Klepper, Hahn & Hyatt has announced the retirement of Rich Applebaum after 40 years of service. Rich is a registered Professional Engineer in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Vermont. He has been president of the firm for the past 30 years, having begun work at KHH as a structural engineer immediately after college. He will be retiring as of 

May 1.

Last December I attended a three-day conference for ASTM. I was on the C12 Committee for mortars and grouts, and we were discussing ASTM standards that affected masonry construction.

 

Two of the standards most typically used in specifications for mortar are ASTM C144 (Standard Specification for Aggregate for Masonry Mortar) and C270 (Standard Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry). While these standards cover a wide range of mortars, they do not specifically cover historic mortars used for restoration of historic and older buildings.

 

Many times when we want to replicate an existing mortar for a historic building restoration project the aggregate gradation and mortar strength falls outside of what is specified in the ASTM C144 and C270 standards. There have been projects where this deviation has become a source of contention and argument with the contractor, who claims as long as they meet the ASTM requirements referenced in the specifications we cannot reject their mortar samples.

 

These deviations are addressed and accommodated in ASTM C1713 (Standard Specification for Mortars for the Repair of Historic Masonry); however, C1713 is not referenced within C144 or C270. My goal at the conference was to introduce a revision to ASTM C144 and C270 to reference ASTM C1713 for historic restoration projects.

 

At the completion of the conference the revision to ASTM C144 had been approved. The revision to ASTM C270 was to be submitted for balloting to the membership and was expected to pass.

 

The 2015 Energy Conservation Construction Code, adopted and modified by New York State in 2016, increased requirements for the convective thermal insulation above roof decks by 50 percent for commercial buildings in Climate Zones 5 and 6  over the code that was in place just a few years ago. It makes more sense than ever to understand the Code requirements, so that money isn't wasted, and all the benefits of being code compliant are gained.

Engineering Designer Natalya Medvedev was recognized in January for 25 years of service to Klepper, Hahn & Hyatt. She was presented with a certificate and a clock with an engraved acknowledgment by the principals of the firm. Natalya has been dedicated stalwart of the engineering team through countless projects.

Gordon R. Hyatt, pictured here with Natalya, marked 52 years with KHH. Gordon is Principal Emeritus and one of the four original partners.   

 

Christina Dischiave has been hired as an Engineering Assistant at Klepper, Hahn & Hyatt. Christina began working as an intern at KHH in March 2017, transitioning into full time employment last fall. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in 2016. She is currently completing a Master's Degree in Structural Engineering at Syracuse University. Christina resides in Brewerton.