Mike Silvers, CPRC, Silvers Systems Inc. & FRSA Director of Technical Services
A convergence of trends and events caused me to consider just how challenging it is to be part of the construction industry in general, and a roofing contractor in particular. Let me rephrase that a bit: how difficult it is to survive and thrive if you:
■ want to comply with the requirements that have led to safer structures;
■ are committed to following Florida’s licensing laws which, when properly enforced, produce an industry that is more accountable; and
■ consider a solid workforce the key to your success.
These challenges affect every segment of our industry. In particular, I want to address the interaction between the building codes (including their adoption, interpretation and enforcement), contracting and the workforce. Through a lifetime of observation, I have
found that most industry professionals are very sincere when it comes to wanting to do a good job. They understand the importance of what they do and want to do it well. How can those of us who want to do things the right way create an environment that allows us to be more productive and profitable, while being less at odds over how we get there? Consider these obstacles:
■ increasingly complex and sometimes burdensome requirements of the Building Codes;
■ workforce shortages and failure of our education system to teach basic math, along with society's trend toward diminishing the virtues of physical work and the value found in creating something functional;
■ unfair competition from unethical practitioners (I won’t elevate them by calling them contractors);
■ moves to dilute the knowledge required to become a licensed roofing contractor and the enforcement problems it would create.
For better or worse, the building codes have become big business. As the codes have evolved, so have the interest groups that have a large influence on their content. The process for promulgating, administering and publishing the International Building Code (IBC) and its extensive Referenced Standards, and the testing they require has spawned a huge industry. The Florida Building Code (FBC) is currently undergoing its triennial code modification process. There are over 1,100 proposed modifications, as well as hundreds of other
changes and referenced standards that will be adopted from the International Building Codes. When these changes go into effect a couple years from now, a large percentage of those employed in our industry will not be aware of those changes. This will be true despite our efforts to educate them. It simply takes time for the information to filter down to the field. This is true for contractors and building officials, applicators and inspectors. We are only as good as those who work for us, and it takes a great deal of time to properly train people and get them up to speed on topics such as the 15% rule, the 25% rule, the 30% rule, the 50% rule, hurricane mitigation, roof diaphragm evaluation, roof to wall connections, manufacturers' installation instructions, product approval, notice of acceptance, ASCE, ASTM, UL, etc.
Change for the sake of change seems to be the order of the day. FRSA’s volunteer members and staff are working hard to obtain the best possible results from these changes. We face some very well-funded and well-connected organizations. Some thrive on changes
to reduce their potential exposure, and others to continue the need for constant updates, testing and publications. The adoption of the FBC as the base code for Florida should have slowed their roll, but it may not be working. We will have a better idea by the end of this
code cycle.
The construction industry in general, and the roofing industry in particular, are experiencing a severe shortage of capable and willing employees. FRSA and many other trade groups are committed to improving training opportunities and to changing the perception of our
trade. This will help attract, train and retain a knowledgeable and skilled work force. We know that building departments are experiencing very similar workforce issues. Training throughout the industry can’t happen fast enough.
It seems that the importance of the trades and the opportunity they represent may finally be capturing the interest of the public. With some help by those of us in the industry, this may lead to a much better perception of what we do. A current trend towards basics in our
schools should surely help.
FRSA is currently partnering with the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Career Source, Valencia State College, and several FRSA contractor members in presenting a new apprenticeship program to produce journeyman roofing applicators (see page 26). FRSA is also developing an entry level course for our members' use. NRCA is committed to their very ambitious and professionally developed ProCertification training program. Hopefully these efforts will help produce the next generation of qualified roofing industry employees and entrepreneurs.
The FRSA Educational Foundation is providing dozens of educational and training seminars every year for industry contractors, engineers, architects and building officials. Many of these seminars pertain specifically to the building codes. This type of interaction will continue to provide benefits for all involved.
The roofing industry in particular has a major problem with illegitimate competition. It has a negative impact on our businesses at every level, especially by offering to some members of the workforce something much different than the long-stablished employee/employer relationship. These tempting arrangements often provide cash payments that are attractive to some, but lead a race to the bottom. Those who travel that road almost certainly are not concerned about learning the proper installation methods or the requirements
of the building code. Our industry needs enforcement of the licensing law. A proposed separate residential roofing license will do nothing to provide additional knowledgeable and skilled applicators. It will lead to less voluntary compliance with the building codes due to insufficient experience, training and, as a result, knowledge. This is a complicated profession, lessening the standards required to become a contractor just doesn’t make sense.
As our industry makes changes to codes, standards and licensing, we need to keep in mind that rules without enforcement rely on those willing to follow them. They eventually allow the unwilling to displace the willing. If we move too fast when changing these requirements, and if we make them more and more complex, we will never be able to teach them or fully implement them. It will make them hard to follow, even for those who are willing to do so.
We must also remember that at the end of the day, it is the building owners and taxpayers who have to pay for all of this change. In the case of the building owner, it is their building and how and when we require them through regulations to spend their money should never be taken lightly. With the opportunity to influence how billions of dollars are spent, there is no shortage of those who want to wield that influence.
Mike Silvers, CPRC, is FRSA Director of Technical Services. Mike is an FRSA Past President, Life Member, Campanella Award Recipient, and a Florida-licensed certified roofing contractor who brings over 40 years of industry knowledge and experience to FRSA’s team. Mike is available to FRSA members who have codes or technical questions and can be reached at 800-767-3772 ext. 169 or by email at silvers@floridaroof.com.
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