These Are Exciting Times for Our Industry

Mike Silvers, CPRC, Silvers Systems Inc. & FRSA Director of Technical Services

Exciting can be used to describe such a wide range of events. Standing on the edge of a boat above a coral reef, about to take a scuba divers giant-stride is definitely exciting. So is the feeling you get when you check the bilge beforehand and find an unusual amount of steadily rising water. Both are undeniably exciting, but in very different ways.

You’re probably thinking, okay where are you going with this? I thought this was supposed to be about roofing. First, forgive my diving/boating metaphor. You see, I’ve visited the Keys quite often during my life. To me, being on the water is what they have always represented. However, over the course of the last couple months, circumstances and my new position with FRSA have taken me there more often than usual. Unfortunately, being there and witnessing the destruction caused by Hurricane Irma has left me with a far different impression.

For Florida, the damage in the Keys and the turmoil the damage has created for its citizens is an opportunity to learn important lessons and to better prepare for future storms. In an article by the News Service of Florida, Craig Fugate (the former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA) recently explained that the changes in the Earth’s climate may not be increasing the number of storms, but their features are getting more intense – highlighted by the record rainfalls from Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Irma holding maximum sustained winds of 185 mph for more than 24 hours. He stated, “Get Ready, Florida!” In the middle Keys, Irma came onshore with sustained wind speeds of approximately 130 mph as a Category 4 Hurricane. FEMA estimated that 1,800 homes were destroyed and nearly 3,000 more had major damage. The Middle Keys (particularly Big Pine Key and Cudjoe Key) is an area where many working-class neighborhoods are located. This has made an already strained affordable housing situation much worse.

Older structures, as well as older roofs, were the most negatively affected, and in many cases, they were completely destroyed. There were, however, many structures and roofs in the same neighborhoods that survived completely unscathed. Many others sustained only limited damage. Again, age and the quality of the construction were clearly the major differences. and technicians. Manufacturers need to continue to improve their products, and to also disseminate clearer information on their test methods, test results and proper application standards. We must continue to demonstrate a willingness to improve.

These are only some of the obstacles we must overcome. The increased scope requirements of the code, the possibility of a new more stringent ASCE standard, new safety standards, labor shortages and unlicensed activity can all be exciting in an unpleasant way.

But that’s where the real exciting part comes in. It’s all about our industry’s future, (that yet unseen reef, sorry, I couldn’t help myself). Over the next several months I hope to discuss the exciting opportunity we have to impact the roofing industry’s future, not only through better codes and more effective and less burdensome regulations, but also by continuing to produce better roofing professionals who can speak with one voice.

If you’re so inclined, watch this space. Also think about a trip to the Keys, they need our support. The boating, fishing and diving are all still incredible.

FRM

Mike Silvers, CPRC, is owner of Silvers Systems Inc., and is consulting with FRSA as Director of Technical Services. Mike is an FRSA Past President, Life Member and Campanella Award Recipient and 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.