b'A AIts the CERTA Program!A AGreg SpragueIn 2002 CNA, a major U.S insurancepropane cylinders.underwriter that offers general liability coverage to roofingHand torch application and machine torch application.contractors, experienced 46 claims and $13,784,000.00 inFire prevention, burn protection, hose hazards, losses as a result of roof top torching activities by roofingcombustion, MSDS, health and safety. contractors!In 2003 CNA approached the NRCA and asked them to address these concerns about increasing roof fireIn February of 2004 representatives of the MRCA and the incidents and resulting property loss.The roofing industryNRCA met to discuss insurance costs and insurance coverage was on the brink of losing general liability insurance coveragefor roofing contractors.At that time the only roofing torch from this major insurance carrier if something wasnt doneapplicator training program available in the roofing industry and done quickly about roof fires resulting from roof top openwas the MRCAs CERTA program.As a result of that meeting flame torch use! I dont know about the rest of you roofers outthe MRCA entered into an agreement to share its CERTA there, but I have never had much success installing a roll ofProgram with the NRCA for the betterment of the roofing APP modified bitumen or thawing out the frozen drain cock onindustry. As a result of that agreement we have todays CERTA a hot lugger with a heat gun.What was the roofing industry toprogram.Torching activities continue to be an importantdo?Fortunately in 2002 the industry had access to the MRCAscomponent of the roofing industry. The CERTA program CERTA program. continues to evolve to accommodate todays roof torch safety In 1986 the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association inneeds. However, in 2004 without the MRCAs original CERTA conjunction with industry companies, the Asphalt Roofingprogram being available to address the insurance industrys Manufactures and the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofersconcerns about roof fires and the resulting property loss, the and Allied workers developed a curriculum for training roofinguse of torch applied roofing material products and systems mechanics in the safety of torch welded modified bitumenmay have well been extinguished. roofing systems.This program was named the CertifiedRoofing torch-related fire incidents have decreased Roofing Torch Applicator program or CERTA.With continuingsignificantly since 2004 when the CERTA program was changes in technology, federal regulations, and work practices,implemented.The following data regarding losses paid for fire it became necessary in the 1990s for the MRCA to revise anddamage caused by improper use of a roofing torch was shared update the CERTA program which it did with the cooperationby CNA.of contractors, manufacturers and other associations.This program was comprised of a combination of a training manual, video, and hands-on training class.The basic content of that CERTA program included training, demonstrations and class study sessions that included the following: Safety and fire prevention techniques for torch welded roofing.Video instruction and hands-on training of the torch welding application process.Management and supervision instruction on the job setup and installation.Protection of the general area and materials to receive torch welding. Whats new with the CERTA program other than Mark General application techniques and specific applicationLanger and myself wearing those Black Firemans hats in concerns. the CERTA booth at the 65th annual MRCA conference in Fire prevention, protection and combustibilityGrapevine, Texas last December?Well, Dan Maxwell from concerns. Maxwell Roofing Company is the winner of the drawing for Personal protective equipment and fire extinguishers. the detail torch kit. Our thanks go out to Superior Equipment Set up, operation and maintenance of torch weldingCompany of Forrest Hills, TX for donating the torch kits to be equipment, LP-gas, hoses, connections, regulators andgiven away at events like this across the Midwest!14 www.mrca.orgMidwest Roofer'