ROOFING FLORIDA – July 2014

A Publication of the FRSA ◆ Florida’s Association of Roofing Professionals

Considering Vertical Coatings The Benefits of Construction Mediation The Owner/Builder Licensure Exemption Roofing Contractors and the Wind Mitigation Form FBC Roofing TAC Hears Fastener Corrosion Report Do Your Past Commercial Projects Qualify for an Unused Tax Deduction?

July 2014

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6

Looking Back at Bob Campanella

8

The Owner/Builder Licensure Exemption

12

FBC Roofing TAC Hears Fastener Corrosion Report

18

Considering Vertical Coatings

7

The Benefits of Construction Mediation

10

Roofing Contractors and the Wind Mitigation Form

15

Do Your Past Commercial Projects Qualify for an Unused Tax Deduction?

Now Available Online at www.floridaroof.com/rfm

A Publication of the FRSA ◆ Florida’s Association of Roofing Professionals

On the iPad

FRSA Executive Director, Lisa Pate, CEM ◆ Editor, John Hellein

For display advertising inquiries and all feedback including Letters to the Editor and reprint permission requests (please include your full name, city and state) contact John Hellein at: john@floridaroof.com (800) 767-3772 ext. 127 RFM, PO Box 4850 Winter Park, FL 32793-4850 View media kit at: www.floridaroof.com/rfm

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

www.is.gd/iroofing

ROOFING FLORIDA (VOL. 5, NO. 7), July 2014, (ISSN 0191-4618) is published monthly by FRSA, 7071 University Boulevard, Winter Park, FL 32792.

Application to mail at periodicals postage is pending at Winter Park, FL and additional offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address corrections (form 3579) to ROOFING FLORIDA, PO Box 4850, Winter Park, FL 32793-4850.

The Preferred Choice of Roof Vacuuming

Foam Sealed Attic Spontaneous Combustion?

A 13,000 square foot mansion in Connecticut went up in flames July 3. The fire started in the attic and, despite the coordinated efforts of two municipalities, quickly spread.

The multi-million dollar home was a total loss.

Photographer, Rick Kulmann, who provided the photos below, stated on his site, www.rescue9photography.com, that “the fire was investigated by the fire marshal and revealed that polyurethane foam insulation in the attic spontaneously combusted.”

Looking at the photos, it seems apparent that the fire started in the attic, engulfed the roof and then spread to other sections of the house. The family and its pets escaped from the home unharmed. A firefighter was injured in a vehicle accident returning from the scene.

–RFM–

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www.RKHydroVac.com 4

ROOFING Florida

July 2014

Advanced Roofing Receives ARMA 2014 QARC Award FRSA member Advanced Roofing Inc of Ft. Lauderdale was recognized by the Ashphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) for its work on a Publix Supermarket.

Advanced Roofing received the Silver Award from the Quality Asphalt Roofing Case Study (QARC).

According to ARMA, “the QARC awards program seeks to recognize the top asphalt roofing projects in North America.”

Publix store #1382 in Miami included a metal deck, two layers of ISO installed in accordance with FM Global requirements, a GAFGLAS Stratavent Eliminator Perforated venting base sheet, three plies of FlexPly 6 and a GAF PRF SBS FR Modified bitumen cap sheet. It was finished with an ENERGY STAR rated coating that helps reduce energy costs and fight global warming and provided asthetic appeal.

ARMA is currently accepting submissions for its 2015 QARC Awards. For more information, visit www.is.gd/qarc2015.

–RFM–

FRSA-SIF Brings Claims In-House The FRSA Self Insurers Fund is proud to announce that State of Florida and the Federal Government on a host of it has brought its claims department operation in-house. data requirement issues. These reporting processes help For many years the Fund utilized the services of a third keep the regulators informed on the status of medical and party administrator (TPA) to handle its claims. TPA’s indemnity benefits to assure that medical providers and often offer services that smaller insurers find beneficial, claimants are paid timely and appropriately, as you would especially in the areas of governmental reporting and expect and hope an insurance carrier would be required data processing. For the past 15 years, the Fund contract- to do. The Fund must also coordinate with Medicare on ed with the TPA firm USIS, Inc, and enjoyed a very good issues as it relates to individuals who are, or may become relationship with that firm Medicare beneficiaduring those years. ries. The Fund has Several years ago, howcompleted developever, the Fund’s Trustees and ing these reporting staff committed the resources processes and reand began the exhaustive efceives outstanding fort to begin processing many compliance grades of the necessary computerized and reports from functions and governmenall of these governtal reporting processes on its mental reporting own computer systems. Many New FRSA-SIF staff (from left to right): Zully Brewer, Senior agencies. of these computer processes Adjustor; Angie Goetz, Claims Administrative Support; Rosemary involved reporting to the Vega, Senior Adjustor and Vanessa Palacio, Claims Manager.

Continued on page 11

www.floridaroof.com

5

Looking Back at Bob Campanella and the Inauguration of His Memorial Award

By John Hellein, RFM Editor In 1995, at the 73rd FRSA Convention, Bob Hilson, CPRC, received the Bob Campanella Award.

Bill Bieler, the 1994 recipient, delivered the award speech at the Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg.

Speaking to Mike Silvers, CPRC, of Silvers Systems Bob Campanella Inc in St. Petersburg, who presided as FRSA president at that Convention, I learned that the Tropicana Dome, home of the FRSA Convention that year, had been built on the site of Ace Roofing Supply, the very company where Bob Campanella served as President before his death, at the age of 48. Following Campanella’s death, the St. Petersburg Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association, a local affiliate, petitioned the Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association of Florida (R&SMCA, which later became FRSA) to establish the award in the memory of Bob Campanella. In January 1965, the R&SMCA Board of Directors authorized the Campanella Memorial Award in recognition of the devoted assistance Bob Campanella provided to both the state and local associations.

The first Campanella Award went to William “Bill” Condermann, CPRC, of Bohnert Roofing & Supply Co in Miami, at the 43rd Annual Convention in Palm Beach (pictured at right). Of course, there were no prior recipients that year to decide who should receive the award, so a committee of directors representing each of the districts in the state and chaired by Jack Strome met on the Friday of the Convention to make that decision.

According to Silvers, who received the Campanella Award himself in 1998, Ace Roofing Supply was purchased by Eagle Supply in the early 1980s. The new branch, which eventually became the location for the 6

ROOFING Florida

July 2014

Tropicana Dome, was the second for Eagle Supply (which eventually became today’s Gulfeagle Supply).

“There was a creek that ran down through there with the warehouses on both sides of the creek,” Silvers recalls. He remembers having to drive across a wooden bridge in order to get to the warehouse.

An obituary dedicated to Bob Campanella in the August 1964 Florida Forum states: For several years Bob has served on the Manufacturer-Supplier committee of R&SMCA, and was its chairman last year. It was Bob who was responsible for planning many of the fine entertainment functions for the convention held at the Outrigger Inn last April.

Bob came to Florida in 1941 from Hammonton, NJ and is survived by his wife, Marjorie Campanella.

In the August issue, we will take a look at the 2014 recipient of the award named in honor of Bob Campanella.

–RFM–

Florida Forum photo and caption from the inaugural Bob Campanella Award in 1965.

Trent Cotney ◆ FRSA Legal Counsel

The Benefits of Construction Mediation Nobody enjoys paying their attorneys.

Given the amount of documents involved in a typical construction case, construction litigation or arbitration can be very expensive and require a party to bear the burden of paying the attorneys’ fees and costs during the proceeding, even if the prevailing party is ultimately entitled to attorneys’ fees at the end of the case. Given the expense of litigating and arbitration, mediation provides parties with a cost effective solution to resolving a dispute.

What is Mediation?

Mediation is a non-binding, confidential procedure that is used in an attempt to resolve disputes. Generally, a certified mediator is chosen to oversee the mediation.

The mediator listens to the position of the parties at a joint meeting. Then, the mediator separates the parties to discuss settlement options independently and convey settlement offers and discuss the pros and cons of their positions. If a settlement is reached, the parties will execute a settlement agreement which will conclude the dispute. If the matter does not settle, the mediation remains confidential, and the parties can proceed with their dispute.

One common misconception is that the mediator renders a decision that is binding on the parties. The mediator attempts to resolve the dispute and may discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your case but is not a judge and does not render any opinion as to who will ultimately succeed if the dispute continues.

There are many benefits to mediation. First and foremost, the mediation process provides for the possibility of a settlement to a dispute which can eliminate further litigation or arbitration fees and costs. The mediation can address legal and non-legal issues to create

One common misconception is that the mediator renders a decision that is binding on the parties. The mediator attempts to resolve the dispute and may discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your case but is not a judge and does not render any opinion as to who will ultimately succeed if the dispute continues.

a comprehensive, customizable settlement agreement to fit the parties’ needs.

In addition, mediating early in a dispute can be useful to the parties because it allows the parties to understand the other side’s position without the need for formal discovery. If the mediation is unsuccessful, both parties may continue with the discovery process in litigation or arbitration. Although the mediation itself is confidential, often the information obtained at mediation may be useful for crafting future discovery if the case does not settle.

The old adage is that no one walks out of mediation happy because both sides have had to sacrifice in order to achieve a mediated resolution.

However, mediation is ultimately beneficial because it gives the parties an opportunity to settle their case and to stop paying attorney’s fees and costs.

–RFM– Author’s note: 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 Florida Bar Certified in Construction Law, a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil and Appellate Mediator, Qualified Florida CourtAppointed Arbitrator, General Counsel and a director of the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA), a director of the West Coast Roofing Contractors Association (WCRCA) and a member of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and Pinellas County Contractors Association (PCCA). For more information, contact the author at (813) 579-3278 or tcotney@trentcotney.com. Follow Trent Cotney at www.trentcotney.blogspot.com, on YouTube at FLConstructionLaw and on twitter @trentcotney.

FRSA Receives Voice on CRRC Mark Zehnal, CPRC, FRSA’s Director of Technical Services, has been named to the Cool Roof Ratings Council’s Board of Directors. As a director, he will be able to represent the concerns of Florida roofing contractors and the industry.

For more information, visit www.is.gd/crrcbod.

www.floridaroof.com

7

Cam Fentriss ◆ FRSA Legislative Counsel

The Owner/Builder Licensure Exemption How does unlicensed activity tie in with building codes?

Some think they really have no connection. That can’t be right because licensure demonstrates qualification of what is needed to understand and comply with code standards. Years ago, anyone could pull a permit without proof of having a license, but I doubt that still happens, at least not much.

In theory, requiring a license number on a permit application reduces unlicensed activity. In practice, this works well only if the building department takes the important step of verifying the license number is real, valid and belongs to the contractor pulling the permit.

In theory (again), inclusion of a license number should also make life easier for the building department staff by reducing the number of failed inspections and reducing consumer rip-offs that cause these customers to yell at building department personnel for “allowing” him/her to hire a crook.

When it comes to permitted work, problems with unlicensed activity should be minimal. That should be true, except for one exception – the owner/builder exemption from licensure.

This exemption sounds like such a good and innocent thing. It sounds like a way to allow an owner to control his own property without being required by law to hire a contractor. But there is no corresponding free pass for code compliance, so how well does this licensure exemption work for the average citizen? Not well because it mostly serves unlicensed contractors in conning the consumer. Ask any building department, and its staff will tell you that more than one little old lady comes in with an owner/builder permit application, and it is pretty clear to everyone that, despite what is required by the law, she is not going to do or supervise the work.

The true value of the owner/builder exemption is the same as the true value of the handyman exemption – a way to keep unlicensed contractors in business.

The true value of An obvious step the owner/builder in the right direction exemption is the same would be to get rid of both of these exempas the true value tions. We have tried of the handyman that, more than once, and failed because, exemption – a way at the political levto keep unlicensed el, both exemptions stand for a limitation contractors in on government intrubusiness. sion. It does not seem to matter that the 8

ROOFING Florida

July 2014

limitation intended to benefit the consumer/property owner instead benefits the con artist. In politics, it’s what it represents more than what it actually does.

All of us in construction, especially those who work in local building departments, need to make sure consumers understand the risks of saving a buck by overusing a handyman or pulling permits for work to be done by an unlicensed contractor – maybe the same person as the handyman.

–RFM– Anna Cam Fentriss is an attorney licensed in Florida since 1988 representing clients with legislative and state agency interests. Cam has represented FRSA since 1993, is an Honorary Member of FRSA, recipient of the FRSA President’s Award in 2002 and received the Campanella Award in 2010. She is a member of the Florida Building Commission Special Occupancy Technical Advisory Committee, President of Building A Safer Florida Inc. and past Construction Coalition Chair (1995-1997).

Next Month: FRSA Convention and Expo Review The August issue of ROOFING FLORIDA Magazine will feature a full review of FRSA’s 92nd Annual FRSA Convention and the Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Expo.

Tune in next month for news on tournament and Affiliate Competition winners, scholarship and award recipients and the complete line up of premier projects from the 2014 S.T.A.R. Awards.

If your company provides products and services to Florida roofing and sheet metal contractors and you haven’t reserved your booth for the 2015 Expo, contact Cheryl Sulock today at (800) 767-3772 ext. 177 or cheryl@floridaroof.com.

Thanks to Our 2014 Silent Auction Donors!

Advanced Roofing, Inc Allied Building Products All Points Tile & Slate Armstrong Roofing Atlantic Asphalt & Equip Co of Florida, Inc Atlas Roofing Corp B & Z Custom Metals Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens CertainTeed Corp Cleary Inspection Services Dan's Custom Sheet Metal, Inc DI Roof Seamers Duro-Last Roofing, Inc Elite Island Resorts Fentriss, Anna Cam FM Conventions FRSA Self Insurers Fund Gaco Western GAF Corp Goss Inc Gulfeagle Supply Harp, Donnie

Hartley, Ken & Loretta Hellein, John Henkel Corporation Hunter Panels Hyatt Regency Orlando Hydraulic Machinery, Inc Imperial Roofing of Polk County, Inc Intracoastal Roofing Jim Wilson & Associates Johns Manville Karnak Corporation Kennedy Skylights Lion Country Safari Manson Roofing, Inc Mark Kaufman Roofing Mission Inn Resort & Club NEFRSA O'Hagin Mfg LLC Orlando Magic Pam Fastening PBP Sales Petersen Aluminum Corp Polyglass USA, Inc REF

Rodman Roofing Roof Assessment Specialists, Inc Roof Hugger Roofing Contractor Magazine ROOFING FLORIDA Magazine Roy's Orlando RSG Roofing Supply Group Sea Glass Fine Art Sievert Industries Silvers Systems, Inc Simpson Strong-Tie Solovei Consulting, Inc Springer, Rob & Tammy Springer-Peterson Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc Streamline Roofing & Construction Sun-Tek Skylights TAMKO Building Products, Inc Tri-County Roofing Association Walker Reid Strategies, Inc Zehnal, Rachel Zehnal, Robin

Are you READY to write the IRS another BIG CHECK? What else could you DO with that MONEY? Roofing industry professionals involved in the design or installation of government/public building roof projects may be eligible for a tax deduction up to $1.80 per square foot.

Contact us to discuss the 179D Roofing Tax Provision while there is still time.

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Roofing Contractors and the Wind Mitigation Form

By Mark Zehnal, CPRC, Director of Technical Services

Under current Florida Statutes, licensed roofing contractors must receive a nod from the customer’s insurance company to complete a wind mitigation inspection form – even if they are the only contractor permitted to perform the work in question.

I have received several recent questions about roofing contractors and wind mitigation, specifically about whether or not a licensed roofing contractor can complete the “Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form.” The answer is not a simple “yes” or “no.” A roofing contractor who has been successfully completing the forms for customers may just as often find himself on projects for which he will not be permitted to complete the form.

Before we look at completing the forms let’s look, by way of reminder, at what portions of wind mitigation work a Florida licensed roofing contractor is permitted to perform – as well as what he cannot perform – and then consider if he can complete the wind mitigation form.

could complete at least the portions of the wind mitigation form dealing with roof work. These include: Section 2. Roof Covering and Section 3. Roof Deck Attachment.

According to the form requirements, the roofing contractor may be able to complete these and other portions of the form or he may not. If that seems to be anything but straightforward, it is; that is because the answer has nothing to do with whether or not the work performed is covered under a roofing contractor’s license and everything to do with whether the customer’s insurance company will permit the roofing contractor to complete the form.

The last page of the “Uniform Mitigation Verification Providing Value to Your Customers Of all the possible steps that can be taken to mitigate the Inspection Form” (page 4) lists the qualified individuals effects of high winds on a home, the roofing contractor’s who can complete the form. The list includes the following license only allows him to address the roof-related issues people who hold an active license as (all section numbers refer to Florida Statutes): such as: ♦♦Re-nailing the deck to current code standards ♦♦Providing a secondary water barrier and ♦♦Installing roofing materials rated for high-wind.

However, since it makes the most sense to take some of the other mitigation steps when major roofing work is being performed, the professional roofing contractor can provide his customers with valuable information. Roof-towall connections and bracing gables both require the work of another license, but if the work is needed, the owner may save money by having it done when having a home re-roofed. If the roofing contractor makes his customers aware of other wind mitigation work that can be performed in tandem with the roof work, the customer can decide whether or not to have the work done at the same time.

Of course, roofing contractors can benefit from nonroofing wind mitigation by either developing a business relationship with a contractor who is qualified to perform the work or by obtaining the proper licensing and performing the work himself. Once the work is completed, the customer will need to have the wind mitigation inspection form completed to provide to the insurance company. Can the roofing contractor complete this form for the customer? It depends.

♦♦Home inspector licensed under Section 468.8314 (who have met other requirements) ♦♦Building code inspector certified under Section 468.607 ♦♦General, building or residential contractor licensed under Section 489.111 ♦♦Professional engineer licensed under Section 471.015 ♦♦Professional architect licensed under Section 481.213 Roofing contractors are not specifically listed and if it weren’t for one more item on the list, the answer would be simple, roofing contractors would not be permitted to complete the mitigation form. If you are one of many Florida roofing contractors who has been completing the form, the last item provides the reason you are permitted to do so: Any other individual or entity recognized by the insurer as possessing the necessary qualifications to properly complete a uniform mitigation verification form pursuant to Section 627.711(2).

In other words, at the discretion of the insurance company, any individual, including a licensed roofing contractor, can complete the form, or portions of the form.

Completing the Form When a roofing contractor performs work that is covered For example, Citizens Insurance, the non-profit insurance under wind mitigation, it would seem sensible that he company formed by the Florida legislature in 2002, states 10

ROOFING Florida

July 2014

Although the State of Florida recognizes that roof work comprises a critical component of wind mitigation, roofing contractors are not recognized as qualified mitigation inspectors as the above snapshot from the “Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form” shows. Roofing contractors – and any other individual – can perform mitigation inspections at the discretion of the insurance company providing insurance on a property.

(www.is.gd/cfiwmp) that it will accept the form from “A Florida-licensed roofing contractor (for roofing mitigation features/components only).” It is left to each insurance company to decide if they will accept the form from people other than those specifically listed.

For roofing contractors who are not one of the other professionals listed, this means that he may be able to complete the form for one customer who has one insurer and then find that another customer’s insurance agency will not permit him to complete the form – even if he is only filling out the sections of the form that cover work that he is licensed to perform. While it might make little sense to require a non-roofing-licensed individual to provide mitigation inspection for work performed by a licensed roofing contractor, that is the situation under current Florida statutes: a roofing contractor may find it necessary to have a third party complete the mitigation form for roofing work that he completed. Checking with the insurance company beforehand will help to eliminate any surprises and extraneous work.

Solutions?

Being able to provide the service of completing the wind mitigation form for a customer adds value to what you can offer them. I have talked to roofing contractors who pay a home inspector to inspect the home after the roof work was done so that the form could be completed for the customer. This provides the customer with the service but also represents money out of pocket for the contractor. Another solution would be to obtain one of the licenses that are recognized for the completion of the form. A home inspectors license may be the easiest to obtain while obtaining a general, building or residential contractor’s license – while more involved – will position you to not only complete the wind mitigation form for your customer but also perform the other wind mitigation steps for them when you are onsite for the roof work, potentially adding to the profitability for each home that is a wind mitigation candidate.

–RFM–

Continued from page 5

With all of the data processing capabilities expertly put into place, it was then up to the Trustees and staff to assure that they brought on a team of claims professionals to complete the in-house claims department. The Fund was able to hire a very experienced staff of adjusters who were well known to the Trustees, staff and membership of the Fund. The Fund’s new Claims Manager, Vanessa Palacio, had been the manager assigned to the Fund’s account while she was an employee at USIS. Joining her from USIS as a new Fund staff adjuster is Rosemary Vega who has worked on the Fund’s account for over 15 years.

To complete the staff of adjusters, the Fund then hired Zully Brewer, an adjuster with prior experience working with us. Finally, it was necessary to have a support person to assist Vanessa and the adjusters and the Fund was pleased to hire Angie Goetz to complete its claims team.

The Fund’s Trustees and staff then wanted to make sure they had the most comprehensive and cost effective network of medical providers to partner with in order to ensure the best service to its membership and their

injured employees. With that objective, the Fund contracted with CorVel, Inc, a nationally recognized leader of managed medical network services. CorVel has an extensive network of medical providers, hospitals, nurse case managers and an expertly managed pharmacy program that will help provide the best services to injured workers and facilitate their return to work as soon as possible.

The Fund has established a new Claims Department toll-free number (844) 677-3772 to give its members direct and quick access to their dedicated adjuster. The Trustees and staff are confident that the Fund Membership will find this new in-house claims operation to be just another sign of our commitment to provide the best and most cost effective workers’ compensation insurance available.

Not a Fund Member? Call Debbie at (800) 767-3772, ext. 233 and find out more of what you are missing out on! The FRSA Self Insurers Fund is truly “your workers’ compensation solution.”

–RFM– www.floridaroof.com

11

FBC Roofing TAC Hears Fastener Corrosion Report Zehnal, CPRC, recognized in a ROOFING FLORIDA article last July, the question of the extent of fastener corrosion in the Florida roofing industry has many opinions but very little in the way of objective data.

The survey, conducted during the second half of May this year, was designed to begin to answer just how much fastener corrosion appears to be an issue in Florida and, if the results of the survey indicated that there was reason to suspect that the issue needed further investigation, possible steps forward. Zehnal assisted Gurley and his team with developing questions for the survey and a professional survey company was contracted to contact industry professionals, the vast majority of whom were licensed Florida roofing contractors.

Before we look at some of the questions and responses, here is a list of the issues that helped prompt the survey and form the questions that were asked, as specified in the UF report to the Florida Building Commission:

By John Hellein, RFM Editor One of the items on the agenda for the June Florida Building Commission (FBC) meetings was a University of Florida report on a fastener corrosion survey requested by the Commission. Kurt Gurley, Ph.D., presented information from the report, entitled Survey and Investigation of Corrosion of Fasteners used to Secure Roofing Systems, to the Roofing Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). Based on the report, the TAC is recommending to the FBC that it proceed with further research. Here is a look at the survey, including reasons for initiating it, who participated, their responses and possible future actions related to fastener corrosion research in Florida.

♦♦Anecdotal information indicates that corrosion of fasteners used to secure metal ridge vent system on shingle and tile roofs has been observed across a range of installations, specifically for electrogalvanized fasteners. ♦♦The problem is significantly more serious in coastal environments due to presence of chloride ions. ♦♦Increased manufacturing of these products outside the United States may be attributing to the problem.

The goal of the survey was to receive 240 responses.

To accomplish this, 1,500 licensed roofing contractors – from a pool of 4,000 for whom DBPR had phone numbers – were randomly selected. The phone surveys, however, enjoyed a very high response rate of 385 people. This very high response rate (over 25 percent) means an improved margin of error of plus-or-minus Reasons for the Survey In the survey report, Gurley refers to a 1986 National five percent. Here is a look at some of the significant Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) bulletin stat- questions and responses. ing its position on fastener corrosion: “NRCA was By the Numbers concerned particularly about the corrosion resistance of The first question we will look at from the survey sought galvanized steel screws and the associated risk of loss of roof securement.” The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers to provide an overview of the fastener corrosion issue.

Association (ARMA), the Single-Ply Roofing Institute It asked: Metal fasteners are used to secure numerous (SPRI) and other industry associations shared these components to a roof system. These include, concerns. As it was then, much of the “evidence” behind but are not limited to, asphalt shingles, clay the concern surrounding fastener corrosion, remains anecdotal. As FRSA Director of Technical Services, Mark or concrete tiles, metal roof covers, ridge and 12

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off-ridge vents, and roof penetrations. In your experience, have you observed corrosion in the exposed portion of any metal fasteners?

Yes No

80% 20%

The survey then broke down the occurrence of fastener corrosion by roof system types, including shingle, tile, metal, ridge vent and penetration fasteners. The following table shows the cumulative percentages for survey participants who “sometimes,” “usually” or “always” saw fastener corrosion under those categories (other possible responses include “never,” “almost never,” “no experience” or “don’t know/refused to answer”).

Shingle Tile Metal Ridge Vent Penetration

78% 53% 67% 79% 69%

Coastal Considerations The effect of chloride ions from salt spray was considered and an arbitrary distance of ten miles from the coast selected as a delineating point for survey questions. While inland locations (greater than 10 miles from the coast) were less than coastal locations, survey participants responded that they saw fastener corrosion in a high majority of both. The following percentages combine “sometimes,” “usually” or “always” responses regarding fastener corrosion occurrence.

Coastal (≤ 10 miles) Inland (> 10 miles)

87% 77%

“A field study of coastal and inland structures of various ages is proposed in order to better delineate the occurrence and severity of corrosion on metal fasteners of roofing systems.” to show corrosion than a US-made equivalent. Just over half of the respondents said that, based on their experience, fasteners from foreign origins were more likely to suffer corrosion. You can download the entire report, including a breakdown of all responses to the survey, at www.is.gd/fbc_fc_survey.

Interpretation and TAC Recommendations Based on the survey results, the UF team made the following interpretation as what it saw as the four most significant findings of the survey: ♦♦Non U.S. manufactured fasteners appear to be less reliable with regard to corrosion resistance (51% of respondents concur). ♦♦The observation of corrosion of electrogalvanized fasteners is common (66% observed sometimes or more frequently). ♦♦Observation of corrosion in coastal communities is prevalent (87% observed sometimes or more frequently). ♦♦Observation of corrosion in inland communities is not uncommon (77% observed sometimes or more frequently).

Age of Installation One series of questions asked about fastener corrosion In response to the findings, the Roofing TAC voted to based on the age of an installation; the below percent- send a request for additional research funding to the ages reflect “sometimes,” “usually” or “always”.

Commission. The funding will allow the investigation of feasibility, cost, effectiveness, impact on installation, < 5 years old 39% availability and on possible untended consequences of 5-10 years old 82% any changes made to fastener requirements. Possible 11-15 years old 95% changes could include: > 15 years old 96% ♦♦Quality control of non-U.S.-made fasteners.

Types of Fasteners ♦♦Restriction, elimination or upgrade of the use of One of the purposes of the survey was to try to underelectrogalvanized fasteners. stand how different types of fasteners may be suffering ♦♦Statewide requirement for TAS 114. fastener corrosion. These types include electrogalvanized, hot dipped, non-ferrous and stainless steel.

In addition to researching these issue, the report recommended a field study: “A field study of coastal and Electrogalvanized 66% inland structures of various ages is proposed in order to Hot-Dipped 48% better delineate the occurrence and severity of corrosion Non-Ferrous 45% on metal fasteners of roofing systems.”

Stainless Steel 16% The Florida Building Commission is scheduled to A section of the survey solicited opinions on the signifivote on the request for additional research funding for cance, or lack of significance, of fastener corrosion in Florida and the survey also attempted to provide feed- fastener corrosion at the August meeting. back on whether foreign-made fasteners are more likely 14

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–RFM–

Do Your Past Commercial Projects Qualify for an Unused Tax Deduction?

By Nelson E. Marin, Director of Engineering, Walker Reid Strategies, Inc

Since 2006, IRS Section 179D has permitted qualifying buildings to receive tax deductions for energy efficiency.

In general, roofing professionals have been unaware of this tax break and, as a result, have not taken advantage of it. Here’s a look at the 179D deduction, some reasons why it has been overlooked and, most importantly, whether there is still time for you or your client to retroactively claim Section 179D. What is 179D? Enacted under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Congress added Section 179D as an “energy efficient commercial building deduction.” It was intended to serve as an incentive for the public and private sector to build energy efficient buildings. Overall, the provision allows for a tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot for buildings that meet certain energy usage reduction criteria. More importantly for roof designers and installers, the section allows for a “partial deduction” of $0.60 per square foot for three individual categories, one of which is the building envelope, including the roof.

Cool roofs and insulated systems in the Florida climate typically are good candidates to qualify for the energy saving targets established in 179D, so why have relatively few roofing contractors made use of the provision? At least part of the answer has to do with how the provision was introduced and the lack of expertise available at the time to provide the necessary third-party verification.

In order for a building envelope to qualify for the deduction, the IRS requires a software simulation to model the annual energy cost savings for the building compared to a theoretical reference building. This study has to be completed and inspected by an independent engineer.

However, when the tax provision was initially enacted in 2006, there wasn’t a single firm in the nation that was structured to offer this IRS-required service.

To make the tax incentive more accessible, the IRS developed a simplified “energy analysis,” referred to as the “Interim Rule,” for partially qualifying lighting improvements. This adjustment, along with an IRS bulletin published in June 2006, proved effective for the lighting industry, whose contractors and engineers quickly developed the necessary verification services to demonstrate compliance with the provision’s requirements.

While lighting contractors benefitted from the new tax code, contractors who worked on the building envelope, were left outside. When Section 179D was introduced, the building envelope had to produce a nearly 17 percent reduction of combined energy use from the

building’s HVAC and lighting systems. This proved to be a difficult target and in 2008 the IRS issued a notice that reduced the requirements to 10 percent with the hope of stimulating use of the 179D incentive in the building envelope industries.

What Does This Mean?

Once the lower, 10-percent threshold was permitted by the IRS, engineers and tax specialists recognized that the benefits that have been available to other industries were now accessible to roofing contractors. While a few roofing companies have benefitted from millions of dollars in tax savings through Section 179D, many millions of dollars more remain unclaimed by roofing companies that have installed new roof systems. As mentioned earlier, Florida’s hot climate means that “cool roofs” and insulated systems in the State typically can meet the tax incentive’s energy reduction requirements.

Private and government buildings that meet the criteria are both eligible for the tax incentive. To date, most of the tax deductions have originated from governmentowned buildings. Congress recognized that government entities cannot themselves benefit from tax deductions so they allowed the deductions to be allocated to the designer or contractor of the energy efficient system.

Retroactive Opportunity – the Clock is Ticking The provisions for Section 179D were in effect from 2006 through the end of 2013. Congress approved extensions in 2006 and then again in 2008 and there is bipartisan support to continue the extension through 2015 at least, although legislation to do so is still pending. This means that current and future qualifying projects seem likely to be eligible to claim this tax break.

Here’s the important part: for work completed before 2014, there is still an opportunity to claim the tax break, but time is running out.

For public projects, a study can be performed for pre-2014 projects to see if you can receive the government-allocated deduction. However, the IRS only allows you to amend open tax years, generally three years from the filing date, so it is better not to wait.

For private projects, the building owner can claim deductions in the current tax year, meaning that no amendment is necessary for eligible buildings all the way back to 2006. While you may not directly benefit from this tax deduction, it can be useful information for your commercial clients and may help with bidding future projects assuming that the tax deduction is extended.

The Section 179D tax deduction has been historically Continued on page 22

www.floridaroof.com

15

Roofing and Social Media

By Heidi J. Ellsworth So what is the big deal about social media anyway?

As roofing professionals, many contractors look at Facebook, Linked In and Google+ as something from another planet. Going forward, however, contractors are discovering that social media will be one of the most important tools in their marketing program. If you are still new to the social media scene, here are some things to consider.

Up front, don’t try to conquer all social media at once. There are some trends that are helping contractors decide where to start. It really depends on your type of business. For residential contractors, for instance, Facebook continues to grow in popularity. It is a great referral tool, letting your customers speak for you.

There are some great partners already on social media that can help jump start your efforts. One organization for residential contractors that has taken a unique and altruistic approach to social media is No Roof Left Behind (NRLB). This organization was

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started by Jay and Dena Elie of Ridgecon Construction with the vision that by working to provide help to those in need they would be able to help their business too.

“It is really about everyone winning,” stated Jay Elie, president of No Roof Left Behind. “We wanted to understand social media but we also wanted to help our community.

Living in Detroit there is a lot of need. We were able to combine the two and have seen extreme success.”

Now, NRLB has been sharing their success with contractors across the country, teaching them how to leverage the promotional value while also helping their local communities. For residential roofing contractors, that is the true power of social media, creating buzz and interest in your own community. Facebook continues to drive that success.

For commercial contractors, many have found better opportunities on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a professional, networking website that allows contractors to

connect with other businesses, facility managers and property owners. It is a great way to offer educational articles from manufacturers, technology providers and distribution. Showcasing successful and difficult projects along with awards helps contractors build a strong reputation and helps potential customers verify a contractor’s credentials.

LinkedIn is also an amazing research tool. Take the time to look through LinkedIn locally and discover people to make contact with. Read the articles that are being posted. Join the same groups that your potential customers are a part of. Providing your information on the site offers business intelligence to potential clients that can make a difference for that next commercial bid.

As noted, don’t leap into too many social avenues at first. Depending on your business, there are several that you may never be involved in. However, one medium that is becoming critical for not only social media success but for website search engine optimization is Google+ (“Google-plus”). Google+ is a social networking site owned and operated by Google, Inc. Google is giving Google+ content a higher ranking than other websites that have similar content. Google+ is indexed immediately for search. So when you post to Facebook or LinkedIn, take a few extra minutes and post your content in Google+ as well. It will also help to register your business with Google+ Local in addition to other online directories.

“Google+ is imperative,” says Vickie Sharples, owner of Roofers Coffee Shop, an online community for roofing professionals. “It is amazing for search engine optimization. Basically, when you post in Google+ you are hitting the top of Google searches. Creating strong content is the key.”

“You need to do a couple key things every day,” continued Sharples. “A great practice is to get your sales team to take pictures with happy customers, with approval of course, and post it. It makes it personal. If the homeowner is willing to let you post to their Facebook you have instant referrals.”

Sharples, who has seen great success with www.rooferscoffeeshop.com and with supporting the site through social media, has gathered some key items

that can make a large difference when it comes to social media success.

Content You need interesting content. The best content a contractor can find is in the everyday things their company already does. First, think about the questions people ask when they call in and then post content responses to those questions. Just as you answer a question to your caller, you online responses allow you to answer questions for your social friends.

Among the most interesting content are photos and the “king” of all content is video. You don’t have to be Steven Spielberg and please don’t make it long, but almost anyone can shoot a video with today’s technology. Send your employees to work with a camera.

Use a photo or video to show how you put paper under your truck to prevent oil leaking on a client’s driveway. Show how you care about your client’s safety by putting cones behind your trucks. Show a unique item from a roof that your team worked on and what is causing leaks. This is your chance to talk about your company values through photos or videos.

Remember that people don’t want to hear from “you” or about how great your business is; they want to hear from past customers. They want to hear from others that your company offers high quality products and services that it stands behind. Post testimonials and encourage happy customers to give the company a nice review and, when they do, be sure to share it.

These are all good content ideas that you generate every day without realizing it. You have probably already thought of others as you read. Interactive content to spur active responses is key but it is also important to let current and past customers know you are on social media. As they “Like” your company, word spreads that not only makes the telephone ring but increases your social media presence.

Social media is all about sharing what you are already doing well. It offers the opportunity to send a message out to the public in a new way that is currently highly regarded. Social media marketing brings them to you and all it costs is a little time.

–RFM–

Remembering Three FRSA Ladies

Hazel Silvers, 92 Hazel was a partner and Secretary-Treasurer of Silvers Systems Inc of St. Petersburg until her retirement two years ago, and prior to that, owner of Industrial Roofing Co. Hazel was the mother of FRSA Past President, Life Member, and Campanella Award recipient Mike Silvers, Lavonda Kennedy, 82 Lavonda (retired in 1996) and her husband Bill, owned CPRC. William Kennedy Roofing, later known as Kennedy & Sons Roofing, in Bronson, and were FRSA members since Annette Swope, 72 1965. Lavonda was the grandmother of FRSA Director Annette was the wife of FRSA Past President, Life Member and incoming Officer, Charlie Kennedy of Gainesville and Campanella Award Recipient Morris Swope, CPRC, of Tampa Roofing in Tampa.

Roofing in Bronson.

www.floridaroof.com

17

Considering Vertical Coatings

By Joe Mellott and Matt McDermott, Garland Company

“Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone.” – Dorothy Parker When considering the proper choice for the repair or restoration of exterior surfaces, it is important to keep in mind the immortal words of humorist Dorothy Parker. While aesthetics are critical when considering the correct solution for your exterior surface restoration, it is more important to consider the condition of the substrate that needs to be coated and the long term performance of the system as a whole. Because of their experience with waterproofing systems, roofing contractors are in a good position to help a client understand what type of wall covering should be used on a project.

Question one: Are you in need of a paint or a coating? While no absolute delineation exists between the two terms, we can create the following definition for the purposes of this discussion.

Paints are surface restoration products designed to be applied to a substrate with the primary purpose of improving the appearance of the applied substrate. While paint can provide elemental protection it should not be used as a primary waterproofing layer. “You do not fix leaks with paint.”

Coatings can also be selected to provide specific aesthetic finishes but, unlike paints, coatings are expected to provide more significant restoration and waterproofing to the existing substrate. Coatings can penetrate and restore the existing substrate to an extent. The expectation of a coating is to protect the substrate from elemental abuse and attack and also to provide protection from existing or future leaks.

When vertical coatings are being considered, a roofing contractor’s knowledge and experience with waterproofing issues can be used to help decide the best direction for a project. Additionally, a contractor’s experience with regard to proper caulking, glazing, and tuck pointing is also important because even if the coating itself is properly applied it can experience premature failure when all aspects of waterproofing are not properly addressed.

When assessing a building, it is important to consider the unique nature of the building but in general several common steps apply. Start from the top of the 18

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facility and work your way down. Look for obvious areas that can lead to water intrusion. Consider coping and flashing details on the roof top. If these specific details are not water tight, no coating can be expected to be effective. Working your way down the walls, assess all caulking joints, transitions and facility openings (such as doors, window, and vents). Determine the water tightness of any and all transitions. Remove aged caulks and sealants and replace in kind. Examine all flashing and metal details, remove and replace any rusted or aging metal where possible or at minimum prime and paint the exposed metal to retard aging. For concrete, stucco and EFIS systems, make necessary repairs prior to coating. These types of repairs may require additional expertise. In many cases, concrete structures can be easily repaired with epoxy wet wrap and fabric systems. Special attention needs to be taken when coating concrete or concrete-like structures. In most cases, these types of systems need to be coated with breathable (vapor permeable) coatings.

Understanding the environment of the product position is important. The Florida climate offers extremes in sun, wind, rain, algae-growth and sea spray.

Understanding the effect and level of each can help with solution selection. Many products will prematurely fail upon continual exposure to salt spray. Others may not be specifically designed to resist mold growth. Also consider the facility location with respect to industry.

Coatings can be harmed by exposure to airborne pollutants and chemicals. The type of coating selected for use on top of petrochemical plant will have vastly different requirements to those used on a school system. Systems located near airports or highways can be exposed at a much higher than normal rate to hydrocarbons. Consider the environment prior to selecting the solution.

Consider the function of the building as well. Does the coating have horizontal applications that may experience high foot traffic? Will the finished product be exposed to vandalism in the form of graffiti? There are specialty products and finished design for various functions. Wash-ability may be critical in areas of high soot pickup or algae growth. For most issues there is a simple solution.

Vertical coatings not only need to function as waterproofing but they typically need to provide an aesthetic finish. Most quality manufacturers offer a variety of standard colors and finishes or can provide color matching where needed.

Working with a reputable manufacturer, when selecting the right coating, is critical in the process.

Look for manufacturers who have experience with both the environment and the substrate. Further, locate manufacturers who have a broad product offering. Manufacturers that work with a single

solution (or chemistry) may not be able to provide the optimum product. Finally, review the information provided by the manufacturer. A quick phone call to the manufacturer’s technical representatives may avoid the simplest of problems or may reveal unexpected issues.

Once the proper coating is selected, the next and most critical step takes place: Preparation. Without proper preparation the best of coatings while fail. “You can’t stick to dirt.”

Clean the surface with water or, where possible, a mild detergent. All surfaces need to be mold, dirt and algae free prior to coating. Once clean, allow the surface to adequately dry prior to coating application. In many cases a primer is recommended over specific substrates. Always utilize the proper primer in conjunction with the chosen coating. Not all primers are compatible with all coatings. Trying to save money by selecting non-standard primers can lead to costly disasters. Proper priming increases the coatings bond to the substrate and maximizes the product performance.

Always review the recommended application conditions for all products. Many products include restrictions related to rain or expected precipitation.

Make sure that the weather conditions are appropriate for product application. Of special importance in the Florida environment, consider the high temperature limitations of the product and effect of morning dew.

High temperatures can greatly affect the product’s proper curing. At extremely high temperatures products can skin (by curing too fast) and result in poor product performance and failure. Also consider that cool substrates have a tendency to have latent morning moisture as a result of dew and condensation. Make sure that all dew and condensation has evaporated prior to product application.

Many coating systems involve multiple coat applications. Strict adherence to the recommended application rates is paramount to optimum performance.

When a product requires two coats at one gallon per square it will not perform as it should if it is applied in one coat at two gallons per square.

Keeping these basics in mind and using skills and knowledge gained from horizontal coatings, roofing contractors can use their waterproofing experience for vertical applications. Selecting the right product from a quality manufacturer, preparing the substrate for application and following all manufacturer’s recommended application procedures is the step-by-step path for success. Following these steps can help protect the facility and extend the service life of the substrates involved.

–RFM– www.floridaroof.com

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The Snake: Importance of Character

By Raleigh F. “Sandy” Seay, Jr. Ph.D. of Seay Management Consultant Tales from O’Seay’s Fables It was a dark and stormy night. The rain fell hard and cold and the wind blew across the way with a wild fury. A little furry rabbit was making his way through the midst of the storm when he came to the river bank and, because the river was wide and deep, he could not cross over to the other side. “What will I do?,” thought the little furry rabbit, when, out of the corner of his little rabbit eye, he noticed a snake slithering out of the water and up on to the bank. “What’s wrong, little furry rabbit?,” the snake asked. “O, Mr. Snake, I want to get over to the other side and see my little furry rabbit family, but the river is too deep and too wide.” “No problem,” said the snake, “Just get on my back and I’ll swim across the river and take you to the other side.” “O, Mr. Snake, I can’t do that, you might bite me.” “I won’t bite you,” said the snake, “I’m just doing you a favor.” So the little furry rabbit hopped on the snake’s back and the snake started swimming across the river. Half way across the river, the snake turned his head toward the little furry rabbit and bit him. The little furry rabbit was so surprised and as he was sinking under the water, he asked the snake, “Why did you bite me?

You told me you wouldn’t bite me?” To which the snake replied, “Hey, I’m a snake. That’s what we do.”

Character Almost anyone who has been in business has discovered, to our great discomfort and, sometimes, to our astonishment, that not all snakes reside in the woods. Some of them wear business attire and move in the rivers of commerce. Being a snake is, for the most part, a character trait.

Character is formed at an early age and, once formed, tends not to change. Character can be either good or bad.

Good character includes truthfulness, loyalty, dependability, courage, taking personal responsibility, persistence, et. al. Bad character includes dishonesty, lying, stealing, blaming others and uncontrolled anger.

In Good to Great, Professor Jim Collins makes the case that character is the most important part of the employment relationship. Good character invariably leads to success. On the other hand, a person can have lots of experience and qualifications and can actually be very competent in his or her chosen vocation, but if a person has bad character, there is going to be serious trouble somewhere down the line.

The reason is because people tend to act in concert with their character, most of the time, particularly when under pressure. Some people can hide their character, whether it is good or bad, in the day to day give and take of work, but when placed under pressure, under the crucible of stress, they reveal their character, sometimes in 20

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Good character invariably leads to success. On the other hand, a person can have lots of experience and qualifications and can actually be very competent in his or her chosen vocation, but if a person has bad character, there is going to be serious trouble somewhere down the line. dramatic ways. My wife Linda plays tennis with a friend who often says, “Everybody’s got colors and when the game is tight and the pressure is on, they show their true colors.” Former Virginia Tech all star offensive lineman Lynn Jones says that Coach Jerry Claiborne used to teach them, “You find out more about yourself at the half-yard line, than any other place in the world.” The half-yard line is where the pressure is; you either have to make the half yard or keep the other team from making it. Either way, you learn about yourself at the half-yard line. It’s a character issue.

Usually, we can determine a person’s character by observation and a good deal of the time it is the question of honesty that bubbles to the surface. Can you think of a person who has, in the past, told you things that you know are not true? (I am tempted to ask if you know someone who has lied to you, but I will resist.) Has someone looked you straight in the face and told you one thing and then did another? How about an employee who tells you he has met with a customer on some important matter and you later discover he has not met with the customer at all? Or, what about an employee who says he or she has made the bank deposit, but you later find the person “borrowed” it for the weekend? These character traits of dishonesty and untruthfulness cause you to lose confidence in the person’s ability to tell you the truth going forward and severely impedes your working relationship, often to the breaking point. It’s a character issue.

Can you think of a person that you believe is totally honest? A person who will always tell the truth, even if it’s bad news? This is a person that you can always count on to level with you. It’s a character issue.

Can you think of a person who says one thing to your face but you later find that he or she has made disparaging or insulting comments about you or the company to others? The ancient Greeks called this hypocretes – the mask an actor wore during a Greek drama – today, we call this

person “two faced,” a hypocrite. It’s a character issue.

Can you think of a person who is totally dependable?

A person who, without being told, will put in whatever hours are necessary to get the job done? A person you know will finish the job and do it the right way? A person with sterling integrity? It’s a character issue.

Can you think of a person who, under pressure, becomes angry and lashes out at others? Or, to the contrary, can you think of a person who remains calm under pressure, assesses the situation, takes personal responsibility and makes reasoned decisions? It’s a character issue. And character tends not to change.

is past performance. If a person has been good and honorable and truthful in the past, the odds are overwhelming that he or she will be that way in the future. If a person has been dishonest and untruthful and undependable in the past, then – short of a Damascus Road experience – it is very likely that he or she will be that way in the future.

After reading this article, my daughter Katie remarked, “For us non-snakes, sometimes it is hard to believe there are such snakey people out there, but they are there, so this is a good reminder.” Amen to that. All of us wish for friends and associates of good character and, for the most part, that’s what we find. My guess is that the people you work with and the friends you associate with are persons of outstanding character and high integrity and that you are the same way but there is the occasional storm, the occasional river and the occasional snake and when we do run into the snake, we should not be surprised at their behavior. After all, it’s a snake. It’s what they do.

How To Determine A Person’s Character Determining a person’s true character is a bit more difficult than measuring more objective traits like performance, experience, qualifications and personality temperament.

However, we do know that a person demonstrates his or her character by behavior. So, here are some ideas that point us in the right direction (thanks, in part, to Stephan –RFM– Mischook): Observation – Yogi Berra once commented that At Seay Management, our philosophy is that our em“You can observe a lot of things just by watching people.” ployees are our most important assets and we will When you live with or work with a person over an extend- only be as good as our employees. Please call your ed period of time, you can discern a person’s character to Seay Management consultant if you have any quesa fairly large degree because you see how the person oper- tions about unions or their impact on your business. ates under pressure.

We will be delighted to talk with you and help you How a Person Treats Others – Johnny Unitas achieve your HR objectives. You can find out more at once said that you can tell a person’s character by how he www.seay.us or (407) 426-9484. treats those who can’t do anything for him in return. When our daughters were considering the young men they might marry, my wife would often remark, “Watch how they treat their mothers – that’s how they’ll treat you.”

A Person’s Reputation Some people just have a reputation based on their character, whether it is good or bad. Pay attention to reputation as it is often fairly earned, for good or for ill.

• Patent issued # 8,061,087 B2 and patented pending retrofit system Lies or Exaggerations – Pay • No need to remove the old roof, interrupt business, or cause possible weather damage attention to whether a person • Requires up to 40% LESS fasteners and labor to install than one-piece systems values the truth because – I • Free estimates designed to meet current wind codes have it on the Highest Authority • Zee shape design emulates shape of sub-purlins – the truth will, indeed, set you • Custom formed lengths to fit your project free. If you know someone is • Complete system components, sub eave, sub rake, sub ridge, etc.… to complete project telling you the truth, you will • Allows for optional insulation and/or achieves a thermal break with air space between old and new roof tend to trust that person. And • Increased wind load capacity in high wind zone areas • Less restriction of water flow on old roof if caught in weather during installation vice versa. Oscar Wilde once re• Can frame entire roof prior to installing new roof panels marked, “If one tells the truth, • Can be used with your new standing seam roof or exposed fastener profiles one is sure, sooner or later, to be found out.”

Phone: 225-268-4203 Toll free: 855-227-0707 Phone: 504-858-9290 Past Performance – The best www.ezros.com info@ezros.com predictor of future performance

“Saves YOU money and time”

www.floridaroof.com

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Continued from page 15

underused by roofing contractors; to change this, the IRS has modified the requirements to make it more viable.

Also, the industry now has the third-party engineering firms required to verify eligibility. Bottom line, there are still opportunities for contractors who have performed energy saving roof installations to realize significant tax savings.

–RFM– Walker Reid Strategies is a licensed engineering firm that specializes exclusively in 2005 EPAct §179D certifications. Its staff is composed of a diverse group of members including professional engineers, commercial energy raters and CPAs. With an extensive project portfolio in 179D Envelope Certifications, Walker Reid Strategies is one of the nation’s leading Section 179D providers.

2014-2015 Board of Directors and Committee Meetings Schedule October 2-4, 2014 Board of Directors and Committee Meetings and PAC Golf and Clay Shooting Tournaments Lido Beach Resort, Sarasota January 22-24, 2015 Board of Directors and Committee Meetings Omni Resort, Amelia Island April 9-11, 2015 Board of Directors and Committee Meetings Mission Inn Resort, Howey-in-the-Hills

B & B Wholesale Metals Supplies Roof for St. John’s Cathedral Restoration The restoration of the St. John’s Cathedral in St. John’s, Antigua has been underway for several years. As part of the work, the roof has been replaced. B & B Wholesale Metals of East Palatka manufactured the metal for the roof system.

The photo below of the bare rafters (top left) reveal the extent of some of the restoration. Much of the wood in the roof had suffered termite and other damage and had to be replaced. The in-progress photo (lower left) shows the metal roofing and the copper drainage at the bottom of the parapet wall with the finished roof in the middle top photo.

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Roof complete, the restoration continues on the interior portions of the building. The church was originally built in 1845 on the same spot as two earlier churches (1681 and 1746) that were both destroyed by earthquakes.

FRSA member B & B Wholesale Metals is a full service metal shop. Mark Donlan believes that the work on the cathedral is a great example of his company’s versatility and the value engineering they provide to customers: “Everything about that project was custom, we delivered everything, and it’s a beautiful roof.”

–RFM–

Affiliates’ Corner NEFRSA Dedicates Annual Senior Citizen Charity Project FRSA Affiliate Northeast Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (NEFRSA) contributed its second roof project this year as a part of its annual “Senior Citizen Volunteer Project.” NEFRSA teamed up with Elder Source, an independent advocacy agency for the elderly. It connected NEFRSA with one of Jacksonville’s senior citizens in need of assistance: Ms. Annie Mae Brown (seated in photo).

Thanks to the following companies for donating their time, effort and materials to making the project successful: NEFRSA, Millennium Metals, Sunniland Corp, CertainTeed Corp, TAMKO Building Products, Affordable Roofing, SherwinWilliams and Intracoastal Roofing.

–RFM–

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