Galbestos: What is it and Why is it Dangerous?

Galbestos metal cladding was produced as a corrosion resistant metal roofing and siding panel.  The general manufacturing procedure started with a carbon steel sheet that was then hot dip galvanized. While the zinc was still molten, an asbestos felt was pressed into the surface to form a mechanical bond between the zinc and the asbestos hence the name Gal-bestos.  This strip was then impregnated with asphalt under pressure and heat.  In the resultant sheet, the asbestos fibers were completely encapsulated by the asphalt.  A final protective coating of asphalt or hot melt polyester color coating was then applied as the final weathering coat. 

This Galbestos coated metal was used for a wide range of metal wall and roof applications from its introduction in 1948 until manufacture was terminated in 1979 due to environmental restriction of asbestos products. The unique coating provided a virtually indestructible product in harsh industrial environments and found extensive use among the Fortune 500 of the time. Because of its durability many installations still exist.

Asbestos monitoring tests conducted by independent agencies have shown that excessive asbestos levels were not emitted by intact Galbestos under most typical handling conditions.  It was found however that cutting with an abrasive saw did produce levels of asbestos in excess of the federally mandated limits.

In the typical aging of Galbestos, the color coat hardens and shrinks.  This causes cracks to appear in the finished coat.  At this point the asphalt / asbestos layer becomes exposed.  With continued weathering the asphalt deteriorates and can erode from the panels.  In some cases the shrinkage of the Galbestos color coat can be excessive and larger areas of the asphalt / asbestos layer is exposed.

Galbestos can, however, be recoated and the heavy gauges used in industrial applications make the product an ideal candidate for restoration versus replacement.  Since the asbestos in Galbestos is encapsulated in the asphalt it is not released into the environment as free asbestos unless the asphalt is destroyed or severely weathered. 

StructureTec has developed specifications to guide the safe preparation of Galbestos for restoration. Since many applications will have been previously painted our evaluation will also involve analysis of the make-up and existing conditions prior to arriving at a final system for restoration.

Since Galbestos looks so similar to other metal cladding, it is not easily identified and is often times unnoticed. We are here to help bring clarity and understanding to the many considerations available to you and how they can connect with your facility goals and objectives. If maintained and managed properly Galbestos can be protected and restored. However, if it is left to deteriorate it can become a major asbestos abatement project. StructureTec can help you determine the best course of action for managing this situation. Contact us today!

Eliminate Fall Hazards and Make Your Building a Safer Place to Work

Falls are among the most common causes of serious work related injuries and deaths. In 2014, fall protection was the number one violation on Occupational Health and Safety Regulation’s (OSHA) top 10 most-cited violations, a position it has held for 4 consecutive years. It is an employer’s responsibility to set up the work place to prevent workers from falling off overhead platforms, elevated work stations and roof and wall structures. When workers are at risk of falling, the employer must have a written fall protection plan in place and available at the workplace before any work with the risk of falling can begin.

These guidelines and regulations are mandatory under OHSA and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) works to ensure consistency of these standards. Once you have developed a written safety plan, you must then provide the required fall protection systems and adequately train employees and visitors prior to engaging in any at risk activity.

Fall protection systems can be divided into three types:

·         Fall Prevention

·         Fall Restraint

·         Fall Arrest

A Fall Prevention System/Plan is designed to prevent or eliminate the risk of falls through proper planning including restriction of access, safe access zones and signage. Fall Restraint Systems are designed to allow a worker to get near an edge without actually going over the edge. A Fall Arrest System is defined as a system that protects a worker after a fall by stopping them from hitting the surface below.

Incorporating Fall Protection Systems in the Workplace  

Your primary focus should always be eliminating fall hazards by preventing through proper fall prevention techniques. When that’s not possible, you need to provide Fall Restraint and Arrest systems to ensure workplace safety, some common examples of such systems are:

1.   Guardrails

Guardrails are the most common fall protection system used to protect workers at openings and on platforms. Guardrails must be continuous, with no portion of the leading edge exposed, and meet the strength requirements.

·      Guardrails should be removed only when materials are being on-loaded or off-loaded. Once the materials have been positioned, replace the guardrails immediately.

·      Ensure that each top rail, or equivalent member of a guardrail system, can withstand a force of at least 200 pounds. Top rails must be between 39 and 45 inches.

·      Make sure that midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members or panels can withstand a force of at least 150 pounds.

2.   Hole Covers

Any opening that measures at least two inches or more in its least dimension in a floor, roof or walking surface must be covered. Covers should be able to support at least two times the weight that will cross over them.

3.   Personal Fall Restraint Systems

This system can be a full body harness or a body belt that’s rigged to physically restrict the worker from reaching an area where a free fall could occur. It’s designed to hold the worker back, but not provide support in a fall. These systems are commonly used on leading edge work such as roofs, open-sided floors and work platforms.

4.   Safety Net Systems

Safety nets, which catch the worker after a fall, are often found under bridgework, steel erection, demolition and maintenance operations. They should be installed as close as possible under the walking/working surface, but never allow a fall of more than 30 feet.

5.   Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)

A PFAS keeps the worker from hitting the ground or other obstructions below. The PFAS, consisting of a body harness, connecting device and anchorage, must prevent the worker from free falling more than six feet. The arresting force on the worker must be limited to 1,800 pounds or less, and the anchorage point must be capable of supporting 5,000 pounds per person attached. When vertical lifelines are used, each worker must be attached to a separate lifeline.

Anchorage Points

It is important to remember that a personal fall restraint or arrest system is only as good as its anchor point. It doesn’t matter how well trained personnel are, how good the equipment is, or whether or not the employee is tied off correctly. If the anchor point fails, nothing in the system will work.

Accidents often happen when the risks seem minimal, but are not. When a fall occurs, there will be no dramatic life-saving catch by a fellow co-worker like you see in the movies.  Proper use of safety equipment and fall protection helps to ensure that no matter how comfortable your workers are, should a fall occur, they will be protected. It is crucial to educate and train workers to properly use fall protection and to always remember to wear personal protective equipment, because nobody can defy the laws of gravity.

Please contact StructureTec to learn more about Fall Protection Systems and always remember to check with OSHA and other governing bodies to ensure fall protection compliance.

9 Steps to Prevent Commercial Roof Leaks This Spring

April showers bring…leaky roofs? Roofing experts recommend evaluating your roof system in the spring and fall. With spring finally upon us, it is important to assess your roof system for any damage that may have occurred during the winter months.

The following is a list of steps you should take to help ensure your roof is ready for spring:

1.   Remove all Debris. Debris such as loose gravel, dirt, leaves, and twigs should be removed. These materials can retain water if left on the roof. The constant moisture can cause damage to the roof, promote growth of algae and mold, and may cause standing water to form.

2.   Clear Drains. Field drains and auxiliary drains should be cleared to prevent ponding that may cause leaks or structural damage.

3.   Inspect the Roof Surface. Perform a visual inspection of the roof system. On PVC or rubber roofs, inspect for holes, cracks, or faster back-out. On built-up roofs, look for areas with missing gravel or exposed felts. Inspect roof seams and transitions for cracks or holes and have them sealed. If you have questions about the integrity of the roof membrane, contact a roofing professional.

4.   Inspect Roof Penetrations. Roof penetrations include pipes, drains, and other components that protrude through the roof surface. Roof penetrations are highly susceptible to leaks. It is very important to examine HVAC units, conduits, vents, gas lines, rain collars, and pipe boots. If you notice that a roof penetration is leaking or damaged, consult a professional to have the problem fully diagnosed and repaired.

5.   Evaluate Rooftop Perimeter. Walk the roof perimeter to inspect the edge details and note any areas of concern including soft spots, mold, or algae. Inspect the flashing at walls and curbs for any punctures of damage.

6.   Inspect the Sealant. Keep an eye out for sealant or caulking issues such as cracking, openings, deterioration, or crazing. Sealant failures are often found around penetrations and perimeter flashings. Sealant requires regular inspection and often has to be repaired.

7.   Inspect the Underside of the Roof. After you have thoroughly evaluated the outside area, inspect the underside of your roof deck, looking for any signs of water stains or streaks on the deck or walls that could be a sign of a leak. 
 

8.   Prevent Leaks Before They Start. Your roof inspection may reveals areas of deterioration that will require repair. Repairing these small defects before they become major issues will save you from spending thousands of dollars down the road. If the damage is beyond your skill set or you are uncertain of the proper repair service, contact a professional.

9.   Perform Additional Investigations. If the areas of deterioration require additional investigation, a roofing professional can perform destructive testing, which requires making an opening for closer inspection, or non-destructive testing, such as infrared scanning, to determine the severity of the issue.

While roof maintenance is often times ignored until leaks are noticeable, facilities managers and building owners can save thousands of dollars and prevent many headaches by proactively maintaining their roof systems.

StructureTec can help identify potential problems by performing a spring walkover. We can help you determine and implement the proper course of action to ensure your roof is protected this spring. Contact us today to schedule your spring walkover!

Can My Roof Be Restored Instead of Replaced?

WHAT IS ROOF RESTORATION? 

When a roof begins to leak or show signs of deterioration, you might think it’s time to replace the roof. What you may not know is that, often times, a roof coating or resaturant system can restore the current roof to a like-new condition.

Roof restoration is a cost-effective, proactive maintenance approach designed to prolong the life of the existing roof system by ten to fifteen or more years. Roof restoration is done by repairing defects and providing a new coating or resaturant which restores the weatherproofing integrity of the roof.

There are a number of cost-effective, tried and proven solutions for restoring older, but still sound, roofs. The average cost for these solutions is a quarter of the cost of roof replacement, but this figure can increase significantly if continued neglect results in damage to the underlying deck.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ROOF RESTORATION?

When compared to roof replacement, roof restoration offers a number of benefits that can help you save, including:

• Cut Costs: Roof restoration typically costs 25% - 30% of the cost of roof replacement. 
• Deferred Capital Expenditures: Restoration gives you the ability to deffer significant investments for another ten to fifteen or more years.
• Sustainability: Roof Restoration can extend the life of your roof by upwards of ten to fifteen years or more. Restoration sustains the life of your existing assets.
• Address Other Priorities: Roof restoration allows the facilities manager to address other critical priorities for budgeting. This is an integral part of the Long Range Asset Management Program.

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER ROOF RESTORATION?

The only way to know if your roof is an ideal candidate for roof restoration is to consult a roofing professional. A thorough evaluation of the roof will need to be performed. Performing proactive maintenance throughout the life cycle of the roof is highly recommended and will increase the likelihood of your roof being a candidate for restoration.

WHO SHOULD NOT CONSIDER ROOF RESTORATION?

If any of the following conditions are present, your roof is NOT a candidate for roof restoration:

• Excessive blisters, delamination
• Wet insulation, substrate conditions
• Lack of tensile strength
• Embrittlement (plasticizer migration)
• Seams – lack of adhesion
• Fastener back out
• Retrofitted system
• Cost prohibitive – law of diminishing returns 

Unless you have significant roofing experience, you probably won’t know if roof restoration is right for your commercial building. The experts at StructureTec can determine whether roof restoration is a viable solution for your roof. 

If you are interested in learning more about roof restoration projects, join us today, March 9th, at 1:30 PM EST for a live webinar, "Doing Roof-Restoration Projects the Right Way," brought to you by StructureTec's Building Construction Technology Education Center.

Click here to register. **Please register by 12:30 PM EST.**

Chicago, IL National Building Envelope Forum Recap

On February 10, StructureTec's Building Construction Technology Educational Center (BCTEC) hosted a National Building Envelope Forum in Naperville, IL. 

During the forum, three in-house experts shared some exceptional insight into paving, non-destructive testing, and roof restoration. Hanan Javetz, Retired Director of Facilities Management at School District U-46 in Elgin, Illinois also led an intriguing discussion regarding his personal experiences with facilities management over his 30+ year career.

The Pavement Management presentation focused on:

• How to develop a pavement management program for multiple sites
• Different pavement technology
• Pavement maintenance
• Pavement project management processes
• Pavement survey considerations

The Non-Destructive Testing presentation discussed:

• Non-Destructive Testing Applications for roof, building envelope, pavement, and structural concrete systems
• Methods of Non-Destructive Testing
• The use of Non-Destructive Testing for problem identification
• Quality assurance through construction

The Roof Restoration presentation highlighted:

• The benefits of roof restoration
• Identifying problems and solutions related to roof restoration projects
• Identifying roofs that are candidates for roof restoration
• The proper means, methods, and procedures for restoration

Our special guest speaker, Hanan Javetz, gave valuable insight on:

• Managing a public sector bid event
• Making a case for investing more upfront to achieve lower life cycle cost
• The criticality of attention to detail for successful project outcomes

Throughout the day, there was a lively exchange and collaboration. Attendees walked away with additional technical knowledge and project-specific answers. Here's what they had to say:

"This program was very helpful"

              "Learned some new opportunity"

"The technical content was excellent"

BCTEC will be hosting another Building Envelope Forum in Columbus, OH on May 11th, 2016 covering a wide variety of topics pertaining to facility management. Please click here for more information on the topics.

7 Steps to a Risk Free Project

Last month, StructureTec's Building Construction Technology Educational Center (BCTEC) hosted a webinar entitled “7 Steps to a Risk Free Project”. During the webinar, three in-house experts shared some great case studies and explained the steps necessary to ensure the successful completion of your construction projects.

Here are some of our favorite insights and key takeaways from this webinar:

1. Defining the Problem / Objective. Performing pre-construction due diligence is critical to assess potential risks and protect your interest in any construction project. Testing and surveys must be done to ensure that you have all vital information before continuing on.

2. Alignment (The Best Solution). Define the project goals and outline your organization’s objectives. Be sure the priority between cost, schedule and required project objectives are clear.

3. Develop the Project Manual. An accurate project manual is a key component of a successful project. The scope, including the materials and workmanship of the project needs to be clearly and accurately defined in the project manual. Project policies, procedures, guidelines, drawings, bidding requirements, contract forms, and conditions of the contract are all necessary information to include.

4. Selecting the Right Project Team. Whether its roofs, walls, parking lots or parking structures, when you are look at the remedial aspect of maintaining sites, you must have the right team in place. When pre-screening your approved contractors, look at their experience, specialties, financial history, current workload, insurance requirements, and safety protocol. As you pick your team, make sure your contractors have a clear understanding of the specifications and details of the project.

5. Construction Review and Administration (Quality Assurance). Once you have established your qualified project team, it is critical to have an expert representing your companies best interests monitoring the progress of the contractors work. Make sure your rep knows the scope of the project to ensure that no corners are being cut.

6. Maintenance Program.  We highly recommend that you put in place a Warranty Audit Program for after the completion of the project. Perform a 12 month and 24 month post-construction inspection on all projects. No matter how smooth your project went, the weather will be the ultimate commissioning agent.

7. Long-term Risk Mitigation. Maximize your warranties. You want to make sure that all documents are properly filed and accessible downstream as things come up. Incorporate continuous improvement practices, keep good records, and log any maintenance you are doing.

By using the seven steps listed above, you can significantly mitigate risks and ensure your projects go as smooth as possible."It's all about the process".

StructureTec Turns 25!

2016 marks another milestone in StructureTec history. This year, we celebrate our 25th year in business.

We have maintained 20% growth every year for the last 25 years and will continue to do so moving forward. Our capabilities and service offerings are unmatched in the industry. Our ability to perform for our clients in multiple project delivery methods, including: Design/Bid/Build, Design/Build, and Construction management, position us for significant growth in the years to come.

This company was founded on quality. Our reputation for quality is something we must maintain with growth. Our commitment to quality is what enables us to service such amazing clients, including those that have been with us since inception:

Our success is, and always will be, tied to the success of our employees and clients. Thank you for your trust and support over the last 25 years and we look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead!