ROOFING Inside this issue: 1-3
REF Report
4-5
Apprentice Awards
4-5
Golf Tourney
6-7
Calendar of Events
51Years of Industry Service
Autumn 2010 ~ 20th Edition
EVP Report
Technical Update
CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
P
ON TO
10-11
12
“Building on 50 Years of Innovation” EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Executive Vice President Brian Hofler
Social Events “bookend” Q4 & Q1 of fiscal years
The schedule of events, both social and business, that occur during the four quarters that comprise RCABC’s fiscal year, is dictated in part by the cyclical nature of the industry, RCABC’s year end (August 31) and annual audit, as well as preparation for the meetings governed by the association bylaws and legal requirements that lead up to the AGM in December. Association business between Q4 and Q1 (June - November) may be slower in some departments at the beginning of Q4 (i.e. education and training) and busier in others (i.e. technical) due to the fact that roofing contractors and their apprentices are busy on the job. Q4 essentially begins with the last Board meeting of the fiscal year at which time budgets are reviewed and approved for next fiscal. As well, RCABC staff provides the Board with insight regarding projects in progress and / or any issues that may require input from the Executive during the summer months. The Lower Mainland Golf Tournament (pictures on following pages) is scheduled to coincide
with this meeting which essentially kicks off the summer season. In a similar fashion, Q1 (September through November) begins with the Regional Golf Tournament (held this year at the Harvest in Kelowna). This social event serves as a backdrop for the first meeting of the Board for fiscal 2011. At that time the agenda will include information on events, activities and issues that have been percolating during the summer months as well as suggested plans for association business in the new year. With that as an introduction, this is an opportune time for me to provide RCABC Members with an overview of the activities that have been taking place during the summer months as well as future initiatives and information that may have an impact on individual business plans as well as the direction of the association.
PHASE 3 - IS IT FINISHED YET? I never thought that I would be asking that question but I have to admit that this has been a s i g n i f i c a n t undertaking, one that I will be happy to have completed. Having said that it is truly, as the Zalm would say, faaaaaaannnnnnntastic. The pictures (Continued on page 2)
PAGE 2 2— —AUTUMN 2010
ON TOP
(Continued from page 1)
included here give some indication of the progress that has been made. As you can see the new steep training modules are almost complete, the shop is nearly ready for the new equipment and the work benches will be assembled in due course. We are still on track for the grand opening on October 28th.
STEEP ROOFING UPDATE: Steep roofing and steep roofers have presented challenges to RCABC and its members over the years despite the investment in education and training designed to promote professionalism in the sector. Any effort to change the culture of the steep roofing industry has been sabotaged in part by the transient and independent nature of steep roofers and also by a certain amount of complacency within the industry which sometimes takes the view that “if it ain’t broke….” From a staff perspective the quality control issues that result from poor steep roofing practices emerge as claims in the RGC Guarantee Program and have a direct affect on the members as well as the association’s bottom line. In a similar way, the rise in WCB rates for the steep roofing CU (an additional cost to RCABC members) are a direct result in the rise of “falls from elevation” as evidenced in the data collected by WCB. Regardless of whether personnel or property is involved in a claim, the blunt fact is that productivity is negatively affected when risk management, which includes injuries due to accidents as well as proper damage due to poor work procedures, is ignored. Hopefully this is about to change.
A recent presentation to Grant McMillan and the Board of the Council of Construction Associations (COCA) as well as WCB representatives by RCABC President Rod Parker and staff has resulted in support for an RCABC initiative that would help to change the way residential steep roofers are recognized in BC. The proposal is for a new program called the Registered Steep Roofer Licensing Program (RSRLP). It would be comprised of a training program that would be mandatory for all steep roofers in BC that are not registered as Roof, Damp and Waterproofing apprentices and / or do not hold a current TQ or IP ticket for roofing. It would require minor modifications to the existing Level One - Steep Roofing Apprenticeship training program, a program that focuses on all facets of safety and risk management, with emphasis on entry level steep roofing best practices. RCABC proposes that the RSRLP be considered the minimum training program for anyone working as a steep roofer in British Columbia. The goal of the RSRLP is to ensure that anyone working as a steep roofer in BC has the knowledge, skill, abilities, work practices, and attitude necessary to work safely and productively in the residential steep roofing industry. Discussion with other industry partners including the Industry Training Authority, the Construction Industry Training Organization and the R e s i d e n t i a l Construction Industry T r a i n i n g Organization, as well as steep roofing c o nt r ac to rs , will continue in the fall.
ON TOP
SUCCESSION PLANNING: I am sure that by now every roofing contractor in the province has given some thought to retirement, especially since that economic chill reminded some of us of the early nineties, or was it the early eighties? It just goes to show that my memory is also fading and therefore it seems timely to announce that my successor has been chosen by a committee of the Board (a best kept secret I am sure). Ivan Van Spronsen, formerly with D. M. Henderson Roofing Ltd., and most recently with Nelson Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd., will be joining RCABC on October 4, 2010. Ivan is an RCABC Past President, is currently the Chair of the RCA Indemnity Corporation and sits on the Membership and Inspection Committees. I am especially pleased with the choice that the committee has made given Ivan’s knowledge of the association and his understanding of the value that RCABC provides the membership. I am confident that Ivan’s experiences as a contractor will bring new insight to the position of EVP and I hope that all RCABC Members will take the opportunity of welcoming Ivan and offering him the support that I have received over these many years.
AUTUMN 2010 2010— —PAGE 3
dramatically at the next AGM, it is fitting that RCABC’s strategic planning session in 2011 is devoted to succession planning as part of its biannual SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis. Although the focus will be on change, both in demographics as well business opportunities, the intent is to bring the principal members of as many RCABC Active Members as possible together to discuss challenges and possible solutions to issues that are currently impacting the entire roofing community.
COR – CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION: Consider the following article as a short reminder that on July 1, 2011 Certificate of Recognition (COR) Compliance will become a membership requirement for all RCABC Active Members. Roger Sové is now responsible for Risk Management at RCABC. Risk management encompasses both safety as well as best roofing practices so that both people and property are protected. In his new role Roger will be contacting all members to determine their risk management priorities for the coming year. Roger comments follow: The clock is ticking only 10 more months to get your company COR certified. As of mid August 2010 approximately 31% of RCABC members are COR certified. That leaves 69% of our membership somewhere in between. Some companies have started the process, while others have yet to get started. To understand where are you and what needs to be done before the deadline of July 1, 2011 deadline you need to ask the following:
STRATEGIC PLANNING: What is the size of business that you operate? Strategic planning includes both short and long term planning with a view of what will best benefit the association and its members. Typically, the RCABC Board conducts a strategic planning session every two years. Given the theme of the previous article, and the fact that the make-up of the RCABC Board will change
Are you a Small Business or Large Business? British Columbia Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) formally CSABC draws the line at 20 employees. If your business has 19 or less employees at peak season then you’re a Small Business. These numbers include office staff as well as anyone on your payroll. (Continued on page 8)
PAGE 4 4— —AUTUMN 2010
ON TOP
TRAINING MANAGER’S MESSAGE
GEARING UP FOR CLASSES We are gearing up for a very busy training year! Despite the downturn in the economy our apprenticeship numbers continue to grow. We now have over 600 active roofing apprentices and over 140 architectural sheet metal apprentices. When you consider that there were only 34 ASM apprentices 2 short years ago it shows significant growth. Education & Training Manager Shirley Caldwell
We will be running 14 roofing classes this year and 4 ASM classes so our new metal shop and expanded exterior shop area will be put to good use. We are very excited to provide an even better facility and enhanced training for our apprentices. The coming year will also be busy with many career fairs and opportunities to promote our industry to secondary school students. The past two years we have delivered level-one roofing to secondary school students and I am pleased to report that most of those are currently working in the trade. We will be offering the next ACE IT class in May of 2011. Participants will complete in time to provide members with additional employees for the busy summer season.
Summer School: a Project for our Instructors who have been hard at work building mock-ups to be used in apprenticeship training
TOP APPRENTICE INTERIOR & BC: Tyson Nordby SL Roofing
ON TOP
AUTUMN 2010 2010— —PAGE 5
TOP APPRENTICE NORTHERN REGION
TOP APPRENTICE LOWER MAINLAND
TOP APPRENTICE VANCOUVER ISLAND:
MOST IMPROVED APPRENTICE:
Joshua Kilkenny
Ryan Wilford
Matthew Gorham,
Robert Pallos
Prince Sheet Metal & Heating Ltd.
Harvard Industries Ltd
Nelson Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd
Marine Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd
Congratulations to the 2010 Top Apprentices: Every year RCABC gives out apprenticeship awards to the Top Apprentices. These are chosen by the marks they attain throughout their training. There is a Top Apprentice chosen for each of the four regions in the province, Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Interior and the North. The apprentice that scores the highest overall is the Top Apprentice for BC. There is also an award for the Most Improved Apprentice in the province. Each award winner receives a plaque, a cheque for $400.00 and a gift (the last few years this has been a torch kit). The Top Apprentice for the province and a guest are invited to the Awards Lunch and the Roofing Reindeer Rampage held in December.
Interior Safety Symposium: WorkSafeBC hosted a Safety Symposium in Kelowna in March, 2010 to address sloped roofing issues. RCABC participated by giving an overview of RCABC and providing information on how apprenticeship training improves industry performance and promotes safe work practices. We also provided two workshops. Roger Sove instructed a full day Fall Protection, Safety Monitor course to over 20 participants and Michelle McKinnon provided Administrative training to staff of member companies. The event was well attended and WorkSafeBC would like to offer future symposiums in other regions of the province.
A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU GOES OUT TO MIKE STEWART, ROOFMART PACIFIC LTD, FOR THE ONGOING DONATION OF TORCH KITS FOR THE APPRENTICE AWARD WINNERS
RCABC LOWER MA覺NLAND
GOLF TOURNAMENT 2010
PAGE 8 8— —AUTUMN 2010 (Continued from page 3)
(Remember that if a sub contractor derives 80% of their work from one source they are considered an employee of that source). If your business has 20 plus employees you are Large Business.
ON TOP organization. Self-paced learning modules guide participants through the key components and essential steps needed. Participants gain practical experience in creating sample policies and forms that can be compiled to produce a simple, cost-effective health and safety manual.
What is the process for COR Certification?
For Large Business:
Step one is to go to the web site read the Terms of Participation document and fill out an Application. After your company has read the Terms of Unfortunately at this time the new BCCSA’s web site is not up and running however you can contact Roger Sové Participation, completed the application form and the 5 required courses, and compiled a safety manual you at roger@rcabc.org and the information will be e-mailed will need to have an external safety audit conducted to to you in a PDF format. become COR certified. The COR program operates on a three year cycle. If you are a company with 20 Less than 20 employees – take the online employees or more, you will be required to have an course Principles of Health and Safety Management and external audit conducted in your COR qualifying and re one of two options: Hire a BCCSA accepted external -qualifying years. The two years between are auditor, or have an employee take Small Business considered maintenance years and only internal audits Auditor Training course so that you can conduct internal are required. The external audits are to be completed audits. by a BCCSA approved external auditor.
More than 20 employees –you need these five Any questions please contact Roger Sové at courses, one each for, Owner/ Senior Manager, 604-882-9734 or E-mail roger@rcabc.org. Supervisor/Foreman, Safety Auditor and the CSTS Worker course plus one elective course, such as Fall Protection, Return to Work, there is a list of elective courses on BCCSA’s web site.
INSURANCE ISSUES:
The Principles of Health and Safety Management 2010 has been a pivotal year for the RCA (PHSM) Course Indemnity Corporation. RCAIC is in its sixth year and still offering liability insurance exclusively to RCABC Active Members. After negotiating a reinsurance agreement with Zurich for 2010, RCAIC offered lower This is an online program that is to be completed rates to existing as well as new insured’s. by your company. This online course will help you to Unfortunately, while RCAIC rates are more competitive build your company safety manual as you complete the than ever, they are not the lowest in the land, a sign program. BCCSA recommends that you complete this that competition among insurers for RCABC member online portion before attending the one day Small business is spirited, to say the least.
For Small Business
Business Auditors course. This online course provides an overview of the principles behind the management of health and safety in the workplace and applicable legislation. It is designed to equip owners, managers, and supervisors with the tools they need to develop an effective health and safety program in their own
Unlike most insurance providers, RCAIC has a single focus – providing the best liability insurance coverage exclusively to the professional roofing contractors that belong to RCABC. RCAIC is not about profit, it is not about the price of shares or about dividends for off shore investors. RCAIC is focused on
ON TOP roofing and the perils that professional roofing contractors may face despite substantial investment in human resources and risk management. Many, if not all the changes to current insurance policies that protect roofing contractors, are a direct result of the work of the RCAIC Board as well as the legal and investigative resources that RCAIC management has mobilized on behalf of RCAIC insureds.
AUTUMN 2010 2010— —PAGE 9 procedures are required for its removal. Tenants are required to move, businesses are closed and costs escalate. However the biggest concern for roofing contractors is that all costs associated with asbestos abatement are not covered by any General Liability insurance company policies in Canada including RCAIC's policy. This means that our contractors can be faced with substantial "uninsured" losses as the result of a loss where asbestos abatement is mandated by government authorities.
Unfortunately it is claims that usually drive the investigative process which may result in changes to risk management RCAIC is focusing its resources on procedures and / or eventually policy this latest threat. Consideration is being wording and endorsements. This is given to the development of an RCABC evident in the manner that RCAIC “… contractors can be faced Standard Contract that clarifies liability in the approached water ingress threats with substantial "uninsured" event that asbestos is discovered during a re (RCAIC included water ingress losses as the result of a loss -roofing project as well as a similar strategy protection and fought against leaky where asbestos abatement is when the more formal CCDC contract is mandated by government school claims on behalf of all RCABC used. It has also been suggested that, in the authorities.” Members) as well as torch related risk event that a fire occurs on the roof and the management procedures (“hot works”, fire department arrives on scene and no torch to wood, cold alternatives and declares the fire out – then the RCABC work procedures were all part of the Member would be required to post a 24 early discussion when policy wording hour fire watch to ensure that the fire was and endorsements were developed for RCAIC). not rekindled. This is a policy decision that will be discussed by both RCAIC and RCABC Boards. Recently two fires have revealed a new threat that all RCABC Active Members should be aware of. There will be renewed emphasis, within the Both fires were minor and were caused when torching apprenticeship and torch safety programs, on the around air vents / intakes and in both cases the roofers potential for fires at intake (particularly dryer exhaust had extinguished the fire before the fire department vents which may be plugged or exhausting into the attic personnel arrived on site. In both instances RCABC due to poor maintenance) as well as exhaust vents and Member employees had the correct equipment on the areas where differential pressure can cause flames to roof, followed proper risk management procedures, be drawn into the building. While some may suggest called the fire department, posted a fire watch and that this is a common sense issue, RCAIC will ensure essentially – did everything required of them to ensure that “common sense” is learned and reinforced by policy that the episode was handled correctly. and inspection reports. Reminder: the National Torch Safety Program (NTSP) guideline for applicators recommends that all mechanical equipment be shut down to prevent loss when working near any vents/intakes. Unfortunately these small fires resulted in significant claims as a result of asbestos being found in the buildings. Anyone that has had experience with this issue knows that if asbestos is disturbed then specific
Asbestos may be the new water ingress threat that could have significant consequences for unsuspecting RCABC Members. RCAIC will ensure that appropriate resources are directed to manage this issue effectively.
PAGE 10 10— —AUTUMN2010 TECHNICAL MANAGER’S MESSAGE
Accepted & Revised Guarantee Standards The RGC Technical Committee has made some upgrades in the plastic foam (ISO, EPS, XPS) insulation application standards in addition to requiring that all polyisocyanurate insulations have inorganic fibreglass facers. The upgrades should provide a more stable substrate for the roofing membranes and increase the efficiency of the insulation, both of which will add to the service life of the assembly. Technical Manager Jim Watson
The number of guarantees issued in the RGC Guarantee Program has fallen off slightly this fiscal year possibly due to economic pressures. However, the contract value has remained fairly constant. After five years of availability the Ten Year Guarantees have been gaining in popularity on the Five Year guarantees, increasing from 23% of the total square footage to 28% over the last year. The value of the additional term combined with the included extra maintenance inspections (at the 5 and 8 year anniversaries) is appealing to building owners that appreciate a roof that is sustainable. The RGC Board of Directors, at its meeting of June 18, accepted the following materials and roofing systems for use in the RGC Guarantee Programs.
RGC ACCEPTED MATERIALS: Roxul Inc: TopRock DD and TopRock DD Plus rockwool insulations as primary insulations without the requirement for cover boards and as cover boards for other insulations. Malarkey Roofing Products: Highlander CS AR, Ecoasis, Northwest XL AB, and Ecoasis Premium asphalt shingle brands.
ON TOP
GAF/Elk: Capstone and Timberline Cool asphalt shingle brands. Firestone Building Products: RESISTA brand polyisocyanurate roof insulation. Firestone Building Products: UltraPly TPO Invisiweld 60 mil membrane. Dow Chemical Canada: Tiempo 2000 TPO Roofing Membranes. Soprema Canada Inc: Alsan RS 230 Flash PMMA acrylic resin cold applied membrane flashing system. Soprema Canada Inc: Soprastar Flam WF SBS modified bituminous cap sheet with a LEED compliant reflective white plastic film surfacing. Soprema Canada Inc. SopraRock DD, SopraRock DD Plus primary insulations without the requirement for cover boards and as accepted cover boards for other insulations. Tech-Crete Processors Ltd: CTI / SRI Concrete Topped Insulated Roof Panels IKO Industries Ltd: SBS modified bituminous membrane waterproofing systems. IKO Industries Ltd: Armourshake brand asphalt shingles. Blue Ridge Fiberboard Inc: Structodek high density fiberboard insulation & cover board.
NEW &/OR REVISED RGC GUARANTEE STANDARDS: A4.1
INSULATION & OVERLAY BOARDS: Effective on all jobs tendered on and after September 1st 2010 Polyisocyanurate Insulations with organic (paper) facers will no longer be permitted for use on projects in the RGC Guarantee Program. NOTE: Only non-organic facers (e.g. fibre-glass or acrylic) will be acceptable for use in the RGC Guarantee Program.
ON TOP
AUTUMN 2010 2010— —PAGE11
AND: Affective on all jobs tendered on and after September 1st 2010 the following RGC Guarantee Standards A4.1.2 & A4.1.3 provide new requirements for multi-layering all plastic foam insulation types on projects in the RGC Guarantee Program. A4.1.2 Multi Layering - All square edge flat format plastic foam insulation boards, that have a thickness greater than 67.5 mm (2.7”) in thickness, shall be installed in multiple staggered layers on all adhered, mechanically attached and loose laid ballasted low sloped roof assemblies. In addition, all slope format plastic foam insulation boards greater than 150mm (6”) in thickness shall be installed in multiple staggered layers or alternatively be installed under a minimum of two staggered layers of RGC accepted insulation overlay boards. A4.1.3 Overlay Boards - RGC accepted insulation cover or overlay boards shall be installed over all plastic foam insulations on all adhered and mechanically attached low sloped roof assemblies.
Demonstration for the Technical Committee by Roxul and Soprema of mineral wool insulation application
Comings & goings: While Guarantee Administrator, Kelly Werner continues her maternity leave, Karen Esbensen (left) steps in to replace Michele Dyck who left recently, in order to focus on her young family. And Bookkeeper Stacey Buss joins us and is currently assisting Controller, Johanna Küker in our accounting department on a part-time basis. Good luck to Michele & welcome Karen & Stacey!
STAFF
RCABC BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: Rod Parker, Parker Johnston Industries VICE PRESIDENT: Tony Caputo, Eby & Sons Construction SEC’TARY/TREASURER: Laurence Matzek, Bollman Roofing PAST PRESIDENT: Eldon Donald, Coast Hudson
ADMINISTRATION:
DIRECTORS: Ray Dennis, PRC Laurence Matzek Lyle Nelson Jim Plumridge, PRC Colin Rasmussen Bruce Taylor Leonard Coughlin Jamie Mantle Ali Nanji Philip Powel
Controller: Johanna Küker, CGA: Roy Dennis Roofing Bollman Roofing & Sheet Metal Nelson Roofing & Sheet Metal Prince Sheet Metal & Heating Western Roofing (Master Roofers) Alpha-Duron Roofing Carlisle SynTec Systems Canada Soprema Convoy Supply Makin Metals
Executive Vice President: Brian Hofler, M.Ed.: executivevp@rcabc.org Executive Assistant/Events: Barbara Porth: bporth@rcabc.org johanna@rcabc.org
Bookkeeper: Stacey Buss:
stacey@rcabc.org
Receptionist/Administrative Assistant: Adele LaRiviere: adele@rcabc.org TECHNICAL & GUARANTEES: Technical Manager: Jim Watson, TQ, PRC, RRO: technicalmgr@rcabc.org Assistant Technical Manager: Rob Harris, IP, RRO: rharris@rcabc.org Guarantee Administrator: Karen Esbensen: guarantees@rcabc.org EDUCATION & TRAINING: Education & Training Manager: Shirley Caldwell, TQ, PID scaldwell@rcabc.org Registrar: Michelle McKinnon, PID:
9734 - 201st Street, Langley, BC V1M 3E8 604-882-9734 www.rcabc.org DEPARTMENTAL FAX NUMBERS: ADMINISTRATION : TECHNICAL & GUARANTEES: EDUCATION & TRAINING:
604-882-1744 604-466-0107 604-882-9684
Instructor: David Rice, IP, PID, RRO:
registrar@rcabc.org instructor1@rcabc.org
Instructor: Connor Höfler, BA, TQ:
asm@rcabc.org
Instructor: John Scott:
john@rcabc.org
RISK MANAGEMENT: Risk Management: Roger Sové, CSC, PID,IP:roger@rcabc.org
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2010 6 16 16 17 17 23
SEPTEMBER Closed Labour Day Membership/RGC Inspection Comm. Meetings, Kelowna 12:00pm RCABC Executive Committee, Kelowna 3:00pm RCABC/RGC Board of Directors, Kelowna 7:00am Regional Golf Tourney/The Harvest, Kelowna 12:30pm Technical Committee meeting 10:00am
OCTOBER 4 Entertainment Committee meeting 11 Closed Thanksgiving 25 RCAIC Board of Directors meeting 27 RCABC Executive/Audit Committee dinner 27 RCABC Nominating Committee dinner 28 Education & Training Committee
10:00am 3:00pm 5:00pm 10:00am
OCTOBER (continued) 28 Phase III Grand Opening 29 RCABC/RGC Board of Directors meetings NOVEMBER 2 Risk Management Committee meeting 5-6 RGC Accepted Inspectors Course 11 Closed Remembrance Day
1:00pm 9:00am
10:00am 8:00am
DECEMBER 2 RCABC Executive Committee meeting, RiverRock 3:00 pm 3 RCABC/RGC Board of Directors meetings, RiverRock 8:00am 4 Annual General Meeting, RiverRock 9:00am 4 Awards Luncheon, RiverRock 12:00pm 5 Roofers Reindeer Rampage Reception & Dinner, RiverRock 5:30pm 24-Jan 3 Closed—Christmas Break