Makita U.S.A., manufacturer of high quality industrial power tools and accessories and member of the Power Tool Institute, will adopt the new PTI Torque Procedure to measure torque in cordless drills, including driver-drills and hammer driver-drills in driver-drill mode.

The new test method, agreed upon by all major power tool companies in the Power Tool Institute, is the industry’s first standard to measure torque in drills. Torque is one of the best means to measure the performance of cordless professional drills, a product used by pro tradesmen that accounts for a significant share of all power tool sales.

Other PTI members include The Black and Decker Corp., Bosch Power Tools, DeWalt, Delta, Dremel, Hilti, Hitachi Koki, Jet Equipment & Tools, Metabo, Milwaukee Electric, Pentair, Robert Bosch Tool Corp., Rotozip Power Tools, Ryobi Technologies and Skil Power Tools.

To learn more about the new PTI Torque Procedure, including the testing hardware and methodology, go to www.powertoolinstitute.com.

NRCA launches interactive Cool Roofs program
The National Roofing Contractors Association’s NRCA University will launch Cool Roofs, an interactive online educational program. The program examines roof coverings and surfacing materials that minimize roof surface temperatures, which can result in less energy consumption and longer-lasting roof systems.

In this introductory course, participants will learn about the surface properties that contribute to a roof’s coolness and how these properties can be maintained for maximum effectiveness over time. Program participants also will learn about the organizations that develop guidelines and provide product information for cool roofing materials; explore types of roof membranes, coatings and materials that have cool roof properties; identify climate and building-use issues; and examine building and energy codes, roof configuration, roof deck structural capacity, insulation requirements and other variables that must be considered when designing a cool roof.

Cool Roofs includes animation, graphics, videos and interactive learning activities and takes about one hour to complete. Continuing-education credits are available, and participants will receive a certificate of completion upon passing an exam.

For more information about Cool Roofs or NRCA University’s Roofing, Energy and the Environment Series, contact Jeanne Schehl, director of education program development at (800) 323-9545, ext. 7566 or jeaschehl@nrca.net.

NRCA’s steep-slope roofing manual available
The National Roofing Contractors Association released The NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep-slope Roof Systems — 2009. The manual provides best practice guidelines applicable to asphalt shingle, clay and concrete tile, metal shingle and synthetic component, slate and wood shake and wood shingle roof systems used in steep-slope applications.

The manual features a complete section dedicated to each roof system type. Each section includes information about roof decks, underlayments, materials, design and installation. In addition, the Asphalt Shingle Roof Systems section includes 23 construction details; the Clay and Concrete Roof Systems section includes 84 construction details; the Metal Shingle and Synthetic Component Roof Systems section includes general technical information about construction details; the Slate Roof Systems section includes 23 construction details; and the Wood Shake and Wood Shingle Roof Systems section includes 84 construction details.

It is the third in a four-volume series intended to update and supersede The NRCA Roofing and Waterproofing Manual, Fifth Edition, including its 2003 and 2006 interim updates. The first volume in the series, The NRCA Roofing Manual: Membrane Roof Systems — 2007, was released in January 2007, and the second volume, The NRCA Roofing Manual: Metal Panel and SPF Roof Systems — 2008, was released in January 2008. The final volume will be The NRCA Roofing Manual: Architectural Metal Flashing, Reroofing and Moisture Control — 2010.

The NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep-slope Roof Systems — 2009’s print version, The NRCA Roofing Manual CD — 2009 and NRCA Construction Details CD — 2009 are available from NRCA’s Customer Service Department by calling 866-275-6722 or accessing shop.nrca.net. All NRCA members who pay 2009 membership dues and all new NRCA members will receive a free copy of the manual.