New Ideas

Scaffold system is mobile

SGB has released its BoSS Tower, a mobile scaffold system. The system is made of aluminum or glass-reinforced plastic tubing that can be assembled by two workers. The 75-foot-high modular tower reportedly can be constructed with interchangeable pieces in areas with restricted access or sloped surfaces. The product does not require special transportation, mechanical maintenance or storage.

Handbooks feature tips and guidelines

CertainTeed Corp. has released its Flintlastic® Modified Bitumen™ Application Handbook, a color-illustrated booklet that provides tips and guidelines about the company's Flintlastic roofing products. The pocket-sized handbook includes information about substrate preparation; base sheet requirements; APP- and SBS-modified bitumen field applications; and proper flashing details for drains, vent pipes and others. The handbook also contains safety tips.

In addition, the company has released Frequently Asked Questions about CertainTeed Commercial Roof Systems, a 36-page pocket-sized booklet for roofing contractors, distributors, specifiers and property owners. The guide, which includes a glossary of low-slope roofing terms, provides information about CertainTeed warranties and organizations that offer application and safety training, as well as explains the differences between APP- and SBS-modified bitumen.

Roof system is not torch-applied

GAF Materials Corp. has made available its Liberty™ SBS Self-Adhering Roofing System that is applied without torches, open flames, hot asphalt or solvent-based adhesives. The product, which features a split-back release film for adhesion, can be installed on low-slope roof systems as a one- or two-ply granular-surfaced system. The system is available in black, white or tan.

The company also released its Jumbo Royal Sovereign® shingles that are 17 inches by 40 inches. The shingle size reportedly allows 48 shingles to be installed per square using 192 nails compared with 80 standard-sized shingles and 320 nails per square, reducing labor by 40 percent. The shingles are available in charcoal; weathered gray; Williamsburg slate; and white, which meets Energy Star® criteria for reflectivity.

In addition, GAF Materials has released its 12-inch-wide TimberCREST™ Ridge Cap Shingles, which are said to reduce labor by 10 percent compared with standard 10-inch-wide ridge cap shingles. The products are compatible with coil and hard-plastic ridge vents and feature self-sealing adhesive and asphalt formulations that are said to conform to a roof. The products' nonwoven fiberglass-mat cores reportedly prevent cracking during installation.

And the company has made available its Roof Advisor™ Software to help match roof system technologies to specific projects. After a contractor inputs information about a project's location and use, a property owner's budget and other details, the software lists three recommended roof systems for the project with explanations for why they were chosen.

Acrylic system protects roof systems

Uniflex® Roofing Systems LLC has released its Acrylic Roof Coating System to protect smooth built-up, modified bitumen and granular cap-sheet roof systems. The coating is made of a light-blue, rubber-modified hydrophobic acrylic base coat with an acrylic, elastomeric finish that is said to be reflective and resist asphalt staining.

Impact tools are versatile

Hitachi Power Tools has made available its DM series of cordless impact drivers—the 9.6-volt Model No. WH9DM and 12-volt Model No. WH12DM. The drivers can tighten and loosen screws, nuts and bolts, as well as drill.

The company also released its impact wrenches—the 9.6-volt Model No. WR9DM and 12-volt Model No. WR12DM—that feature torque levels up to 1,330 inches per pound. The tools feature heat-resistant motors and dust-resistant bearings.

Alarm warns of electricity

Baker Equipment has made available its High Voltage Live Line Alarm that warns users of the possibility of electric shock. The watch-sized alarm is worn on a worker's dominant arm and detects high-voltage energized parts up to 59 inches away. The product has a 65-decibel alarm and contains a lithium battery.

Boom lift has higher reach

JLG® Industries Inc. has released its Model No. 1350SJP telescoping boom lift that has a 135-foot platform height. The lift features drive-out extendable axles, four-wheel drive and a JLG JibPLUS® articulating jib with horizontal and vertical ranges of motion. The lift has a 1,000-pound restricted platform capacity and 500-pound unrestricted platform capacity.

Pressure washer is collapsible

Coleman Powermate® has released its Stow-A-Way™ 2200 pressure washer that collapses to less than one-third its original width for storage. The product has 2,200-pounds-per-square-inch water pressure for cleaning various surfaces. The pressure washer features a rust-resistant wand and adjustable nozzle for various spray patterns, as well as a thermal-relief valve.

Ventilation fan is redesigned

Solatube® International Inc. has redesigned its Solatube ventilation add-on kit's fan for the company's 10-inch tubular skylights. The fan, made of noncorrosive polymeric material, features the company's proprietary twin-fan motor technology, which is said to overcome static pressure and increase airflow. The fan's brushless motor, which is available in 110 volts or 230 volts, has external rotors with sealed ball bearings and protected electrical components.

Vacuum transfers caulk and adhesives

Force-Flo Inc. has released a new version of its Model 5 Series Vacuum Loader that transfers low-viscosity adhesives, sealants, caulks and other materials from 5-gallon tapered plastic buckets to caulking guns. The vacuum's seal reportedly keeps the material contamination-free and withdraws all the material from a bucket. The vacuums are available for various caulking-gun styles.

Tape guides shingle and shake courses

THOR® Systems Inc. has developed Classic 4-in-1 tape that is designed to help lay out steep-slope metal shingle and shake courses.

The company partnered with Classic Products Inc. to make the tape usable with Classic Products' Country Manor Shakes, Rustic Shingles, Oxford Shingles and TimberCreek Steel Shakes. The product's markings can be chalked to create a grid on a roof deck.

Access hatch is versatile

The Bilco Co. has released its VersaMount™ access hatch that can be used in new construction, retrofit or replacement applications. The hatch features a wood mounting frame that can be separated from it and attached to an existing curb or around a curbless opening. The frame allows the hatch to be raised to resize a nonstandard opening. The hatch's anchor clips, which are fastened to the interior of the hatch's frame, are said to attach to horizontal or vertical surfaces.

Brackets snap gutters in place

RHEINZINK CANADA LTD. has made available its RHEINZINK® snap-lock bracket system. The product consists of twist-in gutter brackets and a C-profile mounting rail that fastens to an eave. The system requires half-round 333 (6-inch) RHEINZINK gutters and is said to be corrosion-resistant and sustain heavy loads.

Manual addresses sheet metal

The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association has released its Residential Sheet Metal Guidelines, which addresses fabrication and installation of sheet metal on low-slope buildings up to three stories high. The 130-page manual contains drawings and climate information to help contractors, designers, builders and homeowners select details for specific applications. The resource addresses roof drainage systems, roof decks, chimneys and other topics.

Locking cable is adjustable

Master Lock® has released its Python™ Adjustable Locking Cable that can be cinched and locked from 1 foot to 6 feet. The cable is made of vinyl-coated, 3/8-inch braided steel that is said to be weather- and cut-resistant. The product is available in a standard 6-foot length, but interchangeable lengths from 4 feet to 30 feet can be purchased.

Accessories speed work pace

Building Materials Corp. of America has introduced its Metalastic® Expansion Joint Covers; the covers' backings can be peeled off and applied over seams. The covers are available in lengths up to 250 feet for a reported increased work pace and can be used on thermoset single-ply and hot-, cold- and torch-applied roof systems.

In addition, the company has made available its MonsterGrip™ Roof Assembly Adhesive that is said to cure in 30 minutes to 40 minutes. The product contains no volatile organic compounds and is available in a quart tube, pail or pump. The adhesive meets standards for wind-uplift and fire resistance.

Lightning system detects and warns

Lynscan Inc. has released its SkyScan 4000, a patented lightning-detection and warning system that can identify lightning up to 40 miles away. The system sounds a 120-decibel alarm and flashes a strobe light when a storm is within 8 miles, and an all-clear signal is sounded when it is safe to work outside. The product can be powered by a battery or solar panel and self tests every 12 hours.

Fall protection is enhanced

Dalloz Fall Protection™ has enhanced select Miller® Fall Protection Products by including DuPont Teflon HT on their webbing. The invisible Teflon reportedly will repel water, oil, grease, dirt and concrete dust that could erode or degrade webbing.

In addition, the company now offers a Limited Lifetime Warranty on all its Miller Fall Protection Products. The warranty will repair or replace any defective materials not caused by wear and tear.

Larger sheets reduce labor

Sarnafil Inc. has made available its EnergySmart® thermoplastic membranes in 10- by 100-foot dimensions to reduce labor. The products reportedly reduce seam welding by 35 percent on a typical 100,000-square-foot building compared with 6-foot-wide membrane seams. The Energy Star®-compliant membranes can be used on mechanically attached and adhered roof systems.

In addition, the company has made available its Sarnafil Express,™ a double-weld mechanical attachment system to be used with the company's membranes. The system consists of a polymer batten strip with a continuous hot-air weld on each side and Sarna fasteners in the membrane overlap. The system reportedly reduces peeling seams, fastener pullout, membrane tears, and loss of fastener load caused by substrate damage or compression.

Railings fit roof hatches

Nystrom Building Products has made available its roof hatch safety railing systems that are designed to fit new and retrofit roof hatches. The fall-protection railings are made of galvanized steel and reportedly can be installed on a roof hatch's curb in about two hours. In addition, roofing workers can hold on to the product when entering or exiting a roof hatch.

Screw systems feature extensions

PAM® Fastening Technology has made available its PAM Fastening P13 Series, an automatic-feed screw system that incorporates an extension for applications that require kneeling. The guns, Model Nos. P13KDE and P13KUE, are compatible with 1- to 3-inch screws and are 40 inches long with the extensions. Model No. P13KUE's extension can be removed for other applications. In addition, bit changing reportedly does not require extra tools.

Adhesive attaches insulation

Honeywell Commercial Roofing Systems has made available its ArmorLoK Plus™ insulation adhesive to attach roof insulation to structural roof decks, base sheets and smooth built-up roof systems. The product, a liquid-applied, single-component, low-rise urethane foam adhesive, contains no solvents and is said to set within minutes of application. The adhesive reportedly remains flexible and absorbs stress while providing wind-uplift resistance.

Scaffold system is built with lumber

Quickproducts has released its Easy Up Portable Scaffolding System™ that is built with three sets of aluminum support pieces, 2- by 6-inch lumber and 2- by 10-inch wood planks. The system, which is designed for residential use, can be attached to siding, fascia or soffits and reportedly can be erected in less than one hour.