S PRI NG 2015 IN THIS ISSUE: FEATURES CRCA conference and AGM.......... 4 ROOFTech 2015 .......................... 6 Roof wind resistance testing nets higher standards .................10 Profile: Benchmark Roofing........16 Technology: a look at electronic leak detection............. 18 Drones as roof inspection aids.. 22
THE VOICE OF PROFESSIONAL ROOFING CONTRACTORS
SPRING 2015
CRCA and ROOFTech come to Vancouver
ASSOCIATION President’s message..................... 3 Apprentices: fresh perspective on journeyman status................ 20 INDUSTRY NEWS Commercial construction up ...... 11 WorkSafe examines gender differences in recovery ............... 11 Roofing consultant takes scientific approach...................... 12 Carlisle caters to Canadians....... 17 Firestone launches Secure Bond technology ....................... 21 Immigration: skilled workers fast-tracked.................................. 23 Multi-family, mixed use lead major projects line-up ................ 24 VBBL adopts BOMA Best........... 25 LNG plant being built in Delta .. 25 Victoria roofs go green............... 25 Smart helmet developed............ 25 North Island hospitals start....... 26 COLUMN Succession: exit strategies ........ 23
What’s new? Plenty. Manufacturers announce latest product lines. See pages 17, 21
Wind testing expanded Wind-RCI updated for the National Building Code. See page 10 ROOFTech 2013
BC opens its doors for the nation’s biggest roofing event The Canadian roofing industry will converge on British Columbia this spring as the Canadian Roofing Contractors Association brings its 56th National Conference and AGM to Vancouver. From May 2 to 4, the Pan Pacific Hotel will be home to the CRCA and
delegates from across the country for a full slate of activities, guest speakers, meetings, networking, awards and entertainment. Immediately following the conference is the 12th biennial ROOFTech, the Canadian Roofing Expo, at the adjoining Vancouver
Convention Centre East. Returning to BC for the first time since 1999, it has previously been held in Toronto, Montreal and Calgary. ROOFTech will welcome thousands of architects, building inspectors, contractors, engineers, property managers, roofing
PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40014608 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO:
Roofing Contractors Association of BC 9734 201 Street Langley, BC Canada V1M 3E8
consultants and specifiers for a ‘hands-on’ educational experience. The two-day trade show and expo will feature over one hundred exhibitors, two free seminars and six live demonstrations. CRCA page 4 ROOFTech pages 6-9
Home-grown technology Electronic leak detection systems a boon to contractors, building owners See pages 18 and 19
Give homeowners the ultimate experence in natural light.
The No Leak Skylight™ is backed by an industry leading warranty and superior customer service to let you install with confidence. No Leak Promise. No Worries.
Nott a member o off the VELUX Installers Program? No VELUX Ins tallers P rogram? Register informed off tr training o be inf formed ormed o R egister ttoday oday at at vipmembers.ca vipmembers.ca tto aining seminars Ass a member yyou’ll your area. area. A ou’ll rrecieve: ecieve: seminars in your Free F ree registration registration Free installation training F ree ins tallation and sales tr aining Marketing Mark eting support Referral R efferral pr program ogram velux.ca velux.ca 604-468-0060 604-468-0060
From the President
attend the opening reception being hosted by the RCABC. The theme “tastes of the west coast” will feature food and drinks from many of Vancouver’s vast array of cultures. This would be a perfect opportunity to rub shoulders with other industry professionals from On behalf of the RCABC board of across Canada and enjoy some food directors I would like to welcome that you may not have ever tasted the CRCA conference delegates and before. ROOFTech attendees to beautiful The next day you can take in the Vancouver. first business session. Simon Fenn According to this ‘Spring’ edition will discuss all of the risks that of Roofing BC, winter is over and roofing contractors are presented we all should be into the start of with, and outline the precautions our busy roofing season. For most of us across Canada this past winter needed to offset those risks. After being reminded about all of was one for the history books. the risks we face in Eastern Canada business every day, seemed to have you can try and relax gotten a foot of snow on the beautiful every week and some Swaneset Bay Resort weeks even two or & Country Club while three feet! The prairies chasing a ball around. were cold and were Or, if golf isn’t your still getting snow even fancy you can take in in mid April. Here in the Sea to Sky Tour Northern BC winter which will feature a was pretty much over nice relaxing gondola by the end of January. ride taking you to Even the lower Alex Goldie some fantastic mainland of BC did not see a typical winter, with longer panoramic views and then a stop at dry spells than what they have been Prospect Point in Stanley Park. At night we are off to Mahony & accustomed to, and spring weather Sons to enjoy a buffet dinner and be beginning in January. entertained by comedian and This 56th CRCA Conference magician Wes Barker. should be one for the record books On Monday, Ryan Berlin will too. There is lots of top notch share with us his view of the entertainment planned in addition changing population structures and to the business sessions and their impact on our business. activities. Once the initial meetings Following that business session will are over on Saturday, everyone can
We’re on top of the [roofing] world
ROOFING BC
Roofing BC magazine is published quarterly on behalf of the Roofing Contractors Association of BC and the professional roofing industry by Market Assist Communications Inc.
Roofing BC is 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 Alex Goldie Paddy Tennant Circulation RCABC reception Phone: 604-882-9734 E-mail: roofing@rcabc.org
be the AGM and luncheon. The speaker at the luncheon is Joe Roberts who will share his amazing story about his transition from skid row to CEO. During the luncheon awards will be presented to some long term members in addition to the Roofing Canada Award. Wrapping up the weekend will be the President’s reception and dinner, then we dance the night away with March Hare, one of Vancouver’s top dance party bands. After all of the meetings and parties, be sure to save some energy to attend ROOFTech on Tuesday and Wednesday. See what
SPRING 2015
is new to the roofing industry by checking out the many exhibits. You will have an opportunity to enhance your business by networking with exhibiting companies, and attending hands-on training at live roofing demonstrations. It will be a busy few days for sure and a great way to get remotivated for another roofing season. And for those attending from eastern Canada, when you get home the snow might even be all gone! Alex Goldie, 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 Senior 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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CRCA Conference sails into Vancouver OTTAWA – For the first time in seven years, the Canadian Roofing Contractors Association annual conference will be held in Vancouver. The 56th CRCA conference and annual general meeting will be headquartered at the Pan Pacific Hotel, the landmark waterfront location marked by iconic sails. The event runs May 2 to 4, and is immediately followed by ROOFTech, May 5-6 at the adjacent Vancouver Convention Centre East. The conference features an interesting speaker lineup. Ryan Berlin will discuss demographic changes and the impact on business; Simon Fenn will cover the “risky world of roofing contractors” with advice on insurance; and keynote speaker Joe Roberts, the former CEO of Mindware Design, gives an inspirational address entitled ‘From Skid Row to CEO.’ The conference also includes the annual awards ceremony, golf tournament, entertainment, an extensive spousal activity menu, plus a chance to network with roofing professionals from across Canada. For information and registration, call 1-800-461-2722 or visit www.roofingcanada.com ■
Simon Fenn; The risky world of a roofing contractor
Day 1 (Saturday, May 2)
Day 2 (Sunday, May 3)
Day 3 (Monday, May 4)
8:00am - 4:00pm CRCA Board of Directors meeting/Provincial Managers meeting 1:00 - 5:00pm Registration opens 7:00 - 10:00pm Opening Cocktail Reception hosted by RCABC – Discover a “Taste of the West Coast” and the five cultures that helped shape this unique and dynamic city. From First Nations spiritual influences, a walk through Chinatown, a Japanese garden, the colours and exotic smells of Little India and the delis of Little Italy, Vancouver is home to a broad range of ethnic groups. Delegates will be entertained and treated to a vibrant mix of cuisines.
8:00 - 11:00am Registration continues 9:00 - 11:00am Business session #1: Simon Fenn; The risky world of a roofing contractor, a look at risk and insurance in roofing – Every day roofing contractors face risks; some insurable, some not. This seminar will provide the roofing contractor with a Canadian perspective of physical and contract risks, risk identification, quantification and mitigation. Simon will include examples of unusual indemnification agreements some owners try to pass on to roofing contractors in order to broaden the scope of risk transfer and what this means to the roofer. Simon Fenn will provide a tool kit of information so delegates can leave better informed and better equipped to manage risk and insurance in their roofing business. Simon will also share some insurance claims examples and let attendees know what to expect if it happens to them. 12:00 noon - 6:00pm Choice of two activities: CRCA Golf Tournament at Swaneset Bay Resort & Country Club OR Sea to Sky Tour 7:30 - 10:30pm Buffet dinner at Mahony & Sons at Burrard Landing, with entertainment by stunt magician and comedian Wes Barker
9:00 - 10:30am Business session #2: Ryan Berlin; Demographic changes and the impact to businesses – Ryan will talk about where the opportunities and challenges are, how construction markets are doing across the country, employment trends in construction and changing employment and population structures and how they relate to employment trends. He will also discuss internal issues such as the demand for work, the opportunities within the constraints of a finite number of workers, employment by occupation and the framework for attracting and retaining workers. 9:30 - 11:00am Spousal activity – Relaxation yoga 10:30 - 11:00am AGM and Presentations 11:00 - 11:30am New Board of Directors meeting 11:30 - 12:00 noon Cocktail reception 12:00 - 3:00pm Annual Luncheon Keynote speaker: Joe Roberts; Skid Row to CEO – Joe teaches how anyone anywhere can overcome perceived limitations and live their dreams. Walk with Joe through the tough streets of East Vancouver in the 1980s and experience the depths and degradation of a former hopeless, homeless drug addict, to the heights and triumph of a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist. Shed a tear and laugh ‘til it hurts. For more information on Joe Roberts visit www.skidrowceo.com Presentations: Honorary Membership, 25 & 50 Year membership, Roofing Canada Award 6:00 - 7:00pm President’s Cocktail Reception 7:00 - 9:00pm President’s Dinner Presentations: Outgoing President, New President and BC Conference Committee 9:00pm - 1:00am Dance to the music of March Hare
Ryan Berlin; Demographic changes and the impact to businesses
Joe Roberts, keynote speaker; Skid Row to CEO
A closer look: activities and entertainment ■ CRCA Golf Tournament at Swaneset Bay Resort & Country Club The Texas Scramble-style golf tournament will include some popular contests including closest to the pin, longest drive, best low score team and worst score (most honest) team. For information on Swaneset visit www.swaneset.com ■ Sea to Sky Tour The adventure starts with a picture stop at the Totem Poles and Brockton Oval in Stanley Park, continues along the coastal highway to Shannon Falls followed by the spectacular Sea to Sky Gondola Skyride, buffet lunch, tasting tour at Gillespie’s Distillery, a picture stop at Prospect Point in Stanley Park and a pass by English Bay on the way back to the hotel.
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■ Mahony & Sons Mahony & Sons offers an authentic experience blending the traditional and contemporary Irish influences with thoughtfully selected materials inspired by age-old taverns in Ireland. For more information visit www.mahonyandsons.com
■ Relaxation Yoga (Spouses) Practice yoga outdoors (weather permitting) in a beautiful setting close to the Pan Pacific Hotel. This yoga class is specially designed for beginners and advanced participants, to help them to carry their energy levels for the rest of the day.
■ Wes Barker, Stunt Magician and Comedian Wes Barker’s show features amazing magic tricks, crazy stunts, crowd interaction, and comedy from start to finish. For more information visit www.wesbarker.ca
■ March Hare March Hare has performed at many corporate events. For more information visit www.marchhare.bc.ca
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ROOFING BC
Canada’s Exposition and Educational Forum on Roofing Systems and Technologies Vancouver Convention Centre East, Hall B & C May 5 and 6, 2015 Seminars 9:00 - 10:00am; Expo & Demos 10:00am - 4:00pm ROOFTech is back in BC for the first time in 15 years. On Tuesday and Wednesday, May 5 and 6, the Vancouver Convention Centre will be the hub of activity for roofing and related professionals from across Canada and the U.S. “The ROOFTech exposition is more than just a typical trade show,” says George Przybylowski, Vice President of Informa, the company that partners with Canadian Roofing Contractors Association to present ROOFTech. “You come to this trade show not just to network, but to also experience live demonstrations and observe actual installations of various roof assemblies.” “ROOFTech has given those in the industry an opportunity to network and keep up to date with new technologies and safety precautions. It really is a place where people come together, learn and have fun” says Przybylowski. ROOFTech 2015 features two seminars and six major
demonstrations, organized by the CRCA and the Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia. “We’ve been planning for over a year,” says RCABC EVP Ivan van Spronsen. “This is an opportunity to demonstrate the versatility of roofing products and de-mystify their application techniques.” Each day will start with a 9:00 educational seminar, followed by three live demonstrations on the expo floor, with a team leader providing running commentary. The ROOFTech 2015 seminar and demonstration program is fully accredited for AIBC (Architectural Institute of British Columbia) Core Learning Units (LUs) and RCI Continuing Education Hours (CEHs). Each of the eight one-hour sessions qualifies for one (1) AIBC Core LU and one (1) RCI CEH. Attendees are advised to preregister at www.rooftech.ca for free admission to the event. ■
TUESDAY, MAY 5 9:00am - 10:00am SEMINAR: WIND UPLIFT –
THE NEXT BIG LIFT Seminar presenter: Josh Jensen, AScT, CHI, RRO, RRC
All exterior building components need to be properly designed to withstand the forces of nature. However, many of the buildings being constructed today are not properly designed or the responsibility has been improperly downloaded to a contractor. This has resulted in many failures, both minor and major, of various building envelope components. This presentation will focus on the aspects of designing roofing to properly withstand the forces of wind that acts upon the building. We will go through the NBC design requirements and how they relate to the CSA A123.21 testing standard. We will discuss the pitfalls of using FM Global references in our specs and how it interacts with our codes. We will also discuss the shortfalls of our current building code and the direction of the next code edition.
THE PRESENTER
Josh Jensen is head of the roofing division at JRS Engineering and an associate of the firm. An RCABC-accepted roof inspector, RCI Registered Roof Observer (RRO) and Registered Roof Consultant (RRC), he specializes in roofing and waterproofing of all types, including energy-efficient and green systems and assemblies. He consults on all aspects of investigation, design and construction, including systems and integrations design, field quality review, roofing and cladding shop drawings Josh Jensen, AScT, CHI, RRO, RRC production, and wind uplift design for roofing systems. Actively involved in industry, Josh sits on the Boards of Directors for BCBEC and RCI Western Canada Chapter. He also serves on the Underwriters’ Laboratories standards technical panels for Roof Wind Uplift Resistance and Roofing Covering Testing as well as the CSA A123.21 committee for roof flashing testing. He is regularly asked to provide roofing and waterproofing technical education and support to various industry and professional groups throughout Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest.
1 AIBC Core LU; 1 RCI CEH
Photos: ROOFTech 2013
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ROOFING BC
11:00am DEMONSTRATION:
1:00pm DEMONSTRATION:
3:00pm DEMONSTRATION:
THERMO-PLASTIC ROOFING SYSTEMS
EPDM ROOFING SYSTEMS
STEEP SLOPE ROOFING SYSTEMS
Presenters: Enzo Saponaro (Firestone) and Len Coughlin (Carlisle)
The presentation will include a discussion of the development, evolution, features and benefits of thermo-plastic membranes; plus their use in new, re-roofing and recover applications in both conventional and protected membrane assemblies. The demonstration will show how a thermo-plastic roofing system is assembled from the roof deck up including the vapour retarder, insulation and attachment methods. The thermo-plastic membrane will then be installed showing the positioning of the sheets, treatment of the edges and corners, and fastening and seaming techniques.
Presenters: Enzo Saponaro (Firestone) and Len Coughlin (Carlisle)
The presentation will open with the history of EPDM membranes as well as their features and benefits. The use of EPDM membranes in new, reroofing and recover applications in both conventional and protected membrane assemblies will be discussed. The demonstration will include the installation of the vapour retarder and the roof insulation, and a discussion of the attachment methods. The EPDM membrane will then be installed showing the positioning of the sheets, treatment of the edges and corners, and attachment and seaming techniques.
Presenters: Jordan Gervais (IKO) and Brad Hodgins (GAF)
The presentation will begin with a history and general overview of steep slope roofing. The differences between steep slope and low slope will be addressed and the features and benefits of each steep slope system will be discussed. The types of systems to be covered include asphalt shingles, slate, and traditional metal roofing. All products will then be installed showing both the field of the roof, as well as common details such as a valley, hip and ridge. 1 AIBC Core LU; 1 RCI CEH
1 AIBC Core LU; 1 RCI CEH
1 AIBC Core LU; 1 RCI CEH
ROOFING BC
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 9:00am - 10:00am
THE PRESENTER
SEMINAR: CONTROLLING MOLD GROWTH IN VENTILATED WOOD-FRAME ATTICS IN COOL MARINE CLIMATES
RCABC Booth #300
CONCURRENT DEMONSTRATION: ARCHITECTURAL SHEET METAL During the entire course of ROOFTech, instructors and apprentices from the RCABC Educational Foundation Architectural Sheet Metal class will be installing ASM materials on a steep roof mock-up. The assembly will demonstrate current best practices and installation techniques for standing seam metal roofing, roof/wall/soffit integration and curb flashing details. Attendees will be invited to ask questions about details or procedures as the workers complete the installation. Currently offered only in BC, an Architectural Sheet Metal apprenticeship equips workers with a broad array of trade skills which are highly sought after. Successful completion of a total of 12 weeks of training at the state-of-the art RCABC Training Centre, combined with a minimum of 4800 hours of documented time in trade, earns this valuable designation. ROOFTech attendees are encouraged to drop by often to view the progress of the installation.
Patrick Roppel manages the Building Performance Analysis Department within the Building Science Seminar presenter: Division at Morrison Patrick Roppel, P.Eng., M.A.Sc. Hershfield. Patrick is a Building Science Attic ventilation is a requirement Specialist, in the in wood-frame buildings and Vancouver office, increased ventilation is often with a technical focus presented as a solution to on evaluating the moisture problems in roofs. Patrick Roppel, P.Eng., M.A.Sc. performance of However, recent observations of building envelope attics in BC’s cool marine climate have found mold growth assemblies through testing, monitoring and numerical simulation. He manages and provides in attics with sufficient venting technical oversight on new construction and and good airtightness levels at the ceiling. Strategies other than retrofit projects, investigation and assessment of existing buildings, evaluations of building ventilation is required to address surface molds in wood- envelope components and building science framed roofs. This presentation research. presents findings of a study that examined contributing factors that could lead to mold growth in Code compliant attics in a cool marine climate. The research study included monitoring and testing of recently built attics that have found surface molds growing on the roof sheathing. The presentation examines design solutions and treatments to minimize the potential for mold growth in both existing and new roofs. 1 AIBC Core LU; 1 RCI CEH
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ROOFING BC
10:30am
12:30pm
2:30pm
DEMONSTRATION: GREEN ROOFING
DEMONSTRATION: MODIFIED BITUMEN ROOFING SYSTEMS
DEMONSTRATION: LIQUID APPLIED WATERPROOFING
Presenters: Blair Bennett (Soprema), Ron Van Berkel (IKO) and Bob Thurston (Siplast)
Presenters: Blair Bennett (Soprema) and Bob Thurston (Siplast)
Presenters: Ron Schwenger (Architek/Zinco) and Grant Sauer (Nats Nursery/Live Roof)
A presentation that will provide a better understanding of one of the most commonly discussed topics in commercial roofing today: the green roof. Attendees will be walked through the successive layers that comprise this type of assembly. This two-part demo will include applications on both a sloped and flat roof deck. Each component will be discussed as to their function and possible variations so that participants may obtain a first hand knowledge of this increasingly popular roof design. 1 AIBC Core LU; 1 RCI CEH
The presentation will examine the history of modified bitumen membranes as well as their major features and benefits. Their use in new, re-roofing and recover applications in both conventional and protected membrane assemblies will also be covered. The demonstration will show the installation of a modified bitumen roofing system from the deck up including the vapour retarder, the primary insulation and a coverboard application. The modified bitumen membrane will then be installed showing the base sheet and cap sheet, treatment of the edges and corners, and fastening and attachment techniques. 1 AIBC Core LU; 1 RCI CEH
This presentation will discuss product history and demonstrate the innovation and advantages of using liquid applied waterproofing products to solve unique and difficult job details. Site conditions or design issues that include difficult access, tight clearances, odd shaped penetrations or membrane exposure to certain substances can be a challenge for even the best traditional roofing plies. The demonstration will show how liquid applied waterproofing solutions can provide contractors and owners with flame free solutions with dramatically fast cure times that solve problems and reduce liability. Examples will include solutions for door openings, drains, pipes and water cut off, along with a hands-on approach on the application of these products over top of roof membranes. A variety of other previously applied mock ups will be available for viewing. 1 AIBC Core LU; 1 RCI CEH
ROOFTech is managed by Informa, the producers of Construct Canada and BUILDEX Vancouver. Informa is one of the world’s largest publicly-owned organizers of exhibitions, events and training, delivering over 150 trade and consumer exhibitions annually around the globe. The next ROOFTech is scheduled to take place in Toronto in 2017 ROOFING BC
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The NRC test table for dynamic wind uplift evaluation of roofing assemblies. The test is performed on a roof system, installed on the lab table just as if it was installed on an actual roof. A retractible dome, connected to a vacuum pump, is then placed on the roofing system equipped with pressure gauges. Air is pumped out of the dome to create a vacuum atop the system as per the CSA protocol. If the system has sustained the required number of cycles to levels of pressure prescribed by the standard, it is given a rating.
Wind resistance tool updated for the National Building Code 2015 location, size, and exposure. Several The Canadian roofing industry is factors, including the type of roof, responding with excitement to slope, wind speed, building height, results of recent wind uplift testing completed by the National Research roof area, building terrain, building type and openings are considered. Council of Canada (NRC). When the design pressure is known, Until 2004, the CSA Standard it is simple to find a suitable roof known as CSA A123.21-04, which covering assembly tested using CSA covers dynamic wind uplift A123.21-14. resistance of membrane roofing “The Wind Roof Calculator is a systems, only addressed duplication of the building mechanically attached code, so whatever is systems. “...a major step specified in the building From 2004 to 2014, towards safer code you can do it in testing for the Standard design of roof Wind-RCI,” said Dr. Bas was expanded to include more types of adhesions, systems across Baskaran, group leader Canada.” for the NRC Institute for as well as fully adhered Research in Construction. systems and hybrid Users of Wind-RCI are taken combinations, explains RCABC through several screens and Technical Manager Rob Harris. encounter pull-down menus where NRC responded to the additions they select factors. by updating its Wind-RCI, an online The calculator was originally wind-resistance tool developed in developed through funding by the 2008. It calculates wind loads RCI Foundation and RCABC. In the affecting building roofs, based on most recent evolution of Wind-RCI, the National Building Code of Canada. Wind-RCI is available for the project raised the limit on architects and designers to calculate building height from 100 to 150 feet for calculations of wind the design pressure based on pressures, allowing more (and taller) several criteria, such as building 10
buildings to be evaluated with the tool. The Wind-RCI calculator is based on a six-step procedure developed by the Special Interest Group on Dynamic Evaluation of Roofing Systems (SIGDERS) and researchers from NRC-IRC. The SIGDERS members are Atlas Roofing Corporation, Carlisle SynTec Systems, CGT, Chemlink Inc., Canadian Roofing Contractors’ Association, Dow Roofing Systems, Duro-Last, exp, Firestone Building Products Co., GAF Materials Corporation, IKO Industries Ltd., Johns Manville, National Roofing Contractors Association, OMG Roofing Products, RCI Inc., ROXUL Inc., Soprema Inc., Sika Sarnafil, Tremco Inc. and Trufast. “Soprema is very proud of the work that has been undertaken by the SIGDERS group over the last 20 years, in which we actively participated,” says Jean-François Côté, Director of Strategic Development for Soprema. “The amount of testing SPRING 2015
Wind-RCI is maintained by the National Research Council of Canada. Its users are taken through several screens and encounter pull-down menus where they select factors. It is available at www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/projects/irc/calculator.html.
performed and research done in the NRC laboratory is tremendous. Soprema, like many other manufacturers, donated roof materials (membranes, insulation boards, adhesives, fasteners, etc.) that were used to develop the CSA dynamic wind uplift procedure. Materials were assembled to replicate actual roofing assemblies
and this research allowed the determination of adequate parameters for testing for wind uplift resistance with a dynamic protocol.” “The publication of CSA A123.2114 and its possible inclusion in the 2015 edition of the NBC is a major step towards safer design of roof systems across Canada.” ■ ROOFING BC
Women workers take longer to recover from injuries: study
Commercial construction pace quickens VANCOUVER – Municipalities across the Lower Mainland-Southwest Region issued $7.7 billion worth of building permits in 2014, reports the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA), up from $7 billion in 2013. The gain was driven by $2.6 billion worth of non-residential permits, a 33 percent increase year-over-year. Residential permits, in contrast, decreased 1 percent to $5.1 billion in 2014. Growth in non-residential activity will likely “underpin growth in 2015, protecting the industry from softness in the residential sector,” the VRCA stated. Lower Mainland-Southwest building permits rose 15 percent in December 2014 from the previous month, totaling $608.6 million. Nonresidential permit volumes in December totaled $269.3 million, nearly double November’s tally. Residential permits decreased to $339.2 million, down 13 percent from November. ■
VANCOUVER – WorkSafeBC is supporting research into gender and sex differences in work-related health with the University of British Columbia (UBC) through the Partnership for Work, Health and Safety. As part of a research project, notable differences were found in work-disability duration among men and women with the same type of injury working in the same occupation. These differences hold implications for employers, according to WorkSafe. “Even when we’re looking at the same job and the same kind of injury, preliminary findings suggest women take slightly longer than men to go back to work after an injury,” said Mieke Koehoorn, co-lead for the Partnership. The researchers analyzed data examining acute injuries like fractures, as well as cumulative injuries such as tendinitis and back strains. They looked at a range of industries, from farming and construction to logging and health care. A persistent difference arose: across the board, women were off work longer than men. Among the researchers’ next steps are to pinpoint why differences exist in return-to-work outcomes among injured male and female workers. The explanations, they say, are complex. “Women may be more likely to be working in smaller workplaces or in part-time, temporary positions, and may not have access to modified or partial return-to-work options. So they’re required to stay off work longer, until they’re fully recovered,” Koehoorn suggests. ■
ADVERTISE IN ROOFING BC! 604-507-2162 • Paddy@RoofingBC.ca
The manufacturer with
the most assemblies tested 33 AARS (Adhesive Applied Roofing Systems) 30 MARS (Mechanically Attached Roofing Systems) 9 PARS (Partially Attached [hybrid] Roofing Systems)
CHU CH C HUM - Bu H Build ilding ing D
according to the CSA A123.21-14 standard test method
Contact your local representative for more information about CSA A123.21-14 Standard and SOPREMA’s systems.
ROOFING BC
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Specifex: new name reflects science of roofing Inter-Provincial Roof Consultants has a new name and a new mandate reflecting what company president Sean Lang said is the growing importance of science and engineering within British Columbia’s roofing industry By Frank O’Brien
roofer and waterproofer, said today’s roof inspector faces a far Specifex Building Science Inc. is the new name of Inter-Provincial more challenging environment Roof Consultants Ltd., which has than from even a few years ago. been operating since 1979 and is New products, new techniques and new technology have recognized as an accepted combined to require a superior inspection firm by the RCABC. level of expertise, he explained. “We felt we needed to open our doors and delimit ourselves Six strengths of a roofing inspector from only offering roof consulting services,” Lang said. Roofing BC asked Lang to “As Specifex Building Science outline the key strengths that a Inc., we offer roof inspector the very same needs in BC’s “Having practical high-quality roofing roofing experience is industry. The roof consulting key to working with services we veteran always have, but roofing contractors and consultant we are now outlined what understanding their working with he believes are day-to-day operations.” the big six strategic partners in the requirements: building envelope, structural 1 Practical roof experience engineering, and home building “One cannot realistically inspection fields to provide more review the work of a roofing services to our clients, all under contractor without having the oversight of the Specifex done some of the work team.” himself. Having practical The goal is to “meld together” roofing experience is key to the practical and scientific working with roofing elements required in the roof contractors and consultancy and inspection field, understanding their day-tohe explained, adding Specifex is day operations.” now recruiting engineers to join 2 Registered Roof Observer its professional staff. (RRO) designation Lang, a Red Seal journeyman “Not just letters after your
Sean Lang, president of Specifex Building Science Inc. on the roof and (below) in his Surrey office: more demanding environment requires both practical and scientific expertise by roofing consultants. Photos: Richard Lam
name, but being an RRO means you have knowledge in roofing, yes, but also in how to deal with clients, roofing contractors, general contractors, and professionals like engineers and architects. You know how the job should flow, so you can work with all parties to come to solutions that work for everyone. It also means you are continually educating yourself in all aspects of roofing and building envelopes. As an RRO, part of holding onto your designation is to earn credits every year by attending professional development courses.” 3 Being an RCABC accepted inspector “Since the RCABC is the training ground for the Red Seal Journeyman Roofer and Water Proofer certification as well as the Architectural Sheet Metal Worker certification, and has been developing and fine tuning the Roofing Practices Manual for 50 years, it only makes sense that a person doing roof inspections 12
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should be scrutinized and qualified by the RCABC. This makes sure that they know the proper roofing standards and know how to work with RCABC member contractors.” 4 Knowing when you don’t know “We don’t know everything – no one does; but knowing who to call to get the help is the key to working towards a well-completed project. Working with an engineer on a project can benefit the client by getting the proper answers for any issues, but also can raise your knowledge level as a roof inspector. The key is that the engineer must respect that you, as a Red Seal roofer and inspector, have a vast amount of experience and education that the engineer can benefit from. It should always be a cooperative relationship.” 5 Physical fitness “We have to climb up onto all types of roofs, just like a roofer would, to be able to properly assess the quality of an existing roof or a newly-
completed roof. You can’t be handing your camera to a roofer and saying “just snap a couple pics for me, will you” or using flying drones or binoculars to review a roof from the ground. You need to physically touch, feel, and see the roofing in order to find any application errors.” 6 Knowing the tools “Infrared cameras, snake cameras, moisture detectors, probes, and even flying drones with cameras are all just tools that can be used by anyone, but knowing how and when to use the tools, and knowing how to read the information that they provide is very important when compiling a report. I have seen many reports written by untrained people who say this and that is a problem, when in fact they are wrong or are misreading the information their tools are giving them.” ■ Specifex Building Science Inc. (formerly Inter-Provincial Roof Consultants Ltd.) is located at 5828 176th Street in Surrey. See the new web page at www.specifex.com. ROOFING BC
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Benchmark Roofing co-owners Glen Gibson, president Alex Maltais and Josh Gibson Photo: Richard Lam
Benchmark Roofing Ltd.
Roof replacement with a 2-ply SBS system by Soprema. CertainTeed Landmark shingles were installed on the sloped sections and 26 gauge metal cap flashing to the perimeter
“Re and re’ roofer finds high demand in multi-family By Frank O’Brien
You only have to look at the biggest ongoing construction sector in the Lower Mainland to realize the niche market that Benchmark Roofing Ltd. of Coquitlam is capitalizing on. Harnessing technical smarts, a big crew of skilled trades and the credibility from its membership in the Roofing Contractors Association of BC, Benchmark is a specialist in “re and re” multi-family roofing, which represents a large portion of the commercial contracts the young company handles across the Lower Mainland. Removing and replacing roofs on aging condominium buildings is a fast-growing sector, said Benchmark partner and co-owner Josh Gibson. According to the BC Major Projects Inventory, residential and residential mixed-use (where condos are linked with commercial use, like retail) construction starts were worth $30.8 billion in the third quarter of last year; that is more than all BC’s hospital, mining, oil and gas extraction and other commercial constructions starts combined. Such rapid multi-family construction has been ongoing in Metro Vancouver for more than 30 years – and now many of the older buildings need their roof replaced. “We are booked through to the end of August if we work six days a week,” Gibson said, “and that is with a minimum of three crews. On my desk right now I have three multi-family projects that came in this week and they are all very large.” Driving the work is BC’s new condominium depreciation allowance program that requires that all strata corporations document ongoing and future maintenance on their buildings, and ensure sufficient funds are put aside to cover the work. Benchmark Roofing is owned by Gibson, his father, Glen Gibson, and partner and president Alex Maltais, 41. When the trio talked to Roofing BC magazine, their crews were tearing the cedar shingles off a large Richmond condominium building and replacing it with 700 squares of high-quality metal roof. Benchmark is roll forming the 24-gauge, Kynar-coated metal, provided by Cascadia. A big part of its multi-family roof replacements, however, are 2-ply torch-on membrane systems, with asphalt shingles and metal also used on some of the older structures, the young Gibson explained. About 90 16
percent of Benchmark’s work is industrial, multi-family and other commercial contracts – rather than residential – according to Maltais, and it is all re-roofing. “We don’t do much new construction; it is basically almost all re and re,” he said, referring to the remove and replace strategy that has kept Benchmark and its 24-person crews busy. Quebec-born Maltais began his roofing career in 1995 with Coast Hudson Ltd. and later linked with the Gibsons, also experienced roofers, to found Benchmark Roofing Ltd. in 2013. Benchmark is a proud RCABC member, and Maltais said membership has its privileges. The company recently sent seven of its tradesmen for training at the RCABC Training Centre in Langley, including three taking the Residential Steep Roofer (RSR) program. RCABC membership is also vital to securing big multi-family re-roofing contracts, Josh Gibson said. “The RoofStar [guarantee] is requested by at least 80 percent of the [strata corporations],” Gibson said, “and probably all of the large ones.” Only an RCABC member contractor can bid on a job that’s been specified to have a RoofStar guarantee. RoofStar is also mandated for most large public and private commercial roofing contracts, Gibson noted. “RoofStar has opened a lot of doors for us,” he said. He also praised the RCABC Roofing Practices Manual for helping Benchmark’s performance and reputation. “We follow the RCABC roofing guidelines very strictly and so, at the end, the projects look terrific. I’d say 98 percent of our clients are happy with the work,” he said. Both Maltais and Gibson are confident in the future for their company, largely because of its emphasis on re-roofing. “No matter what the economy is like, roofs still have to be replaced,” Maltais said. The recent downturn in oil prices and the subsequent layoff of Alberta oilsands workers has actually had some benefits, he added. “More workers are coming back to BC,” he said, but “it is always a challenge to find good ones.” Both men are fathers and, as Gibson said, “we would like to build something substantial we can pass on.” With the strength of the RCABC behind them and thousands of aging roofs in front of them, it appears Benchmark Roofing is well on its way to that goal. ■ SPRING 2015
Soprema insulated 2-ply SBS high rise job in Coquitlam
Soprema 2-ply SBS roofing system on a strata complex in Burnaby ROOFING BC
Roofer overlaps the edges of Carlisle’s VapAir Seal 725 TR-C
Carlisle develops vapour barrier for Canadian contractors Carlisle SynTec Systems has introduced its new VapAir Seal 725TR-C, an air and vapour barrier/temporary roof. the product is composed of self-adhering SBS modified bitumen and a polyethylene woven composite facer. Based on Carlisle’s existing VapAir Seal 725TR, it has been re-designed specifically for the Canadian market. According to Carlisle, 725TR-C provides enhanced cold-weather performance and can be installed in temperatures as low as -12°C (10°F). Once installed, it can act as a temporary roof for up to 120 days, the company claims. Carlisle describes the 725TR-C as “contractor-friendly”, featuring a unique poly release liner that contributes to a smoother installation with less chance of wrinkling. VapAir Seal 725TR-C was designed for use in direct-to-metal-deck applications, as well as on concrete, plywood, exterior gypsum, various roof boards and other substrates. The 500 square-foot rolls measure 39 inches (1 metre) wide and 150 feet (46 metres) long. Due to the increased awareness of the consequences associated with air and vapour movement in buildings, air and vapour barriers are becoming a common component in roofing systems. The use of these products improves a building’s thermal efficiency and reduces moisture movement, helping to prevent condensation-related issues such as loss of insulation R-value and deck deterioration, says the company. In BC, VapAir Seal 725TR-C is available through Convoy Supply and Pro-Line Construction Materials. Product inquiries can be directed to Leonard Coughlin (leonardc@enercorp.ca) or Todd Girard at toddg@enercorp.ca. ■
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Detec Systems’ IntegriScan operator scanning membrane for breaches prior to grid installation. Photo: Detec Systems
Using technology for leak detection RCABC accepts two systems under RoofStar guarantee program The Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia recognises two membrane leak detection systems, both based on concepts born in BC and now widely used across North America. The two companies offering the systems are Victoria-based Detec Systems and SMT Research of Vancouver. “Detec Systems first presented the concept for electronic leak detection in roofing membranes to Jim Watson [then technical manager of RCABC] in 2003,” said engineer David Vokey, company founder and president. “It was Jim who lit up and said ‘that would solve a lot of problems for us’. We ended up doing
Detec’s electronic grid system is laid down over a roofing membrane at the Surrey Civic Centre project. Photo: Detec Systems
a mockup right at RCABC, “It is about risk mitigation,” demonstrating how it works. It was Vokey said. “The whole concept is to Detec that proposed the whole detect a problem before it becomes [electronic leak detection] concept to a leak. Catch it before the client begin with.” down below even knows about it.” The concept relies on the fact that As Vokey explained, more water conducts electricity. By having complicated and demanding roof an electrical grid above and below a designs today make leak detection roofing membrane, any water even more vital. Green roofs planted leakage creates an electrical with vegetation and commercial connection and sends an electronic roofs outfitted as living areas, for signal of the instance, place leak’s location. “It is about risk mitigation. greater demand The signals can on quickly finding The whole concept is to be detected on and servicing detect a problem before site or through leaks, he said. it becomes a leak.” remote One Chicago monitoring from any computer. project Detec worked on, for The systems largely replace the example, had huge granite pavers need to flood a roof with water to on the roof. “It is important to know check for leaks after a membrane where the leak is coming from has been installed. before you start lifting those big “We now have installations of our pavers,” Vokey said. The same is system right across North America,” true of green roofs; pinpointing a Vokey said. Some of the landmark leak point can save a lot of digging, buildings now protected with Detec he explained. systems include the Film Archive and “Detec has recently developed Preservation Centre in California; the and patented a conductive primer six- block big City Creek Centre called C-Coat. With the application redevelopment in Salt Lake City, of C-Coat, conventional roofs can Utah; the new Fort McMurray now be scanned to ensure Airport; and the deck beneath the membrane integrity for the life of Olympic Cauldron in Vancouver. the building, which was not possible
Above: SMT Research’s DigiScan handheld unit can locate a membrane breach within inches. Photos: SMT Research
Detec Systems’ patented C-Coat conductive primer being applied on a roof deck. Photo: Detec Systems
before,” says Pat Vokey, Detec Systems’ Vice President. “RCABC and Detec continue to work together bringing the latest technology to the roofing industry”, she adds. While electronic leak detection is primarily used in new construction, Jason Teetaert, vice-president of business development with SMT Research, said SMT is working on a system that could be retrofitted to monitor leaks on existing roofs.
Teetaert said it involves accessing the roof from below to install leak detection monitors. SMT recently installed wireless moisture sensors on part of the historic Parliament Buildings in Ottawa. SMT’s electronic leak detection system includes a DigiScan 360° scan at the time of construction, as well as a passive BuildingIntelli roof grid system, which is left under the
Above: SMT technician training roofers on the use of DigiScan and related BuildingIntelli grid to locate leaks. Blue cone marks a membrane breach found during quality assurance before covering with green roof overburden. Above Right: SMT technician locating membrane holes from form work and related construction prior to covering with overburden.
main@aqua-coast.ca www.aqua-coast.ca
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Detec Systems has its own patented technology to scan vertical surfaces. Photo: Detec Systems
overburden to help detect future leaks. SMT’s BuildingIntelli monitoring system can be applied to conventional, inverted low slope and sloped roof systems with concrete, metal or wood roof support systems. It can detect even the smallest membrane breach in inverted roofs and waterproofing membranes, Teetaert said. While competitors, both Vokey and Teetaert agree on one thing: acceptance under the RCABC RoofStar guarantee program is important to gain recognition and credibility for their leak detection systems, not only in BC but across North America. “RCABC is seen as a leader in the roofing industry,” said Teetaert, who is also the president of the National Building Envelope Council of Canada, “and RoofStar is considered the best roof guarantee in the business.” ■
ROOFTOP DELIVERIES NOW AVAILABLE IN THE LOWER MAINLAND Brock White is pleased to announce the introduction of rooftop deliveries to anywhere in the Lower Mainland with the addition of our new stiffff boo boom delivery truck. The truck features a 21 ton capacity with 123’ of reach (including jib). The four section boom has a 43’ jib. Bookings FDQ EH PDGH LQ FRQMXQFWLRQ ZLWK \RXU URR¿QJ RUGHU )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ RU WR VFKHGXOH D delivery please contact Chrystal Shaw, Technical Sales Representative: 604-785-2501.
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Journeyman status: more than just a title Apprentices speak of higher standards, both personally and professionally The average dictionary would define a journeyman simply as an individual who has completed an apprenticeship and is fully educated in a trade or craft. Today, the oldfashioned term is used interchangeably with the more gender-neutral ‘journeyperson’ but its meaning hasn’t changed, even though the original customs around the preliminary apprenticeship no longer hold true. RCABC Architectural Sheet Metal instructor Connor Hofler recently gave his Level 3 ASM students an unusual task; to write an essay on what it means to be a journeyman. Instead of the predictable encyclopedia-style approach, the assignment generated some insightful responses from the apprentices, clearly demonstrating pride in their accomplishments and confidence about their futures. Pierre-Yves Boivin of Pocklington Building Systems identified a
journeyperson as one who is “more aware than the average worker about the little details of the trade science,” and whose “high level of knowledge and competence makes him a mentor who can guide others in the realization of a project.” Boivin also compared his responsibilities to those of a backcountry guide; he plans his trip, knows what equipment is needed, warns his charges of any dangers and makes sure nobody gets lost. For Earl Anonby of Flynn Canada, the title is as much about attitude as it is about skill. “I try to bring my ‘A’ game to every situation I encounter. When you are paid as a journeyperson, you need to produce both quality and quantity”. The advantages of acquiring certification are not lost on Brock Thulin (Parker Johnston Industries), who sees the accomplishment as “an opportunity for a steady career in a craft that’s in demand.” Like
most of his peers, Thulin also acknowledges that his training gives him not only the chance, but the responsibility, to teach and share his knowledge. Robert Kennedy (Chilliwack Roofing) expresses more personal motivations; a sense of accomplishment; pride in the ability to maintain a “certain standard of workmanship”; and above all, respect – for his ticket, his training, his work and himself. Jamie Mitchell focused on a journeyperson’s abilities; to be able to take on a variety of jobs, do
them well, and pass on their knowledge to those who follow. Shawn Kessler (Parker Johnston Industries) echoes Mitchell’s opinion. “Successful journeymen are able to run jobs and be excellent team leaders.” Patrick Neis of D.M. Henderson Roofing points to career choices. “All the skills I have learned [on the way to becoming a journeyperson] increase my employability.” Alex Beaton and Jamie Gervais of GRC Columbia Roofing agree with their classmates. Gervais likes the prospect of being able to easily find
work in an area where his skills earn him respect, and the option of combining his training with other education to further his career. Beaton notes that “a journeyman should take pride in their work”, as well as being able to lead, direct and help new workers while staying aware and communicating with all the other trades on the site. Adomas Rolinski of Lam Metal Contracting sums it up. “Being a journeyman represents the elite of tradespeople. Simply put, being a journeyman means to be a leader. Step up when others step back.” ■
RCABC Technical Manager Rob Harris helped man the RCABC booth at BUILDEX Vancouver. The event is managed by Informa Canada, the producers of Construct Canada and ROOFTech. Harris said there was a steady flow of people asking about various roofing and warranty topics. Photo: Roofing BC
WI NTER 2012-13
IN THIS I SSUE:
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IONAL ROOFING CONTRAC
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Vol. 9, No. 4 • WINTER
2012-13
Artist rendering from W.T. Leung Architects shows the fifth-floor plaza at Quintet in Richmond. The waterproofed plaza ponds, waterfalls and features plantings on top of a rubberized asphalt waterproofing membrane. Photo: W.T. Leung Architects Inc.
Northern Roof-Life Specialists
Wet and waterproo Quintet complex in Richmond stretches waterproofing challenge
By Frank O’Brien
The giant $165 million Quintet project in Richmond, by Canada Sunrise Corporation and being built under the direction of Ledcor Construction, has proved a
challenge for roofing contractor Pacific Waterproofing Ltd. of Burnaby. Quintet will be comprised of five towers and townhomes in downtown Richmond on the Skytrain line. It will also future home of Trinity be the Western University (a private university) and a new 30,000 square foot City of
f
Richmond Community Centre. The primarily residential development has proved a huge hit with buyers. The first phase, with 295 units and to be completed in 2013, sold out in just two weeks. Some people camped out for two days as they waited to purchase what some see as Richmond’s premier residential development.
PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40014608 RETURN UNDELIVERABL E CANADIAN ADDRESSES
FEATURES: Quintet: wet and waterproof ....1 Profile: Pacific Waterproofing .. 8 Roofing and the new BC Building Code ..................... 11 Architectural metal “bulb seam” roofing .................12 HST switching back to PST .....17 ASSOCIATION: President’s message .................. 3 RCABC AGM report ................... Prompt payment lobby............. 5 7 Training programs require changes............ ............ 10 INDUSTRY NEWS: Safety blitz may repeat............. 5 Waterproofing: more than the membrane ........................... .6 Underlayment UV warranty doubles ....................... Outlook 2013 .......................... 9 14 VRCA Awards of Excellence ....15 Vancouver’s green plan .......... 16 BC’s Energy Efficiency Building Strategy............ ...........16 Green roof demand on rise.....16 Roof moved in one piece ........18 Building permits ramp up.......18 Construction trade shows: Expo, RCI, Buildex ................... 19 Tower design wins award ...... 20 Roofing nailers recalled ......... 20 Copper price rise forecast...... 20 Shop yards worth money........21 NRCA repair manual out ...... 21 CRCA releases spec manual .. 21 COLUMN Legal Affairs: Computers at work – and privacy ................. 22
ASM ‘bulb seam’ roofing
Gaining popularity in Canada See page 12 Construction of the first phase, which represents two of the projected five 14-16 storey towers, began in April 2011. The phase of three additional second is planned for completion buildings The total square footage in 2015. entire complex is 762,000of the square feet. QUINTET continued
page 4
Trade shows on horizon
February and March offer up three events. See page 19
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“Game Changers” ‘engineered to stick’ Secure Bond Technology newest feather in Firestone’s cap INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Firestone Building Products has introduced its new Secure Bond™ Technology for fully adhered roof system applications. The company claims that Secure Bond ensures uniform adhesion coverage across the entire roofing membrane, establishing a powerful bond.
Technology a ‘game changer’ The Secure Bond Technology will be found on both Firestone’s EPDM and TPO products. “UltraPly™ TPO SA is a self-adhering membrane with a factory applied, pressure sensitive adhesive”, the company states in a press release. “RubberGard EPDM SA is the first EPDM SA available on the market today,” said Joe Marzahl, product manager with Firestone Building Products. “Both RubberGard EPDM SA and UltraPly TPO SA can be installed in temperatures as low as 20 and as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit,” said Marzahl. “In addition to extending the installation window, Secure Bond Technology has a self-bonding membrane engineered to stick, eliminating the time needed to apply adhesives and wait for flash off,” he adds. The company also reports that UltraPly TPO SA and RubberGard EPDM SA have no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and do not emit odour during or after installation.
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According to Firestone, no primer is needed to install either product on all approved substrates, roofs and walls. The company also claims that the products have a long shelf life, with storage capability up to 18 months.
Solvent-Free Bonding Adhesive Firestone BP has also announced its new RubberGard™ EPDM Solvent-Free Bonding Adhesive, a synthetic, polymerbased bonding adhesive, for adhering nonreinforced RubberGard EPDM membranes to approved substrates. The company calls the adhesive “an LVOC application with near zero VOCs”, and says it is non-hazardous, nonflammable, and does not require mixing. Its wet-lay application allows installers to mate the RubberGard EPDM membrane as soon as the adhesive has been applied, the company says. The trio of new products has just been officially launched in the USA, with the Canadian launch set for August 2015, says Mirza Hodzik, Brand Marketing Manager for Firestone Building Products Canada. Visitors to ROOFTech [Vancouver, May 5 and 6] can get a sneak peek – the products will be previewed at the Firestone booth (811), notes Hodzik. “The new Self Adhering TPO membrane will also be in use during the Thermoplastic Roofing Systems demonstration at 11:00am on Tuesday [May 5]”, he adds. ■
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Drones have arrived Victoria pilot turns unmanned aerial vehicle system into safe, all-seeing roof inspection aids By Frank O’Brien Photos: Victoria Aerial Photos and Survey
When the British Columbia government wanted to inspect the roof of the most important building in the province, it called on an innovative Victoria pilot who launched a drone above the BC legislature. The contract to Victoria Aerial Photos and Survey revealed the startling versatility of unmanned aerial vehicle systems – drones – as a tool for commercial property managers and roof inspection companies. While the drones will never replace professional roof inspectors, it hands them a new tool that could potentially make their job easier, faster and safer. It takes a lot of red tape and regulation just to get permission to fly commercial drones in Canadian
urban air space; allowing them to be flown above the seat of government notches up a whole new level of confidence. “It was an important job for us, and our first roofing contract,” said licensed pilot David Carlos, who founded Victoria Aerial Photos and Survey two years ago. He explained that the government’s property manager wanted to check on the gold-leafed statue of Captain George Vancouver, the iconic copper dome and the general roof condition atop the main legislative building. Like many property managers, they also likely wanted to avoid the onerous safety regulations, access permission and potential roof damage that could result in sending a team of inspectors onto the sloped roof of the 116-year old structure. Instead, Carlos carefully guided a powerful multi-rotor drone equipped with video and a highdefinition camera to take detailed photos of every part of the roof. The cameras showed, for example, that what was thought to be bird droppings on the sevenfoot-high Captain Vancouver statue was actually base metal showing through the aging gold leaf. The
David Carlos, president of Victoria Aerial Photos and Survey, prepares to launch one of his drones.
property managers now also have clear and close-up photos of the entire roof and the dome, which has some structural issues. Carlos, one of the few commercial multi-rotor drone operators in the province, said most of his business comes from the real estate industry, but he believes the unmanned flying cameras are uniquely suited for roof inspections. The drones, which measure between 1.5 and 3 feet across, weigh from 1200 grams to 3 kilograms GVW, says Carlos. “They can fly high or low, they can hover and they provide high-resolution photos or videos,” he explained.
Inspecting the roof, dome and Captain George Vancouver statue on the roof of the BC Legislature was the first roof inspection job for Victoria Aerial Photos and Survey.
But, Carlos adds, like roofing contractors, drone operation is best left to professionals. “I have seen some roofers attempting to use their own drones for survey work or commercial promotional photography. They need to be warned about the dangers and risks of doing so unqualified and untrained.” A UAV or ‘drone’ employed commercially is considered an “aircraft” under Canadian Air Regulations, he noted. Any pilot who flies a multi-rotor for commercial use requires a Special Flight Operators Certificate under Canadian air regulations of Transport Canada and the applicant must prove he or she has the experience and the expertise to handle the powerful drones. Carlos, who has held a private pilot license for years, and has flight instrument training and some commercial flight training, received approval in about a month. After a successful trial period he no longer has to seek permission for each flight, but he is
Drone cameras can zoom in on areas of concern on roofs, detailing damage.
required to provide information on where and when he will be flying. He keeps in constant contact from his ground control station with the Victoria Harbour Authority, which handles all seaplane traffic in the capital. Using drones for roof inspections offers a number of advantages compared to using Google Earth, airplanes or on-the-roof inspectors, Carlos believes. The drones are inexpensive, allow closer inspection than satellite or airplane images, and avoid the safety and access concerns of putting people onto the roof, Carlos said. Like his drones, Carlos believes the use of unmanned flying cameras for roof inspections is “just about to take off.” ■
The drones are part of a system that includes commercial multi-rotor and smaller unmanned flight vehicles and sophisticated ground control that can place the drones precisely and avoid interference from Wi-Fi stations and other distractions.
The “World’s Best Roof”® is also the quickest to install. Duro-Last roofs are available custom prefabricated, including curbs and flashings, so roofing crews spend less time welding. Bottom line: you can install a roof faster and move onto your next project — and moving on is how you make more money! Duro-Last contractors call it Time Off the Roof ™. You call it profits! Visit duro-last.com or call to find out more.
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SUCCESSION
First fast-tracked skilled immigrants approved
And what if your business doesn’t sell? By Steve Harvey
A retirement wave is putting Western Canadian entrepreneurs at risk as they face the alarming statistics that 80 percent of business on the market will not sell. This is a statistic that has held constant for the past three to four decades. It has been studied by numerous organizations, trade associations, publications and independent firms, and regardless of the year, the economic climate, or the source of data, they all return roughly the same statistic: only 20 percent of businesses listed for sale in any one year will sell. That high rate of failure is primarily due to owners not realizing the need to plan for the sale of their business. I have met far too many people who think they can wake up one morning, decide to sell their business and go out and do it. Unrealistic valuation and owner’s expectations can throttle a potential sale and owners are forced to close their doors. The impact on the local economy can be substantial. Small business owners, this is your wakeup call. Canada is at risk for a massive closing of doors with the majority of the 1.08 million small and mediumsize enterprises owned by baby boomers. Ownership planning research indicates that over 40 percent of these owners plan to leave their businesses within the next five years, and over 70 percent within the next ten years. We’ll see business exits grow to 550,000. Most people who own a business are focused on making it a great success; few of us spend much time thinking about winding down the business or transitioning it to someone else. Despite the absolute certainty that every business owner is going to leave his or her business at some point in time – voluntarily or otherwise – few Canadian business owners have developed a formal succession plan. Less than 18 ROOFING BC
percent of owners have a written exit plan for leaving their business. Getting ready is paramount and business owners will do well to reach out to a firm that specializes in supporting owners through this time of transition. You need to be honest and look at your business objectively and realistically. Having a professional valuation can help you consider your options, know your timelines and ready the businesses for sale. In the Okanagan Valley, approximately 200 businesses were listed through the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMRB) with 32 sales, which converts to 16 percent sell through rate. It is not that businesses will never sell, but they tend to take much longer, with a two-, three-, or four-year process to get the business sold, during which time the owner likely lowers the price considerably. It could be that they were asking too much to begin with. It could also be that there were other factors that harmed the value of the business, and it ended up being worth less than the average business in that industry of a comparable size and position. Of the businesses that ultimately do sell, about 15 percent sell to a family member, 15 percent sell to an insider – a partner or manager, and 50 percent sell to a third party. The remainder is made up of a variety of other business exit strategies: merging with another company, implementing an employee share ownership plan, or going public. An exit strategy is what every investor looks for — and “must have” if a business owner wishes to get money out of their enterprise. With a proper valuation and positioning, a successful sale to another business or on the open market is realistic. For owners looking to leave a legacy, family succession or selling to employees can be the right exit strategy.
Exit strategies • Keep your business in the family: The dream of many small business owners, keeping your business in the family ensures that your legacy lives on. As an exit strategy, it gives you the opportunity to groom your own successor and even perhaps give you some continued say in the business. However, if you’re looking for proceeds to retire this may not be the way out. • Sell your business to employees: Current employees know the business and have a vested interest in seeing it prosper. Customers, suppliers and investors will be reassured by the stability this option offers. • Sell to another business: Planning early allows owners to target potential new owners in advance, looking to those who may want to expand their operations or buy out the competition. Key to a successful sale is positioning your company accordingly and a proper valuation. When a business doesn't sell, simply closing the doors may be the only options available. Hardly the exit plan any owner would desire. ■
Steve Harvey is a certified business broker, licensed realtor and the CEO of Business Finders Canada. Headquartered in Kelowna, Business Finders Canada is a full service commercial brokerage that specializes in the sale of business and commercial property. Working directly with owners, Business Finders help sell in a confidential manner to qualified buyers. Reach them at businessfinderscanada.com SPRING 2015
OTTAWA – The first round of skilled immigrants have been accepted under Canada’s Express Entry and are expected to soon be working, mostly in construction trades. In January, 779 skilled workers, including professionals in natural and applied sciences, and industrial, electrical and construction trades, were invited to apply for permanent residency in Canada. Candidates who are accepted into the pool are ranked according to various factors, including language proficiency, education and work experience. Each of the candidates declared that they already have a valid job offer, according to Chris Alexander, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. Once candidates have been invited to apply for permanent residence, they will need to submit a complete application and will have to meet eligibility and admissibility requirements such as health and security checks. Candidates will have up to 60 days to submit their application online. ■
Turn roof tops into useable, attractive roof decks
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BC Major Projects Proposed 3Q 2014 Billions of dollars Residential & Residential Mixed . . . . . $17.80 Oil & Gas Extraction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $99.10 Pipelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $28.90 Commercial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.20 Resort. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6.20 Commercial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.02 Public Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.80 Warehouse/Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . $9.40
BC Major Projects Started 3Q 2014 Residential & Residential Mixed . . . . . $30.80 Oil & Gas Extraction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.40 Pipelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.00 Resort. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11.80 Commercial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.60 Public Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.15 Warehouse/Transportation . . . . . . . . . . $14.10
Courtesy BC MAJOR PROJECTS INVENTORY, Q3 2014, Association of Consulting Engineering Companies British Columbia
Multi-family and mixed-use lead Major Projects parade Big gap between “proposed” and the construction actually started By Frank O’Brien
There is nearly $170 billion worth of proposed major construction projects in British Columbia and $81 billion had actually started by the third quarter of last year. In the quarter, the British Columbia Major Projects Inventory tallied a record high of $376.8 billion. Proposed projects accounted for more than two-thirds of the list prepared by the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies of BC (ACEC-BC). The report shows that the actual current construction action is overwhelmingly in new homes and residential mixed-use projects in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. The latter are mostly condominium projects with a retail, office or hotel component. Province-wide, the $15.6 billion in new home starts accounted for more than twice as much spending than manufacturing, pipelines, oil and gas extraction and mining projects combined. Proposed projects, many related 24
to the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, rose to a record high of $269.5 billion, up 34.6 percent from a year earlier and 14 percent higher than in the second quarter of 2014. The latest proposed project is a $10 billion bitumen refinery by Pacific Future Energy Corporation near Prince Rupert.
Province-wide, the $15.6 billion in residential construction starts in the third quarter of 2014 accounted for more that twice as much spending than manufacturing, pipelines, oil and gas extraction and mining projects combined. Projects that had been put on hold spiked 33.8 percent higher than in the same period in 2013 as $23.7 billion in construction plans, not all of them resource related, were put back on the shelf. “We were not too surprised at the
billion, and the Woodside number of proposed Energy LNG project in projects, as this has been a Prince Rupert, also trend for a number of estimated at $10 billion. quarters,” said Keith For the actual $81.6 Sashaw, ACEC-BC president billion in construction and CEO. starts in the third quarter, The number of projects residential and residential put on hold will likely mixed-use projects increase this year, Sashaw accounted for $30.8 said, due to the recent billion. As of the third drop in energy prices and High-rise condominiums tower over the Brewery District, a mixed-use quarter 2014, $41.1 the “somewhat uncertain (homes/retail/offices) project in New Westminster, which has started billion worth of nature of the global construction. Photo: Wesgroup construction started in the economic picture.” northeast BC; Vancity’s $650 million Lower Mainland region, accounting The major inventory listing Dockside Green residential mixedfor half of all starts in the province, reports that $27.2 billion in mining use development in Victoria; and and primarily represented by projects were put on hold in the North Coast Wind Energy Corp.’s residential and residential mixedthird quarter 2014, up almost 50 $400 million Banks Island North use projects. percent from a year earlier. Energy Wind Project near Prince The two largest projects started Yet, engineering companies Rupert. in the third quarter were the $682 overall “are confident in the general The northwest coast of BC led the million North Island Hospital Project outlook for major projects in BC, entire province in major projects in by the Vancouver Island Health recognizing that there are several the third quarter, with construction Authority, which will see new factors out there that can cloud the valued at $148.3 billion, but $131.6 hospitals built simultaneously in picture,” Sashaw said. billion is listed as proposed. Campbell River and Comox, and Notable projects shelved include FortisBC’s $400 million Tilbury LNG the $800 million Phase 2 Cabin Gas Proposals include the LNG Canada project in Kitimat, valued at $10 facility expansion in Delta. ■ Plant expansion by Enbridge Inc. in SPRING 2015
ROOFING BC
Green roofs sprout in Victoria VICTORIA – Green roofs are apparently to be included in plans for two Two new Victoria office towers are rendered with green roofs. new Victoria office towers Photo: Evolve Planning Jawl Enterprises plans to build the two towers of six and 13 storeys, next to Victoria city hall on Douglas Street on the site of a former Royal Bank building. The new development is to be constructed to a minimum LEED gold standard, with sustainability features including a high-performance building envelope and triple-pane windows; a green roof, a central, passively ventilated atrium that will allow daylight to interior spaces; water-efficient plumbing, geothermal heating; and energy-efficient lighting and electrical systems. The 287,000-square-foot project will include 254,575 square feet of office space and about 32,400 square feet of ground-floor retail and commercial to be built in two phases on the west side of the block bordered by Douglas and Cormorant streets and Pandora Avenue. ■
BOMA Best mandated under Vancouver bylaw As of January 1st, the Builder Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) BOMA Best certification will be included in the new Vancouver Building Bylaw. The bylaw requires all building permit applications for alterations to follow an energy upgrade “trigger process.” The energy upgrade trigger provides a number of compliance pathways to meet the requirements, including having a BOMA Best certified building. BOMA Best, developed in Vancouver, is a voluntary program that encourages energy saving and recycling measures in all office buildings. “We are pleased that the bylaw has incorporated the BOMA Best environmental certification program as one option for achieving city permit requirements,” said BOMA energy manager Daniel Klemky. ■
Smart helmet adds technology to safety SAN FRANCISCO – Technology developers see a future in smart helmets, such as the US-produced Daqri model that was introduced last year. The concept, from AutoDesk and 3Squared, is a construction helmet that can capture instruction videos and other field data. It could also allow voice communication and automatically warn of hazards. “It could push out alerts, such as ‘you’re entering a hearing protection area’”, explained Tim Jones, managing director of 3Squared. ■
Smart helmet could receive data and allow twoway communication. Photo: Daqri
FortisBC is spending $400 million to expand the Tilbury LNG plant in Delta. The new one-billion cubic foot containment tank is shown in the foreground of this rendering. Photo: FortisBC
Delta LNG plant shows how it is done By Frank O’Brien
A liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility has started construction, but it is in Metro Vancouver rather than on BC’s northwest coast. The $400 million expansion of the Tilbury LNG plant in Delta started in the third quarter of 2014, according to the Major Projects Inventory compiled by the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies, British Columbia (ACEC-BC). FortisBC, the owner and operator of the facility, awarded Houston, Texas-based Bechtel an engineering, procurement and construction contract to expand the facility, which will include a new one-billion-cubic-foot fullcontainment LNG storage tank. Bechtel, a world leader in LNG-related construction, is also responsible for the startup and commissioning of the new liquefaction facility. The new LNG tank includes a 9% nickel steel plate used for the cryogenic containment system within the tank’s concrete walls. The original Tilbury LNG storage facility was built in 1971 and remains one of only two LNG plants in BC. The other, also owned by FortisBC, is near Ladysmith on Vancouver Island. According to the ACEC-BC Major Projects Inventory, there are $100 million worth of oil and gas extraction projects proposed, mostly LNG plants in northwest BC. ■ ROOFING BC
SPRING 2015
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Two hospitals; one plan
Comox Valley Hospital The 95-bed Campbell River Hospital and the 153-bed Comox Valley Hospital form the $606.2 million North Island Hospital project, the largest construction project started in BC in the third quarter of 2014.
Roofing contracts yet to be signed for North Island hospitals 2-Ply torch-on expected to be material of choice Photos: Vancouver Island Health Authority
One of the biggest construction projects in BC has broken ground but the roofing contractor – and the membrane choice – for the $606.2 million North Island Hospital project has yet to be named. “We are waiting to find out,” said Rob Curts of Nelson Roofing Ltd. (Comox), one of the bidders on the project that will total about 70,000 square feet. The North Island Hospital project involves the simultaneous construction of two hospitals; one each at Comox and Campbell River. Both are being built to LEED Gold standard and are scheduled to
complete in April 2017. “It will be a standard The general roof,” Parnell said. contractor is DeltaGraham Design-Build based Graham Design chose a Soprema Builders LP, a SopraStar 2-ply torchsubsidiary of Calgaryon system for a similar based Graham LEED-gold hospital it is Construction and completing in Kelowna. Engineering Ltd. The SopraStar Stantec’s Vancouver membrane is covered in and Victoria offices are highly reflective white providing all granules, said Robert architectural, structural, Greenough of RCABCmechanical and member TomTar electrical engineering Roofing Ltd., the LEED-gold Kelowna hospital – nearing completion – seen as template for North Island Hospital Project. A 2-ply roofing system was used in Kelowna – and a on the P-3 [private and roofing contractor for helicopter landing pad was installed on the roof. Photo: Interior Health Authority public-sector] project. that project. Greg Parnell, A new way of Graham’s project installing concrete It appears the recommendation manager, said a life-cost analysis slabs, perfected at the Kelowna is leaning towards a 2-ply torch-on on the roofing material is being hospital, will definitely be used for system. completed with Vancouver Island the North Island project, Parnell Tom Sparrow, VIHA’s project Health Authority (VIHA) and that no said. manager, said that green roofs are final decision has been made. The innovative concrete forming not being considered.
method essentially places the support for the slab onto the building’s columns through braces, transferring the load to the foundation rather than using scaffolding. This allows other work to continue without waiting for traditional concrete formwork to be completed, Parnell explained. “It is a very efficient method. Scheduling has a maximum impact on the cost of big projects.” Being able to move workers onto the site sooner could result “in millions of dollars” in savings on a site the size of the North Island Hospital project, he estimated. Greenough noted that 2-ply systems are popular for new buildings because they offer extra protection against roof traffic, such as HVAC installers, during construction. ■
Campbell River Hospital
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SPRING 2015
ROOFING BC
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