Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer
ROOFTech 2017, the Canadian Roofing Exposition, returns to Toronto’s International Centre April 25 and 26. The biennial show provides a unique opportunity for architects, contractors, engineers and specifiers along with building owners and managers to learn valuable insights about all forms of roofing systems, materials and technologies.
The show has several elements beginning with a seminar program, which this year offers two topic sessions per day: Doing Business with the Various Government Levels; Roofing from an Asset Point of View; Building Roofs for Climate Change Adaptation; and Making Important Roofing Decisions and Avoiding Costly Mistakes: Strategies for Building Owners and Managers.
The most popular component of the show is the live demonstrations. This year’s line-up includes demos on six major roofing systems: Thermo-plastic roofing; EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) roofing; steep slope roofing; green roofing; modified bitumen; and built-up roofing. Each demo is both planned and executed by experts on that specific roofing system to ensure that the information and techniques provided are relevant and of greatest value.
George Przybylowski, vice-president, construction and real estate/global exhibitions, says these demonstrations provide anyone with any role in new development or retrofit to see something they usually don’t. “At each demonstration, an MC will walk the attendees through the process. Observers have the chance to see and learn about all the materials used to create one of the roofing systems, and to watch the actual assembly process. The sample of each roof stays in place then and people, either those in attendance or those who may have missed a demonstration, have the chance to get a closer look and ask questions.”
Demonstrations will present a brief history on the development of each major roofing assembly and some of their features and benefits prior to the assembly demonstration which includes typical flashing details, good roofing practice techniques and safety precautions.
The majority of seminars and demonstrations are eligible for continuing education credits through BOMA (The Building Owners and Managers Association) and OAA (Ontario Association of Architects).
Another popular component is the outdoor demonstration area where equipment and safety demonstrations are presented.
ROOFTech is free with advance registration. “We hear regularly from people how they especially enjoy the seminars and live events,” Przybylowski said.
Additional educational opportunities are also available through the more than 200 exhibits both indoors and outdoors in the heavy equipment space.
For more information and to register for free admission, visit www.rooftech.ca.
