Roofing Work – Making Sense out of British Standards Part 2

Last week we took a pretty comprehensive look at the main British Standards that apply to the roofing industry here in the UK, namely BS 5534:2014 and BS 8612.  There are other British Standards that are applicable to roofing work, so today, as promised, we will be listing these so that you can see all the Standards that apply to your work in one handy place.

BS 8000-6:2013 – Workmanship on building sites.  Code of Practice for slating and tiling of roofs and claddings.

This roofing standard covers the laying and fixing of natural slate, clay tiles, concrete tiles and fibre cement slates, together with their associated fixings and accessories.   It has been partially superseded by BS 8000-0:2014, but remains current.

BS 5250:2011+A1:2016 – Code of Practice for control of condensation in buildings

Condensation represents a problem in roofs as it leads to issues such as damp, structural damage and even potential health hazards.  BS 5250 provides advice on the control of condensation, describing the causes and effects of surface and interstitial condensation in buildings.  The Approved Document C refers to BS 5250 and states that a roof will meet requirements if it is built in accordance with Clause 8.4 of the Standard, as well as BS EN ISO 13788 (Calculation methods for internal surface temperature to avoid critical surface humidity and interstitial condensation). 

The Standard contains specific guidance on how to control condensation and states that prevention is most effectively achieved by the provision of natural air ventilation.  It also recommends that building designers consider the sources of moisture (such as water incorporated during the construction process, precipitation after construction, water vapour which results from the building’s occupants and their activities, and condensation that occurs due to weather conditions) and highlights the importance of ceilings being airtight and efficiently sealed.

BS EN 494:2012+A1:2015 – Fibre cement profiled sheeting and fittings.

This Standard contains the produce specifications and test methods.

BS EN 506:2008 – Roofing products from metal sheet.

This Standard contains the specifications for self-supporting products fabricated from copper or zinc sheeting.

BS EN 508-1:2014 – Roofing and cladding products from metal sheet.

This Standard sets out the specification for self-supporting products fabricated from steel.

BS EN 508-2:2008 – Roofing products from metal sheet.

This is the Standard that contains the specification for self-supporting products fabricated from aluminium.

BS EN 508-3:2008 – Roofing products from metal sheet.

This Standard contains the specification for self-supporting products fabricated from stainless steel.

BS EN 1013:2012+A1:2014 – Light transmitting single-skin profiled plastic sheets for internal and external roofs, walls and ceilings.

This Standard contains the requirements and test methods.

BS 6229:2003 – Flat roofs with continuously supported coverings.

This is the Code of Practice.

BS 8217:2005 Reinforced bitumen membranes for roofing.

This is the Code of Practice.

BS 8219:2001+A1:2013 – Installation of sheet roof and wall coverings – Profiled fibre cement.

This is the Code of Practice.

BS EN 10169:2010+A1:2012 – Continuously organic coated (coil coated) steel flat products.

This Standard covers the technical delivery conditions.

With so many Standards relating to roofing specification and best practice, our two part list of the ones that are most relevant will act as a handy checklist.  However, roofing work generally involves working at height, so making sure that the correct safety procedures and equipment are in place really is an essential part of any roofing job.