NRCA Resources

Green roof systems manual will be made available

The NRCA Green Roof Systems Manual—2007 Edition will be available this month. It provides in-depth technical information regarding the design and installation of quality green roof systems. The focus of the manual is waterproofing aspects of green roof systems.

NRCA defines a green roof system as plantings/landscaping installed above a waterproofed substrate at any building level that is separated from the ground beneath it by a manufactured structure. A green roof system consists of a waterproofing system and its associated components—such as protection course, root barrier, drainage layer, thermal insulation and aeration layer—and an overburden of growth medium and plantings. NRCA divides green roof systems into three categories: extensive, semi-intensive and intensive.

The green roof system details in The NRCA Green Roof Systems Manual—2007 Edition provide design and installation information for:

• Hot-fluid-applied, polymer-modified asphalt membranes
• APP- and SBS-polymer-modified bitumen sheet membranes
• EPDM membranes
• PVC membranes
• One- and two-component, fluid-applied elastomeric membranes

The manual provides limited information about green roof system components that are not waterproofing-related, such as growth medium, filter fabric and reservoir layer.

For more information about The NRCA Green Roof Systems Manual—2007 Edition, see "NRCA's new green roof systems manual," page 22. To place an order, visit shop.nrca.net; fax (847) 299-1183; or call NRCA Info­Express at (866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722).

NRCA offers EnergyWise Roof Calculator Online

NRCA has made its EnergyWise Roof Calculator available online. Users can access the calculator for free at www.specright.net. The calculator still is available on CD-ROM through shop.nrca.net.

The EnergyWise Roof Calculator is a software application that allows roofing professionals to construct virtual roof assemblies to evaluate thermal efficiency and estimate energy costs. It also contains minimum thermal insulation requirements established by ASHRAE Standard 90.1-1999. After being prompted to enter specific roof assembly information, users can generate a report summarizing the proposed roof assembly design,estimated heating and cooling costs, and minimum thermal requirements.

For more information about NRCA's Energy-Wise Roof Calculator Online, contact Mark S. Graham, NRCA's associate executive director, at (800) 323-9545, ext. 7511 or mgraham@nrca.net.

Upcoming NRCA events

Additional information about upcoming NRCA events can be viewed at NRCA's Web site, www.nrca.net.

July

10-14
NRCA's Midyear Meetings
Chicago
Contact: Michelle Iniguez
(800) 323-9545, ext. 7539
NRCA's Executive Committee, board of directors, committees and task forces will meet to discuss NRCA and industry issues and plan for NRCA's 2007-08 fiscal year

20
CERTA Train-the-trainer Reauthorization
Chicago
Contact: Janice Davis
(800) 323-9545, ext. 7505
Authorized CERTA trainers can renew their accreditations, which is required every three years

23
Exploring Roof System Options
Seattle
Contact: Janice Davis
(800) 323-9545, ext. 7505
Learn how to match the characteristics of a roof system with a building's design

August

20-23
NRCA-Canadian Roofing Contractors' Association Meeting
Kohler, Wis.
Contact: Michelle Iniguez
(800) 323-9545, ext. 7539
The two organizations gather for their annual meeting

September

24-27
China Roofing and Waterproofing
Beijing
Contact: Olicia Hinojosa
(800) 323-9545, ext. 7586
An international exhibit for roofing and waterproofing products, services and technologies

ARCOM and WARCA announce merger

The Associated Roofing Contractors of Maryland (ARCOM), which is managed through a partnership agreement with NRCA, has merged with the Washington Area Roofing Contractors Association (WARCA).

The new association is the Mid Atlantic Roofing Contractors Association (MARCA) and also is managed via partnership agreement with NRCA.

"Times have changed, and the market has changed," says ARCOM President Dave Taylor, who will continue as MARCA's president. "The time is right for our organizations to join together to address issues in the roofing market."

For more information about MARCA, contact Bryan White, NRCA's manager of affiliate partnerships, at (800) 323-9545, ext. 7554 or bwhite@nrca.net.

The Alliance partners with Penn State University

The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress, a separate but related educational and research organization of NRCA, has partnered with Penn State University, University Park, Pa., and will contribute $100,000 to green roofing and solar energy research.

Penn State University currently is conducting research to measure R-values of green roof systems; is involved with the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon, a project that incorporates solar roof system technology; has developed "4-D" project management software; and has conducted a photovoltaics study for the electrical contracting industry and nanotechnology involving photovoltaic integration.

At an Alliance meeting in Phoenix April 27-28, David Riley, associate professor for the department of architectural engineering and executive director of the Center for Sustainability at Penn State University, explained three initial objectives for the partnership:

• Pursue the Solar Decathlon to explore how building-integrated photovoltaic systems affect the roofing industry and promote the roofing industry's role regarding solar energy systems to increase visibility of the roofing industry among college graduates. During the Solar Decathlon, teams from colleges and universities all over the world strive to design, build and operate the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered home.
• Contribute to the advancement of green roof system research specifically regarding energy performance by sponsoring state-of-the-art research and developing educational materials that promote green roof system awareness. Alliance funding would pay for the testing of green roof system specimens at Penn State University.
• Investigate the potential effects and respective market strategies for the roofing industry as interest in building-integrated photovoltaic technologies grows. This will lead to increased deployment of solar electric systems on roof surfaces, which will present challenges and opportunities for the roofing industry.

The Alliance awards scholarships

Elizabeth Ahn, Silver Spring, Md.; Ashley Jones, Lavaca, Ark.; and Aaron Tabor, Lyons, Ill., have received Roofing Industry Scholarships from The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress, a separate but related educational and research organization of NRCA.

The scholarships, which provide recipients with $1,000 per year for up to four years of undergraduate study, are awarded to employees, immediate family of employees or immediate family of NRCA contractor members. Applicants must plan to continue their education in university or vocational programs. Recipients may use the money to support their studies at any accredited postsecondary institution; scholarships are not limited to students planning to enter the roofing industry.

Recipients were chosen based on academic record, potential to succeed, leadership and participation in school and community activities, honors, work experience, statement of education goals and a third-party appraisal. Financial need is not considered.

In addition, the Alliance renewed nine scholarships this year. The recipients include Christina Erbsen, Salida, Colo., who is attending Corban College, Salem, Ore.; Brian Head, Montgomery, Ala., who is attending Auburn University, Auburn, Ala.; Jessica N. Hibbard, Arlington, Texas, who is attending Texas Christian University, Fort Worth; Michael Marzano, Wayne, Ill., who is attending Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.; Caitlin Narkawicz, Columbia, Conn., who is attending Johnson & Wales University, Providence, R.I.; Justine Semack, McDonald, Pa., who is attending West Virginia University, Morgantown; Sarah Stabile, Wolcott, Conn., who is attending Central Connecticut State University, New Britain; Mary Wolfe, Wyomissing, Pa., who is attending Emory University, Atlanta; and Matthew Woodruff, Fond du Lac, Wis., who is attending Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee.

For more information regarding the Alliance's scholarships and application deadlines, visit www.nrca.net/rp/related/nrf/scholarship.aspx or contact Bennett Judson, the Alliance's executive director, at (800) 323-9545, ext. 7513; fax (847) 299-1183; or e-mail bjudson@roofingindustryalliance.net.

NRCA offers worker-training DVDs

NRCA offers the following products for sale. For more information or to place an order, visit shop.nrca.net; fax (847) 299-1183; or call NRCA InfoExpress at (866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722).

The Introduction to Built-up and Modified Bitumen Roof Membranes and Application of Hot Built-up and Modified Bitumen Roof Membranes—Flashings worker-training DVD includes two programs and familiarizes workers with built-up and hybrid roof systems. The programs thoroughly explain each component and function of built-up and polymer-modified bitumen roof system installation and discuss application methods for vertical and horizontal flashings and special safety issues related to flashing installation.

The Application of Modified Bitumen Roof Membranes and Hot Built-up Roof Membranes—Field and Surfacing worker-training DVD includes two programs, including Application of Modified Bitumen Roof Membranes—Field and Surfacing, which addresses modified bitumen quality issues and application methods for the safe handling of modified bitumen sheets and surfacings. Application of Hot-Built-up Roof Membranes—Field and Surfacing gives workers a better understanding of built-up roofing quality issues plus application methods for the safe handling of built-up felts and surfacing.

The Introduction and Application of Single-ply Roof Membranes worker-training DVD includes three programs specifically addressing single-ply roof membranes. Introduction to Single-ply Roof Membranes provides an overview of single-ply roof membrane systems. In addition, it discusses the components of single-ply systems, characteristics of various types of single-ply membranes on the market, and various application methods and skills unique to single-ply roof systems. Application of Single-ply Roof Membrane—Field and Surfacing gives step-by-step instructions for proper single-ply roof system installation, and Application of Single-ply Roof Membrane—Flashings reviews the principles of proper vertical and horizontal flashings, as well as the proper installation of flashing on single-ply roof systems.

The Alliance adds new member

Commerce City, Colo.-based D & D Roofing Inc. has joined The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress. The Alliance now has 121 members.

The Alliance was established in 1996 within the National Roofing Foundation, a separate but related educational and research organization of NRCA, to address critical industry issues.

The Alliance is open to all roofing contractors and industry partners. Alliance members are committed to securing the future excellence of the roofing industry.

For more information or to join the Alliance, contact Bennett Judson, the Alliance's executive director, at (800) 323-9545, ext. 7513 or bjudson@roofingindustryalliance.net.

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Callback: In "Gold standards," May issue, page 30, it incorrectly stated that Edward J. Laperouse Metal Works Inc., Houma, La., did not charge for its labor when, in fact, it did. Professional Roofing regrets the error.