After months of anticipation, changes to BS 5534 Code of Practice for Slating and Tiling have come into force, meaning that all new pitched roofing work using tiles, slates and shingles have to be specified in accordance with the new standards.
The revised BS 5534 – first announced in August 2014 – requires all single lap tiles to be mechanically fixed, with a degree of clipping required on most roofs. Mortar alone is no longer deemed sufficient on its own to secure tiles and their associated fittings to a roof.
The revised standard also introduces new requirements to secure lightweight underlays and prevent a recent problem of ?ballooning’, caused by wind deflection, which has been known to place a load on the underside of the roof covering, capable of dislodging it.
These changes are designed to improve the security of Britain’s roofs and ensure they can withstand the extreme weather conditions, which are becoming more commonplace.
Contracts in progress or agreed before March 1, 2015 – when BS 5534:2014 officially came into force – can be completed within a timely period. All roof projects carried out on NHBC sites, regardless of when they were agreed, will have to done under the new standards from July 1 onwards.
The National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) has said that it is important that all contractors are aware of their liabilities with regards to existing and new contracts so that the new Regulations are not inadvertently breached.
Despite the six month crossover period between the new rules and the old requirements of BS 5534, there is also concern among some manufacturers that those affected by the changes are not prepared for the impact on the length and cost of roofing programmes.
Steve Bryceson, technical manager from Marley Eternit, said:
“The new BS 5534 brings the UK in line with the Eurocode and it is also an important step in ensuring that Britain’s roofs can withstand future extreme weather events. While the roofing industry has had six months to prepare for the changes, architects, house-builders and main contractors also need to be aware of the consequential effects of the new standard, as there will inevitably be additional time and cost incurred as a result of the extra fixings required.”
Follow these links to exclusive articles from Marley Eternit and Sandtoft for more information on BS 5534.
