Technical resources for contractors

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn about the nuances of the issues arising in the industry through technical bulletins. 

Host Megan Ellsworth met up with Kenneth Klein in Season 5, Episode 55 of Roofing Road Trips™. Kenneth has over 38 years of experience in the industry through his work at the global engineering firm Simpson Gumpertz & Heger and has been a part of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA)’s technical committee for over four years now. 

As a member of the Western States Technical Committee, Kenneth writes bulletins which contain critical information for contractors in the field. One example of this is his paper on the potential for condensation build-up in wood-framed parapets. Condensation issues in this context are due to improper installation by the original builder, not the roofer who is often the first phone call when the problem leads to mold and other environmental hazards. Kenneth went on to elaborate, saying, “Roofers have no responsibility, but it will really work in the world of litigation that they brought it to someone's attention...It's going to be showing that they were trying to do their due diligence, at least trying to help the project.” 

Kenneth has also written a bulletin about podium deck expansions and a summary of the happenings at American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The latter is an annual publication allowing members of the industry to easily stay up to date and be informed of new developments.  

The Western States Technical Committee members are consistently producing more bulletins with members, for example Kenneth writes eight a year! All these bulletins and more are available in the Western States' Technical Resources section of their website. Kenneth emphasized the depth of the resources, saying, “If you're a member of Western States, you have access to all the technical resources from the last 20 years... My predecessors did some amazing work.” 

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to find out more about WSRCA’s technical bulletins.