New England masonry contractors participated in the nation's first sustainability certification program for the masonry industry on June 7, 2010. The Boston session was held at the BAC Local 3 Training Center.
Developed by the International Masonry Institute in 2009, the Sustainable Masonry Certification Program educates union masonry contractors on the nuts and bolts of sustainability practices and their role in the LEED certification process, making contractors a valuable part of LEED project teams. It covers all masonry trades: brick, tile, stone, terrazzo, cement, plaster and restoration.
The course addresses subcontractor responsibilities from estimating and project scope to project management and documentation. It covers the LEED credits every masonry contractor should know, plus green strategies like site use and construction waste management. Contractors are tested to verify their ability to fulfill LEED responsibilities.
"When masonry contractors understand how they contribute to successful LEED projects, everybody wins," said IMI president Joan Calambokidis. "Green projects can be profitable, once contractors understand how to bid and manage them."
More than 100 contractor firms across North America have been certified this year, and upcoming sessions will educate hundreds more.