AL Roofing Contractor flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Roofing square

A unit of roof area equal to 100 square feet. Estimating quantities of shingles, underlayment, and fasteners is based on squares, and most shingle bundles cover one-third of a square.

Slope factor

The multiplier converting plan (horizontal) area to actual roof surface area. Computed as the square root of (rise squared plus run squared) divided by run; 6:12 slope factor is about 1.118.

Ice dam membrane

A self-adhering waterproofing membrane meeting ASTM D1970, installed along eaves and in valleys in cold climates to prevent water backup from ice dams from entering the roof deck.

Step flashing

L-shaped metal flashing installed at the roof-to-sidewall intersection, with each piece lapped by the shingle course above, directing water away from the wall and onto the roof surface.

Counterflashing

Flashing attached to or embedded in the wall or masonry above the base flashing, overlapping it at least 4 inches to shed water over the base flashing and prevent infiltration.

Closed-cut valley

A valley treatment where shingles from one roof plane cross the valley centerline and are cut parallel to the opposite plane, producing a clean line and single-layer coverage in the valley.

Starter course

The first shingle course installed at the eave and rake edges, reversed or manufactured to seal the first full course and provide wind resistance and finished edge appearance.

Nail line

The horizontal band on a shingle where fasteners are driven, located just above the exposure line. Nails must penetrate the deck at least 3/4 inch and not be overdriven.

Class A fire rating

A roof covering classification under UL 790 or ASTM E108 indicating the highest resistance to external fire exposure, required in many wildland-urban interface and code jurisdictions.

ASTM D7158

Standard test method classifying asphalt shingle wind resistance into Classes D, G, and H corresponding to basic wind speeds of 90, 120, and 150 mph respectively.

Standing seam panel

A metal roof panel with raised interlocking seams joined by concealed clips or mechanical seaming, providing weathertightness and high wind uplift resistance without exposed fasteners.

Modified bitumen

A rolled roofing membrane made of asphalt modified with SBS or APP polymers, applied in base and cap sheets on low-slope roofs and specified under ASTM D6162 through D6164.

Dead load

The permanent, static weight of roofing materials and structure. Asphalt shingles add roughly 2 to 3 psf, concrete tile about 9 to 12 psf, and metal panels 1 to 3 psf.

Collar tie

A horizontal framing member connecting opposing rafters in the upper third of the span, reducing rafter deflection and helping resist wind uplift and outward thrust.

Rafter tie

A framing member in the lower third of the rafter span, often the ceiling joist, that resists the outward thrust produced by gravity loads on the sloped rafters.

Wind uplift zones

Per ASCE 7 components-and-cladding provisions, roof edges and corners experience higher negative pressures than field areas, requiring closer fastener or clip spacing there.

Waste factor

A percentage added to measured material quantities to account for cuts, overlaps, and breakage. Typical values are 10 percent for gables and up to 20 percent for complex hip roofs.

Addendum

A written modification to bid documents issued before the bid opening, clarifying or changing plans and specifications; bidders must acknowledge receipt in their proposal.

Change order

A written, signed agreement executed after contract award that modifies the scope, price, or schedule of the work and becomes part of the contract documents.

Mechanic's lien

A statutory claim against real property securing payment for labor or materials furnished to improve it, subject to preliminary notice and filing deadlines set by state law.

Statute of repose

A statute setting an absolute time limit, commonly 6 to 10 years after substantial completion, within which a construction defect claim may be brought regardless of discovery.

Right of rescission

A consumer's right to cancel certain home solicitation or door-to-door contracts within a statutory period, commonly three business days, without penalty or obligation.

Qualifying party

The individual who passes the trade and business examinations and is designated as responsible for the licensee's construction work, often required to hold a stake in the business.

Performance bond

A surety instrument guaranteeing the contractor will complete the work per the contract; distinct from a bid bond (pre-award) and a payment bond (protects subcontractors and suppliers).

General liability insurance

Coverage protecting the contractor against third-party claims of bodily injury or property damage arising from operations, commonly written at one million dollars per occurrence.

Fall protection threshold

OSHA requires guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems when workers are exposed to falls of 6 feet or more to a lower level under 29 CFR 1926.501.

Personal fall arrest system

A system of full-body harness, connecting lanyard, and anchor capable of arresting a fall; anchors must support 5,000 pounds per worker or be engineered with a 2:1 factor.

Competent person

An individual capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards and authorized to take prompt corrective action, required for scaffolding, excavations, and fall protection planning.

Silica dust rule

29 CFR 1926.1153 requires wet cutting, dust collection, or respiratory protection when cutting concrete tile, cement board, or masonry containing crystalline silica.

IRC Chapter 9

The chapter of the International Residential Code governing roof assemblies, including slope requirements, underlayment, flashing, and roof covering installation for one- and two-family dwellings.

Gross margin

Revenue minus direct job costs, expressed as a percentage of revenue. It funds overhead and profit; break-even revenue equals fixed overhead divided by the gross margin percentage.

FUTA tax

The federal unemployment tax of 6.0 percent on the first 7,000 dollars of each employee's wages, reduced to 0.6 percent by the state credit, reported annually on Form 940.