The American Concrete Institute (ACI) and Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) announce the launch of the new Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification program.
In the summer of 2006, a portion of the concrete ceiling of the Central Artery/Tunnel Project in Boston, Mass., also known unofficially as the “Big Dig,” collapsed, killing a motorist and injuring another. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its accident report soon after and made recommendations to several parties, including the American Concrete Institute. The recommendation to ACI was to use its “building codes, forums, educational materials, and publications to inform design and construction agencies of the potential for gradual deformation in anchor adhesives under sustained tensile-load applications.”
“As part of the process of adopting the design procedures into the ACI 318 Building Code, it became clear to the ACI 318 Code Committee members that a certification program was imperative for successful installation of these anchors under certain conditions,” explained Neal Anderson, CRSI Vice President of Engineering. “This connection type should be thought of as being similar to a structural weld, in that an adhesive anchorage is usually a key load carrying connection in a structure. As such, proper training and certification is crucial for its proper installation.”
As part of the overall response to the recommendations of the NTSB, ACI has partnered with the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) to develop a certification program for Adhesive Anchor Installers. Additionally, Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification is a new requirement in ACI 318-11, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete, for anchorages in sustained tension loading conditions and installation orientations from horizontal to vertically upward (overhead). ACI 318-11 was recently released.
To satisfy the new ACI 318-11 certification requirements, the following components of the ACI / CRSI certification program were developed by ACI Committee 601-A and its main oversight body, ACI CPC – Certification Program Committee:
• Development of a 75-question written examination – The exam covers information on adhesive concrete anchor installation in regards to preparing for installation, drilling anchor holes, cleaning anchor holes, injecting adhesive using cartridge systems, installing adhesive capsule systems, and installing anchors. The exam was developed under the direction of Professional Testing Services of Orlando, Fla., in accordance with recognized ANSI guidelines.
• Development of a performance exam – Candidates must be able to read, comprehend, and execute the generic Manufacturer’s Printed Installation Instructions (MPII) for the installation of an anchor in a vertical-down position, and the ability to inject adhesive to the proper depth into simulated holes in an overhead (vertical-up) position with both a rigid applicator tip and flexible stinger end with piston plug in a manner that produces results meeting program requirements.
The performance examination required creation of a generic MPII, representing the combined content of typical MPIIs from the various anchor manufacturers. In working with the Concrete Anchor Manufacturers Association (CAMA), a generic set of installation instructions was developed for use the performance portion of the certification program.
ACI and CRSI completed two pilot programs earlier this year with a total of 35 participants taking both the written and performance examinations. Based on the results of the pilot programs, passing score criteria were finalized for both the written and performance components of the exam.
At the present time, the ACI/CRSI Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification program is going to market in specific geographical areas. Typically, ACI Certification programs are sponsored and conducted by Local Sponsoring Groups (LSGs), which include ACI chapters and other concrete-related businesses and associations around the world. To date, more than 30 LSGs have signed on to prepare and eventually conduct this certification program. Presently, the following groups have undergone the LSG orientation class and are currently positioned to offer the Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification program: ACI Illinois Chapter, ACI Eastern Pennsylvania & Delaware Chapter, and the ACI San Diego International Chapter. Other LSGs are in the process of being oriented into the program mechanics. The phase-in period is expected to be commensurate with the adoption of ACI 318-11 into revised editions of local building codes and/or incorporation of the requirements into project construction documents by licensed design professionals.
As with many of ACI’s certification programs, a training program is currently in development for the Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification program to allow certification candidates to train and study before taking the certification tests.
The training program is expected to be ready by the end of 2011.
A directory of ACI Local Sponsoring Groups that conduct certification testing can be found by visiting the following website: http://www.concrete.org/CERTIFICATION/CERT_SPON.HTM. BD+C
Related Stories
Architects | May 23, 2023
DEI initiatives at KAI Enterprises, with Michael Kennedy, Jr. and Gyasi Haynes
Michael Kennedy, Jr. and Gyasi Haynes of KAI Enterprises, St. Louis, describe their firm's effort to create a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion—and how their own experiences as black men in the design and construction industry shaped that initiative.
Multifamily Housing | May 23, 2023
One out of three office buildings in largest U.S. cities are suitable for residential conversion
Roughly one in three office buildings in the largest U.S. cities are well suited to be converted to multifamily residential properties, according to a study by global real estate firm Avison Young. Some 6,206 buildings across 10 U.S. cities present viable opportunities for conversion to residential use.
Architects | May 23, 2023
Ware Malcomb hires Francisco Perez-Azua as Director, Interior Architecture & Design, in its Miami office
Ware Malcomb hires Francisco Perez-Azua as Director, Interior Architecture & Design, in its Miami office.
K-12 Schools | May 22, 2023
The revival of single-building K-12 schools
Schools that combine grades PK through 12 are suddenly not so uncommon. Education sector experts explain why.
Architects | May 19, 2023
Snøhetta architects make a bid to unionize the firm's New York studio
Employees at the New York office of architecture firm Snøhetta have filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to unionize the studio. Snøhetta employees’ action marks the third time architects at a private-sector architecture studio in the U.S. took that step.
Healthcare Facilities | May 19, 2023
A new behavioral health facility in California targets net zero energy
Shortly before Mental Health Awareness Month in May, development and construction firm Skanska announced the topping out of California’s first behavioral health facility—and the largest in the nation—to target net zero energy. Located in Redwood City, San Mateo County, Calif., the 77,610-sf Cordilleras Health System Replacement Project is slated for completion in late 2024.
Government Buildings | May 18, 2023
GSA launches first biennial construction award program
Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the new biennial GSA Construction Award program, which is seeking submissions this summer. The program was created to honor outstanding achievements in construction, with a focus on quality and craftsmanship, collaboration and team dynamics, sustainability, innovation, and technology. The first Construction Awards ceremony will take place in 2024.
K-12 Schools | May 17, 2023
Designing K-12 schools for students and safety
While bullying, mental health, and other acts of violence are all too common in schools today, designers have shown that smart and subtle preventive steps can make a big difference. Clark Nexsen’s Becky Brady shares how prevention and taking action at the design level can create safe and engaging learning environments.
Affordable Housing | May 17, 2023
Affordable housing advocates push for community-owned homes over investment properties
Panelists participating in a recent webinar hosted by the Urban Institute discussed various actions that could help alleviate the nation’s affordable housing crisis. Among the possible remedies: inclusionary zoning policies, various reforms to increase local affordable housing stock, and fees on new development to offset the impact on public infrastructure.
University Buildings | May 17, 2023
New UC Irvine health sciences building supports aim to become national model for integrative health
The new College of Health Sciences Building and Nursing & Health Sciences Hall at the University of California Irvine supports the institution’s goal of becoming a national model for integrative health. The new 211,660-sf facility houses nursing, medical doctorate, pharmacy, philosophy, and public health programs in a single building.
