About TSIB

ABOUT TSIB
HISTORY: The Technical Services Information Bureau has a long rich history in wall and ceiling construction. Formerly known as the lath and plaster bureau. These efforts can be traced back almost 100 years. As a historical education and promotion group, the bureau has had significant influence over codes, standards and best practices. The following is a short timetable of some notable highlights.

  • 1924: the California Lath & Plaster Contractors Association (CLPCA) publishes the first formal guide specification on interior and exterior plastering. Cities, such as Long Beach, Los Angeles and Santa Ana quickly adopted the practices and most items become part of the first Uniform Building Code of 1927.
  • 1931: CLPCA publishes the "Historical Digest of Plastering".
  • 1940: CLPCA publishes the brochure "Sanitation Properties of Partitions". Includes more use of metal lath as a superior alternative to the wood lath commonly used as a plaster base.
  • 1941: In conjunction with the Contractor’s License Board, CLPCA develops the first written exam for "specialty" contractors.
  • 1953: The CLPCA and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) with local architects develop a new trim accessory called FHA screed. Eventually named "weep screed", this 1953 design is virtually the same design listed in today’s International Building Code.
  • 1954:  The Southern California Plastering Institute funds the Plastering Information Bureau and Walt Pruter is appointed Director of Architectural Services. Soon after J.R. “Dick” Gorman is named Director and Walt takes over the helm of the Lathing Information Bureau.
  • 1969: The bureau publishes the formal guide recommendation on control joint lay-out for cement plaster. The same recommended spacing used today by ASTM.
  • 1972: The California Window and Door Manufacturers Association, now called the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) in conjunction with the plaster bureau develop a simple and effective window flashing procedure for nail flange windows.
  • 1976: The Plaster and Drywall Systems Manual is published and used as a text book in many architectural schools across America.
  • 1979: Two layers of Grade D paper become required over wood-based sheathing.
  • 1996: ASTM adopts C 1063 as a standard, control joint spacing is adopted from the 1969 guide.
  • 2005: TSIB opens an office in Las Vegas.
  • 2008: TSIB opens an office in Phoenix.
  • 2009: The bureau develops the "Continuous Insulation" brochure to assist designers, code authorities and contractors in designing and installing rigid foam and cement plaster to meet energy code requirements.
  • 2009:  TSIB successfully lobbies to the California Board of Industrial Relations for the allowance of “surfing” on rolling scaffolds.
  • 2010: The Department of industrial Relations posts TSIB technical Bulletins on their website:
    • Bracing non load bearing partitions
    • Installing Acoustical Lay-in ceilings for Seismic Regions
  • 2010:  TSIB along with Northwest Wall & Ceiling Bureau and the Wall & Ceiling Bureau of Northern Ca. reforms the Western Conference and renames the group the Wall & Ceiling Conference.
  • 2012:  TSIB successfully lobbies for the exemption of combustible water-resistive barriers in non-combustible walls without the requirement of NFPA 285 testing.
  • 2014: The fifth edition of the Plaster & Drywall Assemblies Manual is published.
  • 2015: TSIB along with the Wall and Ceiling Conference conduct succesful gypsum board gap fire testing.
  • 2016: TSIB and other industry experts complete extensive water testing on plaster panel walls.
  • 2017: TSIB in cooperation with the Wall and Ceiling Conference conduct extensive control joint testing.