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Whitacre Greer Permeable Clay Brick Paver Specification

PART 1 GENERAL

1.01 SUMMARY

A. Section Includes:
1. Permeable clay brick pavers
2. Stone jointing material
3. Stone bedding material
4. Open-graded base material
5. Open-graded sub base material

1.02 REFERENCES

A. American Society for Testing and Materials
1. ASTM C67 Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick and Structural Clay Tile
2. ASTM C136 Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
3. ASTM C448 Standard Classification for Sizes of Aggregate for Road and Bridge Construction
4. ASTM C902 Standard Specification for Pedestrian and Light Traffic Paving Brick

1.03 SUBMITTALS

A. In accordance with General Conditions of the Contract and Division 1 Submittal Procedures Section
B. Permeable Brick Pavers
1. Submit manufacturer’s product literature and material safety data sheets.
2. Submit sample units of each paver type representative of size, shape, color and finish, indicating color variation expected in finished installation. Color or blend of colors will be selected by [Architect][Engineer][Landscape Architect][Owner] from manufacturer’s standard color palette.
a. Colors within a given shipment of clay pavers will vary slightly due to clay composition and kiln firing temperatures. Such color variations are a natural desirable feature that gives the pavement greater character and depth.
3. Submit test results from approved independent testing laboratory indicating ASTM C902 compliance.
4. Submit manufacturer’s certification of compliance to appropriate ASTM standard.
C. Bedding material, Open-graded Base and Sub Base material
1. Submit sieve analysis results in accordance with [ASTM C136] for jointing, bedding, base and sub-base material.
2. Provide supplier name, source and types of material used for jointing, bedding, base and sub base.
D. Paving Installer
1. Job references from projects similar in size and design to this project. Provide [Owner][Client][General Contractor] names, postal address, phone, fax and email address.

1.04 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. Paving Installer Qualifications
1. Three years experience with at least [25,000] feet of segmental permeable pavers installed.
2. Successful completion of [five] permeable paver installations similar in design, material and extent indicated on this project. Installer shall have experience setting clay/brick pavers.
3. Successful completion of a [School for Advanced Segmental Paving][Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute] permeable paving installation certificate course.
B. Regulatory Requirements
1. Installer shall be able to provide bonds required for the work.
C. Mock-Ups
1. Install a [10 ft by 10 ft][5 ft by 5 ft] area of pavers on a prepared substrate including detail to illustrate component application including pattern and edge details.
2. When required, provide a separate mock-up for each paver type and bonding pattern.
3. Use mock-up to determine pre-compaction setting bed level, joint sizes, lines, laying patterns and product color.
4. Do not start work until mock-up has been approved by [Landscape Architect][Architect][Engineer][Owner].
5. Approved mock-up is the standard by which appearance, workmanship, substrate preparation and material application will be judged.
6. Approved field sample may be retained as part of finished work. Remove mock-up and dispose of materials when directed by [Landscape Architect][Architect][Engineer][Owner].
D. Pre-Installation Meetings
1. Conduct pre-installation meeting [one week] prior to commencing work of this section to verify project requirements, substrate condition and coordination with other trades, installation instructions and warranty requirements.

1.05 DELIVERY, STORAGE AND HANDLING

A. Procurement
1. Allow adequate time for the production and delivery of specified paver. Consult local distributor for lead-time and delivery options.
B. Delivery
1. Deliver materials in Whitacre Greer’s original, unopened, undamaged packaging with identification labels intact. Unload pavers with proper equipment so no damage occurs to pavers.
C. Storage
1. Store materials so they are protected from contamination by foreign substances and excessive moisture.
2. Store pavers to prevent damage and staining.

1.06 PROJECT CONDITIONS

A. Environmental Requirements
1. Do not install in rain or snow.
2. Do not install frozen bedding material.

1.07 MAINTENANCE

A. Extra Materials
1. Furnish [specify quantity] additional pavers to owner for future maintenance and repair.
2. Pavers shall be from the same production run as the installed materials.

PART 2 PRODUCTS

2.01 DESIGN NOTE

A. Consult an engineer for hydrology and load-bearing design considerations.
B. Use pavement slopes of not more than 5% for optimum results.
C. Consider under drains for overflow or water harvesting.
1. Consult an engineer for placement of drains.

2.02 PERMEABLE CLAY BRICK PAVERS

A. Permeable Paver Type
1. [4x8x2¼ Permeable Clay Brick Paver][4x8x2¾ Permeable Clay Brick Paver][2¼x9x3 Boardwalk Permeable Clay Brick Paver]
a. Manufactured by The Whitacre Greer Company, 1400 South Mahoning Ave, Alliance, OH 44601 Telephone: (800) 947-2837 Fax: (330) 823-5502 Email: info@wgpaver.com
b. Distributed by [enter local distributor and appropriate contact].
2. Material standard in accordance with ASTM C902.
3. Classification: Specify weathering, traffic and application classifications.
a. Specify Class: SX
b. Specify Type: I
c. Specify Application: PS

2.03 AGGREGATE MATERIALS

A. Bedding Course and Joint Filler
1. [#9][#89] Crushed stone conforming to ASTM D448
2. Washed with less than 1% passing through the No. 200 sieve.

ASTM No. 9

ASTM No. 89
Sieve Size
Percent Passing

Seive Size
Percent Passing
9.5 mm (3/8 in.)
4.75 mm (No. 4)
2.36 mm (No. 8)
1.18 mm (No. 16)
300 mm (No. 50)
100
85 to 100
10 to 40
0 to 10
0 to 5

12.5 mm (1/2 in.)
9.5 mm (3/8 in.)
4.75 mm (No. 4)
2.36 mm (No. 8)
1.18 mm (No. 16)
300 mm (No. 50)
100
90 to 100
20 to 55
5 to 30
0 to 10
0 to 5

B. Base Course
1. #57 Crushed stone conforming to ASTM D448
2. Washed with less than 1% passing through the No. 200 sieve.

ASTM No. 57
Sieve Size
Percent Passing
37.5 mm (1-1/2 in.)
25.0 mm (1 in.)
19.0 mm (3/4 in.)
12.5 mm (1/2 in.)
9.5 mm (3/8 in.)
4.75 mm (No. 4)
2.36 mm (No. 8)

100
95 to 100

25 to 60

0 to 10
0 to 5

C. Sub Base Course
1. #2 Crushed stone conforming to ASTM D448
2. Washed with less than 1% passing through the No. 200 sieve.
ASTM No. 2
Sieve Size
Percent Passing
75 mm (3 in.)
63 mm (2-1/2 in.)
50 mm (2 in.)
37.5 mm (1-1/2 in.)
25.0 mm (1 in.)
19.0 mm (3/4 in.)
100
90 to 100
35 to 70
0 to 15

0 to 5

2.04 ACCESSORIES

A. Edge Restraints
1. All installations must be properly restrained with an edge restraint suitable for the expected pavement load; cast in place concrete, set in place concrete or granite curbs, spiked in place plastic, steel or aluminum.
a. Spiked in place edge restraints require modified installation method.
2. Follow the recommendations of the restraint manufacturer if applicable.
B. Geotextiles (Optional – Follow manufacturer’s recommendations)
1. Material type and description: [Specify material type and description].
2. Material standard: [Specify material standard].
3. Manufacturer: [Specify manufacturer].

PART 3 EXECUTION

3.01 ACCEPTABLE INSTALLER

A. [Specify acceptable paver installation contractor.]

3.02 EXAMINATION

A. Verify Site Conditions
1. General contractor shall inspect and certify in writing to installer that site conditions meet the following prior to installation of permeable clay pavers.
a. Remove organic, unstable or unconsolidated material from the site.
b. Verify conformance of sub grade preparation and elevations to specified requirements. If CBR (California Bearing Ratio) is less than 5%, typically with clay soils, compaction of sub grade and geotextile may be required.
c. Verify sub base and base conformance to specified requirements. Do not use setting bed material to correct deficiencies in base course surface.
d. Verify written density test results for soil sub grade and sub base course.
e. Verify type, location and elevations of edge restraints, utility structures and drainage inlets.
f. Verify that the [sub base][base] course is ready to support bedding material, permeable pavers and imposed loads.
2. Do not proceed with bedding course or paver installation until satisfactory [sub grade soil][sub base][base] are verified by contractor.
3. Verify that the area is free from standing water and certified by general contractor as meeting material, installation and grade specifications.
4. Field measurements
a. Determine actual paver dimensions (including tolerances) and coordinate with dimensions for pavement areas indicated on contract drawings prior to any pavement installation. Adjust pavement area dimensions to eliminate unnecessary paver cutting.

3.03 PREPARATION

A. Edge Restraint Preparation
1. Install as per drawings [at indicated elevations].
B. Aggregate Material
1. Stockpile joint filler material, base and sub base material such that they are free from standing water, uniformly graded, free of organic mater or sediment, debris, and ready for placement.

3.04 INSTALLATION

A. General
1. Keep area where pavement is to be constructed free from sediment during entire job. Contaminated sub base, base or bedding material shall be removed and replaced with clean material.
2. Do not damage drainpipes, overflow pipes, observation wells or any inlets and other drainage elements during installation. Report damage to project engineer.
B. Geotextiles (if applicable)
1. May be required if CBR is less than 5%.
2. Place on bottom and sides of soil sub grade. Secure in place to prevent wrinkling from vehicle tires and tracks.
3. Overlap a minimum of [12 inches][24 inches] in the direction of drainage.
C. Sub Base Aggregate
1. Spread and compact moistened No. 2 sub base in 4 to 6 inch lifts.
a. Typical sub base thickness is 6 to 18 inches.
b. Reduce the depth of each lift if plate tamper is used for compaction.
2. Make at least two passes in the vibratory mode then at least two in the static mode for each lift. A minimum 10-ton vibratory roller should be used. Compact until there is no visible movement of the No. 2 stone.
a. A plate tamper with 13,500 Lbf may be used for smaller installations.
3. Surface tolerance of No. 2 sub base shale be +/-3/4 inches over a 10-foot straightedge.
D. Base Aggregate
1. Spread and compact moistened No. 57 base in one 4-inch lift.
a. Spread in multiple reduced-depth lifts if plate tamper is used for compaction.
2. Make at least two passes in the vibratory mode then at least two in the static mode for each list. A minimum 10-ton vibratory roller should be used. Compact until there is no visible movement of the No. 57 stone.
a. A plate tamper with 13,500 Lbf may be used for smaller installations.
3. Surface tolerance of No. 57 base shale be +/-1/2 inch over a 10-foot straightedge.
E. Bedding Course Aggregate
1. Spread and screed moistened No. [9][89] stone bedding material.
2. Fill voids left by removing screed rails with No. [9][89] stone.
3. Surface tolerance of No. [9][89] bedding course shall be +/-1/8 inch over a 10-foot straightedge.
4. Do not compact bedding course.
5. Keep pedestrian and vehicular traffic off screeded bedding course until paver installation begins.
F. Permeable Clay Pavers
1. Install paving units in pattern(s) indicated on drawings. Maintain straight pattern lines using string and/or chalk lines.
a. Maximum bond line variation shall be +/-3/8 inch over a 50-foot string line.
2. Fill gaps at the edges of the paved area with cut unites. Cut pavers subject to vehicular traffic shall be no smaller than 1/3 of a whole unit.
G. Joint Material
1. Fill openings and joints between paver units with No. [9][89] stone.
2. Sweep excess joint material from paved area.
3. Compact pavers into bedding course using low-amplitude plate compactor capable of at least 5,000 lbs centrifugal compaction force. Make at least two passes with the plate compactor.
a. Protect paver surface with mat attached to tamper or other approved method.
4. Do not compact within 6 feet of an unrestrained edge.
5. Apply additional No. [9][89] stone to joints as required to fill them completely.
6. Pavers within 6 feet of the laying face shall be left fully compacted at the completion of each day.
7. Surface tolerance of finished pavement shall be not more than +/-3/8 inch over a 10-foot straight edge.
8. Surface elevation of finished pavement shall be 1/8 to 1/4 inches above adjacent drainage inlets.

3.05 FIELD QUALITY CONTROL

A. Sweep surface clean and verify conformance with drawings.
B. Verify that adjacent pavers have not more than 1/8 inch difference in height.
C. Verify final elevation of pavement to adjacent drainage inlets.
D. Verify straightness of bond lines.

3.06 PROTECTION

After work in this section is complete, General Contractor shall protect work from damage to to subsequent construction activity on site.

Download this specification in Word format by clicking here.

PaverArt LLC of Lindenwold, NJ created this unique intersection art for Plainfield, IL.  Whitacre Greer genuine fired-clay pavers in shades 52 Majestic and 54 Chocolate were used.  PaverArt specializes in the design and manufacture of innovated paving patterns created with segmental paving brick.

LPS Pavement, based in Oswego, IL, installed the pavers.

Champaign, Urbana protective of their brick supplies

Sun, 05/23/2010 – 7:00am | Patrick Wade

The News-Gazette

CHAMPAIGN – City officials are not complaining about having been hit by about 1,300 tons of bricks.
When Champaign public works staff in 1999 bought 292,800 bricks straight out of the ground of an East St. Louis stockyard, they say they were looking to the future of their antique roads.
Eleven years and thousands of bricks later, their coveted pile of vitrified clay is holding out, and it is now valued at maybe three times what they paid for it: 55 cents per brick.
“We’ve got a pretty good supply of bricks back there,” said public works director Dennis Schmidt.
With few remaining brick manufacturers, and cities across the country looking to preserve their own streets, Schmidt said the department gets about half a dozen requests for bricks each year.
But the requests are stonewalled – Champaign would rather sit on its 40- to 50-year supply.
Although it costs about three times more to maintain a brick street than a typical concrete or asphalt street, engineer technician Bill Holland said, the old roads typically last longer. They do not absorb as much moisture as other road materials, and the bricks are tough to crack.
Schmidt said the $200,000 to $240,000 annual maintenance costs are a small price to pay to maintain the integrity of Champaign’s older neighborhoods.
“Those streets have got character to them,” Schmidt said. “You don’t want everything to look like the new subdivision we build on the edge of town.”
The brick street preservation area covers a portion of the city just west of State Street, and it takes city council approval to convert a brick street to the more typical asphalt or concrete material.
Urbana has its own stockpile of bricks and its own brick street preservation program, putting the city in a situation much like Champaign’s, Urbana public works director Bill Gray said. The brick streets there are at least 50 years old.
“We have brick streets that are decades old that have had little or no maintenance on them,” Gray said.
Although Champaign’s brick policies have changed through the years, the roads themselves – some of which could be as much as 100 years old – have not.
A couple decades ago, when Dannel McCollum, who lived in the central Champaign neighborhood with brick streets, sat on the city council, the public works director at the time proposed overlaying the brick streets with asphalt, he said.
“I said, ‘If you recommend doing this, I’m going to have to come out in strong opposition,'” McCollum said. “Leave the brick streets alone.”
Some streets in Champaign have been converted to more conventional materials through the years, but typically only those that see higher traffic. The streets – some designed for horse and buggy – do not always hold up well to trucks and buses, Schmidt said.
And those conversions do not always go over well with residents, said McCollum, who later was elected mayor. Years ago, when work began on Elm Boulevard, phones rang at the City Building.
“We were all called down to the south end of Elm Street to address this serious breach,” McCollum said. “The people loved that street.”
But the bricks in storage will not last forever. When the pile runs low 40 or 50 years from now, the city will have to look to the open market if it wants to continue preserving its streets.
“There’s materials out there to buy, they’re just going to cost more,” assistant city engineer Dave Clark said.
Officials have made policy changes in the past few years to ensure the longevity of their bricks. Contractors who excavate brick streets now have to replace the bricks they take out instead of shipping them to a landfill and putting in new bricks from the city stockpile.
It is “a lot of handwork” for the contractors, but Schmidt said it ultimately saves money. Disposing of backhoe-destroyed bricks at a landfill can get costly.
Handling the bricks can be a workout, too. At about 9 pounds each, gripping the weight hundreds of times per day can be a test of endurance for contractors, Holland said.
The new policy has reduced the loss of bricks during maintenance projects from 80 percent to about 10 percent, Holland said.
Patching a brick street can be more complicated than it sounds, too. Holland said there are at least five different sizes of bricks in Hill Street alone – all the more reason to try to save the bricks that are already there.
And if you ask McCollum, he’ll tell you that the preservation is priceless.

“If you think in terms of time, there is a street that’s been there 100 years,” McCollum Said. “How many things do you see that we build that survive with minimal maintenance for 100 years?”

Thursday, April 28th Whitacre Greer received two safety awards from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. The Group Award recognized the Alliance-based manufacturer of paving and firebrick for the best safety record in its category – manufacturing. Whitacre Greer was also recognized for having no lost time accidents during the last year. John Miller, EHS Manager at Whitacre Greer, is an active member of the Eastern Stark County Safety Council’s steering committee. Congratulations to all employees for taking workplace safety seriously!

Whitacre Greer manufactures fired-clay paving brick for residential, commercial, instituational and municipal projects and firebrick for residential fireplace construction. The family-owned company is based in Alliance, OH. Whitacre Greer products are available nationwide through masonry dealers. Whitacre Greer is pleased to offer three permeable clay paver types and the Boardwalk paver.

We are pleased to announce that a permeable paver program is now available from Whitacre Greer. The PowerPoint-based program is technical in nature with plenty of information to please engineers, architects and landscape architects alike.

The one-hour program covers the following topics:
Permeable pavement definitions
System benefits and limitations
Types of exfiltration
Basic system design
System maintenance
Construction and components
Attributes of dry-pressed clay pavers
Resources and useful links
Continuing education credit for AIA CES and LA CES is pending.

Please contact us if you’d like a copy of the presentation or would like to schedule a luncheon program with Andy, Mic or Colby.

Enjoy!

Whitacre Greer is a leading manufacturer of genuine fired-clay paving brick. All Whitacre Greer products are produced using the dry-pressed manufacturing process.

Jan 28, 2011 12:39 ET

RESTON, VA–(Marketwire – January 28, 2011) – The Brick Industry Association (BIA) has honored four U.S. brick manufacturers for their ingenuity in employee health and safety, environmental stewardship and one individual for a lifetime of dedicated service to the brick industry. This year’s deserving winners and their programs save lives, drastically reduce employee injuries, greatly lower a plant’s energy use and honor the first brick plant to achieve Leadership in Environmental Efficiency and Design (LEED) Gold certification. They also recognize John “Russ” Butler of Elgin Butler Company for his exemplary lifetime contributions to the industry.
“All of the winners are innovators and leaders who demonstrate our industry’s commitment to healthier, safer workplaces, increasing building sustainability and a steadfast dedication that benefits the entire industry,” said BIA Vice Chairman Brett Packer, President, Packer Brick, Inc., in Rockwall, Texas.

Recognized last week during BIA’s Brick Forum 2011 in Greensboro, N.C, award winners include:

Lifetime Achievement Award

John “Russ’ Butler, Executive Vice President of Sales, Elgin Butler Co.
Recognizing industry leaders with at least 25 years supporting the success and growth of the clay brick industry, Butler’s 40+-year career includes mentoring hundreds of colleagues. An avid golfer, he worked high school summers for Elgin Butler, founded by his great-grandfather in 1873. After earning a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and serving in the U.S. Army and as a terra cotta manufacturer, he joined the company full time in 1965. While serving as company president for 20 years, Butler oversaw many innovative products including the “Craftwork Series,” and remains the sole manufacturer of structural glazed tile in the United States. His many leadership positions in Texas and nationally include serving as a BIA board member.
Employee Health and Safety Awards

Acme Brick, Fort Worth, Texas — Arc Flash Program
Over the past two years, Acme Brick’s comprehensive arc flash/electrical safety program has resulted in zero arc flash injuries. This program significantly increases worker safety by highlighting safe work practices for electrical components and modifying electrical equipment to reduce hazards. An electrical diagram was created for each facility to assist in identifying potential hazards and is combined with hazard labeling throughout the facility. The program’s pre-shift stretching, buddy system, target zero, kiln safety week, daily pre-shift safety and health meetings before each shift, silica emphasis day each month, and company-wide Annual Safety Day – ACT Program (Action, Commitment, Training) all contribute to its success.
Whitacre-Greer Co., Alliance, Ohio — Reviving a Safety Culture Program
When submitted, this multi-faceted program with hands-on training had successfully achieved 1,093 days — and over 500,000 man hours — without a loss time injury. Key components include five-minute Safety Talks, the Caught Being Safe program and an annual training day at Whitacre Greer University. Strong employee orientation and recognition programs also help to reinforce the importance of safety. The success of this program is shown by a 95% reduction in company injury costs.
Environmental Stewardship Awards

Boral Bricks Inc., Roswell, Georgia — LEED Gold Standards
Boral’s plant in Terre Haute, In. is the first brick plant built to LEED Gold standards. The plant achieved 39 points for sustainable site, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and innovation and design process. The use of landfill gas, natural day lighting, a cool roof, and indigenous landscaping all add to the plant’s sustainability. Additionally, the natural day lighting provides a brighter, more natural workplace environment and the indigenous landscaping eliminates the need for routine maintenance and irrigation.
Glen-Gery Corp., Wyomissing, Pennsylvania — Upgrade Facility Lighting
As part of Glen-Gery’s overall goal to produce products with less energy, its energy conservation program utilized best practices in retrofitting its facility lighting systems. Older low-efficiency fixtures were replaced with high-efficiency fixtures. Occupancy sensors and timers control the operation of the fixtures. The program has reduced energy usage by approximately 2,800,000 KWH annually and reduced the company’s carbon footprint by 2, 610 tons annually.
Founded in 1934, the Brick Industry Association (BIA) is the nationally recognized authority on clay brick construction representing the nation’s distributors and manufacturers of clay brick and suppliers of related products. Web site: www.gobrick.com or www.greenbrick.com / 703-620-0010 .

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Stephen Sears
703-674-1536
E-mail: Email Contact
www.gobrick.com

Wednesday, January 19th, Whitacre Greer was honored with an award recognizing its commitment to employee safety. The award was presented by the Brick Industry Association at the annual Carolina’s Brick Forum in Greensboro, NC. A summary of the safety program follows. Thank you John Miller, EHS Manager, for developing and implementing the program and thank you all Whitacre Greer employees for working safely.

We are submitting an entry for Reviving a Safety Culture.

For many years our company had a small number of employees supplemented by workers hired through several temporary agencies. These temporary employees were often here for very short periods of time, sometimes as little as a day or less. Safety was not a priority and this was evidenced by high accident rates and workers compensation costs.

Our management team changed and as a result, so did the philosophy of a safe plant. Under this new management our Safety Program was to be rebuilt, but in order to rebuild the safety program the culture had to be changed. We knew that changing the safety culture was not something that could be done overnight. In order to achieve optimum results and meet management expectations the program had to be multi-facetted, very aggressive, and proactive.

Our philosophy was to inundate the workforce with knowledge of safety procedures, provide evidence of effectiveness, and to make it a daily routine by making it personal. Our goal, as stated in our Safety Policy, is to return home every day without having suffered a work related injury or illness. Our motto: Safety is No Accident.

In order to achieve our goal of Reviving a Safety Culture we proceeded as follows:

Hire our Workforce
In order to develop a safety culture it was necessary to stabilize the workforce. We began by hiring the temporary employees as full time workers. We believed that a workforce with benefits and a secure work environment would help develop a safety culture.

However since it was also necessary to continue bringing in contract labor we also developed a safety program for the temporary agencies to follow. Their program was very similar ours.

Development of an Employee Handbook & Safety Manual
We developed an Employee Handbook and Safety Manual. The manual is in a loose leaf hard binder to facilitate updates and additions to the information. The Handbook/Safety Manual System consists of the following:
An acknowledgement of receipt to be signed and given to Human Resources
A safety signoff sheet listing the safety items reviewed
A generic safety brochure
Safety Statement signed by the President/CEO
Welcome letter with statement of work rules, policies, dress code, accident procedures; our Emergency Action Plan, storm water pollution prevention, explanation of our culture based safety philosophy, working in hot and cold weather
Employee Handbook
Hazard Communication training
Confined Space training
Forklift Safety training
LO/TO training

At the beginning of the program the EHS Manager met with each and every employee to review and explain the Handbook & Safety Manual. The manual is supplemented with various videos. As new employees are hired the EHS Manager meets individually with them to review and explain the safety program.

Caught Being Safe Program.
Because of the temporary workforce and the large turn over rate, we had a history of not providing items with our company logo to our employees. We wanted to begin recognizing employees for performing safe acts. When “caught being safe” that operator was given a ball cap with our company logo. Since there were currently no items with our logo this was noticeably special. We made it public knowledge when someone received a Caught Being Safe cap. This program caught on and soon workers were catching co-workers being safe so they too could get a cap.

Safety Talks and Contest
In order to keep safety in the forefront and maintain management and supervisor commitment we have periodic 5-minute safety talks. Although these talks are developed by the EHS Manager they are delivered by the direct supervisor on the shop floor. A handout accompanies the talk.

Some of the topics completed are:
OSHA – Why it’s needed and how it affects us
Safe Lifting Techniques
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Lockout/Tagout
Machine Guarding
Forklift AND Pedestrian Safety

The week following the talk we have a safety contest. The questions consist of 5 true or false questions from the current talk, one from the previous talk, and a “fill in the blank” based on the current safety poster hanging in the lunchroom. This reinforces the talks and promotes the reading of the safety posters.

Two winners are chosen randomly from those having all the questions correct. The prizes are the choice of a $50 gift card or $125 towards the purchase of safety shoes. Of course, we hope they choose the shoes, but as one winner recently said “I have good shoes, I need gas”, thus the cash option.

Supervisor Safety Bulletin
We subscribed to Supervisor’s Safety Bulletin, a twice monthly 4 page work oriented safety bulletin. The synopsis of this paper is compliance to OSHA regulations and problems encountered by other companies and their solution to that problem. The EHS Manager reviews this bulletin before it is routed and highlights articles that could be of special interest to the supervision.

We believe the data shows that we have achieved our goal of Reviving a Safety Culture; however, we also believe that in order to maintain the safety culture we must continue to improve and revise our program as situations arise.

By Philip Marcelo
The Providence Journal

PROVIDENCE –– To those attending the inauguration of Governor-elect Lincoln D. Chafee and other state officeholders on the State House steps on Jan. 4: that marble you’ll be standing on is new — and pricey.

Most of the 107-year-old marble-and-brick plaza that stretches out from the State House toward downtown was replaced over the last five months, at a cost of $993,000.

The 107-year-old plaza, which has been the setting for countless political rallies, cultural celebrations and civic events, had been damaged over the years.

Heavy use — including damage inflicted by vehicles that were, until recently, allowed on the plaza — cracked many of the marble slabs that make up the 12,606-square-foot plaza, according to Ronald N. Renaud, executive director of the state Department of Administration. The damage posed a serious safety risk if someone tripped and fell, he said.

More than 90 percent of the marble and about half the bricks have been replaced, according to Thomas E. Wright, who, as assistant director for special projects at the state Department of Administration, is coordinating the project.

Using money allocated this year in the state’s capital-improvement budget, the state purchased 912 white marble pieces — weighing just over 112 tons — from Polycor Georgia Marble, the Tate, Ga., marble quarry where the original marble for the plaza came from more than 100 years ago.

The state purchased about 11,000 bricks from Whitacre-Greer in Alliance, Ohio, where the original brickyard was located.

Unlike other parts of the State House exterior, where a slightly different marble had been used to replace broken slabs, the new marble in the plaza blends easily with the rest of the building, Wright said. Where it was possible, the original marble and bricks were salvaged and preserved.

The project “preserves the true beauty and luster of the building and keeps with state historic preservation standards,” he said.

Started in August while lawmakers were on summer recess, it is the fourth part of a five-phase project begun about a decade ago to improve the American Renaissance icon, which boasts the world’s fourth-largest unsupported marble dome and was completed in 1904.

About 10 years ago, the state replaced the marble-and-brick plaza that faces Smith Street, the entrance for most people doing business in the State House and another popular spot for political rallies and civic events. That project cost $3.6 million and included improvements to other outside marble pieces, the guard station and cobblestone and brass fixtures.

The state also spent another $4.15 million to replace marble on outside terraces, steps and walkways from 2000 to 2003 as part of the same project, according to Wright. The total cost of the project has been about $8.75 million.

Inside the State House, crews are installing a new sprinkler system in the basement as a separate project to comply with the state fire code. That project, which costs $147,200, is set to be completed at the end of the month by AAA Sprinkler Co., of Warwick.

Shifting capital-spending priorities to the sprinkler-system installation and other more pressing work forced the state to delay repairs to the downtown-facing plaza, but the situation has only worsened in recent years, said Wright.

“This is not something that just happened. It is something that has been done over decades,” Wright said. “We’re just trying to make it the way it was in 1903 the best we can.”

The marble-and-brick replacement work finished last week.

A crew of about 20 workers from Kenneth Castellucci and Associates, the Lincoln-based firm that won the $1-million contract, are laying sod around the plaza, taking down fencing that cordoned off the construction site and putting the finishing touches on the plaza itself. The company’s contract also calls for work on outside stairways and other patio areas.

The final phase of the outside improvements, according to Renaud, starts next summer with an overhaul of the parking lots adjacent to the building that are used by lawmakers and staff.

“Hopefully, with the right care,” he said, “this marble will last another 100 years.”

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Architecture and Design is honoring the work of one of its professors with an exhibition this month.
The exhibition features the work of Professor Hansjörg Göritz, who has been internationally recognized for the past 20 years. The exhibition, called Stones and Sketches, is on display now through Nov. 11 in the Art + Architecture Building’s northeast atrium exhibition hall and consists of drawings, physical models, photographs and other representations. The work represents 25 years of selected award-winning architecture.

Highlighted in the exhibition is a selected number of works relating to the international award-winning National Capitol Forum and Assembly in the Principality of Liechtenstein, which was designed by Göritz’s German-based firm. The design process is represented in great detail, with some 500 original sketches, study models and documentary films on exhibit.

A special lecture and reception will be held Monday, Nov. 8. A lecture by Göritz begins at 5:30 p.m. in the McCarty Auditorium in the Art + Architecture Building and will be followed by a reception.

The exhibition, lecture and reception are free and open to the public.

Göritz started his professional career in 1985 and founded his studio, HANSJÖRG ARCHITEKTUR, the following year.

For more information about Göritz and his work, visit http://www.hansjoerggoeritz.com

Pedestals and floor of the exhibit were constructed of Whitacre Greer buff firebrick. Whitacre Greer is a leading producer of low-duty firebrick for site built masonry residential fireplaces. Low-duty are also used in masonry bake ovens and outdoor fire pits.

General Shale Brick in Knoxville supplied the material for the exhibit.

The Hardscape North America Project Awards recognized three projects utilizing Whitacre Greer dry-pressed clay pavers at a ceremony during the Hardscape North America Show in Louisville Saturday, October 30th. Hardscape North America is for installers, owners, foremen, supervisors and key laborers. HNA began in 2007 and has grown every year since. Its focus is to bring top notch educational including certification courses, products and technology to contractors and installers who build segmental pavements and segmental retaining walls. Indoor and outdoor exhibits displaying state of the art tools and products are featured offering the latest technology for contractors. Seminars offering certification, business skils and marketing tools provide valuable education and networking opportunities.

Winning the category of Clay Brick Paver Commercial 1,000 – 10,000 square feet was the Miami Conservancy District project in Dayton, OH. The project features distinctive pattern work in 4x8x2-1/4 Permeable clay pavers. Material for the project was supplied by Snyder Brick & Block.

Receiving an Honorable Mention in the category of Combination Commerical 1,000 – 10,000 square feet was The Barns in Peapack, NJ.

The Barns is an office complex containing four structures in the downtown of rural Peapack, NJ. A historic stone barn, the primary structure on the site, has been converted into office space. The interior courtyard is just over 1900 square feet; while this is a relatively small portion of the overal 67,700 square foot site, it had large potential to impact the office Large windows from both the conference room and the common areas abut the space.

The use of cobblestones, brick, hand hammered iron fencing and gate, the lead horse trough water feature and antique mill wheels all draw from the feelings generated from the old barn. The mill wheel and cobble banding add focus as you enter the space; the brick pavers provide ample space for seating and lend warmth to the space. The lead horse trough adds white noise softening sounds of the nearby street. The shade created by a tight grid of honey locust provides much needed relief from the harsh southern exposure, which will increase as the trees mature while offering a feeling of separation from Main Street. The trees success is assisted by the addition of structural soil beneath the paving, allowing root access to greater soil volume and a path to the soil below the lawn area. The decreased paving and the addition of lawn, boxwoods and perennials all soften the space, provide interest and reduce stormwater runoff.

The project was installed by Iannella Contracting and specified by B.W. Bosenburg & Co.

Receiving an honorable mention in the category of Clay Brick Paver Commerical 10,000 – 50,000 square feet was the F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm Visitor Center Renovation.

The original F.A. Nature Realm visitor center was completed in November of 1991 being the only visitor center in the Metro Parks’ system. It is home base for the Metro Parks naturalist staff and a critical educational tool for the entire system. This renovation project included three distinct but integrated parts, the site, building and exhibits.

The new exhibits focus on conservation education and are designed in such a way that periodic changes can be made to keep them up to date. They provide interpretation of cultural history, natural history and sustainability.

The grounds were renovated as an extension of the lessons taught be the interpretive exhibits. The grounds illustrate various native habitats and the associated plants and animals and also illustrate sustainable backyard landscaping which incorporates native plants and techniques to minimize storm water runoff and minimize landscape maintenance. The major change was to handle the stormwater volume that originally flooded the building at its low point. Using constructed wetland and porous pavements the stormwater became a key feature rather than a problem.

The building will be a LEED certified ‘Green Building’ illustrating the Metro Parks’ commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency. The building’s green elements will be visible to the public and interpretation will be provided so the visitor can see and understand their function and purpose and their impact on global warming and energy and resource conservation.

The project was installed by R.B. Stout and specified by the Metro Parks Serving Summit County.