IMI Expands Work Options for Members on Rain Screen Projects

JOURNAL: ISSUE 3 - 2013

Local 3 MA/ME/NH/RI members working for Fred Salvucci Corporation (Burlington, MA) installed 63,000 sf. of Jura limestone in various sizes in a rainscreen veneer system on the Sloan School of Management at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA. The craftworkers welded clips onto the structure, connected the aluminum rail attachment system and installed the stone.

Left, Local 1 CT members employed by Brayman Hollow Masonry (Hartford, CT) installed 6000 sf. of Boston Valley TerraClad™ terra cotta rainscreen system at Annie Fisher Magnet School (pictured right) in Hartford, CT. The owner is the City of Hartford; the Architect is Amenta Emma Architects; and the Construction Manager is Morganti Group, LLC.

In a recent BAC survey, members cited jobs and promoting masonry as their No. 1 priority.  Fortunately, modern rain screen façades, a new and exciting ventilated wall system, offer more work opportunities for BAC members. These systems are not necessarily new but have gained popularity in the U.S. over the past few years as a high-performing, energy-efficient wall system.  The rain screen system is made up of thin facing units of terra cotta, stone, porcelain tile, GFRC, or other cladding anchored to a backing system of concrete, concrete masonry or metal studs and sheathing with an air barrier. These wall systems also contain thermal insulation.   

Above, Local 3 MA/ME/NH/RI members employed by M. Disandro & Sons Masonry (Cranston, RI) completed 5,000 sf. of Avenere NeaCera® Terra-cotta Rainscreen Panels for the Wellness & Fitness Center at University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI. Disandro installed the aluminum sub-frame, flashing, and terra cotta panels. Brunca Waterproofing Corp. (Providence, RI) installed the air/moisture/vapor barrier. The owner is the State of Rhode Island; the Architect is William Kite Architects; the Engineer is Odeh Engineers LLC and the Construction Manager is Iron Construction Group.

The International Masonry Institute (IMI) has been educating and certifying BAC contractors and craftworkers on the installation of rain screen systems since they were introduced in the U.S. in the 1990s.  IMI National Director of Industry Development David Sovinski notes that one of the most important aspects of the installation is to make sure that BAC contractors and craftworkers bid and install the entire system, including the air barrier, insulation and vapor/moisture barriers, all tracks and channels and accessories so the system is coordinated.  

BAC President and IMI Co-Chair James Boland is adamant that BAC must bid and control this work. "These are masonry materials, and it is imperative that our contractors aggressively bid this work and that our members are fully prepared to execute every aspect of it." The five rain screen projects featured in this article's photographs that follow total more than 40,000 work hours for members.  

IMI National Director of Apprenticeship and Training Robert Arnold reports that in 2014 there will be a 20-hour course on the installation of rain screen systems in conjunction with the Air Barrier course. The course will cover the technical and hands-on installation methods of at least four different types of rain screen wall systems. Interested journey-level members should call Terry Hays at 301-291-2120 or email thays@imiweb.org.