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Project list
As of May 31, 2011Since its inception in 1996, The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress has approved more than $3.6 million to conduct research and fund various educational projects that support high-quality programs for roofing contractors; ensure timely and forward-thinking industry responses to major economic and technological issues; and enhance the long-term viability and attractiveness of the industry to roofing workers. Following is a list of ongoing and completed projects funded by the Alliance.
PROJECTS IN PROGRESS
2010
RoofPoint™ ($750,000 approved for a three-year period)
The Alliance awarded a $750,000 grant to the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing to co-sponsor the development of RoofPoint, a new guideline and rating system for the selection of roof systems that maximize energy efficiency and minimize environmental impact. The grant will provide the center with critical resources to expand RoofPoint's development and public launch. An initial pilot program began in 2010 and will continue through the first quarter of 2011. Based on the experience gained during the pilot program, a final RoofPoint program for public use then will be developed. For more information about RoofPoint, click here.
2009
Helping Our Own Program (funding approved on an as-needed basis—$30,000 distributed to date)
The Alliance expanded its funding initiatives to the Helping Our Own Program, which includes reaching out to the roofing community and its members and helping fund projects dedicated to charitable giving. The funding mission serves to balance the programs supported by the Alliance to enable it to affect more lives in the roofing industry. Through a nomination process, the Alliance can recognize and identify the challenges associated with life-changing events and provide assistance to create sustainable solutions for individuals or families in need.
Roofing Asphalt Fumes Research ($53,700 approved for a three-year period)
This research program will clarify the results of the recently completed Asphalt Roofing Environmental Council Dermal Cancer Assay (a mouse skin-painting study) of Type IV built-up roof asphalt fumes. This follow-up research was proposed by the Asphalt Institute, the external Scientific Advisory Council involved in the initial study and industry toxicologists. The proposed research is critical for the entire roofing industry so the scientific and regulatory implications of the study can be fully evaluated and understood.
2007
Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship Program ($650,000)
By unanimous consent, Alliance members agreed to establish the Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship Program, recognizing not only a great industry leader but a person who has devoted much of his life to the cause of education. The goal is to create a permanent scholarship fund of at least $2 million so a minimum of $100,000 in scholarships can be awarded annually. Scholarships in the amount of $5,000 are awarded annually to post-secondary students from NRCA member contractor or supplier firms.
Wall of Wind ($100,000)
Construction of the 12-fan Wall of Wind facility now is complete. In 2007, the Alliance approved funding for the development of this full-scale destructive testing facility by the International Hurricane Research Center (IHRC) of Florida International University, Miami. The new 12-fan Wall of Wind is a first-of-its-kind facility capable of performing controlled and repeatable testing in flows that replicate hurricane winds up to Category 5 accompanied by wind-driven rain and flying debris. Future research will allow 12-fan Wall of Wind-based testing that can adhere transformative advancement in hurricane damage mitigation techniques and additional building code enhancements. Beginning in August 2011, IHRC gradually will be starting all the fans for the first time using the variable frequency drives. Then, they will begin calibrating the wind field through measurements. A status report will be included at the October 2011 Alliance meeting. Please click here to view photos of the completed facility and a video of the construction.
2005
Roof Reflectivity Study ($30,000)
NRCA's Technical Operations Committee is working with representatives from the Chicago Roofing Contractors Association to take solar reflectivity measurements on 46 roof systems in the metropolitan Chicago area for a minimum of five years. Data are collected on an annual basis; currently, data collected through summer 2010 (year three) is available upon request.
COMPLETED PROJECTS
2010
Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing ($100,000 approved)
The Alliance approved funding for the center to commission University Park, Pa.-based Penn State's Department of Architectural Engineering to conduct a research project titled Business and Contract Strategies for Solar PV Systems in Roofing Applications. The purpose of the research was to explore the opportunities that exist in the solar energy market for the roofing industry and identify strategies and tactics for roofing contractors to enter the solar market. The final report summarizes the nature of the data collection and interactions used to formulate a set of observations and strategic recommendations in the fields of rooftop solar industry advancement, research and training programs.
2009
The Field Performance of PV Roofs: A Critical Research Opportunity—Phase One ($17,000)
The research, which involved a comprehensive survey of the more than 6,000 rooftop solar installations that were subsidized by the state of Florida during the past several years, used the Florida solar database as the basis for a field performance study to monitor roof system performance during the next few years. The driving force behind the research was a white paper—Successful Rooftop Photovoltaics: How to Achieve a High-Quality, Well-Maintained, Compatible Rooftop PV System—which was released by the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing and identifies the key challenges of integrating photovoltaic energy into roofing. Results of the initial study are available upon request.
2007
Penn State ($100,000)
The Alliance partnered with Penn State, University Park, Pa., to conduct a series of projects that contribute to the advancement of the roofing industry in areas of high-performance roof systems and related workforce development issues. There are three initial objectives: Pursue the Department of Energy Solar Decathlon competition as a vehicle to explore and promote the effects of building-integrated photovoltaic (PV) systems on the roofing industry, as well as promote the roofing industry's role in the deployment of PV systems in a manner that expands the roofing industry's visibility among college graduates; contribute to the advancement of vegetative roof system research specifically in the area of energy performance by sponsoring state-of-the-art research and development of educational materials that promote awareness of vegetative roof systems; and investigate the potential effects and respective market strategies for the roofing industry in response to the growing interest in building-integrated PV (solar electric) technologies.
Rebuilding Together® Kickoff to Rebuild ($10,000)
For more than 10 years, NRCA has been a national sponsor of Rebuilding Together, an organization that rehabilitates single-family homes for the elderly and needy. Each year, Rebuilding Together hosts Kickoff to Rebuild the Friday before the Super Bowl in the Super Bowl host city. In 2007, the Alliance joined NRCA; the Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association Inc.; and Bradco Supply Corp., Beloit, Wis., to sponsor the event.
2006
Partnership in Get Rewarded for Education and Advancement Training (GREAT) Program ($25,000)
The GREAT Program is a partnership of business, government and community organizations spearheaded by Business Roundtable. The program's goal was to train 20,000 new construction workers in the Gulf Coast area by 2009; to date, that number stands at 21,000.
2005
Contractor Liability Insurance Cost and Coverage Study ($25,000)
This study provides fact-based, actionable recommendations to overcome the excessive cost and poor availability of insurance for contracting firms. It demonstrates the corresponding negative economic effect on the public.
Future Trends Study ($75,000)
This study identified advances in information, materials and communication technology that will fundamentally change the roofing construction industry during the next 20 years. The study results are recorded in the publication The Roofing Industry in 2025, which provides tools to help you think more strategically and proactively about the future. The publication is available in the NRCA Bookstore.
2004
SpecRight ($110,000)
The SpecRight Program was an NRCA initiative launched in 2006. It provided information about conserving energy and protecting the environment through quality roof system design, installation, materials and maintenance. The program included NRCA's EnergyWise energy calculator software program, a Web-based application allowing roofing professionals to construct virtual roof assemblies to evaluate thermal efficiency and estimate energy costs via comparison with other roof assemblies (at ground level) absent in other building envelope components.
2003
Ergonomics Study—Industry Benchmarks ($60,000)
This study was done to identify and document best practices to prevent repetitive-stress and strain injuries in the industry. It focused on worker education, redesign of work, and improved design of tools and equipment. Identification and Management of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Roofing Industry was published and is available in the NRCA Bookstore.
Roof Longevity and Replacement Activity ($75,000)
This study was done to determine whether existing depreciation rules for nonresidential roofs were realistic and whether they created obstacles for the timely replacement of those roofs. The focus of the study was on the nonresidential building-owner community. Subsequently, NRCA introduced legislation reducing the depreciation period for roof systems on nonresidential real property from 39 years to 20 years.
2002
Best Employment Practices for the Roofing Industry Study ($30,568)
This study documented effective and efficient methods for recruiting, training and retaining qualified workers. The publication Best Employment Practices for the Roofing Industry was produced and is available in the NRCA Bookstore.
2001
NRCA and Roofing Industry Educational Institute (RIEI) Grants ($50,000)
NRCA used $25,000 to conduct educational survey work; another $25,000 provided updated RIEI course materials.
2000
Enter Here Career Video ($51,091)
This roofing industry career video was distributed to vocational, educational and government institutions. It depicted employees working at and talking about roofing careers.
1998
Media/Image Communications Campaign ($357,733)
This campaign produced and placed individual radio and television ads; published a first-ever color career brochure; created a career hotline; produced a recruiting guide, Recruiting and Retaining Workers in the New Millennium, which is available through NRCA's bookstore; created the annual Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards program; and produced a pilot Job Corps program.
National Roofing Training Institute ($118,000)
The National Roofing Training Institute (a training facility for potential roofing workers) was established in the McAllen-Mission area of Texas. A 12-week program was offered to include a combination of vocational skills with roofing skills defined as pre-apprentice.
Specialty Construction Academic Consortium ($20,000 for a three-year period)
Funding enabled the Alliance to participate in an academic consortium designed to ensure specialty construction is incorporated into the construction curricula offered by leading educational institutions.
1997
Gallup Study on Worker Satisfaction in the Roofing Industry ($92,912)
The Gallup study on worker satisfaction in the roofing industry was a seminal study documenting workers' motivation for entering, remaining in and leaving the industry. The publication Employee Satisfaction in the Roofing Industry: Quantitative Results was produced and is available in the NRCA Bookstore.
Roof Application Training Programs ($750,000)
This series of training modules includes video, instructors' guides, workbooks and learning guides. The series addresses low- and steep-slope roof systems, various system applications, and safety and equipment.