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Now that the vote is over I feel it is appropriate for me to address a few questions that arose during the 48 hour vote on the 50 Point Standard. I want to also give my take on each and every point so you know where some of the mindset was when many of us were working on this. I didn't want to do this much at all during the voting process because I thought it may influence the process.

I have closed this post so this is a no discussion post. This is my stand and my opinions alone so I don't want it clouded with others opinions or perceptions.

I will address each point in a paragraph proceeding each point. This may take awhile so please don't expect it overnight. I will take this point by point and try to give my best effort dissecting those points. This may take a week or so.

Section One, Professionalism

1.Members will always maintain a professional demeanor when presenting themselves as an RCIA member.

I believe this is a no brainer. Does anyone really have a problem with this point? I don't think we do.

2.Members must not communicate intentional dis-information and must do ones best to speak in facts and truths when representing RCIA or when presenting information relating to the roof cleaning industry.

This one seems as much a easy yes.

3.Members will identify themselves and their vehicles clearly with company name, logo, contact information and clearly display their RCIA member decals.

I am not sure what anyone wouldn't want to do this??? We didnt say wrap! We didnt say custom paint! We said identify, clearly. Most States require this of any contractor. Your State may not. However I believe this is nothing but a positive for you and the marketing of your company. I fish a tour. I pay a membership fee to fish that tour. They REQUIRE me to clearly display their logo on my boat and uniform. I don't get to fish if I don't display the logo. I want to fish so I wear the logo.

If you don't want to display the RCIA logo on your truck and business then why are you here? No really......Why are you here?

4.Members shall present customers with clear and complete proposals for service and stand by prices and scope of work without wavering.

Several actually had a problem with this. Again I have no idea....well actually I do have an idea why someone wouldn't want to apply this point to their business....FRAUD! Thats not always the reason but I bet it would be one of them.

It just makes you look so much more professional and capable if you have professional looking, written proposals. It protects you actually more than the customer to have a scope of work!!! Ya know whenever I went up against a company that had a proposal written on the back of a business card I slayed them every time. Don't you want to improve your business?

The RCIA is even looking into creating these quote forms and invoices for you for resale. How had would it actually be to accomplish this? It makes me feel like if you would fight this point so hard, not having the accountability of a written quote or invoice keeps things grey enough that you can either fraud the customer, the IRS or your employer. There may be a good reason to disagree with this point but I cant see one.

5.Members will produce a complete and correct scope of work, for customers approval, before commencing contracted work.

Again, this protects you as much as the customer. Have you ever been in the situation that a customer was holding your check trying to get you to do work you didn't agree to do????

6.Members shall not knowingly place customers in jeopardy by placing employees on a work site without proper criminal background checks completed.

Ok when I saw the objections to this I was floored. Listen I know we have some people here that have a history. I know we have some here that cant get a job anywhere because of companies doing this now and started roof cleaning companies in order to have a job. I know!

Bottom line, background checks can be cheep and or free. Also please see above that the reason is to keep from placing the customer in jeopardy. For instance you wouldnt want to put a sex offender that has been jailed in the past because he cant keep his hands off little boys, out and about in neighborhoods full of kids????  Can we use our heads here???

You wana talk about this being costly??? Wow imagine how screwed you would be as a business owner if one of your guys molested a customers kid. The law suits, the 6pm news, the wrecked families.....

7.Members shall adhere to their States minimum standards for licensing,  insurance and workers compensation.

If you are not doing this i wouldn't want you in this association!

8.Members who maintain a web site will use the site for company promotion, customer education and commerce. The website will also display the RCIA membership e-badge / logo.

"Members WHO"  We weren't trying to make everyone have a web site. However if you do it does need to be informative and correct. We don't want members misleading potential customers, on purpose or by accident. Also same on the logo here as on your truck.

9.Members will wear uniforms for professionalism as well as for safety. Salespersons and management will be clearly identified by company branded apparel as well as wear company issued ID badges. Spray Technicians will wear duty rated uniforms for identification and chemical protection.

Y'all ask me all the time how to be successful and how Mallard Systems got to 5 million a year. This was a huge reason. If ya'll want to keep wearing bleached out clothes with holes in them that's cool! Don't whine and moan about the companies who step up whoopin your tail and getting a higher price while they do it. You and the other chlorine cowboys can fight over the $200.00 roofs that are left over after we gobble up all of the good work.

10.Members shall resolve customer complaints quickly and equitably and where unable enlist the help of a professional consumer mediation association closing the complaint with satisfactory results.

DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So why couldn't we ratify the first 10 of the 50 point standard? Its time to state what kind of association we want to be.

A. An association for the growth, professionalism and education of the roof cleaning industry. Establishing standards and calling contractors higher. Supporting the contractors with tools and ideas to make them more profitable.

B. An association that makes things easy. Strokes peoples egos. Tells everyone its ok and I am sorry you are getting low balled. Unemployment is ok, Its admirable.?*%/!

C. Or worse, A forum to get free SEO and back links to our site, getting free or low cost information. Creating a fake or weak certification so we can fool our potential customers into thinking we are more than we are.  ( oh ya thats what we are or just were a few short months ago )

I for one need to know how serious we are before we move forward. I am spending alot of time working on this board trying to leave a legacy for the roof cleaning industry. There are others here that have far less time than I and certainly don't need to be wasting it especially if the association you want is choice "C"

Sorry this is a little blunt but I feel some of ya'll need a wake-up call or need scared away and go somewhere else! Maybe the other roof cleaning association board...Not the opinion of the association! My opinion alone.

Thanks, Ill comment on 11-20 tomorrow sometime.

AC

Section Two, Equipment

11.Members roof cleaning equipment will meet all sub-parts of this section. Each standard will be applied to members equipment wither retail manufactured, custom designed or owner installed.

Of course we don't want our members using equipment we feel could damage a roof or harm the operator.  Whether a member pledging to uphold these standards or a contractor wanting to be certified by these standards we need to make sure equipment for cleaning roofs is proper and safe for the service.

12.Members will insure that whether using chemicals and or water for cleaning roofs that the outgoing pressure of the application pump (at the pump head) does not exceed 800 PSI.

I think everyone is OK with this one.

13.Members will insure that whether using chemicals and or water for cleaning roofs that the outgoing pressure of the application apparatus (at the spray tip) does not exceed  100 PSI.

This one is OK as well?

14.Members applying the roof cleaning chemical solution and or water under pressure, directly on a asphalt shingle surface will use a fan spray tip (15-60 degrees) at a safe distance to no closer than 18” from the surface of the roof.

Any questions here???

15.Members will insure that roof cleaning that utilizes a zero degree stream tip is for chemical application only. Applications utilizing a zero degree stream tip are for long distance applications of chemical in excess of ten (10’) feet.

I haven't seen any resistance to this as well.

16.Members will not in any situation use mechanical agitation for removal of stains from roofing materials. Mechanical agitation can be but is not limited to, high pressure washing over 300 psi, use of flat surface cleaners, brushing, scrubbing or scraping.

Posted to another thread to see what objections there might be to this one.

17.Members shall have written standards for cleaning processes and varying pressures and chemical ratios for cleaning different roofing surfaces. Training specific to members equipment must be made available to authorized users.

Posted to another thread to see what objections there might be to this one.

18.Members shall insure that spraying equipment and holding tanks are maintained and not leaking and or emitting harmful chemicals and or VOC's.

I haven't seen any resistance to this as well.

19.Members shall insure that equipment either mounted to trailers and or directly to motorized vehicles is secured in accordance with USDOT standards. Mounts will be inspected and rated bi-annually.

The RCIA can step up and create a form for this inspection and make it available for download to RCIA members.

20. Members shall insure that spraying equipment tanks conform to USDOT standards and remain within carrying capacities. Furthermore tanks holding chemicals can not be broken down or weakened by the chemicals stored within.

This is the law and we are not going to say we do not care if you obey the law if your an RCIA member.

My rewrite,

20. Spraying equipment tanks will conform to USDOT standards and remain within USDOT specified carrying capacities. Furthermore tanks holding chemicals can not be broken down or weakened by the chemicals stored within. CFR, Title 49, 171.1

Section Three, Chemicals

21.Members shall follow either the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers (ARMA) or the RCIA’s Technical Guidelines for cleaning roofs including accepted chemicals.

22.Members are encouraged to use chemicals that have been tested and approved for cleaning roofs by either ARMA, The RCIA and or the Roofing Manufacturer.

23.Members shall become educated on the safety and usage of roof cleaning chemicals, their storage and the impact they may have on the environment.

24.Members shall mix their roof cleaning chemical solution strictly according to the chemical manufacturers label and receive training on mixing chemicals available to them.

25.Members shall use appropriate surfactants included with the sodium hypochlorite solution. Members using only sodium hypochlorite and water for roof cleaning would not be considered acceptable.

26.Members shall ensure that the final cleaning solution shall not exceed a PH of 12 for cleaning roofs. Exceeding a ph of 12 will result in a solution that is too corrosive, and detrimental to many roofing types, possibly voiding the roofing manufacturer’s warranty.

27.Members shall ensure that chemicals are carried in accordance with manufacturers label and take the steps necessary to keep incompatible chemicals from interacting with each other. Members must receive training on this topic.

28. Members shall not use Tri-sodium phosphate in any roof cleaning solution. Phosphates like TSP have been outlawed in much of the Americas therefore the RCIA does not endorse the use of TSP.

29.Members shall use chemicals that are environmentally responsible and or biodegradable. Where this is not possible members will utilize proper disposal and or collection methods to insure that good stewardship of the environment is observed.

30.Members will keep Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for each chemical carried and in use on their truck. Members will receive training on chemical disposal as well as spill clean-up and removal. Trucks will carry a spill contingency plan as well as local emergency numbers as well as contact info for Chemtreck.

Section Four, Safety

31.All members shall be required to educate themselves on the visible signs of dehydration and/or heat stroke. Member must be knowledgeable in the emergency treatment and action required to prevent further damage or death to employee or public.

32.Members shall be proficient in the proper placement of ladders regarding correct angle of slant. Member must be able to explain in detail the proper way to tie off a ladder to ensure no movement will occur. (See ANSI Standards)

33.Members shall be proficient in fall safety, the safe use of body harnesses, the inspection of said equipment, and the required times of use of said equipment. Members must also be educated in the proper use of anchoring systems associated with the use of these systems.

34.Members shall be proficient in the safe manner of accessing, ascending and walking a roof. Members must receive training for proper roof traversing techniques.

35.Members shall be proficient in the use and operation of high lift equipment that may be used on roofs. Members must be trained and checked out by the company safety officer before using high lifts.

36.Members shall use respirators and or nuisance gas masks. Members will be trained in the proper use, care and storage of respirators. Employers must have a OSHA respirator program in place that is applicable with the type of mask in use.

37.Members must shall use safety eye wear / face shield whenever mixing or spraying chemicals and or during operation of equipment that creates potential for eye accidents. Members will undergo training for the use of eye protection.

38.Whereas State or Federal DOT requires operators to have a commercial drivers license and or other endorsements, members will comply with this requirement.

39.Members shall insure that remaining chemical containers are cleaned out after use and discarded in accordance to their local municipalities’ regulations.

40.Members shall inspect and rate their equipment regularly to insure that the equipment standards are met avoiding damage to customers roofs as well as possible safety risks.

Section Five, Education

41.Members shall be required to attend a "First Aid and CPR" class taught by and documented at their local AmericanRedCrossCenter or some other qualified training center, such as police or EMS facilities.. Once the class is successfully completed documentation shall be provided to the RCIA certification committee.

42.Members shall be required to attend a "ladder safety and inspection" class. Once the class is successfully completed documentation shall be provided to the RCIA certification committee.

43.Members shall be required to attend a “Personal Safety Equipment (PSE)” class. Once the class is successfully completed documentation shall be provided to the RCIA certification committee.

44.Members shall complete a “fall protection training and certification” class. Once the class is successfully completed documentation shall be provided to the RCIA certification committee.

45.Members shall complete a DOT safety review. This is a free service. Once the review is successfully completed documentation shall be provided to the RCIA certification committee.

46.Members shall complete proper training for “application of roof cleaning solutions”to ensure that the roof life is extended and no damages occur. Member must also explain the recommended procedure for collection of "run-off" cleaning solution. Classes for this type of training are available. Once the class is successfully completed documentation shall be provided to the RCIA certification committee.

47.Members shall receive hands on instruction by an RCIA Certified Master Instructor in the field or applicable lab environment. Once the class is successfully completed documentation shall be provided to the RCIA certification committee.

48.Members shall attend small business workshops and or utilize entrepreneurial centers in their area.Once the class is successfully completed documentation shall be provided to the RCIA certification committee.

49.Members can receive all of the above training from their employer and or a vocational school as long as the training programs are on file with the RCIA. Once the employer or school training is successfully completed documentation shall be provided to the RCIA certification committee.

50.Members shall complete a total of 12 credits (6 Hours) of annual Continuing Educational Units, (CEUs) for recertification yearly. Receipts, Certificates, Accreditations or alike will need to be scanned and forwarded by e-mail to the RCIA Certification Committee before recertification can be completed.