S PRI NG 2012 IN THIS ISSUE: FEATURES: Roofing outside the box.............1 SA MBM: the basics .................. 4 Re-roofing Commonwealth.... 16 ASSOCIATION: President’s message .................. 3 Steep slope roofing symposium draws capacity crowd ............. 22
THE VOICE OF PROFESSIONAL ROOFING CONTRACTORS
Vol. 9, No. 1 • SPRING 2012
INDUSTRY NEWS: Synthetic underlayment hits market .................................. 6 InterWrap, Habitat partner ...... 6 VIU gets green roof................... 6 Software for roofing................ 12 WorkSafeBC releases mobile contractor liability app ........... 12 Firestone’s new iPad app....... 12 NRC offers on-line tool............13 Steetz’s visit Stuttgart............. 14 Roofing Expo grows.................15 Sustainable construction program launched ................... 20 CRCA to hold conference........ 20 AFBC design challenge ........... 21 Construction crime probed .... 24 BC’s biggest mall planned ..... 24 Time to rethink safety............. 25 WorkSafe report released ...... 25 JRS opens in Calgary.............. 25 Transit prospects named ........ 26 Condo towers starting ............ 26 Colwood to see $1B project .. 27 BCCA seeks Irish workers ...... 27 Fiberboard manufacturer boasts green technology ........ 29 Firestone appointments.......... 30 Northeast BC booms............... 30 COLUMN Legal Affairs: When union action crosses the line ............ 28
The Cloverdale Recreation Centre in Surrey, BC Photo: CEI Architecture
From flawed to fabulous Commonwealth arena gets new lease on life. See page 16
Roofing outside the box: projects with a twist Unusual designs put roofers to the test RCABC member Raven Roofing seems to have been awarded the giant’s share of challenging projects in recent years. The Surrey company, in operation since 1995, now boasts three of the most
unusual projects – from a roofing perspective – that the Lower Mainland has ever seen. The Cloverdale Recreation Centre, designed by CEI Architecture, has been described as having “a striking, wave-like exterior that evokes motion and movement.”
CEI architect Sid Johnson, describing the unusual lines of the roof as “undulating”, points out that the waved edge of the roof is actually a curved parapet which forms a transition from the elevation to the roof. The building’s exterior was designed to accommodate a soffit vent on the
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backside of the curve, and allows for continuation of the vent path on the exterior rainscreen wall assembly, he explains. The building has become a landmark in the city, with its striking design components being prominently visible from the cross OUTSIDE THE BOX continued page 8
On Top Steep slope roofing symposium: safety in the spotlight. See page 22
From the President
The season for looking up Spring is here… or so I’m told. As I’m sitting here in the Lower Mainland writing this message, I am watching the grass being cut for the first time this year while a trace of snow is falling. Both the landscaper and I are looking really confused. Making matters worse, it is being reported that the temperature in places like Winnipeg and Toronto is in the low to mid 20 degrees C. And just in case we ignored those reports, we have friends from those regions calling us to gloat that they are sitting by the poolside enjoying a 20 degree temperature advantage over us. Why are emails or text messages too impersonal for these times? It just does not feel right when the shoe is on the other foot. Spring however, is the season for optimism. It is the anticipation of longer days, warming temperatures and when I expect to see new growth in the garden, improving monthly sales, and the start of hockey playoff success or the sound from the baseball bat. It also brings in the start of sports cars or motorcycles being driven on sunny days and barbeque dinners in the evening. In the roofing business, we are dependent on good weather. It is a daily topic for discussion and decisions. The current and expected
ROOFING BC
Roofing BC is published quarterly on behalf of the Roofing Contractors Association of BC and the professional roofing industry by Market Assist Communications Inc.
Roofing BC online at: www.rcabc.org Managing Editor and Publisher J. Michael Siddall Phone: 604-740-8369 E-mail: Michael@RoofingBC.ca Editor Frank O’Brien E-mail: Frank@RoofingBC.ca Production/Art Director and Advertising Associate Paddy Tennant Phone: 604-507-2162 E-mail: Paddy@RoofingBC.ca Contributing Writers Laurence Matzek Paddy Tennant Circulation Barbara Porth Phone: 604-882-9734 E-mail: bporth@rcabc.org
As for a long forecast of successful hockey precipitation, playoff season, our temperature, wind and optimism depends sometimes humidity entirely on the team are all factors that can you’re cheering for. For affect our decision to me, I hope to be able work the day or not. to wear my Canucks Fortunately, spring jersey on game days usually delivers more into June. favourable working Laurence Matzek In this edition of days than during the Roofing BC the primary focus is on winter season, giving us reason for innovation in roofing technology optimism. Now for improving and methodology. The articles will monthly sales, having our economy highlight some of the issues that remain steady, or preferably you may also have come across on growing, is as important as the your projects or inform you on the weather.
SPRING 2012
innovative approach that were implemented by either the material manufacturers, design team or contractors. Creative solutions are always on demand when tackling issues such as safety, unique design, access, occupant and building needs or restrictions, and of course weather. I hope that this will inspire thinking that is outside the box. Wishing you sunny days, profitable work, and good company around the barbeque. Laurence Matzek, President, Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia ■
While information contained in this publication has been compiled from sources deemed to be reliable, neither the publisher nor the RCABC will be held liable for errors or omissions. The opinions expressed in the editorial and advertisements are not necessarily those of the publisher or RCABC.
Executive Vice President Ivan van Spronsen, TQ ivan@rcabc.org Administrative Services Manager Barbara Porth, CAE bporth@rcabc.org Technical Manager Rob Harris, RRO rharris@rcabc.org Safety & Risk Management Supervisor Roger Sové, I.P., PID, Ad.Ed. roger@rcabc.org
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Getting the most from SA MBM Self-adhered modified bitumen membranes kill the smell but require skill, warm weather By Dermot Mack
When self-adhered modified bitumen membranes first began to show up on roofing sites, they were seen as an ideal replacement for torch-on and/or tar and gravel, especially for building owners such as hospitals, schools and apartment buildings where the threat of fire and the smell from the hot asphalt kettles were a concern. Self-adhered membranes not only meet the requirement of reduced fume tolerance by removing the use of adhesives and hot asphalt, but also help limit construction noise by eliminating the need for heavy equipment during installation. In some cases local building codes ban torching, and some owners invoke notorching policies on their buildings, so some specifiers shy away from it. Yet, the most challenging hurdle for the future of torch application is the rising cost of insurance for the roofing contractor. In Canada, where torching of modified bitumen has been the norm for almost 30 years, the rising cost of insurance is forcing even die-hard torch contractors to take a strong look at Self-adhered modified bitumen membranes are preferred over open-flame applications on hospitals and other projects where odours and fire risks are a major concern. Photo: CertainTeed alternative application methods. As expected, the use of selfadhesive (SA) membranes for use in the skill of the installer is important popular for many designers who roller and a good knife,” notes the tack properties suffer as well. flat roof commercial, industrial and prefer the bond of the heat-welded when using self-adhered bitumen Nathaniel Martin, a chemical Self-adhesive materials should be institutional applications has membranes. “Application of these cap sheet but are hesitant to offer engineer and roofing specialist with kept warm just prior to application increased. There are many good membranes can be unforgiving and heat-welded specifications to Johns Manville. in cool weather. Hot air equipment applications for SA sheet materials, owners because of the fire risk. This can often lead to false positives “This makes them ideal for may also be used to warm the selfbut there are also when bonded,” he said. This is style of application adhesive surface projects with several “ ...self-adhered numerous cautions to “Ideal application prior to installation. because it can take time for the can also ease small roof areas, for be heeded when bond of self-adhered membranes to concerns with the those with hard-toAll this can add to climate is above membranes selecting and reach full bonding strength. adhesion of a selfaccess sections, or for time and expense for 10°C – and dry” require very little installing SA sheets. “[Roofing] contractors who are adhered membrane projects that are wintertime BC Whenever self-adhesive modified unfamiliar with self-adhered sensitive to the use of equipment beyond because the use of roofers anywhere north or east of a weighted roller the heat-welded cap membranes will often struggle bitumen is installed in multiple torches but are Victoria or the Lower Mainland. In layers, for instance, the overlaps when encountering them for the several storeys in dry, warm weather, however, the and a good knife.” sheet provides and T-joints of all plies above the first time,” Martin cautioned. additional heat to elevation.” self-adhesive systems can deliver a base ply must be treated with a Still, the advantages of selffurther bond the self-adhered There are also ways to overcome roof faster than any torch-on sealant material to create watertight roofing. adhered membranes are so fear of open flame on a roof, Martin membrane to the substrate. seams. The only real option to using Less equipment pronounced that most contractors “Combining these two application explained, even among those who sealant is to heat weld the seams. are now getting up to speed on methods provides a roofing want the strength of a heat-weld. “Another advantage of selfBut it is BC’s climate that also assembly that has the bond strength their application. “By first installing a layer of a adhered membranes is their ability throws down a challenge. Most Because self-adhered membranes of a heat-welded assembly but the self-adhered base sheet over the to be used in areas that are manufacturers of self-adhesive can be installed quickly and flexibility and quick dry-in substrate (solid insulation for inaccessible for other application modified bitumen list 10°C (50°F) as methods. Without the need for hot relatively inexpensively, they offer characteristics of the self-adhered example), a roofing contractor can the low temperature limit for an excellent solution for getting a prevent the flame from reaching the membrane,” Martin notes. asphalt kettles, cold-adhesive spray application. At temperatures below project watertight, while providing a Learning curve interior air spaces of the building,” equipment or an open flame, self10°C the modulus of the selfsuitable substrate for applying the Martin, an expert in modified Martin states. adhered membranes require very adhesive bitumen is quite high and rest of the roofing system. ■ bitumen projects, emphasizes that This application has become little equipment beyond a weighted
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RhinoRoof rolls out in April RhinoRoof is a new ideal replacement for felt underlay, according to InterWrap. Photos: InterWrap
ORLANDO, FL – InterWrap is rolling out its new RhinoRoof synthetic underlayment, a #15 asphalt saturated felt replacement for use under asphalt shingles, this April. RhinoRoof was introduced at an Orlando construction trade show in February. According to InterWrap, RhinoRoof will be the only synthetic underlayment targeted at and sold in the same market price range as code rated and CSA compliant #15 asphalt saturated felt. In contrast, most other synthetic competitive products (including InterWrap’s own industry leading Titanium UDL) are targeted at #30 asphalt saturated felt replacement. According to the company, RhinoRoof is 25 times stronger than conventional #15 felt, and it provides more than twice the coverage per roll, with 17 percent more width per vertical lap. “Unlike felt, RhinoRoof can be used in extremely low temperatures without becoming stiff and difficult to unroll. It also does not dry out, crack, or leach oils in the heat like felt,” the company states. “It is also impervious to mold and requires less storage space when warehoused”.
InterWrap also claims that RhinoRoof is easier to install with no blow-offs or tears under foot, and that more product per roll means less transit and application labour – 1,000 square feet per roll as compared to 416 square feet. The company also says that RhinoRoof’s FiberGrip slip-resistant textured surface can be chalked in
the same manner as felt. Each skid of RhinoRoof contains 560 squares, compared to 100 squares for a standard skid of felt product, InterWrap said in a press release. RhinoRoof also comes with a 10year limited warranty against manufacturing defects. Watch for it on the BC market this spring. ■
InterWrap partners with Habitat for Humanity As of January this year InterWrap has formed a partnership with Habitat for Humanity Canada, a charitable organization that builds affordable housing for Canadians in need. InterWrap’s commitment will be to make roof underlayment and house wrap available for homes that will be built in Canada. In addition, InterWrap will encourage its employees, associates and customers to participate by offering technical expertise, volunteer labour and distribution services. InterWrap has designated Habitat for Humanity as its charity of choice as it is closely aligned with InterWrap’s business activities which center around providing shelter materials. Habitat for Humanity has been around for almost 35 years with operations in 90 countries. It builds approximately 250 houses in Canada each year and over 20,000 in the USA. According to the company, 90% of these projects meet provincial green building codes. This ties in well with InterWrap’s TITANIUM® UDL roofing underlayment which has recently been verified by Scientific Certification Systems for recycled content. This ensures a contribution towards qualifying for LEED points and helps builders working towards obtaining green building designations. ■
Island University opts for green roof NANAIMO – Vancouver Island University has opted for a green roof on the newest building at the Nanaimo campus, the Aboriginal Gathering Place. Once finished, the roof will be monitored by the University’s biology department to measure carbon offsets that green roofs are said to produce. The data gathered will first be used to calculate the carbon offset potential of the green roof with respect to the building carbon emissions. Second, the data related to the roof microclimatic characteristics and gas exchange processes will be used to develop and validate a process-based model of carbon exchange for the green roof. This model will be run with future climate data to evaluate the long-term carbon sequestration potential of the infrastructure. Eventually, the model will be tested for different green roofs in BC. ■ 6
Paradise Cityscape landscapers planted the green roof on a new building at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo. Photo: VIU
SPRING 2012
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The first synthetic competitively priced with 15 lb felt! From the makers of TITANIUM®, RhinoRoof is InterWrap’s revolutionary new synthetic roofing underlayment designed specifically for use under asphalt shingle roofing. RhinoRoof is up to 25 x times stronger than 15 lb felt, has a FIBER-GRIP™ walking surface and is backed by a 10 year limited warranty. So when mother nature strikes, ensure your asphalt shingle roofing has the best backup available for your money with RhinoRoof synthetic underlayment. For more information on RhinoRoof visit From the makers of
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OUTSIDE THE BOX cont’d from page 1
streets by the main entrance. But there is much more to the complex than just its ‘pretty face’ – the $22 million facility includes two gyms, a 10,000 square-foot fitness centre and numerous multipurpose rooms, all with a total roof area of just under 50,000 square feet. The waved roof area is built on a base structure of steel ribs, followed by two layers of plywood, DensDeck Prime gypsum board, Soprema’s SOPRAVAP’R vapour barrier membrane, then polyiso insulation topped off with Carlisle’s mechanically fastened 45 mil TPO. Project manager Tim Rook of Raven Roofing says that after
Photos: Bob Young Photography for RCABC
Photos: Ed White Photographics for RCABC
Photos: Bob Young Photography for RCABC
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detailed discussions with the general contractor, Dominion Fairmile Construction, Raven’s part of the project took three days just to estimate. Rook, who holds a diploma in computer programming from BCIT, used his skills to plot out the roof’s challenging “double curve” design and calculate the configuration of the TPO membrane.
All work on the waved edge of the roof was done off lifts, says Rook, with the TPO cut into fourfoot-wide strips, then overlapped carefully to form the smooth curves dictated by the design. The facility’s sustainable features include the wrapped roof skin which mitigates heat loss; and the low-emissivity roofing materials. The Cloverdale Recreation Centre roof is covered by a five year RoofStar guarantee.
Photos: Bob Young Photography for RCABC
OUTSIDE THE BOX cont’d page 10
SPRING 2012
ROOFING BC
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Detec’s moisture detection monitoring system grid installed over the vapour barrier
Installation of the insulation and cover board
OUTSIDE THE BOX cont’d from page 8
TPO up perimeter wall Sedum planted in SkyScape trays with stainless steel edges
TPO over beam SkyPavers laid over EPDM slip sheet
TPO roof membrane TPO walkway
Photo: Raven Roofing Photo: City of Surrey
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Photo: City of Surrey
Photo: City of Surrey
SPRING 2012
Next among Raven’s line-up of noteworthy roofing projects was the four-storey, 82,000 square-foot City Centre Library, designed by Bing Thom Architects (BTA) with construction management by Stuart Olson Dominion Construction. In keeping with the City’s sustainability policies, the project was designed to meet LEED silver standards. According to BTA, the exterior surface of the concrete structure is carefully detailed, eliminating the need for expensive cladding; and the outward sloped walls allow natural light to come through while providing shade from the direct sun. White roofing materials were also specified in order to reflect solar heat away from the building. Two-thirds of the roof was slated for vegetation, which demanded careful consideration of materials and procedures in advance. Although this was Raven’s first green roof, Rook says the biggest challenge was actually the weather, and the task of keeping the moisture-sensitive components dry during one of the wettest years in BC’s recent history. Raven’s crew first applied V-Force peel-and-stick vapour barrier to the primed concrete surface. Before the next stages of the roofing system could proceed, an electronic leak detection system had to be installed. The architect had specified a moisture detection monitoring system designed by Detec Systems of Sidney, BC. The system was developed to detect and identify the location of any hidden moisture intrusions before damage to building components or contents could occur. Detec’s Operating Manager Walt
Jordan explains that the moisture detection equipment is a “tape grid with flat copper conductors running through it.” If the wires are exposed to moisture, the ingress is reported via web-based monitoring. A layer of 1/2-inch sloped insulation was applied on top of the vapour barrier as soon as the Detec system was in place. Next in line was DensDeck polyiso cover board, adhered with Firestone’s low-rise polyurethane foam. The top layer was Firestone’s 60 mil fully adhered TPO, installed on all the exposed surfaces including up the perimeter walls of the rooftop. Specialty TPO walkways were added to provide access paths for maintenance crews. An EPDM slip sheet was then laid down in the areas that were designated for vegetation, as a protective layer between the green roofing components and the TPO. Based on consultations with Enzo Saponaro and Robert Jahnsen of Div7 Building Systems, Rook had decided on Firestone’s SkyScape vegetative roof line for the project. The chosen components were UVresistant recycled planting trays clipped together into geometric configurations. Once the planting was complete, the trays were bordered by snap-on stainless steel edge flashings which also concealed the irrigation lines. Firestone’s SkyPavers (made with recycled tires) were cut to fit around the trays. A landscaping team from EVL Nursery in Langley had been contracted by Rook to grow the sedum for the green roof as well as handle the planting and subsequent maintenance of the growing beds. The City Centre Library boasts a 10 year RoofStar guarantee. ROOFING BC
A tight fit: the spired dome was hoarded in and roofed on the ground. The completed assembly was later craned up and positioned to its final location (below).
One of the most unorthodox roofing projects recently undertaken by Raven was done, quite literally, from the ground up. Our Lady of the Assumption (OLA) Church, being built in Coquitlam, presented some challenging roof design features – from safety and other perspectives. But the most complex of these was a spired dome overtop a narrow elevation, surrounded by steep pitched roofs. The flat areas were slated for torch-on SBS, but Sika Sarnafil’s Décor system had been specified for the radial, domed and steep-sloped surfaces. Since the components would all have to be hand glued and heat-welded, access and safety issues had to be carefully calculated in advance. “The guys worked off ladder planks and scaffolds, using full fall arrest gear,” said project manager Jim Bannigan. As for the dome assembly, “There was nowhere [safe] for us to work”, he said, “so we built it on the ground.” The large base dome turned out to be a project in itself. There were no schematics to offer instructions on cutting and shaping the Sarnafil membrane strips to conform to the half-spherical shape, which is 13 feet high and 78 feet in circumference. It took 60 hours of layout time, trying variations on the radius and curves with test strips before a workable formula was established, Bannigan reports. General contractor Stuart Olson Dominion Construction had overseen the assembly of the large dome and its small spired counterpart. Both were framed with steel, then decked with plywood that had been cut to narrow strips. ROOFING BC
Sika’s 60-mil self-adhered fleeceback G410 (fiberglass-reinforced) PVC membrane was cut by hand into strips eight inches wide, and contoured as determined in the preliminary tests. The membrane panels were then painstakingly applied to the dome. When all was said and done, the large dome had a total of 72 hand-welded seams. The placement of the Décor profile ribs was then calculated. The design called for 12 vertical ribs in matching dark gray, plus the petal motif accented in white. Construction on OLA had begun in late December 2010, and was scheduled to complete in October 2011. When unseasonably wet weather became an obstacle, the management team had to develop some strategies for making sure it didn’t interfere with production schedules. “We can’t allow for rainy days, and we don’t,” says Bannigan. The dome was completed hoarded in on the ground, with the crew confined to tight spaces and working off scaffolds. The plastic rain covers limited the air flow necessary for regular glues to dry, so Sika’s low-VOC adhesive was used. Once complete, the assembly was craned into position on the roof. As for the main structure, the roof surfaces remained tarped until the rain let up. The all-too-brief spells of dry weather gave the roofers their only windows of opportunity to get the job done. “I don’t know if the main contractors met their deadline,” says Bannigan, “but we met ours”. OLA carries two RoofStar guarantees – five years on the SBScovered areas and 10 on the PVC. ■ SPRING 2012
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TECHNOLOGY APPLIED Example of roof models done using Google Sketchup. Photo: Google
Software for roofing Google tools, GIS and ingenuity create custom estimating systems By Frank O’Brien
There are scores of roofing software estimating systems on the Canadian market, all claiming to reduce a roofing contractor’s time and expense, yet drop into many RCABC member offices and you will find they are running a home made version. And they are using a combination of ingenuity and powerful satellites to do it. For estimator Scott Goldie of Admiral Roofing in Prince George, his custom software for flat roofs begins with a simple Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, but it draws on Google Earth and the professional version of Google SketchUp. Goldie also taps into the geographical information system (GIS) mapping program provided free by the city of Prince George. GIS, now widely used by major BC municipalities, is a fierce piece of software. Not only does it provide accurate aerial photos of any address, it also shows roadways, servicing and other information on every property. Some of the more advanced GIS programs, such as COSMOS in Surrey, even provide builder
New mobile app offers quick contractorliability clearance WorkSafeBC has released a new mobile app that gives employers, contractors, and even homeowners the ability to easily access clearance letters — anywhere, anytime. Clearance letters are notices that tell employers or homeowners whether a firm, contractor, or subcontractor is complying with WorkSafeBC’s registration and payment requirements. This is 12
The new RCMP Municipal Detachment being built in Prince George
measurements and notes when the construction was originally done. The systems rely on Google Earth to provide street views from any property as well. By using GIS, Scott can get roof measurements within a few inches on any building in Prince George. “When we get a phone call we can go to the job site with a roof plan already in hand.” “Lately I have also been using Google Earth and Google SketchUp,” Goldie explained. With these, precise measurements can often be done remotely and the crews can be given a 3-D model of what the roof looks like, he said. Most people are familiar with Google Earth and Google StreetView, which have now mapped virtually every urban landscape on the planet. Google
SketchUp6, introduced in 2007, is a 3D modelling program designed for the architectural and construction industry, but also used in everything from urban planning to filmmaking. The free version of SketchUp can export 3D images, but the Pro version – which costs around $500 – extends the exporting to a variety of computer assisted drafting (CAD) and other programs. It can also save elevations and renderings as JPEG or TIFF images. “SketchUP is simplified AutoCAD,” Goldie said. “I use it extensively on new construction. I take the blueprints and import them to create a 3D modeling for our roofing crews. We also use Google SketchUp 8 Professional – we can use it to make safety plans or to draw up details for specific jobs.” It is a long way from the original
“When we get a phone call we can go to the job site with a roof plan already in hand.” A quick sketch of a roof placed onto an import from Google Earth. Photo: Admiral Roofing
important because employers or homeowners that hire a contractor who is not in compliance could be liable for outstanding premiums. The app allows employers to request new clearance letters from WorkSafeBC, and to review existing clearance letters, requests, and contractor profiles, all from their smart phones or tablets. Sub-contractors can use the app to show on-the-spot proof that their WorkSafeBC registrations and premiums are up-to-date. It will automatically email updated clearance information back to the offices of the employers and contractors after they review it in the field. Additionally, it can help homeowners check on contractors before hiring them. Joan Taylor-Smith, WorkSafeBC manager of finance systems products, says the app will make the
clearance process more convenient for employers. “Previously, employers who wanted to check a contractor’s clearance letter status had to wait until they were back at the office,” she says. “Now, they can use their mobile devices to check right there at the jobsite — wherever that jobsite is — at any time of day. They’ll have the information they need, right away.” The clearance letter mobile app is available on the WorkSafeBC website. People using smart phones will be automatically directed to the mobile app. This app joins the ranks of another created by WorkSafeBC to assist workers and employers. In 2011, WorkSafeBC unveiled the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation app, allowing users to search and download portions of the Regulation on their smart phones. ■ SPRING 2012
RoofCAD, noted Rob Harris, technical manager of the RCABC. Some contractors still use RoofCAD and some roofing material manufacturers use a RoofCAD version for tapered insulation. All of the latest software for roofing contractors is basically enhancements of RoofCAD, allowing
estimators to figure out the amount of material and labour and provide price estimates for the entire project, Harris said. Most contractors use a hybrid system, he said, custom designed for that roofing company. “If not, all the estimates would come out the same,” he joked. ■
Out of the box Custom systems aside, there are a number of “plug and play” software packages specifically designed for roofing contractors. Here, based on Roofing BC research, are perhaps the five top systems used today in North America. XactLink XactLink is web-based roofing management software “designed by a contractor for all contractors.” Fairly new to the market, XactLink provides customer management tools, production management tracking, profitability reports, marketing reports and sales reports. See www.xactlink.com Contractor’s Office PrioSoft brought their Contractors Office product to the market in 2000 and the product now serves over 2,200 construction contractors. The company partners with Takeoff Live, PlanSwift and Envisioneer to provide digital takeoff. See www.priosoft.com Sage Timberline Estimating Sage Timberline Estimating is offered on a stand-alone basis, or as an integrated part of Sage’s construction accounting software. It offers integrated digital takeoff and can be used by nearly all trades. See www.sagetimberlineestimating.com Maxwell Systems ProContractorMX Maxwell ProContractorMX – Construction is built with the small to mid-sized construction firm in mind. Firms that find they’ve maxed out the functionality of basic accounting should evaluate this option. See www.maxwellsystems.com ComputerEase ComputerEase is a construction management system for nearly any type of residential, commercial, or specialty contractor. The company has built a large customer base since 1983 with over 6,000 contractors now using ComputerEase. See www.construction-software.com
Firestone releases iPad app Firestone Building Products has announced the availability of its new Firestone BP iPad application at Apple’s App Store. Designed for building owners, facility managers, contractors, architects and consultants, the app is free and reportedly easy to use. According to the company, it was developed to give users the opportunity to explore the complete integration of people, products and systems Firestone Building Products has to offer. The Firestone BP iPad app provides a preview of Firestone’s “Roots to Rooftop” building envelope solution with multiple views, allowing the user to explore Firestone Building Products and solutions from different angles and in a variety of real world settings with high definition graphics. It is reported to also include product specifics illustrating how Firestone solutions work and apply to a wide range of projects, including a metal colour selector feature and r-value calculator. To download the Firestone BP iPad app visit http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/firestone-bp/id496524369?ls=1&mt=8. ■ ROOFING BC
NRC’s web tool aids roof cladding design OTTAWA, ON – The National Research Council is offering a new Internet tool that could help roofing contractors design roof cladding that can withstand high winds while meeting the National Building Code. The Wind Roof Calculator on the Internet, (Wind-RCI) is available on the website of the NRC’s Institute for Research in Construction. “The Wind Roof Calculator is a duplication of the building code, so whatever is specified in the building code you can do it in Wind-RCI,” said Bas Baskaran, group leader for the NRC Institute for Research in Construction. When calculating the wind load for a roof covering, the design pressure depends on several factors, including the type of roof, slope, wind speed, building height, roof area, building terrain, building type and openings, according to a paper co-authored by Baskaran. The National Building Code includes equations and coefficients to calculate the design wind pressures and Wind-RCI uses them Bas A. Baskaran, Ph.D., P.Eng., is group leader of the with some limitations. Performance of Roofing Although it does provide calculations for Systems and Insulation subprogram at the Institute for various cities, depending on their wind speed, Research in Construction, which it does not include calculations for buildings is part of the National Research situated on hills and escarpments. It cannot Council of Canada in Ottawa. calculate the design pressures for hipped roofs, post-disaster building configurations and for roofs with overhangs, for instance. “The building code covers major roof slope configurations and so does the Wind-RCI,” Baskaran said. Users of Wind-RCI are taken through several screens and encounter pulldown menus where they select factors. To check it out, visit www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/projects/irc/calculator.html ■
THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUE CANADIAN STANDARD FOR ROOF SYSTEM WIND UPLIFT PERFORMANCE
CSA 123.21-10 Evaluates for uplift resistance of mechanically attached (MARS) or adhesive adhered (AARS) roof assemblies Can supply results for systems that do not incorporate mechanically fastening in the assembly
Can obtain wind uplift results with wood decks Allows for more informed decisions in selecting the appropriate assembly to meet the wind load demands for your building at the specification stage
SOPREMA recognized the importance and value of CSA standard A123.21-10. That is why it has many assemblies already tested and evaluated according to this standard. Please consult Soprema’s local representative or visit the EXP website for specific system test results.
www.exp.com
ROOFING BC
SPRING 2012
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Lucia Hakala, owner of WUKO Maschinenbau, with Dagmar and Peter Steetz at the WUKO booth
At the WUKO booth, Peter Steetz explains the operation of a WUKO Sprinter portable seaming machine. In the background is the Grömo Roof Drainage System
Steetz’s visit Stuttgart trade fair Peter and Dagmar Steetz of Steetz Copper Craft in Calgary travelled to Stuttgart, Germany in January to attend Europe’s most popular construction trade fair. The biannual event “Dach + Holz International”
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Karoliina Hakala, daughter of Lucia and Pertti Hakala, demonstrating WUKO tools
Pertti Hakala with customers, explaining the WUKO tools
At the Hans Schröder Maschinenbau and Schröder FASTI booth, Rainer Christl shows a full computerized brake.
(Roof + Timber), ran from January 31 through February 3, attracting manufacturers and tradespeople from all over Europe, representing all aspects of roofing and carpentry. “We had the opportunity to meet most of our suppliers there, like Schröder, WUKO, Stubai, Perkeo, Grömo and MASC,” said Dagmar Steetz, “and we didn’t have to travel all over Germany and Austria.” This gave us a chance to talk in person with them and see all their
new products,” she added. Steetz said that most companies represented at the show featured product demonstrations and materials for roofing and carpentry, but “they had an extra hall for architectural sheet metal work, where they focused more on tools and machinery.” Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The city has adopted its own tag line, “Standort
SPRING 2012
Dagmar and Peter Steetz in front of the WUKO Master
Christine Schröder demonstrates a computerized finger brake at the Schröder Maschinenbau booth.
Zukunft” which translates as “Where business meets the future”. That term could well be applied to the Steetz’s, who take pride in providing their customers with a combination of top-notch service and Europe’s most modern, best engineered tools and machinery. Steetz Copper Craft has recently expanded its business relationship with WUKO Maschinenbau of Austria (Maschinenbau is German for ‘Machine Engineering’). “WUKO
products are known for their superior quality and toughness,” says Steetz. “They are produced in small series and are only made of high-quality materials.” In addition, she says, “Each WUKO product is individually checked before it is delivered.” Steetz Copper Craft supplied the RCABC with a full line of tools and machinery for its Architectural Sheet Metal facility, which opened in Fall of 2010. ■
ROOFING BC
Ultimate Bracket named top new product at 2012 International Roofing Expo. Photo: Metal Plus
2012 Roofing Expo packed them in ORLANDO, FL – The 2012 International Roofing Expo in Orlando, Florida exceeded the expectations of attendees and exhibitors, according to organizers. Held February 22-24 in the South Halls at the Orange County Convention Center, the show saw attendance of 8,382, a 3 percent increase over the 2011 show in Las Vegas, marking the second year in a row the show has experienced an increase in attendance. The increase in 2012 coupled with the 18 percent increase in 2011 “solidifies the annual event as the industry’s most trusted source for leading-edge products, education and networking,” organizers said. “We are very pleased that the show generated an increase in attendance for the second consecutive year,” said Lindsay Roberts, Director of the Expo. “The state-of-the-art products, the cutting-edge conference program, the show floor demonstrations and clinics, along with the strong partnership with NRCA, resulted in an all-around compelling event.” In attendance were representatives from leading roofing and construction companies. Canadians represented the largest number of nonU.S. visitors to the show. Once again the Product Showcase offered the hottest new industry products. From a selection of 30 products, a panel of industry experts awarded Metal Plus with the “Best New Product” for its Ultimate Bracket. Ultimate Bracket is designed to allow metal roofers and solar installers to install their systems safely and efficiently. The Ultimate Bracket adjusts from 3:12 to 24:12 roof slopes and features a double start crank shaft system which can be used to adjust the tool one degree at a time. The 2013 International Roofing Expo will be held February 5-7, 2013, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. ■
ROOFING BC
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Re-roofing the Commonwealth RCABC contractor, premier materials complete new roof for 18-year old Saanich landmark discussed the project with potential When the Commonwealth Place bidders. Then Sika Sarnafil’s Décor complex in Saanich was built for system was suggested by Rod the 1994 Commonwealth Games, it Parker, general manager of RCABC was recognized as the most member Parker Johnston Industries advanced aquatic competition Ltd. of Victoria. facility in the world. Sika’s Technical Sales The 132,000-square-foot steel Representative, Jayne Raeburn, and concrete structure includes travelled to Victoria to present the gymnasiums, community areas, a design teams with the advantages restaurant, numerous offices and and benefits of the the crowning feature, a Water leaks had Décor system. They swimming pool covered by a 60,000 resulted in “total easily concluded it was the obvious square foot standing system failure.” choice. seam metal roof. “The Décor system was chosen In 2009, leakage problems were because of its unique ability to be detected and it was evident that the used on both the flat and sloped arena section needed to be reareas of the building. The lack of roofed. fasteners in the top two thermal The design teams of Victorialayers, coupled with the based KMP Architecture and membrane’s historic long-term Morrison Hershfield Engineering performance made it an obvious had initially been challenged to find choice,” Parker said, adding “No a system that could reliably replace the existing roof. The groups looked other product manufacturer offers the design and proven track record into a number of alternatives and
16
that Sarnafil’s Décor system does.” As explained by Raeburn, the Décor system offers “maximum watertight performance” because it includes the integrity of a hot-air welded thermoplastic membrane.
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“Sarnafil has been around for 40 years and the Décor ribs were added to the product range 15 years ago,” she noted. The Décor profile is a durable, PVC extrusion that emulates the
appearance of a standing seam metal roof on a Sika Sarnafil membrane (see sidebar, p. 19). The fact that the Décor ribs could mimic the original design intent was a huge bonus, according to Parker.
ROOFING BC
Big job with unique challenges The aging roof was in poor shape when Parker’s crews were called in to fix it, with most of the damage traced to water egress around the building’s giant
skylights in the upper portion of the pyramid. “The existing roof leaked as a result of poor skylight detailing and design brought about by cost savings at the time of original
construction,” Parker told Roofing BC. “Water had entered the roof system from the skylights and got under the metal roofing. From there, the water continued until it got under the membrane roofing
below, causing total system failure.” The amount of moisture damage found within the existing roof system, compounded with the challenges presented by unseasonal weather conditions, added significantly to the extent of work initially anticipated, said Parker. “The project was expected to have taken four to five months, but extremely wet weather from January to June of 2011 precluded an on-time finish” says Parker. “It started in December of 2010 and finished in October 2011.” The existing roof system consisted of a self-adhesive vapour barrier and steel Z-bars, covered by 4” insulation and standing seam metal panels. The components of the old metal roof had to be disassembled and removed one section at a time, to ensure that no moisture got in as the new system was going in. A 1” polyisocyanurate insulation was installed, followed by ½” DensDeck Prime, then covered by the Décor roof system. “This system virtually eliminated the thermal bridging that was evidenced in the original system,” Parker said. Adding to the complexity of the reroofing contract was that the building had to remain fully
occupied during what turned into a near 10-month job. “WorkSafeBC was quite concerned about the possibility of fumes from the adhesives being sucked into the air intakes and distributed throughout the building,” said Parker. “As a result, alternating air intake shut-downs and night work ensued for the last two months of the project, as even the Sarnacol low-VOC [volatile organic compound] adhesives could not be proven to be 100 percent safe for the general public to be around without adequate ventilation,” Parker explained. Also, no fastenings could penetrate the deck for fear of filings dropping into the active pool area below. “This posed some interesting system design issues”, said Parker. Labour-intensive Due to the unusual aspects of the project, there was more physical labour involved than would normally be associated with a roof this size. “The old metal roofing was basically un-installed,” said Parker. “Removal of the metal panels means removal of the flashings, and removing the old rusted clips and fasteners.”
The existing roof structure had a self adhesive vapour barrier, steel z-bars, 4” Deckmate insulation and a metal roof. The metal roof was removed and a 1” polyisocyanurate insulation was installed, followed by ½” DensDeck Prime, then by the Décor roof system. ROOFING BC
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Service walkway around the main pyramid roof to enable access and to allow for rooftop mechanical equipment.
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ROOFING BC
Sika Sarnafil Décor: a single-ply alternative to metal roofing
The screens re-made with new cedar and raised to accommodate the Sarnafil flashing details, and the mechanical ductwork re-installed to new curbs.
The peak of the roof, above the skylights, has not yet been finished. Parker explains that the original skylights and details (the sources of the original leaks) will be replaced this summer. After they are in place, installation of the remaining Décor ribs and finishing (on the top of the ‘pyramid’) will resume. Parker estimates that Wells Klein Consulting Group has conducted “about 50” inspections on the project so far. Phase 2, although smaller than Phase 1, will be no less complicated. Parker is confident that Wells Klein will be with him every step of the way. Once the roof assembly is complete and the final inspection passed, the new Commonwealth Place Arena roof will be covered by a 10-year RCABC RoofStar guarantee. Then, Parker says, Commonwealth Place will remain a Victoria-area landmark for decades to come. ■
Ce Certified rtified Syste System m
As the old metal panels were removed from the roof they were cut into lengths, packaged into bundles, craned in bulk off the roof and placed into bins to be sent for recycling. “Heavy rolls and equipment were hoisted via crane from the North parking lot and rolled up the 3:12 roof slope with brute force,” says Parker, “while the crew gained access by scaffold stairs on the West of the roof.” The rooftop equipment screens were rebuilt using new cedar then re-installed and raised to accommodate the Sarnafil flashing details. In addition, the large mechanical ductwork had to be completely removed and re-installed to new curbs. RoofStar protection pending Phase 1 of the new roof is a sealed system, with additional insulation and overlay board adhered over the existing Z-bars and Type 4 extruded insulation.
The appearance of metal roofing can be created on both new and reroofing projects by using Sika Sarnafil’s Décor, a thermoplastic PVC single-ply membrane and decorative rib configuration system. The Sika Sarnafil PVC membranes can be either mechanically fastened or fully adhered to an acceptable substrate. A felt-backed membrane may be used to hide insulation joints and insulation plates. A proprietary profile rib made of the same membrane formulation is heat-welded to the thermoplastic roof membrane using the Sarnamatic hot air welder with a patented welding kit. The kit permanently welds the rib to the thermoplastic membrane, achieving a weld that is said to be even stronger than the membrane itself. Décor provides ultimate flexibility with the size and shape of the profile system. The profile can even be laid out on a portion of the roof in order to determine the final spacing and location of ribs for desired aesthetics before welding into place. The Décor profile ribs come in ten-foot sections that are connected A complete on the roof and permanently fused to the membrane using Sika’s Sarnamatic hot-air welder. set of details is available to replicate metal roofing and ensure a watertight condition. Using AutoCAD, there is also the ability to show what the profile roof will look like on a specific building. The isometric of the roof can show colour options and can vary spacing of the ribs – a “virtual roof” presentation. Many property owners and architects have selected the decorative profiles as a very cost-effective alternative to architectural metal. Roofing crews are trained in all aspects of the Décor system by Sika’s technical service reps before installation begins.
MC
ISO 9001 9001 14001: ISO 14001: Pointe-Claire Pointe-Claire
ROOFING BC
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VRCA launches ‘sustainable construction’ certification VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) has introduced the Excellence in Sustainable Construction (ESC) Certification Program, one of the first of its kind in North America to certify a construction company, rather than a construction project, and members of the RCABC were among the first to sign on. The aim of the associationdeveloped program is to encourage the three pillars of sustainability within construction companies, finding synergies between profits, protecting the environment and supporting communities. As of January, 15 construction companies were registered in the ESC program. A pilot version of the program was initiated in July 2011, which resulted in four successful applicants: RCABC-member Flynn Canada Ltd., Scott Construction Group, Gerry Enns Contracting Ltd. and Lark Group. The four companies received ESC certification on February 23 at a launch and recognition event in Vancouver. “The VRCA is extremely pleased to offer this industry-leading sustainable construction program with a focus on certifying the actual construction company, rather than a specific building or project,” said Keith Sashaw, VRCA president. “We feel certification will provide a tremendous competitive advantage to members who wish to
pursue it, while fostering all three areas of sustainability among the industry. This is an approach we hope will grow beyond Vancouver and BC.” Through the new program VRCA aims to encourage its members and the construction industry to integrate sustainability into products, processes, and practices. The certification program addresses the corporation’s obligations, not just to the shareholders, but also to the social and environmental initiatives of the businesses. Customized features of the program include: • Program guide and course on creating a sustainability plan; • Ongoing support from program staff throughout certification; • Software to manage carbon emissions; • Webinars, seminars and resource library to for members; • Online discussion forum with ESC companies; • Published recognition through VRCA • Use of the ESC logo on websites and collateral materials • Ability to publish greenhouse gases (GHG’s) on websites. A third party auditor will review company policies and practices to determine a company’s sustainability score. Those who qualify will achieve an “ESC Certified” designation from the VRCA. ■
CRCA to hold annual conference The annual conference of the Canadian Roofing Contractors Association will be held June 2-4 at the Hotel Fort Garry in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The conference will launch Saturday June 2 with a reception / cocktail party for delegates and their partners. Sunday June 3 will start with a humorous motivational talk by Scott Burton, followed by a presentation on succession planning. For the afternoon, attendees have a choice between a golf tournament at the Selkirk Golf and Country Club or a visit to De Luca’s Cooking Studio where Chef Anna Paganelli will demonstrate the preparation of a variety of authentic Italian dishes. The cooking demo will be followed by a tour of historic Lower Fort Garry. In the evening, everyone will meet for dinner and entertainment. Photos: Hotel Fort Garry Monday morning (June 4) begins with the CRCA annual general meeting, followed by a presentation about the unique design and construction of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights that is being built in Winnipeg. The President’s Gala Evening on Monday night will cap off the conference with music and dancing. More information and registration is available at www.roofingcanada.com. ■
S PRI NG 2011
IN THIS I SSUE:
FEATURES:
THE VOICE OF PROFESS
Member profile
IONAL ROOFING CONTRAC
TORS
Vol. 8, No. 1 • SPRING
Capital impact Parker Johnston has shaped Victoria’s skyline
By Frank O’Brien
nelsonroofing.com
camair.ca
Roofing Systems Installation Industrial Commercial Multi-Family Residential All Roofing Systems
Industrial Cladding Architectural Wall Panels Structural Steel Decking Commercial HVAC Systems Custom Sheet Metal
Proudly Affiliated With:
VANCOUVER ISLAND SHEET METAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
Head Office – Cumberland
250.336.8088 Campbell River
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Vancouver Island • Sunshine Coast 20
SPRING 2012
Rod Parker, immediate past president of the Roofing Contractors Association of BC and general manager of Parker Johnston Industries Ltd., of Victoria, is no newcomer to the roofing industry. According to Parker, when his school principal “gave me off” at age 12 he landed a week a job packing half-buckets of tar to a Victoria rooftop. The education proved Today Parker, 34, helps profound. head one of Vancouver Island’s largest roofing contracting companies. With a staff of 250 with 35 field crews, Parker has been involved in some of the biggest – and most challenging – construction projects in BC’s capital city. In the past two years alone, Parker Johnston has completed roofing contracts for the Jubilee Hospital Patient Royal Care the 17-storey, glass-roofed Tower, office tower downtown, Atrium the University of Victoria Social Sciences and Mathematics, the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence and all four phases at the giant Dockside Green, said to be the most environmentally progressive development in the world. Currently, the veteran firm is working on contracts for the 80,000 square-foot Uptown Phase shopping mall in Saanich; II Land Rover Victoria and the North Saanich Middle School. PARKER continued
RCABC: changing
of
Strategic planning
in
the guard Not good-bye, but see you soon. See page 5
RCABC members map Phoenix the future. See page 3
on page 6 Rod Parker, general
PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40014608 RETURN UNDELIVERABL E CANADIAN ADDRESSES
2011
Member profile: Parker Johnston Industries......... .........1,6 Project profile: BC’s first cleaning roof installed air..............8 Innovation: TPO coated accessories ...........10 Vegetative roofing systems .. 12 Tying off for fall protection.... 14 Profile: Pro-Line .......................15 Roof Lifters: adding space ..... 21 ASSOCIATION: President’s message .................. 3 Crane certification in effect ...... 4 CRCA ROOFTech 2011 ...............4 Changing of the guard .............. RPM now online ....................... 5 5 Subscribe to Roofing BC ........17 INDUSTRY NEWS: Reroofing dominates BC........... 4 Modular homes for BC? ......... 16 JM building EPDM plant.........16 Canada Place’s PTFE roof ...... 16 Blind leading the sighted ....... 17 RKW buys Danafilms........ ...... 19 Colourful roof shingles ........... 20 Architects’ festival coming.......18 Carlisle’s new Polyiso plant....18 Steels, Owens Corning deal... 18 COLUMN Legal Affairs: Ugly Facebooks ....................... 22
Clearing the air
manager of Parker
Johnston Industries
Ltd., Victoria
Old technology finds new cleaning Noxite roofing life in airproducts. See pages 8-9
TO:
Roofing Contractor s Association of BC 9734 201 Street Langley, BC Canada V1M 3E8
Your official magazine, reaching key roofing professionals and specifiers throughout British Columbia Book your next ad now! 604-507-2162 Paddy@RoofingBC.ca ROOFING BC
MAKE MORE $$$$ ON YOUR LADDER “Historically, most houses were constructed as ’100 mile’ houses from caves, sod houses, log cabins and stone houses to the First Nations’ indigenous cedar houses, tepees and igloos. People worldwide used whatever available materials were at hand to build shelters for themselves and their families.”
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AFBC poses ‘100 mile house’ design challenge shelters for themselves and their families.” Although based in Vancouver, this is a global competition. Architects, designers, artists, students and others from around the world have been encouraged to submit their ideas. A jury of internationally recognized experts will evaluate all the submissions for sustainability, technical innovation, architectural merit and regional sourcing. The winners will be announced following a cocktail reception on May 19th at the Vancouver International Film Centre. For details, see www.100mh.architecturefoundation bc.ca. ■
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VANCOUVER – The Architecture Foundation of British Columbia has launched an international design competition entitled the 100 Mile House Open Ideas Competition. The objective is to design a house to accommodate four people with a maximum area of 1200 square feet using only materials and systems made, manufactured or recycled within 100 miles of Vancouver. As observed by the AFBC, “Historically, most houses were constructed as ‘100 mile’ houses from caves, sod houses, log cabins and stone houses to the First Nations’ indigenous cedar houses, tepees and igloos. People worldwide used whatever available materials were at hand to build
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NEVER NEVER UNDERESTIMATE UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE IMPORTANCE OOFF A CCOMPREHENSIVE OMPREHENSIVE RROOF OOF GGUARANTEE UARANTEE
OORR TTHE HE SSTUBBORN TUBBORN DETERMINATION DETERMINATION OF OF A SINGLE SINGLE
RRAINDROP AINDROP TTOO GO GO WHERE WHERE IT IT DOESN’T DOESN’T BBELONG ELONG
All roof ing guarantees are not created equal. Case in point: a non-prorated RoofStar Guarantee by RGC is good for f ive- or ten-years and completely covers all labour and materials. RoofStar is also the only one that includes a comprehensive inspec tion schedule overseen by independent, third-par ty inspec tors who monitor the installation process and follow-up inspec tions at pre-determined inter vals. All of which is comfor ting. Because the only thing more determined than a raindrop is our commitment to make sure none of them ever go where they don’t belong. RoofStar: RoofStar: New New name. name. Same Same great great guarantee. guarantee.
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SPRING 2012
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Steep slope roofing symposium attracts sell-out crowd ‘Stay on Top’, a steep slope roofing symposium, was held on March 28 at the RCABC’s training facility in Langley. The event, co-hosted by WorkSafeBC, RCABC and BCCSA, drew so many people that registration had to be cut off a week beforehand. The speakers addressed a range
of topics, from their own personal accounts of life-altering events, to the technical and business aspects of safety issues. Oral presentations were backed up by displays and visual aids, hands-on information sessions led by WorkSafeBC officers, and demonstrations by representatives
from safety equipment companies. A number of concepts were repeated throughout the day. Even though they came from different perspectives and in different contexts, they shared two common threads – that safety is everyone’s responsibility, and that accidents are preventable. Nathan Da Costa and Steve Tracy describe the details their terrifying fall from a residential roof two years ago. “We are lucky to be alive”.
Don Schouten, WorkSafeBC’s Manager, Construction Industry and Labour Services
Diana Miles, Senior Vice President of Operations, WorkSafeBC
Ivan van Spronsen, Executive Vice President, Roofing Contractors Association of BC: “We can always do better”
Wilfried Lehmkuhler, Health and Safety Manager for Marine Roofing, discusses the importance of safety to the ‘bottom line’
Dave Coleman, Director of Operations, BC Construction Industry Training Organization
The unexpected nature of accidents was the subject of visual reminders everywhere on the site.
A shared purpose: “Let’s make this industry safer than it is”
22
SPRING 2012
Urvi Ramsoondar, Manager of Services, BC Construction Safety Alliance ROOFING BC
WorkSafeBC Occupational Safety Officer Andrew Kidd discusses written site-specific fall protection plans
Darren Hawryluk, Capital Safety’s Territory Sales Manager for BC, conducted drop test demonstrations for a captive audience. Hawryluk used a 220 pound test weight to educate spectators about the potential damage a suddent drop can cause, even if only a short distance. Hawryluk then suspended a volunteer in a mock fall arrest situation to illustrate how quickly a harness can restrict blood flow, hence the necessity for quick action on the part of rescuers.
Safety specialist Joe Wall of Hazmasters demonstrates the use of lifelines on a roof.
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WorkSafeBC Occupational Safety Officer Jaret Swanson (middle) and colleagues lead group discussions about fall protection
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The Ono Work and Safety representatives display some of their lines of safety footwear. L-R: Ben Grossmann, Dave Montgomery and Dinald (Dino) Nore
The Hazmasters team: safety specialists Joe Wall, Colin Wingrove and Steve Marcher with Steve Gordy, HazSafeED instructor and Derek Malone, National Sales Manager
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We are BCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s provincial construction safety association. Working with industry, we develop or over 39,0 0 0 construction employers health and safety programs, tools and resources ffo and their workers. The BCCSA is dedicated to raising health and safet y awareness and preventing or minimizing the impac t of accidents and injuries through: Â&#x161; IW\[j o jhW_d_d] WdZ [ZkYWj_ed _d Wbb h[]_edi e\ j^[ fhel_dY[1 Â&#x161; Ed#i_j[ YedikbjWj_edi1 Â&#x161; :[l[befc[dj e\ jeeb#Xen a_ji" cWdkWbi" WdZ ej^[h iW\[jo h[iekhY[i1 WdZ Â&#x161; ?d`kh o cWdW][c[dj%h[jkhd je meha i[h l_Y[i$ Whatever your question, we can help. L_i_j ekh m[Xi_j[ Wj mmm$XYYiW$YW eh YWbb '$.--$.,&$),-+
R Raising aising A Awareness, wareness, Reducing Reducing Injuries Injuries ROOFING BC
SPRING 2012
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Construction crime study appears flawed MONTREAL, PQ – An $80,000 six responded by putting forward federal study into organized crime representatives willing to speak, the in the construction industry in BC government states. and Quebec was plagued by However, the Vancouver Regional people’s refusal to cooperate, Construction Association (VRCA), the according to Public Safety Canada. Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ But a Roofing BC Association and the “The involvement investigation shows RCABC say they of organized crime that leading BC were never in the Canadian construction groups, approached to construction sector is including the participate in the virtually non-existent.” survey. “We were Roofing Contractors Association of BC, were never even never asked,” said Keith Sashaw, contacted for input into the survey. president of the VRCA, the biggest Of the 35 organizations construction association in BC’s contacted by the study authors, only largest city. Ivan van Spronsen,
SHEET METAL WORKERS LOCAL UNION NO. 280
Representing Roofing, Architectural Sheet Metal and Production Workers
Phone Fax Toll Free Web Email Postal
604.430.3388 604.431.1864 1.800.242.8645 www.smw280.org agents@smw280.org 6188 Kingsway Burnaby, BC V5J 1H5
Business Manager Jim Paquette Assistant Business Manager Dan Burroughs Business Representative Greg Mooney Organizer Ken Elworthy
Serving the Lower Mainland from the Fraser Valley to Squamish
s Full line of IKO commercial products s Safety equipment and tools s RoofAquaGuard UDLX high performance roofing underlayment s Chutes International construction debris chutes s Plywood s Drill point fasteners for ISO board & EPDM membrane with plates (Sizes 1-5/8" to 8") s A.R. EPS foam silver rigid insulation board s Custom made skylights, any size s Chain link and cedar fencing s Custom flashing s Concrete and clay roofing tiles s Low slope shingles
executive vice president of the RCABC, which has members right across the province, said he had not only not been contacted about the study, he was surprised the construction crime issue was even being looked at. “Seriously? I’ve never heard of any such thing in BC, period,” van Spronsen said. The study, “Economic Sectors Vulnerable to Organized Crime: Commercial Construction” was commissioned by Public Safety Canada in 2010 to look specifically at Quebec and British Columbia’s industries. A final copy released to The Canadian Press under the federal Access-to-Information Act says the study authors tried interviewing
BC’s largest mall to be modelled after Calgary giant Giant mall in Tsawwassen will be modelled after 32-acre CrossIron Mills near Calgary, shown at right. Photo: Roofing BC files
TSAWWASSEN – The biggest shopping mall in British Columbia is to be built on former farmland in South Delta and will be modelled after the second biggest retail centre in Alberta – the giant CrossIron Mills north of Calgary that sports the largest roof in Western Canada. Earlier this year members of the Tsawwassen First Nations voted overwhelmingly to proceed with the retail development that will include two malls with a total coverage of 2.3 million square feet. This would be bigger than the Metrotown Mall complex in Burnaby, the largest shopping centre in the Metro region. The Tsawwassen First
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24
contractors, union sector is at a representatives, moderate to high risk provincial prosecutors of corruption and and law-enforcement organized crime. agencies. However, the study Twenty-nine of the also notes that hard 35 institutions they data prosecutions contacted either show “the refused the invitation involvement of to participate or organized crime in the simply did not Canadian construction Keith Sashaw of VRCA: “never respond to the sector is virtually nonasked” Photo: VRCA request. existent.” The study was ordered in the In BC, the problem identified was midst of corruption controversies in not crime, but that many qualified Quebec, where a public inquiry has bureaucrats retired or moved to the begun while the provincial police private sector, leaving a and the Canada Revenue Agency considerable gap in expertise. In investigate construction firms. 2001, public agencies in BC became The study concluded that the responsible for their own Canadian commercial construction procurement. ■
SPRING 2012
Nation voted more than 95 percent in favour of the two proposals, which don’t require Delta’s approval, on January 18. The 180acre site had been part of the Agricultural Land Reserve but was pulled out when it became part of the First Nation’s treaty settlement lands. The First Nation’s economic development corporation has entered into a memorandum of agreement with Ivanhoé Cambridge and Property Development Group to develop the shopping and office complex just off Highway 17 at 52nd Street. Ivanhoé Cambridge’s project would comprise 1.2 million square feet of destination retail and entertainment space. Named Tsawwassen Mills, it would follow the model of the huge CrossIron Mills mall north of Calgary and Vaughan Mills near Toronto, according to Ivanhoé Cambridge spokesman Gordon Wylie. The CrossIron Mills covers 32 acres under a single roof and the interior shopping stroll totals more than 1.3 km. Property Development Group, meanwhile, plans to develop an adjacent retail mall called Tsawwassen Commons. This 550,000-square-foot centre would have approximately 17 major retailers and more than 175 smaller retail shops, a food court and retail kiosks. Plans call for the mall to be designed “around BC themes, including a distinct Coast Salish component.” There have been rumours of bigbox outlets such as Walmart locating on the First Nation lands. But John Scott, vice-president of new development at Ivanhoé Cambridge, said it’s too early to make any announcements regarding tenants. ■ ROOFING BC
Time to “rethink” safety BURNABY – Jeffery Lyth, director of corporate health and safety for ITC Construction Group and regional safety co-coordinator with the BC Construction Safety Alliance, says many safety programs are ineffective in reducing work place accidents to a minimum. “Many owners have told me, ‘This is frustrating. I’ve been doing all of the things I’m supposed to be doing, but still there are accidents. So what’s the return on having a safety program, other than keeping me out of trouble?’” he said. Lyth said one of the reasons why the construction industry has plateaued on the return of investment from safety programs is that many companies regard them as onerous nuisances that are mandated by an outside agency, which in BC is WorkSafeBC. “When you look at safety that way, naturally you’ll want to do the bare minimum, to obey the letter of the law, rather than the spirit.” Lyth said the construction industry needs to re-think the way it delivers safety training and education. “Many construction companies think of safety as peripheral to their core business, but in fact it’s central,” he said. “To excel at workplace safety, they need to focus on all the little details that are often overlooked, but when done right, add up to a more efficient operation. They need to make safety part of how they do business,” Lyth told the Journal of Construction. ■
WorkSafeBC releases 2011 enforcement report JRS Engineering opens Calgary office WorkSafeBC reports that it imposed 352 penalties in 2011, totaling $4,883,489.89 against employers for violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and the Workers Compensation Act. Among the most alarming data in the report was that 103 of those – almost one third of the total – were issued to employers in steep slope roofing, making it the industry class with the most penalties. All the roofing companies listed in the report had been fined for issues regarding lack of fall protection, many for repeated violations. In all industry groups province-wide, fines were imposed against a total of 289 individual employers, with amounts ranging from $700 to $250,000. Sixteen of those penalties involved work-related fatalities. “Monetary penalties are imposed on employers for repeated or serious violations of occupational health and safety regulations, and to motivate them to comply with their legal responsibilities,” said Jeff Dolan, Director of Investigations for WorkSafeBC. “An employer is not penalized if they have taken all reasonable steps to prevent risks to their workers.” ■
Building envelope consulting firm JRS Engineering Ltd. is pleased to announce the opening of its new branch in Calgary, Alberta. From this location, JRS is extending its engineering consulting services to meet clients’ building envelope and roofing needs throughout Western Canada. Running the Calgary office is David Taguchi, AScT, RRO, a member of Applied Science Technicians and Technologists of BC (ASTTBC), an RCABC approved inspector and RCI Registered Roof Observer with extensive expertise with virtually all types of roofing and waterproofing assemblies. Taguchi notes that due to the growth in the Calgary area, there seems to be a demand for new people and fresh ideas. So far, most of the projects requiring his expertise are new construction, but he sees great potential for breaking into the restoration and retrofit areas as well. JRS Engineering was founded in 1998 by Joel R. Schwartz. Its head office is in Burnaby, BC. ■
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FALL 2011
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Member profile: Olymp
Former Olympic wrestler Dean DeHamel is turning his young company into an industry contender By Frank O’Brien
Port Coquitlam roofer Dean DeHamel came within a match of representing Canada at the Beijing Olympics in 2010, and the nationally ranked wrestler young now has a solid grip on the local roofing industry.
Vol. 8, No. 3 • FALL
2011
Roofing
ic Roofing Ltd.
As founder and president of aptly named Olympic Roofing Ltd., and one of the latest members of the Roofing Contractors of BC, DeHamel believesAssociation he knows what it takes to build a winning company: hard work, talented crews and the experience to take on any contract. and guts
DeHamel, 34, started Roofing in 2001, shortly Olympic completing his RCABC after apprenticeship training with
Western Roofing Ltd. of Kamloops. “It all started as a summer job,” he recalls, with his first roofing job the expansion of Thompson River University, where he worked on both flat roofs and metal sheets. Recalls DeHamel: “I remember walking to school one morning in Kamloops with my nice clean clothes and I saw Western working on a warehouse Roofing with the tar kettle smoking and the workers on the roof with dust all over them.
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Member profile: Olympic Roofing ..........................1 LEED the new normal ............... 8 Nelson Roofing wins ASM awards ........................... ....12 Fall protection hierarchies....... 16 ASSOCIATION: President’s message .................. 3 Steep roofing partnership between RCABC, CITO............... Admiral saves boathouse....... 6 20 INDUSTRY NEWS: New roof walkway system....... 6 Roofing Expo booking .............. 6 BC’s Commercial outlook brightens.................................... .. Largest solar roof complete....109 Hurricane-proof nail................ 11 Steep slope better in high winds................ ..................11 New wood building guide.......11 BC Building Code delayed.......11 Firestone’s SA TPO and weatherproof vapour barrier membrane....... ..............14 Metro building permits up......15 WorkSafeBC gets creative ...... 18 Roofing BC coming online .....18 BC Housing aids building science programs ......................19 China’s Ghost Cities empty .... 21 RCI waterproofing seminar ... 21 CSC presents free fair ............. 21 COLUMN Legal Affairs: Postemployment restrictions ....... 22
Award-winning ASM
I thought to myself, ‘man I would never want to do that job – it’s hot and dusty, glad I’m going today’, but only a couple to school later that’s right where of years I ended up, now I look back and just laugh. DeHamel started Olympic ” with an old Ford pickup and Skidoo trailer he borrowed from his dad. His first contract was installing shingles for Sears residential and he then moved onto commercial OLYMPIC continued
on page 4
Nelson Roofing takes ASM work to new heights. See page 12
Fall protection 101
First in a series. See
page 16
TO:
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25
Short-list named for Evergreen Line contracts
The Port Moody station will be among six Evergreen Line stations; most made from architectural metal. Photo: Evergreen Line Rapid Transit Project Office
VICTORIA – BC’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has narrowed the list of proponents to build the $1 billion Evergreen Line rapid transit project down to three finalists: • EL Partners – includes Vinci Construction Grands Projects, Vinci Concessions, BA Blacktop Ltd., Bombardier Transportation Canada Inc., Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc., HNTB Canada Inc., GENIVAR Inc., Merrick Architecture – Borowski
Sakumoto Fligg Ltd., Exp Services Inc., and McElhanney Engineering Services Ltd. • Kiewit/Flatiron Evergreen Line – includes Peter Kiewit Infrastructure Co., Flatiron Constructors Canada Ltd., HOCHTIEF Aktiengesellschaft, Kiewit Infrastructure Co., Parsons Canada Ltd., Hatch Mott MacDonald Ltd., and Stantec Consulting Ltd. • SNC-Lavalin Inc. – includes SNCLavalin Inc., Graham Building
Services (a JV), International Bridge Technologies Inc., Jacobs Associates Canada Corporation, PCL Constructors West Coast Inc., Rizzani de Eccher S.p.A., S.E.L.I. Societa Esecuzione Lavori Idraulici S.p.A., SNC-Lavalin Constructors (Pacific) Inc., SNCLavalin Constructors (Western) Inc., and MMM Group Ltd. Technical submissions from the shortlisted teams are due in April 2012, with financial submissions due shortly thereafter. A preferred
proponent is expected to be selected by summer 2012, with major construction starting after that. Separate tenders will be issued in the near future for advance works such as road widening, building removal, moving utilities such as electrical and natural gas lines and the relocation of CP Rail tracks. In preparation for construction, advance works are expected to start in early 2012. The Evergreen Line is scheduled to open in summer 2016 and will
be a new rapid transit line connecting Coquitlam to Vancouver via Port Moody and Burnaby. It will be a fast, frequent and convenient SkyTrain service, connecting Coquitlam City Centre through Port Moody to Lougheed Town Centre in approximately 15 minutes. The stations along the Evergreen Line will be made from architectural sheet metal, which opens opportunities for a number of RCABC member contractors and suppliers. ■
32 concrete condos towers to break ground VANCOUVER – A wave of 32 new concrete condominium buildings will deliver 8,000 units of pre-sale condominiums within in the next six to eight months across Metro Vancouver. This is the highest level of new concrete product since 2006 when 8,700 high-rise units were launched, according to a survey by MPC Intelligence of Vancouver. As a comparison, 8,700 concrete presales began marketing in all of 2010 and 2011 combined. MPC estimates that 4,400 new concrete high-rise units were sold in 2011. There is an equal amount still for sale across the region. “While the early spring is traditionally a busy time for developers to introduce new projects, weaker demand in some areas and slower city approvals towards the end of 2011 caused a number of developments to ‘push
The Versatile Building, planned for 61 condo units in North Vancouver joins a rush of condo construction. Pictured left to right is City of North Vancouver Mayor Darrell Mussatto and Intracorp President Don Forsgren at the groundbreaking February 23. Photo: Intracorp
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back’ scheduled fall launches into 2012, making this New Year that much busier. This oncoming supply is predominantly concentrated in the major markets of the GVRD, with less of a focus on the Fraser Valley (with the Surrey City Center node being the exception) and, unlike some previous years, is heavily weighted with high-rise product,” reports Jeff Hancock at MPC. MPC notes most of the new concrete towers – the average building has 250 units – are being built by well-financed, well-qualified developers, and many of them are counting on continued Chinese buyers, which some experts warn may be a stretch. Much of the action is taking place in Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster and Richmond, with less concrete being poured in the Fraser Valley. ■
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Colwood hosts $1B project COLWOOD â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Victoria-based League Financial Partners has launched a $1 billion mixed-use project on Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s West Shore. Capital City Centre, the biggest urban development on southern Vancouver Island, is replacing two 30-year malls and creating a new downtown in Colwood with a near 14-acre development that will include housing, retail and four floors of office space. The construction contract is expected to require more than 500 workers and take years to complete. League CEO and co-founder Adam Gant envisions the office space being snapped up by hightech and dot.com companies. London Drugs is the current anchor but Gant said negotiations are underway with two national food stores, one of which will open a 35,000- square-foot outlet. The first phase of the project will be developed in three sub-phases over the next five years. The initial work includes a four-storey residential building over a new 35,000 square foot London Drugs, a five-storey office building and three additional retail buildings. The second step of the first phase will feature a 26-storey residential tower, making it the tallest building on Vancouver Island. Concurrent phases will include a second 26-storey residential tower, a four-storey residential mid-rise building, the grocery anchor and additional retailers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By the time we complete this will become the highest-density
$1 billion retail, office and condo complex has started at Colwood, Vancouver Island. Photo: League Financial Partners.
project in the region,â&#x20AC;? Gant said. Colwood is a good choice for a new retail venture. It is part of five communities in the West Shore that accounted for 75 percent of all population growth in metropolitan Victoria in the past five years, according to the latest Census Canada report. Langford led the way, with its population increasing to 29,228, a 30 percent jump since 2006. Colwoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population reached 14,687 in 2011, climbing
by 9.6 percent, more than twice the pace of the City of Victoria, which clocked in with a 4.4 percent rise in 3 population. â&#x2013;
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BCCA recruits workers in Ireland VANCOUVER â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Recruiters from the BC Construction Association were in Dublin, Ireland this March to find qualified construction workers for BC. Ireland has many qualified tradesmen, but it also has an unemployment rate of 14.2 percent, twice as high as BC. Manley MacLachlan, president of the BCCA, is part of an 11-person delegation that has travelled to find skilled labour to help fill thousands of vacancies in construction and related trades. The BC Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation was also represented at the Irish trade fairs. According to the Irish Times, MacLachlan said the trip had two objectives. One was to better understand the apprenticeship system in Ireland in order to establish whether there is a close match with the system in Western Canada. The trip was also a chance to attract skilled construction workers to the province. The delegation will be holding talks with government departments, Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Construction Industry Federation and other groups. It is estimated that about 35,000 workers will soon retire in BC and that exodus would leave large gaps in senior site management. Experienced managers as well as tradesmen are being sought. An additional 45,000 jobs need to be filled to complete major projects already planned, according to BC government estimates. â&#x2013; ROOFING BC
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27
LEGAL AFFAIRS
When a union steps out of line Picket-line provocateurs can run afoul of the law by Robert Smithson
The fact that there may be misconduct on union picket lines during a labour dispute should not surprise anybody. What may be surprising is that certain individuals may be present for the express purpose of inflaming the situation. A recent example of a labour dispute which ended up in front of the BC Supreme Court demonstrates the extent to which these union tactics cross the boundary between the acceptable and the downright offensive.
“Individuals were accused of truly obscene, aggressive and intimidating behaviour.” The members of the Canadian Office & Professional Employees Union (COPE), Local 378, were on strike against their employer, Hertz Canada Limited. The striking employees were employed at Vancouver International Airport and at a service centre in nearby Richmond and were picketing at both locations. As a result of the conduct of certain individuals present on the picket line, Hertz ended up applying to the BC Supreme Court for an injunction restraining the union’s activities. Death threats Hertz complained that, in roughly a three month period, it had to call in the RCMP to assist approximately 60 times as a result of picket line activity. Hertz complained that certain picketers’ behaviour was vulgar, sexual, abusive and foul. Particular individuals were accused of truly obscene, aggressive and intimidating behaviour. Their
intimidation tactics alleged activities was a newsletter included yelling containing a obscenities, photograph of one particularly at female management management employee “showing employees of Hertz. her as beheaded with I won’t set out the blood dripping from foul language Robert Smithson her neck”. verbatim, but my Certain of the union instigators young sons would say there was a were alleged to have aggressively whole lot of use of the “f-word”, the approached management “b-word”, and the “a-word”. Hertz’s employees, including threatening to management employees were “take you out” accompanied by justifiably offended and intimidated extremely vulgar sexual threats. On by these union instigators. another occasion, a picketer was An example of COPE’s alleged to have approached a manager’s vehicle and “made an obscene sexual gesture by simulating masturbation”. The picketing members’ alleged conduct included the obligatory blocking of vehicles entering and exiting the Hertz premises. It allegedly progressed to the point of a union member slapping the vehicle of a female manager with a picket sign.
Most of the union conduct complained of by Hertz management employees was not disputed. Hertz’s evidence was that one of the main instigators was a paid picketer and was not a Hertz employee at either of the struck locations. Ruling The Court reviewed all of this various misconduct, noted that the management employees were “sorely provoked” by the picketers’ aggressive and intimidating behaviour, and concluded that there was “a serious risk of harm to Hertz employees” at the picketed locations. As well, the union’s conduct had driven away customers or potential Hertz customers and had irreparably harmed Hertz’s business reputation. The Court stated that the COPE members’ actions constituted unlawful intimidation, harassment and obstruction. In relation to the individuals accused of instigating
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this conduct, the Court agreed that COPE had “used a tactic of having a particularly aggressive person inflame the picketing”. The extent to which the Court was offended by the conduct of certain COPE members was reflected in its comment that the union’s conduct was “antithetical to a civilized society” and that it was “shockingly inappropriate”. Not surprisingly, the Court granted Hertz’s application for an injunction to restrain the union’s offensive conduct. This union’s name may be the Canadian Office & Professional Employees Union, but there was certainly nothing “professional” about the behaviour of the instigators they utilized. ■ Robert Smithson is a lawyer in Kelowna practicing exclusively in the area of labour and employment law. For more information about his practice, log onto www.pushormitchell.com. This subject matter is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as legal advice.
S PRI NG 2010
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ONAL ROOFING CONTRAC
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2010
“I hate green roofs!”................ White is green enough.............110 1 Project profile: UBC Kelowna expands ............14 Asphalt still on top .................. 17 Hot new tools ............................1 8 ASSOCIATION: President’s message .................. 3 Note from the Publisher ........... 5 INDUSTRY NEWS: Solar shingles fit right in.......... 4 Solar panels power tower........ Firestone’s new products.......... 5 6 World’s first insulated composite membrane roof....... 7 Roofmart launches whistleblower site...................... Safety Alliance forms................1 9 2 VRCA: training the trainer.......12 Building permits on rise..........15 Soprema aligns operations.....15 LEED contracts risky?...............17 Site C Dam OK’d .......................19 BC Place roof nets casino/hotel complex ...............19 COLUMN: LEGAL MATTERS Employment insurance for contractors......... .................... 8
with the National Research Council. The goal was to test metal roofing RCABC headquarters, panels in order to develop and institute specific industry training facility, well known as an standards manufacture and application for the bid to deliver the first subsequently won the of metal cladding ASM formed by portable instructor Connor Hofler. pilot program, under on-site machines,” he explained. roll forming Cooperation That task was accomplished The successful first successfully, but architectural sheet the gap between the metal apprenticeship class quality of the products was the qualifications of and registered apprentices comprised of 16 the individuals installing The Architectural Sheet chosen randomly from metal cladding continued Metal (ASM) training employers in various Let the sun shine to be of concern. Even facility at the Langley regions in the province. on though some metal campus of the Roofing “The time taken from Solar panels gain more cladding education Contractors Association of a and of BC is setting a national training was available in both completion of the pilot the first meeting to the spotlight in the roofing standard as the first private and public was just under 24 industry institutions, neither centre dedicated to months, a time frame See pages 4-5 the metal cladding perhaps the most important that is testament to and decking new profession in the the cooperative approach roofing RCABC industry as a whole, nor the members industry. taken and the dedication of were satisfied with the participants to of the curriculum used The ASM training moves train apprentices for to Brian Hofler said. seeing this project through,” students far beyond an industry that was metal roof and wall becoming continually cladding to teach After six weeks of training, more sophisticated. workmanship in “metal rigorous So, three years ago, on-site products and panels evaluation, interviews RCABC partnered with are aesthetically pleasing that by members of the Metal consultation with industryITA staff and regular and representative Cladding Association artistic expression” of representatives, the BC, representatives said Brian Hofler, executive pilot program report of Sheet Metal Workers of vice-president of the card indicated Locals 280 and 276, that the RCABC. program, instructor Hot stuff the and facility meet all One only has to look Training Organization Construction Industry of the ITA Warm up at new office towers, program standards as well as the federal new transit stations to the industry’s specification and was government, to form and new shopping recommended for ITA new products and tools hottest a steering committee centres to see the evolution of designation as an approved with the explicit goal of metal, particularly ASM training provider. developing a new curriculum aluminum, into a sophisticated for architectural sheet architectural and structural Standards metal. trend. Yet, in most Under the guidance of Canada, the simple The new training facility of Kerry Jothen of term “cladding” is still used will complete this Human Capital Strategies and when referring to metal summer, under the the expertise of a team siding or roofing. guidance of CJP Architects from Vanier Training and KDS Construction. Consultants Ltd, the As Hofler explains, members of the steering the The RCABC training centre continues opening of the ASM to discuss every element committee met regularly development is also pressing forward on the years of research in of standards for the required to facilitate sheet metal as an architectural comprehensive architectural application of a metal wall cladding product. “It has “I hate green roofs!” been more than a decade sheet metal training and program that meets said. As such, RCABC panel systems, Hofler since RCABC partnered the needs of today’s A developer can metal cladding industry, Hofler representative association proudly lay claim as the perspective presents a different recalled. on the trendy contractors in the province.for professional ASM See that and the ‘green’ tops. aspects of white, on pages 10 and 11 PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40014608 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO:
Evolution of a trade, training and definingpart 2: the professional
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Louiseville perpetuates green innovation location, WLF has announced the development of some new product lines, including SECURpan, a fire retardant roofing support panel; SONOpan, a sound proofing panel for interior sound insulation; and SECURtorch, a fire-retardant fiberboard roofing insulation coated with a polymer layer. New to both plants is SONOclimat, a rigid acoustical insulation panel. WLF also continues to produce expansion board and other roofing and construction fiberboard panels and speciality products the company is known for. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are always developing new products with fiberboardâ&#x20AC;?, says McGuire, although their most recent work is not yet ready to be publicly announced. McGuire claims that Louiseville products are recognized by all the major roofing associations in Canada. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our fiberboard panels are manufactured to specific requirements set forth in ASTM Standard Specifications for Cellulosic Fiber Insulating Board and CAN/ULC Standard Specifications for Wood Fiber Insulating Boards for Buildings,â&#x20AC;? she says. The two Louiseville companies boast a number of attributes in their construction fiberboards, including; â&#x20AC;˘ Optimum environmental properties for Green Building and LEEDâ&#x201E;˘ certification; â&#x20AC;˘ High resistance to flame and smoke spread (when requested); â&#x20AC;˘ Compatibility with most waterproof roofing membranes; â&#x20AC;˘ Excellent membrane adhesion; â&#x20AC;˘ Variety of thicknesses and sizes; â&#x20AC;˘ Non-friable and supportive;
In October of 2010, IKO, a pioneer in the North American residential and commercial roofing industry, sold its fiberboard production business in Calgary to Western Louiseville Fiberboard Inc. The Calgary location held obvious advantages for its new owner; it allowed WLF to better serve Western North America; to focus on improving its fiberboard products and to develop speciality products and new markets. With annual production of 120 million square feet, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Calgary plant distinguishes itself by manufacturing products made from recycled material and operates with a closed loop system, which makes it a green company,â&#x20AC;? said Rina McGuire, President and CEO of WLF. McGuire is best known for her significant experience in the pulp and paper industry. Since 2004, she has been committed to ensuring a better future for the fiberboard sector, which, she says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;has provided environmentally friendly, high performance products for the construction industry.â&#x20AC;? According to McGuire, Western Louiseville Fiberboard (Calgary, Alberta) and its more established counterpart, Louiseville Speciality Products (Louiseville, Quebec), are two different companies, but they share management and sales staff â&#x20AC;&#x153;to have a better synergyâ&#x20AC;?. Both plants are now manufacturing the same products to the same specifications, she says, but with Calgary serving all of Western North America and Louiseville serving the East. Since purchasing the Calgary
â&#x20AC;˘ Durable yet lightweight, easy to cut and install; and â&#x20AC;˘ Stable R-value. Focus on green technology â&#x20AC;&#x153;All our products are environment friendlyâ&#x20AC;?, says McGuire. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our fiberboard panels meet the most stringent environmental criteriaâ&#x20AC;?, she says, adding that they are made from 100% recycled materials (around 60% post-consumer and 40% post-industrial residues); binding agents made from starch and paraffin; and containing only natural non-toxic materials with no formaldehydes or VOCs (volatile organic compounds). McGuire is visibly enthusiastic about the environmentally responsible production methods employed by the two companies. She points out that one ton of recycled fibers is the equivalent of 12 to 17 trees. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we recycle 30,000 tons per year that saves 350,000 to 500,000 trees per year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a forest! The same fibers can be recycled up to seven times or sometimes even more. When we burn wood, the life of the tree ends there,â&#x20AC;? she says. Both the Calgary and Louiseville plants have a closed-loop manufacturing process, which translates to less water consumption (water is re-used) and zero effluent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Western Louiseville Fiberboard and Louiseville Speciality Products will constantly invest in development and improvement of their green products,â&#x20AC;? says McGuire. â&#x2013;
â&#x20AC;˘ Innovative â&#x20AC;˘ Eco-Friendly â&#x20AC;˘ Competitive â&#x20AC;˘ Fire Retardant â&#x20AC;˘
ROOFING PRODUCTS fiberboard roofing support panel provides: â&#x20AC;˘ fire-resistance; â&#x20AC;˘ stability; â&#x20AC;˘ compression strength; and â&#x20AC;˘ easy handling and installation.
SECURpanÂŽ dimensions: 1/2â&#x20AC;? square edges: 2â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x4â&#x20AC;&#x2122;, 4â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x4â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and 4â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x8â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 1â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; shiplapped edges: 2â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x4â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and 4â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x4â&#x20AC;&#x2122;
SECURpanÂŽ is certified Class A as per UL 790.
CompositeÂŽ
SECURpan CompositeÂŽ dimensions: 2 1/2â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; shiplapped edges: 2â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x4â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and 4â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x4â&#x20AC;&#x2122;
factory laminated insulating panel integrates the fire retardant fiberboard support panel SECURpanÂŽ with the NEOPORÂŽ (BASF registered trademark) expanded polystyrene insulation panel.
www.wlfgroup.ca
www.materiauxspecl.com
ADVERTISE IN ROOFING BC! 3
604-507-2162 â&#x20AC;˘ Paddy@RoofingBC.ca
INNOVATIVE IDEAS SINCE 1978
MENZIES METAL
TPO COATED PRODUCTS )NNOVATIVEÂ&#x;0RODUCTS )NNOVATIVEÂ&#x;0RODUCTS
#22%!4).' %!4).'Â&#x;Â&#x;2 2//&4/0 //&4/0Â&#x;% Â&#x;%.6)2/.-%.43 .6)2/.-%.43 " "ISONÂ&#x;7OODÂ&#x;4ILESÂ&#x; ISONÂ&#x;7OODÂ&#x;4ILESÂ&#x; #USTOMÂ&#x;3IZESÂ&#x;!VAILABLE #USTOMÂ&#x;3IZESÂ&#x;!VAILABLE 3TANDARDÂ&#x;INÂ&#x;)PĂ&#x192;Â&#x; Â&#x;&3#Â&#x17D;Â&#x; 3 TANDARDÂ&#x;INÂ&#x;)PĂ&#x192;Â&#x; Â&#x;&3#Â&#x17D;Â&#x; # #ERTIĂ&#x161;EDÂ&#x; &3# # Â&#x; ERTIĂ&#x161;EDÂ&#x; &3# # Â&#x;
" "ISONÂ&#x;$ECKÂ&#x;3UPPORTS ISONÂ&#x;$ECKÂ&#x;3UPPORTS 3 UPPORTSÂ&#x;PAVINGÂ&#x;MATERIALSÂ&#x; 3UPPORTSÂ&#x;PAVINGÂ&#x;MATERIALSÂ&#x; FFORÂ&#x;LEVELÂ&#x;DECKSÂ&#x;ONÂ&#x;ROOFTOPS ORÂ&#x;LEVELÂ&#x;DECKSÂ&#x;ONÂ&#x;ROOFTOPS Â&#x;
" "ISONÂ&#x;#UBES ISONÂ&#x;#UBES 3 3TANDARDÂ&#x; Â&#x;#USTOMÂ&#x;3IZESÂ&#x; TANDARDÂ&#x; Â&#x;#USTOMÂ&#x;3IZESÂ&#x; -ANYÂ&#x;#OLORSÂ&#x;!VAILABLE Â&#x; Â&#x; !LUMINUMÂ&#x;ANDÂ&#x;)PĂ&#x192; Â&#x; Â&#x;
Menzies carries a full line of metal products made from galvanized metal, copper & aluminum that are TPO coated and available for immediate sale. Contact us for information on our TPO coated products.
Menzies supplies 48" X 120" galvanized sheets coated on one side with TPO, perfect for fabrication in your own metal shops. The sheets can be soldered on the galvanized side with a soldering iron for a watertight seal on metal.
TPO coated side of sheet
Soldered joint Galvanized side
Menzies TPO Coating bonds to the TPO membrane so well that the membrane will separate at the scrim, while the bottom layer of the membrane stays bonded to the TPO coating. Contact us for a test strip.
MADE FOR EXTREME WEATHER
1.800.665.8840 www.menzies-metal.com WWW "ISON)0 COMÂ&#x;\Â&#x; Â&#x;Â&#x;
ROOFING BC
MOVING M O V I N G FORWARD F O R WA R D u MORE M O R E THAN T H A N JUST J U S T METAL M E TA L
LOWER MAINLAND | VANCOUVER ISLAND | CENTRAL/NORTHERN BC | ALBERTA SPRING 2012
29
Prince Rupert: $300 million port expansion meets demand for coal and container traffic. Photo: Port of Prince Rupert
Northeast boom building At least $4.5 billion in construction expected to spin jobs into Prince Rupert, Kitimat by Frank O’Brien
Prince Rupert and Kitimat in Northeast BC are apparently poised for a new round of major construction, much it tied to natural resources and shipping. The city of Prince Rupert has been short listed by British natural gas giant BG Group PLC for a large liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant. David Byford, a Houston, Texasbased spokesman for BG, confirmed an agreement is in place with the Prince Rupert Port Authority to “consider the feasibility” of the LNG plant. No decision should be expected for two years, but if the plant is approved it would mean 1,000 construction jobs for 24 months and then up to 200 full-time employees, estimates Derek Baker of the Prince Rupert Port Edward Economic
On Ridley Island, there is over 1,000 acres of tidewater industrial land ready for the foundation of an import-export logistics park for warehousing, transloading and reloading customers. Meanwhile, work is high-balling on a multimillion-dollar, four-year port and rail upgrade that will double Prince Rupert’s Ridley port coal exports to 24 million tonnes a year, which would rank Ridley as the number 1 coal export terminal in Canada, ahead of Delta in Vancouver’s Lower Mainland, where 20 million tonnes of coal was loaded last year. Ridley takes in coal from BC, Alberta and even the United States, an indication of how efficient its rail-and-port system is run. It is cheaper to ship coal from Wyoming, as an example, to China through Prince Rupert than through any U.S. port. Also in line is a 150-acre general cargo terminal and a barge and short-sea shipping terminal. Already, 1,500 people work at the port and the current $80 million in salaries and wages would balloon to $310 million annually when the expansions are complete. Don Krusel, president of the Prince Rupert Port Authority said the port is set to become Canada’s major route to China, the world’s second largest economy.
Development office. Prince Rupert’s main – and tough – competitor for BG’s LNG plant is Kitimat, where Royal Dutch Shell has bought the old Methanex plant for a proposed LNG terminal, and a second Kitimat plant is already underway. The Port at Prince Rupert has already undergone an expansion that has doubled its capacity to 24 million tonnes and there are plans to double that again within nine years under its current $300 million expansion plan. New LNG plant, priced at $4.3 billion, is underway in Kitimat. Photo: Apache Canada Prince Rupert’s Fairview container Kitimat terminal will grow from handling Kitimat is the BC northern port 750,000 containers a year to 1.2 city that would be the western million, and then onto two million terminus of the proposed $6.6 annually. Plans are in place for four billion Northern Gateway pipeline bulk terminal sites, each capable of handling 10 million tonnes of cargo. by Enbridge Inc., which would run
from the Alberta oil sands to giant oil tankers at Kitimat. The town is also near a new $4.2 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant and terminal that is expected to come on stream next year. Meanwhile, Alcan Inc. is proceeding with a multimillion-dollar expansion of its Kitimat smelter. The Kitimat LNG project is being developed by Apache Canada Ltd., EOG Resources Canada Inc. and Encana Corporation, who plan to build the facility on Bish Cove, under a 49year land lease agreement with the Haisla First Nation. Currently, the LNG partnership is carrying out a front end engineering and design (FEED) study, which will provide the design, construction timelines, costs and labour force requirements for the project. The FEED study is expected to be complete this spring, followed by a final investment decision by the partners. Once this is done, they will make plans for a capital investment decision on the first phase of the development. The 4.2 billion LNG project involves the construction of marine on-loading, LNG storage, natural gas delivery, liquefaction and LNG send-out facilities. Apache Canada and EOG Canada have also struck a deal to buy 50 percent interest in the Pacific Trail Pipelines Limited Partnership (PTPLP) from Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (PNG) for $50 million. PTPLP is planning to build a 463-kilometre (287-mile), 914-mm (36-inch) diameter underground line from Summit Lake, British Columbia, to the LNG export terminal in Kitimat. Export volumes for the Kitimat LNG project are expected to be supplied by the natural gas resources in BC and Alberta, in particular Horn River Basin and the Montney geological formation. ■
Rosalene Brunka
Firestone BP announces appointments Firestone Building Products Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Rosalene Brunka and Bona Murty to its Technical Department. Brunka has joined Firestone as the Technical Manager, taking the place of Vincent Mestdagh who has accepted the position of Marketing Director, Europe & Asia, with Firestone in Brussels, Belgium. She will coordinate the activities of the Technical Department and will be working with the national and provincial roofing associations on technical matters. Reporting to Brunka will be Bona Murty, Technical Services Manager, Edgar Esparza, Technical Services Assistant and Field Technical Reps Donald Brisson, Peter Cox and Todd Perry. Bona Bona Murty Murty has taken the position of Technical Services Manager. Murty will primarily be in charge of organizing product testing, and will handle product and system approvals for the Canadian market. He will also provide technical support to contractors, distributors and sales representatives. ■
FALL 2011
IN THIS I SSUE:
FEATURES:
THE VOICE OF PROFESS
IONAL ROOFING CONTRAC
TORS
Dean DeHamel of Olympic
Member profile: Olymp
Former Olympic wrestler Dean DeHamel is turning his young company into an industry contender By Frank O’Brien
Port Coquitlam roofer Dean DeHamel came within a match of representing Canada at the Beijing Olympics in 2010, and the nationally ranked wrestler young now has a solid grip on the local roofing industry.
Vol. 8, No. 3 • FALL
2011
Roofing
ic Roofing Ltd.
As founder and president of aptly named Olympic Roofing Ltd., and one of the latest members of the Roofing Contractors of BC, DeHamel believesAssociation he knows what it takes to build a winning company: hard work, talented crews and the experience to take on any contract. and guts
DeHamel, 34, started Roofing in 2001, shortly Olympic completing his RCABC after apprenticeship training with
Western Roofing Ltd. of Kamloops. “It all started as a summer job,” he recalls, with his first roofing job the expansion of Thompson River University, where he worked on both flat roofs and metal sheets. Recalls DeHamel: “I remember walking to school one morning in Kamloops with my nice clean clothes and I saw Western working on a warehouse Roofing with the tar kettle smoking and the workers on the roof with dust all over them.
PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40014608 RETURN UNDELIVERABL E CANADIAN ADDRESSES
Member profile: Olympic Roofing ..........................1 LEED the new normal ............... 8 Nelson Roofing wins ASM awards ........................... ....12 Fall protection hierarchies....... 16 ASSOCIATION: President’s message .................. 3 Steep roofing partnership between RCABC, CITO............... Admiral saves boathouse....... 6 20 INDUSTRY NEWS: New roof walkway system....... 6 Roofing Expo booking .............. 6 BC’s Commercial outlook brightens.................................... .. Largest solar roof complete....109 Hurricane-proof nail................ 11 Steep slope better in high winds................ ..................11 New wood building guide.......11 BC Building Code delayed.......11 Firestone’s SA TPO and weatherproof vapour barrier membrane....... ..............14 Metro building permits up......15 WorkSafeBC gets creative ...... 18 Roofing BC coming online .....18 BC Housing aids building science programs ......................19 China’s Ghost Cities empty .... 21 RCI waterproofing seminar ... 21 CSC presents free fair ............. 21 COLUMN Legal Affairs: Postemployment restrictions ....... 22
Award-winning ASM
I thought to myself, ‘man I would never want to do that job – it’s hot and dusty, glad I’m going today’, but only a couple to school later that’s right where of years I ended up, now I look back and just laugh. DeHamel started Olympic ” with an old Ford pickup and Skidoo trailer he borrowed from his dad. His first contract was installing shingles for Sears residential and he then moved onto commercial OLYMPIC continued
on page 4
Nelson Roofing takes ASM work to new heights. See page 12
Fall protection 101
First in a series. See
page 16
TO:
Roofing Contractor s Association of BC 9734 201 Street Langley, BC Canada V1M 3E8
Your official magazine, reaching key roofing professionals and specifiers throughout British Columbia Book your next ad now! 604-507-2162 Paddy@RoofingBC.ca 30
SPRING 2012
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