Precast University
PRECAST UNIVERSITY
As part of its mission to develop comprehensive educational resources for the precast concrete industry, NPCA provides plant personnel with in-depth learning opportunities taught by expert industry instructors as part of Precast University. Comprised of special topic “schools,” Precast University courses involve a multi-day commitment that includes extensive curriculum and an exam.
As of July 2011, the requirements for PQS II – Safety have been updated to better accommodate participants who have already earned an OSHA Safety Card. Participants who meet one of the following requirements will receive full credit for completion of PQS II – Safety:
For those with an OSHA 30-hour or OSHA authorized trainer card you must submit a copy of your valid OSHA card along with the application to NPCA in order to receive credit for PQS II – Safety. The application can be found on www.precast.org, and will also be available onsite.
Production and Quality School Level I (PQSI)
Mel C. Marshall, Mel C. Marshall Industrial Consultants Inc.
Sam Lines, Concrete Sealants Inc.
NPCA’s Production and Quality School (PQS Level I) is NPCA’s flagship course, and is the perfect starting point to provide plant personnel with the fundamentals of quality precast concrete manufacturing. Designed especially for all production personnel and QC inspectors, this course covers all aspects of manufactured concrete production, from raw materials to post-pour inspection, with special emphasis on maintaining high quality throughout the entire manufacturing process. This course satisfies the plant certification requirements outlined in section 1.1.3 of the 8th edition of the NPCA Quality Control Manual for Precast and Prestressed Plants.
Attendees who successfully complete PQS Level I will be able to:
PQS – Sunday, March 4 (Day 1)
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
PQS – Monday, March 5 (Day 2)
7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Please Note: Participants in this school are required to attend both days of class and pass the exam to obtain a certificate of course completion. Please make your travel arrangements accordingly.
PQS Level II – Technical (PQSII)
Claude Goguen, P.E., LEED AP, NPCA
PQS Level II – Technical is designed for plant personnel who are responsible for the accurate design, interpretation of drawings, product setup or quality control in the plant. Attendees will learn the technical concepts that explain why we do things the way we do them in the plant. This curriculum will decode technical industry jargon and provide attendees with a better technical understanding of the entire precasting process. Technical concepts such as center of mass and structural analysis will be presented in layman’s terms, as well as discussing their impact on reinforcement placement and proper lifting techniques. We will discuss the mechanical properties of concrete and steel, blueprint reading, proper rigging and lifting, knowledge of specifications and much, much more. In preparing to take PQS II – Technical, attendees should possess a basic knowledge of geometry, trigonometry, elementary algebra and basic physics. A scientific calculator is recommended for this course.
Attendees who successfully complete PQS Level II – Technical will be able to:
PQS Level II – Tech. Sunday, March 4 (Day 1)
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
PQS Level II – Tech. Monday, March 5 (Day 2)
7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Please Note: Participants in this school are required to attend both days of class and pass the exam to obtain a certificate of course completion. Please plan your travel arrangements accordingly.
PS6 – PQS II – Safety: Precast Module
Saturday, March 3 ● 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Gus Gonzalez, Safe-T-at Work LLC
This four-hour module is a comprehensive, precast-specific course that examines safety issues associated with the precast production process. Course topics include: precast plant hazards; batching plant hazards; molds and forms; rebar and cage fabrication; curing and finishing; overhead crane and rigging; hand and power tool safety; and forklifts. Upon completion of this course, employees will be well grounded in safety as it applies to the precast industry. For those attendees who successfully complete the course and hold a valid OSHA 10-hour Safety Card, you can receive credit for PQS Level II – Safety by presenting your card at the conclusion of the course.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
PQS Level III – Leadership (PQS III)
Greg Chase, Modern Precast Concrete
Attendees who complete this leadership course will learn valuable leadership principles they can immediately apply to their management style and leadership skills in their precast concrete manufacturing facilities. Learn how to recruit, hire, train and develop employees by communicating effectively, leading by example and celebrating success. Additional topics include time management, goal-setting, stress management and diversity. Owners, managers, supervisors and those who aspire to hold such positions in the future are encouraged to attend this course.
Attendees who successfully complete PQS Level III – Leadership will be able to:
PQS Level III – Sunday, March 4 (Day 1)
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
PQS Level III – Monday, March 5 (Day 2)
7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Please Note: Participants in this school are required to attend both days of class and pass the exam to obtain a certificate of course completion. Please plan your travel arrangements accordingly.
Advanced Technical & Sustainability
ADVANCED TECHNICAL & SUSTAINABILITY
Advanced Technical courses are intended for those who have completed production and safety track courses or PQS Level I, and those who have baseline industry knowledge and would like advanced training. Sustainability courses focus on meeting the needs of the present without compromising future generations.
AT1 – SCC: Flowable Concrete on Steroids
Thursday, March 1 ● 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Bill Ciggelakis, P.E., PSI
Are your workers tired? Does your plant have low production rates? Do you concrete products have an unsatisfactory surface finish? Then give your concrete mix the prescription for performance enhancement. Add SCC to your line up and improve your stats. SCC is specified by numerous DOTs and its use continues to expand. This course will guide you in the proportioning of a flowable concrete mix that requires no vibration for an excellent surface finish. Learn the metrics of measuring and documenting SCC compliance with NPCA’s Quality Control Manual for Precast and Prestressed Plants and your project specifications. Juice your concrete mix – not your players – for a championship season!
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
Explore the technology and benefits of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) and how it can help you expand your company’s product lines. Attendees will learn about the potential opportunities that UHPC can provide by complementing and expanding their current business and product offerings through the development of new, innovative precast solutions. Target segments for UHPC applications range from structural to architectural markets, which open new opportunities for expanding your business. We will discuss important details of UHPC formulations, along with the batching, forming, placing and curing techniques for successful production of UHPC precast elements. You will learn about UHPC technologies and its scientific properties. Additionally, we’ll explain new sections in NPCA’s Quality Control Manual on architectural UHPC precast elements.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
By now, anyone who manufactures bridge or highway products has at least heard the term “LRFD” with respect to the design of those products. But what is it? How does it affect your current product designs? And, why the heck do we have to revise perfectly good designs to accommodate LRFD? This course is intended to take some of the mystery out of this new design methodology and answer some of these perplexing questions. Attendees will learn which precast products are directly referenced within the LRFD code, which products are not directly referenced and how each impacts your business.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
Prestressing concrete provides a range of advantages but requires very skilled and technically knowledgeable personnel. This course will explore the principles and basics of prestressing, including best practices, safety concerns and quality control procedures. Attendees will review the history and theory behind prestressing, explain how and why it works, and present basic prestressing practice, force and elongation corrections, safety concerns and much more. This course is a must if you are considering expanding into the prestressed concrete sector or are new to prestressing. All employees of prestressed concrete manufacturers or those who supply to the industry should attend. If you are already PQS certified and would like to obtain your PQS – Prestress Level I certificate, this is your opportunity!
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
AT5 – Sustainable Construction with Green Concrete
Friday, March 2 ● 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Farshad Rajabipour, Ph.D., assistant professor of Civil Engineering, Penn State University
As the focus on sustainability continues to grow, the need for greener concrete becomes more important. This course will examine new technologies that allow the production of greener concrete materials from recycled ingredients. You’ll learn how to implement these new technologies in a precast plant, which can not only help save the planet, but also potentially save you money. We’ll focus on technologies related to the use of recycled aggregates, recycled cementitious materials such as high volume fly ash concrete, alkali activated slag and fly ash concrete that contain zero Portland cement. We’ll also discuss how these technologies link to LEED standards.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
This course illustrates how each step in the proportioning of a mixture relates to the fresh and hardened properties of concrete. Examples are provided with illustrations that reinforce the fundamental concepts of developing practical concrete mixtures. We will also discuss how improved performance can be obtained when using water-reducing admixtures, air-entraining admixtures and supplementary cements. Attendees will also explore how to achieve maximum product performance by creating the perfect mix for each job, examining the role specific admixtures play in improving performance and more.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
Finance
FINANCE
Finance Track courses are geared toward business owners, CFOs, accountants and others responsible for the long-term financial growth of the organization.
F1 – From Purchase Order to Payment: What Every Contractor and Supplier Needs to Know
Friday, March 2 ● 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
John Greenhall,Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman PC
One of the biggest challenges for entities in the construction field is when businesses either start with a bad contract or purchase order or ignore the contract that’s already in place. In addition, the recovery for construction payment and claims becomes a high stakes game and usually the party that has the best documentation wins. This course will cover important legal aspects of the three major phases of any construction project: contract formation, day-to-day project issues and payment. We’ll discuss when to give notice of issues, how to write a notice letter without upsetting the client, the importance of electronic communication and what to do when project meeting minutes do not reflect your concerns. Also, you’ll learn the necessary steps to take throughout contract negotiation – during the project and after final completion – to better your chances for getting paid.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
With ever-increasing health care costs, small business owners have many questions about how health care will affect their businesses financially. Join us for an in-depth discussion of 10 significant issues every business owner needs to consider when projecting company health care expenditures over the next few years. We will explore the current state of the country’s health care system and the changes that will affect small business, look at tax effects of current legislation, identify the ins and outs of the new health care exchanges that will be created, and discuss recommendations for making the best use of health care expenditures. Attendees will learn the impact of Health Savings Accounts, penalties for not offering coverage, eligibility for small business tax credits, how health care reform will affect the self-employed, and more.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
Management & Marketing
MANAGEMENT & MARKETING
The Management and Marketing Track is specifically geared toward owners, senior managers and those who aspire to hold such positions in the precast concrete industry. Leading instructors in leadership, management and marketing will provide the latest in philosophy and techniques. These courses will offer the opportunity to network with fellow managers and owners to discuss common challenges.
MM1 – How Today’s Current Events Impact Tomorrow’s Profits
Thursday, March 1 ● 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Gene Marks, Marks Group P.C.
The past few years have seen a major financial crisis followed by a tepid recovery. Sweeping regulation has affected banking, healthcare, construction and other industries. The stock market has experienced wild fluctuations. Technology continues to advance. The value of our currency takes a significant swing on an almost daily basis. Taxes are creeping up. Unemployment remains stubbornly high. Markets which were once robust are now stagnant. And new opportunities are rising from the ashes. Where is the economy heading? What are these opportunities? How do smart business owners and managers adapt and thrive in the face of these political and economic challenges? For thousands of years, able entrepreneurs have successfully navigated around political, economic and financial turmoil. These people have understood that behind the events they can’t control lay opportunities for growth and security. Gene Marks, a frequent contributor to Fox News, Forbes, and the New York Times, will explain the meaning behind today’s numbers, the trends in Washington, the new technologies coming on the market, and where he expects tomorrow’s opportunities for the business community to be.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
Dynamic speakers are made, not born. This two-hour workshop teaches you how to stand on your feet and convince your audience. Designed to make you a more dynamic presenter at lunch and learn presentations, you will learn how to get your message across to any audience, regardless of size or make-up. Your voice truly is a musical instrument and this workshop shows you how to use it to your advantage. Whether it is making the sale or getting your point of view through to the right people in a lunch and learn format, this session will make you a better communicator.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
The question came out of left field, a question you never expected, and one for which you have no answer. What to do? Unacceptable options are stammering, silence, inappropriate laughter, and just plain verbal panic. What you need to do is think quickly, then take control. This three-hour workshop will give you the techniques and strategies you need to respond to difficult, even angry, questions from your customers. During this interactive session you will learn pragmatic methods to take and keep control of any conversation. This is the perfect program for those who must face difficult questions from customers, specifiers or inspectors each day. We espouse the Boy Scout motto: “Be Prepared!” and we’ll help to make sure that you are.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
Friday, March 2 ● 10:45 a.m. – Noon
Aaron Ausen, Delmaray Concrete Products Inc.
Kirk Stelsel, NPCA
Bob Whitmore, NPCA
You’ve heard all the hype about social media, but you have a business to run and don’t have time to be on the computer all the time, nor do you have the budget to hire a full-time person to do it for you. NPCA understands these concerns and is here to help. Today’s younger generation turns to the internet as its primary source for information, and they’re now entering the workforce as precast plant employees, and as architects, engineers, contractors and public officials. When they need information about your products or your company, the first place they look is the internet. And they’ll not only be looking at your website. They’ll be searching for your Facebook page, checking for your Twitter feed and maybe even searching YouTube or Flickr for videos and photos. This session will outline the core benefits of getting involved with these key social media tools and help you plan to get the maximum results with minimum investment.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
In addition to creating a magical environment for “Guests” from around the world, Walt and Roy Disney mastered the art of business. In the end, they determined that leadership excellence, people management, quality service, brand loyalty and inspiring creativity were the five key principles that forge an invaluable formula for success. Not only have these time-tested business lessons helped establish Disney as one of the world’s leading brands, but thousands of organizations around the world have also successfully adapted these principles in their own pursuit of excellence. Now you have the unforgettable opportunity to go behind-the-scenes and experience proven Disney business philosophies at one of the leading business operations in the world firsthand. This two-hour tour features the five core principles taught by Disney Institute and shows how they come to life each day at the Walt Disney World® Resort for Disney’s Cast Members and Guests. You will explore the following locations:
Production & Safety Track
PRODUCTION & SAFETY TRACK
The Production and Safety Track features important topics that will develop fundamental skills and explore best practices in the industry. Courses are designed for those involved in the daily production of quality precast concrete products and will offer topics that are appropriate for those seeking a broad range of knowledge in precast production.
PS1 – The Whys, Wheres and Hows of Reinforcement
Thursday, March 1 ● 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Mel C. Marshall, Mel C. Marshall Industrial Consultants Inc.
Concrete is very strong in compression, but very weak in tension. But what does this mean? We all know that reinforcement makes precast products stronger, more durable and easier to handle, but how is this accomplished? Why is it so important to place and space the reinforcing steel exactly the way it is specified on the project plans? Learn how misplacing the reinforcing steel by just one inch can reduce the product’s strength by as much as 25%. Attendees will analyze the purpose of reinforcing, the types and identifications, basic welding requirements, fabrication of cages, and the specifications that govern reinforcing.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
Friday, March 2 ● 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Gary Munkelt, P.E., Gary K. Munkelt and Associates LLC
Lifting and handling is one of the most dangerous aspects of precasting. Proper design of lifting and handling systems is crucial for avoiding accidents and damage to the product. One system removes the product from the form and moves it to a storage area. Another system may be required for the customer to remove the product from a delivery truck and install it in the ground. This course will review proper methods and designs of inserts, lift loops and lifting equipment. Results from physical testing will also be presented.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
One of the great things about The Precast Show is the opportunity to see all of the latest tools and gadgets available to help you improve product quality, production efficiency and employee safety. But perhaps one of the most effective tools you can hand out to the people building your products is a set of well-detailed shop drawings. This course will explore what information should be included in your drawings and emphasize the importance of clear instructions. We’ll also provide tips and examples of how this information should be presented to ensure your finished product meets the needs and expectations of your customers.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
In the increasingly competitive precast industry, companies simply can’t neglect their employees’ training and development needs. This is when a lunch and learn program is beneficial. A well planned lunch and learn can provide valuable employee training, boost morale and enhance individual motivation. Your program needs to be concise with relevant content that applies to your attendees. This course combines the tools necessary to assist in your stormwater lunch and learn presentations. You’ll learn how precast products meet the standards of the Clean Water Act Best Practices Manual and how precast concrete design alleviates the concern of long-term liability. We’ll also discuss the long-term cost benefits of precast over other stormwater systems. These tools will help you spread the word that precast is a 100+ year product.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
This four-hour module is a comprehensive, precast-specific course that examines safety issues associated with the precast production process. Course topics include: precast plant hazards; batching plant hazards; molds and forms; rebar and cage fabrication; curing and finishing; overhead crane and rigging; hand and power tool safety; and forklifts. Upon completion of this course, employees will be well grounded in safety as it applies to the precast industry. For those attendees who successfully complete the course and hold a valid OSHA 10-Hour Card, you can receive credit for PQS Level II – Safety by presenting your card at the conclusion of the course.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
Quality
QUALITY
The Quality Track is a new addition to NPCA’s career path. Courses in this sequence are appropriate for all levels of personnel. Because commitment to quality is of crucial importance in the precast industry, all precasters are encouraged to attend these courses.
Q1 – Durability of Concrete: Mechanisms and Mitigation to Ensure Long Life
Thursday, March 1 ● 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Farshad Rajabipour, Ph.D., assistant professor of Civil Engineering, Penn State University
Durability is the ability of concrete to last a long time without significant deterioration and need for repair. Durable concrete conserves resources, reduces costs over the life of the structure, and reduces the environmental impact of repairing and replacing. This course will cover four main causes of deterioration: corrosion of steel; alkali-silica reaction; freezing and thawing; and sulfate attack. We’ll discuss the mechanism of each reaction, as well as best mitigation methods to produce durable concrete. Case studies examining precast concrete durability problems will also be provided.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
Lean manufacturing is a set of useful tools that can be used to streamline your business. The principle theory is the elimination of wasteful processes that do not add value. Attendees will discuss the basic elements of lean manufacturing and how they can be used not only to improve processes at work, but also at home. See how lean fits into the world around you. The bottom line: save time, increase capacity and reduce costs!
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
Quality concrete is a mixture of cement, water and aggregates that will ultimately meet the requirements for which it is designed. Generally, the most consistent characteristic of concrete is its ability to continually change, creating the need for troubleshooting. Producing the perfect product can be extremely frustrating and time consuming due to constant variability in raw ingredients and advancing a mix from design stages to a desired finish. This course will cover troubleshooting of concrete in both plastic and hardened states as well as proper handling of cementitious products, aggregates and admixtures. We’ll discuss how each concrete material affects plastic and hardened properties. We’ll also tackle air entrainment and provide some tips to help maintain consistency.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
Proper testing throughout the manufacturing process is a key component of quality control. From porosity to strength to water tightness, understanding the methodology and desired results of each test is critical for QC personnel. This course will examine commonly used testing methods including compressive strength, air content, slump/spread, vacuum and unit weight testing, as well as the related ASTM guidelines. Additionally, we will discuss best practices for testing so that you, and your customer, can be assured of a quality precast product each and every time.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
Professional Development Education
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION
These courses are aimed at members of the specifying and regulatory communities. Courses are will address the many benefits of precast concrete products in design and construction today.
SEP – Precast Concrete Septic Tanks: Responsible Onsite Wastewater Treatment
Saturday, March 3 ● 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Claude Goguen, P.E., LEED AP, NPCA
How do we meet the environmental challenges of raising the quality of our water resources across North America? Installing precast concrete septic tanks is a great start. This course provides an overview of the science behind nitrification of water resources, its effects and a review of available technologies to effectively treat onsite wastewater to reduce harmful elements. In addition, we will identify the characteristics of quality precast concrete septic tanks including manufacturing and testing procedures, and discuss specific case studies. We will also share testimonials from homeowners, septic tank installers, septic tank manufacturers and environmental regulators as to why a precast concrete septic tank is the best choice for onsite wastewater treatment.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
Every city relies heavily on its underground infrastructure to move stormwater and wastewater effectively from one point to another. Though sight unseen, the integrity and durability of the components of this infrastructure is of vital importance to residents and to the surrounding ecosystem. This course will explore the city of Portland, Oregon’s challenge in cleaning up its waterways, and how precast concrete played a role in meeting that challenge. The course will start with a brief history of stormwater and wastewater collection as far back as ancient Rome. Attendees will then learn about different systems including new technologies. In addition, we will look at the manufacturing methods and testing procedures used to ensure that precast concrete pipes, manholes and other components will withstand the harsh conditions.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
Titan II Course
TITAN – Titan II Power Users – 2012
Saturday, March 3 ● 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Location: OCCC – Room W223
$125 Member full package
$185 Member a la carte
$145 Non-member full package
$205 Non-member a la carte
James Muka, Muka Development Group LLC
Created for all Titan users, this completely new Titan Power User course will delve into the many new Titan features rolled out within the last year and also explore underutilized features and utilities. This insightful course will cover the new productivity features from Titan’s 16 Precast Management modules including: new Mobile Menu features, productivity tools for sales reps, Routing Manager and Google Maps for dispatchers, new screens and features for production schedulers and general productivity tools for all staff members. This course will stress concepts and tools that can be implemented immediately to improve your company’s effectiveness, competitive advantage and bottom line. Whether you are a sales representative, project coordinator, engineer, dispatcher, production scheduler, plant manager, accounting clerk or the CFO, this course has something for everyone in your organization.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will have an understanding of Titan’s: