Mike Silvers, CPRC, Owner of Silvers Systems Inc. and FRSA Technical Director
For many of us this is another step in the all-too-slow return to somewhat normal. Virtual meetings have allowed our work to continue but are lacking in the face-to-face exchanges of information and viewpoints that in-person meetings offer. These meetings and the Convention have been the life blood of our Association.
A few days before this writing I received my COVID vaccination. I was among the last in my age group to receive it but was very happy and somewhat relieved to get it. I guess there are a few advantages of being an old guy – I’m not complaining about getting older mind you – I certainly prefer it to the alternative.
Beginning to put the effects of the virus in the rearview mirror is, in many ways, a new starting point for what lies ahead. With that in mind, I want to lay out just some of the opportunities and challenges that await FRSA and the Florida roofing industry it represents.
As we rebound and start rehiring, attracting new folks to the industry, providing appropriate training will be more important than ever. Roofing is becoming more complex every year. New materials and application methods, along with more complex and stringent building codes, demand that we as an industry respond by training our workforce.
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a pilot testing program for the National Roofing Contractors Association’s (NRCA) ProCertification for Clay and Concrete Tile Systems held at Trent Cotney’s impressive facility in Tampa. If you are into
cars, and who’s not, you know how impressive early transportation advertising signs can be. If you are into roofing, which you must be if you’re reading this, Trent’s shop area behind his offices is every bit as impressive. His collection of roofing-related signs and memorabilia from the twentieth century was a stroll down memory lane. Thanks, Trent, for all you do.
Back to the tile testing. Once those participating in one of the ProCertification modules completes a course, he or she will need to take a final hands-on exam demonstrating experience and knowledge of that particular module. A qualified accessor oversees the hands-on demonstration. Attending as an accessor was Trent’s instructor and master mockup fabricator, Jim Montague. NRCA had a great group there that included: John Schehl, Jared Ribble, Jon Goodman and Frank Perna. Representing Eagle Roofing Products and FRSA was the always willing and invaluable Manny Oyola. He was not only helping with the students' hands-on roof tile evaluation but was also acting as an interpreter. FRSA is hoping to partner with NRCA to further develop and implement this program in Florida.
FRSA’s Educational Foundation has continued to offer both virtual and in-person roofing-specific seminars. Recommended social distancing and masking procedures have been implemented during in-person seminars that have taken place in the Training Center at FRSA’s new headquarters building in Orlando. The in-person seminars offer two hours of continuing education (CE) credit that covers major roofing-related changes in the 7th Edition (2020) Florida Building Code (FBC). I have served as the instructor for this portion of the seminars. An additional hour of CE covers the changes in the new FRSA-TRI (Tile Roofing Industry Alliance) Florida High Wind Concrete and Clay Installation Manual 6th Edition. The instructor for this portion of the seminars is Manny Oyola. The industry is very fortunate to have Manny’s continued dedication.
The FBC and tile manual seminars, as well as many more great seminars, will be offered during FRSA's 99th Annual Convention and the Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Expo (July 21-23, 2021). We have a very knowledgeable and interesting group of speakers and instructors who are dedicated to improving their industry. I, for one, can’t wait.
We have also developed a one-hour version of the 2020 FBC updates that we recently presented for two of our affiliates as a non-CE webinar. I am available to schedule this course for other affiliates virtually and, hopefully very soon, in-person. If you’re interested, contact me to arrange possible presentations for your group.
Manny and I have also recently presented an early morning seminar and a luncheon seminar for the Palm Beach County Building Officials on both the tile manual and the one-hour FBC changes. Our presentations seemed to be well received. We will be planning similar events in the near future.
In April, we will be presenting a recruitment and hands-on training course at the Future Builders of America (FBA) Summit. This is a great opportunity to expose young people who already have an interest in construction to the roofing industry and the many possible career paths that it offers.
The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and FRSA Apprenticeship Program is proceeding very well, especially when you consider that the majority of the classes are being presented via Zoom meetings. We have a great group of students. Clay Thomas of Advanced Roofing, Ft. Lauderdale is doing most of the heavy lifting here. I jump in when I’m available to help out. Across the state, there are several of these programs taking place with a great team of instructors and volunteers.
Clay Thomas and Tyler Allwood, Eagle Roofing Products, are among some FRSA regulars who are serving as subject matter experts (SME) for the development of a college credit roofing curriculum for the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). I am happy to be a part of this great group of SME from across the country who are participating in this endeavor.
FRSA is also working on an entry level training program titled FRSA Introduction to Roofing Technology. It is coming along nicely thanks to the efforts of the Worker Training Subcommittee.
Many of this year’s slate of legislative bills involve items that effect our industry and are technical in nature. Property insurance reform in particular is a hot topic. Many of these bills are meant to address the growing number and cost of water damage and roof replacement claims. Our Codes Committee and Codes Subcommittee are working closely with our Governmental Affairs Committee and our lobbyist, Chris Dawson, to offer our advice and assistance, which includes coordinating efforts with other trade groups we regularly work with on code issues. There are also other proposed bills that effect the building code and its enforcement. Of particular interest is limiting the enforcement of local amendments that have not been properly adopted and haven’t been provided to the Florida Building Commission staff for inclusion as local amendments. FRSA’s lobbying efforts also include construction defects and workers’ compensation bills. Chris is becoming more familiar with our industry and excelling while doing so. We’re lucky to have him on our team.
In March, FRSA, through our legal team from Cotney Attorneys and Consultants, submitted a motion to intervene in a petition before the Florida Building Commission (FBC) regarding the Florida Building Code’s threshold limit for the percentage of a roof area that may be repaired before replacement of a complete roof covering is required.
The Petition for Declaratory Statement (DS 2021-007) was seeking the Commission’s position on whether the replacement of non-damaged areas of a roof should be computed within the 25 percent threshold limit set forth in 706.1.1, Florida
Building Code. FRSA joined the petitioner, SDii Global Corporation, in its position that repair of non-damaged areas of a roof should not be computed within the 25 percent threshold limit.
FRSA’s motion supported the petitioner’s interpretation of the Building Code, noting that it is a reasonable and logical interpretation of the Code. FRSA pointed out that a contrary interpretation of the Code would result in immense economic waist, unnecessarily burden property owners and restrict roofing contractors’ discretion to salvage otherwise viable roofing systems. FBC staff analysis agreed with the petitioner and has forwarded the petition to the Commission for a vote in April.
Trent’s team also represents FRSA, and the industry, before other regulatory boards such as the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Much thanks to Trent and his team for all their hard work!
While we are still digesting the many changes in the 2020 FBC and then diligently working to inform our members and others about them, we are already deep into our next triennial cycle code adoption process. You can see by reviewing the Workplan for the 8th Edition (2023) FBC Update Development Tasks (pages 24-25) that it is an involved and ongoing process. The first task is to review changes brought into our code from the International Building Code (IBC). Which IBC changes eventually will be presented to the FBC Technical Advisory Committees (TACs) and then to the Commission, will be determined by the Commission staff. We have reviewed the roofing-related changes in the 2021 IBC, which allows us to see what might be coming in May and helps us to respond accordingly. Our Codes Committees have already began discussing and developing code change modifications that FRSA will present beginning in January 2022. All other proposed modifications presented by the public will also be submitted by then as well. At that point, we will develop and present our positions on all of these modifications. Between then and March 2023, we will testify and attempt to have our positions included in the new code. Reviewing and tracking these changes is important and takes a group effort. We are fortunate to have knowledgeable and involved volunteers on both our Codes Committee and Subcommittee to help in this effort.
The Codes Committee recommended and the Educational Foundation Trustees approved funding for a research project to test the combination of a nailed #30 and self-adhering tile underlayment to determine the resistance to uplift pressure using several different attachment patterns and products. Our goal is to determine if a nailed #30 is a suitable anchor (base) sheet for this particular underlayment system. The task force working on this project includes Greg Keeler, Owens Corning, Manny Oyola and myself. We will begin testing at the PRI Tampa facility in April. The 6th Edition FRSA-TRI Florida High Wind Concrete and Clay Tile Installation Manual requires that all tile underlayments meet the design pressures for the structures they are installed on. The system we are testing is a prescriptive method in use in Florida that very well may not meet those pressures. More to come on this subject.
FRSA is very privileged to have so many dedicated volunteers that are truly interested in improving the roofing industry. You’ll see so many familiar faces attending multiple committee meetings covering very different industry issues. But all of the committees have the same overall goal, to improve our Association as well as the industry and trade that it represents.
Much like our volunteers, our staff works across many different areas and addresses many different issues. We depend on each other’s strengths, knowledge and expertise to continue moving our members’ goals forward. I know we are all proud to represent FRSA and are ready to meet the upcoming challenges.
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.
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