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Current projects

Following are the studies, programs and projects that are currently in progress. Regular status reports are given to Alliance members at their yearly April and fall meetings.

Roof reflectivity study (2005—$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 the summer of 2010 (year 3) is available.

Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing (2007—$100,000): The Alliance approved funding to the center for the funding of research projects identified and agreed to by the center. The center commissioned Penn State's Department of Architectural Engineering to conduct a research project, "Business and Contract Strategies for Solar PV Systems in Roofing Applications." This research examined contract strategies for various types of photovoltaic systems in building integrated applications including low-slope roofing, steep-slope roofing and glazing integrated systems. The primary goals of the research were to examine the roles of roofing contractors and electrical contractors in the marketing, installation and maintenance of solar systems in these applications and identify areas of distinction between these trades. The research is complete, and a final report will be given at the April 2011 Alliance meeting.

Helping our Own (2007—funding approved on an as-need basis—$30,000 distributed): The Alliance expanded its funding initiatives to helping our own, which includes reaching out to roofing community 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. To date, the Alliance has assisted two families in need.

Wall of Wind (2007—$100,000): This program funds the development of a full-scale destructive testing facility–the Wall of Wind– by the International Hurricane Research Center (IHRC) of Florida International University, which will help revolutionize the construction industry and make communities safer. This first-of-its- kind testing facility will rigorously subject residential housing, low-rise commercial buildings and building components to hurricane-force winds and rain. Such testing will lead to the development of more effective building codes, new construction technologies, innovative designs and advanced building products. The 12-fan wall-of-wind system is expected to be completed in 2011.

Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship Program (2007—$650,000 [$400,000 in scholarship funds have been collected since the Alliance's inception; an additional $250,000 has been designated for the next five years]): 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 furthering education. The goal is to create a permanent scholarship fund of at least $2 million so that 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 contractor and/or supplier firms.

Roofing Asphalt Fumes Research (2009—$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 BUR 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 that the scientific and regulatory implications of the study just completed can be fully evaluated and understood.

RoofPoint (2010—$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 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 will then be developed.