The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

The text proper:




The Roof Cleaning Institute of America has developed this 50 point standard for maintaining a high level of professionalism within the roof cleaning industry. Though the roof cleaning industry is unregulated by the government, we at RCIA feel that a standard needed to be set forth and a bench mark be established. RCIA's roof cleaning contractor members will apply these standards within their everyday business practices.

RCIA feels strongly that the roof cleaning industry as well as owning a roof cleaning business is a great way to achieve the American Dream! We want those pursuing that dream to have these guidelines to aide with business growth. For existing companies and contractors, this standard will give it's members a competitive edge to stand above other cleaning industry companies that do not specialize in roof cleaning.

RCIA Members will pledge to uphold these standards as a guiding document to aide them in performing their craft. While engaging in business any consumer shall be able to clearly see these standards exceed the average industry standard and that an RCIA member is achieving this goal by applying these standards to the best of their ability.

RCIA Members who wish to become certified are in fact asking to have themselves or their business be measured against the RCIA Industry Standard. This is a step up from being a member. Certified will mean that a member has pledged to uphold the standard and has been tested (to be developed) to see if they are qualified to adhere to this standard. Certified RCIA Members will receive a special “Certified” logo and designation.

All equipment and chemical manufacturers will be able to ask the RCIA to review their wares and have them tested against the RCIA Standard as well. Once the equipment and or chemicals have met that standard, the manufacturer will pay a licensing fee to be able to carry the RCIA logo on that equipment or product.

Businesses of any other nature that wish to become RCIA members that are not roof cleaning contractors, will also have to pledge to uphold the same standard as the other members of the RCIA. For a fee, they will be able to join the RCIA as associate members. They will be able to display the Associate Members Logo on their website and marketing materials.

This 50 point standard is the first step in RCIA achieving and recognizing certifications from within as well as other vocational training schools. Soon the RCIA, other .ORGs, and National Schools shall begin educating, training, equipping, and certifying roof cleaning contractors using the RCIA Standard. As these opportunities expand, so will the RCIA Standard. This will become an evolving and growing document being amended on a yearly basis at our RCIA National Convention.

This RCIA 50 Point Standard has been developed and constructed by and for its members. It will be voted on by its members and ratified by its members with a majority vote by the Premium Membership Group. The membership of the RCIA will have had a direct hand in shaping their industry from this RCIA Standard. No one person, product, method, agenda or policy will make up this document. It is “bit and piece of us all” and we own it.

As we vote on the ratification of this standard over the next five days, we will be giving birth to the structure that will define us as an association. On January 17th 2011 the ratification of this standard will fortify the fact that carrying the RCIA Logo on your truck, uniform, business card, web site, and business means that you have pledged to uphold an industry standard.
Once available; gaining the RCIA Certification will mean that you are capable, dedicated, and formidable.

Once the RCIA Standard is ratified, the association will create a PDF down loadable tri-fold that members can print and include in their proposals. Also, the RCIA will clearly advertise the Standard on their website for potential customers to easily find. This will allow members to back link to the Standard for marketing and SEO reasons.

Now onto the 50 points of Standard for the Roof Cleaning Industry.


Section One, Professionalism

1. Members pledge to maintain a professional demeanor when presenting themselves as an RCIA member.

2. Members pledge to do ones best to speak in facts and truths when representing RCIA or when presenting information relating to the roof cleaning industry.

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

4. Members pledge to present customers with clear and complete proposals for service.

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

6. Members pledge to not knowingly place customers in jeopardy by placing employees on at a work site without doing their due diligence to ensure that work site employee’s background will not place said customer or customers property in jeopardy.

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

8. Members who maintain a web site pledge to use such site for company promotion, customer education, and commerce. The website should also display the RCIA membership e-badge / logo appropriate for their membership and or certification level.

9. Members pledge to wear uniforms for professionalism as well as for safety. Salespersons and management will be clearly identified by company branded apparel. Spray Technicians will wear duty rated uniforms for identification and chemical protection.
(please see technical bulletin on uniforms for professionalism and safety)

10. Members pledge to resolve customer complaints quickly and equitably. Where possible enlist the help of a professional consumer mediation association closing the complaint to the best of the members ability.




Section Two, Equipment

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

12. Members pledge to 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.

13. Members pledge to 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.

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

15. Members pledge to 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.

16. Members pledge to that they 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.

17. Members pledge to have written standards for cleaning processes using various pressures and chemical ratios for cleaning different roof surfaces. Training specific to members equipment should be made available to authorized users.

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

19. Members pledge to insure that equipment; either mounted to trailers and or directly to motorized vehicles; will be secured in accordance with USDOT standards. Mounts should be inspected and rated bi-annually. (inspection forms will be available to RCIA members through download at the RCIA website)

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






Section Three, Chemicals

21. Members pledge to follow the RCIA’s Technical Bulletin for cleaning roofs including accepted chemicals. Removed ARMA Tech Bulletin. We need to be the authority now and can easily write this bulletin.

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

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

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

25. Members pledge to 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 pledge to 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 pledge to 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 are strongly advised to receive training to achieve a zero accident record.

28. Members pledge to use chemicals like Tri-sodium phosphate in any roof cleaning solution as applicable by local law. Chemicals like TSP are unregulated in many areas but strictly regulated in others. Members are advised to educate themselves as to the use and transportation of chemicals within their commerce area.

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

30. Members pledge to keep Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for each chemical carried and in use on their truck. Members are strongly advised to receive training on chemical disposal as well as spill clean-up and removal. Trucks are advised to carry a spill contingency plan, local emergency numbers, as well as contact info for Chemtreck.
(this is required by law in all 50 states)







Section Four, Safety

31. Members pledge to participate in yearly educational opportunities that are abundant within the cleaning community. A list of some of those opportunities will be kept on the RCIA members website to aide members with education elements.

32. Members pledge to be proficient in the proper placement of ladders regarding correct angle of slant. Member should 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 pledge to be proficient in fall safety, the safe use of body harnesses, the inspection of fall positioning and or arrest equipment, and the required times of use of fall positioning and or arrest equipment. Members should also be educated in the proper use of anchoring systems associated with the use of these systems.

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

35. Members pledge to be proficient in the use and operation of high lift equipment if and when it may be used during the course of business. Members are strongly advised to be trained and approved by the company safety officer and or equipment rental company before using high lifts.

36. Members pledge to use respirators and or nuisance gas masks. Members are advised to be trained in the proper use, care, and storage of respirators. Employers are very strongly advised to have an OSHA respirator program in place that is applicable with the type of mask in use.

37. Members pledge to use safety eye wear/face shield whenever mixing or spraying chemicals and or during operation of equipment that creates potential for eye accidents. Members are strongly advised to 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 pledge to comply with this requirement.

39. Members pledge to insure that remaining and or refuse, chemical containers are cleaned out after use and discarded, preferably recycled in accordance to their local municipalities regulations.

40. Members pledge to 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. (RCIA will provide downloadable forms for inspecting equipment free to premium members)






Section Five, Education

41. Members are strongly encouraged to attend a "First Aid and CPR" class taught by and documented at their local American Red Cross Center 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 are strongly advised to attend a "ladder safety and inspection" class. Members are likewise advised to preform regular inspections of ladders for damaged, worn, or missing hardware.

43. Members are advised to attend a “Personal Safety Equipment (PSE)” class. Members are likewise advised to keep proper documentation of assignment and use of PSE by helpers and or employees.

44. Members are strongly advised to complete a Fall Protection Training and Certification class. Members are likewise advised to keep documentation of this training for all helpers and employees.

45. Members are advised to complete a DOT safety review. This is a free service. Members are advised to keep documentation of this review.

46. Members are strongly advised to complete proper training for application of roof cleaning solutions to ensure that the roof life is extended and no damages occur. Members are advised to be trained in the recommended procedure for collection of "run-off" cleaning solution.

47. Members are advised to receive hands on instruction by an RCIA Certified Master Instructor in the field or applicable lab environment.

48. Members are encouraged to attend small business workshops and or utilize entrepreneurial centers in their area. Members should understand that business is ever evolving and as their business grows, it will interact with differing laws and governmental requirements they may be unaware of.

49. Members are encouraged to receive all of the above training from their employer, The RCIA and or a vocational school as long as the training programs are on file with the RCIA. (The RCIA will have free outlines available to Premium Members for download to aide in this training)

50. Members are recommended to complete a total of 12 credits (6 Hours) of annual Continuing Educational Units, (CEUs) for re-certification yearly. Receipts, Certificates, Accreditation's, or alike can be scanned and forwarded by e-mail to the RCIA Certification Committee if desired to be used for members certification.





References utilized in the selection of terms are included below to keep clarity for the members of RCIA. Your valuable input has been, we hope satisfied and understood.
The collaboration we hope,will find this document in tune with it's members expectations.

Terminology Defined-
Definition of ADVISE
transitive verb
1
a : to give (someone) a recommendation about what should be done : to give advice to b : caution, warn c : recommend
2
: to give information or notice to : inform
intransitive verb
1
: to give a recommendation about what "should" be done
2
: to talk with someone in order to decide what should be done : consult

Definition of Pledge

/plɛdʒ/ Show Spelled [plej] Show IPA noun, verb,pledged, pledg•ing.
–noun
1.a solemn promise or agreement to do or refrain from doing something: a pledge of aid; a pledge not to wage war.
2.something delivered as security for the payment of a debt or fulfillment of a promise, and subject to forfeiture on failure to pay or fulfill the promise.
3.the state of being given or held as security: to put a thing in pledge.
4.Law.
a.the act of delivering goods, property, etc., to another for security.
b.the resulting legal relationship.
5.something given or regarded as a security.
6.a person accepted for membership in a club, fraternity, or sorority, but not yet formally approved.
7.an assurance of support or goodwill conveyed by drinking a person's health; a toast.

The 1st time I looked at this thread there was an area to vote at the top. I opeded the .pdf to print and review and when I came back to thread the vote area is missing. Anyone else having this problem?

Charles

The vote actually begins on Saturday.

This draft is a considerable improvement over the first one, in my opinion. If this was FB, I would hit the "like" button.

Much better than the first one.  Can we do something about #4 and #5?  Gotta be honest we hardly ever give a written proposal, must of the time the customer calls us up and says come on out and look at my roof and give me a quote.  We do this and give them a verbal quote.  I don't like to say "well let me go back to the office and type something up.  If you give them a price on the spot you can answer any pricing concerns they have.  I would have to say most of you also do it this way,  Also we get a lot of jobs from neighbors who watch us and then run over and say do mine also.  Last year we did five homes in a row in one day.  None of them had a written proposal or scope of work to be performed.  I will probably vote yes this time but we won't be adhering to number 4 or 5. 

garyw wrote:

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Please remember that the standards are NOT laws or rules that you must obey every time you do a segment of your business. They are simply standards that everyone should do as often as possible in your everyday actions.

Look at them, sorta like the 10 commandments. Most everyone knows what they are, and tries to obey them. Does everyone succeed at that every time? Probably not, but they serve as a guideline for your actions.  JMHO

Gary

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#36 and #37 You are asking me to pledge: a solemn promise or agreement to do or refrain from doing something: a pledge of aid; a pledge not to wage war.
I can't pledge to 36 & 37. I know I won't use the respirator. I might wear sunglasses.
Maybe it should read: use of respirator when deemed necessary.

 

AC Lockyer wrote:

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Roof Cleaning Raleigh NC wrote:

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garyw wrote:

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Please remember that the standards are NOT laws or rules that you must obey every time you do a segment of your business. They are simply standards that everyone should do as often as possible in your everyday actions.

Look at them, sorta like the 10 commandments. Most everyone knows what they are, and tries to obey them. Does everyone succeed at that every time? Probably not, but they serve as a guideline for your actions.  JMHO

Gary

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#36 and #37 You are asking me to pledge: a solemn promise or agreement to do or refrain from doing something: a pledge of aid; a pledge not to wage war.
I can't pledge to 36 & 37. I know I won't use the respirator. I might wear sunglasses.
Maybe it should read: use of respirator when deemed necessary.

 

 

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Talk to the prez Chris Tucker about what not wearing a respirator has done to him. There are very few of us that have been in this industry to have seen what health risks we may have here.

 

AC

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I understand your concern, but it should be my decision. I shouldn't have to make a false pledge. I know me. I won't wear one unless I feel the need for it under special circumstances.

 

Again....My choice

Then put in a request to have those items changed. That is why this is being posted for 5 days.

Good luck on your choice with OSHA regulations.
Gary

OK. I know I can just be quiet and let this go and there would be no problems with it. But what if I am doing a roof and the customer or a neighbor comes out and says "Hey, I thought you are supposed to be wearing a respirator?". He sees I am not abiding by my pledge then he might think I am slacking else where and the 50 points mean nothing. If push comes to shove I will Lie and make the pledge. I don't think I should be put in that situation. I guarantee you a lot of guys are not going to wear respirators. I have seen their videos and pictures of them doing roofs.