News Detail

ACI Takes the Lead on Masonry Certification

1/26/2017

World of Concrete Press Conference Announcement

To improve masonry standards, ACI introduced two Masonry Testing Certification programs in 2015. These programs are now cited in the new TMS 402/602-16: Building Code Requirements and Specifications for Masonry Structures, and were developed with the support of the National Concrete Masonry Association, the Portland Cement Association, and The Masonry Society.

Published in December 2016, the newly updated Masonry documents now include language referencing certification in accordance with the Masonry Field Testing Technician and Masonry Laboratory Testing Technician programs. It is expected that the programs will be referenced in the 2018 International Building Code and International Residential Code. 

Talking with @4ConstructnPros at #WOC17 about ACI's #masonry testing certification programs pic.twitter.com/OirRAslXa3

— AmericanConcreteInst (@ConcreteACI) January 19, 2017

This important news was shared at a press conference at the recent World of Concrete in Las Vegas, NV, USA. John Nehasil, ACI Managing Director of Certification; Bob Thomas, President, National Concrete Masonry Association; and Phil Samblanet, Executive Director of the Masonry Society; spoke about the new requirement, and the need for certification to improve masonry testing quality.

Mike Morrison, ACI Manager, New Program Development, was interviewed at the show by ForConstructionPros.com correspondent Roger Mann.

“Due to a variety of factors, including an increased need for quality assurance, masonry testing is becoming more common. Unfortunately, in some areas, testing technicians are not always familiar with masonry, nor its nuances that make it different than concrete,” said Phil Samblanet, Executive Director, The Masonry Society. “The result can be improper testing, poor results, and headaches in the field. ACI’s Masonry Testing Technician Certification programs will further efforts to improve testing quality by letting contractors, designers, and owners know who is qualified to perform masonry testing.”

ACI’s masonry testing programs provide certifications to those technicians working in the laboratory or in the field who can demonstrate the technical knowledge and skills required for sampling and testing of masonry units, mortars, grout, and prisms.  They are based on content from ASTM specifications.

“The masonry testing certification programs support advancing education with respect to proper techniques associated with masonry materials, and were created to help improve the quality of masonry construction,” said John Nehasil, Managing Director of Certification, American Concrete Institute.  “The industry will benefit from requiring ACI-certified masonry technicians.”

The TMS 402/602-16 was produced by The Masonry Society’s committee 402/602 on Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures Committee.  The committee was formerly designated as the Masonry Standards Joint Committee and was sponsored by The Masonry Society, American Concrete Institute, and the Structural Engineering Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers.  The Masonry Code was formerly ACI 530.

Program details for both masonry programs can be found on ACI’s website at www.concrete.org/certification. 

Read more about ACI Masonry Testing

More ACI Resources on Masonry

Learn more at www.concrete.org or call 248-848-3700.