Photos courtesy of Supreme Systems Inc., Dallas.
Photos courtesy of Supreme Systems Inc., Dallas.
Photo courtesy of Supreme Systems Inc., Dallas.
Photo courtesy of Supreme Systems Inc., Dallas.
Every year, about 100,000 people seek help from The Women's Center, a facility based in Fort Worth, Texas, that offers rape crisis and victim services, employment solutions and counseling. The center works with women, men and children to help them confront and overcome their desperate situations—which often include rape and sexual abuse, unemployment, debt, depression, and other situations stemming from family violence or poverty—and build skills and strategies that will help improve their lives.
In 2005, when the center was in its 25th year of service, its ability to serve the community was hindered because the 50-year-old building in which the center functioned no longer could accommodate the center's staff, more than 400 volunteers and various programs. The center began a campaign to build a 25,246-square-foot facility on a 2 1/2-acre plot of land next to its existing building. However, as project planning progressed, the new building's costs surpassed the center's original expectations—one of the most expensive elements was the building's roof system, which included metal panels and TPO.
Fundraising efforts
Sandra McGlothlin, co-owner of Empire Roofing Ltd., Forth Worth, is an active volunteer with The Women's Center. Knowing the financial issues the center faced with the construction of its new facility, McGlothlin contacted Tim Rainey, president and owner of Supreme Systems Inc., Dallas, in spring of 2007 to discuss partnering to coordinate donations of labor and materials to provide a new roof system for the facility for free.
McGlothlin, who at the time was immediate former president of the North Texas Roofing Contractors Association (NTRCA), and Rainey, who was NTRCA's president, introduced The Women's Center to NTRCA members at a "meet and greet" event in the fall of 2007, and in February 2008, NTRCA officially launched its Raise the Roof for The Women's Center campaign at its annual dinner.
"In that one night, we raised more than $40,000 in donations," Rainey says.
In April 2008, Supreme Systems and Empire Roofing organized a meeting with various NTRCA-member manufacturers, suppliers and contractors and asked them to participate by donating materials, money and time for the new facility's roof system.
Among the many contributors were Bradco Supply Corp., Avenel, N.J.; Firestone Metal Products Co. LLC/UNA-CLAD, Anoka, Minn.; Hunter Panels, Portland, Maine; Mid-South Lumber Co., Dallas; OMG Roofing Products, Agawam, Mass.; Triangle Fastener Corp., Pittsburgh; and U.S. PLY Inc., Fort Worth. Supreme Systems donated the labor for the project. By the time Supreme Systems began work on the new roof system in June 2008, the Raise the Roof for The Women's Center campaign had raised $320,400 worth of money, services and products, including metal panels, TPO insulation and fasteners.
A fast-track project
A Supreme Systems crew of 10 workers, including a superintendent and foreman, installed The Women's Center's new roof system, which consists of multiple levels and various roof system types. Worker safety was a big consideration on the 4:12 (18-degree) roof, and crew members were 100 percent tied-off at all times. All wore proper clothing, safety glasses, hard hats and vests, and a full-time safety monitor was in place.
Crew members installed a 4-inch-thick layer of Hunter Panels nailbase insulation to achieve an R-value of 22. Next, the crew installed Tarco LeakBarrier® PS 200 HT Ice and Water Armor self-adhering underlayment followed by about 32,600 square feet of Firestone Metal Products/UNA-CLAD 24-gauge Galvalume® standing-seam roof system and about 4,000 square feet of Firestone Metal Products/UNA-CLAD flush-seam soffit system.
"We discovered a possible risk regarding drainage issues at the tower," Rainey says. "We customized the cricket using TPO material, which we ran up the roof slope to prevent water from penetrating the roof system. We also created custom curbs to go around all roof penetrations to prevent water from entering the standing-seam ribs. Intricate details were used to transition the metal roof to the TPO roof."
The metal roof also had many hips and valleys, as well as canopy detailing, with which Supreme Systems had to contend.
"The project specifications called for a paint and finish warranty," Rainey says. "Supreme Systems provided the center with a Firestone Metal Products/UNA-CLAD Red Shield Warranty."
During the project, Supreme Systems encountered difficulties working at the small job site; The Women's Center continued to operate in its existing building next to the construction site. Because of space restrictions, project materials were stored on the roof rather than the ground. Also, ongoing communication was required to coordinate the delivery of materials.
Once the new building and roof system installation were completed, the original facility was demolished and debris removed. Empire Disposal, Fort Worth, headed disposal efforts, and the former building site was turned into a parking lot to provide adequate parking for the new facility.
Helping those who help
The Women's Center's roof system installation was completed on schedule in October 2008 with no delays or complications.
The Women's Center expressed its satisfaction with its new roof system by nominating Supreme Systems and Empire Roofing for NRCA's Gold Circle Award for Service to the Community.
"Winning the award and having the complete satisfaction that we led the charge to provide a new, 100 percent donated roof for The Women's Center has been rewarding," Rainey says. "It's also rewarding to know we helped an organization that never ceases to help others."
To read about other recent charitable contributions made within the roofing industry, see "A million ways to give," page 26.
Ashley St. John is Professional Roofing's associate editor.
Project name: The Women's Center
Project location: Fort Worth, Texas
Project duration: June-October 2008
Roof system types: Metal and TPO
Roofing contractors: Empire Roofing Ltd., Fort Worth, and Supreme Systems Inc., Dallas
Roofing materials manufacturer: Firestone Metal Products LLC/UNA-CLAD, Anoka, Minn.
Gold Circle Award category: Service to the Community
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