Author Archive

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Winter’s Coming – Protect your footing with Korkers!

September 28, 2011

With Fall arriving, that means Winter, and wet weather, is right around the corner.

Every year, countless construction workers and roofers are hurt by slipping on icy work surfaces.  Korkers is the solution.  Korkers makes all terrain footwear that can easily be buckled to your work boots.  Each overshoe contains 26 spikes for shallow penetration into wood decks, ice and icy surfaces.

These have a quick release buckle and strap system for easy on/off.  The molded rubber walls at toe, heel and side provide a secure fit for better traction.  The durable push-through steel spikes are placed under the toe, heel and ball of foot, and are inter-changeable with longer spikes for working in snow, ice, etc.

They also make a convertible overshoe that allows the wearer to change out 3 different soles.  A foam sole for metal roofs, a composite sole for asphalt materials, and spiked soles for shake shingles and elevated wood decks.  This style of Korker is especially valuable to the inspectors, estimators, and HVAC people.

Sizing for Korkers is as follows:

Small 6-7.5
Medium – 8-9.5
Large – 10-11.5
X Large – 12-13.5

To see all Korkers products, search on roofmaster.com:

Tags:,
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Transporting Single Ply Rolls On The Deck

August 30, 2011

Single ply roofing is currently one of the most popular methods of roofing for commercial applications.  Most material handling units, including conveyors and carts, were engineered with built-up roofing products in mind – namely tar, felt, gravel, etc.  These were (relatively) easy to get to the roof deck using hoists and ladders with hoisting wheels.  Rolls of single ply present a different challenge, as they come in lengths from 6′ up to 12′ and can weigh up to 800lbs, so it’s not as easy as piling rolls on a dolly or wheelbarrow and carting them to where they’re being installed.

Currently, we’ve heard stories of guys having to manually carry these rolls over the deck, which seems back-breaking!  We’ve also heard that our insulation carrier (with or without back wheels) can be used like an oversized dolly (forks are wide enough to balance the rolls).  Two other back-saving methods are to place the rolls on a 4-wheel trailer (and use the pins in the pin pockets to prevent roll-off) or to use our newly re-designed Single-Ply Roll Carrier.  All of these carts are offered with pneumatic or our Non-Flat Lite tires. Note: we recommend the rear-wheels for the insulation carrier.  Heavier loads are easier to move on the deck.

Our Single-Ply Roll Carrier is capable of carrying single-ply rolls up to 10 feet wide. It uses a mandrel that separates down into two (2) lightweight sections for easier handling and/or shipping. It breaks down for easy transportation anywhere (roof or ground); has large tires (18 x 8.50) that make it easy to roll on any deck by any size person; and it has an intermediate handle location to make it very easy to lift up rolls and maneuver them around the roof decks!

Tags:, ,
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Are you getting value for your fall arrest safety buckets?

July 12, 2011

With the rush to conform to the new OSHA ruling regarding the use of slide guards as a primary form of fall protection, there has been a run on safety buckets.

OSHA recently implemented a 3 month phase-in of this rule, to give contractors the time to properly implement new training and safety measures.  Now that you can no longer use slide guards as your primary source of fall protection, you should look into outfitting yourself and your crews with the proper fall protection.  Safety buckets are the primary (and cheapest) way to conform.  But don’t be drawn in just by the price tag.  There are varying levels of quality when it comes to these buckets.  Are you getting value for your dollar’s worth??

We make our buckets with a high quality 5 point harness.  Most of the “cheap” kits only contain a 3 point harness.  If you are involved in a fall on the roof, wouldn’t you feel better knowing you have those 2 extra points of connection (not to mention there is less pain in a fall when wearing a 5-point harness)?

Another feature that sets us apart is our use of a blue poly steel rope, as opposed to the polydac ropes that may be prone to fraying.  Blue poly steel ropes do not absorb water (nylon rope, when wet, will become 10-15% weaker than dry ropes) and is 10 times stronger than polypropylene.

We have been providing safety buckets to the Roofing Industry for over 20 years.  We have vendors that are known for their quality.  Remember, these buckets are for your workers or customers safety.  Don’t just buy price, buy quality.  A few dollars can mean the difference between life and the other option.

Tags:, ,
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

OSHA Slide Guard Update: 3 Month “Phase-In”

June 17, 2011

OSHA has announced a 3 month “phase-in” for residential construction fall protection.  The reason for the delay is to ensure contractors have time to successfully come in to compliance with the new ruling.  From OSHA’s website:

The three month phase-in period runs June 16 – September 15, 2011. During this time, if the employer is in full compliance with the old directive (STD 03-00-001), OSHA will not issue citations, but will instead issue a hazard alert letter informing the employer of the feasible methods they can use to comply with OSHA’s fall protection standard or implement a written fall protection plan. If the employer’s practices do not meet the requirements set in the old directive, OSHA will issue appropriate citations.

So now you and your crews have an  additional 90 days to comply.  Hopefully this will give you and us time to fulfill your requirements for fall protection to comply with O.S.H.A.’s new standard.  As we all know, O.S.H.A. is a self funded agency.  They are funded by fines!

Tags:,
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Leister Triac-S Tips

June 1, 2011

You probably know that the most popular Leister Triac-S tip is the 40mm wide slot nozzle.  But did you know that Leister offers a whole array of other tips?

 

The 20mm wide slot nozzle is great for detail work.  The angled 20mm nozzle with 60º bend and the 20mm nozzle with 90º bend are ideal for detail work in hard to reach places.  Leister also makes a 5mm “pencil tip” nozzle.

In the majority of our Triac gun sales, the customer orders the Triac-S gun with 40mm tip.  We also offer the Triac gun with a 20mm tip.  And if you’re looking for a Do-Everything option, our Triac-S Kit comes with both the 40mm and 20mm nozzles, an extra element, high quality single ply shears, a 1-3/4″ silicone roller, and a convertable weld seam tester.

Roofmaster is a Leister authorized sales and service dealer with 4 locations across the U.S.A. to serve you.

Tags:, ,
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Save your back – use a stand-up tool!

April 27, 2011

Did you ever try to stand up after shooting 8000 nails?  Here’s a great alternative to being hunched over using your pneumatic roofing nailer – The Stand Up tool!

It’s 9 position trigger actuator means it will fit virtually all gun types (with a handle and trigger).  The average house requires 8-10,000 nails shot into the deck or when walls are sheeted on the deck.

This roofing nailer attachment clamps to the gun in seconds with no tool and even adjusts to five different angles with the push of a button.  It even has a hose holder so you don’t have to bend over to grab the hose.  Two contoured handles offer the user excellent control.  Standing up also makes it easier to stay on line too.  The handles can be switched for left hand operation and the support handle is adjustable up and down also.

Tags:, ,
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Court dismisses NRCA petition regarding OSHA’s slide guard rule

April 13, 2011

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Chicago, has dismissed NRCA’s petition for review of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) slide guard rule.

In February, NRCA filed a petition for judicial review of new rules issued by OSHA that fundamentally change the requirements for protecting workers from falls on residential roofing projects. The new OSHA rules, which were issued in December 2010, no longer allow the use of “slide guards,” or roof brackets, as an acceptable means of fall protection except in some narrow circumstances.

NRCA’s petition argued OSHA did not follow appropriate rulemaking procedures when it eliminated an option that has been in place for 15 years; acted without any evidence to suggest slide guards are not an effective method for fall protection; and failed to take into account the effect the new rules would have on small businesses. OSHA argued the rule is not a new standard and is, therefore, beyond the reach of an appeal.

The court agreed with OSHA, concluding that the rule’s 1999 rewrite and 1995 predecessor amounted to “an exercise of prosecutorial discretion” and not a new standard.

“We were extremely disappointed by the court’s decision, even knowing that taking on the government always is a long shot,” says NRCA Executive Vice President Bill Good. “The new OSHA rule now will take effect in just over two months, so we will do our best to help all members prepare. We also hope to meet with OSHA officials to get a better understanding of their enforcement plans. Meanwhile, we encourage all members to let us know of their experiences with the new rule and OSHA enforcement activity.”

Because OSHA’s 1994 fall-protection standard always remained as the operative standard and the only thing that changed was OSHA’s articulation of how it intended to enforce that standard, the Seventh Circuit court concluded that “by deciding to enforce the 1994 regulation as written, the Secretary has not adopted a new occupational safety and health standard.”

Based on that conclusion and because a “standard” was not at issue in NRCA’s petition, the court had no proper jurisdiction, and NRCA’s petition was dismissed.

For more information about the court’s decision, click here.

From NRCA.net

Tags:,
Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments »

International Roofing Expo 2011

February 14, 2011

We’ll be in Las Vegas on Wednesday (February 16) to attend the 2011 IRE at the Las Vegas Convention Center (North Hall).  Stop by and say hi to us, we’re on Island 1144.  Exhibiting hours are 11am to 5pm Wednesday and Thursday, and 11am to 3pm on Friday.

We’ll be displaying some new and unique items this year, as well as some improvements to some of our existing products:

Of course we’ll also be displaying some of our other core products, such as Leister, Guardian safety products, Graco spray products, and other assorted tools and equipment.

Tags:,
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Powering your Leister Varimat V2

January 12, 2011

We’ve discussed the power requirements for the Leister Varimat V2 (230V, 4600W).  We’ve talked about the right generator for your V2 (recommended minimum 12kW).  But what if you’re on a job that has “house” power?

We know that most generators run single phase 230, so it’s not a problem.  But when you’re running your power off of the building’s circuits, you can’t be sure.  Many buildings run 3 phase 220-230, which will power on your V2, but soon leave its insides smoldering:

The V2 can ONLY be run off single phase!!

If you’re going to use house power on the job, you need to make sure it’s single phase, and it’s clean (undistorted voltage without notches or spikes.)

If you’re unsure about what type of power is in the building, you should ask the building electrician.  If there isn’t an electrician, you could get a volt meter to see if you’re getting 230 or 208 volts at the output (remember, SINGLE PHASE ONLY!).  Most house power is 208 volts.  The only way for house power to reach 230 volts is for a transformer to be in line with the power source.

The V2 is a 230 volt machine.  If you’re pulling 208 volts and using a 10 gauge 100′ cord, you will drop below 200 volts, which will shut down and/or damage the V2.

All is not lost, however.  You can still use your V2 on 208 volts.  You will need to beef your extension cord up to 8 gauge (instead of 10 gauge) and limit the length to 100′.

It is always best to meter the voltage at the provided source to assure yourself that the power you need is available.

If there’s a transformer and you’re metering 230volts, you can use a 10 gauge extension cord (no longer than 100′) .

Remember: SINGLE PHASE ONLY!!! If you do experience a meltdown, Roofmaster has 4 authorized Leister Service Centers located in Los Angeles, Hayward (Bay Area), Kent (Seattle, WA area), and Decatur (Atlanta, GA area).

Tags:, ,
Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

AQMD Rule 1147

January 6, 2011

We’ve been deluged with roofers calling and faxing asking about AQMD Rule 1147, and how it applies to their roofing kettles.  Briefly summarized:

Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Rule 1147 – Nitrogen Oxide Reductions from Combustion Sources “applies to various types of equipment which burn fuel, such as ovens, dryers, dehydrators, heaters…and other combustion equipment which release nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions due to burning of fuel and which require an AQMD permit but are not specifically required to comply with a NOx emission control or limit by District Regulation XI rules.

Effective Jan 1, 2010, owners and operators of all Rule 1147 units will be required to:

  • perform combustion system maintenance in accordance with the manufacturer’s schedule and specifications as identified in the manual and other written materials supplied by the manufacturer or distributor, and
  • maintain on site at the facility where the unit is operated a copy of the manufacturer’s or distributor’s written instructions, retain records of the maintenance activity for a period of not less than three years, and retain emission test records on site, and
  • maintain on each unit a permanent rating plate in an accessible location.

Specifically addressing asphalt manufacturing operations (which tar kettles fall under), the NOx Emission limit is 40ppm @ 3% O², dry or Pound/mmBTU heat input.

The “Notice to Comply” paperwork we’ve seen from customers usually outlines 2 of these 3 points above – maintenance in accordance with the manufacturer’s schedules as identified in the tar pot manual, and maintain a copy of the manufacturer’s manual.

We’ve also heard of inspectors claiming you will need time-meters and non-resttable fuel meters.

To help you comply, here is a copy of the suggested maintenance schedule:
Addendum to Kettle Operating Instructions

Every kettle sold has instructions in the instruction tube.  Print out the copy of the suggested maintenance schedule and keep it in the instruction tube.

As for the permanent rating plate – we rivet on a plate of the front side of every kettle that shows the jet that is used in the kettle burner (amongst other things).  Example:

At this point, you’ve satisfied the Notice to Comply, and will have to go to the AQMD office and get a permit.  Seeing as most kettles are propane burning, and propane is considered a clean burning fuel, there’s been a lot of noise that this is nothing more than a money grab by cash starved agencies.

Update:
We received an advisory notice that the AQMD intends to:

  • Remove the requirements for installation of time meters
  • Remove the requirements for installation of non-resettable totalizing fuel meters if the operator intend to comply with the Rule 1147 NOx emission limits in parts per million (ppm), but still require the fuel meters if the operator intends to comply with the NOx emission limits in pounds per million British Thermal Units (lb/mmBTU)
  • Extend deadlines for demonstrating compliance with the early phases of NOx emission limits by approx one year

If you have questions regarding the proposed amendments, you can contact Wayne Barcikowski – wbarcikowski@aqmd.gov

If you have questions regarding compliance with the rule, you can contact Dr. Cher Snyder – csnyder@aqmd.gov

Do you have any experiences (good or bad) with this new rule?  Any insight or tips you can share with your fellow roofers?  Leave us a comment or drop us an email.  We know this is causing headaches for many Southern California roofers

Tags:, , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.