Canadian Roofing Contractor and Design January-February 2008
(click here for full magazine in Adobe pdf format).

ON THE COVER:  RICOWI Releases Hurricane Katrina Report on Roofing Investigations
Finding:   Roofs designed and detailed according to current codes and standards for installation in high wind areas will perform satisfactorily.

The Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI) Board of Directors formally released the approved Hurricane Katrina Report at a roofing seminar held on Sep. 6, 2007 in New Orleans. Attendees received a CD copy of the report, and Dave Roodvoets and Rick Olson of RICOWI presented findings on the low- and steep-slope roof investigations.   Read more...

Enhancing Single Ply Wind Performance
Low-Cost Upgrades Improve the Peel Resistance of Fully-Adhered Systems
Single-ply roofing systems have a long and successful performance record in the low-slope roofing industry, with some materials now touting up to 40 years of performance history. In general, adhered roofs offer good wind uplift resistance and meet FM Global and Underwriters Laboratories wind uplift requirements.   Read more ...

New Material And Equipment Allows For Greater Control Over Asphalt Roofing Installations
According to the Quality Commercial Asphalt Roofing Council (QARC) of the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), modern equipment is improving the quality of asphalt roofing installations through such things as better monitoring of asphalt temperature and viscosity during installation; as well as drastically lowering fume emissions.   Read more...

The Construction Specifications Institute And U.S. Green Building Council Sign Memorandum Of Understanding
The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Nov. 7, 2007 at Greenbuild in Chicago, IL.

The new MOU provides an open exchange of information regarding “green” or “sustainable” building and maintenance practices during the entire facility lifecycle. It articulates several areas of joint interest, including development of documentation practices and procedures that achieve sustainability in construction.   Read more...

RCI 23rd  International Convention And Trade Show Being Held Feb. 28 To Mar. 4, 2008
The 23rd RCI International Convention and Trade Show will be held Feb. 28 to Mar. 4, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix Hotel and Phoenix Convention Centre, in Phoenix, Ariz.

The event will mark the association’s 25th anniversary and the organization’s Silver Anniversary celebration.   Read more...

Era Announces Results Of First Phase Of Recycling Research Project
The EPDM Roofing Association (ERA) has announced the completion of the first phase of its project to research the possible recycling of EPDM single-ply roofing materials. In the project, conducted jointly by Firestone Building Products Company and Carlisle SynTec Inc., results indicate that it is logistically viable to remove EPDM from a roof and create a product from the recycled membrane.   Read more...

Dyszkiewicz To Head Business Development And Marketing At Englert Inc.
Tom Dyszkiewicz has been named senior vice president of Business Development and Marketing at Englert Inc., an innovator in on-site roll-forming and fabrication in the metal roofing and gutter industry.  Read more...

Grace names New Members To Field Technical Services Team
Grace Construction Products has announced that Jennifer Hitch and Matthew Offenberg have joined the company’s field technical services team. Their new positions reflect Grace’s continued commitment to and promotion of green building practices.   Read more...

New ISO Standard Encourages Sustainability In Building Construction
A new ISO standard will help to ensure that urbanization, which is a global trend, develops in an environmentally friendly manner.

“ISO 21930:2007, Sustainability in building construction – Environmental declaration of building products, will be a very helpful tool for the designers of buildings, manufacturers of building products, users of buildings, owners of buildings and others active in the building and construction sector who are increasingly demanding information that enables them to address environmental impacts of buildings and other construction works,” said Jacques Lair, leader of the team of ISO experts that developed the standard.  Read more...

WSIB Amnesty Until March 31
Until Mar. 31, 2008, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is offering full amnesty for employers who register with them voluntarily. It is a policy intended to encourage non-compliant companies to come forward and register for their protection and the protection of their employees.   Read more...

Canadian Construction Industry To Experience Similar Performance In 2008 As 2007
The construction industry in Canada is set to continue another year of strong growth, according to an economic forecast report released by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) and the Construction Sector Council (CSC). The report is based on the construction outlook prepared by the CSC as part of its 2007 Labour Market Information program.   Read more...

Carlisle Syntec Now Offers Securshield™ Polysio Insulation
Carlisle SynTec, a manufacturer of single-ply roofing systems, recently introduced SecurShield polyisocyanurate insulation to its growing line of energy-efficient roof products. SecurShield is a durable insulation product that can be applied directly to wood decks for either a Class A or Class B fire rating, without the need for a fire-rated slipsheet or gypsum cover board.   Read more...

Bird-B-Gone Introduces New Bird Jolt Flat Track System
Bird-B-Gone Inc. has introduced Bird Jolt FlatTrack which is said to be the most appealing bird deterrent product available from the company.

Bird Jolt FlatTrack is a low profile track system that emits a mild shock to birds as they land upon its surface. The shock will not harm birds, but will condition them to avoid the area.   Read more...

A.R.E. Enhances Tonneau Covers With Solar-Powered Keyless Entry
A.R.E. has announced the availability of solar-powered keyless entry to its line of fibreglass tonneau covers.

The SolARay solar-powered keyless entry system allows drivers to remotely lock and unlock A.R.E.’s LSX and LSII tonneau covers using solar energy, giving users quick access to their truck beds. SolARay works by mounting an aerodynamic solar panel measuring less than one-tenth of an inch above the tonneau cover’s lock and attaching a sleek battery pack to the inside centre of the cover   Read more...

Durapax Offers Proven Long-Lasting Coal Tar Commercial Roofing Systems
Providing roofing contractors and specifiers with a new option for reliable, long-lasting low life-cycle roofing systems for flat and low-slope commercial roofs, Durapax offers complete coal tar roofing systems. The coal tar roofing systems are designed to stand up to harsh rooftop conditions such as hail, rooftop traffic, exposure to ponded water and are said to be resistant to common industrial chemicals, oils, animal fats and extreme temperatures. Coal tar’s unique cold flow properties allow it to “seal-heal” minor cracks and punctures on warm days – before leaks can develop.   Read more...

Dow Announces New Technology For Styrofoam™ Insulation
Dow Building Solutions has announced that it has developed a next-generation foaming agent technology that will allow it to manufacture STYROFOAM™ R5/inch insulation with a zero ozone-depletion factor and cut its greenhouse gas emissions in half for North America.   Read more...

“Hurricane Proof Staple” Enhanced Roof Staple Invented
InventHelp has announced that one of its clients – an inventor from Atlantis, Fla. – has designed a prototype roof staple that is said to provide a stronger hold that standard fasteners.   Read more...

High Tech Roof Underlayments From Cosella-Dörken
Four roof underlayments representing the latest advances in roofing technology from Europe will be introduced by Cosella-Dörken on Feb. 14, 2008 at the International Builders Show in Orlando, Fla. The new product launch marks the Beamsville, Ont., building materials manufacturer’s expansion into the roofing category in North America.   Read more...

Fire And Wind Protection For Green Roofs
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) will partner with the Single Ply Roofing Industry association (SPRI) to spearhead the development of wind and fire standards for green roofs.  Read more...

GRHC Recognized For Leadership In Green Building
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, a not-for-profit association for the green roof industry, has earned a spot on the Green@Work magazine’s Green Build Top 25 List.   Read more...

Baltimore To Host Major Green Roof Event
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC), in concert with the City of Baltimore, is pleased to announce that the agenda for the Sixth Annual Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference, Awards and Trade Show has been released.   Read more...

What is Installation Insurance?
By Simon Fenn, President, Fenn & Fenn Insurance Practice Inc.
A widely misunderstood yet very important coverage to roofing contractors is Installation insurance, often referred to on most trade contractors’ property insurance policies as an Installation Floater. Although the coverage forms differ to some degree from insurer to insurer, it is really the trade contractor’s equivalent to Builder’s Risk Insurance required in most CCDC contract property insurance specifications.   Read more...

RICOWI Releases Hurricane Katrina Report on Roofing Investigations
Finding: Roofs designed and detailed according to current codes and standards for installation in high wind areas will perform satisfactorily.

The Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI) Board of Directors formally released the approved Hurricane Katrina Report at a roofing seminar held on Sep. 6, 2007 in New Orleans. Attendees received a CD copy of the report, and Dave Roodvoets and Rick Olson of RICOWI presented findings on the low- and steep-slope roof investigations.   Read more...

Three New Wind Related Design Tools
FM Approvals’ RoofNav Now Free
Factory Mutual (FM Global) is now allowing unrestricted, free access to RoofNav, their former subscription-based web-roofing tool that simplifies the configuration and assembly of FM-Approved roofs.  Included with the website is an online classification calculator and approval listing directory.  This website will prove to be a valuable resource for anyone who requires the most up to date details on FM approved roofing products and assemblies.  To gain free access visit www.roofnav.com to register.   Read more...