America is burning. Construction practices utilizing wood frame construction in low to mid rise buildings are fueling fires in multi-story buildings nationwide. The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s (NRMCA) Build With Strength campaign is educating architects, engineers and specifiers on alternative design methods- specifically the utilization of insulated concrete forms (ICFs) in the construction of low to mid-rise residential and commercial buildings.
Connecticut Concrete Promotion Council ‘s Executive Director Dominic Di Cenzo commented,” The Connecticut Ready Mixed Concrete Association (CRMCA) is part of a nationwide Build with Strength campaign to educate construction specifiers and those involved with the design and engineering of multi-story and commercial office buildings on the use of insulated concrete forms (ICFs). ICF’s offer considerable energy cost savings, reduce building sound transmission and provide storm and fire resistance. These ICF properties, when combined with concrete, produce a building that far surpasses a wood frame building as far as longevity, durability and environmental friendliness.”
Ric Suzio, of Suzio-York Hill Concrete, and Committee Chairman of the CRMCA’s Build With Strength committee, commented on the Build with Strength ICF campaign that, “We are finding that housing authorities, fire marshals and building officials are more receptive to the concept of utilizing ICF’s in their building designs. In particular, ICFs offer increased thermal resistance, fire resistance and durability. Safety buildings such as firehouses and police stations or disaster refuge buildings are ideal for ICF construction- providing a secure, fire and storm resistant construction. ICF’s, when utilized in a system with ready mixed concrete, are becoming a basic building technique for multi-story residential, municipal and commercial buildings due to their strength, energy efficiency and ease of construction.”
About the NRMCA’s Build With Strength Campaign
Build with Strength is a coalition of architects, builders, engineers, community organizations, emergency services personnel and policymakers supported by the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA). Their mission is to educate the building and design communities and policymakers on the benefits of ready mixed concrete, and encourage its use as the building material of choice for low- to mid-rise structures. No other material can replicate concrete’s advantages in terms of strength, durability, safety, ease of use, and long-term value. For more information visit, buildwithstrength.com or contact Kathleen Carr-Smith, Executive Vice President, Concrete Promotion at [email protected].
About Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF’s)
For more information on insulated concrete forms, visit the Insulating Concrete Forms Manufacturer’s Association at icf-ma.org.
About the Connecticut Concrete Promotion Council
The Connecticut Concrete Promotion Council (CCPC) of the Connecticut Ready Mixed Concrete Association (CRMCA) promotes the use of cast concrete as the material of choice for all types of commercial and residential construction. For more information on Build With Strength and insulated concrete forms visit buildwithstrength.com/icf. To schedule a speaker or presentation on ICF’s in construction, please contact Dominic Di Cenzo, Executive Director, Connecticut Concrete Promotion Council, at [email protected] or 203.915.0279 or call CCPC headquarters at 860.529.6855. Visit www.ctconstruction.org for more information on educational and certification programs.
