Masonry Testing Review Sessions & Certifications - November 2021

The Masonry Society, with the support of National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) and the Portland Cement Association (PCA), will be offering two intensive education review sessions, followed by ACI Certification Examinations for Masonry Field Testing Technicians (MFTT) and Masonry Laboratory Testing Technicians (MLTT).

Masonry Field Testing

Tuesday, November 9 – Review Session (approximately 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM) Wednesday, November 10 – Certification Examination (approximately 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM)

Masonry Laboratory Testing

Thursday, November 11 – Review Session (approximately 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM) Friday, November 12- Certification Examination (approximately 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM)

Location

National Concrete Masonry Association 13750 Sunrise Valley Drive Herndon, VA 20171

Registration has closed

The ACI Certification process is rigorous and those taking the examinations should be familiar with the testing requirements posted here. The Education Review Sessions are excellent ways for new technicians, contractors, producers, and engineers to learn about masonry test procedures, their basis, and proper ways to sample and test masonry materials. They also serve as an excellent way for experienced testing technicians to prepare for the Certification Examinations. They will not however, be effective in teaching someone relatively new to masonry to be immediately ready to take the ACI Certification Examinations. For the review sessions, instructors will cover typical tests for masonry units, mortar, grout, and assemblies, including ASTM C140, C780, C1019, and C1314, and other important procedures, as well as those addressed by the ACI Certification Examinations. After the classroom portion of the Review Sessions, a practical hands-on session will be offered so that attendees can observe, and in some cases, try their hands at specimen preparation and masonry testing.

Masonry Topics and Tests Include:

Sampling & Testing CMU per ASTM C140
Sampling & Testing Brick per ASTM C67
Evaluation of Mortars using ASTM C780 (field) and ASTM C270 (lab)
Sampling & Testing Grout using ASTM C1019
Construction & Testing of Masonry Prisms using ASTM C1314
Capping Masonry Specimens using ASTM C1552

Seminar Handouts

Those attending either Educational Review Session will receive a set of the comprehensive Audience Notes containing a printed copy of the PowerPoint Presentation used in the Review Sessions. This helpful handout reviews evaluation and testing procedures for masonry based on a number of ASTM Standards and industry recommendations. Those registering for one of the Certification Examinations will receive the applicable (based on the certification registered for) ACI Reference Package:

CP-71, 2nd Ed. Technician Workbook for ACI Certification of Masonry Field Testing Technician, or
CP-72, 2nd Ed. Technician Workbook for ACI Certification of Masonry Laboratory Testing Technician.

Attendees are responsible for obtaining the referenced ASTM Standards. See the ACI website below for the versions needed:

Shipping of Review Materials

The ACI Certification Examinations are rigorous, and those taking the examinations must be well acquainted with the test methods and the ASTM Standards addressed if they hope to pass the examinations. It is strongly recommended that those taking the examinations order the applicable ACI Masonry Technician Workbook (see registration form for shipping information) and obtain applicable ASTM standards to begin studying for the Certification Examination well in advance of these sessions

Seminar and Examination Costs

Costs are shown on the attached registration form and are intended to offer a wide variety of opportunities for those who simply want education, versus those who only want to sit for a certification examination, while also offering a better value for those who may want to participate in both an educational review session and a certification examination. Registration for these sessions and examinations is extremely limited due to difficulty in providing adequate space for testing.

Educational Review Seminar Instructors

Nicholas R. Lang, P.E. Nick Lang represents the National Concrete Masonry Association as its Vice President of Business Development. In this capacity, he manages various projects for the Association, especially in the areas of market communications and technical education. He oversees the membership recruitment and retention functions of the Association, as well as implementation of various programs, including literature development and promotion and certification programs. Mr. Lang previously was the Director of Research and Development and Laboratory Manager for NCMA. Mr. Lang is a member of ASTM International and subcommittee Chair for C15.03 on Concrete Masonry Units. He is also a member of several other Technical Committees including C09 on concrete and concrete aggregates, C12 on mortars and grouts for unit masonry and E06 on Performance of Buildings. He is also a member of The Masonry Society and the American Concrete Institute.

Timothy Jones is the Manager of the Research and Development Laboratory at the National Concrete Masonry Association. He oversees the daily operations of the Lab to ensure timely completion of projects and he verifies that laboratory personnel are conducting tests and recording data in compliance with established procedures. Mr. Jones works with clients of the Laboratory to answer technical questions and coordinate testing activities. Mr. Jones is a Certified Masonry Field Testing Technician and Certified Masonry Laboratory Testing Technician by the American Concrete Institute.

Jamie Farny is Director for Building Marketing at the Portland Cement Association, a trade association representing cement companies in North America. He promotes concrete and masonry structural systems for low-rise buildings and related cement-based finishes for them. Farny participates in several industry groups that develop codes and standards on materials and construction using cement-based products, including concrete, masonry mortars, grouts, and units, plaster, and decorative concrete. He has authored numerous publications and articles during his 30 years in the construction industry. Farny holds a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology and has experience testing a variety of construction materials. Farny is Chair of TMS’s Administrative Committee Team and is past Chair of TMS’s Certification Committee. He serves on numerous industry groups related to cement, concrete, and masonry.