NRCA Resources

NRCA University will hold educational courses during NRCA's convention

NRCA University will offer educational courses during NRCA's 123rd Annual Convention, which will be held Feb. 20-24, 2010. The following educational courses will be offered Sunday, Feb. 21:

• CERTA Train-the-trainer Authorization is a 10-hour accreditation program that uses classroom instruction and hands-on torching activities to demonstrate how to teach torch safety. After successfully completing the program, participants will be authorized to conduct CERTA certification training and will receive training materials, including an instructors guide and English and Spanish editions of the CERTA student manual and training video.
• Roofing Safety: OSHA 10-hour Program is the only Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10-hour construction program designed to help identify and avoid common roofing-related hazards. The program includes video segments of job-site scenarios showing hazards and their remedies. The information is essential for those who need to know current OSHA safety requirements or ensure the requirements are met. Upon completion, participants will receive an OSHA 10-hour safety training completion card.
• For Foremen and Superintendents Only focuses on communication and management skills for field managers. Upon completion, participants will be able to identify positive and negative communication approaches; recognize their own communication styles; improve their communication skills; articulate ways to increase crew productivity; improve their management skills; identify steps to improve their leadership skills; implement conflict resolution with employees in discipline situations; and translate learning to on-the-job situations.
• Roofing Industry Fall Protection from A to Z is designed to increase awareness of fall-protection hazards and help participants become familiar with the specific equipment to use and work practices to employ to avoid such hazards. Participants will learn about OSHA's fall-protection requirements and fall-protection systems' components. The course also demonstrates equipment and techniques for self-rescue and relief of suspension trauma.

Registration can be completed at www.theroofingexpo.com. For more information, contact NRCA's Customer Service Department at (866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722) or info@nrca.net.

Order your 2010 NRCA roofing manual

NRCA is accepting orders for The NRCA Roofing Manual: Architectural Metal Flashing, Condensation Control and Reroofing—2010, as well as the corresponding CDs containing the manual and construction details. The manual completes The NRCA Roofing Manual's four-volume set and will be available for shipping Jan. 1, 2010.

The print edition of the manual is $125 for NRCA members and $195 for nonmembers. All NRCA members in good standing will receive a complimentary copy of the manual.

For more information or to place an order, visit shop.nrca.net or contact NRCA's Customer Service Department at (866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722) or info@nrca.net.

The center testifies regarding U.S. roofs' energy potential

At the invitation of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing testified regarding U.S. roof systems' energy potential and how government energy policies can maximize the opportunities afforded by the U.S.' more than 200 billion square feet of roof surface.

During a hearing entitled "Energy Efficiency at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs," Jim Hoff, the center's research director, discussed the magnitude of roofing's contribution to energy efficiency and various ways to use U.S. rooftops to meet broader goals of reducing energy consumption.

Because about 75 percent of roof systems are installed on existing buildings, Hoff also advocated the establishment of a roofing energy standard within the Department of Veterans Affairs procurement protocols separate from overall building energy standards to help ensure best energy practices are realized in all roof system design and purchasing decisions. Hoff also recommended a condition assessment of existing roof systems be mandated whenever a rooftop solar system's design or installation is considered.

Craig Silvertooth, the center's executive director, expressed appreciation for the seriousness with which the testimony was received, saying: "Ranking Member Steve Buyer's (R-Ind.) comments supporting the inclusion of professional roofing contractors in all roofing-related energy projects, including photovoltaic and other renewable-energy systems, are particularly welcome."

Buyer's comments also were supported by Richard Nugent, the center's vice chairman and president of Nations Roof LLC, Lithia Springs, Ga., who said: "Involving a roofing professional in all roofing-related energy projects is critical, especially to prevent unexpected roof leaks, maintain roof warranty coverage, support continuous building operations and ensure safe conditions when working at heights."

In addition, Hoff and Silvertooth expressed the center's support for H.R. 292, Department of Veterans Affairs Energy Sustainability Act of 2009, sponsored by Buyer and Rep. Michael Michaud (D-Maine).

"The bipartisan support behind this important energy bill strongly demonstrates the committee's commitment to ensure our veterans facilities meet the best energy standards to support the U.S.' strategic interests," Hoff says.

For more information about the center, visit www.roofingcenter.org.

2010 IRE will feature a Power Panel

The 2010 International Roofing Expo® (IRE) taking place Feb. 22-24 in New Orleans will host a Power Panel Monday, Feb. 22, to discuss strategies and solutions to help roofing professionals recover from a tough economy.

The Power Panel will be held in the La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom at the Morial Convention Center from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Moderator Tom Swartz, owner of J.J. Swartz Co., Decatur, Ill., will lead the panel, which will include Nelson Braddy, general partner of King of Texas Roofing Co. LP, Grand Prairie; Alex Hernandez, vice president of Clark Roofing Co., Broadview, Ill.; Rob Kornahrens, founder and chief executive officer of Advanced Roofing Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Jamie McAdam, president of F.J. Dahill Co. Inc., New Haven, Conn.; and Lisa Sprick, president of Sprick Roofing Co. Inc., Corvallis, Ore.

Those planning to attend the Power Panel can submit questions to be discussed during the panel when they register for the IRE. Questions also can be submitted during the panel discussion.

Sponsored by Professional Roofing, the Power Panel is free and included with IRE registration, which can be completed at www.theroofingexpo.com or by e-mailing info@theroofingexpo.com or calling (972) 819-7606 or (866) 860-1970.

For information about NRCA's 123rd Annual Convention, which will be held Feb. 20-24 in conjunction with the 2010 IRE, visit www.nrca.net or contact Bennett Judson, NRCA' associate executive director of meeting services, at (800) 323-9545, ext. 7513 or bjudson@nrca.net.

NRCA releases PV guidelines

NRCA has released Guidelines for Roof-mounted Photovoltaic System Installations, the roofing industry's first document addressing photovoltaic (PV) roof systems.

The technical resource provides best-practice guidelines for low- and steep-slope roof systems involving adhered or rack-mounted PV system installations. It includes four sections complemented by construction details, helpful references and a topic-specific glossary. The publication is $55 for NRCA members and $110 for nonmembers.

For more information or to order a copy of the publication, visit shop.nrca.net or contact NRCA's Customer Service Department at (866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722) or info@nrca.net.

NRCA to offer rooftop PV seminar

In spring 2010, NRCA University will offer Rooftop Photovoltaics: Energizing Your Business, a seminar designed for roofing contractors, designers and specifiers who are interested in properly designing, installing or maintaining photovoltaic (PV) roof systems.

The one-day PV technical conference will address available PV technology; installation and application recommendations for low- and steep-slope applications; building codes and standards; regional and national tax credits and incentives, including those in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; unique safety concerns; Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and Green Globes rating systems; and product warranties. Case studies, success stories and profitable business models also will be reviewed.

Rooftop Photovoltaics: Energizing Your Business will be held on the following dates in 2010 in the following locations:

• April 8 in Chicago
• April 13 in Los Angeles
• April 29 in Raleigh, N.C.
• May 5 in Philadelphia
• May 27 in Dallas

For more information or to register, visit www.nrca.net/nrcauniversity or contact NRCA's Customer Service Department at (866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722) or info@nrca.net.