Hoisting at One World Trade Center

RAXTAR and Hydro Mobile have been selected by Atlantic Hoisting and Scaffolding to provide hoists and mast climbing work platforms for use in the rebuilding of One World Trade Center formerly known as the Freedom Tower. The companies have joined forces with New York hoist provider Atlantic Hoisting and Scaffolding to allow transport of men and materials to each floor of the projected 1776-foot structure.

Tishmann Construction turned to Atlantic Hoisting and Scaffolding of New York/New Jersey to provide a full solution for its logistics concern of moving more than 1,300 men, women, tools and materials daily to build the tower. A long list of concerns was developed and applied to the selection of equipment to be used. Among many, a primary concern was that no Chinese content be used in any component of the hoists. A non-counterweighted design also topped the list as it related to safety and speed of erecting, since this was to be a fast-track project. As the plans unfolded, dependability was key.

Atlantic Hoisting and Scaffolding’s team, led by Greg Karas, addressed the the idea of "the common tower." This is a structure typically made from a four-pole configuration of shoring, and scaffolding components decked at each entry level, to allow exit of the hoists and access to the building under construction, minimizing the interference with the curtain wall installation. It allows the building to be closed in earlier than in conventional configurations of the Hoists. In the case of One World Trade Center, the extreme height and concern for workers safety were bringing an additional challenge to the traditional conception of the common tower.

Atlantic Hoisting and Scaffolding’s team decided to abandon the conventional four-pole components generally used for the common tower, in lieu of actual Rack and Pinion tower sections at the four corners, giving them a means for adapting mechanical access equipment to perform the construction of the platform in a safe and efficient way. Atlantic Hoisting and Scaffolding's Todd Rego says he has reduced his labor during the construction process by 30 percent, and finds the safety factor increased by an immeasurable amount. The common tower is, in all reality, a temporary building built alongside the permanent structure. It has wind load, capacity requirements per floor and a fast tracked construction timeline, much like the property under construction.

Thirteen RAXTAR Model RX3245 hoists have been placed throughout the two side-by-side projects. RAXTAR was open and receptive to the specific requests of Atlantic Hoisting and Scaffolding, and their ideas to ensure a safe, productive artery to the project. Multiple RX3245SFT, 300 feet per minute, 7,000-lb. men and material hoists were designed with an overhead protection deck above the car for installer’s protection from workers above them. The cars incorporated designs from the years of combined experience of Atlantic Hoisting and Scaffolding and RAXTAR engineers. A structural “common tower platform” is an integral part of the configuration of the hoisting areas. A custom work platform designed specifically for the construction of the common tower structure was built by Hydro-Mobile and is in constant use as the project climbs at a pace of one floor per week. Since its installation in November 2009, the hoists run six days per week, moving 1300 to 1400 men and women to all the stops on its way to an overall height of 1776 feet, where the top floor will be denoted as the 82^nd Floor.

It is expected that three additional years of use should be required before the project is completed. For more information, visit www.hydro-mobile.com/1WTC.

3% Government Withholding Tax up for vote

It's time to write your representative.

The House of Representatives is getting ready for a floor vote before the end of October regarding 3% government withholding tax on all government work. The vote is to repeal the 3% withholding tax permanently.

A copy of the MCAA position paper on this issue is available online.

The MCAA has opposed this withholding and has urged Members of Congress to repeal this tax. We are asking all MCAA members to write their Representative today and ask them to support House Bill 674. Please send a copy of your letter to the MCAA office so we can follow-up with you.

We anticipate the House to pass this bill, and will ask for letters of support to your Senators when this issue is up for vote in the Senate.

A sample letter can be downloaded and should only be used as a basis for a personal letter to your Representative. The sample is based on a letter sent by the MCAA to Dave Camp, Chairman of the House Ways and Means, regarding this issue.

If you do not know your Representative, you can use the links below to identify your congressperson in the U.S. House of Representatives:

• Search by State
• Search by ZIP Code

The Mason Contractors Association of America thanks you in advance for your efforts on this issue.

Top 10 Characteristics of Great Companies

By Raj Singh

Research has shown that great companies have certain similar traits, characteristics and attributes. Following is a look at the 10 characteristics that define "great companies."

1) Great Companies are innovative.

Great companies are always thinking of new, improved ways of doing things. They innovate and delight customers, whether a B2B or a B2C enterprise.

2) Great Companies flourish throughout time.

Great companies are sustainable. They don’t fold in the middle of the night, because they are independent, not dependent solely on others. You won’t see them putting their faith and hope in one source of inputs.

3) Great Companies live a legacy.

Great companies truly are profitable. At the same time, they also get their suppliers and partners to be profitable and sustainable. It makes sense that the people who support these companies, too, should not fold.

4) Great Companies are full of originality.

Take a look at Google Translate and other Google tools that have been developed. Google’s employees generate great ideas. Great companies don’t need to look outside the company for ideas. Their people are motivated and inspired to do things for the company. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Great companies lead the pack, and others follow. (Some even blatantly copy them.)

5) Great Companies build up their brands.

Great companies have great brands. Great brands infect and affect users and customers. People believe in the products so much that a cult-like following often is created. These customers, in turn, help sell more of the brand and the company.

6) Great Companies have extraordinary leadership.

Great companies are led by inspiring leaders and entrepreneurs. True leaders make long-term decisions and don’t just live for today.

7) Great Companies are not limited by boundaries or beliefs.

The world is our oyster. Great companies believe there are no limits to potential customers and have a global mindset. Every person is a potential customer.

8 ) Great Companies look onward.

Great companies have views and are not just in it for money. They want to change the world, or the world we live in. Their belief and convictions are so strong that nothing will stop them or get in their way.

9) Great Companies is systematic.

Great companies believe that systems must be in place, so that everyone is replaceable. No one is indispensable, including the boss. Everyone and anyone within the company can deliver the results and has an impact on those results.

10) Great Companies walk the talk.

Great companies don’t just say things; they believe them and live by them. Slogans like "the customer is first" are true priorities and reflections.

Does your company have a vision to be great?

This article first appeared at http://www.safetyatwork.com.sg.

ACI Launches Adhesive Anchor Installation Certification With CRSI

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) and Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) announce the launch of the new Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification program.

In the summer of 2006, a portion of the concrete ceiling of the Central Artery/Tunnel Project in Boston, also known unofficially as the “Big Dig,” collapsed, killing a motorist and injuring another. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its accident report soon after and made recommendations to several parties, including the American Concrete Institute. The recommendation to ACI was to use its “building codes, forums, educational materials, and publications to inform design and construction agencies of the potential for gradual deformation in anchor adhesives under sustained tensile-load applications.”

“As part of the process of adopting the design procedures into the ACI 318 Building Code, it became clear to the ACI 318 Code Committee members that a certification program was imperative for successful installation of these anchors under certain conditions,” says Neal Anderson, CRSI VP of engineering. “This connection type should be thought of as being similar to a structural weld, in that an adhesive anchorage is usually a key load carrying connection in a structure. As such, proper training and certification is crucial for its proper installation.”

As part of the overall response to the recommendations of the NTSB, ACI has partnered with the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) to develop a certification program for Adhesive Anchor Installers. Additionally, Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification is a new requirement in ACI 318-11, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete, for anchorages in sustained tension loading conditions and installation orientations from horizontal to vertically upward (overhead). ACI 318-11 was recently released.

Adhesive anchors are recognized by the structural design profession as an important structural connection in many anchorage-to-concrete applications. Adhesive anchor capacity is dependent on the bond strength achieved between the adhesive and concrete, and adhesive and anchor. Adhesive anchor manufacturers have developed installation procedures for their specific products, which, when followed, are intended to provide the proper conditions for the anchor system to achieve the design bond strength.

The certification program for adhesive anchors was fast-tracked with the aid of a certification development consultant, which worked with ACI Committee 601A - Adhesive Anchor Installer. ACI and CRSI assembled a group of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) familiar with adhesive anchors, who identified the criteria candidates must meet for certification as ACI/CRSI Adhesive Anchor Installers.

Candidates are required to be able to read, comprehend, and execute instructions to properly install adhesive anchors, which are typically provided by adhesive anchor manufacturers. In addition, candidates must possess the knowledge to properly assess ambient conditions and the condition of the concrete; be familiar with materials, equipment, and tools for installing adhesive anchors; and determine when it is appropriate to proceed with an installation or when additional guidance from a supervisor/foreman/project engineer is needed.

“There are many different variables to consider when installing adhesive anchors,” says John W. Nehasil, managing director of certification programs at ACI. “From understanding jobsite conditions and manufacturers’ instructions to recognizing time limits of the adhesive and proper selection and assembly of equipment, installing adhesive anchors properly involves awareness of the variables and skill in executing instructions. The ACI/CRSI Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification program is designed to verify that candidates possess these qualities.”

To satisfy the new ACI 318-11 certification requirements, the following components of the ACI/CRSI certification program were developed by ACI Committee 601-A and its main oversight body, ACI CPC – Certification Program Committee:

• Development of a 75-question written examination – The exam covers information on adhesive concrete anchor installation in regards to preparing for installation, drilling anchor holes, cleaning anchor holes, injecting adhesive using cartridge systems, installing adhesive capsule systems, and installing anchors. The exam was developed under the direction of Professional Testing Services of Orlando, in accordance with recognized ANSI guidelines.

• Development of a performance exam – Candidates must be able to read, comprehend, and execute the generic Manufacturer’s Printed Installation Instructions (MPII) for the installation of an anchor in a vertical-down position, and the ability to inject adhesive to the proper depth into simulated holes in an overhead (vertical-up) position with both a rigid applicator tip and flexible stinger end with piston plug in a manner that produces results meeting program requirements.

The performance examination required creation of a generic MPII, representing the combined content of typical MPIIs from the various anchor manufacturers. In working with the Concrete Anchor Manufacturers Association (CAMA), a generic set of installation instructions was developed for use the performance portion of the certification program.

ACI and CRSI completed two pilot programs earlier this year with a total of 35 participants taking both the written and performance examinations. Based on the results of the pilot programs, passing score criteria were finalized for both the written and performance components of the exam.

At the present time, the ACI/CRSI Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification program is going to market in specific geographical areas. Typically, ACI Certification programs are sponsored and conducted by Local Sponsoring Groups (LSGs), which include ACI chapters and other concrete-related businesses and associations around the world. To date, more than 30 LSGs have signed on to prepare and eventually conduct this certification program.

Presently, the following groups have undergone the LSG orientation class and are currently positioned to offer the Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification program: ACI Illinois Chapter; ACI Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Chapter; and the ACI San Diego International Chapter. Other LSGs are in the process of being oriented into the program mechanics. The phase-in period is expected to be commensurate with the adoption of ACI 318-11 into revised editions of local building codes and/or incorporation of the requirements into project construction documents by licensed design professionals.

As with many of ACI’s certification programs, a training program is currently in development for the Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification program to allow certification candidates to train and study before taking the certification tests. The training program is expected to be ready by the end of 2011.

Interested parties may receive additional information on the Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification program by visiting http://www.ACICertification.com, or by calling 248-848-3800. A directory of ACI Local Sponsoring Groups that conduct certification testing can be found by visiting the following website: http://www.concrete.org/CERTIFICATION/CERT_SPON.HTM.

SYNTHEON Facility Receives ISO 14001 Certification

Pittsburgh-based SYNTHEON Inc.'s Leetsdale, Pa., manufacturing facility has received ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System certification. This certification recognizes the facility’s efforts to help identify and control the environmental impact of its activities, products and services. ISO 14001 certification also will help the manufacturing facility to implement a systematic approach to setting environmental objectives and targets, as well as provide guidance and accountability to ensure these objectives are met.

“ISO 14001 certification is an important recognition of our company-wide focus on sustainability,” says Antonio Torres, president of SYNTHEON Inc.

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is the world's largest developer and publisher of International Standards. ISO 14001 was first published in 1996 and specifies the actual requirements for an environmental management system. It applies to those environmental aspects over which the organization has control, and over which it can be expected to have an influence.

“This certification is additional proof that SYNTHEON approaches all aspects of our operations with a focus on environmental awareness,” says Paul Pollo, operations director, SYNTHEON Inc. “Receiving ISO 14001 certification further exemplifies our commitment to creating products and processes that are engineered to enhance sustainable building practices.”

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Awards Contract to GZA

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District has selected GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc. to provide geotechnical services under a five-year, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract.

The Geotechnical Engineering and Related Services will be performed at various locations in the North Atlantic Division Mission Areas. GZA anticipates providing a wide variety of geotechnical services under the contract, including support to the New England District Dam and Levee Safety Programs, support of Civil Works Construction programs, and environmental restoration and remediation projects.

“We are very excited to have been awarded this contract in the very competitive federal market,” says William R. Beloff, president and CEO of GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc. “Our strong team of engineers and scientists is ready to assist and support the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers New England District’s critical mission.”

ANSI/ASSE White Paper Available From MSA

A new ANSI/ASSE Z359.7 – 2011 standard for Qualification and Verification Testing of Fall Protection Products white paper is available from MSA, The Safety Co. This paper summarizes and explains the new ANSI/ASSE Z359.7 standard, establishing industry guidelines and focuses on minimum requirements for the certification of fall protection products.

MSA says it participated in the development of the new standard and provides this information as a service to its customers and safety professionals.