Year in year out, new regulations, standards and best practices are rolled out in the roofing industry. In fact, the changes and requirements have become quite many and roofing contractors are required to adhere to them. To effect the changes and ensure they are adopted, bodies such as National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), Building Control (BCB), Competent Roofer, and Single Ply Roofing Association (SPRA) play a leading role. But, how do these building regulations affect the roofing industry?
Safety at Work
Did you know that the roofing sector accounts for the most accidents in the building industry? This shouldn’t come as a surprise because the location and design of roofs aren’t user-friendly. Firstly, you’ll be working on very steep/pitched roofs. Secondly, the materials that foam the covering (shingles, tiles, asbestos…) aren’t very strong. Thirdly, due to aging, the deck and covering will have become weak or rotten. Fourthly, high winds, a slippery surface may easily make you lose your grounding. To minimise these effects, stricter regulations have been rolled out. Employers are required to ensure the employees embrace the safest practices. These include proper harnessing and anchorage, wearing protective clothing, erecting barriers on the roof, and avoiding working on very wet surfaces or windy days. This has seen the fatalities and accidents decline over time.
International Standards
Regulations help regional contractors to stay abreast with internationals standards. This makes them compete enough to work in any location while still providing topnotch services. The different bodies work together in coming up with the regulations, standards, code of conduct, and best business practices. Roofers in the region follow building codes set by International Code Council (ICC) and include conservation energy, green code, and fire classification among others. International standards focus on issues like waterproofing, fire ratings, impact testing and many others.
Customer Oriented
Ask people whether customer service and the roofing industry are related, and many will say not really. Well, this could have been the case before but is now changing. This is being felt in a period where the customer demands better service and wants to be kept in the know at all times. Trade associations such as NFRC not only ensure their members use quality products but also deliver exceptional customer service. The organization offers training in this field through free seminars, publications, and courses. Competent Roofer also has an open-door policy where dissatisfied customers can lodge their complaints in case they fail to reach an amicable solution with the contractor.
Best Technology
Truth is the roofing industry has been going through changes. What could have been the best roof design or material could now be unreliable or obsolete. New technologies are also being discovered and it’s upon the players to ensure it reaches the consumer. For instance, underlayment wasn’t common in the early days; however, it’s now a mandatory requirement in most regions including the UK. Also, people are moving away from using wood planks/timber and are now opting for plywood as the preferred sheathing material. This is because it has the least effect on the decks or shingles/tiles because it produces no sap. All these changes have been possible because of abiding by the building regulations.
Green Roofing
Some time back, asbestos was the most popular roofing material. It was strong, readily available, easy to install, fire-resistant, and light. However, it became evident that is wasn’t a good material because the minute fibres contributed to respiratory problems including cancer. It was, therefore, necessary to start advising people to replace it with better options. Through campaigns, seminars and conferences, the regulators have been able to influence the replacing of asbestos with safer and greener options. Calls for using organic underlayment instead of synthetic felt is also gaining momentum as more people look for environmental-friendly roofing solutions.
Why Work With a Roofing Contractor Who Follows The Regulations?
As a consumer, you are advised to always engage a roofing contractor who strictly adheres to the regulations and standards. In so doing, you are guaranteed of quality service, maximum satisfaction, and peace-of-mind. A name that comes to mind is Plymouth Roofers, a roofing contractor who has been around for quite a while. The firm carries out all kind of roofing service including installing new roofs, renovations/refurbishments, and advisory services. The company is a member of the NFRC and prides on a competent team of employees. Due to following the regulations and always adopting the best business practices, the contractor is regarded as one of the most competent and reliable firms around. To learn more about Plymouth Roofers, simply visit https://www.plymouthroofers.co.uk or call them at 01752 967500. And as part of improving the service/industry, they offer free quotes.
Regulations differ from country to country. We partner with companies from the USA and if you needed US regulation advice then please visit www.roofingcorpuschristi.net/
Conclusion
While it may seem like a burden to some people considering they are quite many, keep changing, and some are mandatory, regulations and standards aim is to improve the industry. They protect the contractor, consumer and the industry in general. A home owner is assured of quality workmanship, high standards, good customer service, and safety. The contractor, on the other hand, is guided by a strict code of conduct, receives proper training, uses proven technology, and the employees adopt the best health and safety regulations.
