Top Story

Snowstorm in Midwest, Mid-Atlantic damages roofs
A winter storm has dumped heavy snow in some parts of the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Washington, D.C., escaped much of the snow, but parts of New Jersey and Maryland were not spared. High winds tore off a portion of the roof at a condominium complex in New Jersey and on the beach patrol building on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. The storm also caused a 50-by-30-foot section of the roof to cave in at a banquet hall in Des Plaines, Ill. USA Today (3/6), New Jersey Online (3/7), Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Ill.) (3/6)

News & Trends

Construction deficiencies, rooftop leaks contributed to roof collapse
Deficiencies in the steel work and other "sloppy" construction techniques were used in the construction 30 years ago of the Algo Centre Mall in Elliot Lake, Ontario, said John Kadlec, a structural engineer involved in the design of the facility. A parking garage was built on top of the mall and leaks started, but no one warned anyone of the corrosive effects. The roof of the mall caved in last June and killed two women. The Toronto Star/The Canadian Press (3/6)

Roof, skylight to be repaired at Canadian art gallery to end leaks
The roof and the skylight of the National Gallery of Canada in Ontario will receive repairs to end the leaks at the facility. The work calls for replacement of 1,436 glass windows in the roof of the building's Great Hall and repairs for 13 roofs in the skylight atop the gallery. The project, which costs nearly $9 million, will help preserve the artwork inside the gallery, said director Marc Mayer. Ottawa Citizen (Ontario) (3/6)

Excess snow load means new roof for historic courthouse in Idaho
The deteriorating roof of the historic Blaine County courthouse in Idaho will be replaced because of problems related to snow load, masonry and the presence of dry rot on the structure. The roof is not able to shed snow properly due to structural additions at the facility. The replacement work is expected to start in the summer and is estimated to cost $800,000. Idaho Mountain Express and Guide (3/6)

Energy & the Environment

Partial collapse of green roof leads Ill. firm to file a $13M lawsuit
A 500-by-60-foot section of the green roof that caved in at the Aquascape office in 2011 in St. Charles, Ill., has led the company to file a $13 million lawsuit against nine contractors, architects and construction companies involved in the design and building of the structure. "The structure was not appropriately designed and constructed," according to the suit. Area Erectors, one of the defendants, said that it only erected the steel structure and that it followed the project's blueprints and designs. Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Ill.) (3/6)

Rooftop solar shingles to be offered on the East Coast
Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingles, an integrated solar-roofing system, will soon be available to home buyers on the East Coast through homebuilder Nexus EnergyHomes. The roofing material protects the home, while generating electricity from the sun. The shingles will help Nexus EnergyHomes reach its goal in construction of sustainable homes, according to Paul Zanecki, founder and president of the homebuilding company. Home Channel News (3/6)

In the Office

RFID allows company to maintain safety through tracking
DPR Construction is controlling safety and personnel at one California construction site using RFID tags. Using readers and ID cards, the company tracks personnel coming and going from the site to maintain security. Also, in the case of an emergency, the system can ensure everyone is evacuated without harm. RFID Journal (2/27)

Low-cost benefits to keep your employees happy
Employee benefits can be expensive, but there are many low-cost ways to provide your staff with a few extras, according to this article. You might allow employees to buy excess inventory from your company at a discount, for example, offer free educational lunchtime seminars or negotiate with local businesses to get special deals for your staff. Entrepreneur online (3/5)

Government & Regulatory

House passes $982B measure to prevent government shutdown
House Republicans pushed through a measure aimed at keeping federal agencies operating by providing $982 billion in funds for the second half of the fiscal year. The current funding mechanism ends March 27. The House measure would keep in place across-the-board spending cuts, but Senate Democrats will likely try to change that. The Washington Post (3/6)

Lawmaker to propose simpler small-business tax rules
Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., is expected to release draft legislation intended to simplify tax rules for small businesses. Camp, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, reportedly wants to cut individual and corporate rates, and his proposal could target taxes affecting S corporations. The Wall Street Journal/Washington Wire blog (3/5), Bloomberg Businessweek (3/5)

NRCA News

Make charitable contributions through NRCA
NRCA is affiliated with several charitable organizations that allow NRCA members to volunteer their time and resources. Rebuilding Together rehabilitates the houses of low-income homeowners; Project Recovery helps roofing professionals become involved locally with the search for missing children; the Pay It Forward Program matches roofing professionals with those in need in their communities; and The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress’ Disaster Relief Fund provides roof systems in regions affected by natural disasters. Learn more, and participate in these programs.

Wage and hour guide is available
The National Roofing Legal Resource Center has released A Comprehensive Guide to Wage and Hour Regulations Affecting Roofing Contractors, which addresses regulations governing the minimum wage and overtime pay requirements, as well as Fair Labor Standards Act regulations that set forth the rules for travel time pay, which often are misunderstood. The NRCA member price for the guide is $125, and the retail price is $250; the publication is free for NRLRC members. Purchase the guide.

SmartQuote

Scientific progress makes moral progress a necessity; for if man's power is increased, the checks that restrain him from abusing it must be strengthened." -- Anne Louise Germaine de Staël, Swiss author Share: