News and Press

CFA Announces Regional Conference in Hartford

Mt. Vernon, Iowa (August 25, 2006) -- The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) – the international association dedicated to improving the quality and acceptance of cast-in-place concrete foundations – will host an educational opportunity in Hartford, Conn. on Oct. 27-28 at the Crowne Plaza, Enfield

The event begins on October 27 with the CFA Board of Directors meeting for their fall session.  This opens with the formal Board meeting in the morning and concludes with a tour of the local Lafarge cement plant in the afternoon.

Saturday, Oct. 28 is comprised of concurrent educational sessions one with a management focus and the other a safety focus. A growing initiative in the CFA is the enhancement of management growth of member companies contributing to a focus on a management component at regional events.  Planned management sessions include:

  • Concrete Mix Design – Based on local studies conducted with Purinton Builders, this seminar presents how to use less cement while gaining higher strengths with fewer cracks. The seminar will educate attendees how this approach is ecologically friendly.
  • What to Expect When Commercial Work Becomes Attractive – It has been suggested that as the residential market sours the commercialmarket improves and many times the reverse is true. However, at a time when many residential markets are slowing to the point that profitabilityis next to impossible, now might be a perfect time to consider the advantages and disadvantages of adding commercial foundation work to yourcompany’s scope. Attend this presentation to learn how one contracting firm has dealt with this transition and managed to come away with two thriving business centers.
  • Preventing Builder Problems after You Leave – What are the most common issues that bring you back to a project long after you should have collected your money and closed the files? Water and cracks are probably near or at the top of your list. How does your warranty help? How can a “solid” relationship with the builder help? Learn how one contractor has found methods to limit exposure through quality relationship building and education resulting in faster closings on projects. Also included in this seminar will be thoughts on issues such as foundation and framing structural issues, leaking windows and roofs, backfill depths, landscaping, safe rooms, code issues, anchoring systems, stud height vs. form height, framing options, concrete vs. wood, and add-on building options like concrete stairs, walkout pit areas, fireplace surrounds, etc.
  • Concrete Surety – The objective of the “Contract Surety Bonds and Financial Statements Analysis” seminar is to make attendees aware of the bond process and marketplace. There is no reason to be intimidated by the word “bond” any longer! The course highlights the underwriting information required, the reasons for the need of this information and what the information says about the accounts. It will cover contracts, Bond Forms and culminate with a case study.
  • Panel Discussion: Code Changes – From grounding rebar in footings and walls to increased sill plate connections, there are a myriad of changes taking place in foundation codes. Attendees of this discussion will learn what changes have been made with and without CFA endorsement and what changes are likely to continue to be drafted through our efforts.

The CFA remains committed to the promotion of safe working practices. Through this component of the regional events, companies can energize their safety programs by involving crew personnel and accessing experts from a variety of backgrounds. Safety topics include:

  • Why Safety? – This seminar establishes some of the key reasons why you should be conscious and focused on safe construction practices. Safety seminars are not simply to take up down time or look good on paper, they are there to improve your awareness and keep you alive.
  • Excavation Safety – OSHA requirements versus safe practice…always a question that is asked. What must I do to be in compliance and what can I get away with? How about, what should I be doing to protect my crews? This is often the most overlooked aspect of excavation safety.