b'WhyisASTMbeen there to make your vote count. Even though meetings have a way Important to Roofingof being scheduled at inconvenient Contractors?times, attendance is important. by RayJohnson,ASTMRepresentativeIsASTMfun?NOWAY!The With the meeting ofD.08 - paperworkisenormousandthe ASTMmeetingsteachpatience.Some Roofing,Waterproofing,andmeetingsareheldininteresting BituminousMaterials inOrlando,places,however,littletimeis Florida, on December 3-6, 1989, Iavailable for sightseeing. bring to a close my time as MRCA\'s representative to ASTM. I have oftenRay JohnsonIsASTMimportanttoyouasa been asked why it is important forasa more reasonable requirementroofing contractor? A hearty YES! I roofing contractors torepresented befor allowable moisture content.encourage you to join ASTM and inASTMandwhyMRCAandattend the meetings. To paraphrase NRCAconstantlysearchforRoof samples fromexisting built a saying, "The businessyou save additional contractors to attend theup roofs are analyzed in the laboratorymay be yourown."variousASTMmeetings.InthisaccordingtoASTMD-2829. article, I will attempt to answer bothChanges currently being proposed questions.forthis standardwill increasethe scopetesting, increase the costDirectlyContinued From Page 4 Manymaterialsthatareusedbyofof roofing contractors are required totesting, and, in my opinion, make itThere are 2 reasons: meet anspecification. Thesealmost impossible for test costs to ASTMpass in every respect. Think ofFirst, you have a compliance officer materials and the ASTM standardsthe are changed from time to time and,implications in a lawsuit.who\'sbiggestresponsibilityisto find fault at a jobIfhe with out contractor input, the ASTMsite.doesn\'t, requirements may beIn the past few years, MRCA andhe\'s not doing his job diligently. reduced belowNRCA have fought to prevent the acceptable limits. You must keep inestablishmentof tolerancesforSecond, and normally obvious, the mind that all ASTM standards listinterply mopping quantity, pour coatjobisunsafe.Thiscanbecome minimum requirements.If the ASTMquantity, plus aggre~ate adhe~en_ce.somewhat ofIf standards list requirements that area thorn in the side. below acceptable limits, the materialThese items are subject to vanat1onthe safety conditions are such that I that is purchased may not performdue to wind, temperature, and otherdidn\'tprovidethenecessary adequatelywheninstalledintheconditionsbeyondtheroofingequipment, flags, etc., okay, I should contractor\'s control.pay the fine. However, if roofing system.all safety features are on theand the men job I have discussed a few ofdon\'t put them to use or use them One examplea material change isthe items ofthatIhavebeenconcernedwithcorrectly, the employer should not theASTMstandard for"l5#organicduringmyyearswithASTM.Inbe held accountable. felt". The ASTM weight in the 1989another portion of this MIDWEST BookStandards is 11.5#/100 S.F., ofROOFER, Bob Lacosse discussesA new regulation that is going into orof less than 77%the original 15#/work presently being done in ASTMeffect for government jobs is drug 100 S.F. Is there any wonder why itpertaining to standing seam metaltesting. While drugs have become a isnowdesignatedasNo.15feltroofing. There are many more; suchbig problem in ourI\'m rather than15pound felt?Inthissociety, and same material standards, there is aas standards for modified bitumeninfavorof doingwhatIcanto significant reduction in the requiredroofing,alltypesof single-plyeradicatesubstanceabuse,Ifind percent ofroofing,waterproofing,roofmyself inaquandaryof howto asphalt saturation.insulation, and on and on.comply with a testing program and Another change has occurred in thenot be sued at the same time. materialstandardforroofingWhyshouldaroofingcontractor aggregate (ASTM D-1863). MRCAbelongtoASTMandattendOn a further note,it\'s amazing to meetings?Tohaveavoiceinmeif and NRCAthatan employee is hurt through worked for several yearsregulating the business that provideshisorherownnegligence(i.e., toobtaingradationrequirementyou a method of making a living.ignoring safety rules and regulations), ,changesthatwouldmake roofingNot everyone involved with ASTMthat they can turn around and sue \'-d/aggregate easier to obtain. With thehas your best interest at heart andtheiremployerandwinlarge helpofCarlCashof Simpsononly by attending the meetings cansettlements 90% of GumpertzandHegerInc.,theseyu be heard.Ifthe time. changes were accomplished as wellyou miss a meeting, that is the time that you should haveContinued on Page 6 Page S'