b'.\'Aof lt~"\'.1 \\ \'byLifetimeLearning .- MichaelD.Blanchette,RRO, RRC, FRCI "-~;;.:.- \'.-t ;y.-"~- ~ \'. roofmmo misunderstoodlearnprotec be reAconsultant discussesstand co nlyroof systems,tothetive coating has tonewc: the importance ofeducationsuch as spray polyurethane foam- (SPF-} basedperiod ally. That translates to higher life-e \'~ continuingic yeroof systems. If you b involved with con costs than may have been originallyrtrayed. ecomepo0i my parents always insisted on wastinuing education, you will find such roof sys seGaining ainknowledge of different roofsysne thingbetter that my brothers and Ih dourtems offer stable, high R-values and can increa tems will allow you to bettertand p ;s:::; workar onunders roeducation and never stop learning.positive slope orrect slope deficiencies andand workbu ownersalr r-.z,= Theircor withildingwhoeady dicati ethicsysde on to thishas stayed with mestill provide dependable roof systems. In fact, Isuchtemsplace. in my p fess onal life. And Ielized that ifchanged my o nion of SPF roof systemsrAnother positive aspect ofnuing ero hav rea pi afte conti d1.n2-the roofing industry\'s professionalism ever willa gclasses.tion is that itb iness. For exttendin somehelps growus am= be raiseda h her standard, it must be doneI,to many othe in theo g indus many roof consu tstheirchan\:\'; toig similarrsro fin ltan seeroles through continuing e ion.try,ve beenick toSPF roof sys - they nowto better un a c:. ducat ha qu denounceneedderstandnd Mostthepe ra _.s When considering continuing education, manytems.oftime, building owners call mesuit on total building envelo s,ther than professiona avetroubleRoo ntracto and roofingls tend to h the "I\'m toowhen they have had extensivewith roofroof systems.fing co rssales;::-, busy," "Ite lectures" orcould they syste and want aird party\'s opinion.pie can relate to this as more are called tos~ ha "Whatpos msth rsibly teachattitudes.what they have toU rtunately, the existing SPF roof systems Idiroof system problems that stem from gme?"Butnfo atec::do isbetter insightneed for educationu lly see were poorly in lled, p main inga n curtainlls; air leakage:;:r-.: gainto thesua sta oorlyand se la ts;waand realize there always is more toarn,e tained or did not fit the situ for which theyd orting,tilating and air-co :~le esp ationecks;hea ven nd ::,_ cially about the ever-changing roofing profes were intended.ing p blems. Constant callb ks onw;&ro ac ne c sion.Iter u whatroofing projec can be avoided if in l12-discovered that to bet nderstandantsitia eva examp sales approachrocessesthanst Forle, think about the first time a SPF roof system can achieve, I musttion p involve morejuperson came to your office and discussed TPOthe p leman open mind and get theinvestigating aoftem and its ac o:;S rob withro sys cessroof membranes. At first, you may have th htrequ education before IaIand include inspecting anrelding oug iredmakejudgment.enti bui e:;,=TPOs were just like other single-ply roof sys began tomy attitude somewhat afterlope. change tems, but as you listened and learned, you dis attending an SPF presentation sponsored by theU rstanding atal building enve is~:: nde to lope covered they offer the benefits ofmem Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance based infor themid. T components that cu eEPDMti herr ntly PVC membranes. You may learn somethingconscientious efforttherededicated,pared to stru thatbui30ss,~s branes and have the heat-seaming capabilities ofArlington, Virginia, wherewas acompose buildings seem almost limitle cc-~ to change the perceptionsctureswereItto 40 about atway,is learning aboutmany of us have. T who teach such classesago.rstanding an exterior insulationn produc thisbuthoseUnde fi is:\'new roofing techn from ahop understand roofing and re ofing,ing system, for exam can be ating:as~ ologysalesperson-ro flashings,ple,dauning to convince you about his com prod properof term tions, andneed too Whether alding was built as aier spany\'suctro ina therem vebui barr ys:=-; benefits the bestto learn?wet insulation and damaged substrates.a ogreatlycorrections or m i1K2-wayls canaffectodConsider attending classes sponsored by roof But there stiare a lot ofustrations to betions to throu and other11fr gh-wall flashingsroo;memberpoints.ca be"ing contractor associations and being aovercome with regard to certain systems andterminationOther aspects thatn\':of such associations. Having conversations withm conceptionsthert of building owners. Itical tolto a bu gr is onpa professiona adviceildin ownefellow roofing professionals will reveal moreis our jobs, as roofing professionals, toa perimetering and sheet-metal comeducaterecop poinformationtopics that are im rtanto elves so our clients are properly informed.nentsiated with am curta -wall aboutpo tours assoc co plexinyou. In the case of TPOs, had youaFor example, a buildingoften willsystem. Removing and disturb g thesepoattendedownerin comclass or association meeting, you may havechoose abidfrom awhonentscau extensive problems if they are lowreceivedcontractormayse learned that the heat welding involved with seam inten to re-roof over an existing roof systemnotctly re tted to thema w le. dscorre fi syste ashoing and T characteristics are slightlyinstead of afrom a therwhoWhoovides educational and n rking POdifferentbidno contractorpr etwothan most in the industry first thought. Andintendsre all or part ofexisting roofoppor to get your qu tions answered youtomovethetunitiesesmay have fou itd ltget aTPOsystem and install alabor-intensive system.about the complexity of various roofing sys s? ndisifficu togoodmoretemproduct blend and s achieve afacto For instance, Iseen building owners whoOf course,very own profession asso atillsatis ryhaveyouralciultraviolet resistance and accepted fire rating.think th are getting SPF roof systems for lesstion. If you are aor consultant eyroofing contractor Another neededucation is to help under- money than traditional re projects, onlyC n dpage for-roofingonti ue on20'