CRCA Current Initiatives
The CRCA’s Technical Committee is focused on ensuring that CRCA members and the roofing industry at large are abreast of important technical issues, policy and standards activities. CRCA current initiatives include the following bulletins, research projects, thought leadership, and committee representation activities.
Advisories & Publications
Keeping CRCA members informed about technical, regulatory, standards, and policy issues is an important component of our advocacy work. Our most recent work in this area includes:
| Format | Topic | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Advisory Bulletin | Roofing Contractors and Designers Responsibility | Issued |
| Advisory Bulletin | Re-roofing design considerations | Issued |
| Advisory Bulletin | Uncommon Rooftop Hazards | Issued |
| Advisory Bulletin | Electrical Conduit Hazards | Issued |
| Program | National Torch Safety Program | Revising & updating |
| Manual | Roofing Reference Manual | Revising & updating |
Research Projects
A key activity of CRCA’s technical staff is to act as liaison and coordinator for various industry research projects. CRCA Current Initiatives in the area of research include:
| Project | Participation | Details |
|---|---|---|
| National Research Council (NRC) research project on wind resistance of built-in-place vegetated roofing assemblies (BVRA) | Project Manager | In support of a code change requests that CRCA has to the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes to include reference to the Standard in the next edition of the National Building Code of Canada. |
| SIGDERS (Special Interest Group for the Dynamic Evaluation of Roofing Systems) Consortium | Participant | Current focus is on instrumenting and monitoring wind loads on a large manufacturing facility in the state of Iowa, in response to changes in ASCE 7, in the US, which forms the foundation of wind load requirements in U.S. building codes and greatly influences our building codes. |
| NRCA research study on roofing over concrete decks | Joint undertaking | The primary goals of the study are to determine what moisture level in concrete decks is appropriate for roofing operations in both new construction and reroofing and how we can develop tools to quickly and accurately measure moisture levels in concrete roof decks. |
| NRC Energy Resistance of Commercial Roofs research study | Participant | This research project is designed to develop data on the energy performance of roofing systems that are being constructed according to current practices. The research data will form the basis for the development of national energy performance indicators for ICI (low-slope) roofing systems. |
| NRC study on the Ridging and Wrinkling of Modified Bituminous Membrane Systems | Commissioned the study | This problem was identified by the Board of Directors as an issue and in response, the CRCA commissioned the NRC to conduct research into the phenomenon, to determine the causes, and to provide solutions. |
Thought Leadership
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Government & Industry Liaison | We continuously liaise with government and industry organizations such as:
|
| Climate Change | The Government of Canada has made it clear that responding to climate change is a top priority, particularly as it relates to our built environment. According to the NRC, Canadian buildings and infrastructure are being confronted by an increase in extreme weather events such as damaging floods and devastating high winds.
In response, the National Research Council (NRC) along with Infrastructure Canada is upgrading codes, specifications, guidelines, and assessment tools to keep Canadians safe. Standards development organizations are reviewing all of their construction related standards to ensure they address climate change impacts. CRCA is working closely with NRC to ensure that the roofing industry is prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. |
Committee Representation
CRCA’s participation in standards and policy making committees ensures that the voice of Canada’s roofers is heard when decisions affecting roofers are made. The CRCA current initiatives include participation on these committees:
- Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Committees:
- Technical committee on Bituminous Materials (CSA 123)
- TSC on Best Practices for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Rooftop installations (F900)
- Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada Committees (ULC):
- Committee on Thermal Insulation Materials and Systems (S700A)
- Committee on Air Barriers and Air Barrier Systems (S700B)
- Canadian Advisory Committee to ISO Technical Committee 163 on Thermal Performance and Energy Use in the Built Environment
- Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes, Joint Task Group on Roofing, Damp proofing and Waterproofing Standards
- Special Interest Group for Dynamic Evaluation of Roofing Systems (SIGDERS)
- American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM)
- Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB)
- Vegetative Roofing Assembly Wind Uplift Standard Consortium
- Roofing Consultants Institute (RCI)
- CIB/RILEM (International) Joint Committee on Roofing Materials and Systems
- Construction Specifications Canada (CSC)
- Ontario Building Envelope Council and Building Envelope Council (OBEC)
Other Advocacy Initiatives
- Bill S-224 Canada’s Prompt Payment Act
- Coalition for Small Business Tax Fairness