Research + Tech

ASTM International committee presents award

ASTM International’s Committee D08 on Roofing and Waterproofing has presented its William C. Cullen Award to Matthew Dupuis, president of NRCA member SRI Consultants, Waunakee, Wis. The award recognizes members who demonstrate outstanding contributions and personal commitment to the field.

A member of ASTM International since 2015, Dupuis was recognized for his distinguished committee contributions and commitment to the roofing and waterproofing industries. The committee highlighted Dupuis’ outstanding leadership, technical research and information exchange through numerous technical publications and presentations. Dupuis also is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

How to keep employees’ cell phones secure

Mobile devices are useful to keep employees connected to the workplace, but with increasing cybersecurity risks, cell phone security is important.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce shares ways employers can keep employees’ cell phones secure:

• Train employees regarding device safety. Whether employees are using company cell phones or their own devices, you should issue a mobile security policy that provides clear guidelines addressing what is acceptable behavior and train employees regarding device safety and taking security seriously.
• Use antivirus software. Although cell phones have safeguards, antivirus software adds a layer of protection from malware and ransomware attacks. In addition, antivirus software sometimes can monitor employee text messages and call logs for suspicious activity.
• Back up cell phones regularly. Ask employees to regularly back up their devices as they would a laptop or PC so they can recover any lost data.
• Safeguard passwords. Encourage employees to change their passwords every 90 days and enable two-factor authentication. Strong passwords contain at least eight characters that are a mix of numbers, symbols and uppercase and lowercase letters.
• Use a virtual private network. A VPN establishes a secure connection between a mobile device and the company network, protecting all communication through an open Wi-Fi network by masking your IP address and encrypting all personal data.
• Require technical updates. Software updates on cell phones can improve a device’s functionality and protect devices from cyberattacks and viruses. Encourage employees to update their cell phones regularly.
• Consider issuing company phones. Employees who use their personal cell phones for work pose the biggest security threats. You cannot enforce security protocols unless you provide company-issued cell phones, so it may be something to consider.

IBHS updates asphalt shingle performance ratings

The Insurance Institute of Business & Home Safety has updated its Impact-Resistant Shingle Performance Ratings. The ratings are updated every two years based on research evaluating the performance of impact-resistant asphalt shingles, using a testing protocol that mimics real-world hail damage.

Since the ratings were first released in 2019, shingle manufacturers have used the findings to improve existing products and remove poor-performing asphalt shingles from the consumer market. Homeowners also can use the ratings to choose more durable products.

IBHS’ Impact-Resistant Shingle Performance Ratings are available at ibhs.org/hail/shingle-performance-ratings.

SPRI revises wind design standard for vegetative roof systems

SPRI has announced it will revise and recanvass ANSI/SPRI RP-14, “Wind Design Standard for Vegetative Roofing Systems,” for reapproval as an American National Standard.

ANSI/SPRI RP-14 provides a method of designing for wind-uplift resistance of vegetative roof systems. The standard helps identify the ballast type or weight needed for vegetative roof systems to resist uplift forces, as well as drainage options.

The standard was last approved during a 2022 review process during which changes were identified to improve the document and remove extraneous information. The current revision will incorporate those changes.