Written by SpringfieldJuly 2, 2013 While Springfield is a commercial roofing contractor, we often get calls from homeowners with questions. Follow the link below to learn some handy hints and tips about your roof
Best Regards!
Written by SpringfieldJune 6, 2013 OSHA is increasing its surveillance of fall protection at a fast pace this year. With falls being the top fatality at construction sites, new initiatives are being taken to bring awareness to the public and enforce compliance of fall protection ordinances.
These posters are currently posted in Maryland’s Montgomery County’s public bus system. http://www.osha.gov/stopfalls/poster.html
Safety saves lives! Make sure your contractors and employees are safe when up on the roof. Springfield, Inc. is a certified installer of the SmartAnchor™ horizontal lifeline system, servicing the state of Michigan.
If you have any questions about fall protection, please reach out to our Springfield Team at (231) 263-5300 or your state OSHA representative.
Written by SpringfieldMay 14, 2013 The BBB warns to watch out for contractors known as “storm chasers”
They travel around calling upon and taking advantage of people who sustained losses during floods or storms. Always best to do business with a local contractor and check their references and ALWAYS ask for a copy of their current insurance certificates. For more information contact your Better Business Bureau melissa@wm.bbb.org or http://www.bbb.org/us/business/
Written by SpringfieldMay 8, 2013
Safety compliance is super important when it comes to roofing. A fall from a rooftop is often fatal. Springfield is certified as a Fall Protection & Elevated Structures Safety Technician (SLT) by The National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP) and you can count on us to take care of your SmartRoof™ needs with the utmost concern for safety. 
Springfield installs permanent fall arrest systems and can help you keep your building in compliance with the new OSHA requirements for rooftop fall protection. Call us – – we can help! 231.263.5300
For more information on rooftop compliance see http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/quicktakes/qt03012013.html#2
Written by SpringfieldFebruary 12, 2013 The reason we are seeing more calls for roof repairs on metal buildings is becuse over 77 billion square feet of metal roofing covers the commercial buildings in the U.S. and they only last between 20 and 40 years.
A retrofit roof is a way a roofing contractor can install another roofing structure right on top of the existing one. Just one of the benefits of choosing a retrofit roof is cost savings 
being that there are no demolition or deposal costs when doing the installation. Also, because you're not tearing off the old roof the business doesn't have to shut down during the process and the existing roof can be used as a platform. Another benefit is the buildings contents won't be exposed to the elements. It will increase the buildings compliance and make it stronger during all weather conditions plus increase it's energy efficiency. This is a major benefit for us in Northern Michigan.
Call us for a free evaluation of your metal building. 231.263.5300
Written by SpringfieldJanuary 15, 2013
There will be new worker training requirements included in OSHA's hazard communication standards scheduled to be implemented by the end of 2013. "The new standard is based on internationally agreed upon rules OSHA anticipates will provide for the broadest recognition of identified hazards while reducing costs of disseminating chemical hazard information." 
The new rule expanded the hazardous chemicals definition to include combustible dust and hazards not otherwise classified. The new hazard communication standard defines a physical hazard as a chemical classified as one that emits a flammable gas when contacted by water or that can be explosive, flammable, oxidizing, self-reactive; pyrophoric, self-heating; organic peroxide; or corrosive to metal or pressurized gas.
And they define a health hazard as a chemical that can result in acute toxicity; skin corrosion or irritation; serious eye damage or eye irritation; respiratory or skin sensitization; germ cell mutagenicity; carcinogenicity; reproductive toxicity; specific target organ toxicity; or aspiration hazard.
Each hazard has specific information that include signal words, symbols, and statements. Training on this particular information for each hazard is crucial. Access to the SBS's (Safety Data Sheets) need to be readily accessible to workers whether it be electronic or other alternative methods to maintaining the paper copies. This training and information is required to be available to the worker at the time of their initial assignment and when a new chemical is introduced to the workplace.
Training on the new standard's label formats and SDS is required by 12/01/2013.
"OSHA believes the new rule will provide higher quality and more consistent information to workers that will enhance their understanding of chemical hazards."
To see this article in its entirety, please visit ProfessionalRoofing.net.
Written by SpringfieldDecember 19, 2012 Did you know there are specific building code requirements that apply to a reroof or re-cover project?
NRCA's Mark S Graham, associate executive director of technical services, reports in the Professional Roofing November 2012 edition that it's important to know these requirements before starting a reroof or re-cover project. You can reference Chapter 15 in the 2012 Edition of the International Building Code, Section 1510 to get the specifics on the requirements. Mark talks about a few of the sections in his article. Section 1510.1 – complying with the same requirements as a new roof system except for the minimum 1/4:12 slope requirement; Section 1510.2 – roof structure needs to be capable of supporting certain weight; Section 1510.3 – meeting the requirements that decide whether it should be a reroof or re-cover project. He lists several exceptions based on the condition of the roof; Section 1510.5 – specifics how to determine what roofing materials can be reused; Section 1510.6 – indicates that the manufacturer instructions are to be used as a guideline for the flashing details. Section 104.11 gives alternative methods that can be used as long as it meets the codes intent and approved by a code official.
Resource – Professional Roofing magazine, November 2012, Reroofing requirements by Mark S Graham
Written by SpringfieldDecember 10, 2012 We are all looking for the "deal" when we are out shopping for anything! But you know what they say, "You get what you pay for." This is more true than we want to think it is. Some things you don't need to last you that long but when it comes to your roof you want it to last a very very long time! This is where it can be a nightmare for facility managers having to conscioulsy make the right decision on a large cost item especially the roof. Here are a few helpful hints that might make their job a little easier thanks to The Facility Manager and Benchmark, Inc.
What a facility manager would love is to have his building be of proper design with quality construction and a maintenance schedule that is proactive. However, in the real world this is not possible most of the time. There are usually several factors to the equation that keep this smooth process from happening. Unfortunately, most of the time the facility manager is dealing with a leaking roof needing repair ASAP, with not a lot of time to think about what the best solution is going to be. WIth the many options that come with all the roof types that are out there and the regulations you have to follow to keep compliant in all areas, it can get very overwhelming for anyone.
To start with, Benchmark, Inc. employees Bryan Brunow and Eric Hasselbusch, suggest to get these three questions answered.
With the proper planning and maintenance schedule, your roof's life should extend beyond it's warrantied promise. Click to read the entire article in The Facility Manager published on Dec. 4, 2012.
Written by SpringfieldNovember 16, 2012
What are the two most effective ways to increase a buildings energy efficiency utilizing the roof? Reflective and vegetative roofing systems! Coated metals, single-plies, shingles & tiles are just a few of the options that can make it a "cool" roof. "Coolness is measured by two properties: solar reflectance and thermal emittance." (source…Mark Robins, Metal Constrcutions News) A cool roof reflects and omits the sun's heat back to the sky. Yes, and this can be done in Michigan!
Vegetative roofs and green roofs are two different systems but have the same purpose. The vegetative roof protects the waterproof membrane from the daily variations of temperatures. The intensive green roofs are thicker and can have a wider variety of plants but require more maintenance. The extensive green roofs use a lighter layer of vegetation and are thinner. There are a lot of variables to look at before deciding if a vegetative roof is the right roof system to use if you live in northern Michigan or not. See the complete article with more detailed information on cool vs.green roofs. http://www.metalconstructionnews.com/articles/magazine-features/cool-vs-green-roofs-how-they-top-out.aspx.
Written by SpringfieldNovember 2, 2012
Did you know what a "mensch" meant? That's probably why you are reading this article, at least to find out what that word means. In Yiddish, mensch is the highest praise one can bestow on another person. It's the most supreme characteristics and high ambitions of humanity rolled into a practical, effective, one-syllable word. Take it as an enormous compliment if someone describes you as a mensch business! 
What makes you a mensch business? The following five suggestions would be a good place to start.
"Bringing the mensch mentality to your company means thinking about your business as a "collective of character" — a group of people behaving and working to the highest possible standard, with intentions and actions beyond reproach. Earn that reputation, and great things are sure to follow." – Michael Hess, MoneyWatch
Especially for a commercial service company, mainly working with the most important part of your building, the roof, Springfield would like to be your "mensch" business!
To read Michael's complete article and definition of the above five suggestions click here: Is your business a "mensch"?
