THE VOICE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY OF GEORGIA
The Georgia
CONTRACTOR Volume 8, Issue 1
January | February 2012
ENVISION TRANSPORTATION ASSETS AS UTILITIES STORY ON PAGE 6
Letter from the Editor January | February 2012
ADVERTISEMENTS A4 Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Dear Readers~
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Everybody is going to discuss our new year with the same hope that somehow or other, just maybe, the construction industry will begin to see a change for the better and that is particularly true for the transportation sector. We have reason to hope that the July 2012 referendum on the Transportation Investment Act will be passed by all Georgians and, if it does, we have genuine reason to hope that we are finally on the way to move our transportation plans forward and know that the funding will be available. Most importantly, we will know that Georgia will not lag behind other states in their development of effective and competitive infrastructure improvements. Ken Simonson, chief economist of the AGC of America gives us again a well presented analysis of where Georgia is going economically speaking in 2012. One major driver for our economy will be the Panama Canal and the deepening of the Savannah Harbor. Much construction will have to take place in preparation for the super sized container ships we can be expecting. This increase in construction is essential to make Savannah competitive with other harbors. The opportunities for Georgia are very real. As Ken points out, private nonresidential segments that appear poised to improve in 2012 include manufacturing, hospital, and perhaps higher education construction. Large retail and office segments are likely to remain stuck in low gear for another year, he says. CEFGA will be working on its Careers in Construction exposition that will be taking place at the Georgia International Congress Center in March. We need to encourage all construction companies and their suppliers to support and participate in this event. Our supply of future skilled construction workers depends on it. That is true even while the current construction activities appear well below our normal expectations.
Cummins Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Engineered Restorations Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Georgia Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover HNTB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 JAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 LPA Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 MidSouth Machine & Service Company. . . . . . . . . . 25 Prime Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 RHD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 T. Wayne Owens & Associates, PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Utilities Protection Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover
R. Petersen-Frey Editor-in-Chief
January | February 2012
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On The Cover
The Georgia Contractor www.thegeorgiacontractor.com
Managing Editor R. Petersen-Frey (770) 521-8877 Art Director Pamela Petersen-Frey (770) 521-8877
The Georgia Contractor is published bi-monthly on a calendar year basis. It is a magazine designed around the construction industry associations and their ENVISION TRANSPORTATION ASSETS AS UTILITIES very day across America, public utilities dutifully provide us with the comforts and conveniences of life. Flip a switch and the light goes on. Raise the thermostat and the gas furnace blazes. Turn the faucet and water rushes forth. See the story on page 6
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members. It is supported by associations and their members. Executive, editorial, circulation, and advertising offices: 1154 Lower Birmingham Road, Canton, Georgia 30115 • Phone: (770) 521.8877 • Fax: (770) 521.0406 e-mail: rfrey@a4inc.com. Send address changes to your association and/or to A4 Inc.
Opinions expressed by the authors are not necessarily those of any of the associations or publisher nor do they accept responsibility for errors of content “Gort! Klaatu Borada nikto.”
or omission and, as a matter of policy, neither do they endorse products or advertisements appearing herein. Parts of this magazine may be reproduced with the written consent of the publisher.
A4 INC. (770) 521 8877 USE A COMPANY YOU CAN TRUST WITH YOUR TRANSLATION PROJECT, because a little mistake in another language can have unpleasant results.
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The Georgia Contractor
The Georgia
Contractor 6
January | February 2012
CONTENTS
Envision Transportation Assets as Utilities
8 Delve into 2012: Better Times for (some) Georgia Contractors
10 Meeting the Fringe Benefits Obligation on Projects Subject to the Davis-Bacon Act
12 6
Computer Fraud: Is your money safe in the bank?
14 NFRC’s CMA: A tool for making informed decisions on commercial fenestration
16 High-accuracy Mapping
18 When is a tax not a tax?
20 When the skilled craftsmen retire, who is there to continue the tradition?
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21 Concerned about Finding New, Young Talent for Your Company? Check out the 2012 Career Expo and SkillsUSA State Championships.
22 Winds of Change 2011 Brings new levels of success with highway reauthorization
24 Georgia Contractor NEWS
26 GCAA Workshop Exhibitors Listing
31 21 January | February 2012
Moisture in Concrete Slabs ~ New Construction
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Envision Transportation Assets as Utilities By Peter Rahn, | HNTB
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very day across America, public utilities dutifully provide us with the comforts and conveniences of life. Flip a switch and the light goes on. Raise the thermostat and the gas furnace blazes. Turn the faucet and water rushes forth. While we might take these modern conveniences for granted, we also do not question the necessity of the electric, gas, and water bills we receive. We understand that these utilities cost money and that, since we use them, we must pay for them. Why, then, don’t we view our transportation assets—such as roads, bridges, and tunnels—in the same light? They are in every way like public utilities. We use these assets every day to connect us to the world. We commute, recreate, and travel long distances on them, and all of the goods and services we enjoy make daily use of these assets. Yet, there is a general tendency among the public to view these assets as ‘build-itonce-and-forget-it’ systems, rather than as utilities that require continuing attention and investment. The result is a persistent shortage of appropriate funding for these assets as politicians fear voter reprisals should they raise taxes or initiate tolls. There is one way to break this impasse: take the bold step of transforming our transportation assets into functioning public utilities. We need only look at the success of our electricity, gas, and water utilities for inspiration. In the U.S., the mechanism for funding these necessities is public utility commissions. Independent boards across the country are responsible for ensuring utility companies have enough revenue to meet the public need, but not so much that they generate excessive income. 6
The Georgia Contractor
By removing politics from transportation funding, new independent commissions could regularly adjust fuel tax rates and other fees to ensure our transportation network’s long-term viability. These independent transportation rate commissions could be formed at both the state and federal levels of government. To keep the process in check, Congress or the corresponding state legislature would have the power to overturn by a super majority vote any decision the commissions make. In the states, a public utility approach would ensure safe, adequate surface transportation systems while giving an independent commission oversight authority to prevent transportation agencies from collecting more revenue than is necessary to serve the public’s interest. Commissions have gotten tough jobs done at the federal level. When politics interfered with the need to fund certain necessary activities, the solution has been to move to empowered independent commissions. We’ve seen it happen with the Postal Rate
January | February 2012
Explore THINK resources at hntb.com/think Commission and with the military’s Base Realignment and Closure Commission. In fact, there are examples where successful commissions have built and maintained high-profile infrastructure assets as well. The engineering marvel we know as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel is run not by the Virginia DOT, but by a commission made up of representatives from various adjacent counties. They own, operate and maintain the 17.6-mile complex, using tolls to fund new construction and maintenance. Look farther back in history—75
years—and you’ll find the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, which was formed to create a bridge between the U.S. and Canada at the site of one of the world’s most impressive natural features. The NFBC now runs three bridges in that region, dealing with the extraordinary challenges of crossing international boundaries and severe environmental conditions. Yet the NFBC has been able to successfully run its operation, supporting itself through tolls, tenant leases and bonds. Such a time-tested model deserves a closer look. v
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Delve into 2012 ~ Better Times for (some) Georgia Contractors By Ken Simonson | Chief Economist | AGC of America
area. (BLS combines industries in most metros to avoid disclosing data about industries with few employers. Metro data are not seasonally adjusted.)
Nevertheless, there are some positive signs. Existing-home sales climbed 22 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier, the National Association of Realtors reported. The National Association of Home Builders listed Athens among a growing number of improving markets, based on metros that have shown employment growth, house price appreciation, and single-family permit growth for at least six months. Market-rate rental apartment construction should be the strongest part of the residential market in 2012 in Georgia and throughout the nation. In October, private multifamily construction spending in the U.S. was up seven percent from a year earlier. But permits were 48 percent higher and starts, 89 percent higher. These are powerful indicators that the spending figures will soon climb much higher as well.
Private residential construction A major reason for the statewide slump has been the housing collapse. According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, singlefamily houses that were resold using financing from Fannie Mae or Freddie in the third quarter of 2011 had a median price decline of 3.7 percent nationally from a year earlier but lost 8.4 percent of their value in Georgia. Only four states did worse. (Half of all price changes exceed the median and half are below it.) Over a five-year period, prices dropped 19 percent nationally and 26 percent in Georgia. As with construction employment, the house price decline has been throughout the state and has persisted longer than in the U.S. as a whole. The national median price inched up 0.2 percent, seasonally adjusted, from the second quarter to the third, but the median price dropped another 1.6 percent in Georgia. One-year declines ranged from four percent in Warner Robins and the Chattanooga metro area to 12 percent in Brunswick and Dalton.
Private nonresidential construction Two major drivers for the economy in the next few years will be the Panama Canal and shale deposits of oil and natural gas. Georgia is not likely to benefit from the ‘shale gale’ but the port of Savannah and areas that connect with it or ship through are affected by ‘Panamania.’ The canal is currently being widened and deepened to accommodate containerships that will be able to carry four times as much cargo as the current ‘Panamax’ size without having to unload on the West Coast. To accommodate the huge increase in containers, expected as soon as late 2014, the port and associated storage areas, intermodal, and rail facilities must expand. Shippers and logistics companies throughout the nation are making adjustments to shorten delivery times to and from the ports these ships will stop at. Whether Georgia ultimately captures a larger share of international ocean traffic depends on the efficiency of Savannah relative to competing East, Gulf, and West Coast ports, but for now,
Contractors in Georgia have had an even tougher time than their counterparts nationally, and the hard times haven’t ended yet. But there are some positive signs for 2012.
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onstruction employment in the state topped out at 224,000, seasonally adjusted, in March 2007, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. (Seasonal adjustment is a widely used statistical technique to remove distortions from normal weather or holiday variations.) That was about a year after construction had begun shrinking in the country as a whole. But the decline in Georgia has been much steeper—41 percent through October 2011—than the 28 percent dropoff nationally. The 132,000 construction workers on state payrolls in October constituted the lowest count since 1993. Moreover, Georgia was still shedding workers on a year-over-year basis through the first ten months of 2011, whereas nationwide construction employment has been roughly stable since early 2010. From October 2010 to October 2011, Georgia lost 9.5 percent of its construction workforce—the steepest drop among all 50 states plus the District of Columbia—while U.S. construction employment was flat. The pain was shared throughout the state’s major metro areas. From October 2010 to October 2011, construction employment declined in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta metro area by 7,700—the largest amount of any metro area—or eight percent. Employment in construction, mining, and logging dropped by seven percent in the Savannah metro area, six percent in the Augusta-Richmond County metro area (including two counties in South Carolina) and two percent in the Chattanooga, Tennessee-Georgia metro 8
Ken Simonson
The Georgia Contractor
the scramble to attract post-Panamax containerships will generate additional construction work. Other private nonresidential segments that appear poised to improve in 2012 include manufacturing, hospital and, perhaps, higher education construction. Georgia should share in these gains. But formerly large retail and office segments are likely to remain stuck in low gear for another year or longer. Public construction State revenue has begun to accelerate in Georgia. After rising only three percent from the second quarter of 2010 to the same period in 2011, the third quarter yearover-year gain rose to seven percent . If the trend continues, the state will be able to fund more construction, or at least avoid further cuts. But school districts and local governments that depend heavily on property tax receipts to fund spending are still hurting as a result of tumbling house prices. Even if home price begin to rise, it will take a couple of years before assessments—and tax bills—reflect the upturn.
January | February 2012
In addition, the in-migration from other states that added to demand for school and home construction has stopped, at least for now. According to the Census Bureau, 249,000 people moved into Georgia from other states in 2010, but that was nearly balanced by the 245,000 who moved out. Federal dollars for stimulus, military base realignment, and cleanup at the Savannah River nuclear site had helped assorted Georgia contractors stay afloat in the last few years. Unfortunately, these programs have now ended or tapered off. In addition, regular federal appropriations for public works and federal buildings will decline, or be held level at most, in 2012 and, probably, 2013. Costs Contractors were blindsided by steep price increases for several key materials early in 2011. Copper futures soared past 2008 highs to a record of $4.60 per pound by February 2011, but by mid-December the price had fallen 30 percent and was below December 2010 levels. Steel also moved up sharply before retreating in the summer and fall. Diesel fuel topped four dollars per gallon
twice during the year but was slipping in December. Meanwhile, wallboard manufacturers, who had seen prices remain flat for three years, announced 35 percent price increases to take effect in January 2012. But they may have trouble making the increases stick unless demand picks up from homebuilding, office, retail or school construction. Other building materials, such as lumber, concrete, and plastic construction products, also seem unlikely to have large price gains. Putting the pieces together, construction materials costs should be less volatile over the course of the year than they were in 2012 but may still end up with a third straight year of five percent gains. Labor costs, which rose only about one percent in 2011, will go up only slightly more in 2012. Across the nation and the state, private multifamily and nonresidential construction are slowly ending their multi-year downturns. But any increase in construction activity in 2012 will be tempered by continued sluggishness in several segments and a further decline in public construction. v
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Meeting the Fringe Benefit Obligation on Projects Subject to the Davis-Bacon Act By Phillip J Siegel, Esq. | Hendrick, Phillips, Salzman & Flatt
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ith the private construction market still slow, many contractors are either performing work on government construction projects subject to the Davis-Bacon Act for the first time, or giving consideration to engaging in public construction work subject to the Davis-Bacon Act for the first time. Contractors are also learning that state, local, and county projects may also involve the requirement to pay prevailing wages in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act as a result of state law, or federal assistance by grants or loans, including the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. Contractors are often familiar with the requirement to pay prevailing wages on projects subject to the Davis-Bacon Act. However, one of the most common questions raised by contractors performing work subject to the Davis-Bacon Act’s prevailing wage requirement is how to comply with a fringe benefit obligation appearing in a wage determination for the roofer classification.
wage requirement for the appropriate classification and applying the excess wages as an offset against the fringe benefit obligation. Regardless of the method chosen, the total hourly wage rate paid to any laborer or mechanic (basic wage or basic wage plus fringe benefits) may not be less than the total wage determination for the appropriate classification (basic wage or basic wage plus fringe benefits).
Meeting the Fringe Benefit Obligation A contractor may discharge his obligation for paying basic hourly rates and fringe benefits when both are contained in a wage determination in one of the following ways: by paying at least the basic hourly rate and making a contribution for the fringe benefits in the wage determination; by paying in cash for the basic hourly rate and making an additional cash payment in lieu of required benefits; or by a combination of these methods, such as paying an hourly rate, partly in cash and partly in payment or costs for fringe benefits, which total at least the fringe benefit obligation set forth in the wage determination. Contractors can also meet the fringe benefit obligation by providing wages in excess of the prevailing
Paying Fringes in Cash Contractors who pay any portion of the fringe benefit in cash are required to include the cash payment in their payroll, and the cash payment is subject to withholding taxes, such as FICA, FUTA, and SUTA, as well as workers’ compensation. In general, depending on state law, the average payroll burden is between 14 percent and 25 percent. This payroll burden can be significantly reduced by providing ‘bona fide’ fringe benefits instead of paying cash to meet the fringe benefit obligation. When the fringe portion of the prevailing wage is met by actually providing a bona fide fringe benefit, the cost of providing such a benefit is taken off the payroll and is therefore exempt from payroll taxes.
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Phillip Siegel
Importantly, for those contractors that choose to pay the fringe benefit in cash, while the fringe benefit is paid in cash for each hour worked, under the federal Davis-Bacon Act, the laborers do not earn overtime pay on fringe benefits paid in cash (although, state law may require overtime pay on fringe benefits paid in cash). In other words, while laborers receive the straight-time cash equivalent of the fringe benefit paid in cash for each hour worked, even for hours worked in excess of 40 hours for the week, they do not earn the half-time component for fringe benefits paid in cash for hours that exceed 40 hours for the workweek. ‘Bona Fide’ Fringe Benefits Only those fringe benefits that are structured as either a funded fringe benefit or a qualifying unfunded fringe benefit may be used to meet the fringe benefit obligation. A funded fringe benefit is a contribution amount made by the employer which covers the employer’s total future obligation and which is made to a trustee or a third person irrevocably pursuant to a fund, plan or program. The ‘third person’ must not be affiliated with the contractor, and the fund must be set up in such a way that the contractor is not able to recapture any of the contributions paid or in any way divert the funds for its own use or benefit, and the contributions must be made not less often than quarterly. An example of a funded fringe benefit would be vested contributions made by the roofing contractor to an employee’s 401k plan account. If benefits are unfunded, they must meet certain requirements to be counted for Davis-Bacon Act purposes. In particular, they must be given pursuant to a plan that (i) could be reasonably anticipated to provide benefits; (ii) represents a commitment that can be legally enforced; (iii) is finanThe Georgia Contractor
cially responsible; and (iv) is communicated in writing to the laborers and mechanics affected. A plan that is ‘reasonably anticipated’ to provide benefits must be able to withstand tests for actuarial soundness. An example of an unfunded fringe benefit would be if a roofing contractor set aside contributions in a bank account set up pursuant to sound actuarial principles and which would be sufficient to meet future obligations under the plan. Calculating the Cash Equivalent Once roofing contractors understand which benefits qualify as bona fide fringe benefits for purposes of the Davis-Bacon Act, the issue becomes verifying that the benefit provided meets or exceeds the hourly rate as set forth in the applicable wage determinations. Many contractors are surprised to hear that this analysis must be done by looking at each laborer employed on the project individually and determining the benefits received by that individual and the hours worked by that individual. It is impermissible to use averages to determine the applicable offset. In order to calculate the cash equivalent of the benefit that will be used to meet
January | February 2012
the Davis-Bacon Act, contractors need to consider the period of time covered by the contribution or payment being made. For example, if the contractor pays health insurance premiums for its employees in the amount of $2,400.00 per year per employee, the total hours worked each year by each employee, on both Davis-Bacon and nonDavis-Bacon projects, must be used to determine the hourly cash equivalent for which the contractor is entitled to take credit for that employee. Again, this must be done separately for each laborer on the project because, while each laborer may receive the same premium payment from the employer, each laborer may have worked a different amount of hours over the course of the year. The employee that works 2080 hours over the course of the year (including both Davis-Bacon work and non-Davis-Bacon work) in this example is receiving a fringe benefit with a cash equivalent of $1.15 per hour. Contractors that offer vacation pay to their employees, but not pursuant to any plan, funded or unfunded, may still claim vacation pay as a fringe benefit for DavisBacon Act purposes, but only after the covered worker has actually used the paid vaca-
tion day. As a result, the fringe offset would only apply in the week within which the vacation day was used. For example, consider the contractor that is paid a regular rate of $14.00 per hour. This contractor takes a vacation day on Monday, and then works 32 hours for the balance of the week. The paid vacation day has a value of $112.00 ($14.00 x 8). Because the payment is made during the week, and the employee worked only 32 hours this week, the cash equivalent of the benefit provided is $3.50 ($112.00 divided by 32). Contractors that perform an analysis of the cash equivalent of the benefits provided may find that the benefit provided exceeds the benefit obligation.When the cash equivalent of the fringe benefit provided by the roofing contractor exceeds the hourly rate for the fringe benefit as set forth in the wage determination, the roofing contractor is permitted to take the excess fringe benefit and offset it against the prevailing wage requirement. Conclusion There are a lot of issues to be addressed when determining how, and if, your company will meet its fringe benefit obligation on a project subject to the Davis-Bacon Act. Questions concerning whether fringe benefits are bona fide and how the cash equivalent of fringe benefits provided is calculated should be referred to the Wage and Hour Division. There are regional offices for the Wage and Hour Division and Davis-Bacon Act enforcement that are charged with answering these types of questions from contractors working on projects subject to the Davis-Bacon Act. Contact information for the regional wage and hour specialists in your area can be obtained from the contract administrator assigned to the project. Contractors should also consult with their benefits plan provider and legal counsel to ensure the fringe benefit obligation on a Davis-Bacon Act project is being met in a way that is most beneficial to the roofing contractor. v 11
Computer Fraud: Is your money safe in the bank? By Dave Collings | Partner, Greyling Insurance Brokerage & Risk Consulting Inc.
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magine discovering that cyber thieves hacked into your corporate bank account, that they took all of the funds, and that the bank was not held accountable. According to a recent article in BusinessWeek, this happened to Patco Construction, a 22-employee builder in Sanford, Maine. Hackers managed to take $354,444 from Patco’s accounts; and the bank, now part of People’s United Bank, has refused to reimburse Patco for its losses.1 So far, federal judges are siding with the bank, twice deeming the bank’s protections ‘commercially reasonable.’ The article describes another case where hackers stole $5.2 million from a manufacturer of metal products. The bank was able to recover 90 percent of the money, but the manufacturer, Experi-Metal, had to sue to recover the balance after the bank refused to cover the loss. The bank’s argument was that the hackers gained access through an Experi-Metal computer. Ultimately, the courts ruled in ExperiMetal’s favor. According to the BusinessWeek article, more than $1 billion per year is taken by cyber thieves from corporate bank accounts. Cyber criminals are going after what they perceive as easy targets—small to midsize companies doing business with community or regional banks. We are not privy to the details of either loss, either victim’s or bank’s coverage, or any other private information. But this does raise some ugly issues: how secure are your firm’s computers? Does your firm or your bank have any insurance that would cover at least part of such a loss? Do you know what computer security protocols are required according to your agreement with your bank? Do you know now what your bank will do if (or when) it’s your firm’s turn to be the victim of cyber thieves?
one of the coverages available from virtually all insurers as part of a crime policy is computer and funds transfer fraud. The insurance covers loss of, or damage to, your firm’s money and securities from these two perils. A typical definition of coverage follows:
In other (and simpler) words, this widely available coverage would have stepped in when the court in the Patco case allowed the bank’s declination of coverage to stand. So far so good, but there are a couple of
According to the BusinessWeek article, more than $1 billion per year is taken by cyber thieves from corporate bank accounts. Cyber criminals are going after what they perceive as easy targets—small to midsize companies doing business with community or regional banks.
We will pay for loss of and loss from damage to ‘money,’ ‘securities,’ and ‘other property’ following and directly related to the use of any computer to fraudulently cause a transfer of that property from inside the ‘premises’ or ‘banking premises’ 1. to a person (other than a ‘messenger’) outside those ‘premises’; or
wrinkles in the coverage that could cause problems if there is a loss: • Most mid-size firms do not purchase enough computer and funds transfer fraud coverage to cover all the cash they might have in the bank. Even larger firms often carry only $1 million of coverage. That may leave a big piece of a major loss uncovered.
2. to a place outside those ‘premises.’ And we will pay for loss of ‘money” or ‘securities’ through ‘funds transfer fraud’ resulting directly from ‘fraudulent transfer instructions communicated to a ‘financial institution’ and instructing such institution to pay, deliver, or transfer ‘money’ or ‘securities’ from your ‘transfer account.’
• Virtually all insurance policies have an ‘Other Insurance’ clause. In crime insurance policies, the clause frequently says something like, “This insurance does not cover loss recoverable or recovered under any other insurance or indemnity.” That brings us to your financial institution’s coverage for such online losses.
Your Firm’s Coverage Most firms purchase crime insurance, and 12
The Georgia Contractor
Your Bank’s Coverage Virtually all banks purchase crime insurance to cover a multitude of risks, among them coverage for computer fraud, voiceinitiated transfer fraud, and telefacsimile transfer fraud. And financial institutions generally purchase much higher limits than their customers. After all, their “products” are the handling, storing, and safeguarding of money—including your firm’s money. But financial institutions also have contractual agreements with their customers. Those agreements generally include a detailed explanation of online procedures and responsibilities. For example, one such agreement includes the following terms: Since we condition access upon entry of a valid User ID and Password in combination with a secure access code when appropriate, we will accept instructions for transfers or other transactions from any person using a valid User ID, Password, and Secure Access code. This is so even if the person obtaining access: • Is not a company representative •
Exceeds your authority or that granted by any company representative
•
Does not have your authority
•
Has had his/her authority changed or revoked
• Check your crime insurance policy. Be certain that you have coverage for computer and funds transfer fraud. • Check your banking agreements to determine under what condition your financial institution will—and will not—cover any losses you sustain through an infected computer. • Meet with your firm’s representative from its financial institution to review your agreement and to confirm your understanding of the institution’s responsibilities under such circumstances.
Endnote 1. “Banks to Small Business: Online Theft? Tough Luck,” Business Week (September 15, 2011). ©Greyling Insurance Brokerage and Risk
Consulting Inc., 2011. All rights reserved. e information contained herein should not be relied upon as legal, tax, or insurance advice for specific facts or circumstances and is not intended to be a substitute for consultation with legal, tax, or insurance counsel. v
Is an imposter or thief. This would seem to put the burden back on the customer to protect its computers from viruses, malware, and hackers. The degree to which the financial institution can do so legally may vary from one state to another. Next Steps Forewarned is forearmed. Knowing the potential for loss means there are steps you can take to determine whether and where there is coverage for your firm’s bank accounts being pilfered by a hacker. We recommend that you start with the following steps: • Check your bank balances in detail on a regular basis. January | February July | August 2011 2012
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NFRC’s CMA: A tool for making informed decisions on commercial fenestration By Jim Benney | Chief Executive Officer | National Fenestration Rating Council
igh performance building is quickly going mainstream as more sustainable building products enter the marketplace, building energy codes get tougher, and green building standards become more popular. In Georgia, there are already more than 275 LEED-certified building projects. Today’s high performance windows, which use double or even triple panes, gas-filled cavities, and insulated frames, are an important part of green buildings. Replacing old, inefficient home windows with new ENERGY STAR® qualified ones can lower utility bills by up to 15 percent, according to ENERGY STAR. High performance windows can also lower operating costs for commercial buildings. Despite the array of energy-saving fenestration products available today, more than half of the nation’s existing non-residential building stock use single-pane windows, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Buildings Energy Data Book. Selecting the right fenestration products and systems for your project can make buildings more energy efficient. While it can seem challenging to decipher window energy performance (e.g., what does “U-factor” mean?), the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) can help. NFRC is a non-profit organization that administers voluntary energy performance rating programs for windows, doors, skylights, curtain walls, and other fenestration products or systems. The NFRC temporary label is a common sight on many new residential windows. It provides NFRC-certified ratings for heat loss (“Ufactor”), solar heat gain (“SHGC”), visible transmittance, and air leakage. NFRC ratings can be used to demonstrate compliance 14
with local or state building energy codes. For two decades, contractors, architects, homeowners and code officials have relied on NFRC’s independent, easy-to-use energy ratings for residential fenestration products. NFRC has applied these same principles to its Component Modeling Approach (CMA) program for non-residential fenestration.
A Simpler Way to Select Commercial Fenestration Rating the energy performance of fenestration for commercial projects requires a different process than residential projects, because fenestration for homes typically is mass-produced and completed in a factory. The same window may be used again and
again in a devel-
opment of new homes. Commercial fenestration, on the other hand, often is assembled or built on-site, and can involve projectspecific designs. In this case, attaching a temporary NFRC label to individual fenesThe Georgia Contractor
tration products or systems doesn’t work, particularly for commercial projects with large quantities of glazing. NFRC designed the CMA program to make it easier to select and rate the energy performance of commercial windows, curtain walls, storefronts, doors, and skylights. The first step in using CMA is to download the CMA Software Tool (CMAST) from the NFRC Web site (www.nfrc.org). NFRC offers a free six-month evaluation period for the CMAST software before charging a modest fee. This software tool provides access to a database of pre-approved, NFRC-rated frames, glazing and spacers— the primary components of a window. Using these components, designers, contractors, and other CMA users can configure different variations of a fenestration product to compare whole-product energy performance ratings. The preliminary ratings can help determine whether a fenestration design will meet the project’s specifications and local building energy codes. At this point, the ratings are not certified by NFRC. After selecting the final design, the CMA user can then have the ratings certified for code compliance purposes. The party responsible for fenestration energy ratings on a project contacts an NFRCApproved Calculation Entity (ACE) and signs a license agreement with NFRC. After the ACE verifies the ratings from CMAST, it issues a CMA Label Certificate, which lists the energy performance ratings for all NFRC-rated fenestration on the project. The CMA Label Certificate should be filed on the project site, so that code officials can check it for compliance with local and/or state fenestration energy requirements. This year, Georgia’s new building energy code, based on the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE 90.1-2007, took effect. Both the IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 require NFRC 100 and 200 procedures to rate Ufactor, SHGC, and visible transmittance. CMA uses NFRC 100 and 200 to calculate certified energy performance ratings. The certified values can be used to document energy code compliance for commercial fenestration in Georgia. January | February 2012
Proven Benefits One of the greatest benefits of using CMA is that it provides the most accurate energy performance ratings for commercial fenestration. A study conducted by Heschong Mahone Group in 2010, simulating the use of CMA in California buildings, found that it provided up to an 11.7 percent increase in energy code compliance margins when compared to the state’s other two options for rating fenestration. Because of its accuracy in rating the energy performance of fenestration, CMA ratings input into building energy software programs can contribute to more precise whole-building energy calculations. (Data from CMA can be shared easily with building energy analysis software such as DOE-2 and EnergyPlus.) More accurate building energy analysis can mean better HVAC load modeling and sizing decisions, which translates into lower utility bills for the building’s owner or tenants. One conclusion that can be drawn from the study is that CMA’s more accurate calculations may contribute to more benefits from above-code programs that provide building owners with greater financial incentives for exceeding minimum energy requirements. NFRC expects similar results when CMA is used for performance-based incentive programs in other states that allow CMA to be used in place of default calculation methods. Another benefit of using CMA is that it can facilitate the selection of high performance fenestration, which can reduce a building’s overall energy consumption. In fact, CMA can be used to select and rate fenestration for LEED projects, because LEED requires the use of ASHRAE 90.12007 as a minimum; this in turn requires NFRC 100 and 200. The fenestration industry has made tremendous advancements in the energy performance of fenestration products over the past two decades. Selecting high performance fenestration products or systems can have a significant impact on the total energy use of a commercial building. Thanks to CMA, it’s easier than ever to make informed choices when selecting fenestration, as well as rating the energy per-
NFRC’s Component Modeling Approach (CMA) can provide the most accurate energy performance values for the following fenestration ratings: U-factor ~ A measure of how well a product prevents heat from escaping or entering a building. It generally falls between 0.09 and 1.20. The lower the number, the better. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) ~ A measure of how well a product blocks heat from the sun, expressed as a number between zero and one. The lower the number, the better the product blocks unwanted heat gain. Visible Transmittance ~ A measure of how much light comes through a product, on a scale between zero and one. The higher the number, the greater the potential for daylight. Jim Benney is the chief executive officer of the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). For more than 25 years, he has been involved in developing product and performance standards for the window and glass industry.
You
can
contact
him
at
jbenney@nfrc.org.
formance of those products to demonstrate code compliance. v For more information on NFRC and the CMA program, visit www.nfrc.org. 15
High-accuracy Mapping By Mark Meade | Photo Science ngineering professionals often require highaccuracy mapping to effectively plan and design transportation projects. Thanks to technological innovation, mapping and surveying professionals have an impressive array of tools that can provide this detailed, highly accurate mapping. With terrestrial scanning, mobile mapping, and low-altitude photogrammetry solutions capable of providing the accuracy needed, the critical question is: Which solution is right for my project? The answer comes from a careful consideration of a number of factors, including safety, cost, surveying control considerations, timing, accuracy, maintenance of traffic, and derivative product considerations. For many projects, the answer hinges on the Mobile mapping, terrestrial scanners, and low-altitude photogrammetry have applications for high-accuracy mapping. Photogrammetric solutions often use control points that are out of the traveled way. Safety and maintenance of traffic considerations are critical to a project’s success.
ground control requirements that are needed to support the solution. These requirements, in turn, have a major influence on 16
safety and maintenance of traffic considerations. How do we establish the required control? Where will we need to place the control? How can we ensure the safety of those establishing the control along the roadway? How can we minimize the impact on roadway users? What approach will provide the most information per unit cost along with a rapid turnaround? Mobile mapping provides a great technology solution. But it also requires considerable ground control targets located near each driving path to adequately control the acquisition. This typically requires control placement on the outside shoulders and in the median. For freeways with more than two lanes in each direction, control in the driving lanes might even be required. Yet control requirements within the driving lanes or in the median often pose enough impediments to require an alternate approach. Tripod-mounted scanners can provide the detail and accuracy required,
but production and cost often prevent their application on all but the smallest of project sites. Safety can also be a significant concern with this approach. The advantages of a low-altitude, highaccuracy photogrammetric approach are numerous. It represents a true remote-sensing application and allows for detailed planimetric and topographic data collection from the acquired imagery. The required control can be confined to the outside shoulders of a roadway, or in the case of a freeway, it can be placed on safer, less-traveled streets that are within close proximity. This approach also allows for the creation of high-resolution orthophotos that can be extremely useful during the planning or design phases. Aerial Acquisition Most conventional mapping takes place from imagery acquired at heights ranging from 2,400 to 9,600 feet above ground. Because the acquisition height is a signifiThe Georgia Contractor
Flying Height
Photo Scale
(AMT)
Forward Gain
Forward Gain
Neat Model
60% overlap
80% overlap
Width
300’
1”=50’
180’
90’
315’
500’
1”=83’
300’
150’
525’
800’
1”=133’
480’
240’
840’
1,000’
1”=167’
600’
300’
1,050’
cant factor in determining the error budget for a project, a high-accuracy approach requires significantly reduced flying heights. In general, fixed-wing (airplane) acquisition will be limited to flights of 1,000 feet above ground in developed areas for safety considerations. This altitude produces a photo scale of 1”= 167’ in the imagery and places a limit on the vertical accuracy achievable to about 0.10 feet (measured in terms of a root mean square error, or RMSE). Photo Science performed one of the nation’s first high-accuracy mapping projects in 1998 for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). This project included fixed-wing imagery acquisition at 1,000 feet above ground in Louisville for Interstates 64, 65, and 71. This project won a national award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) for its innovation and contribution to the engineering profession. However, many projects require even higher vertical accuracies on hard surfaces. If so, the image acquisition will be confined to a rotary-wing (helicopter) platform. Helicopters can operate at considerably lower altitudes and acquisition speeds, resulting in significantly better vertical accuracy from the mapping. We have completed projects at altitudes to 300 feet above ground, which provide vertical accuracies of 0.05 feet or better. The table above lists the characteristics of imagery at multiple acquisition heights. The forward gain in the table above represents the distance between successive photos within a flight line. For example, at a flying height of 500 feet above ground and a forward overlap of 60 percent, the distance between successive photos is 300 feet along the flight line resulting in 17.6 photos per linear mile (5,280/300). The width of coverage within the neat model at January | February 2012
this altitude is 525 feet. Finally, each inch of coverage in the photo represents 83 feet on the ground. Control Requirements The real advantage to a photogrammetric approach is the flexibility in the placement of control. The control requirements here are significant, but generally, the control can be placed in areas that provide safety for field crews while minimizing the disruption of traffic. The control will need to be targeted before flight, and the targets must be placed only on asphalt or concrete surfaces. The targets can be relatively small in size given the ultrahigh resolution of the imagery. Control should be located every two to three models along the project area and should be placed near the limits of the neat model on both sides of the photos to maximize the accuracy of the imagery orientation. Precision level runs will be required to establish the accurate elevations for the target positions. Often, real time kinematic (RTK) observations can provide the necessary accuracy for the horizontal position of the targets. Moreover, to minimize the disruption on traffic, it is possible to sequence all control activities in a single pass of the surveying crew. In the case of a major freeway with outside shoulders, the level runs can extend along these shoulders without the need to cross active travel lanes. An efficient way to do this in a single pass is to construct the control point locations just ahead of the leveling crew as the crew moves along the shoulder. The level run can then turn through this point thereby establishing the accurate elevation needed as they go. RTK GPS observations are then performed on the same point. Ideally, these observations should make use of dual base stations to provide additional confidence
in the observation. Also, after completing the first observation, it is a very good idea to immediately conduct a second, independent observation on the same point. While this is not as desirable as waiting four or five hours for the second observation to ensure the availability of significantly different satellite geometry, it has the advantage of avoiding a second pass through all of the points by the surveying crew in high-traffic areas. Finally, after completing the RTK observations and level runs for the point, a precut template can be placed over the point and a small target painted. At this stage, the crew is free to move forward to the next control location and begin the control activities again for the new point. It should be noted that it is critically important for the field surveying operations to be designed for the appropriate accuracy for the project. The control points should be established at an accuracy level three times the requirement for the project overall. For example, for a highaccuracy project with expectations for a vertical accuracy of 0.06 feet, the control should be established at an accuracy of 0.02 feet. Anything less accurate will jeopardize the overall accuracy of the project. Aerotriangulation Just as the control placement and surveying methods are critical to a project’s success, so Important Points: •
Mobile mapping, terrestrial scanners, and low-altitude photogrammetry have applications for high-accuracy mapping.
•
Photogrammetric solutions often use control points that are out of the traveled way.
•
Safety and maintenance of traffic considerations are critical to a project’s success. 17
too is the aerotriangulation process that extends control and orientation information to every photograph. The final mapping solution is only as accurate as the weakest link. Careful planning and extreme care during the aerotriangulation process must be present to achieve the desired results. This process starts with the planning of the exposure points of each image, continues with the location of individual control points for the entire project area, and culminates with the measurement and adjustment for the entire project area. These decisions can vary significantly from project to project. Some projects may require parallel lines for full coverage, and if so, then an important decision must be made regarding the side overlap. Often, it is desirable to
increase the side overlap from the conventional requirement of 30 percent up to 50 percent or more. Also, the highest accuracy projects might require 80 percent forward overlap in lieu of the more conventional 60 percent overlap. These are all decisions that will contribute to the success of the project when made in the right way—or they can result in failure if not. Mapping and Orthophotography Careful consideration must also be given to the appropriate platform for carrying out the mapping. Not all analytical stereoplotters and softcopy systems provide the right environment for maximizing the accuracy of the compilation, particularly in terms of extracting elevation data. But by choosing the right compilation environment,
extremely accurate planimetric and topographic information can be generated from this high- resolution aerial imagery. Gaining high-resolution orthophotography can be a significant advantage to this approach. Resolutions in the orthophotography of an inch or better are easily attainable from this imagery. Just be careful to fully discuss these options with your mapping provider as the file size of individual image tiles can be challenging at these resolutions. Make sure to maximize the usefulness of the imagery in terms of both increased resolution and the manageability of the size of the imagery. v For more information about high-accuracy mapping applications and project design, contact Mark at mark.meade@photoscience.com.
When is a tax not a tax? By John Cardosa | Executive Director | Georgia Construction Aggregate Association
I
n the November/December 2011 edition of the Georgia Contractor, the article on the Transportation Investment Act 2010 (TIA) gave a comprehensive overview of the history of the legislation and the subsequent activities authorized by this act. The TIA provided for 12 transportation investment regions (coterminous with Regional Development Commissions created in 2009) which are empowered to raise funds for specific local transportation projects by imposing a one percent sales tax for a period of ten years. This will be decided by voters in each transportation region in a referendum vote scheduled for July, 2012. While some may view this referendum as ‘just another tax,’ there is a clear distinction between a government-imposed tax and a local investment tax determined by the voters and for the local region only. Our current social dynamics are book cased between the views of Tea Party and the views of the Occupiers. One side says that there is no tax that is a good tax, and the other side in less clarity appears to want 18
The Georgia Contractor
government to be more benevolent to those who have less. What is the role of government and what is the justification for another tax? This is the question that will be asked of Georgia voters in 2012. In 12 separate referenda in 12 unique regional areas, a comprehensive transportation initiative is being decided. In total, there is up to $19 billion dollars that will be generated over a ten year period from a one percent sales tax. In each region, the funds will be used for a pre-selected list of transportation projects in each region that were determined by a regional round table and thoroughly vetted by the public. The outcome in each region is a stand-alone decision by the voters in their respective regions. There are incentives built into the enabling legislation to encourage a positive vote. All revenue generated through the 2012 TSPLOST will stay in the local regions and be distributed in two ways: 75 percent will go to the regional projects on the approved list (85 percent in metro Atlanta) and 25 percent (15 percent in metro Atlanta) will be returned to the region to be used for local, city, and municipal projects needed. Cities and counties will receive these extra funds in direct proportion to their population and the number of road miles in their jurisdiction. The most important fact to glean is that the decision to approve is local; all funds will be invested locally, and with local control. The projections for positive economic impact for the regions that approve are worth noting but the most important factor is it is a region-by-region decision. (See map.) According to the Federal Highway Administration, every $1 billion invested in highway construction and improvements supports 27,823 jobs. This includes 9,537 construction jobs; 4,324 jobs in industries that directly or indirectly supply materials and services needed for construction projects; and 13,962 jobs supported when those employed at the construction site or in supplier industries spend their incomes. There is also the statewide connectivity impact that if Georgia can create efficient and reliable freight, cargo, and goods movement, we will attract businesses to ship January | February 2012
goods thorough Georgia’s ports and roads. And a border-to-border inter-regional network will stimulate the economy statewide, not just in the metro Atlanta area. Finally, for the regions that pass the referendum, new economic centers will also emerge. Why is this proposed tax not the usual ‘run of the mill’ tax? Why should this be seen more as an investment? The significant difference is the project list. There is no question as to how these new revenues will be used. Each region has a defined project list with a cost estimate for each project. An unusual aspect of this transportation tax is that it will stop when the amount of projected revenues is achieved. The maximum time period is ten years. In other words, this is not a permanent tax, and you know actually how the money is being used. There are few, if any, taxes that have these provisions. A complete list of projects in each region can be found on the GDOT Web site at http://www.it3.ga.gov. More importantly, why do we need this investment? At one time, Georgia had a
transportation system that was the envy of other states. From the world-class Hartsfield-Jackson International airport to the best system of federal, state, and local highways, we became a destination for many corporations and individuals looking for more economic opportunities. With this level of business activity, there was a large influx of new citizens. Between 1980 and 2000, Georgia’s population grew by an impressive 50 percent. This population growth put a significant burden on our transportation systems. Unfortunately, as demand for more transportation systems grew, our investment level on a per capita basis decreased. We rank 49th on a per capita basis for transportation investment. This situation has now impacted our ability to attract new businesses to our state. The 2010 Transportation Investment Act is the opportunity to reverse our current trend and make Georgia competitive again. It can make Georgia again the premier location for businesses and provide the quality
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When the skilled craftsmen retire, who is there to continue the tradition? By Teresa Magnus | CEO Vulcan Industrial Contractors Co. LLC
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hen my family immigrated to the US from Germany in the 19th Century, they came as skilled craftsmen. Generations in my family before and after them worked proudly as stonemasons, carpenters, and glaziers. They were drawn to the US by the prospects of long-term work on cathedral construction projects in Cincinnati, St. Louis, and Newport. But they stayed, as did thousands more, because they found a market for skilled craftsmen providing them the ability to earn a good living and support their families. The trades were then, and are still today, a proud tradition of craft-workers committed to perfecting their skills and then passing those skills down to their apprentices. But this proud tradition now faces a crisis. Baby Boomers (ages 47-65) make up almost half of the construction workforce and the median age of Georgia’s workforce, is 40.1 according to a Boston College case study. At Vulcan Industrial, the average age of our workforce is 45, with 68 percent over age 40, and we are struggling to attract young people into our apprenticeships. There is urgency to this problem because we must have skilled craft-workers to perform the work on our books and to prepare the next generation of workers to perform quality work for our company. A career in the construction field has somehow been marked as a second choice behind a corporate office with a business degree. We have seen a cultural change of how this industry is perceived. What happened to the value of hard work in a skilled trade? What we must show students is that a career in construction can prove to be very
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rewarding financially if you are willing to commit to learning a trade and completing an apprenticeship. It seems that most people today set off to a four year college, earn their liberal arts degree and get stuck searching for a job for months or years past their graduation date.
We must broaden our resources to recruit and retain new workforce members who will produce the same quality work our clients have come to expect. Pushing career and technical education is just a first step in solving this problem for Georgia. Funding has been a barrier for
What we must show students is that a career in construction can prove to be very rewarding financially if you are willing to commit to learning a trade and completing an apprenticeship. Students could enroll in training programs through technical schools or the building trades and be in a job in a matter of months or even immediately earning a fair living with good benefits. I believe the key is to peak the students’ interests early. Go into middle schools and high schools to give students the resources necessary to explore careers in construction. On a local level, Vulcan Industrial has partnered with others in the industry to create a summer construction camp designed to introduce middle school-aged girls to careers in construction. Our success is evident by the increase we’ve seen in local high school technical program enrollment. But this local focus is not enough.
many recruitment and training programs. There is just not enough money to change the perceptions of careers in construction and carry out the training necessary to give the new workers the proper skills for the job. I feel as if this problem needs to become more of a priority for the state. Georgia’s economy and infrastructure depend on this industry heavily and without a stable workforce the consequences could be extreme. With the economy hopefully on the upturn, companies will have larger and greater numbers of projects. They cannot take these on if they are doubtful they will have the workforce to complete the job successfully. v The Georgia Contractor
Concerned about Finding New, Young Talent for Your Company? Check out the 2012 CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championships.
E
ven in this economy, many construction companies have an eye on the future, wondering where they will find skilled workers once it improves. Construction companies know that a retiring generation of Baby Boomers, combined with recent legal efforts to address immigration, will and, in some cases, already are having a negative impact on our workforce. In partnership with more than 200 companies, CEFGA will host the eighth Annual CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championships on March 15-16, 2012.
Both events are organized and funded by private construction companies, who see the need to attract new talent to the construction industry. How Can My Company Get Involved? One day soon, you will need new young talent. We believe there are thousands of young people across Georgia who are a perfect fit for your company. If you are a company looking for good young talent today or are concerned about finding talent in the future, this event is your opportunity to do something; to be part of the solution; to connect with thou-
sands of Georgia high school and technical college students. Join CEFGA as we present the construction industry in a fun, hands-on way to thousands of young Georgians from across the state. Specifically, we are seeking event staff, volunteers and financial support to make the 2012 CEFGA CareerExpo the biggest and best event of its kind in the United States. For additional information about this unique opportunity, please contact CEFGA Executive Director Scott Shelar at (678) 889-4445 or visit www.cefga.org v
What is the CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championships? The event is two events in one, covering more than 200,000 sq. ft. at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park. The eighth Annual CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championships will draw more than 7,000 attendees. It is the largest event of its kind in the Southeastern United States. The CEFGA Career Expo targets middle and high school students, promoting construction-related careers in a fun, hands-on, interactive way. The SkillsUSA State Championships showcases more than 400 of the state’s high school and technical college talent—top students enrolled in construction-related training programs, competing in more than 20 constructionrelated contests. Companies support the event because they see it as a way to give back by helping students understand career pathways in our industry. They also support it because it’s a great way to brand their company with top new talent in the state. In addition, it’s a great way to network with others in our industry, as the event will draw more than 700 construction industry professionals. January | February 2012
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Winds of Change 2011 Brings new levels of success with highway reauthorization By Joy Wilson | President and CEO | National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association
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h, the changes a year can bring. Or, if we’re to give proper credit to efforts from our industry and our allies, we actually should look at the past two years. As far back as 2009, the heated debate over health care reform took the wind from the sails of any transportation discussion whatsoever. Congress in 2010, with its spate of short-term extensions for SAFETEA-LU, perpetuated uncertainties for transportation construction. And even up until six months ago, transportation infrastructure still was not top-of-mind. Legislative priorities have certainly changed. Today, transportation infrastructure is mentioned daily on television news, radio talk shows, in the newspapers, and on the Web. In fact, it is also being called “the jobs bill” by Congressional leaders. Increasingly, members of Congress of both parties see completing action on surface transportation reauthorization as a jobs creator— essential to preserving global competiveness and imperative to timely movement of goods and services, reduced congestion, cleaner air, and improved safety. But just how did we get to this change of view?
Supercharged Strategies Indeed, efforts by our two coalitions, Americans for Transportation Mobility and the Transportation Construction Coalition, kept a steady drumbeat for the need to invest in America’s surface transportation infrastructure through print and radio ads, billboard placements and ancillary media campaigns. In addition, other transportation interest groups individually amplified the need for a well-funded, long-term highway authorization bill through their own creative initiatives. As for NSSGA, we supercharged our 22
Joy Wilson existing grassroots strategies and created new ones. NSSGA has always encouraged its members to invite Congressional leaders to visit aggregates facilities for tours during recess periods or to arrange meetings with them in their home district office to encourage a better understanding of the aggregates
Toolkit, which included sample letters of invitation, talking points, and a ‘Hosting a Lawmaker’ template. Driving It Home marked an unprecedented grassroots effort by the aggregates industry. But NSSGA also concluded early in the reauthorization debate that only through expanding its grassroots efforts to include businesses and individuals outside the construction sector would the aggregates industry be successful. So hundreds of industry members, joined by a broad coalition of other highway users that included local business leaders, auto dealers and school officials, among others, stepped up to the plate and pressed Congress to make reauthorization of the nation’s surface transportation program a priority. During the second half of 2010, 448 out of 535 senators and representatives, as well as dozens of newly elected members of Congress, were contacted by a member of the aggregates industry—and that number
Congress in 2010, with its spate of short-term extensions for SAFETEA-LU, perpetuated uncertainties for transportation construction. And even up until six months ago, transportation infrastructure still was not top-of-mind. industry—its commitment to safety and to the economic, social, and environmental values it imparts on communities. But during the last two years, it became increasingly important that we put a human face on the reauthorization debate. With our members’ help, we wanted to ensure Congress understood that solving transportation funding challenges was essential to the country’s long-term economic growth and prosperity. In 2010, NSSGA gave this program a formal name, ‘Driving It Home.’ Particularly in the month of August, when all of Congress was on summer recess, we proactively promoted the campaign with our members, supplying them with our Driving It Home
continued to grow throughout 2011. The 100-Day Plan We continued our work with non-industry alliances last year. In May 2011, NSSGA initiated a 100-Day Action Plan for Reauthorization. A signature element of the plan was coined the ‘One-to-Five’ program. NSSGA asked each of its members to contact five individuals outside the construction industry, educate them on the pending transportation authorization and ask them to contact their members of Congress to urge action on a bill. As part of the 100-Day Plan, NSSGA was chief sponsor of a ‘Rally for Roads,’ which was held in May 2011 on the The Georgia Contractor
National Mall. The rally attracted more than 600 attendees and nine members of Congress who spoke before this audience. The 100-day plan also called for a writing campaign, as we realized it was critical to build media and public awareness to garner broader support for reauthorization. In June 2010, NSSGA pushed for an ‘Op-Ed / Letter to the Editor Week.’ Sample op-ed articles and letters to the editor were distributed by NSSGA’s grassroots network and made available on NSSGA’s Legislative Action Center Web portal. To date, some 350 articles have been placed in newspapers around the country. The ‘Op-Ed / Letter to the Editor Week’ was quickly followed by ‘Talk Radio Week.’ Our goal was to broaden the audience of individuals being exposed to the facts about highway reauthorization in order to increase the pressure on Congress to get it done in 2011. We encouraged our members to call their local talk-radio programs during the week of July 4 to discuss how important passing a new highway bill is to the economy. Talking points were provided, but we also asked our members to work in information specific to their companies and locations. We needed to tie everything together to be effective and influence Congress to get the job done—so that people in our industry could continue to keep their jobs. The Push Continues Although Congress extended the highway program until March 31, 2012, it has not yet passed a multiyear surface transportation bill. House Republicans have postponed their release and markup of a new “Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act” until early 2012, citing limited floor time in December due to January | February 2012
other ‘must dos’ before the end of the year. Republican members of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee had hoped to roll out the bill in late November or early December, followed by a quick markup and floor time the following week. Although no bill language was available, indications were that the bill would provide level funding for five years, partially funded by revenue from expanded oil and gas royalties and include program consolidation, quicker project review, and environmental streamlining. Rather than releasing the legislation and leaving it to twist in the wind for weeks while critics take potshots at it, the committee is holding the bill until they are ready to move it. The push to keep MAP-21, the Senate’s bipartisan surface transportation reauthorization bill, moving forward continues. While the unanimous passage of MAP-21 out of the Environment and Public Works Committee was a tremendous first step, the focus turned to the Senate Banking and Finance committees. Senate Banking Chairman Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota), whose committee has jurisdiction over transit, indicated he wanted to mark up the bill before Christmas, but time ran out. At the same time, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Montana) is working to find almost $13 billion in offsets necessary to fill the revenue shortfall in MAP-21 and that will be accepted on a bipartisan basis. Without passage to date of a multi-year surface transportation bill, NSSGA has continued its grassroots effort with a new five-month action plan:
‘FLOOR IT!— Accelerating to Reauthorization.’ We have developed a theme for each month of our FLOOR IT! campaign. In October, we issued to all members of Congress a ‘Statement of Expectations” for reauthorization. In November, our theme was “Holiday Hustle,’ and we focused on the needs of the system combined with the costs of a failure to act in terms of increased congestion and more wasted time and fuel spent idling in traffic. And then we rolled out ‘Wrap It Up’ in December, urging Congress to finish work on reauthorization in advance of the current extension’s expiration. Working with other transportation interests, we are planning a second ‘Rally for Roads’ that will be bigger and will include more sponsors. Each month, until the end of the extension, we are asking our members on the designated day to ‘Jam the Switchboard’ of the Capitol by calling their members of Congress to urge action. We provide talking points for the calls to ensure our message and focus are consistent. In the meantime, our ‘One-to-Five’ initiative will continue unabated. Members of Congress need to hear from their constituents—citizens who are outside of the construction industry sector, because, the fact of the matter is that the state of our nation’s surface transportation network affects each of us every day. It is more than an aggregates issue or even a construction issue—it’s an American issue. v
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Georgia
NewsContractor
IEC Atlanta Receives Grant from John and Mary Foundation. The Independent Electrical Contractors Atlanta Chapter received a $2,500 capital grant from the John and Mary Foundation. This is the second grant IEC Atlanta has received from this foundation. The grant will be used for apprenticeship recruitment and training. There are always areas IEC seeks to improve on while servicing its members and students. IEC is appreciative of the charitable contributors and for the opportunities this grant will provide! Currently, IEC’s Workforce Developer goes to schools and other non-profit organizations to spread the word about the opportunities within the electrical construction industry. This grant will continue to help these efforts where electrical contractors are constantly looking for talented workers to enter this industry. For additional information, contact Niel Dawson, Executive Director at (770) 242-9277. IEC is a trade association for merit shop electrical contractors. IEC offers a wide array of training programs for apprentices and experienced electricians, personnel referral including loan/borrow programs, and provides a broad range of informational resources for electrical contractors in Atlanta and Georgia. Contact Niel Dawson, Executive Director, Independent Electrical Contractors, Atlanta & Georgia Chapters, (770) 242-9277, niel.dawson@iecatlanta.org v Independent Electrical Contractors, Georgia Chapter has Savannah Graduation The Independent Electrical Contractors 24
(IEC) Georgia Chapter celebrated its graduates from the IEC Apprenticeship Program. This was the 4th Annual Savannah Graduation Ceremony. The graduation was held at the Cambria Suites in Savannah, November 11th. Graduates enjoyed a dinner in their honor and a night of recognition for a job well done! The guest speaker was Frank Bartlett, President of Pace Lighting, who shared inspirational words and advice for the graduates as they venture into being licensed electricians. IEC instructors, Jack Harley and Mark Breningstall presented the academic achievement award to Turner Electrical’s Michael Slunski. Michael maintained the top average for the fourth year. Richard Schreiber of Vos Electric awarded Tyrone Armstrong, also of Vos Electric, with the perfect attendance award for fourth year, as well as for all four academic classes. IEC Georgia is proud of its graduates’ accomplishments! The IEC Apprenticeship Program is nationally registered by the US Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship. Graduates of the four-year program are certified as an electrician by the US Department of Labor. Program participants have completed at least 8,000 hours of on the job training and 576 hours of rigorous classroom instruction. For additional information, contact Niel Dawson, Executive Director at (770) 242-9277. IEC is a trade association for merit shop electrical contractors. IEC offers a wide array of training programs for apprentices and experienced electricians, personnel referral including loan/borrow programs, and provides a broad range of informational resources for electrical contractors in Atlanta and Georgia. v
Atlanta’s first Lifecycle Building Center to store and sell salvaged construction materials, teach green building In Southwest Atlanta’s Oakland City, a reclaimed industrial site will soon store and sell reclaimed building materials, creating the area’s first Lifecycle Building Center. The facility will collect high-vol-
ume residential and commercial salvaged materials, and act as a green building education center. With a planned spring 2012 opening, the Lifecycle Building Center will serve as a retail facility to collect and resell bulk used building materials. The goal is to reduce solid waste disposal, improve housing stock, stimulate economic development, and promote resource efficiency. Proceeds will ultimately be used to teach The Georgia Contractor
fundamental concepts of green building and home performance to the general public. “We are excited to provide a facility to promote and encourage green building and sustainability,” said Jimmy Mitchell, a Lifecycle Building Center board member and Skanska estimator. “Skanska firmly believes in bettering the environment and further educating communities on ways they can get involved in sustainability.” The Lifecycle Building Center marks a collaborative effort between Atlanta area partners such as Skanska Construction, DPR Construction, Newcomb & Boyd, Perkins + Will, Scoutmob, Southface, U.S. Green Building Council of Georgia (USGBC-GA), Walter P. Moore and J.E. Dunn. A planned second phase of the Lifecycle Building Center consists of a former sprocket manufacturing facility constructed in 1914. Acquisition of this space will bring the Center to 70,000 square feet of well designed space. The entire site will include 3.6 acres of heavy industrial space. “This facility will be a huge asset to Atlanta and the entire Southeast,” said Adam Deck, director of the Lifecycle Building Center. “The Phase 2 completion will bring that many more resources to support green building and sustainability efforts in our region.” For further information please contact Adam Deck, Director LBC, adam.deck@gmail.com, 404-275-1725, Patrick Hill, Jackson Spalding, phill@JacksonSpalding.com, 404-724-2506.v Skanska to expand and renovate hospital for $103 Million Skanska has secured the assignment to expand and renovate St. Francis Hospital in Columbus, Georgia. The total contract amounts to $115 million, out of which $103 million will be included in the bookings for USA Building in the fourth quarter of 2011. The expansion includes a four-story, 17,500 square meters clinical services building and a five-story, 15,700 square meters, medical office building. Skanska will also renovate the main hospital. The new clinical services building will house a dedicated cardiovascular surgical January | February 2012
unit with four labs, a special procedures room, a nuclear medicine suite, and 30 prep and recovery bays. It will offer an expanded number of spacious private rooms. The medical office building will house the Cardiac and Women’s Centers of Excellence and include a new 324-seat auditorium. Renovation of the main hospital will result in an expanded emergency room, including 20 new patient treatment rooms and an expanded surgical suite. Work has started and is expected to be completed in August 2013. Skanska USA is one of the leading development and construction companies in the country, consisting of four business units: Skanska USA Building, which specializes in building construction; Skanska USA Civil, specialized in civil infrastructure; Skanska Infrastructure Development, which develops public-private partnerships; and Skanska Commercial Development, which develops commercial development projects in select U.S. markets. Headquartered in New York with 35 offices across the country, Skanska USA employs approximately 7,000 employees
who are committed to sustainable construction and an injury-free workplace. v
specializing in Crusher repairs & rebuilding since 1960 gyratory • Jaw • Cone hsi • vsi Completed serviCes inClude: vertiCal
&
horizontal boring mills
horizontal lathes, drills, boring bars hydrauliC presses, welding turntables, Cutting table, field maChining, meChaniCal
&
welding warehouse stoCked
with Crusher parts
Call
&
wear items
us for your Crusher repair and heavy maChining and fabriCation needs!
534 national drive maryville, tn 37804 telephone 865-7900 fax 865-4220
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a Special ThankS to our AFOR SYSTEMS/MARS
manufac-
tures and markets tramp metal removal and material diverter(tripper) products for most any application involving bulk materials on a moving conveyor belt. Our primary markets are aggregate plants, cement plants, gold mines, coal-fired power plants, load out operations, and most any bulk materials applications using conveyor belts. Our MARS tramp metal removal system connects to existing or new metal detectors and can easily integrate into automated plant operations. AFOR Systems Inc. has complete design and engineering capability to design,develop or modify equipment for bulk materials handling applications. In business since 1999, AFOR products are in use world wide. The MARS tramp metal removal system probably has the fastest payback of any capital equipment purchased; some payback in two months, and contributes significantly to greater profits.The benefits from using a MARS include: Avoid belt stops Less electricity Longer belt life Greater tonnage Longer motor life More worker availability Improved safety Fewer crusher repairs Complement plant automation BOOTH
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AFOR Systems/MARS Inc. | 1000 Whitlock Ave | Suite 320-130 | Marietta, GA 30064 Phone: (770) 980-3415 Fax: (770) 428-0534 Cell: (770) 313-7746 E-mail: jtulkoff@earthlink.net Web site: www.aforsystems.com
Ascorel Inc.
BOOTH
19 Ascorel USA provides on board systems for increasing worksite safety and efficiency. Systems include on board scales for wheel loaders, skid steers, high capacity lift trucks, and telescopic material handlers. Ascorel USA has proudly selected Kennesaw, Georgia. as the location for its North American Headquarters. All systems and their components are fully stocked and ready for immediate delivery from the Kennesaw warehouse. Michael Magnesi | Ascorel USA | 1590 N Roberts RD | Suite 107 | Kennesaw, GA 30144 | (404) 968.8393 Michael.Magnesi@ascorel.com | www.Ascorel-USA.com
Castrol Heavy Duty Lubricants
BOOTH
54
For over 100 years Castrol has been a leading provider of premium lubrication solutions for off-road equipment. Using their premium products and technological expertise they are well equipped to meet the diverse needs of fleet asset managers to help lower total lifecycle costs of their equipment.
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The Georgia Contractor
Columbia Steel
BOOTH
9
Columbia Steel manufactures wear parts for all popular crushers, with the broadest range of wear part styles and designs of any manufacturer in the industry. Columbia works closely with customers to specify or design crusher wear part profiles to improve production throughout the wear life of the part, to increase overall wear life, obtain consistent sizing, reduce the number of change-outs, and solve specific problems. All wear parts are made in USA.
Conn-Weld Industries
BOOTH
6 Conn-Weld Industries Inc. manufacturers horizontal vibrating screens, incline screens, banana screens, dewatering screens, and centrifuge machines and screens. We also manufacture profiles, profile centrifuge screens, urethane screens, and sieve bends. This equipment is used in various industries which include: coal, coke, sand and gravel, pulp and paper, food processing, brewing and distilling, corn wet milling, and many other processes.
Douglas Manufacturing
BOOTH
20 Douglas is a well respected manufacturer of conveyor components including: CEMA class heavy duty pulleys, mine duty pulleys, quarry duty pulleys, engineered class pulleys and pulley lagging, CEMA Class idlers, magnetic separators, magnetic pulleys, impact beds, take-ups, and conveyor accessories including the patented Guardian™ Return Roll Guard. Douglas uses the latest technology including computer design and analysis programs to select and design the best conveying solutions in the industry.
Ford Steel
BOOTH
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Distributor of Wearalloy 400, 500, nickel chrome & wear-resistant plates and bars. Also, mangalloy impact-resistant steel plates and bars; superclad overlay plates, superblock white iron chocky/wear bars, and super-hard chrome plate. Fabrications available from ~ bucket & truck bed liners to cutting edges, hoppers, crusher, chute and feeder liners.
Golder & Associates
BOOTH
29 Golder Associates Inc. is a global company specializing in ground engineering and environmental services, employee-owned since our formation in 1960. We employ nearly 7,000 people in more than 160 offices around the world. We specialize in environmental sciences; geotechnical & civil engineering; laboratory testing; site selection & due diligence; licensing & permitting; operational development & maintenance; project management, environmental assessments & clean up; closure plans and rehabilitation; regulatory compliance; stormwater; air permitting; and construction services. www.golder.com phone: (770) 496-1893
January | February 2012
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Heavyquip
BOOTH
8 Heavyquip is one of the nation’s largest independent suppliers of parts and service for earthmoving equipment. For over 50 years, Heavyquip has provided customers with high quality Undercarriage, GET, Replacement Parts, and Asphalt Paver parts for use on popular equipment manufactured by Caterpillar, Komatsu, Deere, Hitachi, and other fine equipment manufacturers. Heavyquip leads the industry in offering customers cost effective alternatives that reduce operating costs and offer exceptional field performance.
Jeffrey Rader
BOOTH
47
Jeffrey Rader Vibratory Feeders can process 1800 TPH. With their unique low-maintenance design and positive drive components, Jeffrey Rader vibrating feeders provide reliable, quiet operation while reducing energy cost. Jeffrey Rader offers two types of feeder drives for its industrial vibrating feeders: the EF models and HP models are Electromagnetic Feeders. The NF models are Electromechanical Feeders. The newest addition to the Vibratory Feeder line is the CentroloadTM Feeder. Engineered with the latest in feeding technology, the CentroloadTM Feeder evenly distributes material directly to the Cone Crusher or Vertical Shaft Impactor. Industry leaders have already experienced at least a “15-20 percent higher production rate, better gradation of materials and at least a 10 percent improved liner wear in the crusher.” www.jeffreyrader.com Office locations in the USA, Canada, Sweden, China | (662) 844-9035
K&R Weigh Systems
BOOTH
35
K&R Weigh Systems has been the Loadrite distributor in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina since 1993. Trust Loadrite for fast, accurate, on-board weighing. Accurate weighing is achieved quickly without having to slow down your operation. Experienced technicians from K&R are available to support our entire product line. We’ve been around for 18+ years and even through the tough economy, we remain healthy and will continue to support our product line and customers for many years to come. Trust Experience—K&R technicians have installed over 3,000 systems since 1993! 1 (800) 910-2885 | www.KnRGroup.com | Info@KnRGroup.com
Metso Mining & Construction
BOOTH
5
Metso is the leading global provider of equipment, solutions, and services to the mining and construction industries. Metso's expertise is based on over a century of experience, and today's industry-leading solutions embrace the latest technology and an extensive services offering. Our know-how covers everything from individual machines—such as crushers, grinding mills, conveyors, and components—to complete systems and turnkey installations, and is complemented by a comprehensive range of installation and commissioning services, operational support, and training, together with wear parts and maintenance. Metso's offering within Mining and Construction combines an extensive portfolio of brands, including such renowned names as Nordberg, Lokotrack, Barmac, Trellex, Skega, and Svedala. Our offering is based on ensuring that our customers benefit from better end product quality, higher throughput, enhanced availability, lower operating costs, and high standards of safety and sustainability. www.metso.com 28
E-mail: minerals.nam@metso.com The Georgia Contractor
Miller Brothers Giant Tire Service
BOOTH
55 Miller Bros. Giant Tire Service is a full service independent off-the road tire company serving the construction, intermodal, industrial, quarry, and the steel mill industries in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Our company was founded in 1984, and since that time we have become one of the leaders in the off-the-road tire industry. We feel that our growth over the past 27 years is due to the partnerships that we have formed with our customers. We also feel that this growth is a direct testimonial to the integrity of our products, programs, and the desire of our associates to properly serve our customers. All our Field Service Support Team are MSHA certified, and all our service techs are TIA certified. We are supplied by four of the largest major tire manufacturers in the world, Bridgestone/Firestone, Michelin, Titan, and Yokohama. Miller Brothers Giant Tire Service
(229) 314-1988 or (704) 232-0164
Miller Wire Works Inc.
BOOTH
60&61
As an industry leader since 1949, you will appreciate Miller Wire Works many years of knowledge, dedication, and experience. We have developed the highest quality products. Our attention to detail and service is unprecedented in our industry. Our Screening Media Solutions include Rubber, Urethane, Woven Wire, Welded Wire, Perforated Plate, and Self-Cleaning Screens. Screening Media is just the beginning. Our products include Wear Parts, Wear Liners, Conveyor Components, Screen Components, etc. We can provide most anything you need to increase Wear Life and Cost Efficiency from the Haul Truck to the Stock Pile. Miller Wire Works has Your Solutions! Mil-loy Screens • XT Screens • M-Slot Screens • Mil-ethane Screens • Polyurethane Screens • Rubber Screen • Perforated Screens • Vibrating Machinery • Idlers • Side Rails • Center Hold Down Rubber • Bucker Miller Wire Works Inc. • P. O. Box 610280 • Birmingham, AL 35261-0280 Phone (800) 783-0341 Fax 205-599-2172 | www.millerwireworks.com | screen@millerwireworks.com
Paschal Associate Sales Incorporated
BOOTH
48 Paschal Associate Sales invites you to visit with our engineering sales group and suppliers. We will be there with Deister, McLanahan, Polydeck, Jeffrey Rader, and Linatex / Durex. Come by and see us! www.paschalassociates.com
(336) 625-2535
Polydeck Screen Corporation
BOOTH
49
Polydeck Screen Corporation has been a leader in the development and evolution of synthetic modular screen media since 1978. From our headquarters and manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina, we supply polyurethane and rubber screen media, custom frame designs, and screen accessories to aggregate producers throughout Georgia. State-of-theart manufacturing processes, complete in-house tool and die and frame fabrication facilities, and a corporate culture dedicated to superior customer service and support make Polydeck your best resource for dependable, cost-effective screen media solutions. Visit us in Booth #49 and ask us about our unique performance guarantee. January | February 2012
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Saiia
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41
Saiia’s mining experience includes working in more than 25 different quarries in multiple states. With an extensive fleet of equipment and MSHAtrained employees, Saiia can quickly react when needed due to customer demands or other unexpected challenges. We provide the following services to support mining operations: • Overburden Removal and Production Mining • Greenfield Quarry Development • Pond Construction and Maintenance • Capital Improvement Projects (Plant Site Grading, Railroad Construction, etc.)
Superior
BOOTH
43 Headquartered in Morris, Minnesota, Superior Industries designs and fabricates a full line of conveying equipment, telescoping conveyors, supply-erect systems, feed systems, conveyor idlers, pulleys, as well as other conveyor components. Superior operates manufacturing facilities in Prescott Valley, Arizona, and Norcross, Georgia, totaling a half-million square feet of manufacturing space. Superior’s Fesco Systems Division (Norcross, Georgia) adds more than a half century of experience, engineering, and manufacturing of some of the world’s most complex conveyor systems.
Taggart
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7 Taggart Global LLC designs, builds, and operates state-of-the-art coal preparation plants and material handling systems worldwide. Our expertise spans the areas of design, construction, commissioning, and operations to deliver turnkey solutions for clients in the coal production, power generation, steel making, and material handling sectors. 4000 Town Center Blvd. | Canonsburg, PA 15317 | Phone: (724) 754-9800 | Fax: (724) 754-9801 www.taggartglobal.com
Yancey Since 1914, Yancey Bros. Co., “The Nation’s Oldest Caterpillar Dealer,” has proudly served customers in Georgia’s Construction, Mining, and Aggregates communities by providing quality products, outstanding parts availability and highly trained Service Technicians. From Excavators and Wheel Loaders, to Engines and Generator Sets, to the new Cat CT660 Vocational Truck, Yancey offers a wide range of products and services to meet your business needs. BOOTH
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The Georgia Contractor
Moisture in Concrete Slabs ~ New Construction Observations & Lessons from the School of Experience By ECS Corporate Services LLC.
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e previously published a Lessons Learned on Concrete Floors and Moisture which focused on testing for moisture in completed concrete slabs prior to the application of floor coverings or coatings. is edition approaches the same issue but from a different perspective— reducing the effects of excess floor slab moisture in new concrete construction. is Lessons Learned applies mainly to concrete slabs on grade since elevated floor slabs typically don’t have significant moisture problems. e old adage of Time is Money has never been more apparent than in today’s fast-paced construction arena. While there are many ways for contractors to speed up the delivery of a project, one of the more vexing issues facing many projects is the timing of the placement of the finishes on concrete floor slabs. While owners typically want the interior finishes placed as quickly as possible so that tenants can start paying rent, delays in construction and tenant space delivery can be several weeks for the slab to ‘dry’ adequately to allow the installation of floor covering materials. What can the owner and contractor do to speed up this process? Let’s start with the base material itself, the concrete. While typically there are project specifications for the concrete material properties, there may not be sufficient details related to the moisture condition of the slab prior to placement of flooring materials. e strength of the concrete is certainly very important. However, there are other factors that can have a large impact on the ability of the slab to lose excess moisture quickly. All too often, the flatwork contractor placing the concrete for the slab includes additional water in the concrete mix to improve the workability for the floor slab finishing personnel. Unfortunately, the addition of the excess water, while making placement and finishing easier, increases the time for the moisture to leave the slab January | February 2012
before floor covering materials can be installed. e use of water reducing admixtures that reduce the volume of water in the concrete mix are generally beneficial to the placement and finishing operations, can reduce the amount of moisture that must leave the slab, and results in lower permeability concrete to resist vapor migration. erefore, in order to accommodate timely installation of the floor covering materials, the concrete mix design for slab construction should be reviewed to confirm that it has a low water-to-cement ratio, and waterreducing admixtures. In addition, the project specifications should prohibit the flatwork subcontractor from adding water to the mix when the concrete is delivered to the site. While the higher cost of concrete with water reducing admixtures adds to the construction costs, delays in construction or replacement of floor coverings that were installed too soon can be many times more expensive. Additionally, the use and location of a vapor retarder (plastic sheeting often called ‘vapor barrier’) is critical to reducing the potential for migration of moisture from the subgrade up into and through the slab. However, the vapor retarder should not be placed directly beneath the concrete because the plastic sheeting will severely impede the loss of water into the sub-base materials resulting in longer drying time because more water is present in the concrete. Another effect is that upward curling of the edges of a slab-on-grade can occur due to shrinkage of the concrete when the surface of the concrete loses moisture at a faster rate than the bottom of the slab. For critical applications of floor coverings, a layer of sub-base materials (i.e. compacted sand or stone) can be used between the vapor retarder and the bottom of the concrete slab to allow moisture to dissipate from the concrete more evenly. e reduction of excess moisture in the slab is affected by the temperature and
humidity conditions at the surface of the slab. Low humidity levels are a benefit to draw moisture out of the slab and can be achieved with dehumidifying units or running air conditioning in the building. ese methods take time, effort, and money. e cost of removing excess moisture can be reduced by addressing the problem early in the selection of the concrete mix components by involving the flooring installation subcontractor, the concrete supplier, and the finishing subcontractor in pre-construction planning. e publication entitled ‘Concrete Floors and Moisture’ by the Portland Cement Association contains detailed information on various methods that can be utilized to control moisture in concrete slabs. Additional information regarding testing for slab moisture can be found in our Lessons Learned entitled ‘Concrete Floors and Moisture.’ We hope that this Lessons Learned is helpful to you in your next project. ECS is available to provide consultation for concrete mix designs and the use of water-reducing admixtures, can provide floor slab moisture testing, and assist you in determining the cause(s) of existing flooring problems. v
Respectfully, ECS Corporate Services LLC ©2011 ECS Corporate Services LLC All Rights Reserved
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