Research + Tech

IIBEC releases new manual of practice

The International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants has made available its 2020 Manual of Practice: Roofing, Waterproofing, Exterior Wall Consulting and Quality Assurance Observation. The third edition of the manual contains updated industry standards of practice for building enclosure consultants and quality assurance observers.

With more than 300 pages of information, photos, graphics and fillable forms, the manual provides recommended best practices in all areas of building enclosure consulting, including commissioning, testing and expert witness services. New topics addressed include drone use for roof and façade examinations, electronic leak detection for locating breaches in membranes, and whole-building air leakage testing for determining the airtightness of enclosures. Procedures for construction contract administration, contract administration forms, a glossary of industry terms and standards pertinent to building enclosure consulting also are included.

The manual is available at iibec.org/hub/manual-of-practice.

COVID-19 toolbox talks are available

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, safety software firm Harness has launched a free toolbox talk app that enables construction employers to easily disseminate COVID-19 information to their remote workforces and help document employee meetings.

Available throughout North America, the app features content from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health and World Health Organization. All information is organized into short toolbox talks that emphasize content relevant to construction workers, and all materials are available in English and Spanish. The app automatically is updated with the latest information. Employers can use the app to capture names and signatures from toolbox talk attendees, and records of each meeting can be emailed to employers’ offices. The app works on all mobile devices and is available at www.harnessup.com/covid-19.

In addition, NRCA has made available Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Awareness, a toolbox talk intended to help employers prepare for changes in the way work is normally performed. The toolbox talk is available in English and Spanish at www.nrca.net/covid-19-resources-for-roofing-contractors.

Miami-Dade County offers distance permitting for roofing contractors

On March 26, the Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources Construction, Permitting & Building Code Division announced a new ePermitting system application for metal roof panels (Category 96) is available for use by licensed roofing contractors. The expansion of the department’s proprietary ePermitting system will allow Category 96 permits to be issued online.

Metal roof panel online permit forms are available to be completed and submitted electronically by applicants. The forms are reviewed and approved programmatically if valid permit and job-site data are submitted. Permit fees are paid online using a credit card or e-Check. An applicant will be able to print the permit card and job-site documents from the department’s Print Permit Menu once the application has been approved and paid.

The availability of distance permitting allows roofing contractors to obtain permits remotely and is invaluable considering the urgent need to eliminate in-person gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A link to access “ePermitting Guidelines for Metal Roof Panels” is available at MiamiDade.gov/building.