There are many associations that roofing manufacturers, contractors and other industry professionals can be involved with. Some are technical and engineering-oriented; others are sales and networking associations; and some deal with each of these aspects in the roofing and construction industries.
This is the fourth in a series of posts that discuss associations related to the roofing industry.
LBL
The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL or Berkeley Lab) was founded in 1931 by Ernest Orlando Lawrence, a UC Berkeley physicist who won the 1939 Nobel Prize in physics for his invention of the cyclotron. It was Lawrence’s belief that scientific research is best done through teams of individuals with different fields of expertise, working together. His teamwork concept is a Berkeley Lab legacy that continues today.
The Berkeley Lab is a member of the national laboratory system supported by the U.S. Department of Energy through its Office of Science. It is managed by the University of California (UC) and is charged with conducting unclassified research across a wide range of scientific disciplines.
Berkeley Lab developments have resulted in billions of dollars in savings for lighting, windows, and other energy-efficient technologies such as roofing systems.
The lab provides a wide variety of research that is relevant to “cool” roofs and the urban heat island effect, giving building owners important information they can use to select the right roofing system for their building.
NRCA
Established in 1886, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) is one of the construction industry’s oldest trade associations and a voice for professional roofing contractors worldwide.
The NRCA offers roofing industry information for roofing professionals, including technical information, special reports, insurance and safety information, and the latest industry news.
The NRCA also provides a wide range of information and services to help home owners and building owners make informed decisions about replacing and maintaining their roofing systems.
NRLRC
Established in 1979 by the NRCA as a separately funded organization, the National Roofing Legal Resource Center (NRLRC) acts as a legal advocate for roofing contractors throughout the United States.
Issues such as contract language, employee relations, regulatory compliance, payment provisions, insurance coverage, and codes and standards can threaten a company’s profitability and even its existence. The NRLRC provides contractors with assistance in resolving such legal issues, ultimately saving them time and attorneys’ fees.
