They deserve a National Building Code that protects them. Fires today burn hotter and faster than ever before. Lightweight floor assemblies can now collapse 10 minutes into a blaze — just when fire fighters may be arriving and entering the premises, or when you may be exiting. Yet Canada’s National Building Code no longer treats ... Read More →
Design and build with Block. Burnaby BC: February 17, 2013 This photo of a recent fire in Burnaby, B.C. clearly shows the destruction that fire leaves behind. But notice the tower on the left? It’s still standing. Why? Because it was built with concrete block. Concrete block isn’t just fire-resistant — it doesn’t burn. Period. ... Read More →
Ontario Government needs to focus on fire containment as well as sprinklers in proposed Fire Code and Building Code changes TORONTO — FEBRUARY 1, 2013 — Mandatory sprinklers in Ontario retirement homes are a big step in the right direction but seniors also need the protection of more fire-resistant building material such as concrete block. ... Read More →
Sound judgment and project specifications — not political agendas — should determine the building materials used in Canadian construction. TORONTO — December 7, 2012 — Canada’s National Building Code encourages the use of different materials to optimize building performance, and cities like Halifax should do the same, say several Canadian builders and engineers. Their statements ... Read More →
CCMPA supports Ontario Fire Chiefs’ fire-sprinkler findings and advocates containment as part of a four part balanced design to prevent the spread of fires and save lives. When fire strikes, there can be any number of contributing factors, from human behaviour (an untended fry pan; a cigarette left- burning) to the proximity of hazardous materials (half-empty ... Read More →
While LEED is largely responsible for catalyzing green efforts in the building industry, many professionals recognize that responsible, sustainable construction is as much as about durability and lifespan as it is about earning LEED credits. There was a time when the term ‘LEED’ — short for ‘Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’ — was reserved almost solely ... Read More →
The recent tornado in Goderich and this year’s earlier devastation in Alabama strengthen the case for building with concrete block, brick and stone. TORONTO — September 20, 2011 — Hotter summers. Heavier rain. More frequent severe storms. These are the effects of climate change, and while building owners can’t directly control them, they can minimize ... Read More →
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Reinventing Canadian Masonry May 08, 2012 By Mark D. Hagel, PhD, P.Eng. For thousands of years, masonry has
May Newsletter May 06, 2013 Download the May edition of CCMPA Updates.
Fire fighters risk their lives to protect us. April 05, 2013 They deserve a National Building Code that protects them. Fires today burn
March Newsletter April 05, 2013 Download the March edition of CCMPA Updates.
CCMPA promotes balanced design March 19, 2013 Design and build with Block. Burnaby BC: February 17, 2013 This photo
February Newsletter February 01, 2013 Download the February edition of CCMPA Updates.
Ontario Seniors Deserve Better Fire Protection February 01, 2013 Ontario Government needs to focus on fire containment as well as sprinklers
