b'Inside OIRCACRCAs National Technical Committee By Don Marks, Executive Director, OIRCAO n page 6 of this issue ofORN our President Mark Mollison talks about the di- The NTC provides a forum for addressing current technical issues that are facing its versity of roofing systems available in todays industrial/commercial/institutionalmembers across Canada. In addition to technical matters, risk management, occupa-(ICI) marketplace. Sweeping the construction industry these days are technologicaltional health and safety, education, codes and standards, and environmental topics are advances like we have never witnessed before, and roofing is no exception.dealt with.Advancements in roofing technology, especially in the low-slope ICI sector, are drivenThe NTC is responsible for drafting CRCA Technical and Advisory Bulletins. They as-by many factors. Certainly the environmental movement has been one of the drivingsist with the development of CRCA manuals, including the Canadian Roofing Reference forces. Vegetated roofing systems, white reflective membranes and photovoltaics are justManual; a manual used nationally as a textbook for the various provincial apprentice-a few examples of that crusade.ship programs. The industry bible, the CRCA Specification Manual, is also reviewed by Improved long-term performance is always a driver, but so too are finding systems thatthe NTC.are less labour intensive, recognizing the shortage of skilled workers in this country. Find- Another major role of this committee is recommending research projects and assisting ing products that can be applied in cold temperatures has been a challenge, but manufac- with the assembly of industry consortiums to fund such work. A good example, and one turers have been making headway with self-adhering membranes and adhesives that maythat has reshaped the National Building Code of Canada as it relates to the effects of wind be applied down to -14 F (-10 C). Perfect for a flameless application of modified bitu- on roofing systems, is SIDGERS, the Special Interest Group for the Dynamic Evaluation men membranes. These examples represent just a few of the developments taking hold inof Roofing Systems. our industry.Nearly 20 years of extensive work by SIDGERS resulted in the CSA standard CAN/Many readers of ORN may not be familiar with the Canadian Roofing ContractorsCSA123.21 Standard test method for the dynamic wind uplift resistance of membrane-roofing sys-Associations (CRCA) National Technical Committee (NTC). This group, hosted by thetems. This test method determines the wind uplift resistance of membrane-roofing systems CRCA and its Technical Staff, includes provincial representatives who are actual roofingwhen subjected to dynamic wind load cyclescycles that mimic actual wind-related con-contractors. Provincial roofing associations such as the OIRCA also provide representa- ditions in the real world. tion through their Technical Managers. The National Roofing Contractors AssociationOther research projects currently in the works with the NTC partnering with the NRC (NRCA) from the U.S. also send their Vice President of Technical Services to meetings,include an Investigation into the Ridging of Modified Bitumen Roofing Systems and the Effect of and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) are regular contributors. Temperature of Dependent Thermal Properties of Insulation Materials on Energy Performance of the The NTC also includes representation from manufacturers and suppliers who are As- Whole Building.sociate Members of the CRCA. They represent companies that manufacturer or supplyCRCAs NTC is a prime example of an industry staying at the forefront of technologi-roofing membranes and systems, roof insulation and roofing accessories. Their input iscal growth. It is a true tripartite committee bringing together contractors, manufacturers critical when evaluating problems with roofing materials and their application. and researchers.20ONTARIO ROOFING NEWSISSUE 3 2019 THE ONLY SOURCE FOR PROFESSIONAL ICI ROOFING CONTRACTORS IN ONTARIO ORN'