Flashings

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International Green Construction Code is launched

On March 15, the International Code Council (ICC); American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC); and Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) of North America introduced the International Green Construction Code (IGCC). The IGCC is designed to provide language that broadens and strengthens building codes to accelerate the construction of high-performance green buildings.

The document represents the merger of two national efforts to develop adoptable, enforceable green building codes. ICC and ASHRAE have worked to develop codes and standards for residential and commercial buildings. Coordinating with these efforts, USGBC has been leading a nationwide green building movement focused on its LEED® Green Building Rating System.™

The groups' efforts led to the creation of the IGCC, which establishes a regulatory framework for constructing safe, sustainable, high-performance commercial buildings.

An important addition to the IGCC's technical content is the inclusion of ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1, "Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings," as an alternative compliance method. Standard 189.1 is a set of technically rigorous requirements, which, like the IGCC, includes criteria such as water use efficiency, indoor environmental quality, energy efficiency, materials and resource use, and a building's effect on its site and community. The standard was developed in about three years and written by experts representing all sectors of the building industry. There were four public reviews of the standard during which about 2,500 comments were received.

Standard 189.1 and the IGCC are available for wide distribution. The organizations also are working to advance related education and advocacy efforts to promote adoption of, enforcement of and compliance with the IGCC codes that they claim will pave the way for green buildings and neighborhoods while creating jobs and strengthening the economy.

More information about the IGCC is available at www.iccsafe.org/cs/IGCC/pages/default.aspx. For more information about Standard 189.1, visit www.ashrae.org/publications/page/927.

Feedback can motivate employees

When used as a dialogue between employers and employees, feedback can be an exceptional motivational tool. However, employers often don't get the full benefit of giving positive feedback to their employees because employers treat feedback as a one-way process. Following are some tips for keeping feedback conversational:

• Be specific. Vague feedback is not as effective as specific feedback. Provide details so employees know exactly what they did and why they should try to repeat their actions.
• Be empathetic. Always consider employees' feelings, and make thoughtful attempts to understand their situations.
• Be clear. Occasionally check to make sure your message is being understood. Using phrases such as "So what you're saying is …" and "Does what I just said make sense?" can help confirm understanding.

Source: Adapted from The Motivational Manager, February issue

EPA approves alternative solvent for Method 5A testing

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the use of 1-bromopropane as an alternative to the 1,1,1-trichlorethane specified in Method 5A. EPA has stated the modification is acceptable for use at any asphalt processing or manufacturing facility covered by 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart UU; 40 CFR Part 63, Subpart LLLLL; and 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart AAAAAAA. According to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), the solvent replacement will reduce the use of a potentially ozone-depleting substance that historically has been required for roofing industry environmental compliance-related testing.

ARMA's Health, Safety and Environment Committee and membership have been working with EPA for about two years to approve a substitute solvent for use when testing stack emissions.

EPA requires companies to use Method 5A testing to demonstrate compliance with particulate matter emissions limits required by the Clean Air Act. The Montreal Protocol and Clean Air Act required the phasing out of production of 1,1,1-trichlorethane, a chlorinated solvent thought to contribute to the depletion of the earth's ozone layer and, until recently, the only solvent approved by EPA for Method 5A emissions testing.

EPA's official letter, titled Approval of Modifications to Method 5A for Various Reasons, is available at www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/approalt.html.

Support continues for green building

The 4th Annual Green Building Survey conducted by California-based Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP's Constructive Technologies Group and Green Building Insider indicates a large majority of respondents continue to strongly endorse green building despite the economic recession. In 2009, 92.3 percent of respondents supported green building compared with 93.5 percent in 2008 and 96 percent in 2007.

More than 1,600 design and construction professionals located throughout the U.S. completed the survey, which addressed current attitudes toward green building and its risks, costs, certification processes and trends.

The survey indicates support for LEED® certification declined to 62 percent—down 11 percent in 2008 and 4.7 percent in 2009. The gap between support for green construction and LEED certification has increased during the past two years.

Survey respondents stated reducing energy costs and other operating expenses was the No. 1 reason for completing green building projects. More than half of respondents indicated a LEED Gold rating increased project costs 4 percent or more; almost 30 percent of respondents reported the increased costs of a LEED Gold rating at less than 4 percent. The report states possible explanations for the difference in reported cost premiums include the variety of local codes and professional experience in certain regions that raise the minimum standards close to LEED Gold standards and the varying degree of difficulty in achieving a LEED Gold rating on different building types.

Details

Jayne Williams

What is your position within your company?
I am chief financial officer and safety director for KPostCompany, Dallas

What is the most unusual roofing project you've performed?
Roofing the new Cowboys Stadium. An 18-month project with 6,600 squares and 67 employees was a daunting endeavor, but we finished on time. We completed it under budget, and as the safety officer, I was thankful we had only three minor lost-time accidents.

Why did you become a roofing contractor?
When I was 25, I was the major breadwinner for my family. When we moved to Lubbock, Texas, a roofing job with Hamilton Roofing paid more than any other. Sonny Howell and Owen Hamilton gave me my start in the roofing business.

If you weren't a roofing contractor, what do you think you would be?
When I was young, I wanted to be a Solid Gold Dancer, but now I'd like to be a roadie for Dave Matthews Band.

If you could invite any three people (dead or alive) to dinner, whom would you invite and why?
Ronald Reagan—I would like to see what he thinks of the political climate today. Stonewall Jackson Brandon—my dad. He died when I was 8, and I don't remember much about him. I would like to see whether we're anything alike. Peyton Manning—anyone who knows me knows I'm a huge Peyton fan. He probably should have been No. 1!

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Fiji—I only got to know one grandmother when I was young, and in her dementia, she always talked about going to Fiji. I just want to fulfill this for her.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
Keeping 219 employees safe every day. Maintaining a "safety-quality-value culture" helps. I want all employees to go home to their families every night.

What was your first roofing experience?
Watching a roof being torched down, which was a relatively new procedure at the time

List three words that best describe you.
Dedicated, compassionate and giving

What three things are always in your fridge?
Heinz 57, salsa and Miracle Whip

What is your roofing industry involvement?
I am a member of the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association, Roofing Contractors Association of Texas and North Texas Roofing Contractors Association and recently was elected to NRCA's board of directors. I also am one of the founders of National Roofing Partners.

People would be surprised to know …
I would like to get a degree in religion someday, and I have read the Bible cover to cover 11 times.

SBA warns of loan scams

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is warning small-business owners to use caution if they are contacted by firms offering to help them apply for funds available through SBA programs.

SBA and its Office of the Inspector General (SBA OIG) have received several complaints from small-business owners about abusive marketing practices, scams and exorbitant fees charged by firms offering to help small-business owners obtain loans, grants or other federal funds from SBA.

Some complaints SBA has received include:

• Firms charging small businesses high fees to provide assistance applying for SBA funding programs; some firms allegedly have guaranteed a small business would obtain SBA funding if it paid the fee. SBA does not endorse or give preference to specific private companies or those companies' clients.
• Firms charging small businesses for services never requested after the small-business owner gave bank account and routing information to a caller claiming to offer assistance; SBA recommends small-business owners never provide Social Security numbers, bank account information or credit card numbers to anyone, especially over the telephone.
• Firms alleging a small business would be issued a "forfeiture letter" that would make the business ineligible for any SBA funding for three years if the small business refused to use the firm's services

Small-business owners should ask for references and confer with colleagues and reliable institutions when selecting service providers. Small-business owners also should clearly establish and document what they are being charged, when they will be charged, what they must do and what services they will receive.

When electing to use a third party to apply for SBA funding programs, small-business owners can get free assistance in person by calling one of SBA's 68 district offices and by visiting SBA's Web site, www.sba.gov. Assistance also is available from Small Business Development Centers, Women's Business Centers, Veterans' Business Outreach Centers and SCORE Chapters.

SBA OIG will investigate and respond to all complaints. SBA encourages anyone with knowledge of a misrepresentation regarding SBA Business Loan Programs or any other SBA program to contact SBA OIG by calling the OIG Hotline toll-free at (800) 767-0385 or submitting an online report at www.sba.gov/ig.