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J UNE 2018 | 21 Roofing/Cladding Materials PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHILIP CASTLETON/COURTESY LONGBOARD-MAYNE COATINGS The precast speeded erection and eliminated fireproofing, which saved time and money during construction. Plus, no additional exterior finishes were required. Acoustically, the precast system's mass reduces sound-transmission between rooms and floors significantly. Hamish Matheson, RoofStar Technical Advisor for the Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia (RCABC), points out that tougher code requirements not only result in product innovation, but also spur research that eventually leads to a more efficient and safer construction environment. "For example, one project we're currently involved with is determining the effective R-value of insulation," he says. "It's one thing for a product to be branded with a certain R-rating, but in reality different insulations perform differently at differ- ent temperatures. "We're focusing on the actual performance of mineral wool, polyiso, and expanded polystyrene, and hopefully by early next year we'll be able to report their precise performance characteristics, for the benefit of design authorities to consider for different regions. Our research will also help design authorities, together with our standards, with regards to the BC Energy Step Code objective of making all buildings net-zero efficient by 2032, and the City of Vancouver's intent of bringing that objective to fruition by 2020 for all new residential construction." RCABC in conjunction with WorkSafeBC is developing an Exposure Control Plan (ECP) program to mitigate worker risk to hydrocarbon-based products commonly used in the roofing and cladding sector. "There are currently over 750 hydrocarbon-based components identified within adhesives, sealers, primers, mastics, and cleaners used with roofing systems containing different levels of VOCs," says Matheson. "Although in many situations the VOC's aren't a significant hazard due to their rapid dispersal in open-air construction sites, there is a higher risk to the worker when applying these products where air movement may be limited, such as being surrounded by walls or high parapets." It's a common occurrence that warrants a program for VOC exposure reduc- tion. These projects and others are funded by the RoofStar Guarantee Program, available through RCABC. Innovation often takes the form of the ability to mimic certain materials. Products from Longboard, which is a division of Mayne Inc., are designed for contemporary residential and commercial projects, and considered an ideal solu- tion for achieving all of the richness and beauty of wood without the maintenance. That's because Longboard is aluminum machined to be soffits, privacy screens, and siding, available in a wide range of wood grain and solid colour finishes. Longboard siding comes in 18 different wood grains, four metallic colours, and 10 solid colours, which can be combined to create outstanding effects for homes or com- mercial spaces; or a solid colour range can be employed to create a striking facade, such as that of the Sato Elementary School in Portland, designed by DLR Group. Longboard siding, The Towns at Emerald City, Toronto, ON.

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