Florida Construction Law

NRCA has made available NRCA Guidelines for Single-ply Membrane Roof Systems, which provides NRCA's best-practice guidelines and technical information regarding the materials, design and installation of single-ply membrane roof systems. The manual includes information about roof decks, air and vapor retarders, rigid board insulation, roof membranes, fasteners, surfacing, accessories, roof system configurations and roof re-coverings. The member price for the manual is $55, and the nonmember price is $110. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 N. Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

The Minnesota Vikings' new stadium will get a snow melt system to capture snow from the roof in basins and then melt it. The roof is pitched, which will allow snow to slide into the basins alongside the perimeter. Designed by Uponor North America, the basins will contain mats of embedded plastic pipe that carry a mixture of glycol and heatable water. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 N. Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

NRCA and the Home Builders Association recommend an annual inspection by a roofing contractor as one of 10 after-winter maintenance steps. Additionally, "most roofing contractors offer gutter/downspout cleaning services that can be set up quarterly, semi-annually or annually," said Steve Cherry, president of Ideal Roofing Solutions in Valparaiso, Ind. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 N. Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

Roof Integrated Solar Energy (RISE) Inc. has announced its newest Certified Solar Roofing Professionals (CSRPs). The CSRP designation is a voluntary certification for professionals who plan and oversee the installation of roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) systems. The credential evaluates whether candidates have the underlying knowledge required to successfully install roof-mounted PV systems. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 N. Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

A bill in North Carolina would create two new options for residential solar installations: Companies could rent solar panels to customers or sell the energy they produce. The bill shows that "rooftop solar is being recognized across the U.S. as the wave of the future," said Jim Warren of environmental group NC Warn. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 N. Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

Louisiana state fair officials are looking into a new roof for the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum, which is home to the Bossier-Shreveport Mavericks and hosts concerts and sporting events. Insurance will pay a portion, and approximately $100,000 worth of copper in the existing roof may be used to offset costs. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 N. Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

A new study on roofing options for cold climates found solar superior to green and white roofs. Green roofs performed better than white roofs, while the latter were recommended for hot, dry areas. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 N. Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

A study of green roofing technologies has found that high-vegetation green roofs are up to 60% more efficient than traditional roofs. The high-density vegetation acts as a passive cooling system and can reduce energy costs. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 N. Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

Planners of a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays could benefit by looking into some of the stadium roofing technologies used around the world, Stephen Nohlgren writes. A roof made from ethylene tetrafluoroethylene is one option for creating an open-air stadium feel while protecting guests from humidity and the elements. Tiny dots in the roof can help filter sunlight and keep the stadium cooler, he notes. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 N. Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

Roofing contractors in the Sioux Falls area are staying busy fixing hail damage as the spring roofing season begins. While the temperatures make roofing work more pleasant, "we stay busy 40 [to] 50 hours every week all year round," said foreman Steve Settje. "I've shingled some houses when it was ... negative-20[-degree] wind chill on top of a house. ... It's slippery, you put your harness on, and it goes a little slower, but sometimes they have to be done." From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 N. Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed new standards for silica exposure. A study by the Construction Industry Safety Coalition found that OSHA's proposal underestimated the real cost to the construction industry. The agency had said it would cost about $511 million per year. However, CISC's report puts the cost at about $5 billion annually and says OSHA's proposal would reduce the number of jobs by more than 52,000 a year. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 N. Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

Jeff Alte Jr. Roofing of Hackettstown, N.J., is participating in the "No Roof Left Behind" program by giving a free roof to a family in need. The roofing company is also encouraging other businesses and community members to participate through service or donations. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 N. Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

RoofTop Solutions of Rigby, Idaho, will give away its second free roof through No Roof Left Behind. "It's basically the framework to enable us, as a roofing contractor, to give away a free roof," said Brittany Briggs of RoofTop Solutions. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 N. Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

Of all the trends affecting the rise in sustainable construction, none is having a greater impact than the drive for higher building performance. As owners, engineers and builders strive for greater efficiencies, they are turning to green building practices for solutions. To judge by the trade media, you would think everyone is building green. Such is not the case. Although sustainable design and construction has become more mainstream, it still represents only a fraction of the entire industry. That may change drastically in the next three to five years. From ABC Newsline Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 N. Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

OSHA released an interpretation letter stating that construction contractors are allowed to require employees to pay a deposit for company-issued personal protection equipment so that it provides an incentive for the employee to return the equipment. Contractors should be aware that this does not circumvent the requirement that employers provide protection equipment at no expense to the workers. From ABC Newsline Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 N. Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

Roofer Juan Carlos Fraga has designed an all-steel, ergonomic hammer that allows roofing tacks to stick to the hammer head using magnets. The design allows users to tack roofing materials in place nearly as fast as with a nail gun, and without risk to the hands. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 N. Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

A real estate company in Cairo is planning an eco-friendly, multipurpose development with residential and commercial space. The roof space is intended to be a "garden in the sky," with food gardens, orchards and other features. The project will also incorporate a solar roof with walkable solar panels. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 N. Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

The Pratt Memorial Library in Massachusetts will replace its 101-year-old copper-domed roof. Titan Roofing will do the work, which includes installing a new copper dome, replacing clay tile roofing, and installing new roof drains and new slope-membrane roofing. The work is expected to cost $405,000.00 From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 N. Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com