b"resident' sArticle FM 4490-the Controversy Continues Let me first say that the follow Guide, related Data Sheets, andIfare Isome of the roofyouike ingthoughtsarejust that,myan overall knowledge and expe ing c I have discussed ontractors thoughts on the Factory Mutualrience in the Approval category.this with, you may either love this Research Corporation document~of acon or hate it. I have found few that Demonstrationquality known as FM 4490 - Approvaltrolprogramandongoinghave no opinion. Standard fortrainingMost wholike theproposed Roofing Contractors.of personnel. Those who read these articlesOArenewal examinationstandardarelargecontractors written from time to time think that theof field supervisors every 10who see this as anto opportunity thegupresident speaks forMRCA,years.distin ish themselves from their and that is the case when what he@ at industry-spon competition. Those who speak in Attendance or she says has the approval ofsoredseminarsandconfer opposition toas it is the standard the board of directors and in someences, or attendance at equiva now written, and I include myself instances our legal counsel. Butlenteducationalcoursesin th ranks, do so for a osevariety that is not always the case andresulting in at least three Con of reasons. some articles are written withouttinuingEducationalUnitsfactor.is Most who like theCost certainly is aThboard or counsel approval. When(CEUs) every five years.would be an expensive proposiproposed standard arethat is the case we tell you so.An annuallities and p tion for the average contractor to faci rocelarge contractorsThat is the case in this instance.dures audit.comply with. Intrusion into our The following is my opinion (to@Continued satisfactory perfor busin another entity is who see this as anwhich Ientitled) and analysismance ofsystems installedn ess by yetof us. Tamroofot welcomed by manyhe opportunity toof the current draft of the docu under this approval program.standard is also vague in some ment as it now exists. Rememberareas and su to misapplicabject distinguish themselvesthat I am writing this six weeksThe article goes on to say thattion and abuse by the specifying before you will see it, and if sub contractors wouldto qualifyunhave from their competition.andconsultingcomm ities. stantial changes occur betweenas either Roof Deck Contractors,There are o er reasons for being thThose who speak innow and then, you will probablyAbove Deck Assembly Contrac wary of this docu but to me, ment, notice an addendum inserted withtors, or both.TheAboveDecklis the mosopposition to thethe threeted above aret the Midwest Roofer.Contractors would then have topersuasive. standard asitis nowAs you may or may not know,qualify in several subcategories,Let me state here,unequivoincludeFactoryMutual,throughthewhich include single-ply mem amfirmliever written, and Ically, that Iabe in issuanceofdocument4490,branes(bothEPDMandPVC),the freeand the right of market myselfranks,desires to be able to approve roof organic or glass feltilt-up roof private property. I am also comin thosebuing contractors for the applicationing, and modified bitumen mem ittedquality proddo so for a variety ofm to providing a ofFM-approvedsystemsonbranes (both hot, tor and masticuct tomycustomers.Itismy reasons.propertiesinsuredby FM.Theapplied).chopinion that FM,acomasprivate essential requirements of the doc This means approval for eachpany,canrequireanysetof ument, as taken from thelatesttype of application, not approvalrequirements it w upon its ishes copy of Approved Product News,for single ply or modifieds in gen customersandthe contractors are as follows.eral. There are also approvals forwho provide FM-approved sysothat the contractorspray foamandstanding-seamtems. Verification hasbeeninbusinessfor atmetal.Having said that,is also my it least two years.The article goes on to oull neopinion that will not beresult, ithe @Aexam to demonstrateall the record keeping, ongoingnor is it the intent of this standard. written that field supervisors for eachtraining and other requirementsAnyone who deals with architec-approvedinstallationhaveafor arbe listed in the contracto to knowledgeoftheApprovalApproval Guide.Continued on page 15"