Fifth Edition Tile Install Manual Addresses Industry Concerns with a Concise Revision By John Campbell, National Sales and Marketing Director at Eagle Roofing Products The need for the FRSA/TRI Florida High Wind Concrete and Clay Tile Installation Manual, Fifth Edition became apparent when the “mixing of systems” became prevalent in the market. The Fourth Edition’s recognition of four acceptable methods of applying tile roofs served our industry well as System 2 applications (mechanically fastened directly to the deck) become commonplace and as adhesive set systems were gaining popularity. Several contractors, however, discovered loopholes and began to choose elements of each system that they preferred and inadvertently created hybrid applications that too often lead to premature failures. For instance, the use of wood battens mixed with mortared penetrations conspired to create a tile roofing system with a life span roughly equivalent to an asphalt shingle roof. There were examples of the mixing of systems that actually enhanced the lifespan of tile roofs such as topically installed valley metals and soakers over hot mopped #90 felt but these modifications were the exception. Inspectors rarely discerned between systems in the field and often searched through the Fourth Edition for drawings that replicated the work performed in the field, regardless of whether they located the detail in System 1, 2, 3 or 4. The need to rewrite our manual in a manner that virtually ensured the proper application of tile roofing systems became the responsibility of the FRSA Roof Tile Committee. In addition to the use of “mixed systems,” substantive changes have taken place in the Florida roof tile industry since the release of the Fourth Edition. These changes include: ♦♦The proliferation of self-adhered underlayment as the preferred substrate for tile roof systems. ♦♦The acceptance of metal and plastic structural hip and ridge support as an alternative to partially encased mortar and sporadically attached “wood nailers.” ♦♦The use of both single and dual component foam adhesive on reroof installations. Our Committee engaged underlayment manufacturers and selected testing standards for self-adhered membranes to ensure the expected level of performance. Fortunately, through technical bulletins, these standards were released exclusive of and a few years prior to the completion of the Fifth Edition. The committee also aspired to reduce the amount of pages in the manual from nearly 170 to approximately 60. This was accomplished via the creation of a simple matrix that enables roofing contractors, builders and inspectors to quickly ascertain the compatibility of attachment methods and flashing
details thereby eliminating the redundant drawings that existed in some of the systems. The creation of the matrix facilitated the elimination of four separate systems of application in favor of detailed drawings that recognize all of the acceptable methods of addressing details. In addition to eliminating drawings, we took the time to create new drawings to both improve the appearance of the manual and address some of the changes in the Fifth Edition such as the requirement of primer on all metals that contact underlayment and increased drip edge overlaps. A matrix was also created to address the myriad of hip and ridge structural support systems and their compatibility with the various field tile attachment methods. This matrix alone replaced 30 pages of details. The relationship between the TRI and the FRSA has had its challenges over the years. As a board member of both associations and the co-chair of the Roof Tile Committee, I was honored to be asked to act as a liaison between the organizations in an effort to provoke the cooperation necessary to create the FRSA/TRI Florida High Wind Concrete and Clay Tile Installation Manual, Fifth Edition. The complexion of the FRSA Roof Tile Committee and the TRI Board changed several times during the development of the new manual, however, a core group of industry professionals remained steadfast through the arduous process. I would estimate that the creation of the new manual was a result of over 40 formal committee meetings and a few thousand hours of volunteers’ time. Working together, with the guidance of the FRSA’s Executive Director Lisa Pate, we are proud of the end result. The US Constitution was created and implemented in less time than the Fifth Edition. Let’s hope this version prevails as long.
–RFM–
FRSA “Road Show” Will Offer CE Course on Using the Fifth Edition Tile Manual FRSA Director of Technical Services Mark Zehnal, CPRC, will be conducting one-hour continuing education courses for roofing contractors and building officials throughout the State. For more information about class availability, contact Mark at (800) 767-3772 ext. 169 or mark@floridaroof.com.
www.floridaroof.com
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