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Association & Industry News
After extensive review of assumptions regarding the COVID outlook for the fall, we are pleased to announce our intention to hold NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks 2021, including NRMCA's National Mixer Driver Championship, in person September 30 through October 4 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, FL (metro Orlando). While circumstances dictate that our signature event will look a bit different this year, change is often good and we are refreshing our program to bring you an exciting, educational and enjoyable opportunity to reconnect with your concrete peers in a safe manner, including incorporating a virtual offering for those who might not be able to travel. The full agenda will be released soon with the exhibitor prospectus following later this spring. Please note that this decision is based on current data and NRMCA will continue to monitor and adhere to all federal, state, county and local governing boards’ regulations which could impact these plans. Questions and comments can be directed to Senior Director of Meetings Jessica Walgenbach at jwalgenbach@nrmca.org or 703-706-4852. The estimated ready mixed concrete produced in January 2021 is 24.6 million cubic yards, 2.2% lower than that in January 2020. Ready mixed concrete production is estimated from cement shipments reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. More detail is available here for NRMCA members under “Production Statistics.” 
Buildings
NRMCA provided testimony on General and Fire Safety proposed code changes to the International Building Code (IBC) during the first week of the International Code Council (ICC) Committee action hearings. The hearings began virtually Sunday, April 11, and will conclude Wednesday, May 5. NRMCA's Scott Campbell and Shamim Rashid-Sumar are participating along with industry partners; they have provided technical information on issues related to structural stability of fire walls, combustible materials in fire wall construction, performance -based structural fire design, flame propagation in combustible components of exterior walls and related engineering analysis, and 3-D printing of concrete structures. They will also be providing testimony on proposed changes to the International Fire Code (IFC) and International Wildland Urban Interface Code (IWUIC). Interested parties may view the hearings here. Build With Strength is a coalition led by NRMCA that promotes standards advocacy to leverage policies promoting safety and resiliency and help place more concrete. For more information on fire codes and standards advocacy efforts, contact Shamim Rashid-Sumar at ssumar@nrmca.org.
Government Affairs
Last month, the White House unveiled a proposal to spend $2.25 trillion on infrastructure and other priorities. As this proposal makes its way to Capitol Hill, it will change significantly. To encourage your Members of Congress to invest in and prioritize infrastructure, click here to send them a letter on the importance of an infrastructure-focused federal investment. For more information, contact Andrew Tyrrell at atyrrell@nrmca.org.
SEO
The 2021 Fleet Benchmarking Survey is filled out by industry fleet managers and/or financial managers early each year, based on data gathered from the previous calendar year’s performance. This year’s form includes a new section on automation, including the use of video-based driver safety, GPS tracking, slump control and proximity sensors. The survey is used to establish industry benchmarking norms and procedures; information gathered is published in a full report in NRMCA's Concrete InFocus magazine each autumn. A shorter Executive Summary of the survey is also made available to all. The deadline for e-mailing entries to fleetbenchmark@nrmca.org is Friday, April 23. Click here for more information and to download the entry form. You may also contact Gary Mullings at gmullings@nrmca.org. The Safety Contest & Benchmarking Survey has for years been a safety performance and incentive/award program aimed to foster safe practices at ready mixed concrete plants across the nation. The contest and survey is a per-plant contest open to facilities operated by NRMCA member companies in good standing in 2021. Companies with more than one division are encouraged to distribute entry blanks to individuals responsible for keeping safety records at each plant location. Entries must be e-mailed to safetycontest@nrmca.org by this Friday, April 23. Click here for more information and to download entry form. You may also contact Gary Mullings at gmullings@nrmca.org. Registration for NRMCA’s Spring Online Think First Safety Course taking place via GoToWebinar and pre-recorded from May 10 through 17 is still open. This course teaches participants about OSHA safety compliance, beginning with why safety is so important and details the reasons why an effective safety program actually saves money through loss prevention and control. Participants learn about the new silica rule, electrical safety, machine guarding, fall protection, hazard communication, confined spaces, personal protective equipment, emergency action plans, maintenance shop safety, chute handling, fleet safety, pre-trip inspection and much more. Click here for details and how to register. For more information, contact Kevin Walgenbach at kwalgenbach@nrmca.org. 
Calendar
*Please note that e-mail and direct links to each event listed below can be accessed from NRMCA's Web site. May 3 – 6, Online Course May 4 – 7, Smyrna, TN May 5, Webinar Series May 10 – 17, Online Course May 14 – 24, Online Course June 2, Webinar Series June 3 - 17, Online Course June 15 – 17, Smyrna, TN November 9 – 11, Dallas 
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Engineering
ASTM C94/C94M-21, Specification for Ready Mixed Concrete, includes a revision related to the time limit to discharge concrete; the time limit of 1 ½ hours to discharge has been removed. This revision indicates that the time limit can be stated by the purchaser at the time concrete is ordered. If the limit is not stated by the purchaser, the producer should establish a time limit. The revision was proposed because delivery time can vary on projects depending on distance or placement methods. Additionally, there may be some mixtures in some conditions where the previous default time limit was not appropriate without using special means or could cause excessive addition of water. Another part of the revision requires the established time limit to be stated on the delivery ticket. For more information, contact Colin Lobo at clobo@nrmca.org. 
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