RCI Interface SAN FRANCISCO OPENED UP HER GOLDEN GATE RQ’s 1988 convention, this year in San Francisco, was easily the biggest and best this organization has held. A combination of good speakers, an exceptional seminar, fine exhibits and a great city to play in made this a memorable experience for all those who attended. Because so much happened that is worth reporting to the member¬ ship, it was decided that a special issue of INTERFACE be put out on the convention alone. The May INTERFACE will only touch on some of the highlights of the conven¬ tion leaving the main reporting for the special issue. One of these is the new panel of officers who will lead RCI during this year. The membership elected the follow¬ ing slate to office: D.B. Hales, President George Kanz, 1st vice-President James McGowan, 2nd vice-President Donald Bush, Secretary Richard Horowitz, Treasurer Outgoing president Bob Phillips turning over mantel of office to President-elect Ben Hales. Message from the President Less than thirty days ago, as I write this column, I was elected to serve you as President of our Institute … I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to each one of you for your confidence and support. I also wish to pledge the effort necessary to produce a suc¬ cessful and dynamic year for growth and involve¬ ment by our Institute during this explosive period in RCI history. If that sounds impressive, it was meant to . . . Due to our excellent Membership and the work of those who have preceded me, the Roof Con¬ sultants Institute presently represents a National organization that the Roofing Industry at large is beginning to recognize. The National Roofing Con¬ tractors Association (NRCA) has acknowledged us. The National Bureau of Standards (NBS) has acknowledged us. The Roofing Industry Educational Institute (RIEI) has acknowledged us. The Better Understanding of Roofing Systems Institute (BURSI) has acknowledged us. Several States are beginning to acknowledge us. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Roof Consultants Institute, I encourage each of you to express a new pride in yourselves and in your Pro¬ fession, as well as in the Institute that serves all of us collectively. As we progress through 1988 together, I challenge each of you to demand excellence . . . excellence from yourselves, as well as from your In¬ stitute. I suggest that you study two, basic ques¬ tions. First, “What Can RCI Do For Me”? Second, “What Can I Do For RCI”? In response to these thoughts, please consider the following: A. POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF RCI MEMBERSHIP 1. Credibility gained from belonging to a Nationally recognized organization that is dedicated to the profession you serve. 2. Credentials gained by listing active member¬ ship in a professional organization on your resume. 3. Credentials gained by listing membership in RCI technical committees on your resume. 4. Opportunities for Industry and professional recognition as an officer of RCI. Once again, this produces resume material. 5. Recognition as a RCI Certified Roof Consul¬ tant for eligible members, providing you have passed a rigid examination and suc¬ cessfully demonstrated an acceptable level of roofing knowledge and experience. Continued on Page 2 Newsletter of the Roof Consultants Institute Message: From Page 1 6. Continuing Education through RCI National Convention programs and RCI Seminars. 7. Credit for Continuing Education through the RCIEU program. 8. Information about our Industry and our In¬ stitute through the RCI INTERFACE magazine. 9. Opportunities to become published within the RCI INTERFACE magazine. Technical articles of quality are always needed; preferably from RCI members. 10. Expanded thinking and resources through knowledge and professional contacts gained from meeting and talking with your peers at RCI National Conventions, RCI Regional Meetings and RCI Seminars. B. PROCEDURES TO MAXIMIZE THE BENEFITS OF RCI MEMBERSHIP 1. Become active in RCI. Join one of our com¬ mittees. If you do not agree with what is happening, make your position known . . . You might also seek to become Chairman of the committee. 2. Become active in RCI. Correspond frequent¬ ly with your Regional Director and your National Headquarters. Once again, let your thoughts be known. If your comments are significant to the business or direction of our Institute, your letter may be read and discussed during the monthly meetings of your RCI Executive Committee. 3. Become active in RCI. Try to attend every RCI Regional Meeting. Better yet, begin to participate in the programs and perhaps con¬ sider offering your services as a future RCI Regional Director. Most important . . . enjoy yourself and network with other profes¬ sionals. Never leave an RCI Regional Meeting without meeting a new person. Each contact might be the one that even¬ tually proves to be invaluable to your career. 4. Become active in RCI. Try to attend every RCI National Convention. You will drama¬ tically increase your technical knowledge through RCI Convention lectures and seminars, as well as Convention exhibitions tailored especially to professional con¬ sultants, designers and specifiers. Most im¬ portant . . . Enjoy yourself and meet new people. RCI Conventions are created for fun as well as learning. Never leave a RCI Na¬ tional Convention without new contacts or new opinions about things happening within our Industry, as well as new technical knowledge and answers for any of those pro¬ blems which have “stumped” you during the previous year. Not only can you find “second-opinions” at RCI National Conven¬ tions, you can get “thirds”, “fourths”, “fifths”, etc. . . .and there are no charges for services rendered. 3. Become active in RCI. Study hard and sit for the RCI Certified Roof Consultant Exam¬ ination at your earliest opportunity. This Certification is well on the way to becoming a Standard of Excellence for our entire Pro¬ fession. Gain the numerous benefits associated with being awarded your CRC distinction. 6. Become active in RCI. I challenge each of you to never allow more than one or two years go by without publishing a technical paper. First, nothing will force knowledge like researching and writing. Second, nothing will add credibility like being able to show that you have written something that has been published. That’s right . . . “Publish or Perish”! Remember our RCI INTERFACE Magazine stands ready to get you into print as soon as your paper passes the technical review. 7. Become active in RCI. As an officer within our organization you can have direct input into helping shape the future of our In¬ stitute. It has also been said that recognition as an officer of the Roof Consultants In¬ stitute can be a good career move. Unfortunately, time and space are not sufficient for me to elaborate on each of the items which have been addressed. I encourage you to read them carefully, several times, until you comprehend what has been said … By so doing, you shall benefit—as well as our Institute. Once again, thank you for your vote of confidence and the Presidency of RCI . . . Now, fasten your seatbelts! Ben Hales, President 2 Newsletter of the Roof Consultants Institute Editor-in-chief Victor Bedikian Associate Editor Chris Clarke Contributors Ben Hales Victor Bedikian D.B. Young Roger Grace Advisors Ben Hales Bob Phillips Art Direction Charles Steinbaugh “Flat Roofs— A Curse on Mankind’’, The Great Architect Cried By Victor Bedikian “Man, through out his history, has had to face major recurring problems such as war, famine, pestilence and death,” the great man said, tossing his leonine head fear¬ fully. “Less important,” he continued, “but just as en¬ during has been his attempt to prevent the elements from penetrating his shelter. These attempts have met with middling success. Leaky roofs, like gambling and pros¬ titution will probably be with us forever. Although tech¬ niques and roof materials have changed, humanity has not progressed very far in solving this problem.” He paused as he melodramatically drank some water from a glass placed on the lectern he was speaking from. “Before the twentieth century, man had at least the good sense, with some exceptions, to use pitched roofs to shed water. With the beginning of long spanning struc¬ tural systems along with the pressures for more economical means to enclose space, the flat roof came into its own.” “Five and six plys in coal tar pitch on simple, unclut¬ tered roofs were successful during the early twentieth cen¬ tury. There was little air conditioning equipment, few plumbing vents, elevator penthouses or other modern day requirements to go on or through the roof. As these func¬ tions eventually became incorporated into most roofing systems, the ability of this type of roof to perform ade¬ quately began to be tested. ’ ’ “What constitutes a good roofing system?” he roared, scaring the students in the first several rows. “Is a roof a success if it only has a leak or two at any one time? In my opinion it is not. In my thirty years in the building in¬ dustry I have not heard of a leak-free flat roof of two or more years old. ” Stopping and walking around the lectern toward the audience, he confided with them in a knowing way saying, “It is interesting to note that most roofers will rarely give roof guarantees of their own for more than two years. ’ ’ “Automobiles do not usually leak,” he harangued, “airplanes do not leak, even boats have a better record than flat roofs. Is a roof with a manufacturers’ rating of 10, 15 or 20 years living up to billing when only eighty percent of its membrane is functioning as it is suppose to be after only one half of its advertised life? I don’t believe it is. ’ ’ “Perhaps the penalties for failure are not high enough. If a roofer or manufacturer were threatened with the loss of a finger, or something worse, would the roofs be more leak free.” Balefully, he stared at the crowd before him for a few seconds and then as if he realized that they were not to blame for this problem, he continued, “There is, in my estimation, a conspiracy between Roofing Manufacturers, Roofers, Contractors, Architects and even Owners about the viability of composition roofing. All of them have serious doubts abouts its ability to perform to the levels claimed. The fact is, the built-up roof does not work very well. ’ ’ At this point, the audience broke into wild applause as if he had spoken of leading them to the promised land. When the noise dimmed he started again, this time in a lower key and a reasonable manner. “We put up with them because there are advantages in having flat roofs on certain types of buildings. To put inclined roofs with the proper slope over large spaces would result in either enor¬ mous attic areas or many sloped roof planes with an equal number of vulnerable valleys. Also, the cost is initially less than pitched roofs. However, if you consider a ten year period, the repairs both to the roof and interior finishes, along with aggravation caused the Owner, the cost is much higher.” “Can you imagine the effrontery of Manufacturers giv¬ ing a rating to a flat roof of 10, 15 or 20 years?” he bellowed. “Most do not last two years before they spring their first leak. Some have never been leak free. These first leaks are always answered by the manufacturer that they would never have occurred if normal maintenance procedures had been observed. What is normal maintenance procedures? Do they want us to spend weekends watching a gravel covered roof waiting for some sign of impending water penetration?” The audience now looked angry. Ugly sounds rumbled through their midst. Some looked toward the rear of the auditorium as if seeking some stray roofer or manufacturer to vent their wrath on. The great architect continued, “It is my own theory that flat roofs were invented by Lawyers. The amount of litigation generated by them bears me out. About seventyfive percent of all litigation concerning building defects are connected with roofing problems. My solution to ending this curse on mankind is one Shakespeare suggested, kill the lawyers. If that is not practical, then perhaps you would prefer another. Form a society to outlaw the flat roof. Who of you would like to join? And with that, the audience arose as one, crying “Me,” and shook their fists defiantly in the air. Siplast Sponsors Newsletter SIPLAST, a company which has helped pioneer major developments in modified asphalts and who has gained a reputation for providing quality roofing systems, has again come forth as one of the first, by their support of our growing organization in sponsoring the May issue of INTERFACE. We sincerely give our thanks to them for their backing. Newsletter of the Roof Consultants Institute Roof Management Program— Three Steps To Success By D. B. Young, Jr. A roof membrane is a consumable building element. Everyday part of the useful life is being consumed by wind, snow, rain, UV energy from the sun, as well as foot traffic and various forms of abuse, even vandalism. While other elements of a building (i.e. the paint finish) are more visible, and thus tend to be maintained on a regular basis, the roof membrane is usually hidden, not readily accessi¬ ble and often overlooked, until it is leaking. At this point, extensive and costly damage may have already occurred. The most important reason for establishing a roof management program is to protect the capital investment of a new roof. A properly functioning program will not only add years to the life of a roof, but it will detect minor problems before major damage to the roof is done and in¬ terior building damage occurs. STEP ONE The first step in the program is to establish roof infor¬ mation files. For each roof the information listed below needs to be assembled into a file. Information contained in the file is essential to any roof inspection if a proper evaluation of roof conditions is to be made. The record files should contain the following sections: Design Section: • Project records, roof drawings, and specifications and applicable addendums. • Roof plan(s) showing location of all penetrations and roof top equipment. • Approved submittals of material manufacturer’s pro¬ duct data specifications and components utilized in the construction of the new roof. Installation Section: • Field reports related to the roofing installation. • All correspondence between parties (i.e. general con¬ tractor, roofing subcontractor, architect/engineer, etc.) involved in the installation of the roof. Warranty Section: • Roof bonus guarantees from the roof and/or manufac¬ turer with telephone numbers and addresses for con¬ tacting in case of problems. Inspection Maintenance Section: (these items are filed chronologically.) • Periodic Inspections Reports (with photographs). • Reports of maintenance repairs (with photographs). • Record of any construction changes/modifications made to and/or on roof surface decks. • Record of roof top equipment services and/or replacements made on roof and firm involvement. STEP TWO The second step in program development is implement¬ ing a roof inspection program with the periodic inspection. Generally the roof inspections should be made twice a year; once in the spring and once in the fall. This is just before the roof has passed through the most severe of the weather cycles. Additional roof inspections should be made after major storms, or after any roof top equipment service call. Prior to beginning the roof inspection, an inspection checklist should be developed. Table 1 is an example of a checklist for low-slope BUR roofs. I recommend that a standard checklist be developed for various roof systems (i.e. BUR, SPM, shingles, tiles, etc.) Standard checklists develop a continuity of reports. With the inspection checklist and a copy of the roof plan, roof problems should be marked on the roof plan and notes made on the checklist. At this point the problems are identified, and with the roof record file, the options for repairs are identified. This report will be returned to the record file to be reviewed before the next inspection. Such a record file makes it easier for prior problems and subsequent repairs to be located and checked during the inspections. STEP THREE The third step in the program is maintenance schedul¬ ing and implementation. Scheduling is usually done on the following basis (examples are given). • Immediate basis: storm damage repairs. • Yearly basis: pitch pan filling. • Multiple-year basis (i.e. five year planning: base flashing repairs. Following the scheduling of repairs, the costs are estimated on an individual repair basis. It is through maintenance scheduling that budget allocations are organized and developed for funding. Also, this scheduling allows for cost comparisons of projected maintenance by roof type and/or roof age. Furthermore, through maintenance scheduling, a comparison of projected maintenance versus roof replacement costs can be made. METHODS OF PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT The roof management program may be developed in several ways. The first method is for the owner to set up a complete in-house program to perform all steps within the owner’s organization. In this method the first two steps (roof information files and previous roof inspections) and the third step (maintenance scheduling and implementa¬ tion) are performed by the same group of personnel. This method has the distinct advantage of total in-house capability. However, this in-house capability can also be a disadvantage in that a large technical staff may be re¬ quired. Further maintenance implementation may require extensive capital investment for equipment. The second method is for the owner to contract with outside consultants. The first two steps (roof information files and periodic roof inspections) would be performed by a consulting firm. The third step (maintenance scheduling and implementation) is divided between the consulting firm for scheduling and a roof contracting firm for im¬ plementation. The advantage is that through the use of outside personnel, large staff costs are avoided, as well as capital investment for equipment avoided. The obvious disadvantage is the lack of in-house personnel to provide direct owner involvement as well as total dependence on outside consulting staff. 4 Newsletter of the Roof Consultants Institute Roof Inspection Grid Outline ROOF Overall Appearance: Good _ Fair _ Poor _ Asphalt _ Pitch Gravel Surface _ Smooth Surface _ Surface Condition: Smooth _ Alligatored_ Cracked _ Blistered_ Exposed Felts _ Other _ Felt Condition: Disintegrated _ Curled Edges_ Buckles _ Fishmouths _ Cracks _ Splits _ Notes_ Insulation: Wet _ Dry _ Type _ Thickness _ Notes_ Deck: Type _ Thickness _ Joist Support (o-c) _ Structural Stability _ Notes_ Water Resistance: No Leaks Leaks Heavy Rain Light Rain Time Delay for Leaks _ Special Notes _ Cause of Leaks: Deteriorated Membrane Wind Damage _ Faulty Material _ Hail Damage _ Improper Construction _ Poor Design _ Improper Rooftop Installations_ Rooftop Traffic_ Ponding Water in Low Spots _ Flashing Failure _ Gravel Stop Failure_ Vandalism_ Other Causes _ FLASHINGS AND PARAPETS Base Flashings: Sagging _ Buckled _ Cracked _ Separated from Parapet Wall _ Failure from Weathering _ _ Disintegration of Surface Coating _ Improper Cementing of Vertical Laps _ Other Defects _ Counter-Flashings: Type _ Surface Mounted_ Not Firmly Imbedded Into Wall _ Deteriorated _ Open Reglet Joints _ Inadequate Covering of Base Flashing _ Caulking Bead _ Joints Not Lapped Properly _ Metal Edges: Movement at Joints_ Not Anchored Tightly _ Cracked Felts _ Splitting at Edge of Metal Flange _ Soil Stacks: Lead Collars Improperly Installed_ Draw Bands Not Secured _ Improperly Flashed_ Expansion Joints: Not Securely Fastened _ Joints Not Properly Attached_ Splitting _ Punctured _ Cut _ Other Damage_ Flashing Lock: Flashing Slipped Out _ Caulking _ Parapet Walls: Deteriorated Mortar Joints _ Cracks _ Open Coping Joints _ Missing Coping _ Building Movement _ Porous _ Comment _ Mechanical Supports: To Low No Access _ Flashing Loose_ Pitch Pans _ Full _ Closed _ Open _ Comment _ Roof Drains: Number _ Size _ Beehives _ Gravel Guard Ring _ Flashing Leads _ Number of Drains Plugged_ Gravel in Drains _ Bitumin in Drains_ Comment _ ROOF TOP INSTALLATIONS Mechanical Equipment: Liquid Leakage _ Vapor Condensation _ Inadequate Walkways _ Improper or Deteriorated Curbing _ Improper Supports _ Projections: Faulty Anchorage _ Repair or Replinish Pitch Pockets_ Improper Base Support _ Conduit or Pipe: Inadequate Support _ Poor Connections at Joints _ Poor Connection at Roof Penetration _ Wall Mounting Inadequate_ The third method which typically is found among owners today is a combination of owner’s staff and the use of outside consultants. The owner’s staff is involved in a participatory role with an outside consultant for the first two steps. For the third step, the owner’s staff is involved in emergency and yearly maintenance implementation with an outside roof contracting firm providing major repair—renovation projects. The level of staff involvement is usually a direct function of the owner’s commitment to the program and the ability to fund the program. Whether you are responsible for five schools for a small district, a community college campus of 30 buildings, or 122 schools and related buildings of a large district, the use of a roof management program is essential to main¬ taining roofs. PIMA Defends Range of Recommended R-Values DEERFIELD, IL—The Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA), a national association formed to advance the use of polyurethane and polyiso¬ cyanurate foams in sidewall sheathing and roof insulation applications, published their reply and assessment of the NRCA/MRCA Joint Technical Bulletin during the NRCA Annual Convention and Exhibit Show in Dallas, TX. The article, drafted by PIMA’s Technical Committee and published in the February 25, 1988 edition of RSI EXTRA, explains why only a range of R-values can ac¬ curately reflect the aged performance of polyisocyanurate and polyurethane roof insulation. The thermal resistance R-value range recommended by PIMA is 7. 1-8. 3 for polyisocyanurate and polyurethane foams with facings having high resistance to gas permea¬ tion and 5. 6-6. 2 for foams with facings or coatings with low resistance to gas permeation. The PIMA statement cites numerous studies which in¬ dicate that a range of values is appropriate. It also states that an unrealistic “fixed” recommended value of 5.6 per inch will penalize higher quality products that provide higher insulation value over the life of the roof. The arti¬ cle points out that the MRCA/NRCA bulletin suggests using ASTM C 591-85, a standard that applies only to unfaced preformed rigid cellular polyruethane thermal in¬ sulation. All of the insulation products manufactured by PIMA members are faced products with properties and performance characteristics dependent upon an integral combination of cellular plastic core foam and facer. PIMA has worked actively in the last year with regulatory agencies to assure that product information is correctly represented, and that code language applies specifically to polyisocyanurate insulation. PIMA has also interacted extensively with the EPA, the Justice Depart¬ ment, and related industry associations on the implemen¬ tation of the Montreal Protocol of 1987. For more information on PIMA’s activities, contact PIMA Headquarters, 104 Wilmot Road, Suite 201, Deer¬ field, IL, 60015, (312) 940-8800. Newsletter of the Roof Consultants Institute U.S. Insulation Demand to Approach 1 Billion Pounds in 1992 Insulation demand is projected to grow 2.2 percent an¬ nually through 1992 to 6.8 billion pounds. Slow growth will result from mature housing markets and rapid insula¬ tion demand in the 1970s, which was fostered by high energy costs and government tax incentives. Foamed plastics will exhibit the most rapid growth due to advan¬ tages of light weight, excellent insulating properties, ease of installation, cost competitiveness and changing con¬ struction methods. Although most insulation is installed professionally, the DIY market will present opportunities due to the former’s high cost. These are the key conclu¬ sions of analyst John Clifford in B28 INSULATION a recently released business research report from The Freedonia Group, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio. Fiberglass demand will be below average. Structural ap¬ plications will remain dominant due to its amenability to present “stick” methods of construction, ease of installa¬ tion and cost efficiency. Research in this area will center around process refinement rather than innovation due to the mature state of the product segment. Mineral wool in¬ sulation will lose markets to fiberglass due to the latter’s more favorable price and performance characteristics. Foamed plastics will grow 4.3 percent per year through 1992. Greatest opportunities are expected in polystyrene due to advances in processing and materials technology. Major gains are expected in roofing and exterior wall ap¬ plications due to polystyrene’s economy, excellent R-value and low water absorption rates. Continued growth of single-ply roofing will continue to stimulate demand for expanded foamed styrene. Many firms in this industry are vertically integrated, giving them competitive advantages in supplies, plant engineering staffs, distribution, marketing and sales. Many large companies, already manufacturers of mineral fibers or plastic resins, view the insulation industry as extensions of basic businesses. U.S. INSULATION DEMAND (million pound) % Annual Growth Item 1987 1992 2000 92/87 New Construction Expenditures (bil 1982$) 345 385 475 2.2 insulation/000$ new construction 17.64 17.58 16.74 Insulation Markets 6082 6770 7950 2.2 Construction 4925 5489 6454 2.2 Tank and Pipe 853 942 1095 2.0 Appliances 162 179 208 2.0 Transportation 64 71 82 2.1 Other Markets 78 89 111 2.7 SOURCE: THE FREEDONIA GROUP, INC. Roof Test Cuts. .. Fact or Fiction? By Roger M. Grace, president, American Roofing Consultants, Monument, Colorado Being that this article is an accumulation of observations, ideas and great quantities of personal opinion, I will not hesitate to be extremely opinionated with regard to the following ideas with regard to built-up roofing test cuts. Over the last several years as the popularity of roofing inspection and quality control of roofing installations has increased, it has also become increasingly popular to elevate newly installed built-up roofing systems by using test cuts. These test cuts are analyzed and reviewed in a myriad of fashions that vary greatly throughout the coun¬ try. I have found that increasing interest and pressure has resulted from evaluating test cuts. Let us examine the fashion in which we may take a nor¬ mal test cut and what this particular test cut may have to withstand before it reaches the laboratory bench. Firstly, the unknowing test cut is brutally attacked at an early morning hour with spud-bar, utility knives and screwdrivers. We find that most roofers will attempt to bag their test cut early in the morning as it is understan¬ dably much easier to effectively cut the assembled roof while the components are fairly cool. After the test cut has been duly removed from the ex¬ isting roof section, it will then be wrestled and restrained by means of at least one polyethylene trash bag. The next phase of the test cut journey begins usually in the trunk of a car or bed of a pickup, where it may be jostled and bounced until reaching its designated shipping point, nor¬ mally one of the well known overnight air freight services. At this point, the test cut has been wrapped and prepared for shipment. Shipment preparation usually denotes that cardboard has been placed around the test cut and has been taped and tied in whatever manner seems appropriate. Now the test cut is ready for its journey to the laboratory. It may be sorted, stamped or distributed in some fashion so that it may arrive on the appropriate air¬ craft that will take it to its designated laboratory for evaluation. Upon reaching the cargo hold of said aircraft, it may become extremely distressed with the fact that many other packages and articles are thrown on top of it. This certainly is not an unusual situation for handling of freight when shipped by air. After the aircraft taxis down the runway and begins it ascent into the heavens, our test cut in question becomes subjected to temperatures that may be well below freezing. Many air freight operations do not utilize pressurized or temperature controlled cargo holds. This situation can create some severe temperature fluctuations for the test cut sometimes while severe weight and other forms of stress are also affecting the cut. When the cut finally ar¬ rives at its destination, it will again be handled, and not necessarily in a gingerly fashion! Then sorted, thrown and otherwise made ready for distribution to its final destina¬ tion. 6 Newsletter of the Roof Consultants Institute Upon arriving at the laboratory, it is found that the test cut appears to have voids between the plys ! This situation can be highly agitating to the roofing contractor that has done everything reasonably possible to make certain that a fine roofing installation was performed. After further analysis, it is also found that there does not seem to be adequate amounts of bitumen between the existing plys of the test cut. Where has this bitumen gone? The roofing contractor scratches his head and wonders why he has overrun his projected costs for bitumen on this job and is befuddled by the laboratory analysis which proposes that inadequate amounts of bitumen were found between plys. This is a situation that is all too familiar to many of us within the industry. In our continuing efforts to progress and update the roofing industry and its standards, we some times end up pulling the wool over our own eyes. We must realize that quality control is an important part of industry if it is utilized in a manner that is proper and reasonable. We must not attempt to pull speculative data from testing methods that may be as highly questionable as the aforementioned test cut handling procedures. We must realize that to expect a test cut to be removed and handled in the fashion that was previously described, we must also expect this same test cut to be damaged from this type of handling. What really happens to a test cut while it is in the cargo hold of an aircraft at 35,000 feet, twenty degrees below zero with 400 pounds of cargo stacked on top of it? We must also evaluate the ongoing question of where has the bitumen gone? We must realize that great variations occur from laboratory to laboratory across the country. Methods of evaluating test cuts also vary greatly. We have seen evaluations of test cuts where only bitumen that lays on the surface of a test felt would be weighed and included in test data. No concern was found for the significant amounts of bitumen that had penetrated and become a part of a fiberglass roofing felt. Let’s stand back and take a hard look at what we can accomplish by various means of roofing quality control. Firstly, we must recognize the test cut as a useful tool in very limited situations. It may be used to evaluate the amount of plys as well as the type of plys in an existing built-up roof. It can also tell us in a general sort of way, approximate amounts of interply bitumen. One area where a test cut can be extremely helpful is to provide informa¬ tion on flood coat weights as well as aggregate weights. It will not however, definitely provide us with pertinent data regarding adherence of plys, and amount of interply bitumen. We must recognize the limitations of test cuts and be vocal in our judgment and use of test cut information and data. Test cut data should not be used for providing un¬ professional and uneducated opinions with which to scare building owners and promote confusion on roofing pro¬ jects where inspectors do not understand built-up roofing. Nor should test cut data be utilized to forcefully corner a reputable roofing contractor in providing work, services and extended warranties when the contractor has actually followed all recommended procedures of good roofing prac¬ tice to install this roof! It is my opinion that we must utilize the best tools possible with regard to insuring that an owner receives a fine, built-up installation, and the roofing contractor is duly recognized as having installed a good roofing system. At this time, I feel that we have no better tool to utilize for this purpose than a qualified roofing inspector, not necessarily an architect or engineer. It has been my experience that an experienced built-up roofer with his years of knowledge on the roof and seeing many varying conditions as they exist can be the best background possible for providing qualified roofing inspec¬ tions. This trade background, along with some formal training with regard to proper record keeping and some of the technical aspects of products being used illustrates in my mind the most reliable form of inspection and evalua¬ tion at this time. All of us who strive for more professionalism within our industry are constantly concerned with many of the new methods and products with which we are continually exposed. It involves a great deal of time and effort to review many of these items and ascertain the merits and disadvantages of these products and procedures. I also feel it is our duty, those of us who are truly concerned about out industry, to constantly evaluate things which affect us. I recommend that each and every one of you with true concern as it relates to the roofing industry be outspoken, and challenging to those people and procedures that you question. This is not only our duty, but it is something that we must continue, to be certain that our industry progresses in a professional and reliable manner. Evaluation Procedure for Corrosion Resistance of Steel Fasteners Available DEERFIELD, IL—Corrosion resistance is a critical perfor¬ mance variable of fasteners used in roofing systems. In response to the need for a standardized reproducible laboratory method, the Single Ply Roofing Institute (SPRI) has developed a “Procedure for Evaluation of Corrosion Resistance of Steel Fasteners.” In this test, which draws on European methodology, steel fastener samples are ex¬ posed to a highly corrosive environment in a special testing apparatus called a Kasternich cabinet. The samples are then observed for the occurence of surface corrosion. Copies of the procedures are available to SPRI members for $3.00 each and to nonmembers for S5.00 each. For quantities over 100, copies are only $2.50 each. To order, send a check and the quantity desired to SPRI, 104 Wilmot Road, Suite 201, Deerfield, Ill. 60015-5195. Newsletter of the Roof Consultants Institute 7 A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS The newest in roof top swimming pools. We would like to solicit from our readers photos which would put the above to shame. Please send your roof consultants nightmares to the Editor, RCI Newsletter, 336 Lafayette Street, New Orleans, LA 70130. /I convention of roof top A.C. units. Would you like to be the tennant below? How many roof top problems can you spot? Newsletter of the Roof Consultants Institute
