A Publication of FRSA – Florida’s Association of Roofing Professionals
S.T.A.R. Award Recipient Huber and Associates
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Steep Slope S.T.A.R. Award recipient Huber and Associates' Ponte Vedra Residence project features Wallaba hardwood shingles.
Industry Updates
ABC Supply Speeds Past Goal, Raises Record $5.2M
for Veterans
ABC Supply announced its fundraising effort for the nonprofit Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) raised more than $5.2 million, considerably over the $4 million it set out to achieve.
“We are so grateful and thrilled for the overwhelming support HFOT and our nation’s veterans received. At ABC Supply, giving back is a fundamental part of who we are and we are proud to celebrate our country by honoring veterans in such a remarkable way,” Mike Jost, Chief Operating Officer at ABC Supply, said.
HFOT builds and donates specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans, enabling them to rebuild their lives; since 2004, HFOT has built 380 specially adapted homes.
“We are beyond grateful for ABC Supply’s sponsorship and support during the 2024 Indy 500,” said HFOT President and CEO Brigadier General (Ret) Tom Landwermeyer. “Their generous $1 million match was key to raising over $5.2 million and gave incredible visibility to our mission of building homes and rebuilding lives.”
This is the third year ABC Supply has championed the month-long fundraiser and donated the design for AJ Foyt Racing’s No. 14 Chevy, driven this year by Santino Ferrucci, who finished eighth place in the Indy 500.
Akzonobel Invests in Expanding Coil Coatings Production in North America
AkzoNobel is investing $3.6 million at its coil and extrusion coatings manufacturing facility in Garcia, Mexico to increase production capacity and efficiency for its customers across North America.
This investment follows the previously announced $70 million investments in the company’s other industrial coatings manufacturing site in North America in Huron, Ohio and in its manufacturing and R&D facilities at High Point, N.C. These groundbreaking advancements support the company in achieving industrial excellence, enhancing product offerings and accelerating time-to-market.
The investment in the Garcia site will enable the plant to increase production of coatings by approximately 35 percent by the third quarter of 2024, meeting the growth ambitions of customers while delivering superior supply performance.
“Our customers are increasingly prioritizing sustainability, durability and performance and demand for coil and extrusion coatings is projected to increase over the next few years. By expanding production and increasing efficiency at our facilities, we’re able to continue growing with our customers, while driving
innovation and delivering high-quality products,” said Manoel Rodrigues, AkzoNobel’s Regional Commercial Director for Coil Americas.
Crowther Roofing Joins Roofing Corp of America Portfolio
Crowther Roofing & Cooling, a large roofing and mechanical outfit based on Florida’s Southern Gulf Coast – celebrating its 50th anniversary this year – has joined Roofing Corp of America’s portfolio of contracting firms.
The multi-generational, family-owned company, founded in 1974 and based in Fort Myers, has since evolved its services, expanding into HVAC and mechanical contracting, lightweight insulating concrete installation and light-gauge metal truss fabrication and installation. Crowther also has offices in Sarasota as well as in Jupiter on the state’s East coast.
“Crowther was founded 50 years ago by my father, Lee J. Crowther, on a shared vision of creating an organization based on quality and hard work to deliver the best possible roofing contractor services to commercial and residential clients in Southwest Florida,” Lee Scott Crowther, co-founder and CEO, said. “This vision continues to be the cornerstone of our entire organization and partnering with Roofing Corp of America will enable Crowther to continue expanding its capabilities and geographic presence to deliver its full suite of best-in-class roofing and HVAC services throughout Florida."
DuPont Plans to Separate into Three Companies
Technology-based materials and solutions manufacturer DuPont has revealed its plan to separate into three independent, publicly traded companies. Under the plan, New DuPont will continue to operate as an industrial company, with new electronics and water businesses.
As independent entities, the company anticipates these businesses will gain increased focus and agility in their respective industries, with strong balance sheets, financial profiles and growth opportunities.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity to deliver long-term, sustainable shareholder value through the creation of three strong, industry-leading companies,” said Ed Breen, DuPont Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
New DuPont is described as a diversified industrial company powered by materials science, application engineering expertise, innovation and manufacturing capabilities. This will include brands such as Tyvek, Kevlar and Nomex. Markets covered by New DuPont will include healthcare end-markets, electric vehicles,
Carlisle is Widening the Gap on
Carlisle’s introduction of the industry’s rst-ever 16-foot-wide TPO sheet brings labor savings and ef ciency to get more done in less time. With fewer rolls to load onto the roof, less time spent positioning and kicking out rolls, and fewer seams to weld, contractors can save signicant time on each project, moving on to the next one sooner.
Work smarter, not harder with Carlisle’s Sure-Weld® 16-foot TPO.
safety, construction, aerospace and other industrialbased end-markets.
Duro-Last Names Darren Schulz as New President
Duro-Last, a member of Holcim Building Envelope, is pleased to announce the appointment of Darren Schulz as its new President. As a building products and roofing veteran, Schulz will lead strategic growth initiatives and operations for Duro-Last’s comprehensive line of commercial roofing solutions.
Born in Australia and holding dual U.S. citizenship, Darren brings a wealth of experience and a global perspective to Duro-Last. His extensive experience in the construction materials and building products industry includes key leadership roles within the Boral Limited Group of Companies, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer. He has also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Boral North America, President of the Boral Roofing Division and Executive General Manager of Boral Limited Building Products Division. Additionally, Schulz led the Roof Tile Group at Fletcher Building Limited as President and Group General Manager.
“Darren is a dynamic leader with proven success in the construction products industry,” said Jamie Gentoso, President of Holcim Building Envelope and Global Head, Holcim Solutions & Products. “His expertise and enthusiasm make him a perfect fit to lead Duro-Last’s exciting growth initiatives while upholding the company’s long-standing commitment to custom roofing solutions, vertical integration and direct-to-contractor approach. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the team.”
Darren earned a Bachelor of Business in Accounting from the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia, a Chartered Accountant designation from The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
“I am honored to join the Duro-Last team as we embark on this exciting journey of expansion and innovation,” Schulz said. “Duro-Last has long been a leader in the commercial roofing industry with an outstanding network of professionals who define its unique culture and success. I look forward to connecting, learning and growing with the remarkable people who have contributed to Duro-Last’s journey as we work together to achieve the ambitious goals that lie ahead.”
In addition to Duro-Last, Schulz will lead the operations of sister brands EXCEPTIONAL Metals, Plastatech Engineering, Oscoda Plastics, TIP-TOP Screw Manufacturing and Anvil Paints & Coatings.
Grand
Opening of Commercial
Roofing
Specialties, Inc. Location in Orlando
Commercial Roofing Specialties, Inc. (CRS) marks a significant expansion with the grand opening of its latest branch in Orlando. This strategic move not only underscores CRS’s dedication to enhancing customer service and accessibility, it also symbolizes its unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and growth. The branch will be led by Doug Moore, a seasoned professional with over 18 years of experience in the commercial roofing and metal industries, who has served in various roles within CRS since 2013 in the Nashville and Jacksonville branches. Doug will be supported by Troy Hunnicutt, Assistant Branch Manager, as well as Todd Rauktis, a long-time Orlando market expert and the branch’s lead commercial salesperson. “I’m excited to lead the CRS initiative in Central Florida. Our branch’s experienced and knowledgeable team is ready to service the Orlando roofing market,” said Moore.
The Orlando location boasts the largest single warehouse in the CRS network, at over 72,000 square feet and will stock Carlisle, GAF, Siplast and Atlas Insulation commercial products as well as the full lines of GAF and CertainTeed residential products. In addition, the branch will stock a wide selection of Petersen Aluminum products and all the equipment and hardware a commercial or residential roofer will need to finish even the most complex jobs. With nine branches across the Southeast, CRS is committed to delivering unparalleled quality and service to clients across the region. “We are fortunate to be able to field such a strong team in this important new branch,” said Brett Burns, President of CRS. “Combining this level of expertise with a deep and specialized inventory means that they will be prepared to make an impact in Orlando from day one.”
A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply Launches Brand Refresh
A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply, the nation’s largest metal deck distributor, is launching its rebranding campaign with an updated logo, website, digital newsletter and all new marketing and promotional materials.
“After 26 years, we decided it was time to update our branding while still maintaining our identity” said Carm Termini, Marketing Director of A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply. “Our new logo better suits the marketing demands of a digital era, better reflects our products and resonates well with the industries we serve.”
A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply has over 54 years of experience in the industry and a complete inventory of
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metal roof deck, form deck and composite floor decks in stock now at 15 locations including: Albany, N.Y.; Atlanta, Ga.; Aurora, Ill.; Columbus, Ohio, Fort Worth, Tex.; Greensboro, N.C.; Hagerstown, Md.; Houston, Tex.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Jacksonville; Kansas City, Mo.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Orlando; San Antonio, Tex. and St. Louis, Mo.
Tremco CPG Celebrates Graduation of First Achieve Green Cohort
Tremco Construction Products Group (Tremco CPG) proudly announces the graduation of its first cohort of students from Achieve Green, a Rising Stars program that creates avenues for young people to gain the skills and perspective needed to pursue a career within various green construction fields.
The cohort students followed the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) Apprenticeship Pathway. Having met the requirements of the IUPAT District Council 35 Boston and the Finishing Trades Institution of New England (FTI) pre-apprenticeship program, graduates Raymondo Antoine, Chris Lewis Coppin, John Herrera, Jonathan Montiero and Mhesaih Thompson are now eligible to complete the final steps toward becoming apprentice glaziers.
“There is a critical need across our nation for skilled workers in the construction industry,” stated Tremco
CPG Rising Stars Program Director, David Hutchinson. “Tremco CPG’s Rising Stars Program was developed in response to this issue and is proud to work with affiliate programs across the nation, including Achieve Green, to provide a viable pathway for young adults interested in learning a skilled trade.”
Supported by Tremco CPG, the Rising Stars Program aims to cultivate a strong, well-rounded workforce in the construction industry through supporting youth in vocational programs, as well as minority- and women-owned businesses. Its programs offer hands-on education with subject matter experts to develop diverse skill sets, increase access to resources and ultimately drive success for those emerging in the industry.
FRSA GENERAL COUNSEL
Trent Cotney, Partner, Adams and Reese LLP
New Legislation Mandates One-Year Warranty on New Construction
Co-written
by Trent Cotney and Carter Pope
Every builder wants to complete a home that is movein ready and defect-free. New legislation, signed into law by Governor DeSantis, requires all newly constructed homes to carry a one-year builder’s warranty. Florida House Bill 623, titled “Builder Warranties,” goes into effect on July 1, 2025.
What the Law Requires
According to the bill, every new home must carry a limited warranty that covers certain defects for at least one year, even if the structure is sold or transferred during that time. The one-year period begins on the day of title conveyance or initial occupancy, whichever date occurs first.
The warranty is required to cover “all construction defects of equipment, material or workmanship furnished by the builder or any subcontractor or supplier resulting in a material violation of the Florida Building Code.” Builders are required to remedy any defects at their own expense. The warranty is not intended to cover the following:
■ Usual wear and tear of the new home;
■ Expected structural settling;
■ Any defects resulting from modification or repairs made by the owner of the home;
■ Any losses caused by the homeowner (original or subsequent), a third party or a natural disaster or,
■ Appliances or other equipment covered by manufacturers’ warranties.
The bill also allows builders to purchase applicable warranties from a home warranty association. If the builder provides a warranty that covers more than a year, the express written warranty must state the allotted length of time and if the warranty is transferable beyond the required one-year period.
Reasoning Behind the Law
After buying new homes, purchasers often report and file complaints related to defective floors, leaks, roofing and other issues and they may find it challenging to recoup these losses. With that in mind, Rep. Adam Anderson (R-Palm Harbor) and Rep. Kevin Steele (R-Dade City) introduced the bill in the Florida House of Representatives. The companion bill in the Senate was sponsored by Sen. Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills).
What the Law Means for Construction
General contractors and subcontractors will be under increased pressure to produce work that is free from defects and warranty provisions in their contracts will likely become more stringent. Meanwhile, builders will be required to secure the necessary warranties to cover any issues that occur within the first year of ownership. Builders’ contracts often include such warranties already but this new law makes them mandatory for all newly constructed homes and careful builders should ensure that these warranty requirements are reflected in their subcontracts to adequately protect themselves.
FRM
The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation. Trent Cotney is a partner and Construction Practice Group Leader at the law firm of Adams and Reese LLP and FRSA General Counsel. You can contact him at 813-227-5501 or trent.cotney@arlaw.com.
Free Legal Helpline for FRSA Members
Adams and Reese LLP is a full-service law firm dedicated to serving the roofing industry. FRSA members can contact Trent Cotney to discuss and identify legal issues and to ask general questions through access to specialized counsel. They offer free advice (up to 15 minutes) for members. If additional legal work is required, members will receive discounted rates. This is a pro bono benefit provided to FRSA members only. Contact Trent at 813-227-5501.
Chris Dawson, Attorney, GrayRobinson
Florida Votes 2024 – Part One: Florida Democrats Seeking a Comeback
Note: This is the first in a two-part series outlining the efforts by Florida’s Democrats and Republicans to shape the 2024 election cycle. This month, we will take a look at the Florida Democrats’ playbook for victory.
Recent election cycles have been hard for Florida Democrats. For the first time in modern Florida history, there are no current statewide elected Democrats in the Sunshine State. Republicans’ stronghold on legislative and executive power is at an apex and the GOP also enjoys a long-sought voter registration advantage that has soared in the last 24 months. That advantage is nearing one million voters and shaping the political landscape up and down the ballot.
However, there are some signs that Florida Democrats are eyeing a comeback – at least a modest one. Following state qualifying in June, Florida Dems hit a milestone by putting up a candidate in each legislative race on the ballot. Further, several Democrats were successfully re-elected to the legislature without opposition. Ballot initiatives on recreational marijuana and abortion access are driving messaging and voter turnout efforts on the left as the party seeks to claw its way back from its current super-minority status in Tallahassee. Here are a few of the ways Democrats are looking to regain relevance.
Ticket to Re-election Punched with Ease
A handful of Florida Dems have punched their tickets back to Tallahassee without opposition, freeing them up to support other Democrat candidates around the state. Nine members returning to the Florida House of Representatives include:
■ Yvonne Hinson (D–Gainesville)
■ Jervonte Edmonds (D–West Palm Beach)
■ Kelly Skidmore (D–Boca Raton)
■ Christine Hunschofsky (D–Parkland)
■ Dan Daley (D–Coral Springs)
■ Lisa Dunkley (D–Sunrise)
■ Hillary Cassel (D–Dania Beach)
■ Felicia Robinson (D–Miami Gardens)
■ Dotie Joseph (D–North Miami)
In the State Senate, two Democrats breezed to victory without opposition for first terms. Both previously held elected office. They are:
■ Carlos Guillermo Smith (D–Orlando) – a former House member from 2016-2022
■ Mack Bernard (D-West Palm Beach)–a wellknown Palm Beach County Commissioner
In fairness, these uncontested seats all leaned heavily to the left but re-election without opposition will free up time and resources that may be deployed elsewhere. For the first time in a long time, Florida Dems have a contender in each legislative race.
Ballot Initiatives Thought to Push Turnout
Florida Dems are also banking on a pair of constitutional amendment referendums to drive turnout from their base. Amendment 3 would legalize marijuana for adult personal recreational use in Florida. The effort, which follows a successful referendum on medicinal marijuana, is backed by the marijuana industry and has received the thumbs-up from Orlando trial attorney and self-proclaimed “pot daddy” John Morgan. Business groups across the state are lining up in opposition, citing risks from impaired employees and societal ills that have followed similar measures in other states. Amendment 4 would provide a constitutional right to abortion access in Florida. The measure follows a tightening of abortion regulation by the state legislature over the last several years. The RPOF and other conversative and pro-life groups are lining up significant opposition. Both measures require a 60 percent vote in order to pass this November but Democrats on the ballot hope to see a turnout push that benefits them in other contests. Rest assured, there will be millions of dollars spent on both sides of each issue but we will not know the impacts down the ballot until election day in November.
FRM
Chris Dawson is an Attorney and professional Lobbyist for GrayRobinson’s Orlando office and is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Alabama. He primarily focuses on lobbying and government relations for public and private sector clients at the executive and legislative levels of state government. Chris also holds two degrees in Civil Engineering and has experience in construction litigation and design professional malpractice defense.
John Kenney, CPRC, CEO, Cotney Consulting Group
Operational Excellence and the Future of Your Business
As the summer of 2024 is getting into full swing, it brings an excellent opportunity to assess your business and look to the future. Does it take a chaotic event for you to realize it is time to make significant changes, to put a set of principles in place to get organized, reduce your risk and improve your cross-functional management? Or do you take stock and realize now is the time to take a proactive approach?
Consider the operational excellence philosophy, which embraces problem-solving and leadership to achieve continuous improvement. This philosophy is not a set of activities to perform. It is a mindset that should be present within you and your employees. Use key concepts of operational excellence to give your company a substantial competitive advantage. It can start with minor process improvements that can have an enormous impact. The Harvard Business Review notes that companies with peak operational excellence typically have 25 percent higher growth and 75 percent higher productivity than those that do not follow the philosophy.
The secret to operational excellence is that you succeed by impacting key organizational behavior characteristics.
Consider These Concepts
Workforce: You create a robust organizational culture by empowering your employees to solve problems. This helps you hire and maintain a staff who are more willing to consider new ideas and feel comfortable bringing new ideas to management.
Strategic: With operational excellence, management does not need to get involved in solving low-level problems or micro-managing daily operations. Instead, leaders can focus on the big picture – growing the business and mitigating threats. When empowered, the rest of the team can handle low-level problems and manage daily operations.
Agile: Operational excellence is flexible and dynamic. As markets or customer tastes change, you will have a self-correcting mechanism to meet customer needs and continue growing your business.
Growth: Use standardized processes and continually improve them. Optimize every aspect of your operation and implement best practices. With that accomplished, training new staff is straightforward. Efficient: Achieve efficient operations using value streams that cut waste. Deliver value to your
customers at the best price and quality. This leads to greater profitability.
Three Most Popular Methodologies
There are three principal methodologies businesses tend to use to achieve operational excellence. Training is available for all three.
Six Sigma
Six Sigma uses tools and techniques to improve your business processes to achieve better products or services. The goal is to improve the customer experience by identifying and eliminating variations. More than 50 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Six Sigma, helping them save more than $427 billion over the past 20 years. A defect is anything that fails to meet customer expectations and with Six Sigma, no more than 3.4 defects are found for every million opportunities.
Six Sigma has five steps: define, measure, analyze, improve and control. Define a problem so you can fix it. Once you determine the problem, create a plan and evaluate your available resources. Measure your available data and assess your current process. Analyze your measured data to get to the root of the problem. Then, look for possible improvements or solutions. Implement the solutions on a small scale to ensure the process remains effective.
Kaizen
In Japanese, kaizen means “continuous improvement.” Businesses use it to implement ongoing, positive changes. Its guiding principles are that a good process leads to positive results, teamwork is essential for success and you can improve any process.
Implement Kaizen to help create a culture of continuous improvement. This leads to employees working together to achieve workplace improvements. When applied consistently, small changes compound and produce significant results. Kaizen encourages not just small change but significant change through the participation of all employees.
This methodology stresses that it is not enough to make a change once and hope it works. It is about
continuous improvement. Kaizen can help improve employee productivity, improve customer experience and cut costs.
Lean Manufacturing
This methodology focuses on eliminating waste in a production system. The philosophy is that businesses should focus only on that which adds value. Every process has a bottleneck; concentrating on that bottleneck is the fastest route to success.
Lean manufacturing focuses on improving the quality of products or services and eliminating anything that does not add value. It identifies seven areas of waste called the “seven deadly wastes.” They include overproduction, waiting, transport, motion, overprocessing, inventory and defects.
Use one of these methodologies to focus on growth and execute the strategies better than your competitors. Ensure employees that all systems run smoothly and allow team members to adjust for improvement when necessary.
Executional excellence or the drive to keep improving to have the capacity to pursue innovation and growth, has two primary pillars:
■ An empowered staff with a clear understanding of your goals and plans will devise ways to fix problems.
■ Systematic operations management leads to a positive culture focusing on customer needs.
Businesses practicing operational and execution excellence must see the concepts as a culture that inspires everything they do. Lead your company to deliver your products and services when your customers desire them, with the least amount of effort and at a price the customer wants to pay.
In conclusion, operational excellence is not merely a set of practices but a deeply ingrained mindset that can transform your business. As the summer of 2024 unfolds, seize this opportunity to reflect on your current processes and embrace a culture of continuous improvement. By empowering your workforce, focusing on strategic growth, maintaining agility and optimizing efficiency, you can position your business to thrive in an ever-changing market.
Remember, adopting suitable methodologies can provide the structured approach needed to eliminate waste, improve quality and foster innovation. Ultimately, the pursuit of operational excellence will enhance productivity and profitability and ensure that your company remains competitive and resilient in the face of future challenges.
FRM
For further information on this or another subject, you can contact John at jkenney@cotneyconsulting.com.
Continuing FRSA’s Legacy of Sharing Roofing Knowledge
Mike Silvers, CPRC, Owner, Silvers Systems Inc. and FRSA Technical Director
From all reports, FRSA’s 102nd Convention and Expo was a tremendous success with the number of attendees, exhibiters, booked rooms, trade show booths and seminars at an all time high. The Convention always presents an opportunity to see old friends again and to make new acquaintances. The comradery that is exhibited during these interactions is a huge part of what makes this event so special. Whether on the trade show floor, during seminars, while sharing food and drink or in the hallways between events, the exchange of information and viewpoints being shared – often between competitors – is great to see.
It is this spirit of cooperation that allows us to better represent what Les Sims, CPRC shared with our members in his final remarks as FRSA’s 102nd President: “Today, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering commitment to excellence. Your work not only supports our economy but also ensures the safety and well-being of millions of Americans. You are the unsung heroes who literally keep a roof over our heads. Thank you for your hard work, your dedication and your professionalism. Together, we will continue to build a stronger, safer and more sustainable Florida.”
These principals that define FRSA were further reinforced by Incoming President Manny Oyola during his acceptance address: “My theme for this year is 'Our Legacy of Sharing Roofing Knowledge.' As I step into this new role as President of our Association, I am committed to fostering new mentorships and supporting young professionals in our industry. They are the future leaders who will continue to elevate our Association and the industry. Together, we will ensure that the years to come are filled with growth, innovation and prosperity. Let’s roll up our sleeves and work towards an even brighter future for our industry.” With the “roll up our sleeves” metaphor firmly in mind, I offer the following.
How FRSA Volunteers Impact the FBC
FRSA’s member volunteers and staff will resume work on the many projects that will fulfill these goals and aspirations with the same dedication that has been demonstrated by so many. Our Codes Subcommittee met a few days after Convention to begin its review of step one of amending the 2026 Florida Building Code (FBC) for the 9th Edition. During this step we will review over a thousand possible modifications coming from the International Building Code for possible inclusion into the FBC. Of these, approximately 130 roofing-related changes will be reviewed by the
subcommittee. They will rank the order of importance and decide to support, oppose or take no position on each of these. We will also begin the process of preparing FRSA’s modifications to be presented to the Florida Building Commission during step two. During this process, we will also decide our position on any roofing-related modifications submitted by others. At these hearings, FRSA will present our positions to the Commission TACs (Technical Advisory Committees) and to the Commission. This is a process that will involve hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of preparation, meetings, submissions, coordination and presentations over the course of the next two years.
Developing Seminars
Just as importantly and maybe more so, we will develop seminars and other methods to share the changes that are coming in the code. We will begin developing code courses in 2025 and submit them for general continuing education credit approvals before the code drafts are even published. They will be based on our observations during the code promulgation cycle and the published code supplements. We will begin sharing these courses well before the implementation of the new code. Later, we will update these courses for advanced credits. I will also try to keep our readers up to date through this column as these changes are considered and approved.
We will have another Convention and an opportunity to share roofing knowledge before these code change seminars can be developed. I would love to hear your suggestions for technically related topics for seminars to share this upcoming year.
On the sustainability and energy front, I was heartened to see and hear of the many ways our industry is responding to the challenges created by the weather extremes we are facing. Our response is a testament to how much we want to be part of a solution to Florida’s property insurance crises but, even more importantly, our desire to keep our citizens in their homes this year, in what is predicted to be an intense hurricane season, and for years to come.
My thanks to all the instructors that volunteered their time to further our education endeavors. We can certainly be a big part of improvements in roof performance and the way our industry is viewed by the public by continuing “Our Legacy of Sharing Roofing Knowledge.”
FRM
PROTECT AND MAINTAIN
When seeking to bring a commercial roof back up to its original level of performance, roofing professionals have a few options to consider. Making the right repair decisions is important—it can help save both time and money. Though full roof replacement may seem like the only way to fully bring back long-term performance, modern roof restoration techniques can offer comparable performance at a far lower cost for both the owner and the contractor.
APOC offers a full line of roof restoration products to protect the existing roof backed by our variety of warranties. Proper maintenance procedures, regular inspections and roof maintenance programs are required for APOC warranties.
Learn more about our products and warranties at www.apoc.com.
Roof Building Materials and Water
Riku Ylipelkonen, Owner, Standard Building Advisors and FRSA Technical Advisor
How wet is too wet? In the Florida roofing industry, this question prevails as one that never seems to have a straight-forward answer. From dimensional lumber to engineered wood products, roofs use a variety of products that must account for moisture and how to optimize their service life. Just like most other building materials, dimensional lumber has changed. The technology and evolution of growing trees is just one of the reasons we don’t have access to the density, species and pricing of the previous generations. One big reason is demand. The construction industry is an important component of the economy. The population of Florida is estimated at over 21 million people and growing and Florida is one of the fastest growing states in the country, thanks to a variety of reasons. With this growth, the demand for housing materials follows.
While most new residents of Florida love the warm weather and easy access to water, these qualities also help make the environment one of the toughest in the world for building materials to last. Building materials are assaulted with higher temperatures, higher moisture and, sometimes, higher winds. Name the building material used and there is an easily correlated deterioration caused by moisture. Steel experiences rust. Concrete encounters degeneration from rebar decay causing spalling and water causes structural cracking. Wood undergoes rot. All these conditions are accelerated with higher ambient temperatures and higher levels of available moisture.
Water absorption is a concern for building materials and their ability to maintain physical properties and structural integrity. Wood products naturally absorb moisture for the most part. Whether it’s dimensional lumber, plywood or oriented strand fiber board (OSB), the content of moisture is somewhere around eight to twelve percent when it is ready for use. Wood products can absorb more moisture depending on ambient conditions. The secondary consideration is for the permeability of moisture in the same product. If a sheet of plywood gets wet from rain, the permeability of the sheet helps to move moisture through the entire product and then the same process in reverse dries the plywood back out to be ready for use.
How the wood product is processed or prepared can also play a role in the ability to control moisture absorption and permeation. How a product is able to absorb, permeate and release moisture must be considered for each particlar type of use. There are several treatments used for controlling absorption in building materials. Painting or coating is a liquidapplied membrane that blocks moisture absorption and release. Pressure treated lumber and epoxy
coated rebar are good examples of products that will maintain physical properties and structural integrity for longer periods of time than their non-coated counterparts. As the size of materials increases, the cost to treat also increases. Also, the intended use of the products can help to maximize the efficiency and cost to control the moisture content. As an example, steep slope roof decks that use OSB or plywood usually rely on the roofing system design to control moisture. When a self-adhered underlayment is applied to the roof deck, the individual sheathing must absorb, permeate and release moisture with the remaining five sides of the product – those being the four seam sides and the backside of the sheet. Since all six sides of the products are not sealed, the remaining open surfaces must be allowed to perform moisture permeation and release to keep the sheathing serviceable. The attic should have ample air flow and exposure so that the ambient air can carry out the extra moisture and heat.
The concept is the same for low slope decks, . The use of a vapor barrier as a base sheet is also sealing the surface of the applicable building materials. The challenge grows further when a deck vapor barrier is used, insulation and cover board are installed on top and then everything is capped with a single-ply membrane or built-up roof that does not allow moisture to permeate and be released into the ambient air. The vapor barrier and top waterproofing system basically form a bag, so construction conditions and moisture control are crucial to a long service life.
The process of construction is also a consideration for how moisture and heat can attack building materials. Steel nails and screws can lose the integrity of their protective coatings as they are driven into their final installed position. Old nails and screws in the roof deck are often corroded because their protective coating was compromised and it lived in a wet sponge known as the plywood roof deck. Fascia boards rot because they were not able to dry out, possibly from water ponding due to poor design or moisture saturation of adjacent materials.
Roofing gets better every day. New materials and designs are a part of that. Controlling heat and moisture, however, is just as much a requirement with the new as the old. The final thought to take away is this: circulating air is an efficient and effective way to move heat and moisture away from building materials. The more this is accomplished, the longer the materials will last.
FRM
Riku Ylipelkonen, Owner, Standard Building Advisors has been in the roofing industry for 15 years. He is an engineer and is working as a consultant with FRSA.
Heat Safety is the Employer's Priority this Summer
Kevin Lindley, FRSA Self Insurers Fund Safety Consultant
Every year, many workers die and thousands more become ill while working in hot or humid conditions. OSHA currently has a Heat Illness Prevention campaign across the country to focus on heat hazards and remediation efforts by employers. Employers are required by OSHA regulations to provide a safe workplace for their employees free of known safety hazards, including extreme heat. Failure to do so can result in an injury or illness of workers as well as an OSHA citation. OSHA and NIOSH have developed the “Heat Index” phone app to help employers monitor outdoor temperatures.
Water, Rest and Shade
Employers are required to provide their workers with water, rest and shade. OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1926.51(a) states, “An adequate supply of potable water shall be provided in all places of employment.” Adequate, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is “sufficient for a specific need or requirement.” Per the Mayo Clinic, the average, healthy adult male living in a temperate climate would need 15.5 cups of fluid a day. That quantity can vary due to physical activity level, environment, overall individual health and many other considerations. There isn’t a clearly defined requirement for how much water should be present on the job; however, it needs to be provided and present at all times, meaning that if the field workers run out of water more is required. When workers become dehydrated, they are not as efficient, are not as focused and are not productive. The term “rest” speaks to the frequency and duration of breaks. The need for “shade” at a workplace can either exist or be provided and should be sufficient to provide coverage to all workers at that location.
Recently, there has been a lot of debate regarding the mandate for local governments to require shade or water breaks for outdoor workers. Florida House Bill 433 banning local municipalities from mandating employers to give heat breaks or shade to outdoor workers was recently signed by Governor Ron DeSantis. This does not eliminate the need to provide outdoor workers a safe workplace free of known hazards. State and federal laws are still in effect to provide adequate water and sufficient shade and breaks to relieve workers from the harsh outdoor conditions in Florida.
Acclimating to the Heat Takes Time
Employers are required to allow new or returning workers to gradually increase workloads and take more frequent breaks during the first week of work as they build a tolerance for working in the heat. Allowing employees to acclimate to heat conditions is essential to not only keeping your workers healthy but also helps employers retain newly hired workers. As the summer months progress, temperatures, heat index and aggravation of workers continue to escalate. It is a good idea that the crew leader and fellow workers have realistic expectations for new workers coming into the field and look after the new crew members to ensure they learn the trade as expected by their new employer and to work at a reasonable pace.
Employers must plan for emergencies and train workers on prevention. Talk to employees about the heat; learn what precautions they are taking to ensure
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Ransomware Preparedness
Ransomware attacks – attacks on your computer and network infrastructure in which vital data are held hostage – are continually evolving and organizations must be proactive to defend against them effectively. This checklist will aid your organization in identifying vulnerabilities and ensuring adequate preparedness to detect, defend and recover from ransomware attacks. It emphasizes conducting a proactive ransomware impact analysis to bolster your organization’s defenses.
Understanding Ransomware
Continually update your knowledge about the latest ransomware threats and trends.
■ Define and educate about ransomware.
■ Ensure all employees understand what ransomware is and the associated risks.
■ Stay informed.
Anatomy of a Ransomware Attack
Educate employees about how attacks occur to enhance their ability to detect potential threats.
■ Understand the attack path.
■ Understand common vectors, initial infection, compromise and encryption processes.
■ Educate employees about the attack path.
Proactive Prevention and Impact Analysis
■ Conduct consistent and thorough assessments of your security infrastructure.
■ Continually educate employees about the latest cybersecurity best practices.
■ Regularly update all systems and software to minimize vulnerabilities.
■ Proactively identify and address potential exposure points in your security controls.
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■ Test how effective your security controls are against common types of ransomware attacks.
■ Create a comprehensive incident response plan and ensure all team members are familiar with their roles.
Cyberattack Prevention
■ Utilize multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security beyond passwords.
■ Conduct regular backups of critical data and test the restoration process.
■ Employ robust endpoint protection to detect and mitigate threats swiftly.
■ Limit the potential damage of a ransomware attack by segregating your network.
Post-Attack Recovery
■ Develop a clear and efficient recovery plan to minimize downtime and data loss.
■ Post-attack, analyze the incident and update protocols to bolster future defense mechanisms.
Use this checklist as point of discussion with your in-house or third party IT provider. They should be able to explain the technical aspects and inform you if your organization is currently doing all it can to prevent, mitigate and recover from ransomware attacks.
Power and Generators Checklist
Nearly 70 percent of businesses will lose power sometime in the next 12 months. Know the steps to take before and during an outage so you can resume critical operations as quickly as possible. The following checklist highlights some of the steps that should be taken in order to effectively recover from any power outage.
Before a Power Outage
■ Ensure your emergency preparedness kit includes the following items:
□ Flashlight with battery
□ Battery or handcrank powered emergency weather radio
□ Avoid candles due to inherent fire hazard.
■ If possible, have a wired landline (not cordless) telephone in your office that does not operate on a VoIP network. Often, a fax line can serve this purpose.
■ Create a personal policy that dictates which staff members should report and those that should remain home. Make sure all employees are aware of the policy.
■ If security at your location is a concern, ensure that your security system has proper battery backup systems and that telephone connectivity to your monitoring service isn’t reliant on power from the grid.
■ Ensure all sensitive electronic equipment is protected by a power surge protector.
■ Ensure all uninterruptible power supply (UPS) devices are functional and tested regularly.
■ Inspect all critical equipment such as sewer ejector pumps, HVAC condensate drain pumps and any pumps that provide protection from flooding in low lying areas. Ensure those pumps are part of the emergency power plan.
■ Fuel up any critical equipment including company vehicles, back up generators, etc.
During a Power Outage
■ Turn off and unplug all electrical equipment to avoid damage from power spikes when electrical service is resumed.
■ Leave one light turned on so you’ll know when the power comes back on.
■ Never run a generator inside and never connect a generator to the electrical wiring unless prior steps have been taken to ensure it is safe to do so.
■ Know your generator’s fuel consumption rate and set up regular fuel deliveries ahead of time to ensure you do not run out.
■ Do not touch any downed electrical power lines and keep your employees away from them. Report downed lines to the appropriate officials in your area.
■ Leave doors closed on office refrigerators and freezers as much as possible during outages. Food will keep much longer if the doors are left closed.
■ If renting a generator, make sure you receive the following:
□ Transportation to your building site
□ Appropriate amount of Cam Lock Cabling (standard is 50 feet unless more is requested)
□ Pigtails to connect the generator
□ Starter fuel for the first few days of recovery
□ Set of operating instructions
□ Walk through of the basic operating instructions with your vendor.
■ Follow these steps to prevent generator theft:
□ Place the generator in a well-lit area
□ Install security cameras at the generator site
□ Consider running a metal ring into the ground and securing the generator with a chain
□ If you store the generator on its trailer, secure the trailer by chaining the wheels, surround it with other vehicles and removing the hitch
□ Chain or padlock the generator to other heavy equipment.
Heat Safety, continued from page 18
they are staying healthy and not overcome by the high temperatures in the field. Employees must be able to recognize symptoms of heat emergencies not only in themselves but also in their coworkers. Workers must also know what steps to take in the event of a heat-related illness on the job. Posters in the office are not enough. Training should be documented for all workers. Just like any other training, keep a roster of attendance for each group discussion or tool-box talk. Have a company-wide meeting to review company expectations of worker precautions, recognition of heat illnesses and steps to take in the event of a worker who is experiencing heat-related symptoms.
Daytime temperatures during the summer months in Florida are known to regularly climb into the upper nineties and, sometimes, higher. The effects of the extreme heat are well known to everyone who has visited or lived in Florida during these months. Beyond being required to provide water, rest and shade to field workers, employers should be motivated to make sure their employees are taken care of in order to keep them healthy, alert, productive and to maintain good morale in the workplace.
FRM
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J.Waibel, T.T.&L. Sheet Metal
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