August 2020

Florida

August 2020

ROOFING A Publication of FRSA – Florida’s Association of Roofing Professionals

Roof Drainage System Considerations Skylight Options for Your Customers Silicone Roof Coating Primers Rooftop Solar Installations

DUMP YOUR TROUBLES Reduce Physical Stress Enhance Customer Satisfaction Earn More Business Call | 717-661-3591 Email | sales@equipter.com Visit | equipter.com/rb4000

©2020 Equipter, LLC. All rights reserved.

16 | Do Roofers Relinquish This Roof to Waterproofers?

Contents

FRSA-Florida Roofing Magazine Contacts: For advertising inquiries, contact: Kelsey O’Hearne at: kelsey@floridaroof.com (800) 767-3772 ext. 127

6 | FRSA Building Update

All feedback including Letters to the Editor and reprint permission requests (please include your full name, city and state) contact: Lisa Pate, Editor, at: lisapate@floridaroof.com (800) 767-3772 ext. 157 Florida Roofing Magazine, PO Box 4850 Winter Park, FL 32793-4850

20 | Roof Drainage System Considerations, Part I 24 | Skylight Options for Your Customers

View media kit at: www.floridaroof.com/ florida-roofing-magazine/

#RoofingProtects

28 | Silicone Roof Coating Primers 32 | Rooftop Solar Installations: The Responsibility of the Roofing Contractor

On the iPad

Florida

ROOFING Available Online at www.floridaroof.com/florida-roofing-magazine/

www.is.gd/iroofing

August 2020

Any material submitted for publication in Florida Roofing becomes the property of the publication. Statements of fact and opinion are the responsibility of the author(s) alone and do not imply an opinion or endorsement on the part of the officers or the membership of FRSA. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without permission from the publisher.

Florida Roofing (VOL. 5, NO. 08), August 2020, (ISSN 0191-4618) is published monthly by FRSA, 7071 University Boulevard, Winter Park, FL 32792. Periodicals Postage paid at Orlando, FL. POSTMASTER: Please send address corrections (form 3579) to Florida Roofing, PO Box 4850, Winter Park, FL 32793-4850.

www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

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Sunshine State Solution

Snap-Clad

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Installing contr.: Quality Metals Inc.

Profile: PAC-150

Architect: Preston T. Phillips

Color: Custom Stetson Green Photo: hortonphotoinc.com

Equally strong and attractive, these metal roofing panels are available in Florida in our full line of PAC-CLAD painted steel, aluminum and Galvalume Plus coatings, ensuring that your roof will endure whatever comes its way. All panels are Miami-Dade County and Florida Building Code approved.

PAC-150

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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Adam Purdy, CPRC

One Roof I had just graduated from high school and needed to find a way to make some money before heading off to college in the fall. My parents suggested that I call my Uncle Bob to see if there were any positions at his roofing company in Florida that I could fill for the summer. I always loved visiting my family in Florida and thought this would be a great opportunity to make some money to save for school and live the Florida life. Little did I know at the time, the opportunities that were presented to me that summer would be an outline for the rest of my life. My life truly would begin on that One Roof that I was introduced to.

The theme I have chosen for the FRSA’s 99th year is One Roof. One Roof has several different meanings for me that I feel can resonate with all of our members during this time.

It always seems to go back to the people at the heart of the work and where they all convene together at that One Roof.

Let’s all try to remember that we all started out on One Roof and it is that One Roof that brings us all together!

2021 Charity of Choice

There are so many different ways to help people.

FRSA President For our family, taking care Adam Purdy, CPRC of children in need has President, Edwards Roofing Co. One Roof for the Contractor Members always been a passion. We Pensacola, Fla. It doesn’t matter if you are just starting your roofing have chosen Gulf Coast Kid’s business or have $100 million in sales; whether you are House as our Charity of Choice for the 2021 year. a fifth-generation roofer or a first-generation roofer Gulf Coast Kid’s House is a private, not-for-profit hustling for everything you can get. Each of us has the children’s advocacy center that provides services to same common thread of starting on One Roof. It is truly victims of child abuse. As a children’s advocacy center, the one thing that we all have in common that brings us they combine all of the professionals and resources together. This is a wonderful example of what can come needed for the intervention, investigation and prostogether to make such an incredible Association known ecution of child abuse cases under one child-friendly to all as FRSA. We each have our own story of how we facility. Child victims and their families also receive got into the industry and that One Roof, that one oppor- mental health counseling at the center. Its goal is to tunity, that one person that it all started with. form a more collaborative response to child abuse cases in order to improve case outcomes and minimize One Roof for our Associate Members trauma to the children and families it serves. FRSA has It only takes One Roof to bring us together. With always been such a pivotal part in giving back to our each One Roof, we need manufacturers to create the communities over the years. products that we install. We need distributors to get In the end, it’s not important why, where or how you the products to our locations. We need the Insurance wish to help others; what matters is that you do so. In a Agents to help mitigate our risk and liabilities. Finally, world plagued by natural and man-made disasters and we need the Attorneys to help mitigate our contractual in a country struggling to emerge from a worldwide risks and to defend us when needed. Again, it is that pandemic, there is no shortage of people in need and One Roof that brings us all together and makes the no shortage of those who can give. The bottom line is: incredible community of members that we have here at those who can give should seriously consider doing so.

FRSA. It’s important to remember that any donation, big or One Roof creates the incredible benefits that bring small and in whatever form, makes a difference in the us all together. We have the FRSA in its 99th year, the life of the people who receive it as well as those who FRSA Self Insurers Fund for all your workers’ comgive it. pensation needs, the FRSA Educational and Research Foundation that awarded $30,000 in scholarships this year, the FRSA Credit Union for your banking needs and Florida Roofing magazine that keeps us up to date on the latest roofing information. Without One Roof, none of these would exist today.

If you want to play the long game, you need to build apurdy@edwardsroofing.com trusting teams. If your employees don’t trust you, your customers, your company and employees will all suffer. www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

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FRSA Building Update Lisa Pate, FRSA Executive Director We’re on the home stretch! The paint on the exterior of our building was donated by Bostik and Arkema and is a Kynar latex paint, NeverFade Façade Restoration Coatings. It’s a field-applied, water-based, low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) primer and paint that protects the building exterior for 15-plus years. The topcoat is formulated with Kynar Aquatec, a tough and industry proven PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) resin that resists thermal, chemical and ultraviolet degradation, even in Florida’s harsh sun.

The painting application process required optimal conditions – no rain or heavy humidity and a good three weeks for the stucco to cure. The painting contractor hired by the builder underwent training to become certified to apply the paint. Once the crew was ready to begin painting, Michael Roberts, Bostik, Miami was onsite to oversee the process and provide additional instruction.

Between the Kynar paint and the Kynar coating on the PAC-CLAD Copper Penny roof, FRSA’s building is not only beautiful, but well protected with generously donated industry products.

The team from Architectural Sheet Metal, Orlando, installed the gutters and downspouts while soffit, irrigation and landscaping were completed and the full-building generator was powered up and tested.

The three new brick walkways were completed; leading to the front, the Credit Union and the Training Center entrances. Bricks from FRSA’s old building were recreated and installed in the current walkways.

Inside, work continued with the installation of LVT (luxury vinyl tile) flooring, base boards, carpet in the training center and custom front doors.

By the time you read this article, we will have relocated to the new building. Our mailing address and phone numbers will stay the same:

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FLORIDA ROOFING | August 2020

Mailing

FRSA, PO Box 4850, Winter Park, FL 32793

Phone Numbers

407-671-3772 or toll-free: 800-767-3772 ext. 100

Fax Number

407-679-0010

New Physical and Shipping Address

3855 N. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando, FL 32817

www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

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2020-2021 Charity of Choice

www.gulfcoastkidshouse.org

FRSA Self Insurers Fund Returns $6 Million in Dividends FRSA-SIF Staff Based on another great year, the FRSA Self Insurers Fund (SIF) has returned $6 million dollars to just over 300 insured members who were insured with the SIF as of December 31, 2019. That’s an average return of 23 percent of premiums on the 2019 year!

The Fund is paying dividends during these difficult and unprecedented times and hopes that the additional money will assist and benefit your business.

Paramount concern for the safety of your employees is the key to this successful program and proper premium payment insures they receive comprehensive care if an injury does occur.

Your FRSA-SIF Safety Representatives are always ready and willing to assist your company with safety needs, so remember to keep their contact information handy.

The FRSA Self Insurers Fund is an unmatched workers’ compensation carrier exclusively serving the roofing, sheet metal and air conditioning industries.

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FLORIDA ROOFING | August 2020

Our program is unique due to our exceptional customer service, safety and loss control expertise and, of course, the amount of dividends that have been returned to members over the last 30-plus years.

If you are a roofing, sheet metal or air conditioning contractor, you need to have your workers’ compensation insurance coverage with the FRSA Self Insurers Fund so that you too can share in the dividend returns.

Thinking about moving your workers’ compensation coverage to the FRSA Self Insurers Fund? Basic underwriting criteria include being a Florida-licensed roofing, sheet metal or air conditioning contractor, having a minimum of five full-time employees in the governing classification and providing previous work comp loss history.

Call us at 800-767-3772 ext. 206 to see if you qualify for Fund membership and a chance to share in future dividend returns. Cheers!

FRM

Sustainable Living Starts At The Top with Eagle’s Ventilated Roof System

Eagle Roofing Products is committed to helping our customers reach their sustainability and carbon reduction goals.

Offering a gorgeous array of durable and energy efficient concrete roof tile profiles and colors, our tile not only enhances the curb appeal of any residential or commercial structure but also possesses significant qualities to emit heat and reflect the sun’s rays. Take it a step further and the superior performance of concrete, combined with the right roof components, can create an ideal green living space.

Introducing the Ventilated Roof System, an all-in-one concrete tile roof system designed to facilitate airflow under the tile for increased ventilation. This installation method reduces heat transfer into the structure, conserving energy and saving money on electricity bills. It also prolongs the lifespan of the underlayment, components and roof while mitigating urban heat island effects.

The Ventilated Roof System is comprised of four key elements for energy efficiency: 1. Ventilated Eave Closures for air intake at the eave.

2. Eagle’s Arched Battens, which expedites airflow across the roof deck.

3. O’Hagin Attic Vents for proper air exhaust in the upper third of the tile roof system.

4. Eagle’s Concrete Roof Tile, which provides an added layer of insulation and protection.

Sustainable roofing at its finest, contact us today to learn more about Eagle’s Ventilated Roof System! eagleroofing.com

FRSA LEGAL COUNSEL Cotney Construction Law

COVID-19 Restrictions and Heat‑Related Injuries and Illness Trent Cotney & Travis McConnell, Attorneys, Cotney Construction Law As Florida temperatures reach the hottest time of the year, it is important to note that 50-70 percent of heat fatalities occur during the first few days of working in hot environments (while the body acclimates).

Construction workers, especially those working in the roofing industry, are particularly susceptible to heat injuries due to occupational risk factors. When combined with COVID-19 mandatory mask requirements and the elimination of communal water supplies, the heat could spell disaster for roofing crews. To date, we have already had more than 20 telephone calls from roofing contractors who have had employees suffer from heat-related injury or illness.

Under OSHA’s general duty clause, employers are responsible for providing workplaces that are free of known safety hazards, including protecting workers from heat-related illnesses. With this in mind, it is very important that contractors plan for this hazard through a comprehensive heat-illness prevention program. Additionally, contractors can take advantage of free resources, such as OSHA’s Heat Safety Smartphone App (available on iPhone and Android).

At a minimum, any safety program should address the following points:

Plan and Supervise in Order to Mitigate Heat-Related Hazards

Heat conditions can change rapidly between and throughout workdays. Onsite and offsite management should monitor changing conditions and implement appropriate protocols to address extreme weather conditions. The individual who is responsible for implementing the heat plan should be on the site where work is occurring and be sufficiently trained to: ■ identify and control heat hazards,

Train Workers to Recognize Hazards and Heat-Related Illness

All supervisors and workers should be trained to recognize hazards and heat-related illness.

Factors that have a role in creating occupational heat stress include: ■ environmental conditions (such as air temperature, humidity, sunlight and air speed),

■ recognize early symptoms of heat stress,

■ presence of heat sources (e.g., hot tar kettles or furnaces),

■ administer first aid for heat-related illnesses and

■ level of physical activity involved in the work,

■ activate emergency medical services quickly when needed.

■ use of clothing or protective gear that will retain heat and

Take Special Care to Protect New Workers

Almost half of heat-related deaths occur on a worker’s first day. New and returning workers, as well as those exposed to rapid climate changes, should be given the opportunity to acclimate before working at ordinary capacity.

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To protect new workers from heat-related illness, OSHA recommends employers take special precautions for unacclimated workers for at least one to two weeks. Use the 20% Rule: new or returning workers should only work 20 percent of their first day and an additional 20 percent each day thereafter. During work, they should take longer and more frequent breaks than acclimatized workers and should be closely monitored for symptoms of heat-related illness.

FLORIDA ROOFING | August 2020

■ individual/personal factors: for example, even temperatures as low as 77°F can present a hazard to acclimatized workers if the work is strenuous.

Conveniently, OSHA provides a free heat stress calculator on its website in order to determine if conditions present a hazard.

All workers should be familiar with heat-illness prevention and first aid. This training should include: ■ the types of heat-related illness (including how to recognize symptoms), ■ the importance of immediately providing first aid, ■ the procedures for contacting emergency medical services, ■ the importance of protecting new workers, ■ job-related risk factors for heat illness, ■ fluid replacement guidelines and appropriate work/rest cycles and ■ the importance of taking rest breaks in shaded and cool areas.

To accomplish this training, OSHA provides a free lesson plan for employers online.

Provide Appropriate Amounts of Water, Rest and Shade

OSHA recommends that employers provide cool water onsite and additional fluids that contain electrolytes for shifts exceeding two hours. Employees should be encouraged to drink 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes while working outdoors in the heat.

Two of the best ways to ensure workers comply with this guideline are: 1. implementing uniform, site-wide water breaks and

forms of PPE such as respirators. However, many crew members continue to wear masks when more robust PPE is not required. Mandatory mask rules are useful for stopping the transmission of COVID-19. However, a crew leader should be mindful of the ambient heat created by wearing masks and enforce mandatory water breaks to ensure that overheating does not occur.

In addition, many crews have eliminated communal water stations and moved to water bottles. Again, it is imperative that your crew remain hydrated and are forced to take water breaks. Always defer to both CDC and OSHA guidelines when it comes to safety.

Please stay safe – heat exposure is a known killer in our industry. Navigating COVID restrictions in addition to normal safety requirements can be difficult, but train, educate and enforce hydration and safety during the summer heat.

FRM

Authors Note: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

Trent Cotney, CEO of Cotney Construction Law is an advocate for the roofing industry, Board Certified in Construction Law in Florida and General Counsel of FRSA. For more information, contact the author at 866-303-5868 or go to www.cotneycl.com.

2. making hydration convenient by providing water in a location that is near the work, easy to access and of sufficient quantity.

Employees working in warm climates should also be required to take breaks. The length and frequency of breaks increases with the amount of heat stress. Factors influencing this decision include the amount of environmental heat, the level of physical activity required for the work and the individual employee’s personal risk factors. For example, work/ rest schedules are often based on 1-hour cycles calling for 15-minute rest periods every hour. However, 45 minutes per hour may be more appropriate when temperature and humidity are extreme. Individual requirements will vary greatly, so each employer should use OSHA’s planning references to determine their requirements.

Breaks should occur in shady areas and, ideally, ones which are cooler than the outdoor working environment. For example, break areas could include air-conditioned vehicles, nearby buildings or tents or areas with fans and misting devices.

Navigating COVID-19 Restrictions

Many cities and counties in Florida have enacted mandatory mask rules. It should be noted that cloth masks are not the same as N95 masks or other www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

11

Industry Updates Weber Named Vice President of Lifetime Tool & Building Products

Lifetime Tool, a manufacturer of roof system components, announced that Ben Weber has joined the Lifetime Tool Team as its new Vice President. Ben brings years of experience in both sales and marketing having worked with and for international manufacturers, financial institutions and media outlets. “Having founded three independent newspapers and a leading Marketing/PR firm, Ben’s experience in management will be invaluable to Lifetime Tool as it continues to grow,” said Roger Cline, Founder and Managing Partner of Lifetime Tool. Cline went on to say, “Ben’s financial real estate experience in the banking and building industry gives us a great advantage with regards to planning for the future.”

4C’s Spray Equipment Launches New and Improved Website

4C’s Spray Equipment, inventor and manufacturer of the HULK (Heated, Urethane, Low-rise Adhesive, Kart) Spray Rig, announced the launch of its new website.

The easy-to-navigate website is optimized for viewing on mobile devices with pages that load quickly, as more contractors are seeking information and answers while in the field using their phones and tablets.

“Our customers want immediate access to the information they need to keep their jobs moving,” said Mike Calaman, Founder and Owner of 4C’s Spray Equipment. “We’ve added frequently asked questions and how-to videos to assist them in quickly finding answers.”

The new website provides contractors with an easy way to order parts for most of the machines, spray guns and carts on the market today. Web visitors simply choose their equipment, reference the convenient parts diagrams and indicate the quantity desired on the order form. The form offers the ability to either place the order immediately or request a quote. For more information, visit www.4cssprayequipmentrental.com.

CertainTeed Builds Modular COVID Hospitals

The fight against Coronavirus is ongoing across the 12

FLORIDA ROOFING | August 2020

country as well as in the state of Georgia – where over 34,000 confirmed cases and nearly 1,500 deaths have been recorded so far, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

With this in mind, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA) remains diligent to proactively combat the virus, demonstrated through its recent partnership with BMarko Structures and CertainTeed. Together these organizations have engineered a 24-unit modular hospital to serve as an external wing of Navicent Health in Macon, Ga. A similar structure was assembled and is in current use at Phoebe Putney Memorial North, a hospital in Albany, Ga. As part of the project, CertainTeed donated 17,000 square feet of R13 Kraft-faced batt insulation along with 14,175 square feet of Vinylrock Ceiling Tile and Aluminum-capped Ceiling Grid to be installed in patient rooms, bathrooms and hospital staffing stations.

These specially-made modular units: shipping containers outfitted with cleanroom quality, cleanable ceilings and sustainable insulation along with plumbing and HVAC, will be available to treat intensive care patients afflicted with COVID-19.

By joining together on these efforts, GEMA and its partners are providing the support local hospitals and staff need to care for those battling the Coronavirus now and in the possible future.

National Women in Roofing and RoofersCoffeeShop Launch Industry Recruitment Opportunity

National Women in Roofing (NWiR) and RoofersCoffeeShop have partnered to launch a recruiting campaign for the roofing industry. The campaign allows companies to submit job postings for RoofersCoffeeShop to share. By publishing a wide variety of company job offerings, the partnership will attract new talent and allow companies to increase the visibility of their job postings. Any company in roofing can submit job opportunities to bit.ly/roofingcareers.

“Despite the pain we have seen on social media regarding people losing their jobs, the roofing industry has been fortunate in a large part of the country to still be hiring people,” said Brenna Driver, NWiR Board Member and Chair of the Industry Recruitment Committee. “This is a fantastic opportunity to draw in talent from the hospitality and travel industries, who work with consumers every day. This talent could fit well with positions ranging from customer service to technicians to salespeople in roofing.”

National commercial manufacturers, small-town contractors and everyone in between are publishing their open positions, which include installers, Continued on page 37

DECEMBER 6-8

2020

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Asphalt as a Sustainable Roofing Option Karen L. Edwards When thinking of sustainability in roofing, it may not be often that asphalt comes to mind. Most people think of reflective coatings or membranes such as TPO that deliver environmental benefits and reduce cooling loads. With the recyclability of asphalt and the development of cool roofing granules, it is time to rethink asphalt as a sustainable roofing solution.

challenge, according to Hitchcock, is that there is no monetary incentive for contractors to practice asphalt shingle recycling.

“What we really need is the state departments of transportation and other Recycling Benefits government agencies, Reed Hitchcock, Executive Vice President of the when they’re looking at Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), financial incentives for the shared at the 2020 International Roofing Expo that environment, to consider they expect to see a strong focus on sustainability and [asphalt recycling].” recycling in the coming years. “[Asphalt] actually has Recycling can be a a lot of uses even after its regular life on a roof,” said way that contractors can Hitchcock. “The challenge that the industry has right differentiate their businesses and appeal to homenow is getting that material from the roofs to the facili- owners who are interested in doing what is best for the environment. Dale Tadlock of Tadlock Roofing in ties that can process it.”

When recycled properly, asphalt can be used in the Tallahassee, Fla. shared with ARMA why they recycle shingles, saying, “We have used recycling shingles as manufacture of other new products like pavement, a launching point in green roofing. It was the first step specialty mulch or even new roofing materials. The

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3498_SS_FRSA-Half-Page-Ad-June-2020_FA_OL.indd 1

FLORIDA ROOFING | August 2020

9/6/20 10:05 am

that we took to adding green products and services.”

Tadlock says that implementing recycling has given his business a competitive advantage. “We have found that there are homeowners that may not be interested in the fact that we are recycling, but for those homeowners that do care about recycling, it gives us a distinct advantage in the marketplace.”

More information on how to recycle shingles and how to find a legitimate recycling facility can be found at asphaltroofing.org or shinglerecycling.org.

New Technologies for Recycling Asphalt

Roofing Technology Think Tank member Mycocycle is a startup company that is taking on the issue of diverting roofing waste from landfills through the science of mushrooms or mycology. Founded by construction and roofing industry veteran Joanne Rodriguez, LEED, AP, CDT, Mycocycle uses an engineered ecosystem to remediate the toxins out of asphalt and turn it into a usable raw material that can go back into the manufacturing stream. Simply put, they are using mushrooms to eat the asphalt waste and output a valuable raw material.

The company was recently named a finalist in Fast Company’s 2020 World Changing Ideas Award that recognizes “concepts, prototypes and just-launched ideas that may not have clear impact but have the potential to change how we think about an issue.”

Asphalt-eating mushrooms have the potential to

change how we think about roofing waste disposal.

The potential benefits are very exciting.

Making Low-slope Asphalt Systems Eco-friendly

Manufacturers of low-slope asphaltic roofing systems are increasingly looking for ways to make their membranes more environmentally friendly. Innovations in roofing granule technology have led to some extremely sustainable choices for building owners and contractors.

3M is a leading supplier of roofing granules and has developed several sustainable choices, including a highly reflective granule that meets ENERGY STAR, Title 24 and other green building standards. They have also developed an innovative smog-reducing granule that helps remove smog pollutants that come in contact with the roof.

Some manufacturers are offering cap sheets with these environmentally friendly granule options. By choosing the eco-friendly cap sheets, you can deliver to your customers the durability of an asphalt roofing system plus the added benefit of a system that is not detrimental to the environment.

FRM

Karen L. Edwards is a Marketing Consultant for the roofing industry and Director at the Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3).

Keeping the House & Attic

BREATHING, No Matter the FL Weather

OFF RIDGE VENTS

Millennium Metals, Inc. offers a variety of ventilation products for any roofing application. Our vents provide superior wind performance, with TAS100 water-tested baffles available.

Visit www.mmi2000.net to find all of our Florida Product Approvals.

OFF RIDGE VENTS WITH BAFFLE OPTIONS

Proud Member of the FRSA! Call 877-358-7663 for a list of distributors in your area.

GOOSENECK VENTS

www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

15

Do Roofers Relinquish This Roof to Waterproofers?

Richard Spreen, President, Decktight Roofing Services, Inc. and Shredded Tire, Inc. As a roofing contractor that has worked primarily in Miami for the last 32 years, I’ve witnessed a lot of changes to our industry. One of the biggest is the encroachment of waterproofing above occupied or conditioned space or, in other words, what use to be called a “roof.”

What’s in a Name?

In South Florida, areas designated for waterproofing have far more relaxed standards. Waterproofing is allowed to be used when a roof transforms into a terrace or planter but is still required to follow an NOA approved assembly. Over the past few years, I’ve witnessed waterproofing contractors installing liquid waterproofing (without slope or insulation) over occupied areas on some of the most expensive real estate in the world, without a permit. The response from one of the waterproofing contractors when I asked him about “why a permit wasn’t pulled” for the work, which was adjacent to ours, was, “we haven’t pulled a permit in 16 years.”

As a licensed Florida roofing contractor, can you imagine ever saying such a thing? Our license would be revoked. Yet, this statement was made at a job meeting with the owner’s reps, waterproofing consultants and a prominent general contractor present.

Surprisingly, the only ones outraged by that statement were my team and me.

Witnessing this firsthand on one landmark project after another is frustrating, but more than that, it has created a challenge within our industry. When bidding against waterproofers for these coveted rooftop playgrounds, we as roofers are left with few competitive options. Since true roofing NOAs require uplift testing 16

FLORIDA ROOFING | August 2020

for the complete assembly (tile and turf included), R-Value and a slope to drain requirements along with Class-A UL fire approvals, we are automatically at a pricing disadvantage against waterproofers.

Oftentimes, a waterproofing consultant’s “design” will involve a single product NOA or Florida Product Approval rather than an NOA based on an entire assembly. Furthermore, many of these “designed assemblies” involve topping slabs that have sloped finished surfaces with inherent slip and fall concerns as well as efflorescence of tile issues.

If we resign ourselves (as roofers) to the fact that we will never be competitive to waterproofers and ignore the rooftop terrace market, we will live with requests (on bid day) from general contractors to bid on “JUST the elevator and stair towers since the waterproofing has already been awarded.” That request is usually then followed by a request to “supply and install all the scuppers since their waterproofer doesn’t do that.”

This is happening right now on project after project as the waterproofing contracts are awarded in the very beginning of the project (many months before the roofs are even bid out) because a large portion of their work is below grade.

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What Can be Done?

As an industry of roofing contractors, we must ask our roofing associations to apply pressure on regulatory agencies and require waterproofing standards to meet those of roofing standards above occupied or conditioned areas of the building. We must ask those difficult “where is your permit” questions at job meetings in front of the owner’s reps, general contractors and waterproofing consultants to be sure permits are issued on all occupied areas. And finally, as I have been doing for so many years now, pressure ALL of the roofing manufacturers to design full system NOAs for rooftop terraces and gardens that can compete with any full system NOAs from waterproofing manufacturers.

Here’s the Rub

A lot of the manufacturers offer waterproofing and roofing product lines. Is there any incentive for them to develop new “roofing” assemblies when they see that their waterproofing business is growing? I do not fault them because they are all following the regulatory guidelines and are providing outstanding materials at competitive prices. After all, they are material manufacturers and the making and selling of their material is their core business, not necessarily designing for NOAs in the tiny areas of the planet that require them.

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FLORIDA ROOFING | August 2020

Is There an Alternative?

A short story first. Five years ago, while working on the Brickell City Center project in downtown Miami, I became aware of the importance of LEED credits to the developer of the project. I was asked to turn more and more roof areas into vegetative roofs at a considerable upcharge for the distinct purpose of adding needed LEED points. As we were hauling many tons of dirt to irrigated rooftops with giant cranes, I realized then that nothing about this exercise was “Green.”

Around this time, I remember seeing a front-page photo on a local paper of a scuba diver loading an old tire onto a barge from a failed artificial reef project (Osborne Reef in Fort Lauderdale). Two million old tires were chained together and dumped into the ocean next to an active reef in 1971, but now the chains were breaking and the tires were smashing against the reef.

The Point to This?

I wondered what would be done with these two million tires when it struck me that if these tires could be shredded and used in rooftop terraces, we could put the tires to good use and still obtain maximum LEED credits to the developer for their recycled content.

That very afternoon, I purchased a 2,000 lb. sack of playground grade, shredded tires and began a twoyear journey of product development. It followed that with three years of testing that resulted in two USA Patents and two Miami Dade NOA’s.

There is an Alternative

It’s called Echo Roof Terrace and is manufactured by Shredded Tire, Inc. in Fort Lauderdale.

Shredded Tire, Inc. developed and tested a rooftop terrace and garden assembly involving Echo Block and Echo Flow that is presently utilizing SOPREMA SBS torch-grade products as the roofing/waterproofing component within our NOA for concrete and steel decks.

The goal was to establish a new and better standard for terrace roof assemblies. The NOA assembly includes 1/4-inch per foot slope to drain on finish roof membrane, a provision for as much insulation for R‑Value as the job requires, UL Class-A fire rating of the entire assembly (including artificial turf or tile) and most importantly, uplift testing with or without insulation, with or without vapor barrier, and inclusive of the entire assembly (including artificial turf and tile).

The most interesting attribute to this “roof system” is the fact that the finished walking surface is both FLAT and PERMEABLE. The reality is that there is no equal to this assembly (-370 psf NOA concrete deck, -292 psf NOA steel deck) and it will be installed by licensed roofing contractors ONLY. The August issue of Florida Roofing magazine is devoted to sustainable roofing: the entire Echo product line has a certified recycled content of 87-93

percent, by SCS Global. Two recycled passenger tires will, on average, comprise one square foot of rooftop terrace. Be a part of the circular economy and become a certified installer of the Echo Product line.

The entire line of products (including Echo Edge wood blocking replacement) can be found at shreddedtire.com. Distributed throughout Florida by ABC Supply Co. Inc.

FRM

Richard Spreen is the President of both Decktight Roofing Services, Inc. and Shredded Tire, Inc., located in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For more information, please visit www.decktight.com and www.shreddedtire.com.

www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

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Roof Drainage System Considerations, Part 1 Mike Silvers, CPRC, Owner, Silvers Systems, Inc. and FRSA Director of Technical Services As roofing contractors, we endeavor to keep water outside of structures. With most roof drainage designs, we direct the water to the outside of the structure, but there are exceptions to this. Sometimes we purposely direct the water towards the inside.

Hopefully, all of that water goes into a drain and then a leader (pipe), which keeps the water out of the interior elements. But when one considers that all of the water from the contributing roof area must pass over and through this drain, it often is not given the careful consideration it deserves. I hope to provide you with some specific code requirements and some observations that apply to interior drains, both primary and secondary. I will also cover some other types of drains like scuppers, porch tubes and flashings at the roof edge.

Properly performing roof drainage systems are a collaboration between the designer, the plumbing contractor (if drains are involved) and the roofing contractor. However, after the initial design and installation, most types of roof drainage, except for some of the plumbing components, are addressed primarily by the roofer. During reroofing (recovering or replacement) the roofing contractor is almost always the party responsible for work done to the drainage system regardless of the type.

Let’s answer a couple of general code questions before we start into particular drain requirements.

When performing a reroof, do I have to bring everything that interfaces with the roof covering, including drainage, up to current code? No. First, a reroof is an Alteration Level 1 and there is an exception and several other provisions that address this based on the following:

Florida Building Code (FBC) Existing Building (EB) 6th Edition (2017) Chapter 2 Definitions

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Sections 301.1.1 through 301.1.3 as selected by the applicant.

Exception: Subject to the approval of the code/official, alterations complying with the laws in existence at the time the building or the affected portion of the building was built shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code unless the building is undergoing more than a limited structural alteration as defined in Section 907.4.4.

Section 302, General Provisions 302.3 Existing Materials. Materials already in use in a building in compliance with requirements or approvals in effect at the time of their erection or installation shall be permitted to remain in use unless determined by the building official to be unsafe.

Chapter 5 Classification of Work Section 503, Alteration - Level 1

Section 202 General Definitions Alteration. Any construction or renovation to an existing structure other than a repair or addition.

Alterations are classified as Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.

503.1 Scope. Level 1 alterations include the removal and replacement or the covering of existing materials, elements, equipment, or fixtures using new materials, elements, equipment, or fixtures that serve the same purpose.

Chapter 3, Provisions for all Compliance Measures

503.2 Application. Level 1 alterations shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 7.

Section 301 Administration 301.1 General. The repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition or relocation of all existing buildings shall comply with one of the methods listed in

Keep in mind that the actual work you are doing still must comply with the current code. There are also some very specific areas where some of the building elements must be addressed during certain

FLORIDA ROOFING | August 2020

alterations. One example of this is the deck re-nailing and roof-to-wall connection requirements covered under mitigation.

Does that mean that I can address the drainage as I choose? No. The code has a common theme of not reducing compliance that addresses this, including:

Chapter 7 Alterations – Level 1 701.2 Conformance. An existing building or portion thereof shall not be altered such that the building becomes less safe or energy efficient than its existing condition.

This provision is extremely important when it comes to drainage. Many of the roof drainage requirements are covered under the FBC Plumbing (P) volume. In particular, the size of roof drainage system is in this volume and is quite complex. If you have been doing any roofing work on new construction over the last 20 years or so, you know that the size of roof drains has greatly increased during that period. This means that drainage systems in buildings built prior to the current code are often undersized in comparison.

If you reduce the capacity of the existing drainage system, it will most likely not meet the requirements in place at the time it was designed. This includes drains and scuppers, both primary and secondary, as well as other types of drainage such as porch tubes and edge flashing. You do not want to be the contractor who decided to reduce the ability of a roof to drain properly during a heavy rain, particularly when it causes what could be a very serious problem.

In the HVHZ a change has been made to help clarify this in the new code:

Picture 1

of this code.

1514.4.3 Sizing and discharge. Roof drains, gutters, conductors and leaders shall be sized and discharge in accordance with the Florida Building Code, Plumbing and ASCE 7, Chapter 8 with commentary.

So how can roofing contractors have a negative impact on the existing drainage system? There are numerous ways.

When you consider these code requirements, several areas come to mind. If you are installing a new tapered insulation system you may be completely changing the way the building was designed to drain. For additional information on this, please see these previous columns in Florida Roofing: Tapered Insulation Considerations - September 2018 and Tapered Insulation Considerations, Part II – October 2018. But back to the drains themselves.

One of the most common areas where we see the FBC Building (B) 7th Edition (2020) HVHZ size of drains reduced is when a “retrofit” type drain 1514.4 Roof drainage. Unless roofs are sloped to drain (see picture 1 above) is used. Depending on the size of the original drain, a retrofit drain may reduce the over roof edges, roof drains shall be installed at each low point of the roof. If required, roof drains shall com- effective opening of the drain by as much as 20 percent. This calls into question when they can be used. If ply with the Florida Building Code, Plumbing. Where the building has had interior drainage added to reduce required for primary roof drainage, scuppers shall be ponding, it was not part of the original drainage design placed level with the roof surface in a wall or parapet. or it has multiple drains and effective secondary or The scupper shall be located as determined by the overflow drainage and a concrete deck, you may be roof slope and contributing roof area. Scuppers shall okay; but if it is an older building with parapet walls, be sized in accordance with the provisions contained in ASCE 7, Chapter 8 with commentary and shall com- a metal or wood deck and structure with no overflow provisions, it is a different story. So, a contractor must ply with Section 1611 herein. choose carefully where they use these drains.

1514.4.2.1 When overflow scuppers and roof drains How about using an inverted lead boot or a similar are installed, they shall be lined with approved metal or liner in a drain or, worse yet, for a drain? No. other approved materials set forth herein.

The first problem with this approach is that if the drain is connected to a leader inside the building a 1514.4.2.2 When recovering, reroofing or repairing an “gravity seal” is not acceptable. If the drain backs up existing roof, the existing number or size of required for any reason, including an extremely hard rain, the scuppers and/or roof drains shall not be reduced, unconnection will leak. This drainage system must be less a new drainage system is designed by a registered able to withstand the pressure that will be created design professional in compliance with the provisions www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

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Picture 2

from water standing on the roof surface all the way to the discharge. Some liners have an expansion device to put pressure on the liner and against the pipe to attempt a seal. These devices can also reduce the effective area of the drain.

I referred to a “porch tube” (see pictures 2 and 3 above) earlier. A porch tube serves the same function as a drain, but is usually one piece that discharges or makes its first “gravity sealed” connection outside the building, usually below the soffit.

How do we comply with these requirements and still reroof a building with drains? You have many options.

This comes back to two main concerns; both typically can be addressed by reusing the original drains or with new replacement drains. You can’t reduce the effective area of the drains and you need a watertight connection between the drain and the roof covering or, in the case of replacement drains, between the drain and the leader as well. To reuse the drain as originally intended, you need to achieve several things. It needs to be clean, particularly where the drain and the clamping ring (see picture 4 below) create a gasket effect.

Just like with any gasketed surface, contamination

Picture 4 22

FLORIDA ROOFING | August 2020

Picture 3

of these surfaces will create problems. If the drain doesn’t use a gasket, it will usually have a flange. Some drains may use both a gasket and a flange. It is still important that the flange be clean and primed. The clamping ring must be there and match the drain. The bolts, washers and nuts must all function. You must use flashing at all roof drains because it is a termination and is required by the code. Field membrane alone does not satisfy this flashing requirement. In many roof systems, the flashing will be a lead sheet formed to fit the condition (see picture 5 below) Other systems may use a flashing membrane or an additional layer of field membrane. A drain should also have an appropriate cap, dome or screen. Being able to identify the manufacturer and model of the drain will be critical if any parts are broken, deteriorated or missing and you plan to reuse the drains. Most drain components will have identifying marks (see pictures 6 and 7 next page). If not, with some accurate dimensions and pictures, they can usually be identified by specialty distributors or some plumbing supply warehouses.

Often replacement and/or reworking of clamping ring bolts and the threads in the drain is required. This may require the use of drills, easy-outs, heli-coils or taps

Picture 5

Picture 6

Picture 7

to save the drain. If this can’t be accomplished, the drain may need to be replaced by a licensed plumbing contractor. This can be the case if the drains use a synthetic rubber insert to seal between the drain body and the leader. You can replace the drains with new drains that do not reduce the effective opening size to correct any of these conditions.

Scuppers

Another area of concern are scuppers. I have seen both primary and secondary scuppers that have been relined multiple times, sometimes with a new smaller metal scupper or multiple layers of flashing material.

All of this reduces the originally designed effective opening of the scupper. Remember, if you are not redesigning the drainage system (use extreme caution if so) you need to maintain both the ability to drain the volume of water and the intent of the original design.

When recovering and/or adding insulation you will be raising the height of the roof covering. If the roof drains through scuppers, you will need to either raise or widen the scupper to maintain the original size or create a sump in front of the scupper that maintains its original effective opening.

As I stated earlier, the Plumbing volume of the code contains much of the roof drainage information.

Among other requirements, it contains the requirements for gutter and downspout sizing. I will address some of what is included there, as well as other drainage considerations, in a future article. Watch this space.

Hopefully, I’ve provided some information that will help you when considering how to address roof drainage during you reroof projects.

What’s Wrong with These Pictures?

FRM

Mike Silvers, CPRC is owner of Silver Systems Inc. and is consulting with FRSA as Director of Technical Services. Mike is an FRSA Past President, Life Member, and Campanella Award recipient and brings over 40 years of industry knowledge and experience to FRSA’s team. www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

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Skylight Options for Your Customers Bob “Duke” Dutkiewicz, National Sales Manager, Kennedy Skylights

We are all aware that skylights are very popular in just aren’t available with plastic skylights. There are the Florida market. Glass, polycarbonate and tubular several glass glazing choices which differ from manuskylights dot roofs throughout the state. As modern facturer to manufacturer. Choices include: kitchens moved away from exterior walls to become ■ tempered double insulated the central focus point of the home, we starved this ■ tempered double insulated with LowE coating area from natural light, which increased the popularity ■ tempered double insulated with LowE coating and of skylights and tubular skylights. With many of the argon gas between the panes new home now designed with windowless kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms, the use of skylights and ■ tempered with LowE coating, white or bronze tint tubular skylights will continue to increase. and argon gas between the panes Here is some basic information on skylight choices.

■ tempered over laminated glass with argon gas Hopefully this information will help you when discussbetween the panes ing skylight options with your customers.

■ tempered over impact glass with argon gas Polycarbonate and acrylic skylights are a popular between the panes. choice. They are relatively inexpensive, light weight and extremely strong. Polycarbonate is 250 times stronger than glass which makes this a popular choice in our state’s High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ). You will find most polycarbonate skylights are compliant with the Florida Building Code and Miami-Dade code. Most manufacturers will offer these units as curb mount, self-flashing or available on 2-inch, 4-inch and 6-inch aluminum flashing bases. There are also drawbacks to these types of skylights.

There is little to no insulation value compared to argon filled glass skylights. Also, they tend to be noisy during rainstorms and from outdoor noise, airplanes, traffic, etc.

Most professional skylight installers agree that glass skylights are the best product available for residential use.

Glass will generally provide a clearer view and can have insulating factors that 24

FLORIDA ROOFING | August 2020

Some of these options may be dictated by your local building codes. For example, some cities, counties and states may require tempered over laminate glass. Here in Florida, tempered over impact glass is required in both MiamiDade and HVHZ. Other important factors when choosing a skylight is energy ratings: R-Value, U-Value and shading coefficient. R-Value and U-Value are both measurements of heat flow, while shading coefficient measures solar heat gain. When looking for energy efficiency, you want a higher R-Value number and a lower U-Value.

In Florida, you should look for a lower rated shading coefficient measurement. In many northern states, customers will look for a higher shading coefficient number to provide extra warmth from the sun. You may also see a visible light transference (VLT) or a UV blockage number. Both of these options look at the amount of sunlight that is transmitted through your skylight. Skylights that have a tinted glaze can lower your VLT rate and increase the UV blockage if the possibility of sun damage is a concern.

There are a number of accessories available when installing, replacing or upgrading skylights. These accessories include shades, which are available in sun diffusing, room darkening and blackout shades.

These shades can be operated manually, electronically or by solar power. Another option is ventilating skylights. These skylights are very popular in bathrooms or kitchens for venting heat and humidity. The operation is similar to the shades and also can be opened and closed manually, electronically or by solar power. Custom size skylights are available in both

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self-flashing and curb mounts that will satisfy any customer’s needs.

Tubular skylights are another popular product in the Florida market for bringing natural sunlight to darkened areas of your home. Tubular skylights range in sizes from 10-inch to 29-inch diameters, the latter, mainly for commercial use. Most residential skylights that we find will range from 10-inch to 18-inch.

How Tubular Skylights Work

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The sunlight enters through either a high-impact acrylic or polycarbonate dome or, alternatively, flat glass or plastic. The sunlight is transmitted through a highly polished, mirrored-finished aluminum tube through an attic or crawl space and then emitted through a ceiling diffuser. Most homeowners are amazed by the amount of natural light that comes through their new tubular skylight. For example, a 10-inch model at full sunlight will cover an area up to 150 square feet, which is equivalent to a 300-watt light bulb. The 13- and 14-inch models will cover an area up to 300 square feet, equivalent to a 500-watt light bulb. Homeowners joke about trying to find the switch to turn off the light when leaving a room equipped with a tubular skylight.

There are several accessories that can be used with these products. For example, extension tubes for large attic crawl spaces. Most manufacturers recommend the maximum length of no more than 20 feet.

Also available are 0-to-45-degree adjustable elbows.

These elbows help navigate around obstructions in the attic space like electrical wiring, plumbing or air conditioning ducts. Other options are solar and electrical light kits that allow your ceiling diffuser to be used after the sun goes down. Solar powered shades and electrical dampers are also available when room darkening is required.

Hopefully, this article has provided a basic understanding on some of the skylights that are available to the consumer. Homeowners will enjoy the energy savings, the natural sunlight benefits and the aesthetic beauty skylights provide.

FRM

When your Rooftop Terrace & Garden must be‌

đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š Flat and permeable đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š Dade NOA approved -370 psf (Concrete & Steel) đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š UL Class “Aâ€? Fire Rated (the entire assembly) đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š NOA & UL approved for turf, tile, and gardens đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š 93% Certified recycled content (LEED) đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š Warranted 20 years by Soprema đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š ‘R’ Value warranted 50 years đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š Soundproof (Ratings: STC-39, OITC-36 at 4â€?)

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Bob “Duke� Dutkiewicz, National Sales Manager for Kennedy Skylights, has worked in national sales via wholesale distribution for over 30 years. He joined the Natural Light Energy Systems (NLES) sales team, located in Phoenix, Az., in December 2011. In May of 2013, NLES had the opportunity to acquire Kennedy Skylights which opened a new opportunity for Duke.

Duke is now the National Sales Manager for Kennedy Skylights which allows him to travel from coast to coast promoting Kennedy products through wholesale distribution.

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Silicone Roof Coating Primers Klaus Schlimm, Marketing Director, Progressive Materials Silicone Roof Coatings One of the main benefits of silicone roof coatings is that, in most cases, primers are not necessary. This benefit is a major time and money saver for any contractor. It has helped propel silicone into the spotlight as one of the fastest-growing roofing technologies in the industry. Although rare, there are times when a primer is actually necessary. In this article, we will be looking into the following substrates and whether or not a primer is necessary for each: ■ metal roofs ■ spray foam ■ single-ply (TPO / Hypalon / PVC / campers) ■ mod bit / aged asphalt / gravel BUR ■ EPDM.

Primers and Metal Roofing

Metal roofs are great substrates for silicone roof coating restorations. If in good shape, your metal roof will require no primer at all. This is not always the case, however. In cases where rust is affecting the roof, rust inhibitive primer (RIP) is recommended. By applying 1 gallon per 200 square feet, you can almost entirely

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stop rust. Although, there’s nothing that can completely stop rust, RIP slows it to a degree that it is no longer considered a threat to the roof. RIP can be sprayed or rolled on and, once dry, it adheres to your silicone coating. It’s a safe and easy way to make sure rust doesn’t take over a metal roof. Of course, if rust damage has created major holes or gaps in a roof, some panel replacement may be necessary. In most cases, however, RIP offers enough protection to keep the metal roof’s rust at bay. The only other time a PM primer may be necessary on a metal roof is if Kynar roofing is used. In rare cases, we have seen poor adhesion on Kynar. Thankfully, there is a solution for that as well. Single-ply primer (mostly used on single-ply substrates) will coat over Kynar and offer tremendous adhesion for the silicone coating.

Primers and Spray Foam Roofing

As with most substrates, primer is seldom required on spray foam. There are, however, times when you’ll want it handy. As you know, exposed spray foam can be damaged quickly if left in direct sunlight. Fortunately, night seal primer (NSP) has been developed to help with this issue. Here are a couple instances in which NSP is necessary: ■ Prior to coating on top of foam, be sure that the foam is not exposed to the sun for longer than a day. If you will be working on a foam roof for multiple days, you will want to make sure you prime the foam to maintain its integrity. NSP goes on easily while holding the foam’s integrity, allowing you the time you need to finish the job.

■ You may also want to consider NSP in your tie-in lines. Foam does not adhere to silicone, but it will adhere to NSP. The NSP coat will allow the new foam to adhere to the previously installed silicone, allowing you to finish the job the right way.

a point of pride, this primer is a must-use on these substrates.

The “no-primer-necessary� trend continues for most single-ply roof jobs. However, like metal roofs and Primers and EPDM spray foam roofs, there are a few instances where a EPDM is typically known as the most stubborn subprimer is recommended. strate when it comes to silicone adhesion. If it’s too On TPO, PVC and Hypalon roofs, a primer may be necessary on roofs under five years old. These roofs can sometimes be oily, makingSitudifficult stainabfor le silicone Wood Blocking to adhere. If you are working on a newer TPO roof, Sustainable Wood Blocking single-ply primer (SPP) will help the silicone adhere even better. This primer is designed to cut through these oils and create a nice surface for the silicone to stick to.

Susin tasilicone inable usage Woodon Blocking Recently, we’ve seen an uptick campers and RV roofs. If you’re coating a camper or RV, you could have similar issues to TPO and Hypalon.

Once again, SPP is the recommended primer for this type of job.

Primers and Single-Ply Roofing

Primers and Mod Bit Roofing

For modified bitumen Echo and aged asphalt systems, prim- Tires & Cements Edge Blocking made of Shredded er is not necessary. The silicone will hold and maintain đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š 5 times faster to install (see video bEcho elow) Edge Blocking made of Shredded Tires & Cements a strong bond, but there has actually been a primer deđ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š Dade NOA approved -300 psf (Concrete & Steel) đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š 5 times faster to install (see video below) veloped for these roof types. đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š With UL Cmodified lass “Aâ€? at Ubitumen nlimited Slope đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š Dade NOA approved -300 psf (Concrete & Steel) and asphalt roofs, silicone canđ&#x;—šđ&#x;—šbegin 93% Ceto rtifyellow ied recycquickly led content (LEED)) đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š UL Class “Aâ€? at Unlimited Slope after the silicone is applied. This đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š Myellowing oisture, moldis , bdue ug reto sistant and will never rot Echo Edge Blocking made of Shredded Tires & Cements đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š 93% Certified recycled content (LEED)) đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š 2â€? –from 10â€? hig h inasphalt ½â€? Increm ents with only 4 sizes activating asphalt bleed-through the and đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š Moisture, mold, bug resistant and will never rot Atttim acehsgfa u rin psetnegadlg ae nd n )joints đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š 5 stter ,td onot a le (se vie dxep oabnesliow bitumen. Although this bleed-through does đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š 2â€? – 10â€? high in ½â€? Increments with only 4 sizes Trees saved (voisnic t roeute r c&aS lctu đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š D adeitN OA abe p& prtires o ved recycled -300 psf (C elealt)or) tively affect the silicone’s integrity, can unsightly đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š Attach gutter, drip edge and expansion joints đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š UL Class “Aâ€? at Unlimited Slope if you were expecting for a dazzling white roof. đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š Trees saved & tires recycled (visit our calculator) Distributed throughout by Supply Co, Inc. đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š 93% Certified reFlorida cycled co nteABC nt (LEED) ) To help prevent yellowing, bleed block primer (BBP) đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š Moisture, mold, bug resistant and will never rot Distributed throughout Florida by ABC Supply Co, Inc. was developed. This primer designed specifiShreddedhas Tire,been đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š 2â€?In – c1.0â€? high in ½â€? Increments with only 4 sizes w w w . s h reddedtire.com 6 7 4 2 N W 1 7 A v e n u e , F o r t cally to stop this bleed-through, đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š Atoffering tach gutteprotection r, drip edge afor nd 8 e4 xp oTd n od i(n tis7 re3,)Inc. 4.a 4Sn 8hs0ri.e IRdjEe 8T4 Lauderdale, Florida 33309 white rooftops. If you or your đ&#x;—šđ&#x;—š client www.shreddedtire.com Treesaren’t saved concerned &1-1/2 tires recycled (vis6it74 o2urNcW al1c7ulaAtvoern ) ue, Fort min video 844.480.TIRE (8473) Lauderdale, Florida 33309 with roof color, you can skip this step. The watertight 1-1/2 min video Distributed throughout Florida roof will still last decades.

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29

new, the silicone may not hold. If it’s too old and dirty, the silicone may not hold. EPDM gave silicone experts a headache until the right method was finally discovered.

The first key to silicone application over EPDM is to use rinse-able cleaner (RC). Although not technically a “primer,” this cleaner is definitely necessary before

coating on EPDM. After power washing the roof, RC is applied onto the EPDM. Let RC sit for ten minutes and then rinse it off. This quick step will help silicone roof coatings adhere very well to the EPDM. If, after the roof has been washed and cleaned, adhesion tests are still showing less-than-desirable performance, SPP may be used to offer optimal strength. In some

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FLORIDA ROOFING | August 2020

extreme cases, when additional adhesion is necessary, SPP can be used to offer maximum hold. Between RC and SPP, you can guarantee great silicone adhesion on EPDM.

Conclusion

While primers are not necessary on most silicone coatings jobs – most of the time a good power washing will offer enough prep work for good adhesion – knowing what primers are available will be useful on the unusual jobs you encounter.

FRM

G N I

Klaus Schlimm is the Marketing Director for Progressive Materials Silicone Roof Coatings. He graduated from Northern Kentucky University in 2009 and has spent the past eleven years in sales, proposal writing and marketing. For the past five years, Klaus has been working in marketing and public relations in architecture, construction and roofing.

Klaus builds marketing campaigns for Progressive Materials and their clients to help win business. For more information, feel free to reach out to Klaus at klaus@pmsilicone.com.

The Hoist Standoff Ladder Clip Finally, an accessory manufactured to solve major problems associated with using a platform hoist. Introducing The Hoist Standoff.

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Rooftop Solar Installations: The Responsibility of the Roofing Contractor Advanced Roofing Inc., Ft. Lauderdale Powering a home or business with the sun is becoming increasingly popular in the Sunshine State and beyond.

Reduced energy costs coupled with tax incentives make it a financially viable option for many, not to mention the benefits of being a socially responsible company by reducing your carbon footprint, which attracts customers and potential employees.

Rooftop solar energy systems will typically last around 30 years, so it’s important for roofing contractors to make sure a roof is ready to protect their client’s building for years to come. A major issue in the marketplace is disreputable solar contractors selling solar through financing mechanisms like PACE, which allows a property owner to finance the up-front cost and pay it back over time through a voluntary property tax assessment, without assessing the viability of the rooftop. As of 2016, 40 percent of new solar installations on existing roofs resulted in damage to the roof itself.

Roof leaks and vent pipe flashing are a few of the common problems that have occurred after solar panels were installed by unqualified contractors. This opens owners up to the possibility of the roof system failing several years into the life of the new solar array, causing additional and unexpected costs associated with the removal and re-installation of the solar array following a roof replacement. A few other common issues encountered when installing solar include: ■ lack of conditions inspection by a qualified roofing company to measure the worthiness of the rooftop for a solar installation.

■ not meeting code requirements for

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solar attachments and a lack of municipality inspections.

■ poor quality of attachment details for solar racking systems: putting racking systems on your roof not only alters a core part of the home or commercial property, but there are parts of the installation process that put the roof at risk if done incorrectly, potentially causing roof leaks and system failures.

■ roofing systems that should last 20 years are deteriorating faster due to installing solar on roofs with less than optimal service life remaining.

■ owners are securing PACE financing for old roofs, which are then ruined when faulty contractors cut up the roofing system, leaving owners with no money to pay for a new system.

■ lack of communications between the owner, solar contractor, product manufacturer, roofing contractor and the city leads to many additional issues.

So how do owners protect their roofs while making the switch to solar? Just like any major project, choosing the right service provider is essential to a rooftop solar installation. The commercial system is much different than your average residential system and requires a different approach. Installing the right components can help ensure home and business owners receive their anticipated return on investment. This provides a great opportunity for roofing contractors to lead by solving problems before they become issues.

Be sure to keep in mind the long-term implications to a roofing system in addition to evaluating if its current state is suitable for solar. Remember, all systems

are not created equally. Engage your customers by educating them on the impact of the solar array on their rooftop and, if it is not a fit for their roofing system, let them know about alternate solutions such as solar carports and ground-mounted renewable energy solutions.

When it comes to installation, roofing contractors need to ensure the proper solar racking or mounting

solutions are installed based on the roof type. Involve the city’s building department in designing the connection details and follow all mandating and product approvals. When selecting products, it’s not only important to use time-tested, proven products that will last 25 years and generate a good ROI for your client, it’s also critical to make sure products and systems are installed adhering to roofing manufacturer guidelines in order to maintain warranties. Good communication with manufacturers will alleviate the headache of voided warranties for your clients.

Much like traditional roofing systems, solar energy systems require maintenance to achieve maximum ROI for the building or homeowner. Commercial buildings require professional operations and maintenance (O&M) services for each solar project to realize their full value potential. Those without regularly scheduled maintenance programs to support the product and power production, do not typically provide the best ROI for the customer. The key is to get involved. Engage reputable solar contractors.

Contractors should look for signs of deterioration in sealants and enclosures. Spot checking five percent of the mechanical connections for signs of movement in www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

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torque markings, etc. can save an owner from a much larger issue down the road in the event of a significant weather-related event that could cause large scale failure. More sophisticated thermal imaging of electrical panels for poor terminations and electrical system checks are very beneficial as well, but require trained professionals and specialized equipment.

The Federal Income Tax Credit is currently at 26 percent, is available for business owners and provides strong ROI. A reputable contractor will have knowledge of the tax benefits available for commercial properties, when they expire and what they entail.

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A rooftop solar panel installation is a great investment that won’t lead to roof damage when done by a professional, experienced installer.

FRM

Advanced Roofing is an experienced, award-winning commercial solar energy contractor specializing in the design, procurement and construction of rooftop, carport and ground-mounted renewable energy solutions for clients in high-wind zone areas like Florida and the Caribbean.

COTNEY CONSULTING GROUP John Kenney

Assemble Costs, Mark Ups and Establish a Review Process In part 1 (Review and Validate Your Estimating Process – Florida Roofing, July 2020), we discussed how the estimating process begins with a comprehensive understanding of your project’s scope of work and knowledgeable and well-trained estimators following solid processes and procedures that must be implemented into your Estimating Department.

In this segment, we will cover how to gather your costs, properly mark up your estimate and how to develop a trustworthy review process.

Stage 3 - Assembling Your Cost Data

Every item in your estimate must contain an associated cost. That’s a lot of cost pricing to get together. It is advantageous to identify them one at a time. There are many sources for you to obtain reliable costs.

■ Historical Data from Your Previous Projects and Estimates One of the best sources to look for cost data is your last job, provided the estimate for your previous project was accurate. Historical cost data should be used cautiously. Changes in prices and labor production efficiency may have substantial impacts on project costs.

■ Supplier Quotes A good practice is to obtain a quote from two or more vendor sources. You will achieve a better understanding of the overall going market rate for items in your estimate. You do not want to lose your advantage if you use only one supplier quote and lose a job because your competition had better pricing from supplier “B.” ■ Subcontractor Quotes Subcontractors quotes for specialized work on your project that you don’t perform in-house is a great way to lock down costs for that scope of work. Whenever possible, obtain your quotes from a subcontractor you have worked with previously and have a mutually beneficial relationship.

■ Published Cost Data Although I am not a fan of randomly using cost data from third party sources, they do have their use in estimating. Cost databases are well researched and maintained by professional cost engineers experienced in the industry. If you are 36

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unable to obtain a qualified subcontractor or supplier quote, you can rely on these sources for average itemized costs when needed.

Organizing Your Data

During this stage of the estimate, you have a large amount of data and all that information must be assembled, organized and analyzed. That’s a lot of information to get one’s arms around. You need to put a system in place to handle it all efficiently. Remember, the goal is to transfer everything from the takeoff to your cost summary once, without reworking.

The Summary

Once you have completed the pricing of direct costs and reviewed your pricing on the cost analysis or consolidated estimate document, you are ready to transfer total costs for each section of your estimate to the estimate summary, where you add your markups. During this process, be sure to double-check your steps because errors are easy to make.

It is a good practice to create a standard estimate summary document that lists items repeatedly estimated to save time. Your column headings or categories for your estimate summary include: ■ material ■ labor ■ equipment ■ subcontractor ■ total.

You are now at the point of the process where you apply the appropriate markups to the total dollar values. In general, different percentages are added to the sum of each column to account for indirect costs, including: ■ sales tax ■ company overhead ■ profit

■ contingencies.

Stage 4 – Establish an Estimating Review Process The primary purpose of an estimate review process is to present information about the estimate and the project in such a way that it allows the reviewer to evaluate the quality of the estimate to verify that it sufficiently meets its intended purpose. The review process should be comprised of a series of estimate reviews, starting with internal estimating department reviews, project manager reviews, with final reviews by management or ownership depending on the structure of your organization.

■ Estimating Team/Estimating Department Review The first review of the estimate should be conducted by the estimator that prepared the cost estimate. This is essential screening to ensure that the math is correct and that the estimate is documented correctly and adheres to estimating department guidelines. In the next stage of the review, it is checked by the lead or head estimator for accuracy and compliance.

risk for the project. When reviewing the risk analysis, it is always important to discuss the areas of high risk and how to mitigate those risks.

The goal of an estimate is to predict the cost of a project accurately. The purpose of an estimate review is to determine that an accurate and high-quality estimate has been prepared. The review process should ensure that the proper estimating methods, procedures, techniques, data and guidelines have been engaged in the preparation of the estimate. By using a structured estimate review process and review techniques, you are ensuring that quality estimates are consistently prepared, which effectively supports the decision-making process by management.

In part 3, we will discuss how to calculate gross profit and develop a winning selling strategy.

FRM

John Kenney has over 45 years experience in the roofing industry. John started his career by working as a roofing apprentice at a family business in the Northeast to operating multiple Top 100 Roofing Contractors. As Chief Operating Officer, John is intimately familiar with all aspects of roofing production, estimating, and operations.

■ Project Manager Review Once the estimating team has reviewed the estimate closely, it is ready for review by the project manager. The objective now is to gain the project manager’s support of the estimate. This is also the first point where the estimate needs to pass an overall validation test, as well as a quality review.

Industry Updates, continued from page 12

salespeople, administrative assistants and more.

Skilled trades compensation on the whole is higher than many industries, making this an especially attractive opportunity for job seekers.

“We are proud to partner with RoofersCoffeeShop to bring this recruiting campaign to life,” said Ellen Thorp, Executive Director of NWiR. “The recruitment campaign will provide a unique opportunity to companies looking for talent, as well as for job seekers looking for their next opportunity.”

The project manager should also review the risk basis of the estimate and agree with the analysis of cost risk associated with the project and should agree with the risk assessment provided by the estimating team. The project manager and estimator must be able to defend it in subsequent review National Women in Roofing is a volunteer organization dedicated to supporting and advancing women to upper or corporate management. roofing professionals. NWiR provides opportunities Lastly, the project manager should reconcile the for mentoring, learning and networking for profescurrent estimate to previous successful estimates sionals at all stages of their careers. They share the of similar projects. This is an important aspect vision of elevating the roofing industry to a new level of the overall estimate review process, but often of professionalism and diversity by supporting feoverlooked. male professionals. For more information contact ■ Management/Ownership Reviews Ellen Thorp at ellen@nationalwomeninroofing.org or 303-450-3150.

The company management or ownership conFRM ducts the last series of reviews. These reviews are conducted at a very high level of analysis and usually do not involve the details of the estimate.

Management will be interested in the cost risk assessment. The estimator should be able to clearly and concisely explain how the contingency amount was developed and what the levels of risk are. It is the responsibility of management to accept the level of risk indicated or change the amount of contingency and accept more or less www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

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Suicide: Know the Risks Maggie Mortali, Senior Director, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Enhancing suicide awareness in the workplace can support employees’ mental health As you know, there are many safety and health issues associated with managing a roofing company. And because you must focus on fall protection, material handling and hazard communication, to name a few things, you might be overlooking an important issue: suicide prevention.

Suicide is a serious public health problem that affects individuals, families and communities, including

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workplaces. In 2018, the most recent year national data is available, 48,344 people in the US died by suicide, making suicide the tenth leading cause of death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And among individuals 16 to 64 years of age, the CDC says the suicide rate has increased 42 percent in less than two decades (12.9 per 100,000 in 2000 to 18.3 per 100,000 in 2018).

Suicide affects everyone, but some groups may be at higher risk than others. A CDC report about suicide rates by industry and occupation for 2016 highlighted the significantly higher suicide rates within the construction and extraction industries (49.4 per 100,000 population). The suicide rate among those in the roofing industry was even higher at 65.2 per 100,000 population.

These data points provide a clear rationale for the roofing and construction industries to address suicide prevention as a health and safety priority not only because of the opportunity for employers to reach people who can be helped by suicide prevention education, mental health services and support, but also because of the effect education and mental health interventions can have on workplace culture.

To help your workforce remain mentally healthy, you should be aware of suicide risk factors and warning signs and develop comprehensive suicide prevention programming initiatives.

Risk Factors

There is no single cause for suicide but there are multiple, intersecting factors that come together at particular points in time to create suicide risk. In other words, though it is natural for people to look for a direct “reason” (such as a job loss or a relationship breakup) when someone takes his or her own life, suicide prevention research shows it is never that simple.

Risk factors are characteristics or conditions that increase the chance of suicide. For instance, just like someone is at risk for heart disease because of high blood pressure or a family history of heart disease, some people are at higher risk for suicide than others. Suicide risk factors can be grouped into three categories: health factors, historical factors and environmental factors.

Health factors include: ■ mental health conditions FASTENING SYSTEMS AND SOLUTIONS

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■ depression ■ substance abuse ■ bipolar disorder

■ schizophrenia ■ conduct disorder ■ anxiety disorder ■ serious health conditions, including chronic pain ■ traumatic brain injury.

Individuals working in labor-heavy positions, such as construction, often experience chronic physical pain or an injury. Pain can interfere with job performance, job security, sleep and well-being. Physical injuries sometimes can lead to self-medication or overmedication of prescribed drugs. This type of substance abuse can increase the risk of suicide.

Historical factors include: ■ previous suicide attempts ■ family history of suicide ■ childhood abuse and/or neglect ■ past trauma Environmental factors include: ■ access to lethal means, including firearms and drugs ■ prolonged stress, such as exposure to harassment, bullying, relationship problems or unemployment ■ stressful life events such as rejection, divorce, financial crises and other major life transitions or loss.

Cyclical work with regular periods of layoffs and rehiring often is part of working in construction and can cause uncertainty about employment and job security.

Not only can this type of financial instability lead to stress and/or anxiety, it also can cause many workers to lose access to insurance and other employment benefits.

Environmental factors alone are not thought to lead to suicide; however, if an individual has other health or historical risk factors, environmental stressors can contribute to an escalation in risk. Because environmental factors are critical in this mix, workplaces and job settings hold great potential for reducing risk and preventing suicide deaths.

Warning Signs

Although suicide risk factors often endure over a long period of time, suicide warning signs can signal more imminent suicidal risk. Suicide warning signs can be grouped into three categories: talk, behavior and mood.

A person is showing signs of suicide if he or she talks about: ■ killing himself or herself ■ feeling hopeless ■ having no reason to live www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

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■ being a burden to others ■ feeling trapped ■ being in unbearable pain.

Individuals who are thinking about suicide often talk about ending their lives directly or indirectly. A person may make his or her intentions known and clear by saying he or she has no reason to live or would be better off dead, while other people may be less direct and say they feel trapped or are in unbearable pain. Some individuals may only hint at their feelings of despair and these types of comments may be subtle and often can go unnoticed. It is important to take what a person says seriously, especially if he or she is displaying other suicide warning signs.

Behaviors that may signal risk, especially if related to a painful event, loss or change include: ■ increased use of alcohol or drugs ■ looking for a way to end one’s life, such as searching online for methods ■ withdrawing from activities ■ isolating from family and friends ■ sleeping too much or too little ■ visiting or calling people to say goodbye ■ giving away prized possessions ■ aggression ■ fatigue.

Additional warning signs related to a person’s behavior, especially if unusual for him or her, may involve absences from work, which can include being late for a workday or for important meetings and events, taking long lunch breaks or taking more breaks than usual, leaving work early and/or taking more sick days than usual. There also may be a noticeable shift in a person’s typical work performance, which can include missing deadlines, decline in quality of work, being easily distracted and a decline in a person’s enthusiasm for his or her job. In some cases, this may directly affect relationships with co-workers.

People at risk for suicide can display—often quite subtly—any of the following moods: ■ depression ■ anxiety ■ loss of interest ■ irritability ■ humiliation/shame ■ agitation/anger ■ relief/sudden improvement.

We all have ups and downs in our moods, so when it comes to warning signs for suicide, it’s important to look for changes that seem uncharacteristic or concerning.

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For example, if a person has struggled with depression, changes can signal mental health symptoms are worsening and risk is increasing. Another example could be something sudden, such as unexplained happiness in someone who has been depressed, which can indicate the individual has decided on a plan and is relieved he or she will no longer be in pain. Although warning signs are not always obvious, understanding suicide warning signs can help you recognize when someone is at an increased risk.

Prevention Initiatives

Critical to suicide prevention are employers that take a proactive approach to identifying and managing suicide risk among their workers combined with a workplace culture that is supportive of employees who may be at risk for suicide.

For example, a “tough guy” culture, meaning a workplace with a culture of bravery and stoicism, often can create an environment in which individuals are less likely to reach out for help or admit to any type of perceived “weakness” such as stress or anxiety.

According to the World Health Organization, pervasive social stigma and lack of awareness of resources and their effectiveness are among some of the most common reasons that prevent employees from seeking care.

Furthermore, employees with mental health conditions often face work-related discrimination, such as limited independence, increased supervision, jeopardized job security or restrictions to career advancement. This often results in workers taking great lengths to ensure co-workers and managers do not find out about their conditions, which includes avoiding employee assistance programs and effective treatment options.

To help protect such employees, you should consider workplace suicide prevention strategies that take a comprehensive approach to health. These strategies may include changes to the work environment to encourage healthy behaviors in multiple domains of health, mental health services and resources.

Mental Health Resources

Employee assistance programs are designed to offer confidential short-term counseling and information to employees regarding work and personal concerns that may affect workplace performance. Employee assistance programs also offer resources and information, typically including child and elder care services, support groups, stress reduction classes, alcohol and substance misuse treatment, marital counseling and legal/financial assistance. In addition to employee assistance programs, support for employees who seek treatment and/or who require hospitalization as a result of mental illness is vital to comprehensive suicide prevention efforts.

Regular communication to all employees about available mental health resources and services and the importance of mental wellness help promote a climate of acceptance that reduces stigma and discrimination in the workplace.

emotional health and should be used as a starting point for engagement into mental health services.

Make it a Priority

Educational presentations and training programs about suicide prevention are designed to give individuals the knowledge and skills to understand suicide, whom it affects and how to identify and support people who may be at risk. The goals of suicide prevention education are to teach people how to recognize the risk factors and warning signs for suicide along with recommendations for the role we can all play in suicide prevention. Providing suicide prevention education to employees helps build a workforce where workers are more knowledgeable about mental health and suicide and better prepared to support their colleagues.

In construction, safety is not just a priority, it’s a value. Critical to every company’s mission is maintaining a safe, healthy environment for its workers. Historically, these efforts may have focused largely on employees’ physical safety and well-being but, just like we all have physical health, we all have mental health. It’s time to make suicide prevention part of the construction industry’s health and safety values by creating workplace cultures of support: providing suicide prevention education and training to identify and support those at risk and using screening programs to connect individuals with the help and support they need.

By including suicide prevention as part of the health and safety of your workforce, you can save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.

Crisis Management

Resources

Education and Training

The suicide death of an employee is only one type of suicide that could affect your workplace. The suicide death of a client, vendor or a family member of an employee can also have a profound effect on the workplace. To ensure your workplace is in a position to quickly respond to a suicide, consider establishing policies and protocols before a crisis occurs.

You may want to consider lethal means education and/or restriction policies to reduce suicide risk. Lethal means restriction can involve removing or prohibiting access to firearms, drugs, chemicals and pesticides and making suicide prevention part of workplace safety. In addition, regularly communicate to employees available crisis resources and services and have crisis hotlines and chat resources available to employees as these free, anonymous services can support the person in distress and his or her supervisor.

Screening Programs

Because mental health conditions like anxiety, depression and substance abuse often go unnoticed and untreated, screening programs can serve as a systematic way to improve identification of at-risk employees.

Mental health professionals recommend screening programs have certain features to ensure optimal and intended outcomes. These features include voluntary participation, maintaining privacy or anonymity of participants and the ability to provide supportive dialogue and referrals to mental health treatment when appropriate. Screening programs often serve as a comfortable, nonthreatening way to gauge one’s

There are many occupational fields engaging in new strategies to prevent suicide and all workplaces can benefit from a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention. Following is a list of resources to consider:

Mental Health First Aid www.mentalfirstaid.org

LivingWorks

www.livingworks.net

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention www.afsp.org

National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention www.theactionalliance.org

Workplace Suicide Prevention

www.workplacesuicideprevention.com

Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention www.preventconstructionsuicide.com

FRM

Maggie Mortali is Senior Director, Interactive Screening Program, for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Reprinted with permission of Professional Roofing magazine.

www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

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Giving Back

FRSA Members Giving Back to the Community

NEFRSA Charity Project for the Birds

Kevin Whitney was building a chicken coop for his 10-year old daughter, but needed help with the roof covering. He was hoping to have her learn responsibility from the care necessary for the birds and the sale of the eggs. Mr. Whitney is a paraplegic (car wreck) that had a friend of a friend commit to building the chicken coop. Money changed hands but only a partial frame – and no roof – was delivered. You could say the guy flew the coop.

Todd Brown, NEFRSA Charity Committee Chair, got a call about supplying a metal roof for the coop and that led to other considerations. With a generous donation of all the necessary materials by Tonya Steele, Millennium Metals Inc., Jacksonville, the project was hatched (excuse the pun). However, there was no money in the budget for the labor to complete the project, and that is where NEFRSA entered to help.

The labor for the project was donated by cut man Wayne Williams of 1st Coast Safety, Todd Brown of

SPEC Building Material and Ralph DeCicco who arrived on a warm and humid Saturday morning to complete the coop-building project. In addition to the fastening of additional roof joists, battens, roof panels and flashing, corner bracing and blocking was installed by the aggressive crew to stabilize the wobbly structure.

Mr. Whitney and his daughter kept the crew hydrated throughout the project and provided pizza for lunch.

DeCicco, for his roof walking nerve, panel fastening and metal roofing expertise, was remunerated by three chicken and two duck eggs. Not bad scratch (pun intended)!

Best Roofing Teams Up with Pantry of Broward to Provide Food to Hungry Families

There are still plenty of people in South Florida who are struggling to feed their families, and companies are stepping up to help, including Best Roofing. At The Pantry of Broward, a food bank in Fort Lauderdale, Best Roofing workers arrived in a vintage VW van filled with food and drinks. They partnered with the charity to hold a food drive after seeing the rising needs of people in South Florida due to the pandemic, especially the elderly.

Kiana Enrique, Best Roofing’s spokeswoman, said, “We did this to be able to provide to the senior citizens and grandparents that are maybe having a little more trouble than we are.”

Michelle Barthole, the Program Director for Pantry of Broward, said, “They really came through for us. All that they’ve done is really going to help the community and the people we serve and we are so grateful and thankful for them.”

Best Roofing also donated a check for $1,000.

FRM

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