It is always important to make sure that the people you hire for a job are experts. No one wants to risk paying for a poorly done job. Vetting the companies and people that you hire is one of the most important parts of any project. And in precast concrete, one way to ensure the quality of the work and the integrity of your project is to seek out Master Precasters.
Fortunately, we have several on staff right here at Columbia Precast Products.
When it comes to concrete jobs, how can you be sure that the teams you are considering are experts? One way to check is to see if the company employs anyone who has earned their Master Precaster designation.
What is Precasting?
Precasting is the production of concrete pieces in a controlled warehouse environment. Typically, portland cement is mixed with water, then an aggregate is combined with the cement paste to create concrete on location.
Because the mixing, pouring, and setting is all done at the site of the project, the process can be quite lengthy. Additionally, weather conditions can cause serious setbacks since the concrete has to be placed in dry conditions.
With precast concrete production, that time is reduced significantly. The pieces are made completely off-site, then transported and installed by professionals. Clients can breathe easy knowing that their project will be on track.
How Does Someone Become a Master Precaster?
The National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA) has implemented its own Precast University program. The Master Precaster program certification is a part of their curriculum.
The program includes precast and prestress-specific training and additional learning about technology, leadership, production, quality control, and safety.
The NPCA Precast University courses were developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Transportation, academia, industry experts, and producers. This combination of expertise helped to create a well-rounded and thorough program.
Master Precaster students must complete six NPCA precast courses in order to receive the certification. The university courses, totaling 89 hours, are divided among three different schools. The topics include water-cement ratios, how to read blueprints, concrete design theory basics, safety, forklift operations, and employee performance improvements.
Here at Columbia Precast Products, we are proud to have employed two Master Precasters.
When it comes to quality, experience, and expertise, our team of professionals takes great pride in delivering for our customers. Although our company is relatively new, the Columbia Precast Products team has over 140 years of combined experience in the industry.
If you would like an estimate or have any questions, please visit this page or call us at 360-335-8400. We hope that you will consider us for your next project.
