New Ideas

Tarpaulin moves roof debris

ToMorrow's Products Inc. has released its TarpEase™ product that can move up to 500 pounds of debris off a roof.

The rubber-infused tarpaulin measures 6 square feet and fits on two aluminum plates. The 11-pound product mounts on four wheels to help roll the tarpaulin across a roof. Handles are located at the tarpaulin's corners so four roofing workers can move the tarpaulin to a roof's edge and slide debris into a trash bin. The product is said to reduce tear-off effort and increase job efficiency.

Safety guide now available

SPRI has released its SPRI SAFETY GUIDE that provides information about safety on roofs and in construction areas. The waterproof, pocket-sized manualdiscusses clothing and equipment, ground and roof checks, climbing safety, environmental conditions and other topics.

Membranes available in more colors

CertainTeed Corp.'s Commercial Roofing Division has made available its Flintlastic® GTA APP-modified bitumen and Flintlastic® GMS SBS-modified bitumen roof membranes in eight additional colors. The colors include burnt sienna, colonial slate, heather blend, resawn shake, driftwood, weathered wood, moire black and hunter green. The membranes also are available in white.

Various software systems available

AppliCad Australia has incorporated a function on its construction software that can determine fall-protection anchor placement. The function also determines lifeline length and produces a fall-protection drawing. In addition, fall-protection parts, materials and accessories needed for roof system installation are listed.

The company also has developed Warlock, a software system that can be used alone or integrated with the company's other roofing software systems. Warlock produces drawings of roofs and walls and generates a list of material requirements, including wall and roof trim accessories.

In addition, AppliCad has released its pocketROOFmedia field recording program, a Windows CE-based estimating system that can be used with HP Jordada and Compaq IPAQ personal digital assistants. The program can estimate roof slopes; draw a roof system; assign eaves, hips and valleys; and measure 3-D roof areas and lengths. A pocket camera can be integrated into the system, and users may store notes by using a voice recorder, writing or text messaging. The program also includes a calendar to manage tasks and set appointments.

Metal roof panel's performance improves

Met-Tile Inc. has improved the performance of Met-Tile,® its metal roof panel that resembles tile. The panel now is said to resist hail and winds up to 230 mph. The product, which is installed vertically, weighs 125 pounds per square and is 3 feet wide. The panel is available in 10 shades of corrosion-resistant, environmental paint.

Book contains international codes

The International Code Council and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Inc. have released 2000 International Codes UL Referenced Standards—Building Provisions.™ The book contains more than 25 international UL standards published in the 2000 International Building Code (IBC) and building chapters of the 2000 International Residential Code (IRC). The book was published to accompany IBC and IRC.

Product eases drainage connections

RHEINZINK America Inc. has made available its RHEINZINK®-Connecting Pipe, which is said to simplify roof drainage for stacked balconies, canopies and other areas that require specific drainage connections.

The pipe consists of RHEINZINK®-rainwater downpipes and provides connections for the company's rainwater drainage system. Pipes of various dimensions are connected with the RHEINZINK®-Adaptor Cone, which is said to fit a connecting pipe without being soldered.

Kit features reciprocating saw

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. has made available its 5-Pack 18-Volt Combination Kit that features its new reciprocating Cordless Sawzall—the Hatchet.™

The saw, which is 13 inches long and designed for use in small spaces, features a six-position pivoting handle and orbital action that allows it to cut through wood and metal. In addition to the hatchet, the kit includes a 6 1/2-inch circular saw, 1/2-inch T-handle driver/drill, work light and job-site radio.

Screwdriver is for outdoor applications

Metabo Corp. has released its electric screwdriver—DWSE 6.3—that is designed for outdoor applications, such as cladding steel-framed buildings and roofing.

The screwdriver features a 550-watt motor and 27-inches-per-pound to 159-inches-per-pound torque settings. The product can drill up to 1/4-inch self-drilling screws and up to 5/16-inch self-tapping screws, as well as chipboard screws and wood screws.

Base fittings prevent welding

Kee Industrial Products Inc. has released two base fittings—Models L150 and L152—to its line of Kee Lite® aluminum fittings that are designed for railings, guardrails and other aluminum structures.

Model L150 provides a heavy-duty, four-point base flange for use as a structural fitting. Model L152 provides a four-point base flange and wall flange. The fittings are made of aluminum silicon magnesium and reportedly are corrosion-resistant. The fittings can be used with 1 1/4- and 1 1/2-inch pipes and do not require welding.

Product protects Waterproofing

W.R. Meadows Inc. has released its SEALTIGHT® VIBRAFLEX® Bridge Deck Protection Course that protects waterproofing membranes. The product is made of a mineral-fortified asphalt core between one layer of asphalt-saturated felt and one layer of fiberglass. The product reportedly is compatible with EPDM, butyl, neoprene rubber and PVC membranes, as well as built-up roof systems.

The product can be used in new waterproofing applications and to correct problems on concrete, wood, steel, and prestressed or precast concrete structures.

Instruments detect moisture

GE Protimeter has released three hand-held instruments that are designed to detect moisture in building materials.

The Protimeter Surveymaster SM uses pin electrodes and noninvasive radio frequencies to detect moisture. The Protimeter Hygromaster features a detachable Hygrostick probe, which can measure ambient conditions, relative humidity and temperature and be embedded in wall cavities and floors. And the Protimeter Moisture Measurement System uses radio frequencies and the Hygrostick to determine moisture levels, relative humidity and temperature.

Dam prevents snow and ice slides

Thybar Corp. has released its Thycurb Snow Dam that prevents up to 2,000 pounds of snow and ice from sliding off metal roof systems.

The product consists of an aluminum guard that fastens to a panel's standing seam, which reportedly allows a panel to expand and contract. The guard features prepunched holes for fastening, and tape mastic can be used to seal the dam's base with a standing seam.

Underlayment features rip cord

W.R. Grace & Co.'s Grace Ice & Water Shield® now features a RIPCORD embedded under the release liner. The cord reportedly splits the release liner into two pieces when pulled, which gives workers the option to separate the release liner during installation and removal or work with the release liner in one piece.