Sunday, January 31, 2010

ICC-ES TO CONSIDER REVISIONS TO AC-39 Walking Deck Acceptance Criteria February 2nd.

There's a movement afoot at ICC-Es to revise AC-39, the Acceptance Criteria used to determine if a deck coating meets fire resistance, wear and tear etc. I think this will confuse the public, not help...see for yourself and make up your own mind.

Click here to read the revisions being considered.

Nevada Coating Systems-Granite Deck Polyurea as a Deck Coating-Use at Your Own Risk

I've been getting beat up a little bit in a pricing battle with one of the larger local competitors in San Luis Obispo lately...

one of my clients, who is a little more astute than the average guy, came back to me and started asking questions about my competitors bid and product. They had got a bid from local competitor DeckTech, who is using "NCS Granite Deck"

They sent me the other company's proposal for me to review. After investigating the product they were proposing to use, I found out that it's a Polyurea 2 part spray applied coating. The manufacturer, Nevada Coating Systems of Rancho Mirage CA, offers their "NCS Granite Deck" (sounds tough right?) as a solution for walkways and decks.

Nevada Coating Systems website is found at http://www.nevadacoatings.com/; we invite you to look for yourself. On their site is all kinds of mfg specs, videos and marketing yackety yack about how good the product is for various coating needs.

The problem is that their Granite deck IS NOT an ICC-ES evaluated traffic deck coating (I could not find any ICC-ES report at the ICC-ES website) that has been tested and evaluated independently. So while maybe you could put it on, my question is why would you want to?

Reading their literature they have a "warranty" that is predicated on frequent maintenance that traps you into having to use the original installer for the next 10 years. Then I read their disclaimer, which basically negates their warranty...

Then I read their literature on NCS Granite deck....click here to read it yourself at the Material Safety Data section...see firefighting measures and then ask why would I want a coating on my deck that if it catches on fire or is exposed to flame, can ...well read it for yourself below...


5. Fire-Fighting Measures
Suitable Extinguishing Media: All extinguishing media are suitable.
Special Fire Fighting Procedures: Firefighters should be equipped with self-contained breathing apparatus to
protect against potentially toxic and irritating fumes.
Use cold water spray to cool fire-exposed containers to
minimize risk of rupture.
Unusual Fire/Explosion Hazards: Toxic and irritating gases/fumes may be given off during burning or thermal
decomposition.


So, no ICC-ES report, doesn't meet traffic coating requirements that it be Class A fire resistant (so people can escape burning buildings safely), emits potentially toxic fumes when burned or exposed to flame...


DECK EXPERT GIVES THIS PRODUCT A "F" for failure, failure to protect, failure to meet the needs of code compliant building products, F for &$!*ed up as a product being sold to unwitting consumers.


I can only recommend that you STAY AWAY far far away and seek a better product that meets code requirements.


Our investigation also shows that Nevada Coating Systems is backed/owned by Dave Krubinski, former manager of Mer-Kote. That explains the shitty "warranty". Krubinski used this same basic warranty/sales formula when he was king at Mer-Kote, to twist extra money out of clients on a maintenance contract.


Further investigation shows that we could not find where NCS granite deck polyurea and their other products is manufactured; by snooping around my competitors trucks, I saw "Reactamine" polyurea on the truck...so by  reviewing their website at www.reactimine.com, it's my opinion that Reactamine sells to NCS and NCS is simply a private labeler, not a manufacturer. Unless NCS is making the stuff in their garage...but that's probably illegal, since the address listed in NCS' website is a residential address.

The 2 companies color charts are virtually identical too; see for yourself by clicking the links and comparing.... NCS Color Chart   Reactimine Color Chart So is their "Disclaimer". If I were a betting man, I'd bet Reactimine makes NCS' products under a private label deal..

Polyureas has a place as a coating, but not for decks under it's current formula. But that's just my opinion using my right to free speech.

Garage Floor Coating.com founder warns that one-day-coating-systems are a "recipe for disaster"

Found this article/press release on the Internets...

Passing it on for your consideration and thoughts.

Concrete coating expert Robert Hanson of GarageFloorCoating.com cautions consumers and coating companies about quick cure one day coating systems.
 
Garage Floor Coating.com founder Robert Hanson warns consumers and concrete coating companies that polyaspartic polyurea one-day-systems are a “recipe for disaster”

Concrete coating expert Robert Hanson of Garage Floor Coating.com cautions consumers and coating companies about quick cure one day coating systems. Commenting on a recent article in Residential Concrete Magazine that reports contractors are discovering that polyaspartic polyurea quick cure systems increase profits and are good for the customer, Robert Hanson, Founder of Garage Floor Coating.com warns that polyaspartic polyurea one-day-systems are a “recipe for disaster.”

In an article in Residential Concrete Magazine written by Jeanne Fields, “Garage Floor Coatings Pickup Speed”, Fields reports that contractors are discovering that polyaspartic polyurea systems increase profits because of their quick installation time. Source: RESIDENTIAL CONCRETE MAGAZINE
Publication date: December 15, 2007
 
READ THE REST BY CLICKING HERE

Saturday, January 30, 2010

From Paint Square Daily News-Low Cost Contractor Software

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Contractor Software is Multi-Functional

CheckMate Contractors Suite
Dynamic Systems has announced the release of a low-cost, multi-function Software Suite for Contractors.
The ‘CheckMate Contractors’ Suite integrates Toolroom Tool Tracking, Stockroom Inventory Control, and Time & Attendance, says the Redmond, Wash., software developer.
The product allows the applications to share the inventory database and employee identification codes, making it possible to track tools and documents without time-consuming data entry.
Bar codes are printed on work orders or drawings, badges and labels for tools and inventory. Bar code scanners (either corded to a PC or portable) scan the bar codes during transactions to record the movement or use of the job, document, tool or other item. This information is transmitted to the job foreman, accounting or purchasing to provide the location of important tools, employee attendance information, parts reorder reports and much more.
In addition, a feature called Signature Capture on a portable terminal provides proof of delivery of tools or inventory items. 
Dynamic Systems says the software can help reduce late jobs, identify bottlenecks, improve productivity, and provide more accurate job costing and payroll tracking.
“Our customers see a typical payback for the software within three to four months,” said company president Alison Falco.

Association of Reserve Professionals Opens Registration to The 2010 APRA Symposium

For HOA's and Reserve Study professionals, you need to be here...

The Association of Professional Reserve Analysts is pleased to host
the 2010 APRA Symposium in its continued commitment to serving
the reserve study professional industry.
The 2010 APRA Symposium will provide cutting edge reserve study
education from industry experts, insightful round table discussions and
networking with peers from across the United States and Canada.
Join us in exciting Las Vegas!
Registration Deadline: April 15, 2010

Agenda
Saturday, May 1, 2010
8:00-9:00 am Registration/Breakfast/Networking
9:00-9:15 am Welcome, Introductions & Opening Remarks
9:15-10:30 am Roofing Truths & Trends
Expert Brian Seifert of Cox Associates LLC discusses the major roofing types and
common installation flaws.
10:30-10:45 BREAK
10:45-Noon Waterproofing the Structure
Architect David Kuivanen of Simpson Gumpertz & Heger teaches about common
water intrusion issues and how to prevent or correct them.
Noon-1 pm LUNCH
1:00-2:15 pm Panel Discussion-Roofing, Waterproofing & The Reserve Study
Ken Kosloff PRA of Richard Avelar & Associates, Brian Seifert and David
Kuivanen share how roofing and waterproofing impact a reserve study.
2:15-3:15 pm Roundtable Discussion-Construction Defects & The Reserve Study
Attendees offer personal experiences relating to integrating construction defect
corrections into a reserve study and protecting against effects of related litigation.
3:15-3:30 pm BREAK
3:30-4:30 pm APRA Annual Meeting (Members Only)
5:30-6:30 pm No Host Happy Hour at Paris Las Vegas
6:30-8:30 pm No Host Dinner at the Paris Las Vegas Le Provençal Restaurant

Reserve study manual

 Reserve study guidelines for community associations, condominiums, and planned developments

Friday, January 29, 2010

RCI SoCal Brings a Seminar on Stucco March 1, 2010

So Cal Chapter of RCI, Inc.
March 1, 2010
  STUCCO

An In Depth Look At A Common Assembly
A look at all aspects of stucco, including full scale mock-ups and results of new testing.

Areas covered include general wall design principles, structural requirements for supporting walls, weather resistive barriers for drainage pland and cavity walls, flashings, metal lath, stucco materials and mixes, stucco application, curing and finishes.
Highlights Include:
  • Expectations of stucco and where not to use it. Drainage wall and cavity wall performance differences
  • Stiffness and stability needed for structural walls
  • Wood and gypsum sheathing requirements
  • Performance and application of weather resistive barriers and self adhered flashings.
  • Flashing for windows (nail-on fin and store front) and doors.
  • Flashings for parapets, beams, pipes, etc. and counter flashing for roofing
  • Lath types and attachments.
  • Control Joint and reveal performance and installation.
  • Stucco materials and mixes, What to specify for different needs.
  • Stucco application and curing.
  • Stucco finished, elastomeric and fabric reinforced finishes.
     
Program
    
Program Time: 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 
Complimentary lunch provided between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM
Registration Fees:
    RCI Member: $225    Non-Member: $250        Student: $100
Registration on or after February 26, 2010
    $275 all attendees, including RCI and Westcon Members
 
 Continuing Education Credits

RCI -
Continuing Educational Hours (CEHs) - 7.0
AIA - Learning Units (LUs) from the American Institute of Architects - 7.0

  To Register, click HERE  or call (866) 914-4RCI