NYS Concrete Masonry Association Donates Green Building Materials to Masonry Program

Alfred State College student masons and instructor Stephen Richard were busy late last semester, unloading and unpacking two truckloads of paver brick, fire brick, fireplace and pizza oven parts, refractory mortars, block, brick and cavity wall flashing components. All of these masonry materials will be used as students build mock ups of masonry wall systems, fireplaces, and working pizza ovens. On Nov.11, Superior Clay Corp., Uhrichville, OH, and CMS Industries, Inc., Orchard Park, conducted a seminar for building Rumford fireplaces and chimneys, following International Residential code guidelines.

All of the donated masonry products are green and recyclable. When used in building projects, they add to the LEED (Leadership in Energy Design) credits which many builders and owners strive to achieve for more efficient energy use and low maintenance over the building’s life. A higher LEED rating also can result in tax credits. Using masonry in construction adds thermal mass heat storage; safe fireproof walls; encapsulation of insulating products; reduction of VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) in interior spaces; resistance to rot, mold, and insect damage; high impact resistance for low maintenance; and paving systems that reduce heat island effect and allow for surface water mitigation.

The all-masonry fireplace designs taught at Alfred State are Rumford-style fireplaces. When correctly built, they burn efficiently, meeting EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) air quality standards.

“We are grateful for the following companies which donated materials: Southern Tier Concrete Products of Alfred; CMS Industries, Superior Clay Corp., Whitacre Greer, Brick Corp., (Alliance, OH); Glen Gery Brick, (Reading, PA); Sandell, Inc., (Schenectady); and Hohman Barnard, Inc., (Hauppauge),” said Richard of the support offered by these companies.

The value of these donations is over $6,000. As many as 90 building trade students will be able to use these donated materials for their hands-on training.