BIA’s Mission
BIA’s mission is to increase the market share of clay brick and safeguard the industry.
Introduction to the Brick Industry Association
The Brick Industry Association (BIA) is the national trade association representing distributors and manufacturers of clay brick and suppliers of related products and services. BIA’s primary mission is to increase the market share of clay brick and safeguard the industry. Since its founding in 1934, the association has been the nationally recognized authority on clay brick construction and represents the industry in all model building code forums and national standards committees. BIA is involved in a broad range of activities that appeal to architects, builders, community officials, and consumers, including Technical Notes on Brick Construction, Brick in Architecture, Brick In Home Building, Builder Notes, national awards competitions, educational seminars, and numerous other programs. BIA also advocates the industry at the federal, state, and local level with its environmental, health, and safety work as well as educational programs for local municipal and planning officials. Along with the national headquarters, BIA is comprised of regional associations that manage programs in the Heartland, Midwest/Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest.
Brick in Architecture Publication
This full-color publication is produced quarterly to promote the use of brick by architects and designers. More than 100,000 copies are distributed in Architectural Record magazine and by direct mail.
Brick in Architecture Awards Competition
Every year the brick industry conducts a national competition to select and showcase the best examples of the use of brick in architecture. The competition is done in conjunction with the editors of Architectural Record magazine who convene a panel of architects for the judging. The winners are featured in an issue of Brick in Architecture and in the Brick Gallery on BIA’s website.
Technical Literature
BIA’s Technical Notes on Brick Construction, E&R Digests, computer programs and an extensive array of design and construction guides are developed to assist designers and promote the use of brick masonry. These items are available through the Brick Bookstore.
Engineering Services
BIA provides technical support services to members and users of brick. Over 5,000 requests for such assistance are handled annually.
National Building Codes and Standards
BIA represents the industry in all model building code forums and on national standards committees, protecting member interests and transferring technological developments in masonry into codes and standards.
National Liaison Activities
BIA works on behalf of members to foster a strong relationship with architectural, engineering, builder, construction and other masonry trade groups. These cooperative efforts increase brick utilization and result in lower program development costs.
Research Activities
BIA, in conjunction with masonry groups and universities, investigates brick and brickwork properties for use in advancing brick masonry technology and expanding markets.
Environmental Health and Safety Activities
BIA monitors EPA and OSHA regulations, among others, and assists members with regulatory compliance and enforcement.
Government Relations Activities
BIA represents the legislative and regulatory interests of the membership on Capitol Hill, at the White House, with Executive Branch departments and federal agencies.
Paving Promotion
BIA actively promotes the use of genuine clay brick pavers, with marketing in professional journals such Landscape Architecture and in trade publications such as Custom Home magazine.
Communication
The Membership Directory is available on BIA’s web site which also offers extensive information on the industry, the association, its members and its publications at www.gobrick.com.
The Technical Notes on Brick Construction are the most popular pages on the website, visited over 80,000 times each month, and delivering design, detailing, and construction information based on the latest technical developments in brick masonry. Drawings, photographs, tables, and charts illustrate each topic.