Florida Roofing Magazine - October 2023

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Greetings colleagues! I hope this message finds you in good health after what I have been told was the hottest summer on record for Florida. I know firsthand that my company had to make a few adjustments to work through and around the heat but some days we just had to muscle our way through it. In true government fashion, there are a few officials that think they know more about heat safety than we do and there is a push to implement “heat safety officers” in that municipality. They would like to potentially arm themselves with the authority to possibly fine employers, revoke permitting privileges and require additional daily documentation from contractors. For those of us that have ties to the industry that go back to the 1950’s and 60’s, you may recall a time when employers would force employees to work under unhealthy conditions. Thankfully, those days are long gone and I am confident that any attempt to do so these days would end with employees leaving and being employed elsewhere immediately. Employees are our greatest asset and protecting them is job-one for company owners.

FRSA has taken a stance for its members, speaking out against yet another government overreach and knee jerk reaction, which some local counties

are known for. Our Legal Counsel, Trent Cotney, sent a letter to the MiamiDade County Commission regarding their proposed heat standard, asking them to leave the employ ee guidelines to OSHA. If enacted, the Miami-Dade County heat standard would include additional documentation and training for employees – more than what is currently federally required under the OSHA General Duty Clause – something we already do to ensure the safety of our employees. And where does local government overreach stop? What happens when other counties and municipalities decide they want to do the same thing? I can see where this could be a real issue for those that work in multiple counties or municipalities. Which heat standard would you need to adhere to?

I urge you to discuss this issue with your elected officials locally to make sure it doesn’t start in your area of operations. FRSA Legislative Counsel Chris Dawson reached out to other industry associations to form a coalition to fight this issue. In addition to FRSA, the Aluminum Association of Florida, Associated Builders and Contractors, Associated Industries of Florida, Florida Homebuilders Association and Utilities and Excavation Contactors of Florida also signed the letter Trent drafted. More to come on this issue.

I attended the first annual Hope Florida conference last month with FRSA Executive Director Lisa Pate. Hope Florida is an initiative spearheaded by First Lady Casey DeSantis to assist Floridians to find a path to prosperity, economic self-sufficiency and hope through a collaborative effort. FRSA was invited to this event and will be focusing on providing information to members on how they can hire potential employees in their area.

The temperatures are starting to cool down and now is the time to prep for the holidays – if we can just squeak through hurricane season for a couple more weeks. I ask you to keep our friends in the Big Bend area in your prayers after the devastating destruction Hurricane Idalia left behind.

Best regards,

Les Sims, CPRC les-armroof@comcast.net

Les Sims, CPRC, FRSA President Owner, Armstrong Roofing Inc.

Les Sims, CPRC with CareerSource President & CEO, Adrienne Johnston

First Lady Casey DeSantis speaks at Hope Florida

Miami-Dade Pushes Proposed Heat Standards

This summer, the nation has been experiencing record heat from coast to coast and Miami-Dade officials have recognized how hazardous the high temperatures are for outdoor workers. However, their proposed solution cªould, in many ways, do more harm than good.

On July 18, the Miami-Dade County Commission voted 11-0 for initial approval of new heat standards that could help protect approximately 80,000 outdoor agriculture and construction workers in the region. However, before the proposal becomes law, a community health committee must review the standards, which must then pass a final vote by the commission.

Details of the Standards

If passed, the ordinance would require Miami-Dade County employers – on days when the heat index reaches 90 degrees – to provide their workers with water and a shaded 10-minute break every two hours. In addition, employers would be required to train workers and supervisors about heat safety. Any employers

that repeatedly fail to meet these requirements could incur fines as high as $3,000 per violation per day.

Stated Reasons for the Ordinance

In Miami-Dade County, more than 300,000 people are outdoor workers, which puts them at high risk of becoming ill or dying from heat-related conditions. According to data cited in the bill, heat kills an average of 34 people annually and hospitalizes hundreds more in Miami-Dade. In addition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the leading cause of weather-related U.S. deaths is

Trent Cotney, Partner, Adams and Reese LLP

extreme heat and Florida leads the nation in heat-related hospitalizations.

The proposed standard would apply only to workers in agriculture and construction. In South Florida this year, at least two agricultural workers have died from heat-related issues. This movement to offer protections to outdoor workers gained strength after a 29-year-old agriculture worker died on July 6, recorded as the hottest day on earth since 1979.

Heat Standards in Other States

Nationwide, only five states have heat standards for all outdoor workers. These are in place in California, Maryland, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. In Colorado, there are protections only for agricultural laborers. At present, there is no specific federal heat standard for outdoor workers.

Support and Opposition

Dozens of labor activists and workers attended the Miami-Dade County Commission meeting and offered support for the proposed standards. Commissioner Kionne McGhee, one of the bill’s sponsors, talked about his experiences working as a bean picker in his youth.

“One death in the hot sun is one too many,” McGhee explained. “Give these people what they need, something I didn’t have growing up and that is simply water, sun protection, shade.”

An advocacy group called WeCount! represents outdoor workers in South Florida. Through its Que Calor campaign, they are trying to achieve a workplace heat standard since 2021.

However, the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA), while appreciating the heat-related concerns, sent a letter to the MiamiDade Board of Country Commissioners, outlining its opposition to the proposal. FRSA explained that “Florida is under federal OSHA jurisdiction and follows OSHA’s federal guidelines set forth by the agency. In doing so, Florida joins 23 other states that follow OSHA’s standards and guidelines, which not only protects Florida’s workers, but also protects its economy by ensuring that Florida’s market is competitive and robust. The adoption of alternative ordinances inserts needless complications into the regulatory landscape of construction.”

The FRSA letter went on to state that OSHA is in the process of creating a heat-related rule designated “Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings.” In June 2023, OSHA began soliciting input from industry experts, with various construction associations and stakeholders participating in panels and supporting specific heat standards that protect workers. The standards that Miami-Dade is proposing are more stringent than OSHA’s and are ill-timed. Adopting their own heat ordinance as OSHA

works to finalize a national standard “will prevent statewide consistency, stifle the economy and, ultimately, harm Miami-Dade’s contractors and workers,” stated Cotney. In fact, the proposed Miami-Dade rule would be “detrimental to the industries it is aimed at protecting” for the following reasons:

■ The county would need to enforce the new rule, which would require investing in and developing a dedicated office for oversight, a responsibility currently governed by OSHA.

■ The proposed heat protection parameters have not been sufficiently evaluated, can potentially be highly disruptive and could conflict with the anticipated OSHA standards.

■ The processes and penalties set forth in the proposed rule go beyond protecting workers from heat-related illness and instead will penalize employers with excessive civil fines and threats of contractor debarment.

It is unclear if the commission will support the bill since similar measures have failed in the past. In addition, Governor DeSantis or other lawmakers could block the ordinance if it is adopted.

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. For more information, you can contact him at trent.cotney@arlaw.com or 813-227-5501.

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.

Special Elections Preview 2024 Campaign Season

A pair of special elections triggered by recent resignations from the Florida House of Representatives will give Floridians an early preview of the 2024 election season. Both seats up for grabs reflect urban districts and the competitive races will provide a litmus test for recent legislative action on a variety of issues from abortion to immigration reform. Let’s explore these two special elections and discuss the political backdrop that will give them statewide importance.

Florida GOP Continues Ascension

The Republican Party of Florida has made tremendous strides in recent years in voter registration, finally besting Florida Democrats in voter registration statewide in 2022. That momentum has continued this year. Recent reports show that Florida Republicans enjoy a current voter registration advantage of 496,150 voters as of May 31. That number continues to grow as current trends show Florida Republicans average approximately 9 new registrants for every new Democrat registered in the state. These numbers will play a major role in shaping 2023’s special elections and the statewide (including U.S. Presidential) election in 2024.

House District 35 Special Election (Parts of Orange and Osceola Counties)

Prominent lawmaker Representative Fred Hawkins (R) was recently selected to be the new President of South Florida State College, a public college with campuses in Highlands, DeSoto and Hardee counties. He tendered his resignation to the Florida House effective June 29. Hawkins’ departure triggers a special election for the HD 35 seat, which is a newly drawn district in Central Florida that is one of Florida’s most competitive from a partisan standpoint. The date of the special election for HD 35 has not been set but a crowded field of candidates is taking shape. For the Republicans, Erika Booth is emerging as a frontrunner, recently garnering the support of both incoming Speaker Danny Perez (R – Miami) and the influential Associated Industries of Florida (AIF). She faces three other Republican candidates in the primary: Ken Davenport, Demetries Grimes and Scotty Moore. For the Democrats, two candidates have emerged in Rishi Bagga (who lost to Hawkins in 2022) and Tom Keen. Both parties are expected to dump significant financial resources into the HD 35 race, with Democrats looking to make a pick-up of this competitive seat and provide positive momentum into 2024.

House District 118 Special Election (Miami-Dade County)

Another special election was triggered when Representative Juan Fernandez Barquin (R –Miami) was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis as the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller of MiamiDade County. He tendered his resignation to the Florida House effective June 11. HD 118 is a reliably conservative seat, with Fernandez Barquin having bested his Democrat challenger with 68 percent of the vote in 2022. Therefore, a contested Republican primary between two candidates will determine the ultimate winner. Incoming Speaker Danny Perez (R –Miami) has endorsed Mike Redondo, a Miami attorney, in the race. Redondo faces a significant battle in the race with challenger Christian Chavez, who is a Miami firefighter. A date for the special election has not been set.

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. He is credentialed as a Designated Professional Lobbyist by the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists. Chris also holds two degrees in Civil Engineering and has experience in construction litigation and design professional malpractice defense.

Chris Dawson, Attorney, GrayRobinson

Kenney, CPRC, CEO, Cotney Consulting Group

Decoding Construction Drawings: The Essential Guide for Roofing Contractors

In the roofing industry, proficiency in reading blueprints is paramount, for estimating and for installation. However, a comprehensive understanding extends beyond the roof plan. It encompasses deciphering various components of blueprints like sections, elevations, schedules, architectural, structural, plumbing, HVAC, mechanical and electrical plans. Why is this expansive knowledge necessary? Because these documents often hold critical, sometimes overlooked, information. Take site plans for instance: while many might question their relevance to a roofing contractor, there are instances where outbuildings are only highlighted on these site plans and omitted from architectural drawings. Overlooking such details will lead to unexpected costs.

Large and small construction projects rely heavily on detailed and organized documentation to ensure efficient and accurate execution. One of the cornerstones of this documentation is construction drawings, which act as a roadmap for contractors, architects and clients alike. Let’s look at different construction drawings, interpreting their purpose and importance as they relate to the real world of building design and construction.

Types of Construction Drawings

Construction drawings ensure that projects proceed efficiently by minimizing expensive and time-intensive modifications. They can be segmented into five core categories:

1. Preliminary drawings

2. Presentation drawings

3. Working drawings

4. Shop/assembly drawings

5. Detail drawings.

Preliminary Drawings: These are early-stage schematic designs used for initial discussions between the designer and the client. Not for construction, they facilitate iterative refinement to finalize the design. They also guide preliminary decisions about systems, materials, costs and potential construction approvals.

Presentation Drawings: Aimed at showcasing the proposed structure in its envisioned setting, these are promotional and typically offer colored, detailed views. This phase finalizes the schematic design based on client approval.

Working Drawings: Essentially the construction blueprints, these technical documents provide extensive information on building components. Functions include:

■ Acquiring building permits

■ Guiding competitive bidding

■ Providing construction directions

■ Assisting in material estimates

■ Serving as a long-term record and basis for contracts.

Letter codes usually organize blueprint sets:

■ A: Architectural

■ S: Structural

■ P: Plumbing

■ M: Mechanical

■ E: Electrical

For instance, a 30-page blueprint might be structured as A1-A8, S1-S10, P1-P3, M1-M4 and E1-E5.

Shop and Assembly Drawings: Drafted by contractors and suppliers, these detail how specific products or components will be fabricated and assembled. Often, specialists provide exact specifics about their components and approval precedes fabrication. These drawings ensure components fit perfectly within the larger construction.

Detail Drawings: These focus on particular construction elements and are more magnified than general ones. They illustrate facets not adequately covered in primary plans or elevations. Details clarify intricate parts of the design, like wall flashings, copings and gutters and are drawn to scale, often presenting several details on a single sheet.

Navigating the intricacies of construction documentation is paramount for roofing contractors. The following sections delineate the various plans and drawings crucial for accurate estimation and seamless execution in roofing projects.

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Site Plan

A site plan, also known as a plot plan, offers a scaled representation of a property, illustrating its size, configuration and features like buildings, driveways and walkways. Such plans depict existing features alongside proposed enhancements. Their primary objective is to present the building’s position relative to site boundaries, utilizing dimensions based on the foundation’s size. Notably, dimensions on site plans use feet and hundredths of a foot rather than the feet-andinches format used in architectural drawings.

Demolition Plan

The demolition plan is vital when projects arise on sites with pre-existing features not part of the final design. For roofing contractors, this plan indicates roof sections designated for removal or those requiring integration with existing structures.

Architectural Drawings

These drawings provide extensive details about the structure’s components. They showcase the size, material, placement and interconnection of structural elements, encompassing foundation, floor, framing plans, elevations, details, schedules and bills of materials. Dimensions are precise and comprehensive, presenting both exterior and interior measurements. For minor projects, notes within the drawings can act as specifications.

Roof Plan: Contains roof-specific data. Projects may have multiple roof plans, depending on size and levels.

Floor Plan: Cross-verifying roof drawing measurements against this plan, which features dimensions provided by architects or engineers, is crucial. Roof plans are often found to have an incorrect scale on them.

Exterior Elevation: Illustrates building sides, detailing materials, building heights and roof pitches.

Building Cross Section: Offers insights into the structure as if it were sectioned vertically, revealing details from roof to foundation.

Structural Drawings

Shows the building’s support framework. These drawings lay out how the structure will bear and distribute its weight. They include foundation, floor and roof plans but emphasize structural details.

Structural Notes: Highlight roof zones and wind-uplift requirements.

Roof Framing Plans and Details: Specify if the structure is flat or sloped, essential for tapered insulation requirements. Other key details, like exterior and wall framing details and roof penetrations, are also outlined.

Mechanical Drawings and HVAC Schedules

The lead sheet for mechanical drawings provides notes, legends and details. This plan delineates the mechanical system design, ductwork layout and equipment placement.

Roof Level Mechanical Plan: Pinpoints mechanical roof penetrations and items like cooling tower piping. Mechanical Details: Exhibits rooftop penetration specifics.

HVAC schedules, crucial for roofing estimators, cover air-handling and fan-coil units. These schedules help determine the quantity and size of package units, including those on the rooftop that architectural plans might miss.

Plumbing Drawings

These drawings offer a comprehensive view of a project’s plumbing design, including line dimensions and locations.

Roof Plan: Displays drain patterns and sizes.

Riser Schedule: Indicates the size and count of vent pipes breaching the roof. If gas pipes exist on projects that penetrate the roof, they’re usually presented here.

Electrical Drawings

The culmination of working drawings typically comprises the electrical plans, depicting the building’s electrical and communication systems.

For roofing contractors, these drawings are vital for discerning rooftop lightning protection systems and other electric components that necessitate flashing details or roof penetration.

As we’ve delved into the intricate details of various construction drawings, from the foundational site plans to the nuanced electrical layouts, it becomes evident how interconnected and essential each facet is for the roofing contractor.

In the ever-evolving realm of construction, roofing contractors are responsible for creating durable and effective roofing systems. Achieving this requires an astute understanding of many construction documents, from site plans to electrical drawings. With the

multifaceted nature of modern projects, overlooking even a minor detail can lead to unforeseen complications and costs. Therefore, the ability to decipher and integrate insights from diverse construction drawings becomes an invaluable asset. As the industry continues to advance, embracing this comprehensive approach ensures not only the structural integrity of our roofs but also fortifies the reputation and professionalism of roofing contractors. In essence, mastery over these documents is more than just a skill, it’s a testament to the dedication of members in the roofing industry and our commitment to excellence.

FRM

John Kenney, CPRC has over 50 years of experience in the roofing industry. He started his career by working as a roofing apprentice at a family business in the Northeast and worked his way up to operating multiple Top 100 Roofing Contractors. As CEO, John is intimately familiar with all aspects of roofing production, estimating and operations. During his tenure in the industry, John ran business units associated with delivering excellent workmanship and unparalleled customer service while ensuring his company’s strong net profits before joining Cotney Consulting Group. If you would like any further information on this or another subject, you can contact John at jkenney@cotneyconsulting.com.

A Weak Link in Florida’s Roofing Underlayment Requirements

Mike Silvers, CPRC, Owner, Silvers Systems Inc. and FRSA Director of Technical Services

The Issue

The Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA) has been at the forefront in making the Florida Building Code’s (FBC) roofing requirements stronger than any other building code in the country and, quite possibly, the world. The effort is warranted due to Florida’s unique geographical exposure to hurricanes and the need for roof systems that will minimize potential property damage when they occur. The roofing industry and other stakeholders have been instrumental in these efforts. During the development of the 8th Edition (2023) FBC, the industry worked together to improve underlayment performance and, in particular, to bring the more stringent requirements used in 65 of Florida’s 67 counties into the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) sections of the FBC. The HVHZ is comprised of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties only. This area has the potential for the highest wind speeds in Florida based on the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) wind speed maps shown below.

For over two years, we proposed and advanced several modifications to the code that would strengthen and standardize roof underlayments for all types of steep-slope roof systems in the HVHZ (a steep-slope roof system is one that has a pitch or slope equal to or greater than 2 units vertical to 12 units horizontal.) This effort was preceded by many attempts of people in the industry to work with Miami-Dade County to find a reasonable solution to its lagging underlayment requirements. We felt these changes were needed not only to achieve better performance of many types of roof coverings but also to greatly improve the underlayments’ ability to serve as secondary water barriers (SWB), which are required in the code. SWBs have proven to be very effective at preventing both extensive interior damage and the displacement of the building’s occupants in the event of a roof covering failure. Miami-Dade County pushed back against these changes at every opportunity, even after the outcome became clear. Most of the changes were ultimately accepted but, despite our efforts and the

Commission’s well-informed decisions, a weak link in these code changes still inexplicably remains: MiamiDade County’s reluctance to comply with the Code changes.

What Did the Florida Building Commission Decide?

The underlayment changes were approved over the course of three Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings (for which a 67 percent vote is required) for a positive recommendation to the Commission. We opposed many attempts by Miami-Dade County to amend the modifications in ways that would have weakened their effectiveness. These amendments are referred to as comments: we will refer back to a particular comment below that is very important in understanding our concerns. During four Florida Building Commission meetings (for which a 75 percent vote is required for approval), the changes were accepted and incorporated into the code that will go into effect on December 31.

The comment I want to address was submitted by Miami-Dade County. It contained two major amendments that would have eliminated some of the most important changes that had been approved by the Commission. First, if accepted, the comment would have required a nailable underlayment over the roof sheathing, thereby eliminating the availability of self-adhered underlayment (sometimes referred to as “peel and stick”) installed directly to the deck. (The “deck” is referred to in the code as sawn lumber, wood plank or wood structural panel deck.) Self-adhered underlayment has been widely accepted by the roofing industry in almost all of Florida for well over a decade. It has also been embraced by the property insurance industry, which offers its largest credits for this type of secondary water barrier. Self-ahered underlayment applied directly to the deck has proven to be very effective and offers very high uplift resistance values. (Uplift is the force that tries to suck the roof off of a structure during a high wind event.) This amendment, proposed by Miami-Dade County officials in an attempt to undo what the Commission had already approved, was denied. However, the second part of the comment was also very important. It requested a reduction in the tested uplift pressures to -90 psf ultimate. (The FBC and the model codes require a safety factor of two to account for potential minor material and installation variations

or deficiencies, among other things. So, an underlayment that attains a -90 psf ultimate in testing is halved to -45 psf.) This request was also denied. That should have resolved the issue but, unfortunately, it has not.

The Weak Link: Tile Roof Underlament Uplift Resistance in the HVHZ

Many of these important underlayment changes have finally been accepted as inevitable by Miami-Dade County and appear to be moving toward implementation, which would seem reasonable based on the decisions made by the Commission. These improvements will unquestionably lead to better secondary water barriers for almost all steep-slope roofs. This was no small accomplishment. These changes will provide huge dividends for insurers and the insured when a major hurricane occurs in the HVHZ counties, at least for roofs permitted under the new code. It will also offer its residents the same level of protection already available to Florida citizens who live outside of the HVHZ. However, there is still a weak link in the underlayments used for the predominant steep-slope roof system in this area, tile roofs. A recent survey of industry professionals estimated that between 50 to

60 percent of steep-slope roofs in the HVHZ are tile. Tile roof systems, as well as low-slope roof systems (those with a pitch or slope below 2 units vertical and 12 units horizontal), are not required to comply with the code’s secondary water barrier provisions: primarily because they have historically been assumed to meet or exceed code-required uplift resistance levels. A system, however, is only as strong as its weakest link. So, if the tile underlayment is not tested to meet ASCE 7 uplift resistance values – as mandated by the Code – the ability of the entire sytem to resist high winds is greatly undermined. Miami-Dade County, instead of complying with the Florida Building Commission’s direction regarding underlayment uplift resistance, has issued “Checklist #0090 For the Approval of Roofing Underlayment” to give guidance to the roofing industry on how it intends to implement these code changes – or perhaps one should say how it intends to avoid implementing these code changes. You can see the full document on page 15. Note 3 (outlined in red at the bottom of the document) states:

Uplift Testing submitted to support an Underlayment Uplift Design Pressure will accept 1 specimen achieving a minimum -45 psf. (after applying 2:1 safety factor).

Miami-Dade County has indicated that any tile underlayment that meets this negative pressure will be issued a Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance (NOA). Also, it has indicated that uplift pressures will not be listed in the NOA. We feel that this is a major divergence from the intent of the changes adopted by the Commission and included in the new code. The ASCE 7-22 uplift resistance pressures for tile roofs located in the HVHZ will very seldom, if ever, be this low. Pressures two or three times this high are far more common in the HVHZ. The calculations in the Standard Building Advisors report to the left show a pressure of -108.1 psf (circled in red) for a house in the HVHZ, which does not, by any means, represent the highest uplift values in the zone.

The acceptance of -45 psf as the maximum required resistance would definitely result in a severe weakening of the new code. In particular, how it deals with tile underlayment and its ability to serve as part of an overall wind resistance roof system and serve as an effective secondary water barrier that meets the pressures derived from ASCE 7-22.

Why We Should Be Concerned

As I mentioned previously, a large percentage of steep-slope roofs in the HVHZ are tile. In many other areas of Florida, tile is also a prominent roof system. Unlike an NOA issued by Miami-Dade County, a Product Approval issued by the state of Florida includes the maximum uplift pressure that an underlayment system has resisted through verified testing. With that information someone designing a tile roof system can use that listed pressure to make sure that it meets or exceeds the pressures from ASCE 7. Remember, according to Miami-Dade County, its notices of acceptance will not list even the very low -45 psf uplift resistance, leaving those that depend on that information without critical data. To further understand the concerns of designers, please see the boxed text on page 18 with a question from a registered Engineer, Kelsey McMenamy, and the answer from Miami-Dade County that was posted on the Roofing Contractors Association of South Florida (RCASF) website. The post is a few years old but it shows that Miami-Dade County’s position hasn’t changed. If allowed to stand, despite the changes made by the Florida Building Commission, Miami-Dade County’s proposed implementation will not only weaken the new requirements

From the RCASF Q&A Bulletin Board

Kelsey McMenamy (3/10/2021 5:13 pm)

I have been receiving questions from roofers about the uplift requirements for underlayments under tile in the HVHZ zones. It is my understanding that for non-HVHZ, the FRSA-TRI manual and R301 2.1.3 is used to determine the wind uplift requirement, which is then compared to the underlayment manufacturer’s published FBC non-HVHZ approvals to find an assembly that meets the uplift pressures. However, the M-D NOAs and FBC HVHZ approvals do not publish uplift pressures with their assembly approvals This is because the weakest link is in the required nailed 30#. The FBC Sections 1518.2, 1518.3 and 1518.4 indicate requirements for 30# securement, but do not indicate what uplift pressure the specified fastening achieves and doesn’t indicate if it needs to be extrapolated at the ridges and perimeters/corners. Therefore, it seems that a roof system will be installed to code with any approved system (as listed in the NOAs of FBC HVHZ approvals) under tile as long as the 30# is nailed in accordance with FBC Sections 1518.2, 1518.3 and 1518.4, despite not having an uplift pressure rating. Please confirm. If this is not the case, please indicate how to determine the allowable uplift pressure of a system with an NOA since the NOAs do not list MDPs for underlayments. Thank you!

Claudia Abbona (3/15/2021 12:16 pm)

There is no requirement for the uplift on tile system underlayment. Only the prescriptive method of attachment provided in the FBC HVHZ. (Per David Fuentes MDC).

Source: https://rcasf.org/code-changes/2021/01/12/ questions-and-answers/#qcom84

for tile roof systems inside Miami-Dade and Broward Counties but will also have a far broader impact because a Miami-Dade County NOA can be used anywhere in Florida.

It is important to be aware that all of Florida acts as the reinsurer not only for Citizens Insurance (which is the largest provider of property insurance in the HVHZ) and the rest of Florida but also for many very small and historically shaky insurers. Property and casualty insurance purchasers in Florida are already paying a surcharge on their policies. When a strong hurricane hits a densely populated major metropolitan area, those surcharges could very quickly reach unsustainable levels. The effects on Florida’s economy and our individual insurance premiums could be devastating. It is clear that we need to do all things reasonable to mitigate the potential damage through stronger building codes. The positive impacts that strengthening FBC requirements have had cannot be disputed: post-hurricane damage assessments from many reliable sources have all come to the same conclusion. Sticking our head in the sand is not a viable approach. We simply can’t afford to let Miami-Dade County, which seems to rest its decisions on the fact that it “hasn’t seen the failures” set the standard. Such observations – or lack thereof – completely ignore the fact that they have not experienced a major hurricane since Andrew in 1992. The damage that we’ve observed where recent hurricanes have occurred clearly demonstrates that we should not weaken the code

for the HVHZ and, through NOAs, the entire state. Building departments are not allowed to weaken the requirements of the code but apparently this may not apply to Miami-Dade County. It is also the only county that can issue product approvals through NOAs that can be used in other areas of the state. To paraphrase a bible verse: to whom much power is given, much discretion should be expected.

What Can Be Done to Bring Them Around?

One of FRSA’s very astute Past Presidents and a member of our Code’s Subcommittee posed this question: “Why should it be up to our state roofing contractors’ association to attempt to enforce the decisions made by the Commission?” To put it quite bluntly, it shouldn’t! If we are going to successfully achieve the important goal of having strong and consistent underlayment and secondary water barrier requirements throughout Florida, we need all affected parties to help. For those of you who represent the insurance industry’s interest, we’ve lessened your exposure by strengthening building codes and pushed back against fraud because we know it’s the right thing to do. If you’re someone who wants improved roof resilience in order to maintain the availability of property insurance with reasonable premiums, you should consider making your voice heard. In particular, if you are involved in the construction industry in Miami-Dade or Broward County and share our concerns, please reach out to your Building Departments. Let them know that your customers need the level of storm protection and insurance premium consideration that is meant to be provided through these code improvements. We can’t accomplish this alone; we need your help. Our position is simple: test tile underlayments to failure, adjust for the safety factor of two and then post those uplift pressures on the NOAs in the same way that we currently do for Florida Product Approvals. As the Florida Building Commission recognized, this weak link is obvious and needs to be repaired. All the preparation has been done, the code has been published, all we need is a little cooperation from those interpreting it. We plan to work with building officials to help them understand the importance of verifying the proper pressures for permitting. Moving forward, FRSA will be looking at options to address our concerns but many of these take time that we don’t have. This issue should be resolved before the new code becomes effective at the end of the year.

Mike Silvers, CPRC, consults with FRSA as Director of Technical Services. Mike is an FRSA Past President, Life Member and Campanella Award recipient and brings over 50 years of industry knowledge and experience to FRSA’s team.

Energy Considerations

Riku Ylipelkonen, Owner, Standard Building Advisors and FRSA Technical Advisor

As the world moves toward more alternative forms of electricity production and as appliances and other equipment being installed into “smart” homes become more efficient and connected, reducing energy consumption through building design is another aspect of conservation for roofing contractors and homeowners to consider. Below, we’ll look at how the properties of heat convection, conduction and radiation point to opportunities to conserve energy.

Heat Convection

Though we may not recognize it immediately, convection is something we encounter every day. It’s more than new ovens that move hot air to enable us to cook things faster but an oven is a good example. Think of an attic as an oven. During the day, the sun causes the air temperature in the attic to increase. When the air temps increase, the air wants to rise and transfer heat to everything that isn’t as warm as it is. This is why you can take a hot shower – without intending to – in the middle of the day in old houses. The copper lines that run through the attic are heated by the hot air in the attic and then the water inside the lines heats up. Turn on the “cold” water and, presto, hot shower. Ventilation was developed to reduce heat in the attic. Vents at the lowest points of the attic air space allow cooler outside air to enter. It works much better

when there are also vents at the higher end of the attic to allow the rising hot air a means of exiting. You don’t even need to power the air flow with electric fans, though that certainly helps: when there are proper low inlet and high outlets, the temperature difference between the ambient air and the attic air can create enough movement to cool the attic.

Heat Conduction

Conduction involves moving energy between materials that are touching. Shingles, tile, metal etc. all have the capacity to conduct. These materials absorb heat from the sun throughout the day and they look to pass this heat to lower temperature materials that they are touching so that temperatures can equalize between the materials. Heat absorbed by the roof cover conducts well through metal. Roofers understand that metal nails, tin tags and caps are very hot to the touch on a hot day. Each of these hot nails punch the underlayment and roof deck and, after conducting some heat to them, turn into a little heaters in the attic. This heat transfer can be addressed with an insulation layer like Polyiso or EPS boards. Using adhesive instead of nails can also reduce the heat transfer and so help keep the attic cooler.

Along the same line, if you ever vacation up north in the winter, you can see warm screws and plates on a

low-slope roof melting snow. The heat originates from the heated space inside the building and is conducted through the screws and plates to the roof surface. In the summer, the outside heat gets conducted into the building along the reverse path. Using an insulating roof sandwich panel instead of plywood to deck will reduce energy conduction into the attic. The real challenge here is to get the insulation layer closer to the sky because everything underneath it will be cooler and will also last longer. How about some metal roof systems that add a layer of insulation between the underlayment products and the final metal panels? Or a tile system that adds a layer of insulation between the underlayment products and the tile? These help keep heat out of the underlayment products, roof deck and attic and represent a considerable energy savings to home. Ultimately, if the attic doesn’t heat up the conditioned air, the air conditioning will not have to work as hard to keep the home cool.

Heat Radiation

somewhere in the attic or roof assembly. The catch is these layers work better when they have an air gap on at least one side of the foil. This can be accomplished in many ways, like a foil sheet stapled to the underside of the roof trusses in the attic. The same principle of heat transfer applies here also. If you can get the radiative barrier closer to the sky, the materials underneath the barrier will benefit by not getting as hot during the day.

These methods of heat transfer can be tackled on the roof for the benefit of not only our homes interior, but also lower the demand for electricity on the grid for all of us. The lower the demand for electricity, the less we must produce. The best kind of energy conservation is to reduce the demand. That has benefits for all of us.

Riku Ylipelkonen, Owner, Standard Building Advisors has been in the roofing industry for 15 years working for Polyfoam Products, which was acquired by 3M. When Polyfoam Products was divested by 3M, the name was changed to ICP Building Solutions Group. Riku worked at ICP as Technical Service Manager until March of 2023, when he left to begin his own company. Riku is an engineer and is working as a consultant with FRSA. He is a member on FRSA’s Codes Committee, Codes Subcommittee, Tile Committee and on the FRSA-TRI Manual Rewrite Committee. Riku is also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Roofing Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Florida Building Commission.

FRM

Tips for a Watertight Standing Seam Roof

Standing seam roof systems are often recognized as the best metal roofing system available. Without a doubt, they offer unparalleled protection when properly specified, manufactured and installed. Unfortunately, as long as people are involved in the process, the potential for mistakes exists. Below are tips to ensure a watertight seam for your next standing seam roofing project.

Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions

Adhere to Minimum Slopes: For architects and specifiers, following manufacturer’s instructions starts by adhering to minimum slope guidelines. While it may not make sense why a specific panel style that looks only slightly different allows lower slopes, there are reasons.

Recognize Panel Storage is Critical: Most standing seam panels arrive on the jobsite with in-seam sealant in the male or female legs. Exposure to extreme temperature swings and contamination from dirt and other foreign materials can cause problems during installation and the seaming operation.

Watch Roof Deck Tolerances: Ensure the roofing structure is within plane tolerances and debris-free before starting installation. While it seems obvious, I see this one often. It’s important to realize that just because you can’t “see” deck imperfections and tolerance issues after panel installation, they can still haunt you.

Follow Placement

Guidelines: Most manufacturers also publish detailed installation manuals addressing each component of their system. From tape sealants to tube caulks and outside closure placement and installation, the weather integrity of the roof system relies upon following the manufacturer’s instructions.

While it may not be the end of the world to have extra parts left over after assembling some things, a standing seam metal roof isn’t one of them. For example, many systems require structural plates at the eave and ridge. Since they aren’t visible after installation, some contractors find it tempting to skip their use. However, these parts reduce pressure from the crew member standing on the panel during installation. Without these parts, panel deformation and ponding water can occur.

Monitor Module Width: Based on the design, standing seam panels can grow or shrink during installation. Yet to function correctly, the finished installed width must be correct. When panels are allowed to grow, it can be tricky (if not impossible) to get them properly sealed and seamed at the low and high sides of a roof.

Kathi Miller, Director of Marketing & Sales Training, McElroy Metal

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Respect Panel Style Specifics

In order to achieve a watertight seam, it’s essential to recognize the differences between standing seam styles.

Snap Style Panels: As the name implies, panels that snap together typically have a male or female leg that snaps together during installation. Installers often use a rubber mallet on the vertical leg to ensure the panel is fully engaged. It’s important to note that this family of panels should be engaged (or snapped) continuously from the eave up to the ridge. Skipping the middle portion of the panel to come back to it later frequently causes panel engagement issues.

Mechanically Seamed Non-Symmetrical Hooked Panels: This panel style offers a male or female leg that hooks (or rolls) into place with the preceding panel during installation. The hook leg must be fully and consistently engaged during panel installation. Seaming machine issues will likely occur if the hook leg isn’t engaged. Also, due to the panel design, these panels typically require left-to-right or right-toleft installation.

Mechanically Seamed Symmetrical T-Style

Panels: Since T-Style panels are symmetrical, panel installation isn’t limited to a left-to-right format. Instead, installers can start anywhere on the roof, skip over sections and even come back to them later. This panel style also simply pushes together and attaches through the mechanical seaming of a batten cap.

The risk of installer error and seaming machine issues are significantly reduced with T-Style panels. In rare cases when issues occur, T-Style panels allow for the easy replacement of single panels in the field of the roof. Their non-symmetrical counterparts can’t boast the same.

Regardless of the selected panel style, most manufacturers offer in-seam sealant, which is a critical element in creating a watertight seam.

Seaming Machine Issues

While not every style of standing seam panel requires a mechanical seaming machine, many of the systems used on lower slopes (2:12 and below) require mechanical seaming. While seaming machines preform a critical function, it’s important to respect the basics below:

Ensure Seamer Maintenance: A seaming machine is a mini roll former and does tremendous work to fold the vertical standing seam panel legs together correctly. As a result, proper maintenance is critical. Most manufacturers send seamers out for maintenance and repair between uses; however, if you decide to purchase a seaming machine, just realize that responsibility falls to you. While maintenance might feel like a waste of time, seaming machine difficulties can wreak havoc on a perfectly well-installed metal roof.

Realize Seamers Aren’t Universal: I mentioned that seaming machines are mini roll formers. As a result, specially designed roll forming wheels fit the male or female legs at specific points as they roll the seam. It’s essential to recognize that seamers are unique to each panel profile and typically cannot be interchanged.

FASTENER CORPORATION

Inspect Before Seaming: Before starting the seaming operation, clearing any dirt, debris or excess sealant away that might interfere with the seaming operation is essential.

Seam in Proper Direction: Standing seam panels can be either symmetrical or non-symmetrical. As the name implies, non-symmetrical panels look different on each side of the panel, which forces them to install (and seam) in a pre-determined fashion. Always read and follow manufacturer directions to ensure you’re seaming the panels in the proper sequence and as the panels are intended.

Recognize Power Supply is Critical: These machines do significant work in the seaming process, so an adequate power supply is essential. Bad things can happen quickly when a seaming machine doesn’t receive the required power. Always check the power level at the primary power source and the unit’s junction to the extension cord before starting any seaming operation.

Pre-Crimping Tools Aren’t Optional: Some systems require a pre-crimping tool a few inches up from the eave and down from the ridge. Other systems also require pre-crimping at each clip location. Due to the different panel and seaming machine nuances, there is no hard and fast rule on pre-crimping. As a result, reading and following the manufacturer’s published information is imperative.

Ensure Proper Machine Engagement: Once you’ve placed the seaming machine on the panel, see if the forming wheels and legs are correctly aligned. Once they are, lock the machine into place. Before

powering up the machine, check again to ensure that nothing moved during the locking process.

Check the Seam Continuously: Seaming a standing seam roof is not a set it and forget it, autopilot-type operation. The machine may form a seam perfectly for a while only to suddenly stop due to mechanical failure or errors made during panel installation.

Seaming Problems? Stop Immediately: If you encounter issues with seaming – Stop seaming and contact the seamer company or the manufacturer. They can likely diagnose and provide a solution to the problem quickly. Seaming additional panels with an incorrectly tuned or broken machine can do irreparable damage to the panel system.

Mechanically seamed standing seam systems represent one of the best roofing systems currently available. While I’ve mentioned a list of things that “can” go wrong, installer education makes most of them a moot point.

Kathi Miller oversees Architectural National Accounts at McElroy Metal. She can be reached at kmiller@mcelroymetal.com. Since 1963, McElroy Metal has served the construction industry with quality products and excellent customer service. The family-owned components manufacturer is headquartered in Bossier City, La. and has 13 manufacturing facilities across the United States. Quality, service and performance have been the cornerstone of McElroy Metal’s business philosophy and have contributed to the success of the company through the years. More information can be found at www.mcelroymetal.com.

What’s Wrong with These Pictures?

FRM

The Year in Review

Lisa Pate, FRSA Executive Director

FRSA’s fiscal year has just ended and it has been another incredibly successful year for the Association. I used to comment that each year we had just completed was one of the busiest ever – now I realize it’s the new normal for us. Not only did we have one of the most financially profitable years but we also passed new milestones.

As we were beginning our new year, Hurricane Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa in southwest Florida as a dangerous Category 4 storm. This storm, with its intense winds, heavy rainfall and catastrophic 12-to-18 foot storm surge devastated much of the area. It then proceeded to work its way across the middle of the state and exited near Jacksonville. This was Florida’s third-costliest weather disaster on record. Forty-three days later, Hurricane Nicole made landfall on the east coast, just south of Vero Beach, as a Category 1 storm. Nicole’s large wind field meant that tropical stormforce winds covered most of the state and brought strong winds, rainfall and storm surge that affected some of the areas already hit by Ian. We are a state rebuilding in many areas.

FRSA and the industry raced to get the word out through our “Hire Smart” campaign to the media and public about the dangers of hiring unlicensed contractors. By utilizing social media and posting information on our website, we urged homeowners to do their homework and avoid fraudulent scams. We received calls from homeowners throughout the state looking for licensed contractors they could trust and many visited our website and selected a contractor in their area. As a reminder to members, you can add information to your member listing on our website to include the counties in which you work, areas of roofing you specialize in and up to three pictures with your profile. Visit www.floridaroof.com to view your company information and reach out to Anna (anna@floridaroof.com) to update your profile.

The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) proposed another workers’ comp rate decrease for the roofing industry. We reached out to members asking them to contact the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) to ask for consistency in the rates. NCCI used data on workers’ comp injuries from the COVID years – a time when not all industries were

back to work – to ascertain that workplace injuries had declined. And since Florida’s construction industry were deemed essential workers, we felt these numbers were incorrect. FRSA’s President, Matt Criswell, testified virtually before the OIR asking for consistency in the rates. With so many new employees in the construction industry and medical costs rising, there was concern that a continued drop in the rates would mean that, once current data was analyzed, rates could face a potential swing in the opposite direction – creating an unbudgeted expense for many contractors bidding out future work. The OIR approved an 8.4 percent overall rate decrease and a 7.36 percent rate decrease for the roofing classification code (5551).

FRSA’s Codes Subcommittee, a small group of volunteer members, worked with Technical Director, Mike Silvers, CPRC to submit Florida Building Code (FBC) code modifications for the 2023 code. Among the many code modifications submitted and approved were the options to include a self-adhering underlayment direct-to-deck and other enhanced underlayments for use in the HVHZ, adding industry standards for tile underlayment requirements and test methods statewide, adding a requirement for clearance of lines, pipes, conduit and cables from the underside of the deck, replacing important repair language that was inadvertently removed from the code and changing the language “replaced” to “replaced or recovered” to clarify portions of the 25% Rule. In addition, the FRSA-TRI tile installation manual was updated to include the new ASCE 7-22 standard; an ambitious and lofty goal that benefited all roofing contractors throughout the state.

FRSA continued to push for insurance reform, the

the promise of a new roof at no cost to them. FRSA received many calls from homeowners who had signed an AOB asking for advice, seeking assistance and options for correcting shoddy work and help in reporting a contractor who received funds from the insurance company but still had not completed their roof. Statewide, roofing contractors were blamed for the rising costs in the homeowner’s insurance market. A black eye and bad publicity for the roofing industry because of a few unscrupulous contractors.

In March, FRSA held the first Roofing Day in Tallahassee event where a small group of members headed to the Capitol to meet with representatives and senators to discuss items of importance to the industry. This event mirrored NRCA’s very successful Roofing Day in D.C. Chris Dawson arranged nine meetings between attendees and members of Congress. Senator Keith Perry, an FRSA contractor member, welcomed the group along with Senate President, Kathleen Passidomo. The event was extremely successful and helped FRSA build relationships with members of the Florida Legislature.

During the 2023 Legislative session, one of Governor DeSantis’ top priorities was to pass immigration reform, which he had been advocating since his first gubernatorial campaign in 2018. Although the Governor called for the strictest version of the bill, FRSA’s Legislative Counsel, Chris Dawson, was able to work with his team and other industry partners to add flexibility to the bill, including the carve out for E-Verify for companies with 25 or less employees and the Safe Harbor provision.

In April, FRSA participated in NRCA’s Roofing Day in D.C. and attendees were able to meet with members

FLAT TOP® ULTRA-Z®

With the current limited workforce, developing and implementing training programs has never been more important. FRSA’s Educational Foundation Worker Training Subcommittee is nearing the completion of a multi-year project creating a worker training manual for those new to the industry. When complete, the program will be provided free of charge to members for use as a training tool within their own companies.

FRSA’s Convention and Expo experienced another great year with over 4,500 registrations, standing-room-only seminars and a sold-out Expo floor with 462 booths. For the second year in a row, we sold out an expanded Expo floor for the next year. There were 31 seminars held, serving the largest number of attendees in our history. Attendees continued to be extremely generous, raising $25,000 for the 2023 Charity of Choice, The Faine House. Many thanks to those who contributed!

Membership numbers have exceeded 960 companies, setting another new milestone for the Association. There’s strength in numbers and we’re proud to represent over 57,000 roofing professionals and their employees in Florida. If you’re not a member and would like to join, please contact Anna at 800-767-3772 ext. 142 or by email at anna@floridaroof.com.

The Credit Union continues to do well and has loaned more than $8.8 million dollars to customers of FRSA members who are looking to finance roofing projects. The Credit Union Board expanded the criteria of the Roof Loan Program by allowing members to include work on gutters, solar panels, air conditioning, painting or any other service that a member company offers to its customers. Be sure to keep them in mind as a means to fund projects when you provide proposals to your residential customers. In addition, the Credit Union has some of the lowest vehicle financing rates available and is part of a shared branching network with over 5,000 locations.

ROOFING

5,000 Industry Professionals

154,431 Industry-focused Digital Impressions monthly

2023 FRSA President Matt Criswell presented a $25,000 check to his Charity of Choice, The Faine House, an Orlando facility enriching the lives of young adults on the verge of homelessness –many are individuals who have aged out of foster care. Funds were raised through FRSA Affiliate donations, private funds and donations via the Convention registration site. Pictured (L-R): Ray Gaines, Matt Criswell, Brittany and Jeff Faine.

The Self Insurers Fund (SIF) also had a banner year and distributed $3.5 million to Fund members in dividends at the Convention, adding to over $190 million distributed since 1992. One of the key components considered when deciding on dividend returns is individual company safety records. The SIF has four safety consultants who continually meet with members in their area to train, review and recommend areas that need improvements, making employee safety job a priority. Not a Fund member? Contact Alexis at 800-767-3772 ext. 206 or by email at alexis@frsasif.com to see if you qualify.

FRSA’s Legal Counsel Trent Cotney, Adams and Reese LLP, continues to represent FRSA on the legal front. Trent and his team do an amazing job looking out for the best interests of the industry, developing and teaching industry related seminars and providing valuable content for the magazine.

Although not all roofing contractors are members of FRSA, we continue to represent all contractors as we work for the betterment of the industry. For over 101 years, we’ve led the industry in Florida, earning it the respect and professionalism our members deserve. If you’d like to know more about FRSA, please visit www.floridaroof.com.

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Everyone pays the same WORKERS’ COMP rate... this year, FRSA SELF INSURERS FUND members received $3,500,000 in dividends at FRSA’s Annual Convention.

Since 1992, SIF has paid over $190,000,000 in member dividends.

Site Inspections

Kevin Lindley, Safety Consultant, FRSA Self Insurer’s Fund

Construction companies expect that their field workers are doing their part to keep the company profitable, productive and upholding company values to maintain their reputation and site inspections play an integral role in making this happen. Random and frequent visits to jobsites should be made by various company individuals to ensure every aspect of a project is being performed to company standards. Those individuals selected to complete site visits should have a specific purpose, be able to make changes or recommendations while at the site, take corrective action immediately and ensure that safety measures are being followed.

Contractors are required to complete site inspections on their workers per Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (aka “the General Duty Clause”), which reads, “Employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.” Site safety inspections should always be documented either with photographs or in writing or both. Following an OSHA site inspection, contractors need to submit documented proof of site inspections to OSHA during the investigative process. Written documentation is preferred: photographs sometimes communicate more than intended.

To conduct site inspections, designated company individuals are recommended. Many companies rely upon their field foreman to self-audit the site and workers, which works very well for the day-today operations. However, an inspection should be performed by someone not actively involved in the work. All too often, employees become engaged in their scope of work and lose perspective of work areas and activities other than their own. The individual(s) who are responsible for completing the various inspections should be given guidelines and trained to complete the type of inspection(s) they are conducting. Ensure the individual(s) have the tools necessary to perform the inspection, provide assistance or guidance to the field workers and know what steps to take when issues cannot be immediately resolved or require additional action.

There are many different types of jobsite inspections. Site superintendents or project managers often visit the job to verify the workers are on schedule, have the materials needed to complete the task or project, ensure all the workers are present and actively engaged with work-related activities. Sometimes, site safety inspections are not completed to the expectations of upper management or OSHA. Site safety inspections must be documented.

Create a checklist of safety items to be verified or corrected. Photos are very helpful to identify safety hazards existing on the site prior to the inspection and aid management should issues arise. A standardized checklist helps to maintain consistency even when different people are conducting inspections. No jobsite is perfect all the time. Jobsites change minute by minute and there are many moving, evolving, changing conditions. It is not practical to have a perfect site. A safety issue is not as big a concern as a repeat safety issue or an overlooked safety problem that is not corrected. A checklist needs to identify the issues and note the corrective action taken or to be taken. At minimum, a job safety inspection checklist should include the following:

■ Site: secure, organized, clean, public signs posted if needed.

■ Vehicle: tires in good condition, materials secure in bed, propane tanks secured upright, limited debris.

■ Equipment: operators are licensed as required, daily inspections completed and documented, equipment in good operational condition, fire extinguisher attached to or within 50 feet of operation, equipment operator following safety operating procedures.

■ Ladder: good operational condition, three feet above the top landing surface (measured vertically), set at a 4:1 (rise to run) ratio, secured to the structure, have clear landings at top and base.

■ Personal protective equipment: workers wearing the required PPE (safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, hearing protection, appropriate silica protection while cutting silica containing materials, work shoes, work clothing, etc.).

■ Fall protection: guardrail, personal fall arrest, warning lines, monitor adequate for slope of the roof.

■ Housekeeping on roof and work areas: orderly, clean, clear egress.

■ Gas powered equipment: exhaust clear of combustible materials or equipment, adequate distance away from the structure, shut down prior to refilling, gas container with flash guard and spring-loaded lid.

■ Fire extinguisher: present, readily available, fully charged, inspected as required.

■ Electrical: cords and equipment in good operational condition, free of defects, tagged out if necessary.

■ Tools: safety guards present, used as intended.

■ Water: adequate supply available onsite.

Many site safety concerns are minor and can be easily resolved in the field with minor adjustments. For instance, ladder set-up is the third most-cited OSHA standard. Ladders not set at a 4:1 ratio, raised three feet above the roof contact point, feet properly positioned or found not secured to the structure or the base of the ladder was not secured if needed, can be corrected in the field without much effort.

Personal protective equipment including eye and face protection is currently the ninth most-cited OSHA standard. Field workers often find themselves in a situation where they know they need to wear their personal protective equipment and have it with them on the jobsite but are not wearing it while completing a task and leave themselves and the company liable for their actions.

Fall protection is the number one most-cited OSHA standard. Many contractors train their workers on fall protection as required by OSHA for all employees exposed to fall hazards of six feet or greater and issue their employees fall protection equipment as required by OSHA standards. Many workers can identify and know when fall protection equipment is required and necessary; however, those workers are often found repeatedly working at elevations greater than six feet without the use of any type of fall protection – not only by OSHA, but also their co-workers, supervisors and the public. Roofing, sheet metal, solar and air conditioning field workers not having their personal fall arrest devices with them on a jobsite is unacceptable. Liability by the individual as well as the company is too great to allow unsafe behavior in the field to be compromised

for convenience, speed or lack of care and should be dealt with accordingly.

FRSA’s Self Insurers Fund (FRSA-SIF) has professional safety consultants throughout the state who are available to provide SIF members with safety training, to conduct site, office and shop safety evaluations, provide consultation for all safety needs and are a resource for safety documentation. Site inspections conducted through FRSA-SIF come with documentation and photo support as well as feedback to assist in identifying safety concerns and aid to abate them through conversation, training or recommendation of action to be taken by the company.

Some violations arise when issues cannot be immediately resolved in the field at the time of the inspection. When this occurs, workers need to be informed of the issues and hazards need to be isolated until they can be corrected. For example, during a safety inspection on a jobsite, workers are found on a roof that has a ladder access that is damaged with a split ladder rail. If an alternate ladder is not present, a replacement ladder must be immediately requested and brought to the site.

There will also be times when unsafe safety actions or behavior of an individual or crew require additional action that cannot be immediately taken. Unsafe acts that require disciplinary action or retraining must follow the company disciplinary action policy standards. Should action in this manner be necessary, it should be taken and documented. Disciplinary action in the form of verbal reprimand completed at the time of the site safety inspection should be noted on the written documentation of the site safety visit. FRM

Access to workers’ comp coverage is available to all FRSA members. To find out if you qualify for FRSA-SIF workers’ comp insurance, please contact Alexis at 800-767-3772, ext. 206 or email alexis@frsasif.com. To learn more about the FRSA Self Insurers Fund, please visit www.frsasif.com.

Giving Back

FRSA Members Giving Back to the Community

44th Annual RCASF Fishing Tournament

The Roofing Contractors Association of South Florida (RCASF) announced a $262,973 donation to Make-AWish Southern Florida, along with $15,500 donation to the International Game Fish Association Junior Anglers Program from the proceeds of its 44th annual fishing tournament held in June.

The event was held at the Islander Resort in Islamorada, with over 500 guests from the roofing community in attendance. Founding RCASF members started the tradition of getting the roofing industry together each summer for a little fishing, fun and comradery in the Keys. This tradition still holds true.

RCASF President Tamara Chase, Chase Roofing, Pompano Beach, echoed these ideas, “RCASF brings together the roofing industry with a common goal of doing our part to raise the bar. What ends up happening are friendships are created that last a lifetime and the information learned improves our businesses.” Not only does the roofing industry come together but they give back to the community in a big way, evident in over $1.5 million dollars distributed to their charity partners over the years.

RCASF Fishing Chairman Corey Daley, Daley Brothers Roofing, Royal Palm Beach, presented Norm Wedderburn, CEO and President of Make-A-Wish Foundation Southern Florida with a check that will grant 52 wishes. Wedderburn said, “RCASF truly believes in our wish granting mission. They have literally changed the lives of thousands of people: children and their families, who are affected by critical illnesses. We are very grateful to RCASF for their continued support.”

Not only were RCASF members inspired by the charities the fishing tournament supports, so were two youths in their community. Bryce McKinstry,

a ten-year-old from south Florida raised $10,134 through the RCASF Signature Sponsor Challenge. When asked how he did it, he shared that he sold his toys and books at a garage sale along with fresh corn grown on his grandfather’s farm. Adrian Alapont, a tenth grade high school student was a recipient of the Make-A-Wish program and was granted her wish to see the Cherry Blossoms in Washington, D.C. this past spring. RCASF hosted Adrian and her family for the fishing tournament. She shared with the 500plus guests at the tournament that her wish had been granted by Earl W. Johnston Roofing through the Signature Sponsorship program. Her remarkable strength and grace impacted all of those in attendance. Adrian has already raised $4,000 so far this year by asking for donations and selling her hand-made bracelets and she is just shy of her goal of $5,000 to be able to grant a wish too.

At the tournament, RCASF Fishing Tournament Charity Liaison Lynne Johnston, Earl W. Johnston Roofing, Hollywood, stated, “we work hard, we play hard and we give hard.”

The RCASF Fishing Committee, a dedicated volunteer group of members, is already hard at work planning the 45th annual tournament. If you would like to volunteer, sponsor or donate to the tournament, please contact the RCASF. To learn more about RCASF, please visit www.rcasf.org.

FRSA is proud of the volunteer work completed by members in the industry and would like to share those projects as often as possible. If you have a community service project you’ve completed, please send it to Lisa Pate at lisapate@floridaroof.com.

FRM

PROTECTION UNDER ONE ROOF.

Easy-to-use ROOF DECK TAPE® is a 40-mil, self-adhering waterproofing tape composed of a non-slip film coated with an aggressive asphalt-based adhesive system. Simply cut to length, peel off the release liner and roll with a hand roller for instant protection from water, air and moisture entering the structure.

ROOF DECK TAPE® Features

• Aggressively adheres to plywood, OSB, foam board and other common roof deck materials

• Textured surface for excellent foot traction

• Self-seals around common roofing fasteners

Scan here to watch the ROOF DECK TAPE® application video.

SAVE TIME AND BE MORE EFFICIENT

28 Fully stocked locations throughout Florida to service your building material needs.

Homestead, FL 33032

(786) 829-2761

Jacksonville, FL 32209

(904) 503-9400

Tallahassee, FL 32304

(850) 574-7600

Odessa, FL 33556

(813) 749-5354

Orlando, FL 32804

(407) 291-7244

Tampa, FL 33619

(813) 740-8790

Fort Myers, FL 33916

(239) 935-5077

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

(954) 969-8000

Miami, FL 33142

(305) 635-7177

Orlando, FL 32809

(407) 367-6246

Ocala, FL 34474

(352) 622-3933

Melbourne, FL 32904

(321) 369-7892

Ormond Beach, FL 32174

(386) 301-4471

Palmetto, FL 34221

(941) 722-6800

Leesburg, FL 34748

(352) 818-6120

Orlando, FL 32804

(407) 859-9997

Winter Haven, FL 33880

(863) 293-1555

St. Petersburg, FL 33716

(727) 565-4630

Sarasota, FL 34243

(941) 203-6320

Fort Pierce, FL 34982

(772) 466-3461

Stuart, FL 34997

(772) 223-8881

Vero Beach, FL 32960

(772) 778-0549

Orlando, FL 32810

(321) 442-0061

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315

(954) 525-1158

Riviera Beach, FL 33407

(561) 863-9899

Clearwater, FL 33762

(727) 573-6075

North Port, FL34289

(941) 732-1029

Panama City, FL 32405

(850) 763-0851

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