Improving the Standard for Industry Evolution

By Dani Sheehan. 

See how you can become an industry leader by developing codes and maintaining standards in safety and performance. 

No matter where your company or job description falls within the construction process, it is so important to not only understand building codes, but to lead the way in developing codes and standards in an industry that is constantly changing. In Season five, episode 47 of Roofing Road Trips, Heidi J. Ellsworth sits down with Mark Gies and Dustin Haddock of S-5!® to learn how they’ve helped develop standards that focus on performance and safety in metal roofing. 

S-5! is a leading authority on metal roofing attachment solutions including solar, snow guards, utility solutions and other rooftop accessories. Dustin is the vice president of research and development, and Mark is the director of product management. They’ve both been pivotal in working with standards and codes, particularly in Los Angeles, California.  

Dustin talks about self-policing to ensure the products they create are working best for installers. He says, “We work very hard to make sure , and by doing that, when we say self-policing it’s testing the product in a qualified laboratory... And then that bleeds further into getting manufacturers endorsements, recommendations, working with the roofing manufacturer and making sure they’re comfortable with it, working with installers.” 

Once everything is made, it is tested the exact same way to make sure it meets the code requirements every time. Dustin continues, “If the code doesn’t have much to say about it, then as a company it’s your responsibility to do those things and police yourself and get it out there and listen to the feedback.” Mark echoes Dustin’s idea of self-policing, saying that eventually you don’t have to self-police because instead you’ve helped create a new standard. He goes on, “For a company I think it’s a matter of you’re taking responsibility for the industry you’re in. So, we’re part of these organizations, we have relationships with all the stakeholders in these industries, and we don’t just attend, we actually are leaders because we want to help the industry evolve.” 

Listen to the full podcast episode or read the transcript to learn more about how you can contribute to these standards, and work to better the industry.