A quality assurance program for concrete masonry building products is now available for builders in New York. We’re raising the bar for building construction
A quality assurance program for concrete masonry building products is now available for builders in New York. We’re raising the bar for building construction products and posing a major hurdle for other products that don’t meet the same high standards, explains New York State Concrete Masonry Association (NYSCMA) Executive Director Nicholas Carparelli. This is especially important in a time when we see a need for increased building security, more efficient methods to conserve energy, and long-term savings not available from other building systems.
The new program, known as F’m2000-The NYSCMA Assurance of Quality Program, has been introduced statewide to ensure consistent availability of high-strength concrete masonry units to builders in New York. NYSCMA members participating in the new program will produce their regular concrete masonry units to comply with the higher minimum strength defined in the program. The F’m2000 minimum standard exceeds current New York State building code requirements and ASTM International standard C90, says Carparelli.
Concrete masonry units are prequalified for inclusion in the program via laboratory testing at the National Concrete Masonry Association headquarters in Herndon, Va., he adds. The program consists of regularly scheduled testing every two years in accordance with accepted industry standards. In addition, quarterly tests are performed with randomly selected members to verify consistency of unit strength.
Among advantages builders will find using concrete masonry manufactured under F’m2000, Carparelli notes, CMUs under the program are numerous, tested, precertified, in stock, and readily available throughout New York state from participating NYSCMA members. And, design professionals, he affirms, will find concrete masonry in this program will provide more efficient design, improved construction economy, and a level of strength they can count on, regardless of the location of their project. Builders and specifiers can ensure they are building with F’m2000 certified concrete masonry, by looking for the F’m2000 service mark or contacting NYSCMA for a list of producers who are manufacturing block according to these tough standards. More information on the quality assurance program can obtained by visiting www.nys-cma.org.