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RCAN Members Address City
Re-Roofing Requirements
Doreen Coddington and Cindy Nevin of NSA Discuss Political Issues
by C. Frederick Charles
On Thursday, February 20, members of the
Roofing Contractors Association of Nevada (RCAN) gathered at the Country Inn
Restaurant in Las Vegas to hear RCAN Director Tom Romney, Prestige Roofing,
discuss a proposed list of requirements for re-roofing permits in the city of
Las Vegas.
They also heard Doreen Coddington, The Roofing
Company, and president, Nevada Subcontractors Association (NSA), and Cindy Nevin,
NSA executive director, talk about pending legislation relating to the
construction defect lawsuit problem.
Prior to the foregoing presentations, RCAN
President Mark Paxson, Metric Roofing, told attendees that plans are underway
for another association-sponsored golf tournament tentatively scheduled for May.
"Our Golf Committee Chairman, Bob Crellin, Olympic Fasteners, is currently
working on preparations for the event."
RCAN Executive Director C. Frederick
"Chuck" Charles reminded members of the Western States Roofing
Contractors Association’s (WSRCA) forthcoming 29th Annual
Convention and Trade Show to be held at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas from June 1
through June 4 of this year. "This is an important event for RCAN because
we select a new President and Board of Directors during this convention. Members
can fill in their nomination forms at our booth during the show. Those of you
who plan to participate in the annual raffle (Harley-Davidson V-ROD motorcyle),
the golf tournament, or the sporting clays tournament should mark your
calendars."
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Proposed Requirements
For City Of Las Vegas Re-roofing Permits
Tom Romney distributed the following
document to attendees:
Are building permits required to
re-roof?
RCAN believes permits should be required
because they help to validate reliable contractors.
If permits are to be required then:
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There must be stronger
penalties for non-compliance, higher fines or license suspension. If
this is not the case, only a few contractors will continue to pull
re-roof permits. Unless the current penalty program is not changed
accordingly, any need for permits must be eliminated.
A clear and concise list of requirements are needed for a permit. We
recommend these rules should be included in all permit applications.
A clear and concise list of requirements are needed for a permit. We
recommend these rules should be included in all permit applications.
A structural analysis by a professional engineer should be necessary
only if the new roofing material exceeds 7.2 lbs. per square foot.
This analysis would only address actual truss calcs and rafter
spans, not girders, headers, footings and so forth.
No sheathing inspections. Since the addition of solid sheathing
installed over existing spaced sheathing is only to support the roof
system, and not needed to aid the building diaphragm, the only
concern would be for wind uplift similar to a nailable insulation
board. Therefore, a letter from an engineer pointing out this
requirement should be included in the permit application.
No sheathing inspections. Since the addition of solid sheathing
installed over existing spaced sheathing is only to support the roof
system, and not needed to aid the building diaphragm, the only
concern would be for wind uplift similar to a nailable insulation
board. Therefore, a letter from an engineer pointing out this
requirement should be included in the permit application.
If sheathing inspections would still be required, they should be
scheduled on the same day so exposed roof areas can be covered.
We also request underlayment inspections for tile installations,
along with final inspections on all jobs.
We further recommend that a clear
description of proposed roofing materials (possibly an ICBO) be
included in the permit application, as well as a copy of the bill of
lading from the supplier be included as part of the final
inspection. |
Paxson said the main problem has to do
with inspectors not showing up on a specified day. "Are you going to
leave the job uncovered overnight? It’s a major liability for any
company doing a re-roof project. I believe that inspection appointments be
closely adhered to, and be the same for everybody."
NSA Political Discussion
Doreen Coddington told attendees that
Cindy Nevin has agreed to register employees to vote right at their
workplace. "The next municipal primary election in on April 8.
Everybody in this room has a number of people working for them, so it’s
a worthwhile service that Cindy is performing. Also, I would like to thank
RCAN for its generous donation of $5,000 to our lobbying efforts."
At this point, Nevin distributed copies
of a "Guide To The Nevada Legislature" to all those present.
"This is an extremely valuable book, containing facts about the
entire legislative process, how a bill becomes law, how to contact
legislators and much, much more."
Nevin mentioned that no less than 1,000
pieces of proposed legislation are being introduced during this session.
"We’ve got people in Carson City who are monitoring these bills.
Among them being Consultants John Vergiels and Sam McMullen, Len Nevin, my
husband, and others."
Paxson told members that RCAN will help
defray expenses for those who will testify on behalf of the industry
during committee meetings. "We need people up there who have been
directly effected by construction defect lawsuits."
Coddington mentioned that Senator Ann O’Connell
is preparing to submit a bill draft on behalf of NSA and the Coalition For
Fairness In Construction. "There are quite a few more bill draft
resolutions being submitted at this time having to do with construction
defect litigation and related issues. One such proposed bill is from the
Nevada State Contractors Board. It’s designed to prevent trial lawyers
from abusing information obtained during contractor disciplinary hearings.
Apparently, actions of the board are being used in construction defect
cases."
A discussion by all attendees followed
relating to the legislative process and tactics being used by the Trial
Lawyers Association. Both Coddington and Nevin state that all legislators
have been appraised of the construction defect lawsuit situation and have
agreed that something has to be done to alleviate the situation.
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