The Broward County Addiction Recovery Center’s Stephen Booher building offers a comprehensive range of services for Broward County residents over the age of 18 who are affected by substance abuse and/or co-occurring disorders. The experienced and professional staff is dedicated to helping clients attain a healthy and satisfying lifestyle free from addiction. The Center provides effective intervention in a caring, respectful, and confidential manner, utilizing individual, group, and family therapy.

Project Background

The county’s Stephen Booher building is essential to carrying out the Center’s mission. The building’s 49,955 square-foot roof had been experiencing leaks throughout the building caused by open laps from existing voids and roof transition areas. Advanced Roofing Inc. (ARI) was selected to build a new roofing system that included multiple deck types and roof systems.  The original roof system was a KEE single ply that was mechanically attached to the steel deck. All barrel radius roofs were EPDM single-ply and fully adhered to plywood sheathing over a structural steel deck.

Our Solution

To remove the main roof section, ARI cut the existing KEE single-ply from the deck and removed it down to the existing insulation. All seam fasteners were left in place along with existing insulation which was covered by 1.5’’ insulation and ½’’ dens deck. Damaged areas along with areas containing moisture were replaced. Due to its wide variety of application methods, unique products, and availability of support, Johns Manville was chosen by ARI for use on this project. Johns Manville DynaLastic 180 S modified bitumen roof system was mechanically fastened and torched in the laps as a base sheet. All subsequent layers were heat welded, and Chain areas with low flashings, JM PermaFlash was utilized to terminate the roof system. JM PVC single ply was placed over the curved radius roof sections which were both mechanically attached and fully adhered in sections where JM Battens were installed to mimic the look of a standing seam metal roof.

Overcoming Challenges

Working on a building that provides a critical service to the community brought with it a distinctive set of challenges along the way including:

Challenge #1: Safety

Due to the multi-level design of the building, fall protection posed a unique challenge. Perimeter warning lines were used around the outside of the building and safety monitors were utilized for team members working outside of the warning lines. At certain points on this project, as many as three safety monitors were simultaneously used to maintain OSHA safety standards to make sure all team members were fully supervised. A full safety tie-off was not possible on barrel roofs due to the lack of appropriate anchor locations.

At several points in the project, concerns were expressed over fumes entering the building. After repeated interior inspections, staff check-ins, and extra precautions, ARI continued to receive multiple reports of fumes in the building. The team eventually determined that rooftop HVAC units were breathing fumes from the kitchen boiler exhaust and subsequently causing these issues.

Challenge #2: Design

This project took longer than expected to complete due to a design challenge that was solved by utilizing JM PermaFlash. Originally, all rooftop clearstory windows were slated for replacement as a part of this project. When ARI suggested terminating window flashings with JM PermaFlash in lieu of window replacement, it was determined that the replacement was no longer needed. Funds for the window replacement were returned to the county and this money can now be used towards the ongoing full interior remodel improvement planned for the future.

Funds for the window replacement were returned to the county and this money can now be used towards the ongoing full interior remodel improvement planned for the future.

Another design challenge involving the unique design of multiple roof sections required manually distributing materials from one of two loading points on the roof. All rolls, materials, and equipment had to be hand carried to each section as the project progressed.

Challenge #3: Safety of Clients

Because of the confidential nature of the Stephen Booher facility, ARI was required to maintain a low footprint throughout the duration of the project. This meant residents did not want to be inconvenienced by loud noise, and odors, and most importantly wanted their identities kept private.  Also, all tools brought into the building needed to be recorded upon entry and exit. All trash and debris needed to be fully removed from the roof and premises. Although the removal of debris is a priority on all ARI projects, leaving anything behind on this project could have created a safety hazard to residents and staff that was made explicitly clear to ARI throughout the duration of the project.

The challenges mentioned above have caused a very minimal delay in the overall project, with successful, near budget, completion anticipated by April 1, 2016.  Installing a roof of this magnitude was an extensive undertaking. ARI knew ahead of time the need to closely monitor overtime hours. If job budgets were not watched closely, the project would run the risk of catastrophic overages. This project required certified payroll wages that requires roofing contractors to pay a set wage minimum per trade. ARI used a combination of three separate crews specializing in different areas (modified, single-ply, and a combination of both) to maximize efficiency. Keeping the project on budget remained a challenge through the end.

Final Thoughts

The Stephen Booher building allowed our team to push the limits of adjoining roof systems. The combination of mechanically attaching, fully adhering and heat welding JM Seam Battens gave a sophisticated architectural look to the building. The complexity of the metalwork around miters, edges, and transitions also presented an opportunity for our best metal crew to showcase their workmanship. Using JM PermaFlash in lieu of replacing windows was also a special application of a relatively new product in the roofing world.

We are grateful for the opportunity to install an extreme-performance roof that will provide leak-free shelter for the residents of the Stephen Booher Center. The process has been rewarding for the team.  At this most critical time in their lives, we are proud to be given the opportunity to help provide a serene and safe environment for men and women to recover with dignity as they take the brave next steps to build their new lives.