Flashings

• 

NRCA president testifies before House committee

On April 29, NRCA President Rob McNamara, president of F.J.A. Christiansen Roofing Co. Inc., Milwaukee, a Tecta America company, testified before the House Small Business Committee regarding climate change legislation.

During his testimony, McNamara told committee members the "roofing industry is uniquely positioned to play a significant role in developing innovative solutions to climate change and energy-related issues now being addressed by Congress." He then discussed how various types of energy-efficient roof systems and renewable-energy production can help address climate change.

McNamara also noted that NRCA is concerned about potential effects on the roofing industry of increased energy costs that would result from climate change legislation now being considered by Congress, as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recent decision to regulate greenhouse gases. He urged Congress to "remember that higher costs will have to be passed on to consumers, and this could inhibit the growth of our industry and adoption of more energy-efficient roofing."

Finally, McNamara urged Congress to support the Green Roofing Energy Efficiency Tax Act (H.R. 426)—which NRCA has developed to reduce the depreciation schedule from 39 years to 20 years for qualifying energy-efficient commercial roof systems—as one step toward addressing climate change. This legislation would accelerate demand for energy-efficient roof systems and help conserve energy and reduce commercial buildings' carbon emissions.

To view McNamara's written statement regarding climate change legislation, visit www.nrca.net/member/news/0509_statement.pdf.

OSHA increases inspections of federal work sites

As a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) may begin conducting more frequent inspections of federal work sites. According to a memorandum distributed in May by U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis, OSHA is focusing its resources to prepare for an anticipated increase in construction projects resulting from the economic stimulus act.

To help employers and federal agencies reduce workplace violations, OSHA is conducting training programs for federal employees. The programs address hazards encountered at construction sites, as well as safety and health management systems employers should develop to minimize or eliminate workplace hazards.

OSHA also offers resources to assist employers and federal agencies, including outreach, training and on-site help from OSHA's local offices.

More information is available at www.osha.gov.

FMI releases construction index

FMI Corp., Raleigh, N.C., a management consulting and investment banking firm, has released its Nonresidential Construction Index (NRCI) for the second quarter of 2009.

The NRCI increased to 45 in the second quarter of 2009 from 35.6 in the first quarter, which indicates that fewer NRCI panelists believe their businesses are in a worse economic position than they were during the previous quarter. Thirty-nine percent of panelists thought the economy was worse than the previous quarter compared with 79.6 percent in the first quarter of 2009. However, only 9.1 percent thought the economy was improving.

Panelists' opinions of their local economies and markets also improved with 46.3 percent saying their local markets were the same as the previous quarter and 42 percent saying they were worse than the previous quarter. However, nonresidential contractors, who previously were thought to be doing well compared with the overall economy, now believe their businesses are as slow as those in the overall economy.

Additionally, only 58 percent of panelists report lower material costs compared with 70 percent of panelists during the previous quarter. Eleven percent of panelists report labor costs are higher than during the previous quarter.

Eighty-eight percent of panelists say the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has not yet affected their businesses; however, 23 percent say they expect the bill to increase their backlogs as much as 5 percent during the next year.

The NRCI Second Quarter 2009 is available at www.fminet.com/article/584.

Report outlines green building legal liabilities

Cambridge, Mass.-based Harvard Law School's Environmental Law & Policy Clinic and Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox LLP, a Philadelphia-based environmental law firm, have released a report outlining green building's potential risks and liabilities, as well as advice for avoiding such risks.

The report, titled "The Green Building Revolution: Addressing and Managing Legal Risks and Liabilities," outlines legal liabilities that can create risks for builders, investors, insurers, architects and others. Such risks include lawsuits for negligence and fraud, violation of consumer protection laws and failure to meet certification standards resulting in loss of tax credits. Some recommendations for avoiding such risks include improving project management; paying attention to contract language so it reflects expectations for certifications, tax credits and sustainability; and being mindful that any marketing materials defining expectations and risks for green construction projects are aligned with reality.

"With rising consumer demand for green buildings and federal, state and municipal governments beginning to require public buildings to meet green standards, now is the time for those involved with project construction and management to become familiar with the liabilities of green building, as well as the strategies to minimize them," says Robert Fox, managing partner for Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox.

The report is available at www.mgkflaw.com/Green%20Building%20Revolution.pdf.

Details

Aaron Martin

What is your position within your company?
I'm vice president of DRI Cos., Irvine, Calif.

What is the most unusual roofing project you've performed?
Parker's Lighthouse in Long Beach Harbor, Long Beach, Calif.

Why did you become a roofing contractor?
I'm not a good enough golfer.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A garbage man, so I am not disappointed that dream didn't work out.

Name one indulgence you allow yourself.
Snowboarding

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Micronesia

What three items are always in your fridge?
Cheese, beer and hot sauce

What is the most high-tech thing in your house?
A treadmill … I still can't get it to work.

What's your favorite movie?
"The Jerk"

If you could invite any three people to dinner (dead or alive), whom would you invite?
Jesus, my grandfather and Tiger Woods

What are your favorite aspects of your job?
Helping others develop and building relationships

What is your roofing industry involvement?
I am a Future Executives Institute graduate, NRCA director, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Accredited Professional.

People would be surprised to know …
Losing my hair doesn't bother me; it's losing my mind that scares me.

FM Global releases sustainability research

FM Global has released "The Influence of Risk Factors on Sustainable Development," a technical report addressing how business property owners can reduce carbon emissions attributable to fire and natural disaster risks.

The report is part of FM Global's efforts to raise awareness of property-related risks and loss-prevention solutions associated with sustainable development.

"Although most research to date regarding sustainable environmental building design has appropriately focused on the energy efficiency of 'green' facilities as the main source of carbon emissions, this is the first research that looks at the influence of fire and natural disasters," says Louis Gritzo, FM Global's vice president and research manager. "Risk management is an integral part of sustainable development, and FM Global recommends that future criteria for sustainable design and operation consider the risks fires and natural disasters can pose and the benefits of mitigating such threats."

This is the first technical research FM Global has made available directly to the public free of charge. Brion Callori, FM Global's senior vice president, says the decision reflects the changing business practices and risk profiles of FM Global's clients.

"During recent years, FM Global has observed an increase in frequency and severity of fires and natural disasters worldwide and a growing interdependence of businesses from globalization and technology," Callori says. "It's an appropriate time to be sharing such information given businesses' heightened consciousness regarding the environment, sustainability, risk management and stakeholders' expectations."

"The Influence of Risk Factors on Sustainable Development" is available at www.fmglobal.com/researchreports.

U.S. cities value sustainability

"Green Cities: How Urban Sustainability Efforts Can and Must Drive America's Climate Change Policies," a study conducted by New York-based Living Cities Inc., states that of the 40 largest U.S. cities, only one in six say sustainability is not one of their top five problems.

Additionally, the study indicates 75 percent of cities already have started developing detailed sustainability plans or methods for reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions. Such plans typically intend to reduce total emissions 10 to 20 percent during the next five to 10 years.

The study also indicates retrofitting buildings with sustainable elements is key to a successful green city strategy that will create jobs and stimulate business growth. The study's authors say: "The true holy grail for cities seeking to make a serious dent in building-related emissions is mass retrofits: a systematic effort to upgrade current structures."

According to the study, many cities have begun requiring new city construction to meet certain green building standards; some also are requiring private construction to meet such standards.

The study is available at www.greenbiz.com.

Toronto adopts green roof requirements

Toronto has passed a bylaw consisting of a green roof construction standard and mandatory requirement for green roofs on all classes of new buildings.

Toronto's new bylaw requires up to 50 percent green roof coverage on multiple-unit residential dwellings taller than six stories, schools, nonprofit housing, and commercial and industrial buildings. Larger residential projects require green roof coverage ranging from 20 to 50 percent of the roof area.

"Toronto's bylaw provides a new opportunity to strengthen the emerging practice of integrated green building design," says Steven W. Peck, president of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, which supports the bylaw. "The bylaw breaks new ground on how to structure a mandatory green roof requirement, and the construction standard also contains important best practices that may prove to be a model for other cities."

More information about Toronto's new green roof requirements is available at www.toronto.ca/building.