NETWON, Mass. — METALCON, the largest international event in the metal construction industry, announced program highlights for its metal roofing industry attendees.

One of METALCON’s new featured presentations this year is the “Top 10 Things That Get Metal Roof Designers in Trouble” by Brian Gardiner of BMG Enterprises, LLC, and Charlie Smith of McElroy Metal. Together, they'll address the most common mistakes made in designing and specifying a metal roof system and proper steps to avoid them. Drawing from their 50+ years of combined metal roofing experience, Gardiner and Smith will detail how to design for differences in metal roofing system performance, provisions for metal expansion and contraction, and the keys to successful metal roof flashing design. In addition, they will explain how to select the correct design options and the importance of product testing.

Also new this year, is “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Mechanically Seamed Roof Panels” by Jonathan Rider of D.I. Roof Seamers. This session will cover everything attendees need to know about metal roof installation: tips and techniques for installing roof panels, basic operations of a roof seamer, correct hand crimping practices and basic troubleshooting.  Rider will use real-world scenarios dealing with modulation problems, surface contaminates and other issues faced on the job site.  Finally, seam appearances will be addressed in detail to help attendees better understand what is happening inside the seam, and what it will look like after installation.  Both featured presentations take place on Oct. 18 and 19 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. 

Also for metal roofing fans, the Metal Construction Association’s (MCA) Games Task Force is celebrating its fourth annual metal roofing competition with a number of different challenges known as Aces of Las Vegas.  Five teams of construction professionals compete for thousands of dollars in cash awards and the winning title on Oct. 18-20 at METALCON.  Each challenge takes 15 to 30 minutes to complete.  Fastest time and accuracy are the two key winning factors.  Judging the competition are members of the Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association. 

The Aces of Las Vegas competitions are as follows:

1:00 p.m. Game 1:  The MBCI & Pac-Clad “Retrofit Panel Installation Challenge.”  Contestants install the “base” R-panel roofing onto the Games steel-framed mock-ups that are 8-foot x 9-foot.

2:00 p.m., Game 2:  “Screw Gun Challenge,” sponsored by Triangle Fastener Corporation.  Contestants install a series of self-drilling fasteners into a structural zee-shaped purlin mounted on a steel framework platform. 

3:00 p.m., Game 3: “Hug a Roof Challenge,” sponsored by Roof Hugger, LLC.  Contestants install 40 lineal feet of factory-notched, zee-shaped sub-purlins on a mock-up existing ribbed metal roof paneled frame. 

4:00 p.m., Game 4: “Standing Seam Challenge,” sponsored by New Tech Machinery and Drexel Metals.  Contestant teams install six each, 16-inch wide metal roof panels over factory-notched sub-purlins.  

5:00 p.m., Game 5: “Let It Snow Challenge,” sponsored by S-5! Contestants must properly install a mechanically attached snow retention system onto 16-inch metal roof panels.  

Meanwhile, after its successful initial launch last year, top experts in the metal roofing industry will lead the MCA Metal Roof Installation Training― a two-day, eight-hour certification program based on MCA’s Metal Roof Installation Manual, which kicks off before the show on Tuesday, Oct. 17.

In addition to streamlining and updating the certification program for 2017, further plans for this year include more training on: substrates, safety, sealants, flashings, panel types and connections, tools, fasteners, maintenance and more.  Again, participants will have the opportunity to experience quality face-time with industry experts, visit the exhibit hall throughout the duration of the show and access the full conference program.  The objective is to couple the training program with the exhibit floor where participants can see live demonstrations of what they have just learned, and network with industry experts. 

Scott Kriner, MCA’s technical director and program presenter, explains how both participants and manufacturers benefit.  “Many metal roof manufacturers have their own in-house training programs for installers and contractors to become familiar with specific profiled panels, trim, clips and ancillaries,” said Kriner.  “This new Metal Roof Installation Training program gives manufacturers access to a pool of qualified individuals trained in key topics related to metal roof installation. Therefore, their installers and contractors will be prepared to hit the ground running with a basic knowledge gained through this certification program at METALCON. As a result, manufacturers will be able to create more efficient and tailored in-house training programs."

“For those outside the metal roofing industry, this certification program offers a great opportunity to learn about the industry and experience practical training in topics most roof installers are required to know,” said Kriner.

For more information, visit www.metalcon.com