Hardwood Floors April/May 2019

By Jason Spangler

THE RIGHT TOOLS Safety is paramount during every function and practice performed. is involves tool use, wearing the essential personal protective gear, and knowing beforehand what the working conditions are going to be upon your arrival. Wear safety glasses and NIOSH-95 paper lter masks, or cartridge respirators, and keep them close by for use as needed. Protect your exposed skin, eyes, and head. Losing any of those during an on-the-job accident could signi cantly impede your progress in this business. Smartphone apps are gaining popularity within the construction industry for their ability to import data, provide analytical tools, and export the results via email and print documents. Another innovation that is gaining rapid acceptance and utilization within the ooring industry is data-logging thermo-hygrometers that can record ambient temperature and relative humidity conditions.

Make sure your tools can be transported easily; rolling carts are seen on a lot of jobsites nowadays. You can also use rolling cases that can hold the essential drilling tools, hand tools, and vacuum systems. Whatever method you employ, make sure it can move freely and quickly up and down levels of the building. Part 2 of this article series will address the importance of good communication practices and list some of the salient points of proper ASTM F2170 concrete moisture testing with in-situ probes. Jason Spangler, Wagner Meters’ flooring division manager, has more than 25 years’ experience in sales and sales management across a broad spectrum of industries. Jason, who received an MBA fromWest Texas A&MUniversity in November 2018, has extensive industry involvement, including the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) and the International Certified Flooring Installers Association (CFI), and is Vice Chairman of Associations for the Flooring Contractors Association (FCICA). He can be reached at 800.207.2478 or jspangler@wagnermeters.com. Learn more at wagnermeters.com.

Monitoring jobsite ambient conditions, before testing begins and throughout the project, is a great way to collect an unquestionable record of whether conditions of readiness exist for the next phase of the project to begin. e data record can help protect you from liability or nger pointing in case the service conditions are below optimal while you are away from the jobsite waiting to install. If you are employing the ASTMF2170 standard for your concrete slab moisture testing, your drill bits need to be in excellent condition and not excessively worn. Otherwise, it will make the concrete RH sensor insertion di cult or impossible. An SDS hammer drill is your best and only choice for optimal drilling in concrete slabs. Dust extraction is now a major concern because of the new Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Compliance Standard 29 CFR 1926.1123. In e ect since September 2017, it states, in part, that HEPA- ltered vacuums are required to clean drilled holes and that the drill used must be equipped with a commercially available shroud or cowling with the dust collection system. Check your dust extractor for fresh vacuum bags and clean your HEPA lters before each use; make sure your dust extractor can be HEPA veri ed if called upon.

Monitoring jobsite ambient conditions, before testing begins and throughout the project, is a great way to collect an unquestionable record of whether conditions of readiness exist for the next phase of the project to begin.

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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