Who is NFC?
The National Framers Council (NFC) is a council of framing professionals, and a council of the Structural Building Components Association (SBCA). NFC is creating a community of like-minded framers, GCs, suppliers, and design professionals to foster better communication and collaboration among framers, design professionals, and component manufacturers. NFC’s goal is to develop standards, best practices, and professional support systems to increase knowledge, improve safety, and encourage camaraderie among framers at companies of all sizes.
NFC Mission
NFC will develop standards used as industry best practices, nationally.
NFC's Purpose
NFC membership will develop and implement best practices to:
- Help ensure all framers leave the jobsite each day in the same health as they arrived in the morning.
- Increase knowledge about business management practices and benchmarks.
- Develop training tools to increase understanding of all the details necessary to end each project with a quality framing job.
- Standardize jobsite safety practices and create common sense based best practice approaches to framing.
- Groom industry professionals and create an environment where framing is viewed as a valuable career with professional growth opportunities.
What Does NFC Do?
NFC Projects & Efforts:
FrameSAFE
FrameSAFE is the premier bilingual guide for safety on the jobsite. Written by Framers for Framers, FrameSAFE provides an excellent resource for creating an OSHA-compliant safety program that is based on OSHA Standard 1926.20.
Learn more: framerscouncil.org/framesafe
FrameSAFE Toolbox Talks
Ongoing training is key to implementing an effective safety program. It is suggested that weekly training is done at the same time each week to develop consistency in your safety culture. FrameSAFE’s extensive library of Toolbox Talks correspond with the safety manual. It is recommended that you do at least one Toolbox Talk training session with your employees each week. If a safety incident or near miss occurs, these resources can be used for immediate retraining. Each Toolbox Talk includes information in both English and Spanish as well as a Training Acknowledgement form to facilitate fast and easy record-keeping during the training session.
Learn more: framerscouncil.org/framesafe/toolbox-talks/
Lumber Connection Podcast
This SBCA podcast focuses on the latest trends in North American lumber markets. Each week, experts in the lumber industry will provide insight into the latest trends and provide timely commentary on the many factors impacting the supply and demand of the lumber used in structural components. Their commentary and analysis will be focused on the lumber species and grades most commonly used in the component manufacturing industry and will provide information you may find helpful in making your next lumber purchase.
Learn more: sbcacomponents.com/media/lumber-connection
Framing News
SBCA sends out bi-weekly Framing News updates to provide insight into general industry news and trends to provide our readership a greater depth of industry knowledge on best practices and business management.
Learn more and subscribe: sbcacomponents.com/media/framing-news
NFC Events
SBCA & NFC Open Quarterly Meetings (OQMs)
The goal of each OQM is to bring component manufacturers (CMs), suppliers, and framers together to discuss the latest issues facing the industry. Besides BCMC, OQMs are one of the most valuable investments CMs and framers can make both from the perspective of return on investment and industry-specific best practice development. Given their focus on open dialogue and social interaction, the relationship building opportunities at each OQM are unparalleled.
Upcoming in 2025
March 11-13, 2025: Charleston, SC
June 4-6, 2025: Washington, D.C.
December 2025: TBD
Learn more: sbcacomponents.com/open-quarterly-meetings
BCMC & Framer Summit
The Building Component Manufacturers Conference (BCMC) is the trusted venue for structural building component manufacturers to learn about the latest trends, cutting-edge technologies, and ideas that are transforming their industry. The Framer Summit at BCMC brings framers, component manufacturers, suppliers, and attendees together to build relationships and explore the latest developments of the supply chain for more efficient and profitable framing processes.
This annual trade show includes a dynamic exhibit floor with live machinery demonstrations, peer- and supplier-led education sessions, and many opportunities to network and enjoy the camaraderie of an industry that spans generations.
Learn more at bcmcshow.com
Texas Area National Framers Council Meeting – Fort Worth, TX – March 2024
Framers gathered together in Fort Worth, TX, during the March 2024 OQM for an evening of networking, invigorating discussions, and delicious food. One presentation included information on navigating the challenges of market conditions, with details of strategizing and adapting to market changes amidst the ever-evolving market dynamics, and how to take action both internally and externally. Another presentation was on a project site-specific safety plan, as an example of what safety measures can be put in place to comply with OSHA standards.
Learn more: sbcacomponents.com/media/framers-gather-to-connect-and-learn-in-fort-worth
NFC Regional Meeting & Charity Golf Tournament – April 2024
NFC’s annual charity golf tournament at Turf Valley Resorts in Ellicott, MD. Prior to the tournament, the event kicked off with the annual business meeting, which included updates, educational presentations, and networking amongst framers. The following day consisted of a day of golf with over 100 golfers and great fun.
Learn more: sbcacomponents.com/media/national-framers-council-golfs-for-charity
NFC Supports OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls Campaign – May 2024
NFC hosts an annual contest during OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls Campaign. This photo contest encourages framers to participate in safety stand-downs and increase safety on the jobsite, where to participate they must present and sign-off on all five of the FrameSAFE Toolbox Talks, in addition to taking pictures of any and all stand-down activities.
Learn more: framerscouncil.org/stand-down-to-prevent-falls/
HUD’s Innovative Housing Showcase Washington, D.C. – June 2024
SBCA and NFC, both a co-presenter and an exhibitor, built a two-story, 2,400 square foot home on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for HUD’s Innovative Housing Showcase. With contributions of materials and labor, this house was built in under eight hours in 2024.
Learn more: sbcacomponents.com/ihs
NFC Supports OSHA’s National Safe & Sound Campaign – August 2024
Safe & Sound Week is a nationwide event that recognizes the success of workplace health and safety programs, and offers information and ideas on how to keep America’s workers safe. NFC supports and participates in Safe & Sound Week, and in 2024 NFC provided a free Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) form, sample Forklift Job Hazard Analysis form, and a presentation deck that walks through the steps of filling out the JHA.
Learn more: sbcacomponents.com/media/nfc-supports-oshas-safe--sound-week-2024