roofing bc spring 2014

Chilliwack roof studytests insulation andanswers a black andwhite questionBy Frank O’Brien

The roof of the Soprema plant inChilliwack does more than coverone of BC’s largest roofing materialmanufacturers – it is also a largelab that may answer some hoaryquestions about energyperformance.As the roof was being

constructed, RDH BuildingEngineering Ltd., Roxul andSoprema undertook a fieldmonitoring study. SMT Researchinstalled and monitored sensorsand data-logging equipment.Building Science Labs provided theASTM C518 material testing.The study was implemented to

measure the impacts and benefitsof membrane colour (white, greyand black) and insulation strategyon the performance of conventionalroofing assemblies.

The same roof membrane type –2-ply SBS from Soprema – withthree different surface granulecolours was placed over threedifferent conventional insulationstrategies, creating a total of nineunique roofing assemblies (ninesquare in size) on the same

building. The thicknesses of thedifferent insulation products werevaried to achieve approximately thesame R-value for each of the roofassemblies. Sensors were installedto measure temperature, relativehumidity, moisture content, and

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40014608

RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO:

Roofing Contractors Association of BC9734 201 StreetLangley, BC Canada V1M 3E8

THE VOICE OF PROFESSIONAL ROOFING CONTRACTORS Vol. 11, No. 1 • SPRING 2014

SPRING 2014I N T H I S I S S U E :

Insulation continued page 4

FEATURESSoprema ‘test lab’ roof answersroof colour questions .....................1Member profile: “Call one guy” – GRC Columbia................ 12

ASSOCIATIONPresident’s message ..................... 3Top Line acknowledged ............. 11Stay On Top returns in June...... 14Roofing BC marks 10 years ...... 16

INDUSTRY NEWSArchitects planning challenginghigh-rise roofs ............................... 627 acre roof being designed ..... 10Delta roof takes 2500 tons of rock ................................. 10‘V4’ LEED launched .................. 15CASMA celebrates 25 years ...... 15Project Shop Class kicks off....... 16CGC partners with Enercorp...... 16Green roof seminar planned...... 16YVR outlet to get metal roof...... 17Fraudulent roof claims up.......... 18Construction outlook positive.... 18BC capital spending cut ............. 18BC joins Job Grant program ...... 19Towers leading Metro permits .. 20Canada Building Fund lauded... 20Oakridge Centre expanding....... 21

COLUMNLegal Affairs: Employmentcontracts save legal woes ......... 22

Stay On Top Steep slope roofing symposiumreturns in June. See page 14

“Call one guy” RCABC contractor member GRCColumbia ‘does it all’. See page 12Black, white & insulation

The roof of the Soprema plant in Chilliwack was turned into a giant lab to testthe energy performance of cap sheet colours and insulation. Photo: Soprema

The finished roof, showingall three colours of cap sheet

ROOFING BC SPRING 2014 3

From the President

“You guys inBC really knowwhat you aredoing!”During this year I have the honourand privilege of being president ofboth the Roofing ContractorsAssociation of British Columbia andthe Canadian Roofing ContractorsAssociation. This is not a typicalsituation as these two associationshave industry affiliations but runindependently of each other. It isonly by chance and unique timingthat I assumed this role for 2014.The role of the CRCA is to be an

advocate for the roofing industryacross Canada. Every province inCanada has a roofing associationthat is affiliated with the CRCA.From their head office in Ottawa theassociation is heavily involved inthe promotion of its membercontractors at a national level.Roofing technical expertise isprovided to government bodies andtesting agencies throughout Canada.Technical staff participate in allfacets of regulatory approvals suchas the National Building Code,green roofing and wind uplifttesting.CRCA just recently completed its

2014 national conference. It washeld in conjunction with the (U.S.)National Roofing ContractorsAssociation International Roofing

Exposition in Las Vegas, soCanadian roofing contractorswere afforded the opportunityto participate in training,seminars, and lectures at thehighest level. In my role aspresident of CRCA I engage inconversation with individualsfrom other provinces andcountries. The InternationalRoofing Exposition brought inover ten thousand peoplefrom all over North Americaand the world, who arepassionately involved in theroofing industry. The IRE ismore than just a trade showfor product manufacturersand suppliers. Roofing professionalsare able to take in seminars on newinstallation techniques, health andsafety, business and professionaldevelopment and risk management.Whether you are asmall operator or alarge corporationthese conferencesprovide informationand idea sharing thatis invaluable intoday’s competitiveroofing market.My role as

president of RCABC ismore involved andtime consuming thanmy position withCRCA. Particularly taxing is the taskof policy setting and decisionmaking for the betterment of ourassociation in British Columbia.Fortunately we have excellent staffat RCABC who are abreast of the

issues and concerns within ourindustry in BC. We are also blessedwith a really solid board ofdirectors that includes veterancontractors who work cooperatively

and collectively onbehalf of their peers tofortify our position asthe best roofingprofessionals in NorthAmerica. I can proudlysay this because of myextensiveconversations withothers in the roofingindustry. A comment Ihear a lot is “you guysin BC really know whatyou are doing!”

Through our staff and fellowmember contractors the RCABCboard of directors receivesinformation about the roofingissues that affect our members,customers, employees and the

public in BC. We are then able tomake informed decisions on behalfof our stakeholders using the vastwisdom and knowledge of ourfellow contractors, productmanufacturers, distributors,technical staff and trade schooleducators. We work closely withWorkSafeBC, Industry TrainingAuthority, BC Construction SafetyAlliance and various otherregulatory organizations to makesure that our members’ concernsare represented and RCABCcontractors are fully compliant withconstruction rules and regulations.It is with great pleasure and

excitement that RCABC haslaunched a progressive marketingand business development strategy.We have created new marketingtools that reinforce the value of ourown RoofStar Guarantee, oureducation programs and the qualityand integrity of our member

contractors and AssociateMember product suppliers. Our new Director of

Business Development, JudySlutsky, has been extremelybusy engaging owners,design authorities(architects, engineers,consultants) and contractorsto gain insight into theirperception of the valueproposition of RCABC andRoofStar. Judy brings atremendous “listen first”perspective to her businessapproach. Her vitality andenthusiasm for gettinganswers and results will

lead us down a path where theRCABC RoofStar Guarantee isalways the preferred roofingwarranty in British Columbia. Ourbusiness development model isenhanced by the years of qualityinstallations by RCABC companies.The assurance of a roof beinginstalled with quality and integrityby one of our member companies,and backed by the industry’s bestthird party warranty should be aneasy decision for a building owner. I expect that if you have been on

Judy’s visitation list to date youcame away with a sense ofeagerness to explore the avenues ofour programs. If you have not hada visit or a phone call yet please beready for an informed and vibrantpresentation on the values of theRCABC.Colin Rasmussen,President, Roofing Contractors

Association of British Columbia ■

Colin Rasmussen

4 SPRING 2014 ROOFING BC4 SPRING 2014 ROOFING BC

heat flux at various points within each of the roof assemblies.Displacement sensors were also installed to measure thedimensional stability of the insulation. In addition, webcamphotos were used to study the impact of night sky cooling,wetting and frost, and other differences between theassemblies.To complement the field investigation of this study, the

effective R-values of the insulation products were measured inthe laboratory following ASTM C518 protocols.Colour findings “no surprise”The use of different coloured granules echoed the use of

light coloured roofing materials that arecommon in southern U.S. latitudes whererequired by energy code (ASHRAE 90.1)and with LEED projects and some otherenergy-rating programs, regardless ofgeography. In heating dominant climates(most of Canada and large parts of theU.S.), however, a dark coloured roof is generally more energy-efficient because heat absorbed by the roof actually reducesthe overall building energy use.The Soprema cap sheet membranes installed were:

• White reflective: SRI 70, reflectance 0.58, emittance 0.91;

• Grey: SRI 9, reflectance 0.14, emittance 0.85; and• Black: SRI -4, reflectance 0.04, emittance 0.85.The early findings on colour performance, after 10 months

of the field study, were as expected.“No major surprises,” Dell told Roofing BC. “Our energy

modeling confirms that the use of a white roof in MetroVancouver’s climatic zone does not result in energy savings,even if the building is air conditioned.”Insulation performanceTo test insulation, the different roof assembles were

insulated with three materials: 3.5 inches rigidpolyisocyanurate (polyiso, R-21.5); 5.75 inches semi-rigid

stone wool (R-21.4); and a hybrid using2.5 inches of stone wool and 2 inches ofrigid polyiso (R-21.3).In this hybrid system, the stone wool is

used on top of the polyiso which keepsthe lower polyiso layer within a tightertemperature range close to the interior

temperature. This also results in conditions that optimize theapparent R-value of the polyiso insulation, Dell’s report noted.The heat flow and temperature field measurements showed

a difference in behaviour between the polyiso, stone wool, andhybrid insulation strategies. Stone wool has a heat capacity

approximately 3.4 times higher than polyiso for the samedesign R-value.“[The] higher heat capacity of the stone wool insulation

reduces the peak membrane temperature, which is positive tothe longevity of the membrane; and reduces the peak interiortemperature, which is typically a positive for the occupants,”Dell noted.It was found that water vapour moves within the stone

wool insulation more readily than the polyiso insulation,resulting in accumulation at different interfaces during periodsof high and low temperature. This means that with stone woolinsulation there is the potential for more water vapour

Insulation cont’d from page 1

Impact of insulation strategy and temperature on R-value

Insulation and cap sheet layout: nine unique roof test areas, each 40’x40’ and each behaving independently, with similar indoor conditions and building use

Homan Roofing crew adhering the first layer of Roxul DD Plus to Sopravap’r. Below: adhering the second layer of RoxulDD plus to the first layer. Each zone has sensors built in at every different layer, from the underside of the deck to the

underside of the membrane. The sensors are all linked to a central computer for monitoring. Photos: Soprema

“The use of a white roof inMetro Vancouver’s climatic

zone does not result inenergy savings, even if thebuilding is air conditioned.”

redistribution with the roof system in the eventof a leak.Based on projected annual energy

consumption, the best performance (of just over40 kilowatt hours per square metre) was theroof using a dark cap sheet and stone woolinsulation, with the hybrid insulation under adark cap sheet a close second. The worst energyperformance (at more than 46 kWh per squaremetre) was the white roof insulated with rigidpolyiso.The black roof performed better than the grey

or white roofs, regardless of which insulation wasused. However, black coloured granules on thecap sheet result in high surface temperatureswhich will slightly increase the rate ofdeterioration of the cap sheet. Therefore, Dellsuggests the use of grey coloured cap sheets for

the best combination of energy use andmembrane longevity.The study will continue for the next two years.

The findings will be used to “calibrate energy

models to extrapolate the findings to otherclimate zones,” Dell told a RCI symposium last fallin Minnesota, where he presented results of thefirst 10 months of testing. ■


Roofing BC is published quarterly onbehalf of the Roofing ContractorsAssociation of BC and the professionalroofing industry by Market AssistCommunications Inc.

Roofing BC is online at: www.rcabc.orgManaging Editor and PublisherJ. Michael SiddallPhone: 604-740-8369E-mail: [email protected]

EditorFrank O’BrienE-mail: [email protected]

Production/Art Director and Advertising AssociatePaddy TennantPhone: 604-507-2162E-mail: [email protected]

Contributing WritersColin Rasmussen, Robert SmithsonCirculationRCABC receptionPhone: 604-882-9734E-mail: [email protected]

While information contained in thispublication has been compiled fromsources deemed to be reliable, neitherthe publisher nor the RCABC will be heldliable for errors or omissions. The opinions expressed in the editorialand advertisements are not necessarilythose of the publisher or RCABC.

Executive Vice PresidentIvan van Spronsen, [email protected]

Administrative Services ManagerBarbara Porth, [email protected]

Technical ManagerRob Harris, [email protected]

Safety & Risk Management SupervisorRoger Sové, I.P., PID, [email protected]

The best energy performance was the test roof using a dark cap sheet and Roxul stone wool insulation, with the polyiso and stone wool hybrid insulation under a dark cap a close second.

Up on roofsIf you think high-riseroofs are challengingnow, look at what BCarchitects are planningRoofing a high-rise building can bea demanding job: cranes, elevators,winds and safety are among theheightened challenges when you getpast 20 floors or more.Yet, judging from towering new

projects now trending fromdowntown Vancouver to centralSurrey, architects plan on makingrooftops the most comprehensive,

complicated and demanding roofcontracts in the province.In Surrey, to cap the 50-storey 3

Civic Plaza hotel and condo project,Cotter Architects is turning the roofinto a commercial business that willoffer conference and meeting spacesamidst rooftop vegetable gardensand water features. “This urbanoasis will be available to everyonefor events, parties and get-togethers,” notes a statement fromCentury Group, which is building thetower with Surrey CityDevelopments.At 745 Thurlow in downtown

Vancouver, Musson Cattell MackeyPartnership has planned two green

roof spaces into the 24-storey officetower. This includes a rooftopterrace extending around the west,south and east sides of the building,accessible to tenants from the thirdfloor. As well, a roof top amenityarea will include an outdoor patiowith seating, lounge andentertainment areas with a gas firepit and barbeque.The Broadway Tech Centre

business complex in East Vancouveralready has a 270,000-square-footroof planted with trees, shrubs,perennials and grass. The roof alsoboasts a sports field – a first inCanada – café patios and tree-linedwalkways.Back in Vancouver, Telus Garden,

a 500,000-square-foot office and

residential complex is set forcompletion early in 2015. Its 24-storey tower will be topped by10,000 square feet of patios andgreen roofs that will include organicgardens to supply local restaurants.There will also be two “elevated

forests” for employee use.The message to roofing

contractors bidding on high-risework: get up to speed with thelatest in wind performance data,waterproof technology and greenroof designs. ■

The 22-storey Telus Gardencomplex in downtown Vancouverwill feature 10,000 square feet ofpatios, gardens and green spacewith two accessible “elevatedforests.” Photo: BOMA/BC

A new 24-storey tower at 745 Thurlowis cued for a rooftop terrace extendingaround three sides of the building –and a separate roof top entertainmentarea with patios, complete with a gasfire pit and barbeque. Photo: MussonCattell Mackey Partnership

The roof of the 50-storey 3 Civic Plaza inSurrey will offer 5,200 square feet ofconference and meeting spaces amidst fully-accessible rooftop gardens and water features.Photo: Cotter Architects

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Building Products of CanadaCorp. (BP), which has been apremier supplier of roofingproducts for more than 100years, has developed aresidential architectural roofingshingle specifically designed forthe Western Canada market.“It relates to BC’s uniqueweather,” explained RobertCaron, BP vice-president of salesand marketing.“BP’s Mystique 42architectural shingle is nowbeing made with an elastomericmodified asphalt (EMA) to makeit more flexible, more resistant,and to assure exceptionaldurability under the worstweather conditions,” addedCaron.Covered by a lifetimewarranty and offered in 16stunning colours that arecharacteristic of BP’s entirecollection of shingles, Mystique’sperformance has been increasedto superior levels with thecombination of EMAconstruction and hurricane-resistant Weather-Tite™technology.InnovationCaron points out that thetruly big news here is that now,all architectural shingles in theBP collection for WesternCanada, including the Mystique42 and Manoir, incorporate the

breakthrough technological tagteam of Weather-Tite™technology and elastomericmodified asphalt construction.“Roofer response has literallybeen through the roof. Theyrealize that when they combinethe enhanced wind and waterprotection afforded by Weather-Tite™, with our switch to EMAbased shingles, and the fact thatwe’re the only ones marketing42” shingles, they get to workwith a dream shingle that’s gotit all from a roofer’s point ofview, and the peace of mindthey get to promise theirhomeowner customers.”EfficiencyLast year, BP started makingmany of its architecturalshingles 42 inches wide; largerthan the standard shinglescurrently on the market.“The feedback fromcontractors and do-it-yourselfhomeowners was immediateapproval,” Caron said. “Everyroofing job became easier, fasterand less costly because thelarger size meant fewer shinglesto install, fewer nails to buy andfewer bundles to manipulate.”SelectionThere are many differentkinds of homes across thiscountry, and BP has a shinglestyle and colour to enhanceevery home’s curb appeal, whilepreserving its growing value.

The company even offers anonline tool to helphomeowners andcontractors select theperfect match for anyhome’s style.“Advances in roofingtechnology have made ourproducts the number one choicefor residential contractors,” saidCaron. “Their reasons forchoosing BP can be summarizedin three words:reliability,efficiency andselection.”GuaranteeWith rootsgoing back morethan a century, top qualityproducts and a commitment toinnovation through expertiseand technology, every roofingjob benefits with BP.For homeowners, the peace ofmind comesfrom knowingthey are fullyprotected fromnature’s worstweather. Forcontractors, thepeace of mindcomes from working with thebest products backed by BP’ssolid warranty.For more information contactBuilding Products of Canada at1-800-661-2726 or visitwww.bpcan.com.

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Delta roof took 2,500 tons of rockDELTA – The largest industrial construction projectin Metro Vancouver – the warehouse portion is asbig as seven football fields – required a massiveroof installed by Continental Roofing of Richmond,a long-time RCABC member.The 47-acre Dayhu Group’s Boundary Bay

Industrial Park was opened in February, featuringspaces of up to 900,000 square feet with 156loading docks.Continental’s crews had the elements on their

side throughout the course of the project. “Weloaded late November, started work earlyDecember and finished the roofing membrane atthe end of January,” said Operations Manager WillFoulkes. “We were lucky to have the dry winterweather we had in December and January, although the wind was a constant issue,” he added.“We had a crew of 12 to 16 most days we were installing the membrane,” says Foulkes. The details, canopy

roofs and sheet metal were installed in February, completing the project before heavy snowfall struck the area.The roof was the largest new construction project in Continental’s history, although Foulkes modestly describes it

as “relatively straightforward” and just a matter of co-ordinating cranes (Phoenix Truck & Crane), materials (ProlineConstruction Materials), rock (Hans Group) and Continental’s own labour force.The roof is Firestone 0.45ml EPDM membrane ballasted with 2,500 tons of 1.5-inch river rock. The roof is

finished with 24-gauge sheet metal counter flashing, according to Foulkes. ■

Bids being developedfor BC’s biggest roofRoofing designs are being considered for a near 28-acre monolithicroof for the giant Tsawwassen Mills retail project in South Delta. Thecomplex will also include an adjacent “open concept” shopping centreof 500,000 square feet that is being built by Property DevelopmentGroup.But it is Ivanhoé Cambridge’s Tsawwassen Mills that will provide

perhaps the biggest roofing contract in the province this year. Allunder one roof, the mall will cover 27.5 acres, or 1.2 million squarefeet.The question is: what type of roof will be chosen?For its CrossIron Mills mall in Calgary, which Tsawwassen Mills is

modeled after, Ivanhoé Cambridge selected a white TPO roof thatcovered about 32 acres. At CrossIron, the 1.4 million square foot roofis also equipped with a water catchment system that feeds three giantcisterns buried under the parking lots. Such a system is not expectedto be required in much wetter BC.Because of its size and near-oceanfront location, the Tsawwassen

Mills roof will likely be mechanically attached, not ballasted.The design work for Tsawwassen Mills is by Stantec Architecture

Inc., while Matcon Civil Constructors Inc. did the site work.Completion of construction is estimated for spring 2016. ■

TsawwassenMills in SouthDelta, by IvanhoéCambridge willneed a 1.2million-square-foot roof. That ismore than 27acres. Photo: IvanhoéCambridge

Dayhu Group’s Boundary Bay Industrial Park. Photos: Continental Roofing, Dayhu Group


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Top Line Roofing notcreditedVICTORIA – A cover article in Roofing BC magazine’s winter issue profilingroof construction for the new Cowichan campus of the University ofVancouver Island failed to credit Top Line Roofing Ltd. for their work on theaward-winning project.James Wilson, a partner in Top Line, added that extra credit for the

project, which includes an extensive green roof, should go to Top Line’sproject manager Art Foisey.Roofing BC apologizes for the error and for any confusion it may have

caused. ■

GRC Columbia roofingprides itself on handlingevery aspect of a roofingcontractBy Frank O’Brien

GRC Columbia Roofing Inc. ofLangley, formed in 2009 with themerger of a veteran roofingcontracting company and ColumbiaWaterproofing Ltd., is now a multi-tiered contractor entrusted with majorpublic and private-sector constructionprojects across the Lower Mainlandand beyond. Kim Wozny, formerowner of Columbia Waterproofing, isnow the General Manager of the top-flight roofing firm.An example of the company’s

diverse services – and blue-chipreputation – is its work on the giantMercedes-Benz flagship dealershiparising on Vancouver’s TerminalAvenue.“We did a combination of

waterproofing, roofing, architecturalpanels, metal siding and some metalroofing on the Mercedes project,” saidGRC vice-president Troy Johnston,adding the 165,000-square-footbuilding required 600 squares metalpanels and 400 squares of rooftopwaterproofing.Roofing BC met with Johnston and

GRC president Glenn Bollman at oneof their latest contracts: the newYorkson Creek Middle School inLangley where GRC crews wereinstalling 3,500 metal soffit/wallpanels around the roof perimeter.“We custom built these panels”

said Bollman, “and proposed them forthis project.”

The 22-guage insulated panels,some 10 feet long, were fabricated atGRC’s 4,000-square-foot metal shop,part of its five-acre headquarters.“We do it all,” said Bollman as he

sat down for an interview in hisLangley office. The company, heexplained, provides waterproofing,re-roofing, cedar asphalt conversions,shingles and torch-on roofing, metalroof installations, metal siding andcomposite panels for residential andcommercial projects across the Lower

Mainland.Its crews have worked as far north

as Haida Gwaii and Prince Georgeand they recently roofed a school onthe Sunshine Coast, but most of thecompany’s contracts are concentratedin the Fraser Valley and MetroVancouver.The flexibility of GRC’s crews – the

company can field up to 70tradespeople – is something Bollman,a lifelong roofer, is proud of.“We have people who know

waterproofing, architectural metaland any kind of roofing installation,”he said.An example of this flexibility is the

company’s work on the solar-powered, 65,000-square-foot RCMPMunicipal Detachmentbuilding in Prince George,where GRC appliedcomposite panels,corrugated cladding andProdema phenolic panels– plywood cores impregnated withthermosetting phenolic resins andcapped with a wood veneer – to thedemanding LEED Gold project.Diverse skills are a large part of

GRC’s success, said Bollman whoscrambled onto his first roof as thenine-year old son of roofing legendCarl Bollman, one of the founders ofthe Roofing Contractors’ Associationof BC.

Capacity to do it allAfter nearly 40 years in the

business, Bollman believes a keystrength of a roofing contractingcompany is the capacity to handle anentire job.

“We can bid thewaterproofing, the cladding,the exterior wall systems aswell as the roofing; this isespecially important in newconstruction. A client should

be able to call just one guy,” Bollmansaid, “We are that guy.”There are many advantages to

handling the entire package, he said,including the ability to keep a projectmoving forward rather than waitingfor a separate contractor to finish up.It also helps avoid potential costlysurprises, such as a waterproofmembrane being damaged byanother contractor.


“Call one guy”

ProfileTroy Johnston (L), vice-president, and Glenn Bollman: GRC runs a fleet of14 trucks,including two lift trucks, as far north asPrince George and the northwest coast.

“A client shouldbe able to call

just one guy. Weare that guy”

Glenn Bollman and Mac Johnstonof GRC Columbia Roofing Inc.with metal panels made in GRC’s4,000-square foot metal shop.

GRC tradesmen Mac Johnston and Jeff Gould(foreground) install custom-made panels on aLangley school. More than 3,000 were installedin this project. Photos: Roofing BC

“We can deliver a more sound systemwhen we are on site from thebeginning,” he said.Having a single contractor handling

multiple aspects also gives owners anadvantage in today’s complicated andregulation-heavy constructionenvironment, he explained.Membership has its privilegesResolving conflicts between designers

and contractors is one of the many goodreasons to be a member of the RoofingContractors Association of BC, Bollmansaid.If there is a debate on a specific detail

on a roofing contract, he explained, theRCABC has all the information neededfor a contractor member to make theircase. “The RCABC can advise designauthorities how it should be done tomeet RoofStar Guarantee standards. Wehave that backing,” he said.“If it wasn’t for the RCABC, I don't

know what kind of a world we’d beliving in, because there are so manysystems and details that simply won'twork.”GRC (it stands for Glenn’s Roof Care)

also relies on RCABC for its trainingprograms. Bollman and Johnston bothhave sons who have attended the RCABCtraining centre in Langley and GRCprides itself on having staff trained in avariety of disciplines.“There is not enough skilled labour

today so we want to make sure that ourcrews and our company can keep onworking, no matter what the job callsfor,” Bollman said. ■


LEED gold RCMP building in Prince Georgecalled on the diverse skills of GRC crews

The new 165,000-square-foot Mercedes-Benz dealershipin Vancouver is among recent large GRC roofing andsiding contracts. Photo: GRC Columbia Roofing Inc.


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WorkSafeBC in association withRCABC and BCCSA has announcedplans for its second ‘Stay on Top’,

one-day steep slope roofingsymposium designed to deliver in-depth safety education for people in

all aspects of steep sloperoofing.

Although appropriatefor any sector of theconstruction industry,the event is gearedtowards anyonewho works in thesteep sloperoofing industry

as a roofer, supervisor, employer,contractor, estimator,consultant/inspector or supplier.The first ‘Stay on Top’ was held onMarch 28, 2012 at the RCABC’straining facility in Langley. Theevent, co-hosted by WorkSafeBC,RCABC and BCCSA, drew so manypeople that registration had to becut off a week beforehand.The symposium will be divided

into three sessions:• Responsibilities in the roofing

industry – designed to illustratethat people at each level of anorganization are involved andmust do their part to ensure

that a work site is safe foreveryone who may enter it;

• Fall protection planning andprocedures – designed to assistemployers, contractors and sub-contractors in planning their fallprotection needs foreach project theywork on. Thissession will walkparticipants throughplanning, includingfall preventionmethods and theuse of fall protectionequipment. Participants willreceive tools and resourcesincluding forms, checklists, andother information to assist withfall protection planning andprocedures; and

• Practical sessions – sessions willshow what WorkSafeBC officerslook for on-site (including workbeing performed by estimators,roofers and roof consultants),allow for discussion of fall

protection equipmentoptions, anddemonstrateequipment inspections.The 2014 Stay On

Top symposium will beheld June 10th atPearkes RecreationCentre, 3100 Tillicum

Road in Victoria. Registration starts at 7:00am,

with the scheduled sessions runningfrom 8:30am to 4:00pm. The fee of$30.00 per person includes lunch.Stay on Top is a partnership

between WorkSafeBC, the RCABCand the BC Construction SafetyAlliance.Register online at

www.bccsa.ca/roofingsymposium.For more information [email protected]. ■

Stay On Top, March 2012: Darren Hawryluk, Capital Safety’s Territory Sales Manager for BC, conducted drop test demonstrations for a captive audience. Hawryluksuspended a volunteer in a mock fall arrest situation to illustrate how quickly a harness can restrict blood flow, hence the necessity for quick action on the part of rescuers.

Stay on Top returnsSteep slope roofing symposium slated for June in Victoria

Stay On Top, March 2012: Safety specialist Joe Wall of Hazmastersdemonstrates the use of lifelines on a roof.

New “V4” LEED includes waste pointsVersion 4 or “V4” of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) has been launched by the U.S. GreenBuilding Council and it has a fresh focus on waste management.V4 is a result of five years of development and 22,000 public comments, according to the Council. Nearly 90

percent of Council members voted in favour of the new standards. An estimated 100 projects around the worldhave registered for V4 certification.There are 20 large LEED projects complete in BC and at least two dozen under construction. The Vancouver

Convention Centre Expansion and the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre are among the biggest.Building owners and developers have until June 1, 2015 to register under the V4 banner.In V4, several LEED categories have been “re-weighted” and nearly all the forms, documentation, website and

reference guidehave newinformation anda new look.Some aspects ofLEED have beensimplified, suchas the LEED re-certification,which under V4requires onlysubmission ofperformancedata.LEED V4 also

more finelyclassifiesstructures andadds standardsfor data centers,warehouse anddistributioncenters,hospitalityproperties,existing schools,existing retail,and four- to six-storey residential projects. It introduces a new rating system for neighbourhood development andasks for planning and metering of energy and water use.Another area of V4 demands information on waste management and how much demolition materials have been

diverted from landfills, as well as how waste will be handled in a building. ■



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CASMA celebrates 25 yearsOTTAWA – The Canadian Asphalt Shingle Manufacturers Association(CASMA) celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.Since 1989, it “has worked to ensure that the industry, its

customers and homeowners were well served and properly protected.CASMA acts as an industry watchdog, maintaining and promoting thehighest standards of manufacturing, distribution and installation,”according to a CASMA release.Over the years, CASMA members have witnessed dramatic changes

in the competitive landscape, in the way shingles are sold, inmanufacturing technologies, and in the evolution of shingle design. Ina volatile economic and competitive environment, the association hasbeen ever vigilant, safeguarding the interests of its constituents.For more information on CASMA, on the Canadian shingle industry

and for technical information on shingle roofing, visithttp://www.casma.ca. ■

The Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre is BC’s landmark LEED building. Photo: VTCC

Anniversary issueplans underwayThe summer issue of RoofingBC will mark 10 years sinceits first edition was printed,and the publishing team isplanning a special celebratoryfeature in honour of the occasion.Publisher Michael Siddall will

reflect on the history of themagazine while editor FrankO’Brien works with the RCABC totrack down former apprenticesfor the anniversary report.Also included in the feature

will be a two-page spread inrecognition of the advertiserswhose support has made itpossible to publish themagazine. Visit RoofingBC.ca for

information about the magazineor to contact the publishers. ■

Green roof technologiesexaminedInterCoast Building Solutions has announced Big Ideas In LivingArchitecture, a full day seminar about green living roofs and gardens.Presentations will examine sustainable architectural design using advancedbuilding envelope technologies, including a focus on green roofs. Hosted by InterCoast’s John Riley, Big Ideas In Living Architecture will

address the key design issues associated with sustainable buildings. Theevent is primarily geared toward architects, engineers, building owners,LEED AP professionals and building designers.The keynote speaker is Paul Kephart, president of Rana Creek, an

ecological design firm specializing in environmental planning, landscapearchitecture, habitat restoration and native plant propagation.Other scheduled speakers include Richard Hayden and Bruce Duncan of

American Hydrotech, Marjoline Auger of Hydrotech Membrane Corp, RandySharp of Sharp & Diamond, Oscar Warmerdam of SemperGreenInternational and Les Yard, Technical Sales Representative for Dow BuildingSolutions.The seminars are being held at two locations – Monday April 14th at the

Holiday Inn, 4206 Macleod Trail S.E. in Calgary; and in Vancouver onTuesday April 15th at the Empire Landmark Hotel, 1600 Robson Street.For more information or to register visit www.icbuildingsolutions.com. ■


Janet Holder made a “significant contribution” to Project Shop Class on behalf of the Northern Gateway Project. Photo: Construction Foundation of BC

Project Shop Class kicks off with $294,000VANCOUVER – The Construction Foundation of BC, whose members represent the construction, automotive andresource sectors, has raised nearly $300,000 towards high school trades training.The Project Shop Class launch dinner in January was hosted by the BC Construction Association (BCCA) to name

schools that would receive funding. Out of 115 schools, the Foundation had planned to select up to 10 schools tosupport. However, BCCA president Manley McLachlan surprised the audience by revealing that the Foundation haddecided not to turn any school away; Project Shop Class has accepted all 115 schools that had applied and willwork to find donors to help every school. In total schools are seeking close to $9 million in financial support.“In looking through the applications it became clear that every school was committed, had a true need, and

deserved to receive support,” said McLachlan. “And we certainly know the demand is there in the sector for moreskilled tradespeople. The Project Shop Class website enables anyone in the province to support any school for anyamount. Tonight, we’re thrilled to see industry step up in such a big way to get the campaign started.”The most significant contribution of the evening came from Enbridge’s Northern Gateway Project. ■

MISSISSAUGA, ON – CGC Inc. hasannounced that the company hasentered into an agreement withEnercorp Inc. to accelerate thegrowth of its building envelope andselect performance panels productsin Canada.Enercorp Inc. now represents

CGC Inc. in the Architectural &Design segment and is responsiblefor securing specifications andsupporting the sales of a number of

Securock® and Sheetrock® Brandproducts.Enercorp Inc. is the leading sales,

specification and technical agency inthe roofing segment throughoutCanada. Based out of TorontoOntario, the company has tenrepresentatives nationwideproviding representation andsupport at the owner, architect,consultant, distributor andcontractor levels.

“This partnership with Enercorpis aligned with CGC's strategy togrow and specify our buildingenvelope product offerings. Thebusiness relationship combinesCGC’s manufacturing capabilities,quality and customer service withEnercorp market knowledge andspecification expertise,” said MarkHemphill, CGC Director, IndustrialProducts and Specialty Substrates.CGC Inc. is a leading marketer,

manufacturer and distributor ofgypsum panels, joint compound,related gypsum products, ceiling tileand grid in Canada. Since 1993 Enercorp has been

providing a full range of services tobuilding products manufacturers,including representation at thearchitectural and consultant level,marketing support, field reviewassistance, and technical support. Itsstaff of professionals are well

situated to cover every region of thecountry. Enercorp is an activemember on Industry technical andeducation committees across Canadaincluding: CSC, RCI, SWAO, CRCA,QMRA, RCABC, ARCA, OIRCA andothers. For more information, visitwww.enercorp.ca.The Enercorp representatives for

BC are Len Coughlin([email protected]) and ToddGerrard ([email protected]). ■

CGC announces partnership with Enercorp

Hiring a professionalclean-up crew can helpaddress roofer shortageBy Karen McCluskey With an industry-wide shortage ofqualified roofers, many companiesstruggle to find crews to fill all thepotential job opportunities outthere. This challenge led theElizabeth Fry Society of GreaterVancouver (EFry) to launch Asphalt

Gals Recycling Limited whichhandles site preparation and clean-up on re-roofing projects.Roofers can focus on roofing“Essentially, we help roofingcompanies keep their skilled rooferson the roof instead of dividing theirtime between roofing and sitemaintenance,” explains ShawnBayes, executive director of EFry.“Companies who have used ourservices tell us it enables them to

complete their jobs in half the time.”Asphalt Gals cleans up tear-offand sends the material to recyclingrather than landfill. It handles allaspects of off-roof site clean-upfrom protecting landscaping andlaying tarps, to supplying bins asrequired, to site clean-up thatincludes removing nails and otherdebris. Crews are set up to manageall types of tear-off from asphalt tocedar conversions.

As a social enterprise, AsphaltGals is a for-profit business thatsupports the charitable work ofEFry. In addition to benefittingroofers and the environment,Asphalt Gals was created to providetraining and employment to EFry’sclients: women who have struggledwith difficult lives that often includehomelessness, conflict with thecriminal justice system or addiction.

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40014608RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO:Roofing Contractors Association of BC9734 201 StreetLangley, BC Canada V1M 3E8

THE VOICE OF PROFESSIONAL ROOFING CONTRACTORS Vol. 9, No. 3 • FALL 2012

FALL 2012I N T H I S I S S U E :

ASPHALT GALS continued page 4

FEATURES:Asphalt Gals:taking a load off..........................1NRC tests mechanically attached roofing systems ........ 5Contractor profile: Mainline Roofing........................ 8Project profile: Peace Canyon Dam ..................12ASSOCIATION:President’s message .................. 3Residential steep slope training starts in 2013 ........... 10INDUSTRY NEWS:BCCA recruits Irish workers ..... 6Building permits on rise ........... 6Projects calling for bids ............ 6Crane Safety Council forms...... 7Beedie to build in Coquitlam..11Vicwest, All Weather post website ...............................16Manufacturers challenge LEED changes........................... 17VRCA names finalists.............. 17BC’s tallest new towers .......... 18Firestone tech rep to retire .... 19Rooftop garden growing........ 19Brock White buys Steels......... 20WorkSafeBC conductsenforcement blitz ..................... 21Province claims role in new Atlas Roofing plant......... 21COLUMNLegal Affairs: Business succession................. 22

Dam!Peace Canyon Dam project bothcomplex and unique. See page 12

Taking a load offAsphalt Gals remove usedshingles from a jobsite.

Quintet complex inRichmond stretcheswaterproofing challengeBy Frank O’BrienThe giant $165 million Quintetproject in Richmond, by CanadaSunrise Corporation and being builtunder the direction of LedcorConstruction, has proved a

challenge for roofing contractorPacific Waterproofing Ltd. ofBurnaby.Quintet will be comprised of fivetowers and townhomes in

downtown Richmond on theSkytrain line. It will also be thefuture home of Trinity WesternUniversity (a private university) anda new 30,000 square foot City of

Richmond Community Centre.The primarily residential

development has proved a huge hitwith buyers. The first phase, with295 units and to be completed in2013, sold out in just two weeks.Some people camped out for twodays as they waited to purchasewhat some see as Richmond’spremier residential development.

Construction of the first phase,which represents two of theprojected five 14-16 storey towers,began in April 2011. The secondphase of three additional buildingsis planned for completion in 2015.The total square footage of theentire complex is 762,000 squarefeet.


THE VOICE OF PROFESSIONAL ROOFING CONTRACTORS Vol. 9, No. 4 • WINTER 2012-13

WINTER 2012-13I N T H I S I S S U E :

QUINTET continued page 4

FEATURES:Quintet: wet and waterproof ....1Profile: Pacific Waterproofing.. 8Roofing and the new BC Building Code ..................... 11Architectural metal “bulb seam” roofing .................12HST switching back to PST .....17ASSOCIATION:President’s message .................. 3RCABC AGM report ................... 5Prompt payment lobby............. 7Training programs require changes........................ 10INDUSTRY NEWS:Safety blitz may repeat............. 5Waterproofing: more than the membrane ............................ 6Underlayment UV warranty doubles ....................... 9Outlook 2013 .......................... 14VRCA Awards of Excellence ....15Vancouver’s green plan .......... 16BC’s Energy Efficiency Building Strategy.......................16Green roof demand on rise.....16Roof moved in one piece ........18Building permits ramp up.......18Construction trade shows:Expo, RCI, Buildex ................... 19Tower design wins award ...... 20Roofing nailers recalled ......... 20Copper price rise forecast ...... 20Shop yards worth money........21NRCA repair manual out ...... 21CRCA releases spec manual .. 21COLUMNLegal Affairs: Computers atwork – and privacy ................. 22

ASM ‘bulb seam’ roofingGaining popularity in Canada See page 12

Wet and waterproof

Artist rendering from W.T. LeungArchitects shows the fifth-floorplaza at Quintet in Richmond.The waterproofed plaza featuresponds, waterfalls and plantingson top of a rubberized asphaltwaterproofing membrane. Photo:W.T. Leung Architects Inc.

Trade shows on horizon February and March offer up threeevents. See page 19

Roofing BCmagazinecelebrates10 years

RICHMOND – Construction has started on the McArthurGlenDesigner Outlet Vancouver Airport, which will sit on a 30-acreparcel of Vancouver International Airport land close to theTempleton Canada Line Skytrain station in Richmond.The first phase, scheduled to open with 100 stores in

spring 2015, will be made up of 11 two-storey structures inan open-air village setting. It will cover 220,500 square feetof retail space, with 125,000 square feet added for phase twoof the project.The mall includes a standing-seam steep-slope metal roof

on the main two buildings.Strabag Inc. is the general contractor for the project, and

the design is by Stantec Architecture Ltd. Stantec ConsultingLtd. is the consulting engineer. The centre is expected to open by spring 2015. ■


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VANCOUVER – Schools, hospitalsand other government constructionprojects have been important to theroofing industry over the past fewyears, but such spending will slowinto 2015.Speaking at the Buildex

Vancouver conference a week afterthe BC Budget was released, RichColeman, Deputy Premier andMinister of Energy, Mines andNatural Gas, noted that BC could bethe only province to present abalanced budget this year.He also told the construction

audience that capital spending for2014-2015 will increase to $6.62billion, compared to $5.96 billion inthe 2013-2014 fiscal year.However, budget papers show

that total capital spending is

forecast to decline to $5.79 billionin 2015-16 and $5.29 in 2016-17.This represents a drop in capitalspending compared to 2011-12($7.14 billion), 2010-11 ($8.1billion) and 2009-10 ($7.2 billion).Government infrastructure

spending on hospitals, schools, postsecondary facilities, transit androads will total $11 billion over thenext three years.BC Hydro spending on electrical

generation, transmission anddistribution projects is estimated tobe about $6 billion in the same timeperiod.Budget 2014 includes $2.3

billion in capital spending over thenext three years by post secondaryinstitutions, which includesrenovation projects. ■

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Analysts bullish inconstruction outlookOTTAWA – The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is predicting thatconstruction spending will top $300 billion this year, up from $284 billionin 2013. Michael Atkinson, president of the Ottawa-based CCA, noted thatthe value of construction in Canada has more than doubled over the pastdecade.New federal government infrastructure spending should boost

institutional work in 2014 and residential construction should remainstable, the CCA suggestsGrowth in non-residential construction will moderate, according to the

Construction Sector Council (CSC). “Slower growth is projected for the2014– 2021 scenario period and growth is spread out over a high plateauof gradual employment gains. Growth accumulates to 44,000 new jobsacross the scenario to 2021.”“[BC] stands out among all the provinces for strong employment growth

through the recession and across the scenario period, with employment upby 16 percent from 2009 to 2021,” according to a CSC forecast.BC non-residential work is increasingly concentrated in utility and mining

projects in the north. Residential activity should continue to grow to 2017,the forecast suggests. ■

While not as prevalent in British Columbia as in parts ofthe United States, RCI warns that fabricated roofdamage – to cash in on insurance or warranties – isbecoming more common.The U.S. National Insurance Crime Bureau reports

that there has been a 407 percent increase in haildamage claims since 2008, a figure the Bureau calls“fishy.”In some cases it is fraud, according to roofing

consultant and Fellow of RCI, Lyle Horgan who has beencalled in to investigate suspicious hail damage claims.In a report in RCI’s Interface magazine, Horgan said

investigative tools include checking neighbourhooddamage, weather and wind reports and havingknowledge of the type of marks that hail inflicts on aroof.“Ice particles, regardless of size, will not pulverize

[rooftop] mineral granules,” he notes. A hammer or arock in a sock – tools often used by fraudsters – oftenwill. Some fraudsters are “dime spinners”, scratching acoin into a roof to simulate hail damage.

A key clue is peripheral damage. Horgan looks atneighbouring homes, gardens, fences, utility boxes andother structures. If they did not suffer hail hits, it isunlikely the claimant’s building did either. Also, haildamage leaves random scars on the roof, while fakedamage will often be done in a linear fashion.Fake wind damage claims are also a cause of

concern. Clues to a fraudulent claim include highlyirregular tear lines and lightweight debris remaining onthe roof that is said to have faced high winds.As Horgan explains, “Ordinary wind damage will

involve torn, creased or folded tabs or even the loss ofentire courses. Linear creasing at the top of tabexposure represents legitimate compromise to a shingleroof; folding and creasing elsewhere on the tabexposure is a dubious occurrence.”Also, hail and windstorms travel in certain directions.

It is unlikely that the west side of a property wouldhave hail damage if the storm traveled in an east towest direction, according to the National InsuranceCrime Bureau. ■

This is what real hail damage often lookslike. Faked hail damage can leave linearmarks that are deeper than real hail.Photo: National Insurance Crime Bureau

BC Deputy Premier Rich Coleman: budget balanced but cuts coming in institutional constructionspending. Photo: BC Government

BC Budget cuts capital spending

“Fabricated” roof damage is fraud

VICTORIA – The BC governmenthas signed on to the federal CanadaJob Grant, a program aimed atincreasing the supply ofconstruction tradespeople over thenext 10 years.BC Minister of Jobs, Tourism and

Skills Training Shirley Bond andFederal Minister of Employmentand Social Development JasonKenney signed an agreement inprinciple for the Canada Job Granton March 11.“We are pleased that an

agreement has been reachedbetween Minister Bond andMinister Kenney,” said Paul de Jong,president of the ProgressiveContractors Association of Canada(PCA).The program is designed to

encourage greater employerparticipation in skills trainingdecisions and ensure that training isbetter aligned with jobopportunities, particularly in sectorsfacing skills mismatches and labourshortages.“We know the province has

questions about how this programwill be implemented,” said de Jong.“So, we would like to work with

them to ensure the employers areable to provide the necessary input,which will allow the right workersto get the right jobs.”The Canada Job Grant will

provide up to $15,000 per personfor training costs, including tuitionand training materials.This includes up to $10,000 in

federal contributions.Bond and de Jong said there is a

skilled labour shortage in BC andthe problem will increase as LNGprojects are developed.BC construction employment is

expected to grow by more than15,800 workers between 2014 and2023.Over the same period,

replacement demand due toretirements will require about34,000.New entrants from the younger

population are estimated at morethan 23,700.On balance, the BC construction

industry will need to recruit morethan 26,100 workers from outsidethe local market.The National Energy Board has

approved LNG export licences foreight proposed projects in BC. Four

are expected to be underconstruction by 2017.A study produced by Grant

Thornton for the BC governmentestimates that the construction offive LNG projects will generate anaverage of 39,400 full timeequivalent jobs annually over anine-year construction period. ■



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VANCOUVER – Total buildingpermit values for the LowerMainland ended 2013 down 5percent at $7.07 billion from $7.46billion in 2012 and analysts expectonly modest gains this year. Multi-family homebuilding is seen asbeing the dominant sector, withresidential accounting for nearlythree-quarters of all newconstruction last year.In 2013, residential permits were

up 5 percent to $5.13 billion,according to Statistics Canada.“Commercial permits should be

lifted in 2014 by project-specificinvestments,” according to theVancouver Regional ConstructionAssociation (VRCA). The start of theCredit Suisse office tower indowntown Vancouver, the large

Tsawwassen First Nations retaildevelopment in South Delta and thelarge retail outlet mall at YVR boostcommercial values, the VRCA notes.But, the sheer number of high-

rise residential projects arisingacross the Lower Mainland willdwarf even these massivecommercial jobs.The following are just some

examples of the action that will seean estimated 17,600 new strataresidential units started this year,with another 20,000 forecast tostart in 2015.• Tate, a new 41-storey residentialhigh-rise by the Bond Group fordowntown Vancouver, BC, willfeature a unique curvilineardesign by Merrick Architecture.The development is aiming forLEED gold certification.

• Bosa Properties’ Uptown in WestCoquitlam will feature twoconcrete towers with a total of451 condominiums. Constructionwill start this summer and isslated for completion in late2016.

• Westbank’s 52-storey, 500-unittower, as yet unnamed, willfeature a “twisting” structure atthe north end of the GranvilleStreet bridge. It will launch inlate March 2014.

• Jim Pattison Developments andReliance Properties Ltd. willinclude two residential towers of33 storeys and 47 storeys as partof its $500 million megaproject,the Burrard Gateway, indowntown Vancouver. ■


$53Binfrastructurebudget winssupportOTTAWA – The Association ofConsulting Engineering Companies-Canada (ACEC) and the CanadianConstruction Association (CCA) havevoiced support for the federalgovernment’s New Canada BuildingFund (NCBF), announced in therecent budget.Application for infrastructure

funding from municipalities andprovinces will be accepted as earlyas April 1. In total, the federalgovernment has allocated $53billion over the next 10 years.“The consulting engineering and

construction sectors look forward toworking with the government andstakeholders in the weeks ahead onthe development of the NCBF termsand conditions, including anefficient application process forprojects and P3s screen process”,says a joint release from ACEC andCCA.According to the federal

government, “for British Columbia,this represents almost $3.9 billionin dedicated federal funding,including almost $1.1 billion underthe New Building Canada Fund andan estimated $2.76 billion underthe federal Gas Tax Fund.” ■

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Above: twin-tower Uptown complex by Bosa starts construction this summer in Coquitlam. Photo: Bosa Developments

Above left: Tate, a new 41-storey residentialhigh-rise by the Bond Group is arising indowntown Vancouver. Photo: Bond Group

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Quintet complex inRichmond stretcheswaterproofing challengeBy Frank O’BrienThe giant $165 million Quintetproject in Richmond, by CanadaSunrise Corporation and being builtunder the direction of LedcorConstruction, has proved a

challenge for roofing contractorPacific Waterproofing Ltd. ofBurnaby.Quintet will be comprised of fivetowers and townhomes indowntown Richmond on theSkytrain line. It will also be thefuture home of Trinity WesternUniversity (a private university) anda new 30,000 square foot City of

Richmond Community Centre.The primarily residentialdevelopment has proved a huge hitwith buyers. The first phase, with295 units and to be completed in2013, sold out in just two weeks.Some people camped out for twodays as they waited to purchasewhat some see as Richmond’spremier residential development.

Construction of the first phase,which represents two of theprojected five 14-16 storey towers,began in April 2011. The secondphase of three additional buildingsis planned for completion in 2015.The total square footage of theentire complex is 762,000 squarefeet.


THE VOICE OF PROFESSIONAL ROOFING CONTRACTORS Vol. 9, No. 4 • WINTER 2012-13

WINTER 2012-13I N T H I S I S S U E :

QUINTET continued page 4

FEATURES:Quintet: wet and waterproof ....1Profile: Pacific Waterproofing.. 8Roofing and the new BC Building Code ..................... 11Architectural metal “bulb seam” roofing .................12HST switching back to PST .....17ASSOCIATION:President’s message .................. 3RCABC AGM report ................... 5Prompt payment lobby............. 7Training programs require changes........................ 10INDUSTRY NEWS:Safety blitz may repeat............. 5Waterproofing: more than the membrane ............................ 6Underlayment UV warranty doubles ....................... 9Outlook 2013 .......................... 14VRCA Awards of Excellence ....15Vancouver’s green plan .......... 16BC’s Energy Efficiency Building Strategy.......................16Green roof demand on rise.....16Roof moved in one piece ........18Building permits ramp up.......18Construction trade shows:Expo, RCI, Buildex ................... 19Tower design wins award ...... 20Roofing nailers recalled ......... 20Copper price rise forecast ...... 20Shop yards worth money........21NRCA repair manual out ...... 21CRCA releases spec manual .. 21

COLUMNLegal Affairs: Computers atwork – and privacy ................. 22

ASM ‘bulb seam’ roofingGaining popularity in Canada See page 12

Wet and waterproof

Artist rendering from W.T. LeungArchitects shows the fifth-floorplaza at Quintet in Richmond.The waterproofed plaza featuresponds, waterfalls and plantingson top of a rubberized asphaltwaterproofing membrane. Photo:W.T. Leung Architects Inc.

Trade shows on horizon February and March offer up threeevents. See page 19

Up to 5,000 construction jobs will be generated by the $1.5 billion expansion of Oakridge Centre, Vancouver. Rendering shows what is planned over six phases. Photo: Ivanhoé Cambridge

Oakridge expansion pegged at $1.5BVANCOUVER – Ivanhoé Cambridge, the owner of OakridgeCentre, and Westbank Development have received approvalfrom Vancouver city council for a $1.5 billion redevelopment ofthe Vancouver mall site.The project could include 14 towers that would range

between nine and 44 storeys and more than 1.8 million squarefeet of retail space.The work is expected to provide more than 5,000 jobs,

provide $228 million in community amenities and deliver both

family and social housing in Vancouver’s Cambie corridor.“The new Oakridge Centre will support thousands of new

jobs, build urgently needed new affordable housing and offerremarkable community benefits, including new child carespaces, a new community centre and library, a new seniors’centre and significant new park space,” said mayor GregorRobertson.The approval ended a week of often contentious public

hearings where speakers were both in support and opposed to

the project.Consultation also included open houses attended by more

than 2,300 residents, 505 online feedback questionnaires, andover 13,000 visits to consultation kiosks at Oakridge Centre.The mall will remain open during construction, which will

be undertaken through six phases at different areas of the site.Given the scale of the project, three architectural firms –Henriquez Partners Architects, Stantec Architecture and Gensler– are involved in the design process. ■

LEGAL AFFAIRS

EmploymentcontractsA well-worded contractcan save money, time and legal woesby Robert Smithson

A new year is a great time of yearfor employers to focus on the basicsof the employment relationship. Acornerstone of that relationship is aproperly implemented, writtenemployment contract.One of the key rules about

employment contracts is that (to usethe legal term) there must be“consideration” flowing to theemployee in exchange for acceptingthe employer’s terms. Thisconsideration must exist in order forthe employment contract to bebinding on theemployee. Typically,the considerationflowing to a newemployee is the offerof employment itself.Timing is one

crucial aspect of theexchange ofconsideration. If theemployment hasalready commencedwhen the employerseeks to have theemployee enter into a writtenemployment contract, there is nonew consideration flowing to theemployee. As such, it is crucial thatemployers routinely have newemployees enter into writtenemployment contracts prior to thecommencement of the employment.Court caseThe principle that employment

contracts must be signed before theemployment commences wasdemonstrated a few years back in adecision of the BC Supreme Court.The case involved a claim forwrongful dismissal by an employeewho had been terminated after 16years of employment.The employer sought to rely

upon a severance (pay in lieu of

notice) clause contained in anemployment contract signed justdays after the employment hadcommenced. If the severance clause

in the written contracthad been enforceable,the employer wouldonly have had toprovide the employeewith six months’ payin lieu of notice. If theseverance clausewasn’t enforceable,the (usually) greatercommon law standardof reasonable pay inlieu of notice wouldhave applied.

The Court reviewed thecircumstances of the employee’shiring, 16 years earlier, and of thesigning of the employment contract.Of significance wasthe Court’s conclusionthat the writtenemployment contractcontained provisionswhich weredetrimental to theemployee (relating totermination,intellectual propertyrights and restrictions oncompetition) and which had notbeen discussed before theemployment commenced.The BC Court considered whether

or not any new consideration had

been provided to the employee forsigning the written contract after thecommencement of the employment.It concluded there had been none.DecisionThe Court struck down the

written employment contract andimposed the common law standardof pay in lieu of notice. Theemployee was given 13 months’ payin lieu of notice (an additional sevenmonths’ pay over what had beenprovided in the written contract).What lesson should employers

take from decisions such as this?That there is a correct way toimplement written employmentcontracts in relation to newemployees and this must befollowed if contracts are to bebinding on the employee.The contract must be delivered to

the candidate prior tothe date on which(s)he is to commenceemployment. Anaccompanying coverletter should statesimply that theindividual is beingoffered employmenton the terms and

conditions set out in the contractand that (s)he can signify acceptanceof those terms by returning thesigned and witnessed contract.The cover letter enclosing the

contract should not contain any

offers or suggestions of additional,or different, terms than those setout in the contract. Any otherdocuments referred to in the bodyof the contract (such as, for instance,a job description, policy manual, orbenefits summary booklet) shouldbe attached to, or included with, thecontract when it is delivered to theemployee.The candidate should initial each

attachment to indicate receipt ofthat item at the same time as thecontract. Most importantly, thecontract must be accepted, by way

of the candidate signing andreturning the document, prior to thecommencement of provision ofemployment services.Following these simple rules will

ensure the enforceability of writtenemployment contracts for newemployees. And, they will save yourbusiness a lot of money. ■

Robert Smithson is a labour and employmentlawyer, and operates Smithson Employment Lawin Kelowna. For more information about hispractice, visit http://www.smithsonlaw.ca. Thissubject matter is provided for generalinformational purposes only and is not intendedas legal advice.


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“...it is crucial thatemployers routinelyhave new employeesenter into written

employmentcontracts prior tothe commencementof the employment.”

Robert Smithson

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