Riku Ylipelkonen, Owner, Standard Building Advisors and FRSA Technical Advisor
The new year is bringing more changes as a result of the Florida Building Code Eighth Edition going into effect. It also brings new challenges and opportunities for everyone in the roofing industry. Roofers will be challenged with new code requirements, new product approvals and an opportunity to set themselves apart from the crowd. The technical side of the roofing industry is ignored by some, while others have invested time and expense into learning the technical process to get a genuine leg-up on the competition. This statement is true not just for roofers, but also for product manufacturers and industry service providers. Here are some things to consider if you are looking to expand your technical knowledge.
Being a roofing contractor is a full-time job. Extra time is not something any of us have. There are changes happening regarding permitting; some areas are more severe depending on your home jurisdiction. Steep-slope underlayment requirements have also changed. You will need up-to-date product approvals in compliance with the Eighth Edition of the FBC. You may need design pressures included for tile underlayment systems, fire ratings for certain assemblies in Miami-Dade jurisdictions and an updated and compliant underlayment system with sealed sheathing seams, different layers or different nailing patterns. If you have a standard underlayment system you sell and install regularly, you will want to talk with your product representatives to get new product approvals and testing to make sure your system will work with the new code. A proactive conversation with your local building officials would also benefit your operations to have the new permit requirements ironed out and prepared for smooth permit application approvals and inspections.
Another by-product of changing codes is new products and new applications for existing products.
Technical specifications for products are one thing, but a discussion with your product representatives may yield a new standard system design for your company that brings more value to the homeowner through insurance discounts. You may be able to find new applications for existing products that reduce your inventory needs or new products that will save you labor time and speed up production schedules. If nothing else, encountering to a product representative who doesn’t know what has changed or how the code has impacted their product line should be a huge red flag.
Like contractors, product manufacturers have an equal opportunity to get ahead of the competition. New code requirements spark product development, new testing expenses and an opportunity to use existing products in new ways. A sales representative’s favorite question to get and answer is, “What’s new?” Finding niches in the code is a fruitful endeavor. Knowing the fire requirements on products will set your product apart. Maybe there is a new way to use an established product? There will be a lot of sheathing joints that need to be sealed. Maybe there is a new technology you have that can bring higher design pressures to tile underlayment? Roofing contractors will be looking for ways to better their business and production. Distribution will be looking for new products to solve problems and bring value to their customers.
Product suppliers and representatives will also have an opportunity to shine. Getting new products to market is a necessary part of the process. Developing new products that solve problems with permitting, system design or that introduce cost savings are always important. Having materials in stock for roofers that get red-tagged and need to find a solution quickly will be rewarded with consumer loyalty. Anticipating what your customers will experience will help you get ahead. Talking to permitting departments, building officials, inspectors, industry associations and customers will get you the information on where demand is going. Transitioning into the proper inventory at proper levels will prevent you from sitting on inventory that just doesn’t sell any more. It’s a game of hot potato!
The new code is causing a change in the industry. We will all work together to get over the bumps and smooth the road going into 2024 and beyond. Getting involved within your local affiliate and with FRSA helps speed up the process. Many members of FRSA committees are ramping up activities to participate and represent the interests of the roofing industry in the revision cycles of product testing and approval standards, new code revision cycles, reference document revisions and more. If you have roofing issues with products, code requirements or specifications, now is a good time to do something about them. Reach out to the technical community now. As Nelson Jackson said, “You can’t expect to meet the challenges of today with yesterday’s tools and expect to be in business tomorrow.”
Riku Ylipelkonen, Owner, Standard Building Advisors has been in the roofing industry for 15 years working for Polyfoam Products. When Polyfoam Products was acquired by 3M and the name changed to ICP Building Solutions Group. Riku worked at ICP as Technical Services Manager until March of 2023, when he left to begin his own company. Riku is an engineer and is working as a consultant with FRSA. He is a member on FRSA’s Codes Committee, Codes Subcommittee, Tile Committee and on the FRSA-TRI Manual Rewrite Committee. Riku is also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
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