Building Industry Show November 13th and 14th!

Don't forget to mark your calendars for the annual Builders Show at the Long Beach Convention Center!
Since 1988, the BIS Show brings manufacturer's and builders together.

It'll be interesting to go and hear what is happening in the new construction world; it's been a little slow, but homes are being built and bought, so there is some activity going on...

Register online and get a free pass using promo code A3M85

Picture of the Week-A Reminder That October is Fire Safety Month, and so is every month of the Year!

I don't know what started this fire, but the owners are lucky.
The siding on the house is burned up, there is plastic melted on the deck and the building has probably sustained 10l worth of damages...easily.

Please please be careful!

San Diego Chapter of ICC Presents 2007 CBC Chapter 7 Fire Resistance Rated Construction Seminar

Here's a very relevant seminar put on by San Diego's ICC chapter; the seminar will address fundamental concepts of fire performance and types of construction as it relates to acceptable materials limiting the impact of fire.

Upon completion, participants will be better understand the definitions ie: Fire Wall, Fire Barrier, Horizontal Assembly etc.

Handbook and lunch included, recommended for Building Officials,. Plan Check Engineers, Plan Examiners, Architects and Designers...and deck coating manufacturer's, applicators and interested parties.

$120.00 for non ICC members...register at ICC San Diego by clicking our headline.

Date-Friday November 7, 2008 8-4 pm.

Fun Facts About Our Website and Visitors...

I like looking at my stat engine and the various other tools that as web master I get access to for my website and Blog. While a lot of stuff is mind numbing stuff the techies eat up, I just like to see who came by and what they looked at...and if we could help 'em out.

I see a lot of folks who come by on web searches, the favorite search engine by far is Google, and the top search words are "deck coatings", followed by "deck coating" The word "waterproofing", in conjunction with other search words like plywood, deck or decking is very popular as well.

I'm gratified to see that over 53% of our visitors mark us in their bookmarks, indicating that we are hitting a good number of the visitors we want, visitors who find our information relevant!

Links from other web pages are always a big help in bringing visitors, the Forum Pages at JLC send me the most, at over 500 visitors from their site alone! www.deckindustry.org sends us a bunch of visitors too, follwed by Residential Contractor, www.condoissues.blogspot.com and a host of others...

Thank you to all of you who follow our bog, read our website, patronize our Google ads and our website sponsors; keep on reading!

CSLB Press Release - 10/17/2008 Homeless Shelter Project Lures Phony Contractors into Woodland Sting Operation

WOODLAND — Twelve people were arrested for contracting without a license after they showed up to bid on projects Wednesday at what they thought was a proposed homeless shelter. It was, in fact, a joint undercover operation conducted by the Contractors State License Board, the Yolo Unlicensed Rapid Apprehension Team (YoURAT), Woodland Police Department, Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), Department of Insurance (DOI), and the Employment Development Department (EDD).

The suspects were selected from complaint files and illegal advertisements. They bid on projects at the commercial site in Woodland for landscaping, painting, flooring and drywall jobs. The twelve face misdemeanor charges of contracting without a license. DIR’s Division of Labor Standards Enforcement issued civil fines against six of the employers. Another contractor was fined by EDD for paying employees under the table.

"Unlicensed operators are part of a multi-billion dollar underground economy that takes jobs away from legitimate contractors, and tax dollars," said CSLB Registrar Steve Sands. "They seldom offer insurance for their workers and offer no guarantees for the property owners who use them. Property owners have little recourse if something goes wrong with an unlicensed operator."

The CSLB urges consumers to follow these tips when hiring a contractor:

• Be especially hesitant when approached by someone offering home improvement services door-to-door.
• Verify the contractor's license by checking online at www.cslb.ca.gov, or via CSLB’s automated phone service at 1-800-321-CSLB (2752).
• Don't pay more than 10% down or $1,000, whichever is less.
• Don't pay cash, and don't let the payments get ahead of the work.
• Check references; get three bids and a written contract.
• Contact the CSLB if you have a complaint against a contractor.

The Contractors State License Board operates under the umbrella of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. The CSLB licenses and regulates California's 316,000 contractors, and investigates more than 20,000 complaints against contractors annually. In fiscal year 2006-07, the CSLB helped consumers get almost $45 million in ordered restitution.

Sting Operation Details

12 arrests for contracting without a license
8 Citations from Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) totaling $9,500
2 Criminal filings for violation of Labor Code 3700.5 (Workers Compensation)
1 Administrative citation

RCI So Cal Presents-2008 Building Code Update! Waterproofers take notice!

Attention all trades people in waterproofing/deck coatings! You better attend this class! This is an important update to what the new codes say, what your responsible for and what designers and manufacturer's are responsible for...

Tell 'em you found out about this class here!

See you in San Francisco...Click our Headline to go to RCI So Cal and Register!

So Cal Chapter of RCI, Inc.

Monday, November 17, 2008 2008 Calif. Building Code Update San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf Roofing, Waterproofing and the Building Envelope SPEAKERS: Waterproofing Code Update: Chris Nelson of DNG Group. Roofing Code Update: John D. Shepherd, RRC, of Shepherd Consulting Services Building Envelope Code Update: Don DeGroot, IBA Consultants West, LLC The new California building code, which became effective statewide on January 1, 2008, is based on the 2006 International Building Code and not the 1997 Uniform Building Code that we have all become accustomed to using for the last 10 years. The new IBC and CBC have many specific changes that effect roofing, waterproofing and building envelope professionals. Most significantly, the old Codes generally required that the construction (builder) prevent water intrusion to the interior. The new Codes have been changed to make them more stringent and specific. Language has been added in the Codes that requires both "design and construction" to meet the intent of the codes, not just construction. As a result, the new codes shift more liability on the design professional, requiring them to properly design the building envelope systems. In regards to water intrusion and water damage, new codes include vapor barriers and vapor migration within an assembly. This seminar will include a side-by-side comparison between the old code and new code as related to roofing, waterproofing, exterior walls and building envelope systems. Liberty Lewis, PE, is a Project Manager with PIE and will be presenting Ventilation of Low Slope Roof Assemblies. Steven Mack, PE, is a Project Manager with PIE and will be presenting on Adhered Stone Veneer. RCI Continuing Educational Hours (CEHs) from RCI 5 AIA Learning Units (LUs) from the American Institute of Architects 5 Registration and Location Registration Time: 12:30 pm Program: 1 pm to 7 pm An afternoon break and a light dinner will be provided Registration Fees: RCI / AIA / CREIA Member: $100 Non-Member: $125 Parking: $17 plus tax Location: The Holiday Inn Fisherman's Wharf 1300 Columbus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94133 Hotel Reservations: (800) 942-7348 To register, go to www.RCISoCalChapter.org Questions call: 866/914-4RCI