Building Management Hawaii August/September - (Page 14)

Roofing Heeding Pacific Cyclone Warnings When the inevitable big storm strikes, will your roof survive? By Guy Akasaki T he Hawaii roofing industry is experiencing a renewed renaissance, thanks to our robust local economy and its impact on residential, commercial, industrial, rehabilitation and new construction projects. We're now trending upward, as opposed to the past few years, in which low bids were dictating the direction of the market for the consumer and leading to failures and litigation rather than higher lifecycle costs for longerperforming roof lives. Like our economy, nature has "trends" as well. June through November marks the hurricane season in Hawaii, and forecasters are predicting between four and seven tropical cyclones to occur in the Central Pacific, with an 80 percent chance of normal or above-normal cyclone activity. We've all heard these warnings-but are we ready for what might be coming? In Hawaii we experience a hurricane every 10 to 15 years, so preparing for "when it happens," rather than defaulting to "if it happens," should be our way of life. The ability of a structure to recover quickly is directly tied to the preparation and due diligence done while the sun is shining. So what can property managers and building owners do to establish resilience for a building's rooftop in times like these? The following are our recommendations for helping your roof survive the inevitable. Roofing Done Right The accurate specification, integration and installation of Your #1 Roofing & Exterior Supply Experts Exterior Supply * Roofing * Waterproofing * Decks * Insulation * Siding and Trim Shingles OAHU KONA MAUI (Sand Island) 847-2077 14 (Kohanaiki Ind.) (Wailuku Ind.) 327-1146 242-5535 August-September 2014 BMH roofing materials into the building envelope are your baseline strategy. The upshifting economy has brought many so-called "new products at reduced market prices," which customers often perceive as a benefit-however, it's much better to instead use proven products with longevity, reliability and warranties. Implementing the best solution is often less costly than the cheapest solution, especially when disaster hits. Also, be wary of upcoming changes in the industry that may affect future projects. As we all know, what happens on the Mainland eventually happens in Hawaii-so keep an eye on the California Energy Commission's adoption of the Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings, among other changes. Title 24 requirements "apply to all new construction, and to retrofits or additions that replace or recoat ... and apply to non-residential, highrise residential and residential buildings and are limited to specific climate zones." For details, visit http://coolroofs.org/resources/ california-title-24. Roof Maintenance and Inspections The front end of the hurricane season is the best time for building owners and managers to review and implement systemic controls, initiate inspections for drainage performance and augment drainage solutions to accommodate extreme weather conditions. Being prepared for disaster can position your building for lower damage potential. This should include: Maintenance. Regularly scheduled maintenance of your roof will ensure preparedness. Investigate for unsecured loose items, as they can become missiles during times of extreme weather. Do not use your roof for storage. If your roof is clean and clear, you'll minimize the risk www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com http://www.coolroofs.org/resources/california-title-24 http://www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Management Hawaii August/September

Roofing Warranties: Read Them
Heeding Pacific Cyclone Warnings
Eco-friendly Metal Roofing
Cool Roofing Technology
When Good Pipes Go Bad
Why Cast Iron Pipes Fail
Is Your Sewer Squeaky Clean?
Water Heaters Versus Boilers
Preventing Backflow
Safeguarding Your Building’s Water
Safeguarding Your Building’s Water
Why Regular HVAC Inspections Matter
Why Regular HVAC Inspections Matter
Industry News
Industry News
On Site: A Well-Run Association
On Site: A Well-Run Association

Building Management Hawaii August/September