Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner with us
MCAA Logo
Log in Sign up Join Hi, there Account
2026 Midyear Registration is OPEN
Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner
Log in Sign up Join Account

Quebec Manufacturer Involved in a Large Housing Development in Maryland

Words: Dan KamysThe masonry market is showing signs of recovery in the U.S., as evidenced by a significant construction project of residential buildings for university students – a project that is distinguished by the presence of several FRSM-20K units from Fraco.

In 2014, Towson University in Maryland began the construction of phases 3 and 4 of West Village Housing, a residential project adding 700 beds to the university campus that already has more than 2,100. For this project, two 9- and 11-story buildings have been built simultaneously in order to meet the growing demand for residences on campus. The additional housing is scheduled to be available in summer 2016.

In order to meet a tight schedule, the general contractor, Whiting Turner Contracting Co. (Baltimore, Md.), and masonry contractor, Banner Masonry (Gwynn Oak, Md.), asked Fraco Products to prepare an offer of work platforms capable of accommodating several trades with access to the building envelope. Fraco’s offer had to take into account constraints such as limited access to buildings and nearly incessant pedestrian and vehicle traffic near the site.

Fraco’s solution consisted of providing 28 FRSM-20K work platforms and two SEH Series construction hoists with a capacity of 7,000 lbs. each. The SEH Series elevators were necessary because of the impossibility of reaching certain heights with forklifts. Delivery and installation were completed at the end of summer 2015.

Considering the tight schedule and the difficult conditions of the job site, Fraco platforms were considered the best solution to allow the various trades to work cooperatively to complete the exterior envelope of these two buildings.

For more information, contact: Daniel Hurley, sales representative, Fraco USA Inc., (443) 250-7221, dan.hurley@fraco.com, or Jacques Lainé, director of marketing, Fraco Products Ltd., (514) 713-1212, jacques.laine@fraco.com.
 0
Why Mast Climbers Have Become Indispensable in Modern Masonry
August 2026

Masonry is one of the oldest trades in the construction industry, yet it continues to evolve. While the principles of laying brick and stone have remained largely unchanged for centuries, the equipment supporting masons has undergone a dramatic transforma

Julie Rainville Vera Autushka
MAP Partner
Read More
Moisture in Masonry: A Key Concern
August 2026

As building envelopes become tighter and more performance-driven, clarity around moisture management in masonry applications is more important than ever. In masonry wall assemblies, where water penetration is expected and managed rather than eliminated, t

Technical Talks
Read More
Revailo Upgrades to Platinum in the 2026 and 2027 MAP
August 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is thrilled to announce that Revailo will upgrade their Silver partnership to a prominent Platinum partnership for the remainder of the 2026 MAP and for the duration of the 2027 MAP.

Industry News
Read More
Designing High-Performance Masonry Envelopes: Selecting the Right Air Barrier System
August 2026

Aric Hutchinson
Technical Talks
Air Barriers
Read More