When it comes to building a home or other construction that's fire-resistant yet affordable, concrete is the choice of the future. And insulating concrete forms, with their added layers of protection, are fast becoming the go-to choice of homeowners who want the most bang and stability for their buck. As a contractor, learning to build walls using ICFsáis a necessary skill if you want to stay competitive in an increasingly greener world.

The Appeal of Concrete

Concrete is ideal as a building material because it's nearly impervious to destruction from heat and flame, withstanding a beating at temperatures up to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. In this same situation, wood burns and steel warps, but concrete perseveres--good knowledge to have when you're trying to sell a new homeowner on the advantages of a concrete home.

Concrete, in the form of ICFs or áinsulating concrete forms, helps to prevent fire spreading from room to room, as well. The Steiner Tunnel Test concluded that even the foam used in these forms is more fire-resistant than other types used in construction. They also emit no more toxic emissions than wood when involved in a fire.

ICFs, Better Than Concrete

As a contractor, you may already know that ICFs give better overall protection from both fire and energy loss than that of concrete alone. It's the two added layers of foam insulation that give distinct advantages to walls built using these forms:

• A High R-Value
• A High Thermal Mass
• Low Air Infiltration

These benefits combine to make concrete homes more impervious to fire damage, more energy efficient and more resistant to extremes of outside weather. Additionally, they provide better sound-proofing for the family or families who reside within.

Advantages of ICFs on the Job Site

Today's homeowners want ever greener and more efficient homes. This means thinking outside the box when it comes to construction, and for green and clean, concrete comes in high on the list as a building material.

Homes built of concrete are less subject to disintegration over time because there's no wood to rot. And when ICFs are used, there are no toxic emissions seeping into the home from the materials used to build it. This translates into less mess on the job site as building a home to green code using concrete is a much simpler process.

Cost Comparison

While it typically costs more to build a home using insulating concrete forms, the potential benefits for the homeowner make concrete a more than viable choice. Depending upon various circumstances, an ICFáhome can cost as much as about $3.25 more per square foot than a stick-built home. Usually, however, this cost comes down with contractor and builder experience.

Even with the added cost of construction, the opportunity to own a home that's quiet, solid, and resistantáto wind and fire is enough to convince new homeowners to indulge. Add to that the energy savings over time, and owning a house built from ICFs is a strategic move.

ICFs are the wave of the future, and the builders and contractors who have experience building walls from this material are the ones who will prosper the most. It's beneficial to glean all the first-hand experience you can using ICFs--and as quickly as possible--to stay in the know. Every home you build using concrete gives you valuable insight into the intricacies of working with this newer construction material that comes with its own unique set of challenges. More experience translates into fewer hiccups on the job site, faster build times, fewer setbacks and less expense overall--four advantages every contractor wants when he reports for work each day.

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Sources:

http://www.astm.org/Standards/E84.htm

http://www.forms.org/index.cfm/fireresistance

Room acoustics play an important part in the overall comfort and usefulness of any room or space. Often times the acoustics of a room can make it uncomfortable for the person occupying it. However, many people fail to understand the basics of what makes the sound in a room natural and pleasing to the ear. Bad acoustics in a room are not inescapable, with the proper knowledge and materials, any room can be acoustically pleasing.

Direct Sound vs Reflective Sound

Sound travels in waves at the very fast speed of over 1100 feet per second. When we hear sound we are hearing both direct and reflective sound. Direct sound is the sound we hear first because it is made up of the sound waves that travel the shortest distance directly to us. Reflective sound is the sound we here later, in an echo, because it is the sound waves bouncing off objects, often multiple times, and being sent back to us. Because the reflective sound travels further we hear it in reverberations as an echo. However, because sound travels does travel so fast the waves overlap and become distorted rather than distinct echoes.

Acoustic Materials to change Reflective Sound Distortion

When considering the acoustics in a room the most important thing to remember is that the more hard flat walls, ceilings and floor space you have the more surfaces there are for sounds to be reflected off. Also consider the amount of angles these flat surfaces create. Between just two flat surfaces a sound wave can be bounced at least 60 times a second.

When you factor in the amount of space and angles found in a normal room with six flat surfaces (four walls, ceiling, and floor) the number of times that a sound wave can be reflected enters into the thousands, all at full strength if left unhindered. Altering these surfaces with proper acoustics material will provide drastic changes to reflective sound and the acoustics of the room.

Absorbers and Diffusers

Acoustic absorbers are products made from special materials, often made of foam or cloth, that absorb the energy of the sound waves reducing the amount of sound that is reflected. Diffusers are shaped materials that alter a flat surface in order to scatter the sound waves around the room, much like a wave of light through a prism. Most modern acoustics material combines both principles of absorption and diffusion in to a single piece. The combination of both reduces both the amount and intensity of reflective sound that reaches the ear and reduces the distortion reflective sound causes.

Acoustical Barriers

Often called noise or sound barriers, acoustical barriers help to not only block sound from leaving the room, they also help block outside sounds from interfering with the sound in the room. Although absorbers and diffusers dampen the sounds that leave and enter the room, sound barriers are denser materials. This denseness leaves little room for sound to enter or escape reducing the sound distractions created outside and the sound distraction for neighboring rooms.

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Featherlite manufactures industrial ladders. Throughout the construction industry their ladders are described as the leanest, most flexible ladders in the world. Ladders are a simple tool, they are needed and used by people all over the world, but unfortunately, it is reported that over 100,000 people are injured after falling from a ladder each year. 300 of those people die from sustained injuries. With these kinds of statistics in hand, Featherlite seems to have taken charge in producing ladders that are all about safety and performance.

They have collaborated with one of the top extrusion companies in Canada to help manufacture their products. This partnership is important because through the process of extrusion, key parts of the ladders are made.

The process of extrusion takes a solid piece of material like metal or ceramic and pushes it through a die which creates cross-sectional objects with a smooth finish. These pieces have grooves and they are joined together with special connectors to make them a sure fit and a solid connection.

'The basic construction of a ladder, with all of its rungs and and steps, needs to be made of as many whole pieces as possible.'

In general, it is men who use ladders on a daily basis to help them make a living. Knowing this, Featherlite's ladders are built to withstand the combination of human weight and tools. Their ladders are made from as many whole pieces as possible and with...

• each step on the ladder quad braced with zinc coated steel diagonal braces.
• an oversized platform that has 70% more surface area for greater safety and comfort.
• wider and deeper-bases than traditional platform ladders.
• large PVC rubber safety boots that provide greater slip resistance because they are heavy duty.
• extra heavy duty non-conducive "C" channel side rails in high visibility safety orange and yellow for those who have to work in hazardous conditions.
• super tough copolymer utility tops for strength and durability.
• slip resistant serrated aluminum steps for safe climbing.
• sleeved spreader arms that strengthen the spreader-to-rail connection.

Featherlite's products include step ladders, straight and extension ladders, multipurpose ladders, and rolling steel ladders. All of their products are tested and made to exceed the standards set forth by the Canadian Standards Association, American National Standards Institute, and Occupational Safety & Health Administration. Their commitment to safety is evident in the design of each ladder they produce.

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With an average of over 650 deaths annually and tens of thousands of heat-related injuries nationwide, working in the heat of summer isn't something to take lightly. Let's take a look at some common heat-related injuries that can happen on the job, including how to recognize, treat and prevent them.

Heat Rash

Heat rash is more an annoyance than anything else, but it can make you irritable and sore, keeping you from working your best. Try to keep your skin dry by keeping a towel close to hand while working, wearing wicking clothing such as linen or cotton and using medicated powders to keep the rash from getting worse.

Dehydration

Dehydration is a gateway problem, as it leads to most of the other injuries listed, the last of which can be fatal. Keep hydrated with lots of water and electrolyte solutions such as Gatorade or Powerade. If you're going through more than a quart an hour of an electrolyte solution, dilute it by half with water to prevent stomach irritation. By the time you feel thirsty, you're already becoming dehydrated, so keep the fluids coming.

Heat Cramps

Heat cramps can involve large muscles, such as in the legs and arms, or in the digestive system. If you have workers with heat cramps, make them rest in the shade with an electrolyte solution or clear juice for several hours to restore the minerals in their system. Just because the cramps go away doesn't mean they're ready for work, with further activity possibly leading to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Severe heat cramps may require a trip to an urgent care or emergency room to get electrolytes back into their system quickly, especially if the cramps last over an hour, if the worker is on a low-salt diet or has heart problems.

Heat Syncope

Heat syncope is essentially dizziness or fainting when changing position due to heat and dehydration. It's usually caused by dehydration and lack of acclimatization to high temperatures, so make sure you keep your crew well hydrated and working lightly the first few days of a heat wave. Treat it by having workers with symptoms rest in a cool area and rehydrate.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion can lead very quickly to heat stroke and death, and must be taken very seriously. Symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, nausea, muscle cramps, fast and shallow breathing, slight fever and skin that can be flushed, pale, clammy or moist. Immediately move the worker to a cooler area, drape them with damp, thin sheets or towels or have them take a shower, bath or sponge bath in cool - not cold - water. Heat exhaustion can be the beginning of shock, so applying anything that creates too rapid a change can make the situation worse instead of better. Make sure they hydrate with water, clear juices or electrolyte solutions. If they can't keep liquids down, get them immediately to an urgent care or emergency room for IV treatment.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke occurs when your body's temperature regulation system is out of options. They may still be sweating profusely or when a worker has lost too much fluids to sweating, they'll stop sweating and they'll develop a high fever of 104║f or higher. If emergency action is not taken immediately, they could suffer permanent disability or die from organ failure. Other symptoms to watch for include hallucinations, chills, a throbbing headache, confusion or dizziness and slurred speech. Heat stroke can rapidly raise the body temperature above 106║F within 10-15 minutes, so it's vital to immediately call 911, move the worker into the shade (preferably in a cool area) , then spray, sponge or soak the worker with cool water. If there's a breeze, a fan or another worker who can fan them, this will help with evaporative cooling to get their temperature down.

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If you are a contractor or do-it-yourselfer you know you have to always stay on top with your tools. Restocking and updating important tools is part of the job. You have to constantly update yourself on brands and their products in order to deliver your best work for your clients or your home.

Simply show your check-in confirmation to the clerk and instantly receive a 15% discount on all fasteners.

Finding many fasteners isn't hard in a Wallboard Supply Store. It is important to know the company or brand that manufactures these fasteners because each company produces their products differently. When you go to your local Wallboard Supply store, look for brands like

• Grabber
• Scorpion
• Hilti
• Ramset
• Star Sales

Grabber makes fasteners for acoustical ceilings, concrete, block, brick, stone and framing arches. Their SpringShot acoustical toggle is their most popular fastener and is used most in the construction trade.

Scorpion brand specializes in acoustical and self-drilling fasteners. Their newest product called the IronWorker is a fastener designed specifically for cedar, cypress, and redwoods-known for cracking and splitting when fastened.

Ramset designs and manufactures fastening products used in concrete and steel construction. Most of their products are either gas fastening systems or powder fastening systems.

Hilti offers the widest supply of construction products. They have screws and screwdrivers for drywall or metal. Ramset and Hilti manufacture products powerful enough for heavy duty construction. The products these two brands carry would serve a contractor better than a do-it-yourselfer.

Star Sales is a distributor of general construction supplies. A do-it-yourselfer could get a lot of good products from this company from screws, fasteners, power tools, doors and frames.

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