete. The remaining seventeen seats are at-large positions for contractor, professional, Association. consultant and builder members of the Transitioning off of the Board this past July was a group of individuals who represent much of the time-honored history, current passion and on-going fabric defining the essence of this Association. Tom Brown, formerly of TJ Construction in Ely, Iowa served from 2008 until this year, participating through some of the most challenging times this Association has ever experienced. At the same time, these years evidenced the greatest expansion of benefits and programs ever achieved for Association members and the industry at large. Josh Esker of J.B. Esker & Sons in Teutopolis, Illinois served one term from 2014 to 2017 as a second-generation Board member, and joining him in that stretch of service was Dan Buser of Dandee Concrete Construction in Kearney, Nebraska. In addition to the service of these three contractor members, Lindsay Castles, president of GMX, Inc., completed his term on the Board as one of the most recently expanded positions in service for the National Associates. It is with great accolades and appreciation that the membership thanks the service of these

50 four leaders.

51 Transition brings hope and promise for the future, for moving forward. The Board has added four individuals from diverse backgrounds and geographies, further evidence of the reach of this Association and its value to the industry. Joining the Board are Brian Cottom of Woodco, Inc., in Terre Haute, Indiana; Scott Renfroe of Foundation Builders, Inc., in Greeley, Colorado; Matt Van Wyk of Van Wyks,

52 Inc., in Waldo, Wisconsin; and, filling the National Associate seat, Jay Middleton of Helix. Who are these individuals and how have they come to be part of the CFA Board? We turn to each of them in this article to find out a bit of their background for you and some insights to their leadership over the next three years. Q: What is your earliest memory of the concrete industry? (This question was asked as a way of connecting readers with the new members pasts to give a foundation for their future leadership. Renfroe and Van Wyk are second-generation CFA members, both having fathers who served on the Board.) Scott: My dad, Jack, started our foundation company in I can remember getting up early on Saturday mornings when I was about 7 or 8 and driving around with my dad to check on jobs. When we would stop at a job site I can remember climbing over the panels or climbing on the form trucks. I also remember getting to finish with a mag float if we were pouring a footing. Matt: A tough question, as I ve been around this my entire life. I would say it was when I was 9 years old and my father started building our new shop. I had been off of school and I got to participate pouring and floating the edges. It was the first time I can say I did something with concrete other than writing my initials in fresh concrete. Brian: My grandfather was a union carpenter, so I was around construction from an early age. But when I was seven or eight years old, one day a crew of guys showed up at our house. Next thing I remember, several big trucks arrived and this mud started coming out the back. The following day I had an awesome basketball court. That was cool. I ve been in love with concrete ever since! Jay: I watched as an additional section of basement was added to my childhood home.

53 Q: Considering the background you each have and the length of time you ve been around the business of concrete, what would you say is your biggest challenge faced in today s construction market as a business owner/operator/manager?

54 Brian: It has to be the workforce: finding and keeping dependable, drug free, qualified people.

55 Matt: Definitely the demands of the workforce. That is, finding quality employees, keeping those employees and making each of their needs to be the priority. Scott: Every day has its challenges. Skilled labor shortages are always a challenge, especially trying to meet the needs and timelines of each builder we work for in a very busy market. Jay: My perspective is from dealing with new technologies. There is a conflict between conservative evaluation and revenue generation. This currently works to stagnate the migration of great ideas and proven concepts to successful implementation and integration. Q: Considering that running a business has such a challenge, what piece of wisdom do you recall from your mother and/or father that you put into practice in business today? Scott: My father would always say, You must always take care of your employees and subcontractors. If they do not make money, they can t help you make money. The best compliment we can receive is for a friend or employee to want us to work for them. If they trust us with that job we have done our job correctly. Q: Matt, that sounds like it fits in with your previous response on honoring your workers. I wanted to ask you to expand that thought about making your employees needs a priority. Matt: Listen, I ve learned that in order to keep good employees you have to show you care about them, hear them and try to honor them. The bigger you are, the harder this is, but all the more important so no one feels lost or devalued. As for advice, my father, whom I took over this business from would always tell me, Do not keep your eggs in one basket.

56 His meaning was to be diverse. As markets change, you ll need to change. Customers expectations are all different and therefore it is important to never have only one! Jay: Never give up. Brian: I have to go with my grandma. She always said, You can t judge a book by its cover. This taught me from a young age that a person s skin color, clothes or whether they had a roof over their head or not didn t determine who they were. Q: It seems there is definite influence of the past on the ways you run your businesses and a great wealth of advice you ve received and are passing on. If you had to convey what most interests you in serving as a CFA board member, what would that be?

57 Brian: Giving back to an organization that tries to better my industry is simply my duty. And I ve found that you will always learn something along the way.

58 Matt: Being a servant to my peers. As I grew up, I got to know some of the most successful men in this industry and have been around them when they were leaders of their companies and as CFA board members. Listening to other members, learning what is important to them and finding out what they want from the CFA makes me better, my company better. This inspires me to bring my own knowledge to the table. Scott: I am interested in giving back to CFA and the members because of how much they have been there for our company when an issue or question has occurred. I am also interested in continuing the research into the captive insurance market for concrete contractors. I still think there is a better future for insuring our attention to quality and safety. Q: It is exciting to learn of your passion in this way. When you think of CFA, what is the first word that comes to your mind and why? Matt: Therapy... that is, group therapy for the contractor. We all have new problems we haven t faced yet, and someone in this group already has and is willing to give you the information about what they have done about it in the past. Jay: Basement: My impression is the that building basement foundations is the core business of the majority of members. Scott: Expertise. When you attend a meeting or talk with a member you will learn something. Brian: I have to agree, and my word would be helpful. I haven t met anyone from officers to suppliers to contractors that weren t interested in sharing useful information. It makes me a better contractor every time I look to the CFA. Q: There are certainly a lot more contractors who will read this and are not members than there are reading this who are.

59 As a challenge to someone whose company has not yet tried CFA membership or who has not yet been able to experience some of what you have described, what one piece of advice would you offer? Jay: I attended my first summer event in Santa Fe. Other than the beautiful scenery of the location I remember the discussions related to ACI332 the most. What I found is that CFA is the least expensive access to the best industryspecific continuing education and business consultation available. It is commonplace to hear members say they learned something at an association meeting that saved them tens of thousands of dollars in the following months. Scott: About fifteen years ago we attended a meeting in Breckenridge, Colorado. I remember the high-quality speakers and the friendly, contractors from around the country who openly discussed current issues we all face. Every owner cares about their company and wants to strengthen their company in one way or another. The CFA and its members will provide the best technical information and access to successful concrete companies from around the country that can help with information about the best business practices for any situation, and you will be given the opportunity to share what makes your company great with others. Matt: I agree with Scott. In fact, my first meeting I remember was likely the same one he attended. My first time sitting in round tables was at Breckinridge CO; I was 16-ish, give or take. I sat listening to Greg Peacock talk about wall failures. Although Greg was from Atlanta and I did not expect to have the same relevance as where I am in Wisconsin, it was spot-on identical. We all had the same progressive quality issues and were perusing better training methods to the main issues. I d recommend asking yourself, if you find your business struggling to be productive, have quality, or be profitable, how are you going to know if you are achieving

60 your goals to their fullest potential? These peer relationships are easy and effective. I have found that comparing myself to others within the CFA is one of my most effective business tools. Brian: The first CFA event I can recall was in Nashville back in the 90s. What I remember learning the most was that everyone else had the same problems. Gave me some hope, I guess. Just starting in business and dealing with all these issues back then, I thought I was doing everything wrong. Find a way to be part of this conversation. You won t regret it. Q: Our last question for the contractor members was related to time management. Realizing they have all volunteered to give a portion of the next three years to this Association and indirectly to the industry at large, they have challenged you to see the value in personally getting involved and perhaps even getting to an event. Most will either try to dismiss their affordability or ask, how do they do it? Where does this time come from? We ask them to divide their time each week into the buckets based on percentages so you can perhaps relate more easily in line with your own commitments. 1 Scott manages several other companies, which are development opportunities, and has served in the Colorado State Senate 2 Brian commits a strong percentage of his time to his church 3 Matt offers that if you don t find an outlet personally, you ll go insane. We look forward to learning more from these new board members, along with Jay Middleton, as the progress of managing this

61 Association and this industry continues. To learn more about any of these gentlemen or to connect with a CFA board member directly, please contact CFA Staff or visit the Association website, and select from the About menu. SCHWING AMERICA ACQUIRES ASSETS OF LOOP BELT INDUSTRIES ST. PAUL, MINN. (September 29, 2017) Schwing America, worldwide designer, manufacturer and distributor of premium concrete production and handling equipment, announced the closing of transaction for the purchase of all the assets of Loop Belt Industries, makers of high-quality truck mounted telescopic conveyors. We are thrilled to acquire the assets of Loop Belt Industries and incorporate them into the Schwing family, said Bill Murray, CEO of Schwing America. This asset purchase adds diversification to our existing portfolio and will provide our customers with enhanced high-performance concrete and aggregate conveying options. The acquisition, which was finalized on September 21, includes intellectual property, patents, patent applications,

62 copyrights and trademarks, among other assets. The Loop Belt products include 33-Meter and 40-Meter truck mounted telescopic conveyors, a tractor trailer mounted 40-Meter conveyer, and a tower mounted conveyor for stationary applications. The Loop Belt product line complements Schwing s concrete machinery portfolio in a strategic way enabling our customers to grow with Schwing, said Tom O Malley, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing. The advanced design features, including an all tubular steel boom, 20-inch wide belts and flexible outriggers, offer users a reliable unit that can convey several types of aggregates and sand. materials including concrete, Along with the asset purchase, Schwing has hired Loop Belt Industries President, Joseph Gallione as a Senior Product Engineer & Operations Support Manager. Joe will continue to lead the Loop Belt product line in its current operating model and the transition of Loop Belt production from Glen Ellyn to Schwing s manufacturing facility in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. For more information or high-resolution images, contact laudan@linnihanfoy.com About Schwing America Schwing America is part of the Schwing Group, headquartered in Herne, Germany with plants as well as sales and service centers in several countries. Located in St. Paul, Minn., Schwing America manufactures industry leading concrete pumps, truck mixers, reclaimers, long reach hydro excavators and genuine parts for distribution in North and Latin America.

63 Profoundly Convention Impacted by This issue of the magazine introduces the newest CFA Board members. One of the common threads between them is easily found in the profound impact that Convention, meeting and networking with peers has had on them. This is not unique by any stretch of the imagination to a member of the Board. Talk with any one from a company that has been around for a few years, particularly the owner or manager that has had the chance to actually attend, and you will hear resounding stories of personal and professional achievement and evolution that has come from such an environment. It is, in the end, what established the CFA and what has maintained it through some of the most dire and difficult economic cycles since We thank Schwing, Putzmeister, Thermomass, Building Point, Nox-Crete, BIK Hydraulics, Irving Equipment, GMX, Concrete Forms Services and Concrete Contractor Magazine as well as AutoCar, Fox Blocks, Helix Steel and the Tennessee Concrete Association for 2017 sponsorship.

64 Leslie Epp, an architecture student from New York attended CFA Convention after learning about the event. This year, however, we had the chance to experience a new kind of difference making. One might suggest that CFA has seemingly grown up as our event began to attract attention from a broader spectrum than the cast-in-place residential concrete contractor. A college student from New York, who is working through her degree in architecture had her mom contact us to see if it would be possible to attend. Desiring a more handson or realistic understanding of materials, this young professional-to-be found out about our convention, asked her parents if it would be possible to take a vacation to Tennessee so she could be present, and then started the process of contacting us to register. While we extended the opportunity for the whole family to attend, our anticipation

65 for the impact we might have was small. It was enough of an honor to be recognized as a place to impact the next generation of designers. The week after the event, we received messages from both Leslie and her mom. I just wanted to thank you for allowing myself and family to attend the conference at no cost. I m so grateful that I was able to come and learn about concrete, and meet others that held an appreciation for the material. The conference definitely widened my views of concrete and its possibilities and now, more than ever, I consider concrete more of a versatile and invaluable material. When was the last time you legitimately considered your industry, the material you make a living from, as invaluable. A portion of the good will and the investment in others was passed along to this family and in turn, the future appreciation for the livelihood you enjoy was ensured just a bit more. Well done, attendees to Concrete Foundations Convention You made a difference in the life of yet another tomorrow through your hospitality. CFA Executive Director, James Baty

66 Success Work! Only Comes After The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. After many years in business, I can attest to that being a Concrete Fact. Becoming a CFA member will never take the hard work out of success, but membership sure can lighten the load and, hopefully, help avoid the pitfalls of our industry through sharing the experiences of its members. If you are willing to do more than you are paid to do, eventually you will be paid to do more than you do. (anonymous) I had the pleasure of contacting some Board Members to inform them that their terms were about to expire and to ask them if they would consider another term. One particular Board Member answered, Absolutely. He commented, I thought I really knew a lot about the concrete business before I got on the Board. The knowledge gained in participation on the Board has been invaluable to my business. As a member of this Association, you are welcome to attend Board meetings. Please understand there is no member any more

67 important than you. By just attending Board meetings, your participation in the Association is not only important to your business, but your input and sharing of your experiences can influence many others in their paths to success. Making changes in your business operations/ventures without consulting others with similar experiences can make the difference between succeeding and failing. I can speak with experience on this one. Some years ago, I had a conversation with a fellow member with regard to a venture that I gave up on but that he was very successful at. He told me that my failure could be easily explained: You didn t throw enough money at it. Looking back, he was absolutely right. I did not consult with others who had experience in that particular venture, and when I struggled, I just gave up. A fellow member called me just this past week with a concern over a piece of equipment purchased at this summer s meeting in Nashville. My comment to him was that he purchased his equipment from a very reputable CFA Associate Member who I knew supplied excellent support with the purchase, and that he should not be afraid to make good use of that. I would like to thank everyone who attended and supported this summer s meeting in Nashville. I hope all who attended enjoyed themselves and was able to take valuable knowledge back home with them. There seemed to be considerable generated during the three days there. enthusiasm My wife and I are looking forward to next summer s meeting in Utah and are encouraging other family members to attend with us so we can all enjoy a mini vacation.

68 Dennis Purinton, Purinton Builders Inc., CFA President , ASSOCIATION NEWS: CFA Health and Safety Survey Says James Baty, Executive

69 Director of the CFA CFA conducted a survey on the state of safety education in member companies. The survey was the precursor for work being undertaken to develop a learning management system (LMS) and offer online courses for access by members of the Association, to bring better education to the workforce. Such an LMS not only elevates the quality of the education, but it also efficiently assigns, monitors and maintains a quality safety education program that can become the cornerstone of risk management. This survey, released at the start of May, was submitted to all members of the Concrete Foundations Association to gather input on the types of and commitment to safety education throughout the membership. The brief survey consisted of eleven total questions and has provided valuable data regarding both the current state of safety education found in CFA member companies, and the interest and need for improvement in this area. It is not surprising to hear companies talk of the challenges they face weekly or monthly to engage the work force in safety education. Relying on toolbox talks from a recognized industry provider or insurance company can deliver meaningful content, though not often 100% pertinent to the duties and specifics of this industry. Safety training is admittedly most often OTJ, informal and offered, in many companies, as needed. Martin Glenday, president of Moxie Media, Inc., the leading safety education LMS in the market today, maintains that, Across all industries, not just in construction, we see companies every day involved in reactive or defensive safety education, rather than proactive education. This means they wait to do training only until after an issue or an accident, when it is too late.

70 Safety training should be done year-round and for every dollar spent, companies get several dollars in benefits. The average accident requiring medical attention can cost $37,000, according to the National Safety Council. We have found that the best, most efficient way to provide health and safety training is online, with the aid of an LMS system to keep track of students. Arthur J. Gallagher, broker for CFA s Core360 insurance program, agrees with Glenday s assessment. Working with program manager for Gallagher, Kristen Long, the CFA Board has come to know that while reactive or defensive safety education is the norm, it should be the last resort. When an issue arises, the injury has already been done to the worker and there is a negative impact both on workforce and on the company mod rating. It is often very difficult to recover from these physical, emotional and financial costs in any reasonable time frame, and it takes great energy to turn around. Therefore, CFA s Board of Directors and management staff began considering an education system that could simplify and improve health and safety training with a cost-effective approach. With the data gathered from the survey, CFA could begin finalizing the details on a program that would be suitable to all CFA members, no matter their size. Daniel Guttman of Business Management Solutions, Inc., a Moxie collaborator, describes it as preemptive safety education. He says, Safety education can be defined in many ways and each company has their own take and preference. But there is little argument that a good safety program benefits every employee and each CFA company member. As each question is summarized, you are invited to compare your own response to challenge your background and understanding for the issue, and perhaps broaden your own perceptions of what you may be achieving now as compared to where you might like to go next. See if you agree with the CFA

71 that such a robust Health and Safety Program can be beneficial to your needs. Q1: Does your company have an organized safety program? Nearly 80% of respondents affirmed they have an organized safety program. This was left open to the individual as to what the definition of organized was and can be understood to mean many different structures across the industry. Q2: How satisfied are you regarding your safety program? The responses to this question begin to show that despite the overwhelming majority identifying that an organized approach to safety exists, the comfort level or satisfaction with such

72 an approach is lacking. More than 60% of the respondents lack confidence in existing methods Q3: What methods do you use to conduct safety training? The respondents demonstrated through this question that almost half of the companies handle this one-on-one and/or reactively (after an incident occurs). This question was left open for multiple responses, recognizing that companies may have more than one standard position or varied responses based on the situation. It is a positive sign that a framework exists for more than half the companies responding. Such a framework can form the nucleus of a successful transition to an enhanced safety education program that reaches into the workforce more effectively as well as the entire company. Roughly half of the respondents also indicate experience and comfort in using videos for the basis of such learning. Q4: What specific products or sources do you use for the safety training identified by Q3? Building off the previous question, the goal was to determine if there are consistencies or at least repetition in the resources currently being used for the current education. Some of the responses indicated an insurance company provided content. Most concerning from these responses, however, was the number that responded with a focus on these resources related to orientation of new hires rather than an established, on-going component to the company culture.

73 Q5: Do you use any type of e-learning or Learning Management System (LMS) for your safety program? Here is where new technology or delivery platforms within our industry is required, as 85% of the respondents indicated they do not use online courses to deliver their safety programming. An LMS organizes, schedules, tracks and even delivers the safety education in a group setting or on an individual basis, depending on how the company chooses to implement the system. This will be the foundation for educating CFA members as the program develops, and a larger cross-section of the industry will be invited to consider the benefits of such a program. Q6: Thinking of your response to Q5, what types of systems are you currently using? Of the responses received to this expansion thought, none of the responses were evidence of actual LMS. None of the respondents provided recognition of a web-based or other technology-based system for delivering consistent safety education. Q7: Do you have a systematic way to track and organize your safety training?

74 This question was asked to challenge the thinking of an LMS as it relates to company culture and personnel management. A near even split resulted between those that consider their in-house system adequate, or at least systematic, and those that do not. Q8: If CFA offered an e-learning tool (LMS), would you be interested in learning more about it and consider using it? This is an obvious question the respondents should have expected when moving through a survey about their current experience. As established in the introduction to the survey, the purpose was to develop a sufficient background to determine whether this direction for the Association would be