How a Metal Roof is Recycled.

As you may know, a metal roof typically has a minimum of 25 percent recycled content. This means that it can be labeled as “green” and be included in the list of products that are recycled.
When a building is renovated or demolished, a metal roof is 100 percent recyclable in those cases. Whereas some roofing materials end up in a landfill — it’s estimated that 11 million tons of asphalt shingles are in landfills — metal can be reused in its entirety. 
But how does the recycling process work? The following information comes from the group Conserve Energy Future:

• The metals are first sorted in terms of the base of their properties. The quality of the metal goes a long way when it comes to recycling it, so this is an important step in the process.
• The metal is then squeezed and compacted so that they don’t take up as much space on the conveyor belts.
• It’s now time to shred the metal. The material is broken down into small sheets or pieces so they can be processed with ease. The smaller-sized pieces can be melted and will use less energy to do so. Steel is normally changed into steel blocks, while aluminum is changed into sheets.
• The scrap metal is then melted in a large furnace. (Each type of metal will be placed in a separate furnace.) This process does require energy, but not as much as it would take to make it from raw material.
• The metals are then purified in different methods, with the help of electrolysis. The blocks are transported to different mills so that they can be remade into new products.

If you’d like to know more about how a metal roof is recycled in Central Florida, B&B Metals has the answers. Contact us today!

OSHA Inspection Rules

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was established in 1970 and was charged, by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to “assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.” OSHA achieves its goals by providing and implementing workplace guidelines intended to prevent injury to employees while completing their assigned job duties. The roofing industry is no different from any other, and employers are subject to OSHA regulations.
Several OSHA requirements for all employers include:

• providing a workplace that is safe and free of hazards
• provide safety training in a language and vocabulary that all employees can understand
• display appropriate OSHA signage in the workplace
• providing personal protective equipment to employees at no cost to employees
• maintain records of work-related injuries and illnesses
• no employer may discriminate or retaliate against employees for exercising their rights under the Act

OSHA provides specific recommendations for roofing contractors who regularly face dangers associated with falling off of a roof. A few of these measures include:

• identifying any potential fall protection needs before beginning a roofing project
• survey the roof for preexisting anchorage points (if none exist, install necessary precautions)
• skylights should be buffered by a guard rail, or a protective cover may be utilized, but this cover must be able to support twice the weight that it is asked to bear
• proper footwear is essential and is considered personal protective equipment
• employees should remain vigilant for air hoses and other cords used for power tools
• workers on roofs should be attached to a Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS),
• other fall preventive measures include rope grabs and horizontal lifelines

These fall protection methods may not be appropriate for all roofing job sites and employers are responsible for meeting OSHA inspection rules by providing a safe working environment. Consult the OSHA website or contact an OSHA inspector to learn more about OSHA inspection rules.

Roofing Permits: What you need to know!

Any contractor who has been in business for awhile knows the importance of the roofing-permit process. This is the way municipalities across the country enforce their building codes, which are created with safety in mind.
Most of the time, it will fall upon you as the contractor to obtain the permits (making you the contractor of record on the project), but occasionally the homeowner or business owner will take on the responsibility themselves.
Either way, the permit process is vitally important — in fact, it’s against the law not to obtain one. If you go through with a job without a proper permit, you will be fined at the very least. You may also have to tear down your work entirely.
A roofing permit will be a matter of public record, so future building owners will be able to check to make sure the process was carried out the way it was intended.
What’s the first step? Submitting your construction plans and your permit application to the municipality requiring it. The government will then review the plans and will get back to you, but it may take weeks. Once you have the actual permit, you’ll have six months to get started on the roofing project. Fees will vary, depending on how much work you’ll be doing to a roof.
And don’t forget the inspections; for a major project, it may be required to have numerous inspections along the way — and it’s up to the contractor to schedule these.
If you’d like to know more about roofing permits in Northern Florida and the general area, contact us today for answers!

Why Metal Vs. Shingles?

Are you contemplating upgrading your roofing system to metal? Then consider all the benefits that metal roofing offers when compared to traditional asphalt shingles. Metal roofing in Florida and across the nation is a wonderful choice for any home or business.
The following are all reasons to choose metal vs. shingles:

• Variety in Styles: Traditional shingle roofing has only a small variety of styles to choose from. Metal roofing however comes in a vast array of colors and types. You can implement metal roofing that mimics the look of wood shake, slate, clay tiles and more! Traditional metal roofing styles are also highly sought after because of the wide array of color choices available. You can find a metal roofing product to fit any design need.
• Longevity: While your neighbors continually have to re-roof and replace shingles, your metal roof will keep on lasting. Metal roofs require very little maintenance and when coated or painted they are able to hold up for years without any major repair needs.
• Energy Efficiency: A lot of home and business owners are turning to metal roofs simply because of the incredible energy savings they can provide. Metal roofs naturally reflect the sun’s rays, decreasing your need for cooling during hot summer months. Many new metal roofs also employ reflective pigment technology which makes them even more energy efficient.
• Environmentally Friendly: Metal roofs are generally made from 30-60% recycled materials! They also prevent waste. Shingles are responsible for a large amount of waste in landfills every year because they must be torn off and replaced frequently. Metal roofs, however, last for many years and keep waste out of our landfills.
• Withstand Weathering: Metal roofing is capable of withstanding weathering far better than shingles. Metal can hold up against high winds, heavy rains and even hail.

Want to learn more about why you should choose metal vs. shingles? Please don’t hesitate to contact our team for more information. We are a high quality, metal roofing distributor in Florida serving the entire nation.