PCRs for manufactured concrete and CMU products

by CS Editor | January 16, 2015 5:13 pm

New ASTM-driven product category rules (pcrs) for various masonry products will help develop environmental product declarations (EPDs) for materials. Photo © BigStockPhoto/Peuceta
New ASTM-driven product category rules (PCRs) for various masonry products will help develop environmental product declarations (EPDs) for materials. Photo © BigStockPhoto/Peuceta

Working with input from the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) and other manufactured concrete product companies, ASTM has developed new product category rules (PCRs) for the concrete masonry industry.

These tools will be used to help develop environmental product declarations (EPDs) for building materials such as concrete masonry units (CMUs), segmental retaining wall units, articulating concrete block, and manufactured stone veneer.

“With increasing emphasis on material transparency in high-performance and sustainable codes and standards, the need to develop tools for concrete masonry producers to meet these needs was recognized by NCMA,” said the association’s president, Robert Thomas. “Developing product category rules will facilitate development of environmental product declarations for manufactured concrete and concrete masonry products. Such declarations will help to highlight the environmental attributes of these products.”

EPDs are used by manufacturers to demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability, quality, and responsibility. Developing the declarations is intended to give concrete masonry producers the opportunity to show the environmental impact of their product, enabling the opportunity to earn credits under programs such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.

Source URL: https://www.constructionspecifier.com/pcrs-for-manufactured-concrete-and-cmu-products/