Florida Roofing Magazine – November 2023

Florida

November 2023

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

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Contents 16 | FRSA and BOAF Partner to Bring Roofing Code Updates to Industry 18 | Building Risk Categories 20 | Upcoming Solar Panel Changes in the Florida Building Code 22 | Reasons for Florida to Go Solar 24 | Florida Solar Incentives

FRSA-Florida Roofing Magazine Contacts: For advertising inquiries, contact: Lisa Pate at: lisapate@floridaroof.com (800) 767-3772 ext. 157 All feedback and reprint permission requests (please include your full name, city and state) contact: Lisa Pate, Editor, at: lisapate@floridaroof.com (800) 767-3772 ext. 157 Florida Roofing Magazine, PO Box 4850 Winter Park, FL 32793-4850 View media kit at: www.floridaroof.com/ florida-roofing-magazine/

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

November 2023

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

Florida Roofing (VOL. 8, NO. 11), November 2023, (ISSN 0191-4618) is published monthly by FRSA, 3855 N. Econlockhatchee Trl. Orlando, FL 32817. Periodicals Postage paid at Orlando, FL. POSTMASTER: Please send address corrections (form 3579) to Florida Roofing, PO Box 4850, Winter Park, FL 32793-4850.

www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

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Establish a Legacy of Giving by Supporting the Foundation Endowment John Hellein, FRSA Educational and Research Foundation Director Looking back over the history of the FRSA Educational and Research Foundation, much has been accomplished. Thanks to the generous donations of many in the industry, the Foundation presents roofing specific continuing education seminars and awards scholarships year after year. Over the last 20 years, the Foundation also funded significant research and established a training center. There’s more work ahead and there’s an opportunity for companies and individuals who have benefitted from the Florida roofing industry to join the effort and give back.

Then in 2005, the FRSA Self Insurers Fund donated $100,000 and became the first Chancellor-level contributor. As the Foundation began to create new donor categories, many generous members and FRSA Affiliates contributed and established named Endowments (see next page). Governor-level and above donors are entitled to a seat on the Board of Governors, which meets quarterly at FRSA meetings, and a voice in how the endowment earnings are best utilized. Today, the endowment corpus stands at $1.2 million.

Endowment History

Contributions Remain in the Endowment

Twenty years ago, TAMKO Building Products, in response to a request by FRSA Past President Mike Silvers, CPRC, donated $25,000 to the FRSA Foundation. Florida Forum, the forerunner of Florida Roofing, covered the check presentation in its October 2003 edition (see below): those funds were the first received for the establishment of the Endowment.

“That was the break in the ice,” Silvers says, “members realized that the Endowment was really a thing.”

As Endowment Chairman Les Sims, CPRC noted at the September meeting, “Our commitment to you is to never spend that money. It remains in the Endowment forever.” The earnings from the Endowment are used to further the goals of the Foundation. Contributors can designate how they would like their donations to be used: whether it’s promoting the development of industry-related seminars, annual scholarships, research or other efforts that align with the Foundation’s purpose.

Training Center

One of the recognized needs of the industry was the establishment of a training center. At the time, the focus of leadership was building an FRSA training center. Today, the Foundation offers a first-class training center at its new building in Orlando. The facility is used for FRSA industry seminars, to host meetings with contractors and building officials and is also available to rent for both members and non-members (www.floridaroof.com/tc).

Worker Training Manual

One effort over the past few years is the development of a worker training manual that contractors can use in-house to train employees. That effort, after many, many hours of work by industry volunteers and FRSA staff, is nearly complete and the first edition of “Introduction to www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

5

Chancellor $100,000

FRSA Association FRSA Foundation Trustees FRSA Self Insurers Fund Charlie Raymond (Endowment Board of Governors)

Chairman $50,000 Bowen/Hilson/Turner Mason E Liftig

Governor $25,000

Adam & Tracy Purdy Advanced Roofing Inc Bradco Supply Corp Cone Family District 7 Affiliates - Southwest Florida Roofing Contractors Association (SWFRCA) and Sarasota/Manatee Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (SMRSMCA) Edwards Roofing Company EH Engelmeier Roofing & Sheet Metal

Firestone Building Products George Pepin Family Hartford South LLC Jean Engelmeier J Register Company Inc Roofing Contractors Association of South Florida (RCASF) State Pride Roofing of Florida Inc Sunniland Corp Steve Sutter Sutter Family TAMKO Building Products LLC Trent Cotney

Commissioner $10,000

Bill & Angela Bryans Central Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (CFRSA) Furman Insurance Millennium Metals Inc Rooftech Roofing & S/M Shewski Roofing Inc

Delegate $5,000

Dimensional Roof Systems

Roofing Technology” is scheduled for release at the 2024 FRSA Convention next June. In his inaugural speech, Sims, who is also serving as FRSA President this year, stated that one of the goals of his presidency is to make the training manual available to all FRSA contractor members free of charge. As part of the release, the Foundation will need to develop a “train the trainer” seminar to familiarize trainers with the manual’s content. In addition, producing the manual in on-demand video format has also been discussed.

This will require a significant commitment in effort and funds from the Foundation.

Whether for the production of FRSA’s worker training manual, annual seminars and scholarships, research or another focus, the Foundation needs your support. I encourage you to consider contributing to the Foundation Endowment. Leave a legacy of giving on behalf of your company or your family into the future. For more information, contact John at 800-767-3772 ext. 123 or john@floridaroof.com.

FRM

Gulfstream Roofing Millennium Metals Inc Bill & Terry O’Brien Joseph Rutkoski Southeastern Metals/Gibraltar Suncoast Roofers Supply Sutter Roofing Company of SW Florida Tampa Roofing Company

Other Generous Contributors

Anna Cam Fentriss Crowther Roofing & Sheet Metal FRSA’s 2004 Affiliate Competition Gulfeagle Supply John Carruth Endowment Julien Benjamin Memorial Marion Service Roofing & Sheet Metal Co Palm Beach County Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (PBCRSM) R & R Industries

Introduction to Roofing Technology First Edition

Trent Cotney Pledges $10,000 for Foundation Scholarships Trent Cotney, National Construction Lead and Partner at Adams and Reese LLP, renewed his support of the Foundation Scholarship Program with a pledge of $10,000 over the next five years.

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FLORIDA ROOFING | November 2023

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Industry Updates CORE Roofing Systems Has Acquired McCurdy-Walden Inc.

Founded in 1986, McCurdy-Walden, a roofing contractor serving North Florida, has been acquired by CORE Roofing Systems. McCurdy-Walden is a full-service roofing contractor that provides roof replacements, roof repair and roof maintenance plans for commercial properties with more than 70 skilled employees and an arsenal of tools, including over 30 trucks, motorized roofing equipment, elastomeric coatings, spray rigs, cranes and roll-off dumpsters.

CORE Roofing Systems is a fully licensed and bonded commercial roofing contractor focusing on projects primarily in the Southeast. CORE is a portfolio company of Shoreline Equity Partners, a private equity firm headquartered in Jacksonville, that invests in companies in the Southeast.

The acquisition of McCurdy-Walden represents CORE’s first since partnering with Shoreline Equity Partners in November 2022. The partnership expands CORE’s presence within Florida and highlights the platform’s aggressive growth strategy to continue building a leading commercial roofing service provider across the Southeast and nationally.

Heritage Capital Group served as the exclusive financial advisor and intermediary to McCurdy-Walden.

“The Heritage team was with us every step of the way,” said Mark and Jon Walden, owners of McCurdyWalden. “They advised us and helped us understand aspects of the transaction which were completely new to us. The sale of our family business, which had been an integral part of our lives for nearly four decades, held profound personal significance. The Heritage team not only grasped the deeply personal nature of our decision to sell, but also diligently secured the highest value and most favorable terms for us.”

A.C.T. Metal Deck Now Open in Orlando

A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply, the nation’s largest metal deck distributor, announces the opening of its newest location in Orlando, Fla. This opening increases its network to 15 distribution centers to better serve the construction industry.

“This location will help us serve our customers in the entire state of Florida,” said Carm Termini, Marketing Director of A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply. “When a customer has a short lead time or a roofing contractor runs into rusted deck while replacing a leaking roof, they need metal deck right now and we have it in stock for immediate use.”

A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply has over 53 years of experience in the industry and a complete inventory of metal roof deck, form deck and composite floor decks in stock now at 15 locations throughout the U.S. 8

FLORIDA ROOFING | November 2023

SRS Distribution Acquires Sunniland Corp.

SRS Distribution Inc. announced that it has acquired Sunniland Corporation, a distributor of residential and commercial roofing products and related accessories.

The company also provides professional grade fertilizers to the landscape supply market.

Headquartered in Sanford, Fla., Sunniland was founded in 1884 and is currently owned and operated

by Tom Moore. The company has a branch network of 22 locations across Florida and South Georgia. Moore and the rest of the company’s leadership team will continue to lead Sunniland’s dedicated employee base under the existing brand, ensuring continuity and consistency for customers, suppliers and employees.

“We could not be more excited to welcome Tom and the Sunniland team to the SRS family. The company is one of the most respected independents in the industry and will be an excellent fit within our existing branch network in the important Florida market,” said Dan Tinker, President and CEO of SRS. “We have known Tom and admired his business for many years and are truly excited for what we can now accomplish together.”

“My family and I have spent over 40 years building Sunniland’s brand, reputation and culture. We have always prided ourselves on being an independent distributor, so the decision to join forces with SRS was not taken lightly,” Moore said. “SRS’ employee-first mentality and family atmosphere has created a truly unique platform where promoting exceptional customer service is at the heart of everything they do. I firmly believe SRS is the best home for our people and the business we’ve built and am confident that the future is bright for our two great companies.”

ABC Supply Co., Inc. Announces Manager Promotions

ABC Supply Co., Inc., the largest wholesale distributor of roofing and other select exterior and interior building products in North America, has announced that 15 leaders have been promoted to branch manager positions at locations throughout the company in the second quarter of 2023. Promotions within Florida include: Jesse Pickerill was named Manager of the Naples location. Pickerill began his career with ABC Supply in 2015 as a delivery driver at the Wichita, Kans., location before becoming the Branch Manager of a greenfield location in Junction City, where he earned managing partner status. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Pickerill holds a master’s degree in business administration.

Continued on page 11

FRSA GENERAL COUNSEL Trent Cotney, Partner, Adams and Reese LLP

Protecting Your Job Sites During Hurricane Season In August, Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida and caused serious damage to parts of the Gulf Coast.

Although its wrath could have been worse, it serves as a reminder that hurricane season is still in full swing and we must be prepared for future storm systems.

As you watch the weather forecast, be sure to follow these steps to secure your sites and safeguard your ongoing projects.

Before the Storm

Monitor the Weather: Keep an eye on the local weather forecasts, as well as national outlets such as the Weather Channel. You may even want to designate someone on your team to have this responsibility.

Have a Plan: Keep paper copies of essential documents in a safe and central place. These might include insurance documents, a list of emergency contacts for your employees and key vendors who can help in recovery. Develop a communication system with your team so everyone stays informed. Also, create an evacuation process just in case.

Secure Your Job Sites: If there is a hurricane watch in your area, follow these guidelines: ■ Clear your site, discarding debris and putting tools away in a secure location.

You want to avoid any items becoming dangerous projectiles.

■ If you have machinery that cannot be moved, anchor it with chains or other tie-downs.

■ Use plywood to board up glass doors and windows.

■ If you have scaffolding, break it down if possible or ensure it is stable.

■ Check fasteners on walls, roofs and other structures and tighten them as needed.

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FLORIDA ROOFING | November 2023

■ Cover items with plastic sheeting or other materials to lessen water damage.

remove water from the site. Then, contact your suppliers for materials you will need to recover.

■ Clear out gutters and other drainage structures to help eliminate flooding.

Final Advice

Once you have your hurricane plan in place, be sure to review and update it every year. Discuss the plan with your workers and ensure that everyone understands Stock Up on Emergency Supplies: Make sure you have their roles. If a hurricane is headed your way, prioritize water, nonperishable food, first-aid kits, flashlights and the safety of your job sites and your team. Your cusbatteries. tomers and your workers are depending on you.

Back Up Your Data: Take the time to back up all elecFRM tronic documents related to your company or current The information contained in this article is for general projects. Store them in the cloud if possible or keep educational information only. This information does duplicate copies at another site. not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constiInsurance: Make sure your projects are covered by tute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal builder’s risk insurance. If the owner or customer has advice for your specific factual pattern or situation. not purchased builder’s risk, you may want to consider Trent Cotney is a partner and Construction Practice purchasing the policy especially for in-progress work Group Leader at the law firm of Adams and Reese LLP over a longer duration. and FRSA General Counsel. You can contact him at ■ Place sandbags around structures for reinforcement.

During the Storm

Depending on the severity of the storm, you may be unable to do more than hunker down and wait it out.

But if you have electricity, continue to monitor the weather and communicate with your team.

After the Storm

Once you receive the all-clear to return to your job sites, you can assess the damage from the storm.

Inspect your sites but use caution. Avoid walking in standing water and be careful when entering buildings the storm could have weakened.

As you begin cleanup, take photos of the damage for your insurance provider. Clear debris and dispose of it safely. Use fans to dry out wet areas and pumps to

813-227-5501 or trent.cotney@arlaw.com.

Free Legal Helpline for FRSA Members

Adams and Reese LLP is a full-service law firm dedicated to serving the roofing industry. FRSA members can contact Trent Cotney to discuss and identify legal issues and to ask general questions through access to specialized counsel. They offer free advice (up to 15 minutes) for members. If additional legal work is required, members will receive discounted rates. This is a pro bono benefit provided to FRSA members only.

Contact Trent at 813-227-5501.

Industry Updates, continued from page 8

Josh Martin was named Branch Manager of the Hudson location on US Highway 19. Martin started his career with ABC Supply in 2020 as an inside sales associate at the Springfield, Va. location before his promotion and relocation to the Hudson location. He has earned a bachelor’s degree.

Mule-Hide Products Co. Promotes Mark Malin to National Product Manager

Mule-Hide Products Co. Inc., manufacturer of lowslope roofing products and systems, promoted Mark Malin to National Product Manager. In his new role, Malin has nationwide responsibility for the company’s portfolio of commercial roofing products, including single-ply membranes, modified bitumen, roof coatings, sealants, adhesives, insulation, underlayments, fasteners and accessories. He also spearheads the development and implementation of strategic opportunities for new and existing markets, products and systems.

Malin joined Mule-Hide Products in 2021 as Territory Manager for the Louisiana-ArkansasMissouri district after a nearly 17-year career as an Outside Sales Associate with ABC Supply Co. Inc. He started his career in roofing 28 years ago, working as a crew member for his grandfather’s commercial roofing business and then managing that firm.

“Malin grew up in the roofing industry and has worked in virtually every facet of it,” said Dan Williams, Mule-Hide Products Managing Director. “That breadth and depth of experience has given him the leadership skills, technical expertise and industry knowledge needed in this role, ensuring that Mule-Hide will remain at the forefront of commercial roofing and continue to offer industry-leading solutions for our contractors and their customers.”

FRM

www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

11

FRSA LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL Chris Dawson, Attorney, GrayRobinson

Tallahassee Tidbits The Legislature is slowly preparing for the 2024 Regular Session and October saw the commencement of committee weeks with a slew of agency reports and budget forecast updates. Bill drafts are starting to trickle in for consideration and members in the Florida House of Representatives face a November 14 deadline to file their annual legislative appropriation requests. This month, we will review a few tidbits that are driving the policies and politics of Tallahassee in advance of what is widely expected to be a slow legislative session come January.

Property Insurance Reform Likely Off the Menu

While property insurance costs continue to dominate headlines – and ravage pocketbooks – across the state, the Legislature is not expected to take up significant reform legislation during the 2024 Regular Session. Instead, the Legislature is satisfied to give time for generational reform efforts advanced in 2023 to take hold and eventually stabilize the market.

There are some positive signs on the horizon, including a softening reinsurance market and proposals for depopulation of policies from Citizens Insurance Corporation. Of course, property insurance is a highly volatile market and one speedbump could rush the Legislature to further action in the near term.

FRSA Members Deliver PAC Checks to Candidates

Pictured L-R: FRSA Legislative Counsel Chris Dawson, Lee Collier, Sen. Corey Simon and Ralph Davis, President, Streamline Roofing & Construction Inc.

12

FLORIDA ROOFING | November 2023

New Leadership Crowned in the House and Senate

In recent weeks, the Republican majorities in both chambers of the legislature have designated their leaders for the 2025-2026 legislative cycle. Representative Danny Perez (R – Miami) was selected by his peers to serve as the Speaker of the House for that term. Further, he will chair efforts by Republicans to protect and bolster their supermajority in the House during the 2024 elections.

Across the rotunda, Senator Ben Albritton (R – Bartow) has been designated by Senate Republicans to preside as the Senate President in 2025-2026. Similarly, he will head their campaign efforts to protect and expand the Republican supermajority in the Senate during the 2024 election cycle.

2024 State Elections in Focus

While legislators prepare for an upcoming session, the campaign machinery in Florida politics never sleeps.

Pictured L-R: David Crowther, President CFS, Rep. Tiffany Esposito and Tammy Hall, CFS Director of Marketing. Rep. Tiffany Esposito stopped at CFS Roofing Services to tour their offices and was presented with a campaign check from FRSA’s Political Action Committee.

Fundraising Leaders in the Florida House and Senate House of Representatives Rep. David Smith

R-Winter Springs

District 38

$114,042

Rep. Allison Tant

D-Tallahassee

District 9

$101,982

James St. George

R-St. Johns County District 19

$76,690

Rep. Lindsay Cross

D-St. Petersburg

District 60

$76,649

Danny Nix

R-Punta Gorda

District 75

$71,100

Rep. Vicki Lopez

R-Miami

District 113

$69,090

Rep. Karen Gonzalez Pittman

R-Tampa

District 65

$63,289

Jay Shooster

D-Boca Raton

District 91

$62,055

Rep. Anna Eskamani

D-Orlando

District 42

$60,740

Rep. Michelle Salzman

R-Pensacola

District 1

$57,670

Senate Sen. Corey Simon

R-Tallahassee

District 3

$155,810

Rep. Keith Truenow

R-Tavares

District 13

$64,800

Sen. Ed Hooper

R-Clearwater

District 21

$54,960

Former Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith

D-Orlando

District 17

$50,454

Rodney Jacobs

D-Miramar

District 35

$43,850

Rep. Stan McClain

R-Ocala

District 9

$41,500

Sen. Gayle Harrell

R-Stuart

District 31

$39,200

Former Rep. Mack Bernard

D-West Palm Beach

District 24

$35,050

Sen. Blaise Ingoglia

R-Spring Hill

District 11

$33,625

Rep. Randy Fine

R-Brevard County

District 19

$26,600

Recent campaign finance reporting shows that Florida legislators have been hard at work out on the campaign trail in preparation for the 2024 election season. Candidates in both chambers faced reporting deadlines in recent weeks and the resultant data shows strong fundraising numbers for both Representatives and Senators alike.

The top hauls in both chambers are listed in the tables at left.

FRM Chris Dawson is an Attorney and professional Lobbyist for GrayRobinson’s Orlando office and is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Alabama. He primarily focuses on lobbying and government relations for public and private sector clients at the executive and legislative levels of state government. 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.

Note: The totals include contributions to campaign accounts and do not include contributions to political committees linked to many candidates.

Growing. Expanding.

Remaining True to Quality & Service.

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www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

13

COTNEY CONSULTING GROUP John Kenney, CPRC, CEO, Cotney Consulting Group

Beyond the Blueprint: Navigating Project Specifications In last month’s article, “Decoding Construction Drawings: The Essential Guide for Roofing Contractors,” we highlighted the principal role of blueprints for roofing contractors. However, the journey from concept to construction isn’t just about the visual roadmap. Enter project specifications. These documents delve into the granular nuances of a construction project, shedding light on material quality, method intricacies and workmanship standards. Think of drawings as the skeleton and specifications as the lifeblood that gives it substance and purpose. While drawings illustrate, specifications clarify, ensuring no gaps or ambiguities exist. It’s pivotal to note that if they ever clash, the project specifications lead the way with one exception: If the drawing notes are more stringent than the specification, they will override the specification.

Before we dive deeper into specifications, let’s review the major sections of the project manual, of which your project specifications are a part. A typical project manual comprises: ■ Project Overview: This segment encapsulates the principal participants from project stakeholders to designers like architects and engineers. Their identities and contact points ensure an unbroken chain of responsibility.

■ Bidding Directives: Oriented for contracts attained through bids, this part presents essential bidding directives, encompassing invitations, criteria for qualification, guidance for bidders and related forms.

■ Contractual Instruments: These foundational elements define the bond between involved parties, featuring primary agreements, bonds and insurance attestations.

■ Contractual Terms: Standardized terms, akin to the AIA Form 201 or similar, predominantly prevail here. The supplementary provisions offer detail, capturing specifics not addressed in the generic terms, including alterations both pre- and post-contract finalization.

■ Technical Specifications: This segment is the repository of construction excellence, extensively detailing materials, apparatus and systems.

Beyond mere utilization, it spells out anticipated performance, stipulated quality and the resultant outcomes from prescribed construction approaches.

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FLORIDA ROOFING | November 2023

In the remaining part of our discussion, we’ll focus on the details of technical specifications.

Understanding Specifications in Construction

In the complex construction world, clear and comprehensive specifications form the backbone of every successful project. Let’s delve deeper into the categorization and structure of these pivotal guides.

Broad Categorization: Closed vs. Open Specifications ■ Closed Specifications □ Definition: Also known as prescriptive or restrictive, these specifications limit the choice of specific brands or models and substitutions aren’t typically allowed. □ Advantages: They offer predictability, with specifiers resorting to familiar proprietary products that align with the project’s criteria. □ Drawbacks: They may not be the most costeffective, especially if only one product is named.

While typical in private construction, many public projects are legally mandated to use open specifications.

■ Open Specifications □ Definition: They offer more versatility and provide desired outcomes while leaving the method or material choices flexible. □ Varieties: These can be proprietary with an “or equal” clause, descriptive (delineating detailed requirements without specific brand names) or based on reference standards (using recognized industry standards like ASTM). □ Advantages: They can foster innovation and competition and may lead to more economical solutions.

Diving Deeper: Four Core Types of Specifications ■ Proprietary Specifications □ Closed: Mentions a specific manufacturer’s product. □ Open: Lists multiple manufacturers or invites alternative suggestions, potentially increasing competition and possibly lowering prices. An example would be when a specific type of brick is required for repairs, necessitating a precise match.

■ Descriptive Specifications □ Definition: These provide a comprehensive product breakdown and the requisite craftsmanship without citing trade names. □ Usage: Given their specificity, government agencies often mandate them to foster maximum competition among manufacturers.

■ Reference-Standard Specifications □ Definition: Specifies materials or processes by referencing established industry standards or test methods. □ Advantages: Reduces redundancy in mentioning requirements. For instance, for polyisocyanurate insulation, simply stating that it should meet ASTM C1289 requirements suffices.

■ Section 1, General: Defines the section’s scope, quality assurances, submittal procedures, delivery or storage guidelines, site conditions, sequencing and warranty details.

■ Section 2, Products: Explains the materials or products, their fabrication, relevant standards and related concerns.

■ Section 3, Execution: Describes quality standards, installation conditions, protection protocols and post-installation processes.

In summary, project specifications are an indispensable tool for every roofing contractor. They provide the intricate details that blueprints alone can’t convey, from material choices to installation techniques. A mastery of these documents is not only about understanding the written content but also about bridging the communication gap between designers, stakeholders and contractors. The synergy of blueprints and specifications ensures a seamless transition from idea to implementation, safeguarding the interests of all parties and guaranteeing the desired quality of work.

For a roofing contractor, being adept in deciphering specifications equates to being professional in delivering excellence, making it an essential skill to cultivate and refine for the benefit of every project undertaken.

FRM

John Kenney, CPRC has over 50 years of experience in the roofing industry. He started his career by work■ Performance Specifications ing as a roofing apprentice at a family business in the Northeast and worked his way up to operating □ Definition: Sets the expected outcomes without multiple Top 100 Roofing Contractors. As CEO, John directing the methods to achieve them. They’re is intimately familiar with all aspects of roofing proopen-ended and focus on the end result. □ Considerations: These are challenging to draft as duction, estimating and operations. During his tenure they require comprehensive knowledge and clari- in the industry, John ran business units associated ty, often entailing methods for testing compliance. with delivering excellent workmanship and unparalleled customer service while ensuring his company’s strong net profits before joining Cotney Consulting Combination Approach Often, these methods are combined to achieve clarity. Group. If you would like any further information on this or another subject, you can contact John at For instance, a roofing membrane’s specification jkenney@cotneyconsulting.com. might combine proprietary (to name the product), descriptive (to specify size and design) and reference standards (to indicate the ASTM standard required).

Organizational Standards in Specifications

The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada developed a standardized format called MasterFormat. This framework, accepted across the U.S. and Canada, ensures uniformity. It’s distinct from localized building codes, which vary regionally.

Specification Sections

Each specification is methodically segmented into sections focused on specific trades (like drywall or carpet). These sections are further divided into:

www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

15

FRSA and BOAF Partner to Bring Roofing Code Updates to Industry Professionals Mike Silvers, CPRC, Owner, Silvers Systems Inc. and FRSA Director of Technical Services As the end of the year approaches and we start filling next year’s calendar, it is a good time to revisit what has been accomplished this year. In particular, I want to revisit FRSA’s commitment to share information on the roofing-related changes in the upcoming version of the Florida Building Code (FBC).

Of all the groups that influence changes in the FBC, FRSA is among the most active. We monitor changes proposed by others and, when appropriate, either support or oppose those changes. We offer modifications to the code that our Codes Committee has approved.

This work is extremely important for our industry as well as for Florida’s citizens.

Just as important is the need to bring information about the changes in the code to those who use and interpret it. With the implementation date (December 31, 2023) for the new FBC 8th Edition (2023) quickly approaching, the desire for our code update seminar has definitely increased. FRSA is committed to filling this need by presenting this important information. FRSA has a history of doing this using many different methods.

One way is through seminars produced and presented at our annual Convention and at other scheduled educational events. FRSA shares the information gained during the code process with contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, architects and building officials. Many building officials have attended classes that FRSA

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FLORIDA ROOFING | November 2023

presents during our Convention. Others have attended Other Code and Tile Manual Courses programs that we have shared with individual building Presented for C.E. Credit departments or in conjunction with our Affiliates.

Our roofing-related changes and tile courses are also presented at FRSA’s Training Center and at FRSA’s FRSA and BOAF Joint Courses Presented Convention in Orlando. We offer a substantial number to BOAF Chapters of credit hours at these events.

The Building Officials Association of Florida (BOAF) is another organization whose members are also FRSA Affiliate Presentations – FBC 8th very active in promulgating the code and share Edition (2023) Roofing-Related Codes FRSA’s commitment to provide information gained Changes Preview in the process with their members. FRSA and BOAF During this year, we have visited several FRSA have successfully worked together for many years.

Affiliates to present a preview of some of the most FRSA is a BOAF member and I serve on their Nonimportant code changes. If your Affiliate would like to Binding Interpretation Committee. Our shared goals arrange a presentation, please contact me. We will do and interests have recently coalesced into a unique our best to accommodate your available dates. The opportunity. Our two organizations have agreed to following affiliates were gracious enough to allow us work together to present courses including two hours to present this program: of Roofing-Related Code Changes, one hour on the ■ West Coast Roofing Contractors Association FRSA-TRI Tile Installation Manual update and one hour ■ Polk County Roofing Contractors Association on the Tile Hip and Ridge Installation. We will be presenting these seminars at BOAF Chapters throughout ■ Sarasota/Manatee Roofing and Sheet Metal Florida. FRSA members can attend these classes and Contractors Association also receive a member discount. Please see the infor■ Space Coast Licensed Roofers Association mation below on the courses offered and registration ■ Central Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal dates. This endeavor will expand our ability to reach Contractors Association and Building Officials more members of both associations. Those attendCentral Florida Chapter Joint Luncheon ing will receive continuing education credits. Some ■ Roofing Contractors Association of South Florida of these classes may have already occurred but rest assured that others will be scheduled. Notice of these ■ Southwest Florida Roofing Contractors and future courses will be provided in advance through Association FRSA’s Roof Flash newsletters.

It is my pleasure to serve as the instructor or co-instructor on many of these presentations but it’s a team effort. FRSA President Elect Manny Oyola, Eagle November 14, 2023 (Registration Closed) Roofing Products, has been the primary instructor 4 Hours: Roofing-Related Code Changes, for all of the tile courses and he has co-instructed on FRSA-TRI Tile Manual, Tile Hip & Ridge Courses many others. Paul Oleksak, Westlake Royal Roofing 8:00 am – 12:00 pm, Palm Beach County Chapter Solutions, served as a co-instructor on the tile coursPalm Beach Building Dept. es at Convention. John Hellein, FRSA Director of the Educational and Research Foundation, coordinates our December 6, 2023 seminars and assists with developing our programs.

4 Hours: Roofing-Related Code Changes, FRSAFRSA’s many volunteers and our dedicated staff TRI Tile Manual, Tile Hip & Ridge Courses make it all happen. Keep an eye open for many future 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Ormond Beach City Hall roofing-specific educational opportunities moving December 11, 2023 forward.

2 Hours: Roofing-Related Changes FRM 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, South Florida Chapter Mike Silvers, CPRC consults with FRSA as Director of City of Doral – City Hall Technical Services. Mike is an FRSA Past President, February 28, 2024 Life Member and Campanella Award recipient and 4 Hours: Roofing-Related Code Changes, FRSAbrings over 50 years of industry knowledge and expeTRI Tile Manual, Tile Hip & Ridge Courses rience to FRSA’s team.

8:00 am – 12:00 pm, Panhandle Chapter Lynn Haven Garden Club

To register, visit www.floridaroof.com/events/ www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

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Building Risk Categories Riku Ylipelkonen, Owner, Standard Building Advisors and FRSA Technical Advisor Have you ever wondered why hurricane shelters protect you better than your home in the event of a hurricane? One of the main reasons that municipal buildings and hospitals usually fare better through a wind event is that they are built under a stronger building risk category. A hospital needs to not only make it through the wind event but it should also keep the occupants safe and maintain facility operations through the wind event. While single-family homes should perform to the same level, the risk is not as great for occupants of a home. There are four main categories,

as outlined by ASCE, that define levels of performance for wind uplift and this article will address them, out of order, for a very clear reason.

Building Category IV

Building Category IV is the highest level of performance for wind uplift considerations. This is the big one. Category IV buildings and structures are “essential facilities.” Hospitals, hurricane shelters and other buildings and structures that must maintain integrity of the building envelope are in this category. In addition, buildings or other structures that could pose a substantial hazard to the community if they fail, are also in this category. This includes emergency services and operations buildings. In addition, buildings or other structures that contain a toxic substance in quantities that would pose a threat to the public if released are included in Category IV. There are some other definitions but this establishes the theme for Category IV. Basically, anywhere that can put multiple people at risk for loss of life or life-threatening injury would be covered here. In prior revisions of ASCE 7, this category would add 15 percent to design requirements. This is where you want extra safety and robust performance for the building over time. Someone on life sustaining oxygen in a hospital or a toxic material storage facility needs the highest level of wind uplift performance.

Building Category III

Building Category III is the next highest level of performance for wind uplift considerations. While not as severe as Category IV, these buildings and other structures require extra consideration. This category is mainly for large occupancy considerations and toxic or hazardous materials. Think of schools, jails and chemical storage and distribution buildings or any building that would have toxic materials in lower quantities where the entire community is not at risk but a localized area would be. There are more defined parameters for the definition of this building category but any ties to hazardous or toxic materials to people is the consideration. This could be a small chemical manufacturing building or an explosives storage building. You get the idea. In previous ASCE 7 revisions, this category also added 15 percent to the design requirements.

Building Category I

Building Category I is the lowest level of consideration and includes buildings or other structures where failure is not a risk to human life. This is a category for buildings like garages or barns, where people are not Continued on page 33 18

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10/19/2020 10:01:24 AM

PROUDLYREPRESENTING THE

ROOFING INDUSTRY

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Upcoming Solar Panel Changes in the Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023) Mike Silvers, CPRC, Owner, Silvers Systems Inc. and FRSA Director of Technical Services The new 8th Edition (2023) of the Florida Building Code (FBC) includes a few changes to sections that cover Solar Energy Systems. They are fairly limited in their scope but they do present an opportunity to review. In this article, we will examine requirements in the Residential code. There are similar sections in Building and Energy codes. Some new lanquage has been added in the Equipment listings section referencing Underwriter’s Laboratory UL 2703. We have included a brief discription of that standard published

by UL below. First let’s look at the changes.

2023 Florida Building Code Residential 8th Edition

CHAPTER 3 BUILDING PLANNING SECTION 324 SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS R324.3.1 Equipment listings.

(Note: new language in underlined blue.)

Photovoltaic panels and modules shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 1703. Inverters shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 1741.

Systems connected to the utility grid shall use inverters listed for utility interaction. Mounting systems listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2703 shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and their listings.

R324.5 Building-integrated photovoltaic systems.

Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems that serve as roof coverings shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section R905.

R324.5.3 BIPV roof panels BIPV roof panels shall comply with Section R905.17

The new section that references mounting systems presents us with an opportunity to review the flashing requirements in the code. In particular, we should review the following sections and how they are related to rooftop solar installations.

CHAPTER 9 (emphasis in bold blue) ROOF ASSEMBLIES SECTION R903 WEATHER PROTECTION R903.2 Flashing.

Flashings shall be used to seal roofing systems, where the system is interrupted or terminated and shall be installed in a manner that prevents moisture from entering the wall and roof through joints in copings, through moisture permeable materials and at intersections with parapet walls and other penetrations through the roof plane.

R903.2.1 Locations.

Flashings shall be installed at wall and roof intersections, wherever there is a change in roof slope or direction and around roof openings. Where flashing is of metal, the metal shall be corrosion resistant with a thickness of not less than provided in Table R903.2.1 or in compliance with RAS 111.

TABLE R903.2.1 (see top of next page) R903.2.3 Membrane flashings.

All membrane flashing shall be installed according to the roof assembly manufacturer’s published literature.

Let’s also review other existing sections of this code that address rooftop Solar Energy Systems.

UL 2703 Mounting Systems Proper grounding of a photovoltaic (PV) power system In addition, UL 2703 is used to determine the fire classification of a rooftop-mounted PV system (which is critical to helping ensure electrical safety during its lifetime. PV equipment needs to be properly bonded, in includes both a specific PV module and the racking addition to code-compliant grounding, so that the low system) as required for compliance with the building code current flows on metal parts can facilitate the operation requirements, which is to maintain the fire performance of over current and ground-fault protection devices. integrity of the roof. It is looking at the overall installation resistance to external fire exposure.

UL 2703, the Standard for Mounting Systems, Mounting Devices, Clamping/Retention Devices and Further, while UL 3703, the Standard for Solar Ground Lugs for Use with Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules Trackers, involves rigorous inspection and evaluation of and Panels covers mounting systems, including mounting a tracker platform it also references UL 2703 for electridevices, clamping devices and ground lugs for use with cal requirements related to the mounting, bonding and grounding system. photovoltaic modules and panels and contains requirements for ground-mounted and roof systems as part of a www.ul.com/services/pv-mounting-systems-certification nonstructural building component.

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Metal Flashing Material (TABLE R903.2.1) Gage Minimum Thickness (inches)

Gage

Weight (lbf)

Copper

0.024

—

1 (16 oz.)

Aluminum

0.024

—

—

Stainless steel

—

28

—

Galvanized steel

0.0179

26 (zinc coated G90)

26 (zinc coated G90)

Aluminum-zinc coated steel

0.0179

26 (AZ50 alum zinc)

26 (AZ50 alum zinc)

Zinc alloy

0.027

—

—

Lead

—

2.5 (40 oz.)

—

Painted terne

—

—

1.25 (20 oz.)

Material

SECTION R905 REQUIREMENTS FOR ROOF COVERINGS R905.16 Building-integrated photovoltaic roofing modules/shingles.

The installation of building-integrated photovoltaic roofing modules/shingles shall comply with the provisions of this section, Section R324 and NFPA 70.

R905.16.1 Deck requirements. Reserved.

R905.16.2 Deck slope. Reserved.

R905.16.3 Underlayment.

Underlayment shall comply and be installed in accordance with Section R905.1.1.

R905.16.4 Underlayment application. Reserved.

R905.16.4.1 Ice barrier. Reserved.

R905.16.4.2 Underlayment and high winds.

Reserved.

R905.16.5 Material standards.

Building-integrated photovoltaic roofing modules/ shingles shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 1703.

R905.16.6 Attachment.

Building-integrated photovoltaic roofing modules/ shingles shall be attached in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

R905.16.7 Wind resistance.

Building-integrated photovoltaic roofing modules/ shingles shall be tested in accordance with procedures and acceptance criteria in ASTM D3161 or TAS 107.

Building-integrated photovoltaic roofing modules/ shingles shall comply with the classification requirements of Table R905.2.6.1 for the appropriate maximum basic wind speed. Building-integrated photovoltaic roofing modules/shingle packaging shall bear a label to indicate compliance with the procedures in ASTM D3161 or TAS 107 and the required classification from Table R905.2.6.1.

R905.17 Photovoltaic systems.

Rooftop mounted photovoltaic systems shall be designed in accordance with this section.

R905.17.1 Wind resistance.

Rooftop mounted photovoltaic systems shall be designed for wind loads in accordance with ASCE 7.

R905.17.2 Fire classification.

Rooftop mounted photovoltaic systems shall have the same fire classification as required for the roof assembly by Section R902.

R905.17.3 Installation.

Rooftop mounted photovoltaic systems shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

R905.17.4 Photovoltaic panels and modules.

Photovoltaic panels and modules mounted on top of a roof shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 1703 and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Rooftop Solar Energy Systems are very complex and are covered extensively in other areas of the code including many referenced standards. This article is meant to address some of the specific items where solar systems interface with or comprise an integral part of the roof coverings.

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

www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

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Reasons for Florida to Go Solar Lisa Pate, FRSA Executive Director

Florida is the Sunshine State and it’s not surprising that it’s ranked third for solar potential but only fourteenth in terms of rooftop solar installed. Solar installation is expected to double in the next five years and with an estimated $17.6 billion invested in 2022, does it make sense for roofing companies to consider offering solar options?

While the cost of solar has declined significantly over the last decade, it’s still a sizable investment for home and business owners looking to lower their electric bills. To encourage greater adoption of solar, the federal government, state and local governments and even some utilities offer incentives to install solar roofs to power homes with more affordable and accessible clean energy. These energy savings typically take the form of solar rebates, tax benefits or performance-based incentives and can reduce the cost for solar anywhere from 30 to 50 percent.

Florida’s solar policies have lagged behind other states: it has no renewable portfolio standard and does not allow power purchase agreements, two policies that have driven investments in solar in other states.

However, thanks to utility investments in clean energy and other recent developments, significant growth is on the horizon.

Solar Power in Florida

Statewide, Florida averages 230 sunny days per year.

But that isn’t the only reason it’s a good place to install solar panels. Additional incentives in Florida can minimize the initial investment. At this point, less than five percent of the state’s energy comes from solar power.

That stands to change, however, as utility companies invest more in clean energy and the cost for solar panel installations decrease.

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FLORIDA ROOFING | November 2023

Florida Solar Panel Costs

On average, it costs $13,000 to install a 5kW solar panel system before rebates and incentives. A smaller 3kW system may cost less than $8,000 to install while a large 10kW system could cost upwards of $25,000.

For a 5kW solar panel system, the estimated payback period is a little more than 10 years. That means in one decade, homeowners will have recouped the initial investment in the solar panels and be able to truly pocket the utility bill savings every month.

Why the Investment Tax Credit is the Best Solar Incentive

The federal investment tax credit (ITC) is far and away the best solar incentive, providing 30 percent of a solar project’s cost as a credit towards federal income taxes. Instead of a deduction, which reduces taxable income (as would happen with any charitable donations you make in a year), a tax credit directly offsets what would otherwise be owed in taxes. Instead of just being taxed on a lower income, the federal ITC offsets what is owed in taxes and can even come back to homeowners as a refund from the IRS if they have overpaid taxes during the year. Here are the specifics: 2016 – 2019: The energy tax credit remained at 30 percent of the cost of the system.

2020 – 2021: Owners of new residential and commercial solar earned a credit of 26 percent of the cost of the system on their federal income tax bill.

2022 – 2032: Owners of new residential solar can earn a credit of 30 percent of the cost of the system on their tax bill. Commercial solar systems will also be eligible for 30 percent until 2025, at which point the U.S. Department of Treasury will determine if the ITC continues for commercial systems.

2033: Owners of new residential solar can earn a credit of 26 percent of the installation costs of the system on their tax bill.

2034: Owners of new residential solar can earn a credit of 22 percent of the installation costs of the system on their tax bill.

2035: There is no federal credit for residential solar energy systems starting this year.

Florida Solar Rebates and Tax Credits

There are no statewide solar panel rebates in Florida since there is no state sales tax. However, tax credits can make the installation more affordable.

■ Sales Tax Exemption – Under Florida’s Solar and CHP Sales Tax Exemption, Floridians are exempt from paying the 6 percent sales tax on solar panels.

■ Property Tax Exemption – Normally, when you add value to a home, the property tax bill shoots up. Not so with solar thanks to Florida’s Property Tax Exclusion for Residential Renewable Energy Property.

■ Low-Maintenance – Other than occasionally brushing off debris, solar panels don’t require much effort in terms of upkeep.

■ Long-Term Savings – The average payback period for solar panels is about 10 years. After that point, monthly savings from utility bills can go straight into the bank.

■ Net Metering Saves Even More – Currently, Florida allows for net metering and homeowners with solar panels stand to earn even more money back from selling unused solar energy to a utility company.

■ Energy Efficiency – Solar panels can help you generate clean energy using sun rays. Plus, since sunlight is free, it’s a cost-effective way to generate electricity and potentially reduce your monthly electricity bills.

■ Environmental Benefits – Solar energy is clean, renewable and good for the environment. Installing solar systems can help reduce carbon emissions and create a more sustainable future.

■ FL Net Metering – Net metering is one of the most Solar Rooftop Potential important regulatory policies for residential solar Solar rooftop potential for the entire country is the owners in Florida, because it allows you to sell any number of rooftops that would be suitable for solar excess solar energy you may have back to the grid. power, depending on size, shading, direction and location. Rooftop potential is not equivalent to the However, these incentives may not last forever. economic or market potential for rooftop solar – it In March 2022, Florida lawmakers passed a bill that doesn’t consider availability or cost. Rather, it is the would phase out net metering incentives by 2029 even though a survey showed that 84 percent of resi- upper limit of solar deployment on rooftops across the country. dents supported net metering.

Solar rooftop potential for an individual rooftop is the amount of solar that could be installed on that Which Solar System Is Right for the rooftop, based on its size, shading, tilt, location and Homeowner? construction. Satellite maps, irradiance data, equipNot all solar panels are created equal. While deciding ment specifications and other factors inform the bids which solar system is right for a homeowner, you’ll that installers present to customers to assist them want to consider the size (kW) needed, the efficiency in understanding the potential costs and benefits of of the solar panels, the durability and more. Although solar panels on their roof. this isn’t an exhaustive list, here are several of the According to National Renewable Energy Laborattop-rated solar panel systems. ory (NREL) analysis in 2016, there were over 8 billion ■ LG Solar – This mid-price option gets top marks for square meters of rooftops on which solar panels could durability and efficiency. be installed in the U.S., representing over one terawatt ■ SunPower – Although more expensive than most of potential solar capacity. With improvements in solar competitors, SunPower systems are the most effi- conversion efficiency, rooftop potential is growing. cient models available for residential properties.

Residential and other small rooftops represent about ■ Panasonic HIT – These competitively priced 65 percent of the national rooftop potential and 42 solar panels are durable and good for extreme percent of residential rooftops are households with temperatures. low-to-moderate income.

NREL estimates that an average of 3.3 million Benefits of Going Solar homes per year will be built or will require roof replaceAlthough the initial installation cost can be significant, ment, representing a potential of roughly 30 gigawatts there are many benefits to going solar.

(GW) of solar capacity per year. If even a small fraction of these new roofs receive solar installations, it ■ Environmentally Friendly – One of the biggest selling points of solar panels is that they generate could have a significant impact on U.S. solar power generation. electricity from a renewable energy source – the FRM sun. www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

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Florida Solar Incentives 2023 Tax Credits & Rebates Lora Novak, Senior Editor, Today’s Homeowner Florida’s nickname is the Sunshine State and it’s not surprising that it’s one of the country’s most popular states for solar power, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Florida has a generous number of solar incentives for homeowners who convert to solar power.

While the cost of solar equipment on a per-watt basis in Florida is well below the national average, solar arrays in the state must be bigger and that drives the up-front cost to about $6,000 more than what most Americans pay. Florida’s incentives reel in that cost and increase long-term savings with solar power.

I’ve spent years researching and writing about solar incentives in different states and in this article, I’ll discuss all of the solar incentives in Florida and how you can claim each one to bring down your installation costs.

How Does Florida Rank for Solar Incentives?

Florida is a solar-friendly state and has more solar incentives than most states and it needs them. The average solar system in Florida is about 2.5 kilowatts (kW) larger than the national average, which equates to a total installation cost of about $29,095, much higher than the national average of $23,940.

Taking advantage of Florida’s solar incentives is necessary for keeping your solar array within budget.

The table on the next page includes a quick breakdown of all of the solar incentives in Florida and estimated savings you can expect from each one.

I’ll explain these in greater depth in the following sections.

Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC) How It Impacts Floridians

My Take: The federal tax credit is the single most crucial solar incentive in Florida. It’s easy to apply for and can save you thousands of dollars.

The federal government offers a 30 percent federal tax credit on your entire system’s installation cost. The overall cost includes panels, inverters, wiring, conduit, solar battery storage and labor. In Florida, the average credit value is $8,729, much higher than in most states.

It’s important to note that this incentive is not a rebate, so those savings aren’t guaranteed. Rather, this is a tax credit. That means your tax burden for the year in which you install your system gets reduced by 30 percent of your full installation cost. You won’t see 24

FLORIDA ROOFING | November 2023

any benefit from this credit if you don’t owe money on your income taxes.

However, you don’t have to take the credit all at once. You can roll over any unused credit to future tax years for up to five years.

Ultimately, if you expect to owe around $1,750 or more per year for the next five years in income taxes, you should be able to take the entire credit.

The Energy Policy Act, signed in 2005 during the Bush administration, established the federal tax credit. The original credit was 30 percent but the rate scaled back over time and was ready to expire in 2024.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed in 2022, revived the tax credit, extended its expiration date, increased the rate back to 30 percent and set a new rate schedule. It is: ■ 30 percent for all systems installed prior to 2032 ■ 26 percent for systems installed in 2033 ■ 22 percent for systems installed in 2034 Without renewal, the credit discontinues in 2035.

Steps to Claim the Federal Solar Tax Credit in Florida The best part about the federal tax credit is how easy it is to apply for it. Most of the time, your installer or accountant fills out the necessary paperwork. If you need to fill it out yourself, though, you can follow these steps: 1.

Go to the IRS website and print out IRS form 5695.

2. Fill out the form. You’ll need contact information for your certified installer and some information from the system’s paperwork, including the size of the system, projected output and the address where the system is running.

3. Give the form to your accountant or file it with your tax return (if you file your own taxes).

Solar Incentives Available in Florida Incentive

How Much Can It Save You?

What Is It?

When Can You Get It?

Credits 30% of your entire system price to your income tax burden for the tax year your system is commissioned

One time: Gets applied when you file your taxes for the year your system is installed

$8,729 on average via tax credits

Solar and CHP Sales Sales tax exemption for all Tax Exemption solar equipment

One time: Gets applied when purchased

$2,042, on average

Property Tax Abatement for Renewable Energy Property

Property tax exemption

Ongoing: You continue to $5,800 a year on aversave each year you pay prop- age over 25 years erty taxes

Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF)

Low-interest solar loans

One time: You get the benefits once when you enroll

Varies

Florida PropertyAssessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing

Low-interest loans to make One time: You get the benesolar more accessible to fits once when you enroll low-income individuals

Varies

Local Incentives

A wide array of local incentives offered by electric companies and municipalities

Net Metering

Allows you to earn energy Continuous: Always in effect credits for all overproduction and use them to offset future utility bills, new policy as of April 2023

Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

Varies based on incentive

Which Solar Incentives Are Offered at the State Level in Florida?

The federal solar tax credit provides the most benefit overall, but there are also some state solar incentives in Florida that you should consider. The statewide incentives aren’t quite as appealing as in other states but they can still save you a lot of money. More importantly, they help you avoid some potential downsides of going solar.

■ Sales tax exemption ■ Property tax exemption ■ PACE financing ■ SELF financing program

Solar and CHP Sales Tax Exemption

My Take: Sales tax exemptions are common incentives, but I love them because they save you money up front with no extra work required.

Florida’s solar and CHP sales tax exemptions waive all sales tax on solar equipment, including panels, inverters, wiring, racking systems, conduit and solar batteries. The savings you’ll see from this tax exemption will vary based on where you live but with

Varies based on incentive

Varies based on system size, energy needs and credit rate

an average sales tax of 7.02 percent in Florida, the typical savings will be $2,042, given the average solar array cost in the state.

The sales tax exemption is especially great for two reasons. First, unlike a rebate or tax exemption, it provides those savings up front. Second, you don’t have to do anything to apply for it. All solar equipment doesn’t get taxed. When you purchase panels, you’ll automatically see those savings reflected in your pricing.

Florida initiated the solar sales tax exemption in 1997 and set an expiration date of 2002. But it extended the exemption for three years, through 2005, when it made the exemption permanent.

Property Tax Abatement for Renewable Energy Property

My Take: Property tax exemptions for solar are also common throughout the U.S. but that doesn’t mean they’re not worthwhile. I love to see states offering this because it requires no work to file for it and it can save thousands over the life of your panels.

The property tax abatement for solar equipment in Florida prevents your property taxes from increasing www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

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after solar installation. Normally, any significant home improvement that bumps your home’s value would also cause your taxes to go up. Because a solar conversion should add considerable value to your home, it would typically lead to higher property taxes.

Thankfully, the property tax exemption prevents this from happening, eliminating one of the only major downsides to converting to clean energy.

It’s tough to pin down what this perk will save you over time because different municipalities use varying tax rates and your solar array will gradually decline in value. If we take the average system cost and tax rate and assume it retains its value for at least 25 years, you’re looking at tax savings of around $232 per year.

Over 25 years, that equates to savings of $5,800.

The property tax abatement in Florida was initially offered in 2013, much later than most other states adopted similar legislation. The exemption expires at the end of 2037.

state discontinues electric bill charges that keep the fund alive.

Steps to Claim the Property Tax Abatement Much like the sales tax exemption, the property tax abatement is automatic and doesn’t require any work on your part to take advantage of. When your tax assessor calculates your property taxes, they will simply ignore any value added by your solar array. The lack of application and application fees for this perk makes it even more valuable, in my opinion.

Florida PACE Financing

Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF)

My Take: The SELF financing program is a great way for the state to provide accessible financing to solar customers. It keeps interest rates and loan terms low to help make funding solar more affordable.

Florida’s Solar and Energy Loan Fund is funded by a small charge on each resident’s electric bill. The fund provides affordable loans for prospective solar customers. It caps the interest rate for the loans between 8 and 9.5 percent and it mandates that the loan term be between five and ten years.

Solar is expensive no matter where you live but going solar is about 25 percent more expensive in Florida than in most other states. Most Floridians turn to financing. Still, private solar loans have higher interest rates and longer loan terms, which increases the cost of financing and the final price you pay for your Florida solar panel system.

This fund is a great way for Florida to provide accessible and affordable financing for up to $50,000 per renewable energy project, which should be more than enough to cover the cost of solar panels in the area.

Florida created the Solar and Energy Loan Fund in 2011 after a federal grant kickstarted the program in St. Lucie County the year before. It has been available ever since with no changes to the terms. It has no expiration date but could end if funds run out or if the

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FLORIDA ROOFING | November 2023

Steps to Claim the Solar and Energy Loan Fund Header Applying for a loan through the SELF program is pretty simple and you can get started before you pull the trigger on your solar array. Here’s how to claim the credit: 1.

Go to the SELF program website: https://solarenergyloanfund.org/.

2. Click on “Apply Now.” 3. Put your information in, including proof of income, state-issued identification information and a quote from your solar panel installation company.

4. A program administrator will review your information and let you know if anything else is required.

My Take: PACE financing makes solar more accessible to low-income households. The program has some downsides, though, so I’d recommend securing financing elsewhere unless you have no other options.

Property-assessed clean energy (PACE) financing is a common solar incentive program nationwide. It lets you install solar for no money down, making the upfront costs universally affordable and then adds the monthly payment for your system to your property’s tax bill.

In most cases, your program administrator will set up the interest rate and loan term so that your total monthly payment will be lower, with your system reducing or eliminating your energy bill. PACE financing is only available for low-income residents, as defined by individual municipalities that support the program.

There are a few downsides to this program. First, your monthly payments get added to your tax bill, which means selling your home might be difficult if the buyer doesn’t want to assume those payments or if their lender doesn’t want to lend with the lien on your property. Second, if you can’t make payments on time, you could lose your home. A personal loan might be more difficult to secure, but your home isn’t used as collateral for the loan like it is with PACE financing.

Florida closed its first loans through the PACE financing program in 2011. Since then, several municipalities have come on board and approved local PACE programs. There is currently no scheduled end date for the program.

Pace Tip I recommend finding an alternative loan program to PACE financing, if possible, but PACE financing is usually still better than a solar lease. A lease will often still complicate the sale of your home and it will save you far less over time and you’ll never own your system.

Steps to Claim PACE Financing Filing for the PACE program is usually quite timeconsuming and involves verifying a lot of information.

You can follow these steps below to apply: 1.

Navigate to the PACE program page for your municipality.

2. Apply.

3. Fill in the required information, which usually includes contact information, personal identification and an income statement.

4. A PACE program administrator will call or email to discuss next steps or let you know about additional information they need.

5. The administrator will then direct you to a list of certified solar installers to choose from and they should walk you through the rest of the process.

Which Solar Incentives are Offered at the Local Level in Florida?

There aren’t any tax exemptions or grant programs offered at the local level in Florida. But a handful of rebates, permitting laws and local financing programs make going solar in certain municipalities slightly more affordable and more accessible. Here is a breakdown of the more appealing local solar incentives in Florida:

■ City of Tallahassee Utilities Solar Loans: This is a low-interest solar loan program with interest rates capped at a competitive five percent to reduce ongoing costs of solar conversion. You can finance up to $20,000 for up to 10 years.

■ Lakeland Electric Residential Energy Efficiency Loan Program: Homeowners serviced by Lakeland Electric can finance up to $5,000 at 0 percent interest. The minimum loan amount is $500.

■ City of Lauderhill Revolving Loan Program: Residents in Lauderhill can borrow up to $2,500 through this program to put toward their rooftop solar system. It’s a short-term loan for up to two years, but the interest rate is set at 0% to bring down your financing costs.

■ Broward County Online Solar Permitting: This is another permitting ordinance that allows you to expedite solar permitting and pay a lower flat rate for your permit for upfront savings.

Net Metering in Florida – Can You Profit?

I believe net metering is one of the most beneficial solar incentives in the entire solar industry because it helps offset and even eliminate utility bills using your solar array.

Florida net metering works by monitoring your grid ■ Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) Solar Thermal consumption, how much electricity you pull from the Rebate Program: Provides a rebate of up to $900 grid and your energy exportation, how much excess for each solar array installed within Orlando. energy your panels produce and send to the electric Eligibility depends on your contractor, location and grid. system costs.

Without net metering, you’d have to pay the retail rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for any energy you pulled ■ Boynton Beach Energy Edge Rebate Program: from the grid, like at night or on cloudy days when your Provides a solar rebate of up to $1,500 per solar production drops. With net metering, you earn credits array and solar storage system for residents of for each excess kWh you export to the grid and can Boynton Beach. then use those credits when your production dips to ■ Miami-Dade County Solar System Permitting: This offset your consumption. perk provides information about how the solar Florida has one of the best net metering programs permitting process works in the county. It allows in the country. The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for expedited permits and reduces the permit cost. mandates all excess energy be credited at the full retail rate, meaning every kWh you export can offset a

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full kWh of imported energy and any unused credits at the end of the year gets paid back to you.

The payout rate is the avoided-cost rate, below the retail rate, but this is still beneficial. The exact rate will depend on your utility company and the policy applies to customers of all investor-owned utilities, including Duke Energy, Florida Power & Light (FPL), Tampa Electric Company (TEC) and Gulf Power. Electric cooperatives aren’t required to offer the program but some have eligibility.

Provided you install an appropriately sized solar array, Florida’s net metering policy means you can often eliminate your electric bills and even turn a profit if you over-produce enough.

It’s hard to estimate how much net metering can save you over the lifetime of your panels because there are many factors to consider, like your local electricity prices, the size of your system, your monthly consumption and more. However, net metering helps the average solar customer in Florida pay off their solar power system in just 12 years and then save an additional $21,632, on average, after that point. Your system may save significantly more, even enough to cover other utility bills.

Steps to Enroll in Net Metering in Florida Some of the best solar companies in Florida will enroll you in net metering automatically, so it often doesn’t require any work on your part. Here are the steps to enroll if you must do the work yourself: 1.

Head to your electric company’s website and search for an interconnection application.

2. Fill out the application. Gather information about your system size, the equipment you’re installing, expected output and contact information for your solar company.

3. Apply to the electric company.

4. Proceed with your solar installation.

5. Finally, an inspector from the utility company must check your system’s connection before approving your net metering setup.

income taxes over the next five years, you won’t be able to take the full incentive.

I’ve also heard about scammers lying about solar rebates or incentives that don’t exist. Often, they say there’s a small application fee and once you pay it they stop responding and never provide any incentive. You can always refer back to this article for guidance about available perks. Also, conduct your own research before signing anything.

Misleading marketing and high-pressure sales tactics are other issues to look out for. Scam companies sometimes misrepresent your solar savings and installation costs to get you to sign. Some will pitch solar leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs) as being superior options to paying in cash or with a loan, but those payment options are objectively less beneficial to the large majority of customers.

One solar company, Vivint, found trouble and faced class action lawsuits for this last point a few years ago and other companies have done similar things and faced legal action.

Bottom Line: Do the Incentives in Florida Make Going Solar Affordable?

Photovoltaic (PV) equipment in Florida is less expensive on a per-watt basis than in most states. But solar energy systems are more costly because of the system size required to offset energy consumption in many areas. Thankfully, the solar incentives available make going solar more accessible and beneficial. With federal, state and local incentives, you can reduce your up-front installation costs, push up your longterm savings and secure affordable financing for your renewable energy system.

Now you’re ready to take advantage of the Florida solar incentives I’ve mentioned and find certified installers who can help you maximize your savings from solar incentives.

FRM

Lora Novak, Senior Editor, meticulously proofreads and edits all commercial content for Today’s Homeowner to guarantee that it contains the most up-to-date information. Lora brings over 12 years Watch Out for Solar Incentive Scams of writing, editing and digital marketing expertise.

Given the prevalence of solar installations in Florida, She’s worked on thousands of articles related to it’s not surprising to uncover solar scams. Since incenheating, air conditioning, ventilation, roofing, plumbtives are highly beneficial for solar customers, some ing, lawn/garden, pest control, insurance and other less reputable companies use them as a means of bilkgeneral homeownership topics. If you can think of it, ing Florida residents of their solar financial benefits.

Lora’s probably written on or edited it. She also enFirst up is a misrepresentation of how the federal joys using her adventures as a homeowner to make tax credit works. I’ve seen a lot of companies in Florida, TodaysHomeowner.com’s articles even better. She including Solar Energy Today, either misinterpreting graduated from Widener University in 2008 and holds this perk or outrightly misleading customers by proa Bachelor of Arts in English and Creative Writing. This viding false information. story was originally published on Today’s Homeowner: In most cases, the solar representative will tell cushttps://todayshomeowner.com/solar/guides/ tomers that this is a solar rebate and that the savings florida-solar-incentives/. are guaranteed. Remember that this is a tax credit and unless you owe more than the credit amount in www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

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Delegate or Do It Yourself?

Mitch Levine, CEO, Corporate Finance Solutions Most companies’ founders are responsible for the majority, if not all, of the management responsibilities, as well as some of the production, service or administrative responsibilities. There’s no need to delegate responsibilities to others because no one else is willing to take them on.

However, as businesses grow, you must decide what responsibilities to delegate to others and which to keep. Delegate or do it yourself? These choices can have a significant impact on the level of success your company achieves. These decisions are still crucial for larger, more established businesses.

In general, I advocate for a large amount of delegation. You achieve four specific goals by delegating additional responsibilities and duties to those below you on the organizational chart.

3. You’re grooming your successor, building management depth in the organization and making the eventual choice of that successor an easier one.

4. You are fulfilling the premise of you “growing your people” to get and keep customers.

Of course, you’re also lightening your workload, allowing you to focus on the most important tasks.

That may mean you can unwind more and you can focus on tasks that are more appropriate for your level of responsibility within the company. You can’t do everything. Why bother? If you have two people only 60 percent as efficient and effective as you, then you have 120 percent of your own productivity; at most, they will be 70-90 percent as effective. A lack of delegation can result in a variety of issues. A true 1. You have a better chance to evaluate the perforone-person operation with a flat organizational chart mance of your subordinates as they grapple with is not only a major risk in case something happens to those new assignments. that one person but it also reduces your attractiveness 2. The delegation of those new tasks contributes to to top talent and reduces your company’s value. a broader range of experiences and, thus, training Management succession is a big issue. One is the for those subordinates. loneliest number, especially in business. Your customers can perceive if you are suffering from too much one-itis. They feel you are at risk and are more reluctant to do business with you. You also can get stuck in a rut of unresolved issues and missed opportunities.

You will be frustrated and perhaps angry as a result.

On the other hand, too much delegation can also cause issues. You are responsible to lay out your vision, provide direction and resources. Without those, your company lacks both leadership and control due to the void at the top. Others may make decisions without considering the consequences for other departments. Furthermore, the outcomes of those decisions may receive little, if any, attention. Your company could sink into a stagnant mess with no centralized leadership to address the pressing issues.

Ask yourself, “Does it need to get done? Am I the only person who can or should do it? Can it get automated or outsourced or delegated?” Start by writing your own job description to find the right balance of delegation between too little and too much. Make a list of everything you’re responsible for, including items, functions, responsibilities and decisions. Then sort the list into those tasks that you absolutely cannot delegate to others, those that you could delegate to others and those that are a waste of time and should Contribute to the FRSA Educational be delegated to someone else. and Research Foundation and make it a After that, create a column to rank the items that banner year for industry scholarships. you excel at, those that your experience and talents are adequate for and those that you do poorly at.

An examination of that chart should assist you in

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determining whether your delegation abilities are adequate and appropriate. Hint: this list should be short.

You should also draw an organizational chart for your company or department (if you don’t have one already, which you should). You may not be delegating enough of your responsibilities to others if you have more than six or seven people reporting to you. How many people can you supervise effectively, how many problems can you discuss in a day and how many decisions can and should you make?

You’ve only completed half of the exercise once you’ve determined the appropriate level of delegation for you and your company or division. You must also decide how you will track the outcomes of those to whom you have delegated various responsibilities. It is insufficient to simply say, “Here, do this.” You should then assess whether the task was completed satisfactorily or whether the responsibility was appropriately addressed. If it was, you might be able to give that person more responsibilities. If it wasn’t, you either delegated to the wrong person or made a delegating mistake that needs to be reversed.

Your ability to balance tasks, responsibilities, time allocation and priorities without the comfort of many black-and-white, yes-or-no decisions will determine much of your business success. It’s not that easy in business. Making delegating decisions is one of those tricky areas with few guidelines. Additionally, changing circumstances, such as corporate growth, may alter the correct answer.

Consider whether you have enough hours in each day to get everything done. Examine how much control you have over your business. Is it necessary for you to be involved in almost every decision, regardless of its importance? Do you find it difficult to let go of a responsibility you’ve held for a long time? Any of these are red flags for a lack of delegation.

Consider whether you’re getting too many surprises as a result of other people’s choices. Do you lack knowledge of critical corporate functions? Do you feel like you’re not as involved as you should be during periods of inactivity? Any of these could indicate that you’ve delegated too much authority to others.

You’ve probably delegated just about the right amount of responsibility and authority to those reporting to you in a smoothly running organization where you have time to focus on the most important items and sense when there are problems that need your attention. Monitor that level of delegation on a regular basis to see if it’s still appropriate for your company’s growth, complexity and environment. For more on this, see the book, “Whose Job Is It, Anyway?”

FRM Mitch Levin, CEO, Corporate Finance Solutions, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, succession planning, strategic planning and financing. For more information, visit www.cofinsol.com or call 888-885-5656.

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Florida Nuclear Auto Verdicts and Their Impact on the Commercial Auto Market Tyler Kocis, Surety and Risk Advisor, Furman Insurance Florida has seen a sharp rise in high-dollar legal cases, known as “nuclear verdicts,” significantly affecting the legal and insurance climate. This article delves into the ramifications of major auto verdicts on the insurance and roofing industry.

For roofing contractors, staying informed about these verdicts is crucial, as they directly influence insurance costs and coverage considerations, both of which have a large impact on overhead expenses and operating results.

Florida Leads the Way (Not in a Positive Manner…)

Recent research conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute of Legal Reform has shed light on a startling trend: Florida has now outpaced California in the number of nuclear verdicts within the nation.

What’s particularly striking is that Florida’s population is merely half that of California. Between 2010 to 2019, Florida reported an astounding number of over 200 nuclear verdicts, amounting to a total $35 billion in settlements. (Yes, the plaintiff’s attorneys received 35 percent or more of the settlements.)

The state’s high population density and often congested traffic conditions create fertile ground for complex legal disputes. Moreover, the presence of aggressive legal representation further intensifies the propensity for large auto verdicts, solidifying Florida’s prominence in this legal realm. While nuclear verdicts have emerged across the entire state, two counties, Broward and Miami-Dade, have emerged as the epicenter for these high-value litigation cases. Several contributing factors amplify Florida’s role in generating such substantial auto verdicts.

Impact on Commercial Auto Insurance Programs

Insurance Premiums and Underwriting Major auto verdicts in Florida have resulted in increased automobile insurance premiums due to the heightened risk of severe losses by the insurance community. Roofing contractors often experience a spike in premiums as insurers reevaluate the risks associated with their industry and post-significant verdicts. Underwriters scrutinize past claims and industry trends that influence the unit cost premiums offered to roofing contractors.

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Policy Coverage and Exclusions Auto insurance policies may undergo modifications in response to significant verdicts. Insurers may revise policy terms, conditions and exclusions to mitigate potential losses associated with similar auto-related cases. Roofing contractors should carefully review their policies and consult with an experienced risk advisor to fully understand any changes that could affect their insurance protection.

Policy Limits and Deductibles Major verdicts can prompt insurers to reassess policy limits and deductibles (higher retentions) for auto insurance. Insurers may revise these parameters to align with the potential magnitude of losses, in an attempt to generate adequate return on the equity the insurance provider has exposed for the roofing contractor.

Risk Assessment and Loss Prevention Measures Insurance carriers are increasing the frequency of thorough risk assessments of roofing contractors in light of these substantial auto verdicts. They may recommend or mandate specific loss prevention measures, such as enhanced safety protocols, driver training programs or the implementation of in-cab driver cameras to mitigate risks and modify driver behaviors in an attempt to reduce the frequency of auto accidents.

Strategies to Mitigate this Risk for Your Firm

Safety Protocols Implement and enforce stringent safety protocols and training programs for all employees, especially those involved in driving your vehicles. Emphasize safety awareness and adherence to safety guidelines to minimize the risk of accidents that could lead to significant verdicts.

Driver Selection/Training A well-documented and adhered-to driver selection and screening process (that conforms to your insurance carrier’s eligible driver criteria) is the first line of

Regardless of the size of the roofing contractor’s fleet, nuclear auto verdicts undeniably influence the auto insurance industry climate in Florida and the industry is also projected to experience future cost increases. The strongest performing roofing professionals (from a frequency and severity perspective) will differentiate themselves from the lagging perComprehensive Documentation formers, which will allow for more competitive rates Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of all safety training, maintenance activities and incident re- by the underwriting community. This in turn will create ports. Thorough documentation can serve as evidence economic efficiencies for the contractor. Adapting to these changes and proactively managing risks through of compliance with safety regulations and adherence enhanced risk management disciplines is essential for to best practices, potentially reducing liability in case roofing contractors to secure competitively priced, of legal disputes. comprehensive insurance coverage to protect their Technology Implementation business assets. A risk advisor will be able to guide you Leveraging telematics and monitoring systems to through the process. assess and analyze driver behavior, vehicle speed and FRM other relevant factors can have a significant impact on managing the risk of your fleet. Utilizing data analytics Tyler Kocis, Surety and Risk Advisor, Furman Insurance, graduated from Indiana University to identify areas for improvement and customized of PA, with a Bachelor of Finance. Tyler can be training programs can allow the roofing contractor to reached for any questions or additional informabetter understand how their drivers are behaving and tion at tyler@furmaninsurance.com or by cell at the reasons for incidents.

954-994-9292. defense to protect your firm’s auto exposure. Provide ongoing training to employees on safe driving practices, defensive driving and regular updates on changes in traffic laws, industry standards and best practices to ensure they remain well-informed and capable of making sound decisions on the road.

Building Risk Categories, continued from page 18

likely to occupy the building during a wind event. In prior revisions of ASCE, this category would reduce the design requirements by 13 percent from Category II.

Building Category II

Building Category II is the last consideration and the largest and most used category. In the definitions, this is called out when the building or other structure does not qualify for Building Category I, III or IV. This category includes single family homes, apartment buildings, offices, retail and commercial buildings. Based on this definition, it makes sense to define this category last.

It’s the catch-all category.

These definitions are handy for everyone to review from time to time. While prior revisions of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Standards accounted for this with something called “importance factor,” the current revision, ASCE 7-22, uses separate wind speed maps to account for the building category considerations in the uplift calculations. As Floridians, the threat of hurricanes, tornados and strong thunderstorms are always in the back of our minds. If nothing else, please consider these categories when weighing options on where to seek safe shelter in the event of a wind event. Do not go into garage buildings or warehouses to ride out the storm. Instead, look for municipal storm shelters, large occupancy buildings or even hospitals if you have health considerations.

For anyone considering building a new home with increased performance, you can ask your design professional regarding the construction differences to classify your building as an essential facility or Building

Category IV level building for the purposes of the design. Not only will the roof be upgraded but you’ll also quickly see how a 15 percent design increase will fortify all the components of the building to perform when the storm rolls in.

FRM Riku Ylipelkonen, Owner, Standard Building Advisors has been in the roofing industry for 15 years working for Polyfoam Products. When Polyfoam Products was acquired by 3M, the name was changed to ICP Building Solutions Group. Riku worked at ICP as Technical Services 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).

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What Gen Z Wants From Leaders Mark Athitakis, Contributing Editor, Associations Now Like every younger generation, this one is testing trafor privileging fluid social connections over rigid team dition. But listening can spark new ideas for a healthier structures. So, the fact that Gen Zers get dismissed as workplace. Recent research shows that Generation Z lazy isn’t surprising. is starting to show some sway in how workplaces opBut as with previous generations, there are some erate. The insurance group Zurich found that by 2025, differences between what Gen Zers are pushing back Gen Z (those born roughly between the mid-90s and against, why and what can help. Part of the challenge early 2010s) will account for 27 percent of the global is that many in this cohort see themselves closed off workforce and that 93 percent of employees are influ- from the typical rewards of work. Australian business enced by their coworkers in their 20s. scholar Adam Kay recently told Financial Review that But what sort of things are they influencing, exact- “soaring housing prices and stagnant wages mean ly? Much of it has to do with technology: 62 percent of that ‘social contract’ has…broken down, encouraging Gen Z and Millennials think that AI will have a positive many Gen Z employees to fight for better work condiinfluence on their work and want to see it integrated tions to make up for that.” more often, compared to just 38 percent of Boomers For leaders managing their own staffs and helping who feel that way. But much of what Gen Zers focus the industries they serve attract a new generation on involves work-life balance – of workers, providing Zers with more than half of Gen Zers in a confidence in their career will Generations recent Microsoft survey said they be increasingly essential. A mix Name Years Born prioritize “health and well-being of perks and flexibility helps, of Greatest Generation 1901-1924 over work,” which means a lot of course, but a key factor, experts conversations around hybrid ofsay, will be more open communiSilent Generation 1925-1945 fices, flexible schedules and other cation about concerns and needs.

Baby Boomers 1946-1964 meaningful wellness benefits.

Pulse surveys and annual reviews It’s no surprise that there’s aren’t enough: research by EY has Generation X 1965-1980 pushback against familiar workfound that nearly all (97 percent) Millennials 1981-1996 place standards and that Zers get of Gen Zers are receptive to some eyerolls for it. Every rising feedback and 63 percent say they Generation Z 1997-2012 generation gets accused of selfprefer “timely constructive feedGeneration Alpha 2013-2025 ishness and refusal to get with the back throughout the year.” program. Boomers were “hippies” And the feedback shouldn’t just for resisting the rigidity of the Organization Man; Gen be criticism or suggestions about professional develXers were “slackers” for distrusting corporate buzzopment; leaders will have to be curious about what will words and uniformity; Millennials were “narcissists” make their employees feel more engaged. “Leaders must stop and get curious and ask their people what’s going on,” Kay said.

There are risks here and no guarantees. Gen Zers aren’t the only cohort a leader has to manage and it can be a skittish group; one report found that Gen Zers tend to stay at a job for only about two years.

How managers will work with individual employees will differ from person to person. But as a group, they’re signaling their concerns about what makes for an efPrint Circulation fective, equitable and productive workplace. It’s worth the effort to listen.

FRM

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Mark Athitakis, Contributing Editor for Associations Now, has written on nonprofits, the arts and leadership for a variety of publications. He is a coauthor of The Dumbest Moments in Business History and hopes you never qualify for the sequel. This article originally appeared on associationsnow.com. Copyright ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership (August 2023) Washington, DC.

2023

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