New Ideas

Sheet metal manual is revised

The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association has released its Architectural Sheet Metal Manual, 7th Edition, which contains the latest wind-test reports for custom architectural sheet metal and more.

The 542-page manual includes new commentary and drawings. New chapters and appendices discuss wall and roof penetrations, interior architectural sheet metal elements, architectural fascia and coping wind-test reports, and general guidelines about joint sealants for architects. Information about skylight, cornice, historical dome and spire restoration has been expanded, and the new edition also includes a historic architectural sheet metal qualification form, jointly developed with The American Institute of Architects. New information also is included in the moisture and maintenance guide regarding underlayments.

The manual also provides soldering guidance to assist with evaluating skills in new and enhanced metals selection and includes data about stainless steel.

Website: www.smacna.org/bookstore
Telephone: (703) 803-2989

Safety eyewear resists fog

Gateway Safety Inc. has introduced Swap,® its anti-fog glasses-to-goggles eyewear. A foam lining surrounds the one-piece lens, blocks dust and debris, and includes venting channels to help reduce hot-air buildup. The Swap lens is coated on both sides with Gateway Safety's anti-fog formula.

Swap can be changed from glasses to goggles by switching the temples with a head strap.

Website: www.gatewaysafety.com
Telephone: (800) 822-5347

Solar racking system is easy to install

Sollega's InstaRack™ ballasted solar racking system now can be assembled with one 5/16- by 7/8-inch bolt size, reportedly making installation easier and quicker. Two of the bolts are pre-installed on top of the InstaRack to make the upper strut attachment seamless. Three channel nuts are pre-inserted to simplify the lower strut attachment and the InstaRacks' north-south connection.

InstaRack arrays also now are grounded through the strut rail with Wiley Electronics LLC's WEEBs (washer, electrical equipment bonds)—a photovoltaic grounding system—at each module. This new feature reportedly reduces grounding hardware and installation time.

Website: www.sollega.com
Telephone: (855) 725-RACK (7225)

Underlayment is water-resistant

Atlas Roofing Corp. has released its SUMMIT® Synthetic Underlayment for steep-slope roofing applications. The product is made of inorganic, lightweight, strongly woven polypropylene fabric. Its ultraviolet- and water-resistant coatings reportedly make it unaffected by water and sunlight exposure for at least six months. SUMMIT Synthetic Underlayment is packaged in 10-square rolls weighing less than 30 pounds each.

Website: www.atlasroofing.com
Telephone: (800) 388-6134

Retractable lanyard attaches to webbing belt

Hammerhead Industries Inc. has introduced its Gear Keeper® webbing belt with a factory-mounted retractable lanyard system. Users can mount any Hammerhead Industries 2-Axis retractable lanyards directly to their webbing belts. The 2-Axis retractor series allows a 360-degree rotation on the belt, as well as a 180-degree swing away from the body for full range of motion.

Once mounted on the belt, the retractor can be moved to different positions. Also, the user can convert the retractor-belt combination to a slide on-off unit for any belt while still being secure.

Other options, such as retractor forces from 3 to 68 ounces; a split ring or fixed lanyard end type; and mounting features, including a 360-degree clamp-on clip, snap clip and rotating clip-on belt, are available.

Extension length depends on the force selected and ranges from 16 to 42 inches.

Website: www.gearkeeper.com
Telephone: (888) 588-9981

NRCA product

NRCA releases new manuals

NRCA has made Guidelines for Complying With Energy Code Requirements for Roof Assemblies: International Energy Conservation Code, 2009 and 2012 Editions; NRCA Guidelines for Roof Systems With Rooftop Photovoltaic Components; and The NRCA Safety Manual, Third Edition available for pre-order in the NRCA Bookstore.

Guidelines for Complying With Energy Code Requirements for Roof Assemblies: International Energy Conservation Code, 2009 and 2012 Editions provides a step-by-step guide for complying with the requirement of the International Energy Conservation Code's 2009 and 2012 editions and ASHRAE 90.1, "Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings," 2007 and 2010 editions.

NRCA Guidelines for Roof Systems With Rooftop Photovoltaic Components updates NRCA's original photovoltaic (PV) guidelines published in 2009 and provides NRCA's latest best practices for PV roof systems, including information about new energy code requirements applicable to rooftop PV systems. The guide also contains figures displaying proper PV system installation, helpful references and a topic-specific glossary.

The NRCA Safety Manual, Third Edition provides updated and expanded explanations of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation regulations along with industry practices developed and compiled to improve worker safety on roofing job sites. Critical topic areas reflect recent OSHA changes involving crane operations, rigging equipment and fall protection. Information regarding asbestos, fire safety, hazardous materials and hazardous wastes, silica, MDI, lead and noise exposure also has been updated.

Guidelines for Complying With Energy Code Requirements for Roof Assemblies: International Energy Conservation Code, 2009 and 2012 Editions is $65 for NRCA members and $125 for nonmembers. NRCA Guidelines for Roof Systems With Rooftop Photovoltaic Components is $55 for NRCA members and $110 for nonmembers. And The NRCA Safety Manual, Third Edition is $150 for NRCA members and $295 for nonmembers. For more information and to pre-order the publications, go to shop.nrca.net or contact NRCA's Customer Service Department at (866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722) or info@nrca.net.