Canadian Concrete Pumpers 2015

The official publication of the Concrete Pumping Association of Canada (CPAC)

CANADIAN CONCRETE

PUMPERS

Downtown Calgary’s The Bow – A milestone moment in the Canadian concrete pumping industry

Edmonton high-rises feature separate placing boom construction

24-hour slipform pours at Vancouver grain terminals expedite project completion

2015 Inaugural edItIon

PUBL

ICAT

ION

MA

IL A

GRE

EMEN

T #4

0934

510

Sure we haveTwin Wall

Pipe

Trust Me!

Mad

e in

Ger

man

y

Ord

er10

0003

1234

5Po

s.19

Dat

e51

/11

Qua

l.90

0P/

N1-

0125

-113

-008

2-92

M/N

3.00

0 m

mD

N12

5W

Tm

m8,

6 (5

,6+3

,0)

PN85

bar

/ 1.

233

psi

Wei

ght

NET

83,7

kg

1

84,5

lbs

Wei

ght

FWC

56,9

kg/

m

38,

2 lb

s/ft

OD

mm

141,

0

ES

SE

R T

WIN

900

Made in Germany

Order 10000312345 Pos. 19Date 51/11Qual. 900P/N 1-0125-1 13-0082-92 M/N 3.000 mmDN 125 WT mm 8,6 (5,6+3,0) PN 85 bar / 1.233 psiWeight NET 83,7 kg 184,5 lbsWeight FWC 56,9 kg/m 38,2 lbs/ft

OD mm 141,0

ESSER TWIN 900

Construction Forms Inc. 777 Maritime Drive Port Washington, WI 53074 Ph: 262.284.7800 Fx: 262.284.7878

800-223-3676CONFORMS.COM

ASME B30.27-2009

CERTIFIEDD

Who DoYou Trust?

Every Con Forms/Esser Pipe has its

markings permanently attached.

Make sure your Con Forms/Esser

Pipe has the appropriate labels.

PAT. NO. : 6,375,228 6,766,570 5,379,805 6,467,812 2,085,635 2,150,491 19522540.6 1278111

made in the USA from American steel.

Twin-Wall™CERTIFIED

D

R

PAT. NO. : 6,375,228 6,766,570 5,379,805 6,467,812 2,085,635 2,150,491 19522540.6 1278111

made in the USA from American steel.

Twin-Wall™CERTIFIED

D

R

Central Hall Booth C5617

Find Us At

SAVE THE DATE!World of Concrete 2016 • February 2-5; Seminars: February 1-5

Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV USA • www.worldofconcrete.comTo exhibit: [email protected]

To attend: [email protected]

Every year, I’m here. It’s time well spent. WOC has all the newest products & technologies in the concrete/masonry industry. It’s THE way to start off the year.

“”

2016

At Putzmeister America, we pride ourselves on our high standards of quality service and precision engineering. With a proven history of true

innovation and unmatched reliability, Putzmeister’s hardworking products are ready to take on the toughest challenges.

Because your demands are always changing, we’re constantly elevating our performance. Already renowned for a diverse selection of maneuverable

and high-performance pumps, Putzmeister continues to pioneer boom pump design and development. We recently unveiled a new generation of

pumps that feature reduced weight, greater storage capacity, user-friendly design and easier serviceability.

From the versatility of our Telebelt® conveyor technology, to the power of our trailer pumps, to the reach of our premium placing systems, Putzmeister

consistently delivers the complete concrete solution.

Because at Putzmeister, exceeding your expectations isn’t a goal– it’s mandatory.

Visit PutzmeisterAmerica.com to learn more.

PERFORM AT A HIGHER LEVEL

005026_Putz_ACPA_spread_.indd 1 1/12/15 1:20 PM

6 Concrete Pumping Association of Canada Inaugural Edition

Published by:DEL Communications Inc.Suite 300, 6 Roslyn RoadWinnipeg, MB R3L 0G5Toll Free: 1.866.831.4744

President David Langstaff

Publisher Jason Stefanik

Editor Shayna Wiwierski [email protected]

Advertising Sales Manager Dayna Oulion

Advertising Sales Cheryl Ezinicki Ross James Anthony Romeo Gary Seamans

Production services provided by: S.G. Bennett Marketing Services www.sgbennett.com

Art Director Kathy Cable

Layout/Design Joel Gunter

Advertising Art Sheri Kidd Dana Jensen

©Copyright 2015. CPAC. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the pub-lisher.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in and the reliability of the source, the publisher in no way guarantees nor warrants the information and is not responsible for errors, omissions or statements made by advertisers. Opinions and recommendations made by contributors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher, its directors, officers or employees.

Publications mail agreement #40934510

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:

DEL Communications Inc.Suite 300, 6 Roslyn RoadWinnipeg, MB R3L 0G5

PRINTED IN CANADA | 01/2015

The official publication of the Concrete Pumping Association of Canada (CPAC)

CANADIAN CONCRETE

PUMPERS

index to advertisers

CPAC president’s message - Cameron Currah 8

Message from the outgoing president of CPAC: Daryl Dika 10

Together we stand: Strength in numbers 12

Best practices, safety and operator training:

What are our Canadian options? 14

CPAC membership benefits 17

CPAC voting member application form 18

Industry overview: Northern insight 22

Hebron gravity based structure in final phases of construction 24

Seating for 18,000+ equals a lot of concrete 26

Edmonton high-rises feature separate placing boom construction 28

From the ground up: 24-hour slipform pours at

Vancouver grain terminals expedite project completion 30

Extreme climate pours: The do’s and don’ts 32

Automated pumping system pours 50,000 cubic metres non-stop for 35 days 34

Reflections by a pioneer of the Canadian concrete pumping industry 36

Message from the Canadian Home Builders Association 38

A & B Concrete Pumping (2007) Ltd. .......................................7

Alliance Concrete Pumps .........................................................9

Anmar Concrete Pumping Co. Ltd. ...........................................8

Arco Concrete Pumping .........................................................17

Bedecs Ready Mix Ltd. ...........................................................32

Bosch Hydraulic Connections Ltd. ............................................8

Con Forms .............................................................................IFC

D.H. Concrete Pumping Ltd....................................................33

Edmonton Construction Association .....................................25

Granite Concrete Services Inc.................................................31

Gunner Creteco ......................................................................23

HUB International Phoenix Insurance Brokers .......................11

Ludell .....................................................................................27

Mack Trucks Canada ...............................................................19

Noremac Industries Ltd..........................................................15

Over The Top Concrete Pumping Inc ......................................27

Pump Parts Plus, Inc. .............................................................35

Pumpcrete ........................................................................... IBC

Pumpro Concrete Pumping Ltd. ............................................30

Putzmeister ...................................................................... 4 & 5

Rapid Applications LLC ................................................. 20 & 21

Schwing ........................................................................ 13, OBC

Southeast Concrete Pumping Ltd ..........................................29

World of Concrete ....................................................................3

X-Stream Concrete Pumping .................................................31

Ph: 1-877-447-3540 We Bring The Foundations Of Construction Within Reach

Edmonton

Saskatoon

Regina

Calgary

Whitecourt

Barrhead

Fort McMurray

WESTERN CANADA’S CONCRETE PUMPING PROFESSIONALS

Operating the

largest fleet of

concrete pumps in Western Canada


I look forward to 2015 with much anticipation and excitement for the Concrete

Pumping Association of Canada (CPAC). All indications are that our industry

partners throughout Canada recognize that we need a cohesive industry voice

that addresses the needs and requirements of the Canadian concrete pumper.

Now, we just need our partners to commit.

CPAC has now introduced a national media platform to appeal to those in

our industry. The inaugural edition of the Canadian Concrete Pumpers publica-

tion has provided us with a means to get this message out.

We are an industry where there is never a shortage of issues that confront

our members and non-members. Issues, that when resolved, will make for a

stronger industry and will benefit not only our customers and employees, but

those industries that rely on our existence.

This is the time for all those pumping contractors who have been asking for

one unified voice to step up and join CPAC, and for the suppliers that directly

benefit from them to show their support. There is strength in numbers, and

with numbers, we will have an association that is focused, integrated, and capa-

ble of making more informed industry decisions and choices for our customers

and members.

There has never been a more important time than now for individuals, sup-

pliers and pumping contractors to make that next step. We need to combine

together and confront the challenges of our industry. Imagine an industry that

provides both equipment and operators that are safe and certified as well as

highly trained and educated. An industry that can do these things provides

real value to both its people and its customers ensuring safe and profitable

worksites. Is this not what we all want?

There are those that say and those that do. In 2015, let us become an industry

of those who do! v

Cameron CurrahCPAC President’s Message

F U L L R A N G E O F M E T R I C & S T A N D A R D18141 – 111th Avenue, Edmonton, AB

(780) 413-0904 (24 hr)www.boschhydraulic.com

BOOM & LINE PUMPING AVAILABLE, SERVING NORTHERN ALBERTA FOR OVER 25 YEARS

P. (888) 349-3699 | F. (780) 939-0403E. [email protected]

In this rapidly changing industry, Alliance has become a clear market leader with unparalleled parts and service support. Our concrete pumps have consistently proven their quality and design as top performers.

When it comes time to make your next investment, remember it’s not just a concrete pump you are buying… you are choosing which manufacturer you can rely on through the good times and the bad.

www.allianceconcretepumps.com1.888.870.0908

It’s that simple.

In this rapidly changing industry, Alliance has become a clear market leader with unparalleled parts and service support. Our concrete pumps have consistently proven their quality and design as top performers.

When it comes time to make your next investment, remember it’s not just a concrete pump you are buying… you are choosing which manufacturer you can rely on through the good times and the bad.

www.allianceconcretepumps.com1.888.870.0908

FASTEST GROWING CONCRETE PUMP MANUFACTURER IN NORTH AMERICA

AND PEACE OF MIND

PERFORMANCE ... SIMPLICITY. . .


Daryl DikaCPAC Outgoing President

As outgoing president, I am pleased to say that I have seen both positive growth

and forward movement of the association this past year. Thank you members;

you have been instrumental in not only our formation, but as well, your com-

mitment to contribute legitimacy and merit to our group. I believe our goals

are attainable, though it is clear we need more members, it’s vital to our growth

and presence in this trade as any industry. In 2014, we heavily focused on re-

cruiting; bringing on new board members starting in the Alberta region and

a few key larger-scale concrete pumping companies throughout the country.

We’ve recognized that we are still in our infancy as an association and require

an all hands on deck from our members to facilitate in the growth of the associ-

ation. We will continue our plan to engage the industry from primaries to affili-

ates in the participation of the association, while building valued relationships

not only through our group and its members, but also strategically with other

key associations and government bodies as the objective states.

Together, let’s stand for a change leveraging our skills, knowledge and best

business practices to continue pumping this association onward.

To the rest of you who are not members – I think it’s time? Let me rephrase

that; I know it’s time to join and have a voice for our industry. For many of us

it’s been and is today still our livelihood, we have all entered concrete pumping

as pioneers, next generation successors, and/or the up and comers. Individu-

ally we have all tried to make our business better, stronger, and sustainable

– how can we do this without learning from one another and combining our

knowledge as an industry? We all share similar issues and yet often struggle

to overturn customer demands, legislative regulations because we don’t speak

together as an industry with mass numbers in support. Time and time again

we hear how we are still new, still emerging in relation to other industries most

commonly compared to as the crane industry, and to tell you the truth, we

should be tired of hearing this. Why can’t we have this too? Look across the

border to the United States, they recognized nearly 40 years ago that our indus-

try needed a voice, our presence to be known and respected. I commend the

group who got together back in the early ‘70s and agreed that if change was

to happen, this was what needed to be done. Now, fast-forward 40 years later

and ask yourself as a Canadian concrete pumping business, where do we sit?

The Concrete Pumping Association of Canada (CPAC) was initially started

with a small group of concrete pumping business owners who were dealing

with government changes, OH&S regulations being written and implemented

without seeking knowledge from industry, because not one existed. As individ-

ual pumping companies, we could not convey our message to transportation

about non-divisible equipment and its operating restrictions during our ban

season. Locally in our province as an association I am proud to say that these

matters were listened to and alternative ways were identified and solutions

provided for both govern bodies. If we can do this in one province, who says

we can’t take this across the country.

Thank you. v

“The association is here to further the quality of concrete pumping in the construction

industry and assist in the education of both the public and the industry in the elements of high-quality concrete pumping.”

410 - 7220 Fisher Street S.E.Calgary, AB T2H 2H8

10320 - 146 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5N 3A2

204, 7803 - 50 AvenueRed Deer, AB T4P 1M8

DAVE BENTLEY: 780-453-8419 [email protected] [email protected]

SURETY BONDING

CONSTRUCTION INSURANCE

RISK MANAGEMENT

HUB International Phoenix Insurance Brokers

HUB_Phx_Surety HubPhxSurety





SURETY BONDING


RISK MANAGEMENT







SURETY BONDING


RISK MANAGEMENT







SURETY BONDING


RISK MANAGEMENT


HUB_Phx_Surety HubPhxSuretywww.hubinternational.com

410 - 7220 Fisher Street S.E. 10320 - 146 Street 204, 7803 -50 Avenue 214 Place 9909 102nd Street Calgary, AB T2H 2H8 Edmonton, AB T5N 3A2 Red Deer, AB T4P 1M8 Box 41 Grande Prairie AB T8V 2V4

403-777-9240 780-482-6936 403-309-3770 (780) 513-5300


When a few members of the Canadian concrete pumping in-

dustry initially got together to discuss ways to differentiate

themselves, they did so with the mindset of individual com-

panies. But not for long. What soon became apparent was the

need for a collective force, one that could represent the entire

Canadian industry.

“After we sat down together, it became apparent that a unit-

ed industry approach was a lot better than a segregated indus-

try,” states Cameron Currah, owner, Noremac Industries Ltd. “We

began thinking about the bigger picture and about how the

Canadian concrete pumping industry has needed a stronger

unified voice to progress forward.”

And thus the Concrete Pumping Association of Canada

(CPAC) was born.

Off and runningToday, the CPAC has grown to include Canadian concrete

pumping companies, manufacturers of equipment, dealers,

suppliers, and other affiliated organizations.

“I have to admit that the progress was slow initially, but our

recruiting is getting stronger every year,” says Currah, incoming

CPAC 2015 president, who adds that the association currently

has representation in B.C., Alberta, and Saskatchewan. “We’re

really missing representation from Eastern Canada, which is

home to some of the largest pumping contractors in both Can-

ada and the North American industry.”

As a relatively new association, the CPAC is following in the

footsteps of the well-established American Concrete Pumping

Association (ACPA). And although Currah recognizes the value

of belonging to the ACPA, he also sees the value of membership

in a national Canadian entity.

“The ACPA’s priority is understandably American focused,”

he says. “They are looking at American issues on American job

sites.”

The Canadian counterpart, he adds, focuses solely on the Ca-

nadian market.

“In the next five to 10 years, we would love to see CPAC mem-

bers all across Canada, representatives from the entire concrete

pumping industry, including direct and non-direct organiza-

tions,” says Currah. “We would also love to see the CPAC with

full-time, dedicated staff.”

Currah anticipates that the CPAC will be able to hire its first

full-time staff member within the next year or two, depending

on how quickly membership grows.

No lack of issuesOne of the first issues identified by the CPAC is safety.“We feel that there is a very strong need in this industry for

best practices when it comes to safety, both for the companies involved in the Canadian concrete pumping industry and for the companies using our services,” explains Daryl Dika, corpo-rate equipment manager, A & B Concrete Pumping Ltd., and in-coming 2015 vice-president, CPAC. “We need to standardize the way we operate from a safety and operational level.”

Items currently on the CPAC agenda include equipment certi-fication, operator certification, and best practices for safe onsite operations.

According to Dika, the pumping equipment itself has changed over the years but many contractors still adhere to the old way of doing things and haven’t made allowances for these changes.

“We would like to implement minimum safety standards across the country to raise the bar and create a level playing field,” states Currah, who notes that even the occupational safe-ty & health (OS&H) regulations differ from province to province. For example, he adds, it is mandatory in Alberta to have annu-al certification on the pump booms, whereas it varies in other provinces.

Other issues to be tackled in the immediate future include government lobbying regarding OH&S issues, transportation, education, and even corporate profitability.

“There is no lack of issues for this industry,” states Currah.

Making headwayFounded only a few years ago in 2009, the CPAC has already

made some significant achievements. For one, getting off the ground and running has been a milestone event in itself – and one that continues to pay dividends for the industry. CPAC rep-resentatives have also met with provincial and municipal gov-ernments on the laws governing the transportation of fixed equipment.

“The major accomplishment at this time has been creating a nationally recognized Canadian association that is focused on the Canadian concrete pumping industry and represents the united voice of that industry,” states Dika. “There has been noth-ing like this in Canada before. This is a significant achievement for the entire Canadian industry.”

And if the founding members of the CPAC (Noremac Indus-tries, Westrock Industries Ltd., Combined Concrete Pumping (2007) Ltd., A & B Concrete Pumping, and Arco Concrete Ser-vice Ltd.) achieve their vision, then there will be no limit to what CPAC can accomplish in the years ahead.

Together we stand:

Strength in numbersBy Melanie Franner

Concrete Pumping Association of Canada 2015 13

“The ACPA has been around for 40 years and has developed into a strong voice that advocates on behalf of the American concrete pumping industry,” says Dika. “The CPAC is still in its early formative stage, but it has the potential to grow into a strong Canadian voice that will speak on behalf of the entire industry. Its formation is long overdue. We need the CPAC if we want this industry to continue to grow and prosper.”

Young at heartOne of the driving forces behind the creation of the CPAC was

the recognition that the Canadian concrete pumping industry is still in its early stages.

“I believe that the industry is still in its infancy,” states Currah. “It started in the U.S. and progressed to the major Canadian cit-ies. From there, it has worked inwards to the smaller cities and rural communities. Canada is sort of the final frontier for con-crete pumping. It is still experiencing significant annual growth and needs to evolve in order to share that same level of compe-tency as our industry partners have south of the border.”

All the more reason to back an association that will help steer the future of the industry into a thriving and prosperous indus-try for many more years to come.

“Concrete pumping is a more proficient way of moving con-crete,” states Dika. “Our role was quite different just a few years ago. Other methods of concrete placement were used as a pri-mary. As an example, in the residential sector, our services were needed only once or twice per unit depending on site condi-

tions. Today, we visit that same site up to three or four times.

The builder and the trades have acknowledged the effective-

ness and efficiencies that pumpers bring. The same holds true

for the commercial sector. The use of conventional cranes with

buckets has slowly been converted to more modern methods

of placing concrete. Mobile and stationary pump utilization has

increased vastly over the last decade alone.”

Looking forwardAs the demand for concrete pumping services grow, so too

will the need for a unified industry with set safety practices and

established industry standards. Only then will the industry con-

tinue to garner more market share.

“I think that the key for all of us involved in this industry is the

recognition that it’s our livelihood,” concludes Dika. “We need

to grow our businesses in order to put food on the table. The

people involved in this industry back in the early 1970’s were

the real pioneers. They moved this industry into unchartered

territory. But taking this industry to the next level requires the

involvement of everybody. We want to make this a better, stron-

ger and more sustainable industry. And to do that, you need to

be able to draw on everyone’s knowledge. We need to share our

expertise through a recognized national association. Speaking

as individuals isn’t nearly as effective as speaking as a unified

industry. And I believe that the CPAC can be that voice; that it

needs to be that voice if we want to continue to grow.” v

www.concretepumps.com

BEFORE

AFTER

SCHWING BOOTH NUMBER C5126

2003 Schwing S 45 SX

Pre-Owned Equipment Sales • AWS Certified Welders • Service & Repair

Certified Boom Inspections • Re-Trucking • Custom Paint Refinishing

Over 25 Years of Adding Value to Your Company

1-888-SCHWING | www.schwing.com

Let Us Find Your Next Used Pump,Or Rebuild, Retruck, Repair Your Current One


One of CPAC’s main initiatives is a move-ment toward standardizing concrete pump operator certification across Can-ada. However, with the present lack of national support from concrete pump-ing contractors, some regions have ven-tured ahead on their own.

Spearheading Canada’s first skill com-petency tested certification regime are the B.C. Ready-Mixed Concrete Associ-ation (BCRMCA) and the B.C. Construc-tion Safety Alliance (BCCSA), whose eight-year partnership has resulted in the Concrete Pump Operators Safety Training Program.

“We basically wanted to get ahead of the curve,” says Marcel Jittler, Noremac Industries managing partner and long-time BCRMCA member, of the associa-tion’s partnership and resulting certifi-cation program. “We didn’t want Work-SafeBC to dictate what we had to teach, so we took it upon ourselves to create it.”

In 2004, employers in British Colum-

bia’s concrete pumping industry recog-nized a need to establish basic training for workers in the concrete pumping industry. In support of that goal, the BCRMCA organized an occupational analysis that identified and clarified specific basic information needed for entry-level concrete pump operators to perform their work safely and effective-ly. By 2008, course materials were com-pleted for a one-day training course.

Since 2009, the BCRMCA in conjunc-tion with industry has provided this safety training to concrete pump oper-ators. To date, approximately 250 pump operators have participated in the train-ing. Since the qualification received for the training is valid for three years, there are participants who are now re-qualify-ing within the program.

Although the safety program has been successful, there are a number of recognized limitations:• The majority of participants in the

program are from the larger pump-ing companies who employ safety programs within their organizations. These organizations already see safe-ty as a priority so their participation is embracive.

• The program deals with safety onlyand does not cover any sort of com-petency qualification that could fur-ther enhance the on-site capabilities of concrete pump operators. It is thought that competency training can further reduce job-site incidents.

• It is unknown who and how manypump operators there are in [the na-tion]. A targeted approach to find and document concrete pump operators will help in appropriate targeting and messaging.

• The training provided today is notmandatory or regulated, therefore many smaller pumping companies are resistant to participate, citing higher operational costs. Language and cultural differences have also been cited as deterrents.With the reality of the limitations of

the current safety training program, BCRMCA enlisted the support of Work-SafeBC and the BCCSA to mandate regu-latory, end-to-end competency training for concrete pump operators. After con-sultation, WorkSafeBC’s recommenda-tion is that more effort should be placed into an extensive voluntary training and certification program.

To this end, BCRMCA with BCCSA are working together on a four-phased plan to provide comprehensive safety stan-dards and assessment tools to enable competency certification for concrete pump operators.

“WorkSafeBC doesn’t have an ap-petite to legislate the program at this

Best practices, safety and operator training:

What are our Canadian options?By Jillian Mitchell

BRITISH COLUMBIA | ALBERTA | SASKATCHEWAN

www.noremacind.com

MAKE THE RIGHT MOVE.

3 P

RO

VIN

CES3

0 Y

EAR

S

Building a foundation of trust from the Pacific coast to the prairies.Building a foundation of trust from the Pacific coast to the prairies.


point, but we’ve got funding to gener-ate a solid, competency-based certifi-cation program,” he says. “We’re in the infancy of a certification as we speak. As far as we know, we’re the only region in Canada who have made it this far, and we intend on completing it.”

To date, most general contractors and site primes have not utilized the pro-gram as a benchmark or qualification for pump operators to work on their sites. An awareness program with this group is underway to largely assist in the adop-tion of these programs.

As Jittler concludes, “We need the rest of Canada to start supporting CPAC, which in turn would then have the abil-ity to collaborate with the BCRMCA. Then together, as a unified Industry, we can adopt such a protocol on a national scale.” v

the BCrMCa with BCCSa are working together on the following four-phased plan to provide comprehensive safety standards for competent concrete pump operation:

• Phase 1: Project launch, develop Standards and Communications Plan. The draft B.C. Concrete Pump Operator Standards were reviewed and redrafted following subject matter experts’ (SME) advice and published for consultation purposes. A website, www.pumpbc.ca, was initiated and content developed and added to the site for consultation purposes. Consultations were undertaken with the BCCA, VRCA, ICBA, CHBABC, WSBC and COCA regarding their support and participation in the consultative phase.

• Phase 2: Consultation phase has been initiated. A draft slide presentation deck has been produced and a Best Practices Guidelines for Contractors Using Concrete Pumps has been published. Support materials for the consultation have been produced, which include Cer-tification Categories Pictogram, Skill Set Summary, Skill Standard Example, Shortrigging Competency Review, and a feedback form. The initial plan for a nine-region consultation has been reviewed by the BCCSA. The consultations are planned for first quarter 2015 and all Phase 2 deliverables will be completed by the end of February 2015.

• Phase 3: Competency assessment tools and operators/Contractors Information includes the development of the assessment tools to determine and certify the competence of concrete pump operators. These tools will be reviewed by the subject matter experts and industry representatives. The recommendation of the SME committee included a hierarchy/categorization for certifying competencies based upon pumping equipment and differing skills required. Five equipment categories were identified. In addition, the SMEs recom-mended the establishment of a trainee-level card, based upon a multiple choice test which permits operation before certification for new operators, or an operator moving to a different equipment type. “Getting Ready” guides for the competency assessments will be developed and produced for each equipment category. They will be posted online for review and comment. The existing Concrete Pump Operator Safety Training Manual and training workshop will be substantially revised based upon new equipment, the “lessons learned” and competency compliance requirements developed by this project.

• Phase 4: Pilot on-Site Competency Certification and develop a Business Plan and Industry Support for a Sustainable Voluntary Competency Certification Program. Pilot testing of the competency certification assessment tools will be undertaken. The pilot will include identifying prospective concrete pump operators to be tested. Many BCRMCA member companies have already volunteered for the pilot testing. Concrete pump operator assessments will include on-site coordination with contractors and concrete pump companies across the five concrete pump equipment categories. The plan will include preparatory workshops with the “Getting Ready” guides, which will be evaluated after the assessments. The plan is to deliver 20 competency assessments and to evaluate the process and estimated time and costs to deliver assessments. Revisions will then be undertaken to the pilot competency assessments, industry processes with con-tractors, and “Getting Ready” guides. An outreach to existing and future training providers will be undertaken to share materials produced and to encourage training availability throughout B.C. A business plan for a voluntary, user pay, financially sustainable Concrete Pump Competency Certification Program will then be developed.

Left: One Pacific Condominium in Vancouver, B.C.

Right: Vancouver International

Airport.

PHO

TOS

THIS

PA

GE

CO

URT

ESy

OF

A.J

.’S C

ON

CRE

TE P

UM

PIN

G IN

VA

NC

OU

VER

, B.C

.


Why should you become a member of CPAC? Here’s why…•Recognitionthatyourcompanyisprovidingahighstandardofsafetyforequipment,

operators, and on-site practices.

•BenefitfromCPACpromotinguseofitsmemberswithintheconstructionindustryascredibleconcrete pumping entities.

•Beinginvolvedinbuildingaunitedculturewithintheindustrytopromotebetterconcretepumping practices.

•ApproachingCanadianindustryissueswithaunifiedvoicethatsupportsthepositionsofthepumping contractor (i.e. legislation that may negatively impact our industry).

•Networkingwithotherindustrycounterpartsandsupportoncommonmemberissues.

•BenefitfromCPACknowledgebaseoneverythingfromoperatingefficienciesandstatistics,training, and safety initiatives.

•HavingasayinhowtheconcretepumpingindustryinCanadashouldmoveforward.

•Anopportunityforvendorsandservicesupplierstotheconcretepumpingindustrytosupport the industry and build relationships.

Visit us online for more information, cpacadvantage.com.

ARCO C ONCRE TE SERVICE L TD.ARCO13019-151 Street, Edmonton, AB T5V 1A7Tel: (780) 455-5651 | Fax: (780) 455-5817Email: [email protected]

arcoconcretepumping.com

Alberta’s Oldest Concrete Pumping Company

Proud Owner of Schwing Concrete Pumps Since 1976

CONGRATULATIONS CONCRETE PUMPING ASSOCIATION OF CANADA ON YOUR 1ST PUBLICATION

SERVING ALBERTA AND WESTERN CANADA

SINCE 1965

80 70 70 10010.2 7.4 7.4 100 100 100100 100 60 100 100 70 70 30 30 100 100 60 100 100 100 10070 70 30 30 100 100 60 70 70 4070 70 30 30 100 40 100 40 40 100 10 40 40 20 70 70 3.1 2.2 2.270 40 40 75 66 6650 40 4025 19 19B 0 0 0 0

100 70 30 100 10 25 50 75 90 100100 60 100 70 30 100 60 40 70 4070 30 100 40 40 100 40 100 40 70 40 70 40 40 340 70 40 70 40 40100 60A

3%ISO 12647-7 Digital Control Strip 2009

contact

Melissa [email protected] 895 5032 Dir312.427.6413 Tel

team initial

ce N. Anderson ______pm M. Keller ______cd M. Ganser ______ds M. Ganser ______cw C. Silva ______pp H.Wade ______pr None ______ab None rt S. Hermanpd M. Scussel dd T. El-Mofty

client/brand

Mack Trucksproject

Advertising

file name

Mack_InTough_CAN_ConcretePumpers_FP_Jan_r02.indd

page

1 of 1

last modified

12-10-2014 12:11 PM

version/item number

In Tough We Trust

job number

5883-014-01

due

Dec 15, 2014

inks

Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black

links

CB_MACK_TerraPro_ConcretePumper_v4_MATS_flat.psd (288 ppi; CMYK) Mack_BReady_Long_W.ai Mack_Logo_W.ai

notes

Dec 2014 Issue

gutter

None

flat (final scale)8.375”w x 10.875”h

bleed (final scale)0.125”w x 0.125”h

live (final scale)0.5”w x 0.5”h

media

Print — FP4Cscale

1” = 1”

binding

None

internal Michael ScusselNone

folds or panels

None: None

finished size

None

overprint

green onyellow off

Canadian Concrete Pumpers—Jan Issue

IN TOUGH WE TRUST.

There are no two ways about it—this work is rough. That’s why you need a truck that can handle whatever you throw at it, and live to work another day. Today’s Mack® Granite® mixers and TerraPro® pumpers are built lighter than ever. Now you can haul more without compromising our legendary durability. Add our new air disc brakes and revolutionary mRIDE spring suspension, and you’ve got two more reasons to choose the truck that’s trusted by the toughest among us.

MackTrucks.com

VISIT MACK TRUCKS AT WORLD OF CONCRETE, BOOTH C5203

T:8.375”T:10.875”


The Canadian concrete pumping indus-try may not be quite as hearty as its big brother to the south, but it is significant nonetheless. The last decade or two has witnessed major advancements in technology and, as a result, applications. This, in turn, has resulted in some mile-stone achievements to which the Cana-dian industry can stand proud.

Canadian outlook“I would estimate that the U.S. has

over 8,000 concrete pumps within their market, while we are in the range of around 1,000 to 1,200 in Canada,” states Trevor Mooney, vice-president, Dynam-ic Concrete Pumping Inc. “And most of the projects in the U.S. are for large in-frastructure projects, like bridges and dams. In Canada, we tend to do a lot of commercial, residential, and light infra-structure projects.”

Mooney suggests that the Canadian concrete pumping industry has prob-

ably doubled in size over the last 10 years. The days of pouring concrete via crane and bucket, wheel barrels or pow-er buggies are long gone – having been replaced with concrete pumping equip-ment that includes line pumps, boom pumps, and separate placing booms.

“Today, concrete pumps are larger and faster,” says Mooney. “The boom size has increased significantly as well.”

Although many of today’s players re-main small local operations, many oth-ers have branched out to cover provinc-es and/or entire regions, such as west-ern Canada. And with the continued economic growth, especially in western Canada, more players are coming into the market all the time.

Prominent poursPerhaps one of the most notable

achievements for the Canadian con-crete pumping industry is The Bow, the 158,000-square-metre office building in

downtown Calgary. The headquarters for Encana Corporation and Cenovus Energy, the building is one of the tall-est in all of Canada. It was completed in 2012 at a cost of $1.4 billion. But it also marked a milestone moment in the his-tory of the Canadian concrete pumping industry.

“The foundation for The Bow required about 14,000 cubic metres of concrete,” states Mooney. “We started the pour on a Friday night at about nine and finished at about 10 on Sunday morning.”

The “pour” filled the 3,000-square-me-tre foundation to a depth of about three metres. It was the largest continuously poured footing of a commercial build-ing in Canada at the time – and only the third in North America.

“There was probably three months of prep work on our part that went into that project,” notes Mooney. “We had seven pumps pumping into the slab and four live pumps pumping into the

Industry overview:

Northern insightBy Melanie Franner


pumps. It was definitely the most com-plex project we have worked on. But all of the pre-planning and work with the engineers, the general contractor, and everyone on site made it a lot less stress-ful than it could have been.”

Dynamic Concrete Pumping had ex-tra equipment on site in the event of an equipment failure, but fortunately didn’t have to make use of it.

A couple other projects worth men-tioning include the Calgary Airport’s International Facilities Project and the Siemens’ Power Station in Brooks, Alber-ta. The former is an approximately two-million-square-foot project (between the hotel and terminals, not including the runways themselves), while the lat-ter involved approximately 80,000 cubic metres of concrete.

“This project was complicated in that the large floor size meant that regular pumps wouldn’t give us the reach we needed,” explains Mooney. “We ended up placing multiple tower booms in various locations and connecting the pumps to the power booms.”

The Siemens’ Power Station wasn’t quite on the same scale as the other two projects, but it is noteworthy in its own right. It involved a continuous pour of 750 cubic metres of concrete in one con-tinuous 70-foot wall pour. The pour was completed over a period of 15 hours.

The Four Seasons Private Residences in Toronto was another interesting proj-ect for the Canadian concrete pump-ing industry. It involved a 4,100-metre

concrete pour, which took place over 12 hours. The foundation of the West Residences required 10,000 tons of con-crete. The entire 1.2-million-square-foot Four Seasons Hotel and Residences To-ronto used approximately 420 million pounds of concrete in its construction.

Industry impactThe growth of the Canadian con-

crete pumping industry has helped to increase visibility of the industry’s tech-nology and capabilities. But it has also raised the issue of safety.

“There are a couple of issues in this industry that deserve attention,” states Mooney. “For one, I think annual pump certification and operator certification should be mandatory. The equipment has changed a lot over the years and a lot of people haven’t adapted their prac-tices accordingly. Safety should always be a priority and I think this would be one way for us to ensure that safety re-mains top of mind.”

Another issue that Mooney thinks warrants further investigation is the municipalities’ weight restrictions on the transportation of some equipment. Already, some headway has been made between pump manufacturers and local municipalities on the design and weight of the equipment being used. But more work still needs to be done. Again, this is something that directly impacts the industry and the people who work in it.

“This is a great industry to be involved in,” concludes Mooney. “It’s still small

enough that everyone knows everyone else. But it’s big enough that the proj-ects come in all shapes and sizes. The move to more complex projects that really challenge us and our equipment make it really rewarding – and continue to set the bar higher and higher in terms of what we can achieve as independent companies and as an entire industry.” v

The Bow, a 158,000-square-metre office building in downtown Calgary, is the headquarters for Encana Corporation and Cenovus Energy. The building, which was completed in 2012 to the tune of $1.4 billion, is one of the tallest in all of Canada.

Mudjacking/Slabjacking (Raising Settled Slabs)

Compaction Grouting (Raising Settled Foundations)

Concrete Pumping (Line Pumping)

Shotcrete/Gunite

CONCRETE PUMP RENTALS & SALES

682 Adams StreetRegina, SK S4N 6R8

1.306.775.2626www.gunnercorp.ca

RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL


Construction of the gravity based struc-

ture (GBS) for the Hebron Project is pro-

ceeding on schedule, with the remain-

ing phases of concrete construction ex-

pected to be completed by December

2015. Currently situated in the deepwa-

ter site of Bull Arm, Newfoundland and

Labrador, the GBS will support an inte-

grated topside deck that will be towed

and mated with the GBS, before the

entire structure makes it final journey to

the Hebron oil field.

The Hebron field is located offshore,

350 kilometres southeast of St. John’s

in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin. Hebron is

estimated to produce more than 700

million barrels of recoverable resourc-

es, with production planned to begin

before the end of 2017. The platform

will include living quarters and facili-

ties to perform drilling and production

of 150,000 barrels of oil per day. The

reinforced concrete GBS has been de-

signed to withstand sea ice, icebergs

and oceanographic conditions, and has

a storage capacity of approximately 1.2

million barrels of crude oil.

Dry dock construction of the GBS be-

gan in May 2013, with the pouring of the

base slab, followed by slip forming work

to construct the GBS to a height of 27.5

metres. Two Schwing S 61 SX concrete

pumps and two separate placing booms were used to construct the 130-me-tre diameter GBS base. Four 5,000-cu-bic-metre pours were complete in three days. A slip forming process was used to construct the GBS’s centre shaft and 14 cells – continuous concrete pumping that enabled the structure to reach its required height in just 20 days.

“We designed a control system with

Hebron gravity based structure in final phases of constructionBy Lisa Fattori


eight hoppers connected by bridges,” says David Moriarty, special projects manager for Ontario-based Pumpcrete, supplier of the concrete distribution system for the Hebron GBS. “Each hop-per has a camera and a float system to give the operator feedback about how much concrete is in the hopper. The control room operator has control of the concrete pumps and can open valves to pump concrete into a particular hopper. The timing of pumping can be programmed for set intervals. The up-per deck has hatches, giving labourers access to the hoppers to fill and dump buggies of concrete for a continuous pour.”

In June 2014, the dry dock was flood-ed in preparation for towing the GBS one kilometre offshore to the Bull Arm deep-water construction site, which has a depth of 150 metres. On July 22, the 180,000 tonne structure was towed, which took 10 hours to complete. Batch-ing and pumping equipment were loaded on barges to continue the next phase of slip forming at the deep-water site. The flotilla surrounding the GBS in-cludes two batch plants and storage for construction materials, such as rebar. Slip forming was again used to com-plete the vertical concrete construction to the 71-metre height.

“The deep water slip forming started September 18 and was completed Octo-ber 23,” Moriarty says. “This phase of the project required 48,526 cubic metres of concrete. Guinness World Records is looking at this as the longest, non-stop concrete pour.”

In December 2014, work began to pump the solid ballast into the GBS. “The ballast is a combination of flyash and iron ore, which is close to double the weight of concrete,” Moriarty says. “Because the GBS sits on the ocean floor, the ballast will need to be flexible.”

Total concrete volume of the GBS will be around 130,000 cubic metres by the end of the project, and it will support a 158-by-64-metre topside weighing 65,000 tonnes. The GBS is being con-structed using four Schwing 4800 elec-tric-powered concrete pumps, which were custom made for the project, and six Schwing SPB 35-metre radius placing booms.

The next phase of the project will be adding the roof slab on top of the 14 cells of the GBS. The final phase is the construction of the centre shaft or flare to a height of 50 metres. The 35-me-tre-diametre shaft will be slip formed, eventually changing shape to a square concrete tower. All modular units of the topside will then be assembled and the

structure will be towed out and mated

to the GBS. Once the completed oil plat-

form reaches Hebron, ballast water will

be pumped into the GBS to set it on the

ocean floor. v


Every major city across the country has them. Many travel and plan their vaca-tions around visiting them. When you walk into a major sporting or entertain-ment venue, often one of the first nota-tions is regarding the sheer size of the structure. Rogers Place in Edmonton, Al-berta, and the Regina Revitalization Ini-tiative Stadium Project in Saskatchewan are no exception to that rule – both of which are currently under construction.

These projects are a major undertak-ing. Rogers Place, which started con-struction in March of 2014, will have a seating capacity of 18,641 for Edmonton Oiler games and 20,734 for concerts. In total, the structure will span over 819,641 square feet. Upon completion, Regina’s new football stadium will be able to seat 33,000 fans, and hold more than 40,000 for concerts. To say the least, between the two there is a lot of con-crete to pump.

That particular aspect of both proj-ects was tendered and awarded to A&B Concrete Pumping (2007) Ltd., part of the largest concrete pumping group in Western Canada. President Jason Merci-

er explained it was A&B Concrete’s his-tory, experience, capacity and versatility that led to them being awarded both contracts.

“History is a big part of what we have behind us, the projects that we’ve done in the past – the magnitude of projects,” said Mercier. “The versatility of our fleet, with the smallest to the some of the biggest booms in the industry, is un-matched. Our versatile boom configu-rations include the five section booms in all classes where available. We have a pump for all applications. We make things happen on projects.”

A&B’s group has 56 concrete pumps ranging from HP line pumps to 56-metre booms. They also have separate placing booms and telebelts. Not only does the company have the capacity to under-take projects such as Rogers Place and the Regina Revitalization Initiative Stadi-um Project, they also don’t take the job lightly.

“The opportunity to work with the teams from PCL Construction on both projects is something that we do not take for granted, we have a strong

working relationship with them and are honoured to provide concrete pumping services to them on these projects,” said Mercier.

To date, A&B has pumped more than 20,000 cubic metres of concrete for Rogers Place, according to Mercier. He explained A&B’s 56-metre Putzmeis-ter pump has been used primarily. The big boom reach combined with indus-try-leading safety technology allows them to facilitate a smaller overall ma-chine footprint, allowing them to set up in tight spots without the full deploy-ment of the outriggers.

“Our 56-metre pump was on that job site for the most part on a daily basis,” said Mercier.

The concrete pumped by A&B will make up the building’s foundation, structural slabs and rink floor. With be-tween 800 to 1,000 man-hours already invested into the job, Mercier estimates A&B crews will be on site until early 2016, but noted the work will slow down over the winter as the structural steel is erected and the building is closed in.

“These projects are typically a once-in-a-lifetime thing and Rogers Place is the second one that our group has been able to do in this city,” said Merci-er, adding A&B Concrete Pumping was founded in 1978 and provided concrete pumping services for the Common-wealth Stadium built that same year.

The Regina Revitalization Initiative Stadium Project, while slightly smaller in size concrete-wise compared to Rogers Place, brings pride to a whole new level for the A&B workers on site.

“We employ many born-and-bred Saskatchewan guys that bleed green. For them there is some real pride in be-ing a part of this iconic project that the province embraces, not just the city,” Mercier explained. “In that market, this

Seating for 18,000+ equalsa lot of concrete By Amanda Lefley

Regina Revitalization Project in Regina, Saskatchewan, which is estimated to require 20,000 cubic metres of concrete to be pumped.


is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime project.”

Mercier estimates Regina’s new sta-

dium will require 20,000 cubic metres

of concrete to be pumped in total. He

explained primarily that will be for the

structure’s foundation and slabs. For this

job, A&B is using their 55-metre pump

frequently.

“We’ve been pumping there steady

for the past couple of months,” said Mer-

cier, adding A&B is approximately 400 to

500 man-hours into the job currently. v

Rogers Place Arena in Edmonton, Alberta, will have a seating capacity of 18,841 for Edmonton Oiler games and 20,734 for concerts.

EXHIBITING AT

BOOTH # N858

Concrete Pumping Inc.Over The Top

Brad HandsaemeCell/Dispatch: 780-913-5269Office: 780-475-(PUMP) 7867Fax: 780-475-7865Email: [email protected]


New construction projects in downtown Edmonton include the use of separate placing booms for two high-rise devel-opments – a two-tower condominium community called The Edgewater on Jasper, and a new Hyatt Place Hotel at 96th Street and Jasper Avenue. Supplied by the Noremac Group of Companies of Western Canada, the separate plac-ing booms improve the efficiency of the projects’ concrete pours, providing greater speed, versatility and accuracy in the preliminary stages of high-rise con-struction.

“Separate placing booms are used predominately for the construction of high-rise towers, or where the access for mobile boom pumps on site is difficult,” says Connor Currah, business develop-ment, Noremac Group of Companies. “Placing booms are designed to maxi-mize efficiency in time and production. They minimize the labour required for placing the concrete compared to the crane and bucket method as concrete is discharged in a more timely and precise manner. In addition, a worksite’s crane

is freed up. Cranes are not designed to continuously carry concrete; the crane and bucket method causes more wear and tear and leads to breakdowns, which can be very costly. The contractors we’ve worked with swear by separate placing booms as the best option in high-rise construction.”

Canada’s first Hyatt Place Hotel is a $45 million project that will include 161 hotel suites, underground parking, and street-level commercial space for shops and restaurants. The 13-storey, 250,000-square-foot building is currently under construction, with concrete work scheduled for completion this spring, and the hotel’s grand opening planned for fall 2015. Rather than use a station-ary line pump, the contractor is using a 41-metre separate placing boom and a mobile boom pump for concrete pours.

“For the Hyatt tower, we used the 41-metre Schwing placing boom,” Cur-rah says. “At the 10th floor, the building narrows, but the lower levels have a large floor plate. We had to make sure that we had as much reach as possible.”

The Edgewater condominium project is comprised of a 26-storey, 275-foot-high south tower, and a 30-storey, 314-foot-high north tower. The $150 million development offers a total of 418 suites and 500 parking stalls. Concrete work for the south tower is nearing com-pletion, while the boom for the north tower is expected to be removed in Feb-ruary 2015.

Two separate placing booms are be-ing used -- a 41-metre boom for the north tower and a 39-metre boom for the south tower -- as well as a station-ary Schwing 4800 high-pressure line pump. The placing boom was used to facilitate a seven-day pour schedule, with 9,538-square-foot slab pours of 225 cubic metres of pumped concrete, and 80 cubic metres of pumped concrete for vertical construction. Total concrete to be pumped on the job site measures 25,000 cubic metres.

“The Schwing 4800 stationary line pump can push concrete at a very high pressure, with some of the biggest pumps pushing concrete to heights over

Edmonton high-rises featureseparate placing boom constructionBy Lisa Fattori


600 metres,” Currah says. “At The Edge-water, we’re primarily pouring columns and suspended slabs. After the concrete cures, the forms are stripped and the shoring is removed. The placing boom is mounted to a pedestal and lattice tower that sits on hydraulic jacks in the centre of the tower. Steel placing line runs from the concrete pump up to the lattice tow-er and pedestal and is then connected to the boom.”

While separate placing booms have been available for concrete pours for the last 20 years, they have yet to become mainstream in the construction indus-try. The Edgewater and Hyatt Place Hotel projects, however, showcase the effi-ciency of the equipment, and demon-strate how separate placing booms can save, in both time and money.

“Separate placing booms have yet to take off, but once there’s been enough

evidence proving their effectiveness, we’ll see a more widespread use,” Cur-rah says. “We’re in such a competitive market, contractors are watching their costs, but separate placing booms save money in the long run. In addition, until recently, there hasn’t been much growth in downtown Edmonton, but with sev-eral proposed high-rise developments, I expect we’ll see more separate placing boom projects.” v

T: 204-434-6873F: 204-434-6833

Box 853, Grunthal, Manitoba R0A 0R0

“Providing professional concrete pumping for even the toughest jobs”


Richardson’s Vancouver Terminal facility

in North Vancouver is poised to double

its capacity upon completion in No-

vember 2015, adding more than 80,000

metric tonnes of storage. Behind this

massive project’s quick delivery is an in-

tricate concrete pouring method known

as slipform concrete casting.

Slipform casting, which interestingly

has been around since the 1800s, is sim-

ilar in nature to jumpform; the self-con-

tained, three-platform formwork is

raised vertically through a continuous 24-hour pour. The bonus: augmented structural strength and faster delivery.

“In projects like this, 24 hours is the best way to do it. It’s most efficient to do a slipform,” says Clare Post, site super-intendent of FWS Group, the project’s general contractor. “This is quite a bit quicker once it starts.”

Careful planning between FWS and Vancouver-based concrete pumping company Noremac Industries was inte-gral to this project portion’s success. The 24-hour pour began in May 2014, just one year after the project commenced, and wrapped in less than one month.

“We set up two 55-metre Schwing pumps [on either end, working toward the centre] and we started from the ground level, pumping 24 hours a day,” says Charlie Bush, general manager for Noremac Industries. “On this project, we had four operators; each operator ran 12-hour shifts.”

As both Post and Bush agree, consis-tency and planning are the key com-ponents to the slipforming method, an approach that involves a slow (one inch of concrete every six minutes) and con-tinuous pour.

Elements to stay abreast of with the slipform method include hot weath-er, as concrete can set in the lines, and electrical glitches or breakdowns result-ing from equipment demands. Keeping back-up equipment, such as an extra pump or power generators, onsite is a necessity.

Case in point, during the project’s last pour, a safety hazard prompted the use of a third pump, which they introduced to pump concrete into one of the orig-

From the ground up24-hour slipform pours at Vancouver grain terminals expedite project completionBy Jillian Mitchell

Phone: 250-470-7606 #8-445 Neave Court, Kelowna, BC V1V 2M2

pumppro.ca


inal, yet hard-to-get-at pumps pouring into the slipform.

“One of the two 55-metre primary pumps wasn’t able to receive concrete safely from a mixer and keep the smooth flow of service to the second prima-ry pump,” Bush says of the incident. “In order to keep scheduling and a safe jobsite, our southwest 55-metre pump went pump to pump, with the help of an additional pump parked around a

corner.” An 80-foot slickline (transfer line for the concrete) then pumped from the backend of the auxiliary pump truck into the slickline of the 55-metre pump. “This set up gave Clare and the FWS Group the capability to meet the goals,” Bush adds.

Once a pour is started, the idea is not to stop, as stopping tends to create cold joints, or weak spots, in the concrete. As a result, on-site equipment must be

in tip-top shape, and any stops must be pre-planned.

“In slipform, anything and everything can go wrong at any given time,” says Post, who notes the importance of the concrete supplier’s timing to the proj-ect’s success.

Prior to the slipform being poured, two concrete bases had to be construct-ed: the first at 2,700 metres was poured in 18 hours and the second at 2,850 me-tres in 19 hours. Post emphasizes the invaluable role played by Noremac and Rebo-Benton in meeting those targets.

The Grain Storage Annex project is FWS Group’s largest project featuring the rapid pour method. Approximate-ly 14,000 cubic metres of concrete was pumped by Noremac just for the slip it-self, not to mention the casting and the base of the slip.

Currently, the terminal owned by Canada’s largest privately owned agribusiness handles three-million metric tonnes of grain and oilseeds annually. v

X-StreamConcretePumpingSCHWING 750-15X

CONCRETE LINE PUMP•Pumps up to 50 yards per hour

We serve concrete pumping needs in the following areas:

RESIDENTIALPatios, decorative, footings, walls, slabs,lightweight concrete

COMMERCIALLarge slabs, high volume placement, high PSImixes, long distances

SPECIALTYPressure grouting, shotcrete, hardscapes,industrial







(306) 681-8862 or (306) 290-8862 [email protected]

www.x-streamconcrete.com







Serving all of Saskatchewan

Granite Concrete Services Inc.100 St. Paul Blvd. T: 204-338-2005West St. Paul, MB R2P 2W5 F: 204-338-9722

www.garceagroup.ca

GRANITECONCRETE SERVICES


Peter Appelt, a second-generation con-crete pump operator, has seen his fair share of weather extremes – and rightly so, he’s a prairie boy.

In Appelt’s hometown of Edmonton, temperatures range anywhere between

40°C to -40°C, depending on the season. Add to that, his business requires him to travel, which introduces additional tem-perature fluctuations and challenges.

But as the longtime pumper confirms, it’s all part of the job.

Pumping concrete in temperature ex-tremes – both hot and cold – can pres-ent obstacles to successful pumps. And though Appelt prefers not to go out in extremes, he does what needs to be done in order to meet scheduling de-mands.

“I don’t understand why we don’t just take a [cold/hot] day and stay home; [the work] will still be there the next day,” chuckles Appelt, whose business, Arco Concrete, Edmonton’s first con-crete pumping business, will celebrate 50 years in 2015.

Winter wonderlandSnow, ice, and frozen ground are the

nemeses of concrete pours. The num-ber-one thing to remember: cold weath-er protection must be established prior to the pour.

There are myriad defenses against the cold – wind-proof and weather-proof heated enclosures, combustion heaters (with ventilation to prevent carbon-ation), concrete curing blankets, etc. – but perhaps one of the most vital is opting for a heated concrete mix, and of course, never running out of the mix.

Extreme climate pours:

The do’s and don’tsBy Jillian Mitchell

BedecsREADY MIX LTD.

Ready Mix Concrete • Commercial • Residential Rural Construction • Precast Slabs • CurbsWell Cribs • Loader • Skidsteer • Backhoe ServiceAll Types of Gravel Products

ICF Insulated Concrete Forms Good. Solid. Green.

Distributor & InstallerHigh Performance Wall Systems

Serving South East Saskatchewan for over 50 years

REDVERS H 306-452-3376 CARLYLE H 306-453-2474


“Here [in Alberta] they heat the ag-gregate, rocks, sand and water, and add additives like non-chloride accelerator or the calcium accelerator, so that helps for cold weather,” says Appelt. “Some-times concrete shows up at 10°C when it’s -20°C; that’s not very good because concrete should be a 20°C to 25°C mix because it’ll cool off – sometimes it’ll freeze up.”

A few safety precautions from Appelt: hoard in the site, dress warm (crews should go indoors regularly to warm up), allow more time for setup, store equipment indoors or in the truck cab whenever possible, insulate pipes, keep hot water onsite (i.e. probes in tanks), and ensure water lines are drained to prevent lines freezing up.

“It all has to be nice and warm,” cau-tions Appelt, who adds that his compa-ny has opted to increase winter service charges to account for these extras. “[Cold weather] is hard on the equip-ment, it’s hard on the operators, and things can go wrong.”

We’re having a heat waveA well-known fact, concrete cured at

higher temperatures (35°C and above)

will have lower long-term strength than

concrete cured at room temperature.

Therefore, the process of cooling the

concrete is paramount to successful

summer pours.

Tips to keep in mind: avoid pouring

around noon, when the sun is hottest;

use sunshades or windbreaks onsite;

keep an evaporative retarder nearby;

and add ice or liquid nitrogen to the

concrete to slow the curing process.

“If it stays warm, all your materials are

warm and the concrete sets up quicker,”

Appelt cautions of extreme-heat pours.

“The pump also gets warm and then it

can overheat.”

Equipment breakdowns are synon-

ymous with extreme heat if the proper

precautions are not put in place. As a

precaution, pumps reaching extreme

temperatures of 90°F need to be shut-

down. In these instances, adding cold

water to the water box and placing ice

on the equipment brain to cool things

down is a viable solution Appelt has

used in past. “It [has] saved me,” he says

of the aforesaid cooling procedure. “Not

only did the pump not shutdown, when

I got the oil tested afterwards, it was just

as good as new; nothing broke down in

the oil.”

For this reason, Appelt advocates the

use of synthetic oil in his equipment. “In

the summer [other oils are] too thin and

get hotter faster and shut your equip-

ment down,” he adds.

Not only can equipment shutdown

in extreme heat, but workers can also

start “shutting down” from heatstroke

or dehydration. Appelt is an advocate of

water and shade breaks for himself and

his crew.

“Here in Edmonton, we’re so busy

that in the summer, if you cancel you

might not get concrete for a week,” he

says. “So you kinda gotta go when you

gotta go.” v

D.H. ConcretePumping Ltd.

403-382-1857 www.dhconcretepumping.ca

Don’t dump it

pump it!


The placing booms rise along with the slip form system, which is a three-tiered system.

Four Schwing SP 4800 electric-powered stationary pumps are located under the batch plant.

Automated pumping system pours 50,000 cubic metres non-stop in 35 days

Pumpcrete, Toronto, Canada is pumping

a concrete gravity base structure (GBS)

that will eventually provide the founda-

tion for an oil well platform in the Atlantic

Ocean. Pumpcrete’s expertise on engi-

neered projects made them a natural

choice for this project.

“We were specifically requested by one

of the contractors who had worked with

us in the past,” said Dave Moriarty, Pump-

crete’s pump manager.

The GBS under construction has re-

quired massive amounts of pumped con-

crete with distribution choreographed

by an automated system designed by

Pumpcrete.

“When you take on projects like these

you want to have reliable equipment,”

said Ken Williams Jr., Pumpcrete’s presi-

dent.

Located in the Atlantic coastal area of

Newfoundland and Labrador, the initial

fabrication site is adjacent to a man-

made earthen barrier that was removed

to flood the construction site and float

the gigantic structure into deep wa-

ter. Pumpcrete designed an innovative

pumping and placing system around

Schwing equipment that has kept the

project on schedule with very little main-

tenance.

The 130-metre diameter base was con-

structed in May 2013 using two Schwing

S 61 SX concrete pumps and two

Schwing free-standing 35-metre sepa-

rate placing booms fed by four SP 4800

stationary concrete pumps. Because the

four Schwing SP 4800 stationary con-

crete pumps were located under the on-

site batch plant 150-metres from the GBS, A continuous pour of 50,000 cubic metres was performed by Schwing concrete pumps over 35 days at sea.


Concrete Pump Parts and Accessories

1-800-567-7400Visit our website at:

www.pumppartsplus.com

Left: One operator monitors the automated concrete distribution system that controls the batch plant output and concrete pump speed while monitoring automatic floats in seven hoppers located on the slip form.

Pipeline feeds seven hoppers with automatic shut-off floats to divert the concrete further around the form system.

four 125-millimetre lines connected the stationary pumps to

the placing equipment.

Today, the separate placing booms and stationary pumps

continue to provide an important connection to the slip form-

ing of the central shaft and seven cells that make up the GBS.

The structure was recently towed to a deep-water site where

concrete batching and pumping continues from barges. As

the forms rise, the four-section booms accommodate the

movement. Flexible hoses on the end of the booms plug into

the pipeline that feeds seven hoppers located on the three-

tiered slip form system. Pumpcrete recently finished a 50,000

cubic metre continuous pour that occurred over 35 days.

The GBS will eventually reach a height of 120 metres, but

the next phase of the slipforming will take place in deep wa-

ter. The final concrete tally once the GBS is completed, with

a slipformed shaft to support the topside structure, will be

132,000 cubic metres. The topside structure with offices, drill-

ing equipment and accommodations for 200 workers is 158-

by-64 metres and weighs 65,000 tons. Once the GBS is com-

pleted, the topside structure will be attached and the entire

assembly will be towed to the Grand Banks 350 kilometres

from shore where it will be sunk in 93 metres of water. Oil

extraction is scheduled to begin in 2017. v

Two Schwing S 61 SX concrete pumps with 200 feet of boom reach were used on the project.


I started pumping concrete in early 1978 with a 1975 Thomson 845 con-

crete pump mounted on a 1974 International Loadstar with 366 gas

engines. The transmission was a five-speed main with a four-speed

auxiliary transmission. The pump was powered by a 3208 Cat engine,

with a 24-series Sunstrand hydraulic pump. Concrete pumping in Al-

berta was very new and an untried method on conveying concrete.

My initial thoughts on pumping concrete were to try and establish

a relationship with the residential homebuilders. I made some calls

to the larger builders and their response was that the cost could not

be justified. At the time, I had a three-hour call out at $65 per hour. I

tried to explain to the construction managers that they would not

have to build ramps for the ready-mix truck, which would save them

money. I also explained that by using a concrete pump we could

pour the concrete more uniformly into the foundation, which would

eliminate having to use water to make the concrete flow. The pump-

ing of footings and floors was definitely not an option at that time.

It seemed that most of the calls I got in the early years was when it

was raining. The rain made it inaccessible for the ready-mix truck to

get close to the foundations. Over time, some of the builders started

to see the benefits of using a concrete pump.

The next big hurdle was to build a relationship with the ready-mix

companies. As concrete pumping was a new method on moving

concrete, mix designs were a huge problem. In the early years, fly ash

was in its infant stage. The sand in our area was coarse and gap graded,

making concrete pumping very difficult. The consensus was that the

pumps were unreliable because at times the pumps would struggle

to pump the mixes. We tried to explain to the ready-mix companies

that the mix design would have to be of a consistency to slide or be

pushed through the pipeline. This was a three-to-five year undertak-

ing to have the ready-mix companies realize that, with proper mixes

and good supply, they could turn their trucks around much more ef-

ficiently.

Some of the things that helped grow the concrete pumping indus-

try were the loss of some ready-mix trucks due to getting too close

to the excavation, tipping trucks over, and losing concrete and dam-

aging foundations. A one-to-one rule was finally enforced. The rule

was for every foot excavated, the ready-mix truck had to stay one

foot away, so if the excavation was eight-feet deep, the ready-mix

truck had to stay eight feet back. There was one incident on a large

multi-family jobsite that sticks in my mind when pump ability came

into question. My pump truck was set up and the mixer truck was

backed up to the hopper of the pump. In those days we used benton-

Reflections by a pioneer on the Canadian concrete pumping industryBy Bruce Dika, founder of A&B Concrete Pumping Ltd.


ite (drilling mud) to prime the boom. I got the pump primed, but strug-

gled to get the truck unloaded because the mix was very coarse. By this

time, I had four ready-mix trucks lined up on site to unload. I tried all the

little tricks I knew, but the mix would not pump. The mixer drivers were

blaming the pumps unreliability because the concrete was the same as

they had previously hauled. The superintendent on site was frustrated, as

he did not know whom to believe. The situation was critical with four full

loads of concrete on site. I called the ready-mix plant, who completely

ignored my pleas to work on the mix to make it pump. I talked to the

superintendent and told him that I knew my equipment and that the

mix was not pumpable. I knew I had to make a decision quickly. I said

that I would order new concrete from another supplier and pay for

all the concrete if I could not pump concrete from the new supplier. I

ordered a pumpable mix, and I had no problem pumping the concrete

and the job was completed. The other ready-mix supplier now realized

that the concrete pump was not the issue and that they would have to

change their mix designs.

It was a slow progression, but by the mid-‘80s, concrete pumping be-

came much more common. Most of the construction companies were

using concrete pumps on a regular basis. Most of the time, slabs on

grade were being pumped instead of using power buggies, which

have now become obsolete. Structural slabs and high rises were still

using crane and bucket, not seeing the benefits of concrete pumping.

In the early days when pipelines were required to reach long distances,

five-foot steel pipe was used, and then reduced to four-inch, 20-foot

rubber hose. Today, most line jobs are done with a four-inch pipeline

and a 3.5-inch or three-inch rubber hose.

In early 2000, the two chute rule was being enforced, which meant a

mixer truck could not put more than two chutes on his truck because

of safety. The ready-mix manufacturers said that if more than two

chutes were used, the hydraulic cylinder would be stressed where it

could break and cause injury. With the new rule, concrete pumping

jumped to another level. The ready-mix truck was now very limited and concrete

pumps were now moving concrete on every jobsite in some manner.

I brought the first placing boom into the Edmonton market in 2003 for the con-

struction of the heart institute. PCL was very impressed with how much time the

placing boom saved them, which allowed them to utilize the crane elsewhere. Time

and money were saved on this project.

Concrete pumping has become a very safe and effective tool

for moving concrete fast, efficiently, and cost-effectively in to-

day’s market. Pumping concrete in percentages over the last

40 years has grown tenfold. It is still a growing indus-

try, which will continue to play

a large role in moving concrete

well into the future. As pioneers,

we were forging ahead in an

uncharted industry. With CPAC,

we can do these things together

more uniformly and efficiently

as a group of members. v


Tips on choosing a reliable concrete-pumping company

The advent of safety, the environment, and the pursuit

of becoming better homebuilders has driven many of

the processes of building a home. The use of materials,

labour, and machinery has dramatically impacted both

efficiency and the outcome of better homes. Newer and

better materials, along with technological advancement,

have given us more affordable, safer and environmentally

friendlier homes.

With respect to concrete specifically, there have been

no larger changes to the process than the use of concrete

pumps. Twenty years ago, fewer than 20 per cent of all

new homes built used concrete pumps for the placement

of concrete for any application. Slowly, driven by skilled

labour shortages, safety issues and environmental im-

pact of concrete trucks crossing the curbs, the concrete

pumping industry now pumps almost 80 per cent of all

concrete in the use of a new home. Very few industries

have seen this type of growth in such a relatively short

period of time. This has not come without its own issues,

however. The proper use, lack of skilled operators and

a general misunderstanding of concrete pumps by the

home-building industry and the concrete pump com-

panies themselves has left many “gaps” in the delivery

of this critical service. It has been education and train-

ing by both parties that has led to the emergence of a

strong and educated pumping industry today. There are

still, unfortunately, some house-building companies that

do not understand the importance of choosing the right

concrete pump company and some concrete-pumping

companies that are “opportunistic” in a growing market

segment and have not committed to being a safe reli-

able concrete pumping company. So, a quick checklist

is required by the home-building company to choose the

right provider:

1. What is their training policy?

2. What is their current status with the WCB?

3. How much experience do their operators have, on av-

erage?

4. What annual programs do they have in place for con-

tinued training?

5. How old is their equipment, and can you see a docu-

mented record of their maintenance program?

6. Specifically, all concrete pumps should have their

booms inspected annually by a certified boom inspec-

tor, and a copy of the inspection should be made avail-

able to the end-user when requested.

7. Do they have the right people maintaining their

equipment? All pump manufacturers provide training

to buyers of their equipment, even if purchased used.

8. The books should be open to the safety and mainte-

nance for any equipment you rent.

Concrete pumps allow for the safe and efficient move-

ment of concrete to a specific area on the jobsite. With

heavy aerial equipment, there needs to be proper train-

ing and the use of good equipment. Remember, cheaper

is not necessarily better. Both parties bear the respon-

sibility of being safe and efficient. Remember that you

are the prime contractor! The employment of these tips

above will allow you to focus on what you do best – build

homes. v

By Rod Taverner, co-owner of Rolling Mix Concrete Group and past president of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association - Edmonton Region

1-800-268-0770www.pumpcrete.com

New And Used

Pumps And Part

Sales

Count on industry-leading reliability, fuel-efficiency and the lowest cost of ownership with a Schwing truck or trailer mounted concrete pump. With the highest resale of any brand, you are making the right business decision while expanding your capabilities as a contractor. From residential concrete work to the tallest skyscrapers and largest commercial pours, Schwing Concrete Pumps mean business.

More ModelsWith more than 30 models of stationary and boom pumps, we’ve got the pump for you. Choose from 8 boom types including Roll and Fold® and Z-type in 14 lengths from 20 to 61-meters and stationary pumps with output from 19 to 115 cubic meters per hour. Supporting this line-up is a world-class parts and service department developed over 45 years at our plant in Minnesota. Now that business is back, call us to find out how a Schwing can help grow your business.

1-888-SCHWING | www.schwing.com

Now that business is back,buy a pump that means business.

SCHWING BOOTH NUMBER C5126

Canadian Concrete Pumpers 2015

Documents

Transcript of Canadian Concrete Pumpers 2015