Local firm calls for DTI standards for roofing materials

A local manufacturer is urging the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to set standards for roofing materials to manage and prevent the increase of substandard materials in the market.

In an emailed statement, Mileage Asia Corp., manufacturer of Cherry Lume and Sumo GI sheets in the country, said there is an unhampered entry of substandard materials due to the lack of DTI standards relative to roofing.

"DTI must set a standard tolerance for roofing materials such as in thickness, " said Elmer C. Ngo, Mileage Asia president.

Currently, the DTI has no strict standards–particularly in thickness–for these products.

Ngo said the government should dictate the minimum thickness that should be imposed for roofing materials and administer a standard test to determine the tolerance level.

"When a roofing material is said to have a thickness of 0.4 inch, then a standard test should be made to determine the tolerance level," he noted.

He also pointed out that a PS logo, which shows that a product has passed the DTI's standards, should be visible on the roofing materials, as they are on other materials used in house construction such as electrical implements.

Cherry Lume roofing materials, which are mid-priced, boast of aluminum and zinc coats and with the so-called "anti-finger print treatment" to toughen the roofing material. — Danessa O. Rivera/BM, GMA News