March 2018

MARCH 2018 

Drones & roofing 

Poor payment in focus 

Van insurance tips 

FEATURES 

• BS 8612: WHAT DOES IT MEAN 

FOR ROOFING CONTRACTORS? 

• MATERIAL SHORTAGES: 

A CONTRACTOR’S VIEW 

• WHAT WILL THE HACKITT 

REVIEW MEAN FOR YOU? 

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Editor’s Comment 

MATT DOWNS 

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR 

MATTDOWNS@MEDIA-NOW.CO.UK 

COVER PIC: 

COURTESY OF 

REDLAND 

Welcome to the launch issue of Total Contractor, an exciting, new, 

monthly magazine exclusively for contractors who operate in the 

roofing, cladding and insulation markets. 

In what has been a turbulent couple of years for these markets and the 

wider construction sector in general, now, more than ever, it’s important 

to not only debate the issues, share opinions and take note of the 

seemingly constant updates to regulations and technology – which of 

course we will do in the pages of Total Contractor – but also shine a light 

on the quality work and impressive projects which contractors carry out 

every day. Whether they are small residential roof refurbs, or large 

commercial developments, Total Contractor will focus on the role of the 

contractor and their work in completing these projects. 

Above: Truro-based roofer Tom Knight, who was Highly Commended in 

Redland’s Apprentice of the Year competition 2017, pictured working on site 

FOLLOW US @TOTCONTRACTORUK 

SIGN UP FOR YOUR WEEKLY E-BLAST AT 

WWW.TOTAL-CONTRACTOR.CO.UK 

Everyone likes a bit of advice from time to time – not that we always take 

it onboard! – but at Total Contractor we’ll be bringing you regular top tips 

for best practice both in the office and on site. In this issue, for example, 

we take a look at what contractors need to consider if they’re thinking of 

adding a drone to their tool-kit – and there’s a lot more to it than you 

might think! (p.14); we also hear how smartphone use on site might be 

more dangerous than you think (p.18); plus, we take a look at some of the 

options contractors can take to reduce their van insurance costs (p.78). 

So read on for all this and so much more including how the new dry-fix 

Standard BS 6812 might impact you (p.20); plus we hear one 

contractor’s strong views on the growing gulf between justified and 

unjustified material price rises (p.82). 

NEW 

A PRIC 

C£C£OMP£GET £AY£DA£O£T£D£ARISO £PA ON 

£T 

Matt 

LOW PRICE 

Advertising 

Publishing Director: Andy Dunn: 

DD: 01892 732 047 

Mob: 07963 330777 

Email: andydunn@media-now.co.uk 

Registered office: 1 Forstal Road, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 7AU 

Commercial Manager: Jake Roxborough 

DD: 01892 732 047 

Mob: 07956 133314 

Email: jakeroxborough@media-now.co.uk 

The content of Total Contractor magazine (and website) does not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or publishers and 

are the views of its contributors and advertisers. The digital edition may include hyperlinks to third-party content, advertising, 

or websites, provided for the sake of convenience and interest. The publishers accept no legal responsibility for loss arising 

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of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system without the written consent of the publishers. All rights 

reserved. 

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MARCH 2018 TC 3

Contents 

ON THE COVER 

14 DRONES TO TAKE-OFF? 

Planning to use a drone on your projects? 

There’s more to consider than you might think 

20 STANDARD BEARER 

What will BS 8612, the new dry-fix Standard, 

mean for roofing contractors? 

62 ALL CHANGE 

How will the Hackitt Review affect roofing and 

cladding projects? Roy Weghorst gives his view 

76 PAYMENT PAINS 

What can be done about poor payment 

practices? Jackie Biswell gives her view 

32 

FEATURES 

26 UNDER THE WEATHER 

Phil Wilden provides a guide to ensuring 

a weatherproof slate roof 

46 

32 HEAD OF THE CLASS 

David Mallory talks about life in the roofing 

sector and his time as a roofing tutor 

46 ROLL WITH IT 

Darren Tutt offers tops tips for those working 

on projects involving Rolled Lead Sheet 

48 A NEW LOOK 

Mark Hibberd says the outdated perceptions of a 

career in roofing are finally behind us 

52 CAN YOU GUARANTEE THAT? 

Dave Cooper explains what makes a good guarantee and 

why it’s so important to really understand them 

70 ONE MORE QUESTION 

Total Contractor puts the questions to Chris Kendall on 

the EWI market, his career and so much more... 

4 TC MARCH 2018

REGULARS 

18 SMARTPHONE ALERT 

Janine Brady asks if we should call time on the 

use of smartphones on site 

78 TOTAL VEHICLES 

As insurance premiums soar, we outline some 

top tips to save on van insurance 

INDUSTRY NEWS 

06 CALLS FOR CLARITY 

Cladding distributor calls for greater clarity on 

rainscreen cladding Standards 

08 ELUSIVE ROOFERS 

New Which? Trusted Traders survey says the public 

often struggle to find a roofer 

80 RECRUITMENT 

Looking for a change of career? we’ve got a 

selection of the latest jobs on offer 

82 THE PRICE YOU PAY 

Simon Smith says he sees a growing gulf 

between justified and unjustified price rises 

78 

SECTIONS 

WWW.TOTAL-CONTRACTOR.CO.UK 

26 

TOTAL 

ROOFING 

52 TOTAL 

CLADDING 

62 TOTAL 

INSULATION 

36 


Industry News 

‘DO YOUR RESEARCH’ 

With the fallout from the collapse of 

Carillion still having a huge impact on the 

construction sector supply chain, question 

marks remain over the fate of 43,000 jobs, 

whilst 30,000+ small businesses are 

thought to be owed money. 

DISTRIBUTOR CALLS FOR CLARITY 

Vivalda Group, a leading distributor of 

cladding systems, has called for greater 

clarity on rainscreen cladding Standards and 

confirmed that it no longer promotes 

aluminium composite materials (ACM) for use 

on high-rise applications which fail to reach 

A2 Standard. 

Ben Jayes, Managing Director of Vivalda Group 

So how can SMEs protect themselves against 

such collapses? ArchOver CEO Angus Dent 

offers his advice: “Overall, 25% of 

bankruptcies are due to unpaid invoices. In 

the construction industry, this figure is likely 

to be even higher. This is a sector that 

experiences the highest levels of insolvency 

per year so SMEs need to be more mindful of 

the risks they are exposed to. 

“Don’t just rely on a big company’s 

reputation for reassurance. Look at whether 

they have a good record of paying their debts. 

Do they have a strong cashflow? Have your 

peers had issues with invoicing them? 

Consider what would happen if a customer 

were to default and ensure that you have 

protection, such as credit insurance, in place. 

The Carillion case shows that credit insurance 

does pay off when a big contractor goes bust 

– the payments to its suppliers will range 

from £5,000 to several million pounds – but 

not nearly enough companies took it out. 

The company is concerned that contractors could 

inadvertently make unintentional specification 

errors, given the complexity of the UK's current 

safety standards. 

While the initial report on the likely causes of the 

Grenfell fire is not expected until spring 2018, 

Vivalda Group has stated that shortcomings in 

the current ‘approved inspector’ regime have 

created a confusing landscape for contractors. 

This scenario has been made worse, according to 

Vivalda, by the widespread adoption of complex 

laboratory tests used by manufacturers to gain 

approval for ‘so-called’ safe systems which are 

impossible to replicate on site. 

Ben Jayes, managing director of Vivalda Group, 

explained: “The issue of fire safety is at the very 

top of the agenda for contractors right now, but 

many within the industry are not helping to build 

confidence in the supply chain. We know of one 

manufacturer of ACM that put out ambiguous 

claims relating to how their standard material 

performs at a high level. But that’s not the whole 

story. It’s worth remembering that behind every 

panel lies a complex web of subframes, fixings 

and fire barriers, none of which this manufacturer 

is prepared to detail as part of a system. 

“The poor contractor is on the hook should there 

be failure in even one minor component, so 

confidence in the complete system’s performance 

is vital. Besides, setting up a rig for a lab test is 

one thing, replicating it on site, 18 metres in the 

air, is quite another. 

“We’ve looked closely into this and decided in the 

best interest of clarity to promote only ACM 

products that meet or exceed the gold standard of 

A2. Despite their best endeavours, many 

customers could be installing systems that may 

turn out not to be safe. Thus, we’ve moved to 

make the task of A2-standard aluminium 

rainscreen cladding simple – by offering only fully 

approved claddings and associated fixings.” 

What will Hackitt Review mean for contractors? p.62 

“When we trust too much in a company’s 

longevity or size, we’re making an 

understandable but risky mistake. 

Investments and contracts can go bad but 

that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to 

protect yourself. Just like Carillion didn’t have 

to accept tough contracts, SMEs should not 

accept contracts where there’s a risk that they 

won’t be paid or where there aren’t measures 

in place to protect them against losses. 

“Do your research, go only with sound 

debtors and put protection for your deals in 

place.” Payment issues, a contractor’s view: p.76 

UK ROOFING AWARDS LUNCHEON 2018 

It’s now just under two months 

The competition, covering the full 

until the UK Roofing Awards 

spectrum of roofing disciplines, 

Luncheon 2018. 

runs from October to January every 

year with judges assessing the 

The Awards, which take place at 

shortlisted projects on range of criteria including 

the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel, on 

degree of difficulty, aesthetics, problem-solving, 

Friday 11th May, have established themselves 

health & safety, workmanship and environmental 

as a key date in the roofing sector’s calendar 

qualities. 

and promote best practice as well as shine a 

light on the high calibre of work which is For further information and to purchase your 

carried out on roofing and cladding projects ticket to the UK Roofing Awards Luncheon, visit: 

throughout the UK. 

www.nfrc.co.uk. 


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Industry News 

FUTURE PLANS 

Housebuilders are reportedly investing in 

modern methods of construction and 

skills to address a number of industry 

challenges as they look to deliver growth 

and new homes for the future, according 

to new research from Lloyds Bank 

Commercial Banking. 

The report, which surveys housebuilders and 

their supply chain, analyses the state of the 

industry today and the opportunities and 

challenges it faces in the future. 

The sector is said to be adopting modern 

methods of construction that hold the 

potential to boost productivity and supply. 

Firms reported that they are already investing 

in new building techniques, including 

modular housing (68%) and panelised 

systems (56%). 

Housebuilders’ motivations to adopt these 

methods include improved efficiency, ease of 

build, better construction standards and in 

some areas increased margins. 

An ongoing shortage of skilled workers 

continues to affect the sector with a third 

(31%) of firms saying there is a skills 

shortage at a national level. More than a 

quarter (29%) said they have trouble 

recruiting skilled workers in the regions 

where they operate. 

The report also found that the UK’s exit from 

the EU was exacerbating the skills shortage, 

with half (50%) stating that it was making 

recruitment harder for specific roles, while a 

quarter (26%) said that access to EU labour 

is a key challenge for their business. 

On a positive note, the report found a sector 

tackling the skills shortage head on, as almost 

seven in ten firms (69%) of respondents are 

investing in staff training, and half (51%) are 

setting up apprenticeship programmes. 

QUALITY STANDARDS HAVE TO COUNT 

As part of the Government’s Each Home 

Counts recommendations, BSI has been 

appointed by the Department of Business, 

Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to 

review and revise the existing PAS 2030: 2017, 

the specification for the installation of energy 

efficiency measures in existing buildings, and 

develop a new PAS 2035. 

With this in mind, the National Insulation 

Association (NIA) attended a British Standards 

Institution (BSI) high level workshop in January 

2018 which briefed key organisations on the work 

involved in developing new quality standards for 

the energy efficiency industry. 

Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the NIA, 

commented: “This work is extremely important as 

it will clearly set out the specifications and 

Standards that will apply to the installation of 

insulation measures. The existing PAS 2030 is a 

little complicated and there are some aspects that 

are open to interpretation, however, this project 

provides the opportunity to simplify matters and 

remove any ambiguity ensuring that all installers 

will install to a common, uniform standard. 

New research from Which? Trusted Traders has 

highlighted the difficulty that members of the 

public have in finding and hiring tradespeople, 

with roofers proving particularly elusive. 

The study, which was carried out on more than 

1,000 people found that one in four (25%) had 

difficulty finding a roofer, with builders (22%) and 

bathroom fitters (20%) coming in closely behind. 

“The NIA will be represented on the PAS 2030 

and PAS 2035 Steering Groups and the 

Measures Experts Groups and the intention is 

for these new specifications to be introduced in 

October 2018 alongside the new Energy 

Company Obligation (ECO) and Each Home 

Counts Quality Mark. 

“At the NIA we are very supportive of Each Home 

Counts as it provides a vehicle to ensure quality 

installations are delivered on a constant basis 

and instil confidence in policy makers, specifiers 

and householders. In addition to contributing to 

the development of the new specifications, we 

will be ensuring that our members are kept up to 

date and provide advice and guidance to help 

them comply with the new Standards. 

Furthermore, we are also working with the British 

Electrical Allied Manufacturers Association 

(BEEMA) which will clearly set out minimum 

ventilation requirements when installing 

insulation. We are also advising the Scottish 

Government on the new quality framework they 

are currently developing for Government funded 

schemes.” 

SURVEY: ROOFERS PROVE HARD TO FIND 

In contrast, mechanics were the easiest 

tradespeople to find, with almost all of those 

surveyed who needed to hire a mechanic (97%) 

explaining that it was easy to do so. 

Heating engineers (93%) and electricians (88%) 

were also among the easiest traders to find. 

Raj Kakar-Clayton, MD of Which? Trusted Traders 

stated that: “Consumers shouldn’t have to 

struggle when trying to track down a local, 

reliable tradesperson,” and advised members of 

the public to “work with someone who has an 

excellent reputation and who has been vetted by 

an independent endorsement scheme.” 

How do you promote your business to the public? Email 

mattdowns@media-now.co.uk or Tweet us: 

@TotContractorUK 


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Industry News 

COST OF COWBOYS 

New research by the Federation of Master 

Builders (FMB) claims the UK economy is 

missing out on £10bn each year because 

homeowners are so fearful of hiring a 

cowboy, they simply don’t commission 

building work. 

Key findings from the FMB’s research into 

consumer confidence in the UK’s builders 

include: 

• Anxiety over cowboy builders is causing the 

UK to miss out on £10bn of activity each year. 

• One third (32%) of homeowners are put off 

doing major home improvement works 

requiring a builder because they fear hiring a 

dodgy builder. 

• If all homeowners had full confidence in the 

building industry, they would typically spend 

on average £40,000 on major home 

improvement projects over the next five years. 

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, 

explained: “A third of homeowners are so 

anxious about the possibility of choosing a 

builder, they don’t commission any building 

work whatsoever. This means that the UK 

economy could be missing out on £10bn of 

activity every year. Indeed, the FMB’s latest 

survey shows that on average, your typical 

homeowner would spend £40,000 on major 

home improvement projects over the next five 

years if they could be guaranteed a positive 

experience. We need to end the cowboy 

builders’ reign of terror so we can give all 

homeowners the confidence they need to 

invest their cash in building work. The 

Government should consider introducing 

some form of mandatory licensing system 

for domestic builders so that consumers 

know that all building firms have a base 

level of skill, competence and 

professionalism.” 

FIRST ROOFING TUTOR DAY DELIVERED 

The team at the BMI National Training Centre 

(NTC) have announced that an already 

successful year in 2017 continued right into 

Christmas week with the launch of the first 

Roofing Tutor day. 

This day brought together tutors from a number of 

the colleges Redland supports with training 

materials across the country, alongside industry 

representatives from CITB and the NFRC, to 

discuss best educational practice and standards 

for their learners. 

Mat Woodyatt and Alastair Blant of the BMI NTC 

hosted a dozen representatives from key colleges 

Redland supports, alongside Simon Dixon of the 

NFRC who gave an update on the NFRC’s role in 

the pitched roofing sector both during 2017, as 

well as its plans for this year. Simon stressed that 

some of the most interesting news going forward 

is the Government’s plans to develop a new 

Technical – or T Level – to encourage school 

leavers to enter the construction industry. 

The team at BMI NTC explained that the launch of 

the Roofing Tutor Day marks yet further support 

Following the collapse of Carillion, Findley 

Roofing & Building says it has made it its 

mission to help as many of Carillion’s North 

East-based apprentices as possible. 

The roofing company explained that hundreads of 

16-18-year olds have been unable to finish their 

apprenticeships following the collapse of Carillion 

and have been left without answers. 

A spokesperson for Findley explained: “We want 

to offer a helping hand to those affected by 

providing them with a place on The Findley 

Academy, our apprenticeship training scheme. 

“We currently have a partnership with TyneMet 

College and South Tyneside College, enabling us 

to offer the very best training to our apprentices. 

Redland’s Roofing Tutor Day with Mat Woodyatt (front left), 

Alastair Blant (front right) and Simon Dixon (top right) 

for the roofing industry from the BMI Group, 

following on from the Redland Apprentice of the 

Year Award (APOTY) – which has grown to include 

Icopal’s product offering for a Flat Roofing APOTY – 

and the Group’s on-going student support network 

helping “invigorate and bolster education and 

training” in the pitched and flat roofing sectors.” 

The decision has been taken to meet every six 

months, with the next meeting due to take place 

at the Apprentice of the Year competition which 

will be held at the NTC in June 2018. 

Look out for further updates on the Redland’s 

APOTY competitions in future issues of Total 

Contractor. A day in the life of a Roofing Tutor: p.32 

APPRENTICE CALL AFTER CARILLION CRASH 

“We have recently relocated to new headquarters 

in Hartlepool, and here we have designed a brand 

new training centre to ensure our apprentices 

receive the very best Findley Roofing can offer. We 

believe our academy offers the perfect route into a 

career in roofing and building.” 

The spokesperson concluded: “Any Carillion 

apprentices who have been prevented from 

completing their training will not need to start 

their training again. With Findley you can develop 

the skills you have already learnt. If you are 

someone who can thrive in a dynamic 

environment, we want to hear from you.” 

Contact Findley Roofing and Building on 

0191 417 3422 or to send a CV to: 

sales@findleyroofing.co.uk 


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Trip hazard reduction – long thin base-plates with 

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centres maximum to enable use for leading edge protection. 

Galvanised or powder coated finish. Protective mats 5mm 

bonded to the base plates. 

Standards – Exceeds Class A EN13374- Class A; For 

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Industry News 

LANCS HOTSPOT 

L-r: John Mairs and Keith Moore of Bracknell Roofing 

A new site in Chorley, Lancashire, has 

taken Bracknell Roofing’s number of 

branches throughout the UK to nine. 

The company identified Lancashire as a 

“hotspot” for both new housing 

developments and commercial projects, and 

says it has already quoted for a raft of new 

tenders and projects. 

Keith Moore, Branch Manager, heads up the 

new Lancashire branch, along with newly 

appointed Contracts Manager John Mairs. 

Keith explained: “From my time at the northwest 

branch in Warrington, we knew that 

there were plenty of opportunities right 

across Lancashire but didn’t have the 

capacity to develop them, so the 

management team at Bracknell Roofing 

looked at the feasibility of opening a 

dedicated branch. The name and size of 

Bracknell Roofing has really helped to open 

doors for us in Lancashire, especially with 

developers that we haven’t worked with 

before.” 

Simon Smith, Bracknell Roofing’s Divisional 

Director, explained: “The strategic growth of 

our business this year has centred on the 

North of England because of the scale of 

both housebuilding and commercial 

developments in the region. These are 

exciting times for Bracknell Roofing, and we 

are well positioned to support the 

Government’s commitment to building more 

houses.” 

REWARD SCHEME OFFERS PLUS POINTS 

A new premium contractor reward scheme 

has been launched by EPDM waterproofing 

specialist CARLISLE CM Europe (CCM Europe). 

The manufacturer says PLATINUM+ is a 

premium contractor scheme to reward and enable 

them to work closely with its contractors to 

maximise the benefits of its HERTALAN product 

range for flat roofs and façades. 

The five key advantages of PLATINUM+ for 

contractors are said to include an additional 

discount on trade prices, exclusivity on Rhinobond 

and made-to-measure sheets, project referrals 

and specification service, advanced product 

training and marketing. One such innovative 

product included in CCM Europe’s range is the 

Rhinobond induction fixing system, which is now 

offered exclusively to PLATINUM+ contractors. 

Duncan Kirkwood, MD of CCM Europe, said: “Over 

the last year we have been expanding our 

manufacturing capacity due to the increase in 

demand for EPDM membranes. As a result of this 

expansion, we can now benefit from production 

efficiencies and improved benefits for customers.” 

Find a Better Way, a charity set up by Sir 

Bobby Charlton which helps civilian 

landmine blast survivors, their families and 

communities to ‘heal and rebuild their 

lives’, has received £2,500 from the Liquid 

Roofing and Waterproofing Association 

(LRWA). 

PLATINUM+ contractor Sam Dove, of Hub 

Building Project Management, explained: “I would 

like to thank CARLISLE CM Europe’s team for the 

encouragement and ongoing help with our project. 

I, and my team, have been very impressed both 

with the product and the knowledge and advice 

given. This has been invaluable as we have a 

particularly awkward set of roofs to work on.” 

As a special introductory offer, PLATINUM+ 

customers benefit from a £500 credit on total 

HERTALAN spend over £10,000 (exc. VAT) within 

a three month period from the date of enrolment. 

To find out more about PLATINUM+ call 

CARLISLE CM Europe on 01623 627 285 or email 

info.uk@ccm-europe.com 

LRWA HELPS ‘FIND A BETTER WAY’ 

L-r: Cliff Weston, LRWA Chairman, Sir Bobby Robson and 

David Broom of Moy Materials 

Duncan Kirkwood, MD of CARLISLE CM Europe 

Cliff Weston, LRWA chairman, and David Broom, 

director of LRWA manufacturer member Moy 

Materials, visited the Find a Better Way 

headquarters in Knutsford, Cheshire, to present a 

cheque to Sir Bobby Charlton himself. The 

majority of the donations were raised at last year’s 

LRWA Awards and Gala, where a Manchester United 

shirt signed by Sir Bobby Charlton was auctioned. 

David Broom of Moy Materials’ generous bid won 

the signed shirt, and he received his prize during the 

cheque presentation. Cliff explained: 

“We are delighted to donate to a cause which 

helps towards the plight of landmine survivors 

around the world. We hope our donation will help 

Find a Better Way continue to support vulnerable 

communities living in mine-affected areas.” 


EXPANSION PLANS TO ASSIST CONTRACTORS FOR EPDM SUPPLIER 

One of the UK’s largest suppliers of EPDM 

materials for flat roofing is planning to open 

another facility in the north of England. 

Flex-R says this second UK depot will primarily be 

a training hub where roofing contractors based in 

the north of England can undergo training and 

guidance on its range of specialist products such 

as RubberBond, Sure-Weld and LQD-R. 

Flex-R explained that the new facility will also 

provide space to store a full complement of the 

products it supplies on a next-day basis as the 

sole UK distributor for US-manufactured Carlisle 

SynTec single ply products. 

Duncan Winter, Trading Director, explained: “We 

have identified a site along the M62 corridor that 

will become our centre in the north of England, 

and plans are at an advanced stage for opening it 

within the next few weeks. 

“The new training hub is a vital part of our growth 

plans because we can offer training to roofing 

contractors across the north of England who 

would have previously struggled to attend training 

at our High Wycombe base.” 

Duncan continued: “We already have strong 

pent-up demand for our training courses for 

products such as RubberBond, Sure-Weld and 

LQD-R, which we can only supply once a 

roofing contractor has completed the two-stage 

training process. The first is at Flex-R and the 

second is on site, working alongside 

contractors.” 

Flex-R has already started recruiting staff for 

the new hub in a bid to increase the number of 

technical support, specification and sales team 

(L-R) Ben Midwinter, Duncan Winter and Danny Cole 

people who support roofing contractors across 

the UK. 

Duncan concluded: “The strengths, and therefore 

the expansion of our business, are based on great 

service and back-up, particularly our technical 

knowledge, which roofing contractors heavily rely 

on. Everyone in the business is really excited 

about what 2018 holds for Flex-R and is fully 

committed to driving us forward.” 

SUPPLIER AWARD 

It’s been a strong start to the year for 

Wienerberger following the news the provider 

of roof, wall and landscaping solutions picked 

up the Supplier of the Year for 2017 award 

from Travis Perkins. 

Paul Hodgkinson, National Accounts Director at 

Wienerberger, said: “Receiving this award is a 

fantastic recognition for everyone at 

Wienerberger. It was a real team effort across all 

areas of the business as everyone played an 

important role. I’m looking forward to seeing 

Wienerberger develop even further over the 

upcoming year.” 

The award is determined by a variety of factors 

including sales growth, successful new customer 

ranging, a strong charity partnership and more, 

and Wienerberger was shortlisted from over a 

thousand other suppliers to just 32 top 

performing companies, before receiving the most 

votes from the Travis Perkins senior management 

teams. It is reported that throughout 2017 

Wienerberger demonstrated exceptional sales 

Presenter Darren Gough, Wienerberger National Account 

Manager Amanda Hills, Wienerberger National Accounts 

Director Paul Hodgkinson and Travis Perkins CEO Paul Tallentire 

performance, maintained a high level of customer 

service through friendly and polite 

professionalism, and launched an initiative 

resulting in double-digit sales growth for Travis 

Perkins branches. 

Keith Wright, Category Director at Travis Perkins, 

commented: “I am delighted that Wienerberger 

has been recognised as Travis Perkins’ supplier of 

the year for 2017. Their focus on improving our 

proposition for customers has been a real driver 

in our joint success. Wienerberger have also 

demonstrated a real commitment to improving the 

way their products are packaged and delivered 

into our business and have been a strong 

supporter of our charity efforts with Macmillan.” 

FUTURE PLANNING 

Andrew Hayward, MD, Russell Roof Tiles 

Following on from what it describes as a 

record-breaking year in sales, Russell 

Roof Tiles says it is looking to further its 

ambitious growth plans with the 

sponsorship of the Planning Awards 2018. 

Russell Roof Tiles will be sponsoring the 

Planning for Increased Housing Delivery 

Award. Andrew Hayward, MD at Russell Roof 

Tiles, said: “We have enjoyed a fantastic 

year of growth at Russell Roof Tiles, 

especially within the planning and social 

housing sector and we want to continue this 

success and build on our business 

partnerships in 2018.” 


Drone Technology 

WILL DRONE TECH TAKE OFF? 

The National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) receives regular queries from 

members on safety, legislation and technical advice. In this regular feature exclusively for 

Total Contractor, the Association will share some of its most frequently asked questions 

along with the advice given. This month, Mike Wharton, Head of Business Development, 

answers questions on drones. 

Q. I’ve seen a few of my competitors have 

started using drones to help them with 

site inspection, panoramic overviews and 

inspection of structures at height. It seems like 

a good idea but I’ve no idea how to get started. 

Have you got any advice? 

A. You are absolutely right to pinpoint that in our 

industry, drones could be particularly useful and 

that this technology is already proving immensely 

popular for a range of activities including site 

inspection, planning and health and safety. 

But getting started is not as simple as going out 

and purchasing the first drone you see. 

And additionally, the mantra that “drones are not 

toys” has been repeated by The Civil Aviation 

Authority which writes the 

guidebook here. 

Flying for commercial use 

requires their permission and 

to get the go-ahead you will 

have to show you are 

“sufficiently competent”. 

So, what does this mean? 

“Getting started is not 

as simple as going out 

and purchasing the 

first drone you see” 

Left: Mike Wharton, Head of Business 

Development at the NFRC 

Here at the NFRC, we have 

entered into an exclusive 

partnership with The 

Association of Remotely Piloted 

Aircraft (ARPAS-UK), the 

professional body and trade 

association for the fast evolving Remotely Piloted 

Aircraft Systems industry, to advise our members 

of the latest legislation and ensure they operate 

drones safely. 

ARPAS-UK works closely with the CAA to ensure 

that the regulatory framework for the safe and 

professional operation of remotely piloted aircraft is 

fit for purpose and it has been working with the

Standard 

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The new British Standard for the design, materials, application, installation and performance of slates, 

tiles, shingles and shakes is clear: roofing battens must be graded to BS 5534. 

This means that battens delivered to site should be graded and marked in accordance with the new 

standard and have supporting documentation. 

There’s no grey area on BS 5534, so take it as Red that roofing battens from Marley Eternit are 

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Call 01283 722588 or visit marleyeternit.co.uk/timber

Drone Technology 

NFRC to produce a condensed guidance 

document for our members. 

This details the key areas of law and legislation 

that govern the use of drone technology, as well 

as the training required to fly a drone and details 

on how to obtain a licence known as a PFCO – a 

permit for commercial operation. 

To get a PFCO, you must attend a ground school 

run by a Civil Aviation Authority approved 

National Qualified Entity (NQE). ARPAS-UK have a 

number of NQE members which, under agreement 

with NFRC, now offer exclusive discounts on 

training to NFRC members. 

Before you consider introducing drone technology 

to your operations, you would need a Pilot in 

Command (PiC) who would be responsible for 

flying the drone for your business. 

This person will need to undertake around 30 

hours of study and complete a ground school 

class to get their PFCO. 

Roof inspection requires a high degree of piloting 

ability so this should not be taken lightly. 

Once you have identified a PiC and he or she has 

had the required training, you can buy a drone. 

But do your homework. 

Drones are either a multi-rotor or a fixed wing 

aircraft. A fixed wing drone looks like a model 

aircraft but is packed with sensors to enable it to 

fly alone. Fixed wings are used mainly for survey, 

mapping and security simply because they have a 

longer endurance. 

Multi-rotor drones are by far the most popular 

platform flown commercially in the UK due to 

their ability to land and take off vertically. 

These drones can carry a wide variety of sensors 

“You would need a Pilot 

in Command (PiC) who 

would be responsible 

for flying the drone for 

your business” 

“Roof inspection 

requires a high degree 

of piloting ability so 

this should not be 

taken lightly” 

making them incredibly versatile, but flight times 

range from just 10-30 minutes. 

They are, however, are an ideal choice for roof 

inspection work as they can take off and operate 

in contained environments. 

Q. Clearly using a drone can add value to your 

business but what are the start-up costs? Is it 

worth the initial outlay? 

In many instances, using drones mitigates the 

risk of staff having to work at height and can 

mean projects are completed faster and more 

efficiently. 

ARPAS has suggested that the vast majority of 

NFRC members would find drones a useful addon 

to their existing toolkit but you are right, 

introducing this technology to your business costs 

money. 

This is why ARPAS entered into an exclusive 

partnership with NFRC to offer exclusive 

discounts on training to our members. 

Images show drones in operation. Drones offer many 

benefits for projects but there are a number of issues that 

have to be addressed before operating drones on site 

An average training course will cost around 

£1,250; a ‘starter’ package would require a 

training drone for around £200 and you would 

need a specific “platform” which could cost an 

additional £3,500. 

A day’s worth of flying may require ten sets of 

batteries at a cost of about £1,800. 

The full guidance doc is available for our members 

and is located in the member area of our website. 

Got a question for the NFRC? 

Email mattdowns@media-now.co.uk 

“Multi-rotor drones are 

by far the most popular 

platform flown 

commercially in the UK 

due to their ability to 

land and take off 

vertically” 

Contact the NFRC 

020 7638 7663 

www.nfrc.co.uk 

@TheNFRC 


Contract Talk 

YOUR CALL: ARE THE DAYS OF 

SMARTPHONES ON SITE NUMBERED? 

The publication of two reports in recent weeks begs the question of whether smartphones 

are safe to use on site. Janine Brady, SIG Roofing’s Marketing Manager, looks at whether 

the fact that phones are so smart these days could actually be their undoing. 

Of the nine most dangerous jobs in the UK, 

roofing is in the top three according to 

Adzuna – a job search engine that used 

its own data along with research from the Office 

for National Statistics (ONS) to compile the list. 

When you look a bit closer at the figures 

for roofing, you’ll find that the data 

also includes scaffolding, and 

the report found that the 

majority of workplace deaths 

are due to falls. Falling or 

injuries sustained while falling 

accounted for 29% of all 

workplace deaths last year – and 

scaffolding is one of the most dangerous 

careers in the country, as 69 scaffolding-related 

deaths have occurred since 2010. 

It’s a stark reminder of what a challenging 

profession roofing is and why there are a raft of 

stringent regulations in place to keep everyone 

safe at work. 

Issued hot on the heels of the Adzuna study was 

a completely unrelated report by Microsoft which 

found that technology – such as smartphones – 

is becoming increasingly distracting for workers. 

The report stated that it’s due to the fact that 

we’re all constantly being bombarded by a steady 

stream of emails, messages and notifications 

from social media sites. 

Driven to distraction? 

For us in roofing, the publication of these two 

reports so closely together poses the question as 

to whether smartphones are becoming too 

distracting for use on site, and we wonder about 

the dilemma this presents to 

owners of roofing companies 

because of the duty of care to 

keep themselves, their 

employees and their subbies safe 

at work. On the one hand, 

smartphones are an 

absolute essential on site, as 

they ensure we’re all 

contactable. You could even 

venture to say that 

smartphones have boosted 

productivity because of the 

ability to get online when you’re 

onsite and access a wealth of 

information at your fingertips. It’s now 

commonplace for smartphones to be used to check 

the status of deliveries or to download spec sheets 

from manufacturers’ websites, often simply by 

tapping an app. 

Attention grabbers 

However, smartphones have become super-smart 

in mastering the ability to grab our attention. It’s 

like they’re slowly turning us into modern-day 

versions of Pavlov’s dogs because we’ve all 

become compelled to check our smartphones the 

instant they beep or buzz because of the worry of 

missing out. And even if we can’t respond to them 

straight away, they do play on our minds and we 

check them at the first available opportunity – and 

this level of distraction isn’t always helpful when 

we work in the third most dangerous job in the UK. 

While their intelligence could be their undoing, it 

could also be a smartphone’s saving grace – by 

using their functionality to dial down their ability 

to distract us. Here are a couple 

of simple tips that can be used 

by everyone on site. 

Change the frequency of 

notifications – the fewer notifications you 

receive, the less likely you are to check your 

smartphone. Notifications can be limited and you 

can also use the phone’s Do Not Disturb mode. 

Hide social media apps – a lot of people have 

social media apps on the home or front pages of 

their smartphones, but try putting them in folders 

on the last page of your phone instead. That way, 

you’re less likely to habitually click the Facebook 

or Instagram icon. 

Use a watch – that way, you won’t need to check 

your phone to see what time it is – and then be 

tempted to check updates. 

Install addiction-breaking apps – counterintuitively, 

you can reduce your phone use by 

installing apps such as Checky, which gathers 

data about your phone use, showing you how 

many times you unlock your phone in a day and 

logging this behaviour over time. 

You’d be surprised how some simple tips can play 

a small but important role in keeping everyone 

safe on site through the reduction of distractions, 

and we’d welcome comments on Twitter: 

Contact SIG Roofing 

0845 612 4304 

www.sigroofing.co.uk 

@SIGRoofing 

Left: Janine Brady, SIG Roofing’s 

Marketing Manager 


Ecobuild 

Stand C51 

06-08 March 2018 

ExCeL, London 

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BS 8612 

WHAT DOES THE NEW STANDARD 

MEAN FOR CONTRACTORS? 

January 31st finally saw the launch of BS 8612, the Dry-fixed Ridge, Hip and Verge 

systems for Slating and Tiling Standard. The new Standard is a product specification which 

provides minimum performance requirements for dry-fix roofing components. But what does 

it mean for contractors? We asked a number of manufacturers to give their thoughts... 

Roofing contractors should 

welcome the changes 

that the new BS 8612 

Standard will bring to the 

market; as it will help ensure 

inadequate quality products are 

designed out of roof 

specifications and set a 

minimum performance that can 

be used to compare competing 

systems. 

using mortar bedded cappings. 

Not only that, dry fix systems are 

generally lightweight and 

straightforward to work with, 

equating to an easier and 

quicker fitting process. 

Installation is not dependent on 

getting the correct mortar mix or 

having to wait for dry weather. 

Ged Ferris, Marketing Manager, Cembrit Other benefits of using a dry fix 

system include reduced repair 

To prepare for the Standard, roofing contractors costs and fewer call backs. There are tried and 

should review the dry fix systems they currently tested systems backed by leading manufacturers 

use and where possible, use manufacturers who that can be relied upon. 

provide high quality roofing accessories, which 

meet the latest standards and can demonstrate Contact Cembrit UK 

01189 586 217 

long-term performance and durability. Using a 

www.cembrit.co.uk 

dry-fix system to secure ridges, hips, and verges 

@CembritUK 

is easier than the time-consuming method of 

Since BS 5534: 2014 – which 

brought about a step change in 

the requirements for fixing of 

pitched roofs both for roof tiles and 

ridge, hip and verges – we have seen 

an acceleration in the move away from 

traditional mortar fixing to modern dryfix. 

Dr Kevin Ley, Technical 

Manager, Redland 

Unfortunately, the resulting increased demand for 

dry-fix products and a lack of standardised 

performance requirements allowed products of 

questionable fitness for purpose to enter the 

market. The resulting problems meant there was a 

significant risk that past mistakes concerning 

mortar fix failures would be repeated. 

The publication of BS 8612, the first 

ever product Standard for dry-fixed 

ridge, hip and verge products in the UK, 

is therefore an essential and welcome 

landmark for the industry. 

Not only will it ensure that dry-fix design 

and installation standards are raised; 

but also that developers, contractors and building 

owners get the product quality and performance 

they deserve. 

Contact Redland 

03708 702595 

www.redland.co.uk 

@_Redland 

Richard Bishop, Wienerberger Category Marketing Manager 

Wienerberger welcomes the changes that 

BS 8612 bring to the market; although 

not law it will help ensure an improved 

standard of products used in roof specifications. 

It is essential that specifiers state a compliance 

to the British Standard or risk a sub standard 

product being used. 

For the first time, BS 8612 sets minimum 

requirements for dry-fix products in a market 

driven by legislation and guidelines. The use of dry 

fix products has been increasing as a result and 

has seen many ‘cost engineered systems’ enter 

the market. It is essential that we, the chain, work 

together to ensure compliant systems are used. 

In short, by working together and complying to 

both BS 5534 and BS 8612 we will improve the 

standard of pitched roofing in the UK, and this 

will mean your project is delivered to the highest 

quality. 

Contact Wienerberger 

0845 303 2524 

www.wienerberger.co.uk 

@wienerbergeruk 


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QUICK, 

COST EFFECTIVE 

ROOF REPORTS 

A CLEARER 

VISION FOR 

YOUR BUSINESS 

When tendering for roofing contracts, accurate 

aerial measurement can be the difference between 

profit and loss. With EagleView, you can have 

complete confidence in the measurements you base 

your tender on. 

By combining multi-angle aerial images with 

advanced analytics, our reports provide precise area, 

pitch and length measurements. Colour coding 

distinguishes every detail, from ridges, hips and 

valleys to verges, eaves and flashings. 

Premium Report 

06/09/2017 

123 Main St., Tadworth, A1B2 C3D Report: 12345678 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Fast report turnaround saves you time. High 

resolution aerial views and 3D diagrams make your 

bid stand out. And accurate material ordering helps 

protect your profit. 

To see more, visit eagleview.co.uk 

or call 0800-069-8405 

Images .....................................................................1 

Length Diagram .........................................................4 

Pitch Diagram ............................................................5 

Area Diagram ............................................................6 

Notes Diagram...........................................................7 

Penetrations Diagram.................................................8 

Report Summary........................................................9 

MEASUREMENTS 

Total Roof Area =467.95 sq m 

Total Roof Facets =24 

Predominant Pitch =45° 

Number of Storeys >1 

Total Ridges/Hips =84.43 m 

Total Valleys =17.07 m 

Total Verges =14.63 m 

s =111.86 m

M25 

M25 

1. 

Measurements provided by www.eagleview.com 

www.eagleview.com/Guarantee.aspx 

© 2008-2017 Eagle View Technologies, Inc. and Pictometry International Corp. – All Rights Reserved – Covered by one or more of U.S. Patent Nos. 8,078,436; 8,145,578; 8,170,840; 8,209,152; 8,515,125; 8,825,454; 9,135,737; 8,670,961; 

9,514,568; 8,818,770; 8,542,880; 9,244,589; 9,329,749. Other Patents Pending. 


06/09/2017 

Report: 


Images .....................................................................1 


Pitch Diagram ............................................................5 

Area Diagram ............................................................6 

Notes Diagram.......................................................... 

...........................................................7 

Penetrations Diagram............................................... 

.................................................8 

Report Summary....................................................... 

........................................................9 

MEASUREMENTS 



Predominant Pitch =45° 


Total Ridges/Hips 

=84.43 m 



Total Eaves =111.86 m 

In this 3D model, facets appear as semi-transparent to reveal overhangs. 

Total Penetrations 

=14 

Total Penetrations Perimeter = 34.75 m 

Total Penetrations 

Area = 9.48 sq m 

321 King St. 

London, A1 B2C 

555-555-5555 

Measurements provided bywww.eagleview.com 

www.eagleview.com/Guarantee.aspx 

International Corp. – All Rights Reserved – Covered by one or more of U.S. Patent Nos. 8,078,436; 8,145,578; 

8,170,840; 8,209,152; 8,515,125; 8,825,454; 9,135,737; 8,670,961; 

9,514,568; 8,818,770; 8,542,880; 9,244,589; 9,329,749. Other Patents Pending. 

EAGLEVIEW IN FOCUS 

ADVERTORIAL 

The hi-res imagery that’s 

re-engineering roofing 

By Kay Rose FIoR National Sales Director, EagleView. 

If you’re a roofing professional, imagine 

how much easier your job would be if 

you had a full overview of the roof even 

before visiting the site. 

Imagine if – with just a few clicks of 

your mouse – you could order a full roof 

measurement report that includes high-resolution 

images and precise dimensions 

of all the areas. Imagine being able to 

order materials without the worry of 

over- or under-ordering – no need to do 

a “guesstimate and 

add some” to cover 

yourself. 

EagleView ® makes 

all of this a reality. 

Established in the 

US in 2008 and 

launched in the UK 

in November 2017, 

the world’s first-ever 

remote aerial roof 

LONDON 

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COVERAGE 

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creates 3D models that 

deliver highly accurate 

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measurements. 

Proven 

technology 

PREMIUM ROOF REPORT PREPARATION 

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At its core lies the 

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These images are then stored 

and, when an EagleView 

roofing report is requested, 

advanced algorithms and data 

analytics are used to translate 

them into a highly accurate 

model of the property in 

question. These models then 

enable detailed structural 

measurements to be derived – 

including eaves, flashing, hips, 

verges, ridges and valleys. The reports are 

produced quickly – in a matter of hours – 

and available in a variety of file formats. 

TOTAL LINE LENGTHS 

Ridges 30.48 m 

Hips 53.95 m 

Valleys 17.07 m 

Verges 14.63 m 

Reducing risk, saving time 

Conducting a manual roof survey involves 

time travelling to and from the site, 

getting safe access to the roof and taking 

measurements, and then further time to create 

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PremiumReport , that time is freed up for 

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leads. And, not only does an EagleView 

11.1m 

4.6m 

8.6m 

8.6m 

4.6m 

2.8m 

1.8m 

1.8m 

1.8m 

5.5m 

3.2m 

5.5m 

3.4m 

5.3m 

5.9m 

2.8m 

8.2m 

3.9m 

2.8m 

1.8m 

3.1m 

6.2m 

6.6m 

3.0m 

6.6m 

6.2m 

9.8m 

7.1m 

6.3m 

1.0m 

3.8m 

7.1m 

4.9m 

6.2m 

5.6m 

7.0m 

6.2m 

18.6m 

4.9m 

5.0m 

2.0m 

MATERIALS CALCULATION 

10.1m 

ROOF DIAGRAMS 


06/09/2017 

123 Main St., Tadworth, A1B2 C3D Report: 12345678 

In this 3D model, facets appear as semi-transparent to reveal overhangs. 

PREPARED FOR 

Contact: 

Company: 

Exteriors Company 

Address: 

321 King St. 

London, A1 B2C 

Phone: 555-555-5555 


PremiumReport accelerate workflow, its 

accuracy greatly reduces the risk of costly 

material miscalculations. 

Wider impact 

Images .....................................................................1 


Pitch Diagram ............................................................5 

REPORT PREPARATION IN PROGRESS 

Area Diagram ............................................................6 

Notes Diagram...........................................................7 

Penetrations Diagram.................................................8 

Report Summary........................................................9 

TOTAL LINE LENGTHS 

Eaves 

111.86 

MEASUREMENTS 


Flashing 14.63 m 


Predominant Pitch =45° Step flash 26.21 m 


Total Ridges/Hips =84.43 m 

Parapets 38.10 m 



Total Eaves =111.86 m 

Total Penetrations =14 

Total Penetrations Perimeter = 34.75 m 

Total Penetrations Area = 9.48 sq m 

In the few years since EagleView was first 

established in the US, it has become the 

industry standard in aerial roof measurements. 

Roofing contractors throughout North 

America have quickly caught on to the 

resource and safety benefits, 

and increased number of 

contracts they win by using 

EagleView PremiumReports. 

Insurance companies and 

adjusters across the US have 

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PremiumReports. In fact, 

following the wildfires that 

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EagleView captured and 

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First in the UK 

The EagleView 

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To find out more about EagleView 

Premium Reports go to eagleview.co.uk 

or call 0800 069 8405. 

CERTIFIED 

ACCURATE

BS 8612 

Unlike the revisions to BS 5534, BS 8612 won’t 

have a huge impact on contractors but it does 

mean they need to make sure that any dry-fix 

systems they use that require BS 8612 compliance, 

meet the requirements or have BBA certification. 

Since the introduction of the revised BS 5534, there 

has been a significant shift in the market towards 

the use of dry-fix systems. 

Stuart Nicholson, Roof 

Systems Specialist at 

Marley Eternit 

However, the popularity of the products means that there has been a huge 

increase in the amount of systems on the market. While they may look broadly 

similar, we have become increasingly concerned about inconsistencies in the 

durability and weather tightness of some cheaper products. We support the 

introduction of BS 8612 because having specific test methods and 

requirements to assess all products on an equal basis gives inferior systems 

little room to hide and 

should make it much Contact Marley Eternit 

01283 722588 

more transparent for 

www.marleyeternit.co.uk 

those buying and selling 

@MarleyEternit 

dry-fix products. 

The introduction of BS 8612: 

Dry-fixed Ridge, Hip and 

Verge Systems for Slating and 

Tiling – specification is something 

that the roofing industry has been 

needing for some time. 

Mark Parsons, Technical Director, 

Therefore, it is no surprise that it Russell Roof Tiles 

has been welcomed so strongly by ourselves and other leading 

manufacturers. 

Following an increased demand for dry-fix solutions in recent years, a lack 

of guidelines has allowed for inferior and inadequate products by some 

manufacturers who have not carried out effective testing to enter into the 

market, which in turn has led to sub-standard installation and failures. 

Our dry-fix products have a proven track record having been used across the 

UK for over 25 years and are a dedicated and not a universal fit which 

ensures high performance. The materials used are of a high grade and 

designed to last. 

However, BS 8612 will be pivotal in guaranteeing that product specifications are 

of the highest quality and standards are raised across the industry. Specifiers 

will now be in more 

control of their products Contact Russell Roof Tiles 

as they get the assurance 01283 517070 

they deserve which has 

www.russellrooftiles.com 

@russellrooftile 

been a long-time coming. 


Roof fires caused by gas torches, no maer 

how minor, pose a serious threat to life, 

property, the image of the roofing industry 

and possibly even the long-term future 

of torch-on as an accepted method of 

covering a roof. 

Developed in partnership with contractor 

and manufacturer members of the 

NFRC, the Safe2Torch campaign seeks to 

significantly reduce the risk of roof fires 

when using gas torches, either to dry out 

roofs or when used to install torch-on 

membranes. 

NFRC believe that by working together, 

fires of this nature can be prevented 

and for this reason have launched the 

Safe2Torch campaign. 

Architects to Roofing Contractors can 

pledge their support to the campaign 

which means they are commied 

to promong and implemenng the 

Safe2Torch guidance. 

For further informaon and 

to pledge support, visit 

www.nfrc.co.uk/Safe2Torch 

www.nfrc.co.uk 

@TheNFRC #Safe2Torch

Fibre Cement Slates 

UNDER THE WEATHER? GET YOUR 

FIBRE CEMENT SLATE ROOF RIGHT 

To ensure a weatherproof slate roof, it is important to understand some key design and 

installation details. Phil Wilden, Technical Manager at Cembrit, explains how understanding 

these factors will ensure a successful installation for the long term… 

When designing a slate roof, there are 

several interrelated factors which must 

be considered before slating starts. 

These include determining the exposure of the 

site to rain penetration, wind loads and wind 

uplift, the pitch of the roof, the overall roof 

structure, and consequently, the minimum 

headlap for the size of slate selected. This 

particular detail is especially important to bear in 

mind when the roof verge is under consideration. 

To provide a weatherproof roof, slating relies on 

double cover, i.e. every part of the roof is covered 

by at least two thicknesses of slate. The tails of 

slates in one course overlap the heads of the 

slates in the next course but one below, by an 

amount commonly known as the ‘lap’ (headlap)*. 

The lap provides protection against rain and snow 

being driven between the joints and passing 

upwards over the heads of the slates to penetrate 

into the roof space. Should water run down the 

roof and enter the narrow gap between the slates, 

it can creep diagonally down and across the roof 

slates. 

The lower the roof pitch, the wider the angle of 

creep, and the greater the danger of water 

entering the nail holes of the slates in the course 

below. 

The lap is calculated according to the exposure 

rating of the site wind uplift and roof pitch, taking 

into account the angle of creep for the size of 

slate. Recommended minimum laps and pitches 

are provided in our comprehensive publication, ‘A 

Guide to Double Lap Slating with Fibre Cement 

Slates*. 

Best practice - verge installation 

One area where good practice is often 

misunderstood is at the verge of the roof. This is 

important to get right as the perimeter of the roof 

is the most vulnerable to wind suction loading. As 

Above: Slate fixing at the verge. Below: Cembrit’s Westerland 

Slate project 

such, the secure fixing of the verge slates will 

contribute to creating a long lasting roof covering. 

Years of experience of both successful slating 

practice and failed roofs, is enshrined in British 

Standard codes of practice; 8000 parts 0 and 6, 

as well as 5534. The verge is formed from 

alternate courses of slate and a half (cut from 

double slates) and single slates. This is where the 

confusion lies. The second under eaves course 

should be a slate and a half, as should alternate 

verge slates, see drawing. Rather than use a 

slate and a half, many roofers will cut a normal 

size slate in half and use that to create the 

broken bond. This looks aesthetically pleasing, 

but doesn’t give adequate wind uplift resistance. 

Installation should be carried out as follows: the 

first full slate will require an additional hole 

(batten gauge plus 25mm from the tail) to 

accommodate the rivet for the next slate and a 

half. This next slate and a half will require three 


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PITCHED ROOFING 

FLAT ROOFING 

INDUSTRIAL ROOFING

Article Fibre Cement Slates 

nail fixing holes on the batten line, two rivet holes 

to hold the tail and an additional hole to 

accommodate the rivet for the subsequent single 

verge slate. 

When trimming to verges, valleys and hips, avoid 

using pieces less than 150mm wide. If possible, 

use a slate and a half with the cut edges 

protected to prevent cement run off due to 

exposure to weather. 

In practice 

A recently completed five bedroom bespokedesigned 

house (built on the site of an original 

three bedroom bungalow) showcases the correct 

method for installing verge slates. The roof was 

being replaced as part of the larger project. On 

the original bungalow, concrete roof tiles were 

installed and the weight of the tiles had made its 

roof start to dip in the middle. The typical weight 

per m² of interlocking concrete tiles equals 45- 

50Kg. In contrast, a m² of fibre cement slates 

weighs just 20Kg making them a lighter, versatile 

alternative and the perfect choice for this project. 

The slates were chosen by Mid Kent Roofing and 

professionally installed according to the relevant 

British Standards. Particularly worthy of attention 

is the verge detail, as seen in the photograph 

(left) showing double slates cut to a slate and a 

half. With two rivets and three nails, there is very 

little chance that environmental conditions will 

affect the verge slates, which, as discussed, can 

be vulnerable to lifting if fitted incorrectly. 

*Full details on all aspects of fibre cement slate 

installation are included within the guide. Visit 

Cembrit’s website to order your free copy. 

Left: Correct slating at the verge 

Contact Cembrit 

01189 586 217 

www.cembrit.co.uk 

@CembritUK 

SPARTAN PROMENADE 

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Gutter Lining 

TRAINING, GAINING & SUSTAINING 

Ampteam tells Total Contractor why it feels training makes things easier for all in the 

supply chain... 

The series of project photographs below and 

right show pre and post images of a Unifold 

installation. The final result, I am sure 

anyone who has seen gutter installations before 

would agree, looks good – well not just good, but 

very good. 

As we all know, high quality installations don’t 

just happen by accident. 

We decided quite some time ago as company 

policy not to just supply a consignment and 

expect those on site – who may have never 

installed Unifold before – to just get on with it! 

In fact, we would never supply to anyone unless 

our training programme had first been completed 

to our satisfaction. This protects our system, the 

installer / site operative, and ultimately the end 

user customer. 

Approved contractors 

This particular Unifold liner (see images) was 

installed by one of our approved contractors and 

“We would never 

supply to anyone 

unless our training 

programme had first 

been completed to our 

satisfaction” 

their site operatives have 

been trained to install 

the system at our 

factory facility. 

Following 

training, this 

level of quality is 

what we have 

come to expect 

from our installers. 

Guarantees 

We, like many system suppliers 

within our industry, provide a 

comprehensive training programme, free of 

charge to potential installers of our Unifold Gutter 

System. It is only by doing this that we can 

provide a constant net result on every occasion 

and support our 25 year guarantee which 

Above and below, top: The completed Unifold liner 

installation. Bottom, left and right the roof was not draining 

correctly and ponding water was causing serious problems 

includes the installation 

as well as quality of 

the materials and 

manufacture. 

Apart from 

teaching the 

techniques 

involved with 

installation and 

site joint 

manufacture, we feel 

it is important that there 

is an understanding of the 

technology behind the system and why 

the product, correctly installed, will perform to the 

highest standard whilst at the same time 

providing an installation that the installers can be 

justifiably proud. 

“High quality 

installations don’t just 

happen by accident” 

The course involves practical training and a 

theory presentation followed by a multiple choice 

test and, when successfully completed, 

candidates are awarded a numbered installer’s 

card with photographic identification. 

More to learn 

We have found the course is beneficial for 

business owners and contracts managers, as 

well as site operatives to attend, as there is more 

to learn than just the installation practices. 

Contact Ampteam 

01384 252777 

www.ampteam.co.uk 


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Roofing Tutor Focus 

“THE ROOFING IS THE EASY PART...” 

David Mallory, Leeds College of Building’s roofing and tiling lecturer, tells Total Contractor 

about hard work, punctuation and giving every student his personal mobile number. 

07:00: I’m definitely a morning person. I 

get up at ten past six and I like to get into 

college at seven so that I can prepare 

properly for the day. Each group I teach has their 

own course file and I like to make sure that all the 

paperwork is up-to-date. I have been a roofing 

and tiling lecturer for 15 years. I started off, like 

my students, as an apprentice roofer and worked 

up to running my own company. One day I had 

been arguing with a customer who didn’t want to 

pay me, when I saw a job as a roofing lecturer 

advertised and decided to apply. I got that job and 

haven’t looked back. 

At first, I worked part-time as a lecturer, parttime 

as a roofer but now I teach full time. Very 

occasionally, a friend from the industry will need 

a difficult detail doing and I’ll help him out with 

that. 

Most of my time is spent teaching in the 

workshop or the classroom. I also have an 

increasing workload of admin, including marking 

assignments, updating records and 

communicating with employers, plus managing 

agents such as CITB. Part of my job now is to 

correct my students’ spelling, punctuation and 

grammar when I’m marking written work. 

Around 70% of the apprentices who come to us 

don’t have GCSEs in English and Maths, so they 

will have lessons in those subjects too, once a 

week. 

09:00: Workshop sessions start. Some days we 

will have four one-and-a-half hour sessions in 

the workshop, on others we have two sessions 

with the rest spent in the class room. 

I take a register, give a little tool box talk on any 

changes that have taken place in the workshop, 

any PPE they need and what else is going on. If 

students don’t turn up, I have to chase them. 

David Mallory, Leeds College of Building’s roofing & tiling lecturer working on the rigs and in the classroom with his apprentices. 

David spent a number of years on the tools before making the move into teaching after answering an advert 

Funny how their phones are often turned off 

when I call them…. 

My three groups of apprentices are all employed 

full-time and come to us in two-week-long 

blocks. As well as teaching them in college, I visit 

them on site to assess the work that they are 

doing with their employer. There are 12 students 

in my first-year group and 17 in my second-year 

group, both working towards their Level 2 C-Skills 

qualification. I also have 11 students studying for 

a third year to get a Level 3 qualification. My 

colleague, Chris, also has groups of first and 

second-year students. 

“One day I had been 

arguing with a 

customer who didn’t 

want to pay me, when I 

saw a job as a roofing 

lecturer advertised” 

Most students are aged between 16 and 24. After 

that there is no grant support for apprentices. I do 

have one student who is 49 who has been 

working in construction for a while and wants to 

train himself up. 

10:30: We break for 15 minutes, and then it’s 

back to the workshop. The apprentices all must 

work through 22 projects over two years that will 

help give them the skills to deal with all tiles, 

slates and plain tiles. 

The college has good links with several 

manufacturers who supply us with their products. 

It’s important that the apprentices get to work 

with different systems and understand that no 


“I force them to use 

hand cutters rather 

than the petrol ones 

they use on site. 

At first, they moan 

and groan” 

two products are fixed in the same way, so they 

must follow the manufacturer’s instructions. 

All the apprentices will be at different stages of 

different projects, depending on their skill level, 

their previous experience and their level of 

motivation. In any group, there will be the full 

spectrum of commitment from those that are 

eager to learn as much as possible, to those that 

wish they weren’t there at all. For those that are 

keen and finish more quickly, I give them extra 

projects to challenge them and keep them 

interested. 

Every year we put our most talented apprentices 

forward to compete in the SkillBuild competition. 

Last year we had two brothers winning gold and 

bronze in the finals in Birmingham, which was a 

proud moment for the College. 

I was also proud when one of my students was 

one of ten finalists in Redland’s Apprentice of the 

Year Competition last year. This is a bit different 

from SkillBuild in that the apprentices have to 

submit a written entry and the two-day 

competition involves a range of activities, not just 

practical roofing skills. 

At the college, the help and support we receive 

from Redland is hugely appreciated. The donation 

of materials, for example, enables the trainees to 

not only encounter new and varied products and 

materials, but also the chance to experience new 

installation techniques. 

One of the things I enjoy most about my job is 

seeing the apprentices master new skills. For 

instance, I force them to use hand cutters rather 

than the petrol ones they use on site. At first, they 

moan and groan because they are more difficult 

to use, but by the middle of a valley they are 

getting it right. It’s great to 

see the satisfaction on 

their faces. 

We are lucky to 

have really good 

workshop 

facilities at the 

Hunslet 

Campus. It was 

purpose-built two 

years ago and 

there’s a second 

building under 

construction next door. The 

College hopes to secure a third plot 

adjacent to that which will bring all our three 

campuses into one location. 

“When students are 

enthusiastic, my job is 

easy, but as a lecturer 

you have to appreciate 

that some of students 

will be challenging” 

13:00: In the afternoon, we may continue in the 

workshop or have sessions in the classroom. 

Before we start a project in the workshop, I like to 

give the apprentices an overview of what we will 

be doing. They may only have worked with one 

manufacturer’s systems or on one site, so they 

often don’t appreciate that there are different 

ways of doing things. 

With any new group of students, I always put my 

mobile number on the board and tell them to ring 

me if they need any advice or information. I get 

calls from lots of former students, years after 

they’ve left college, who are on a job and need to 

know how to do something. I’m always happy to 

help. One thing I always ask now, though, is that 

they call during working hours. That’s because I 

once received a call at 2am from a student who 

had been out celebrating gaining his 

qualifications who was calling to tell me how 

great I was! 

Contact Redland 

01285 863545 

www.redland.co.uk 

@_Redland 

When students are 

enthusiastic, my job is 

easy, but as a 

lecturer you 

have to 

appreciate 

that some of 

the students 

will be 

challenging. 

Sometimes they 

just need someone 

to listen to them. 

They often don’t have any 

support at home. 

The best piece of advice I ever had was from a 

manager and mentor during the early part of my 

teaching career, Chris Ferguson, who’s now 

retired. He said: “Don’t back them into a corner. 

Always give them a way out”. 

16:00: The end of my day. I have two daughters, 

aged nine and 12, and I spend as much time as I 

can with them and my wife. We do outdoor 

activities like biking and camping and until 

recently I’ve been volunteering with my 

daughter’s scout group; first as a parent helper 

then as a scout leader. My students wouldn’t be 

surprised to hear that I was presented with a 

certificate at the 2017 End of Year Awards for 

being the scout leader most likely to say the 

phrase “It’s your time you are wasting”. 

I enjoyed my first career in roofing. It was all I 

ever wanted to do, even when teachers tried to 

discourage me because construction was only for 

the “bad lads”. If I could tell my younger self 

anything, I’d want to warn myself just how hard it 

was going to be. The roofing is the easy part, it’s 

all the other things related to running a business, 

dealing with customers and the taxman and 

getting paid that’s difficult. 


Step by Step 

INSTALLING CLAY INTERLOCKING 

TILES TO BS 5534 

Marley Eternit has put together the following general guide to help roofers install interlocking 

clay tiles to the BS 5534 Standard, but advises contractors to always check the 

manufacturer’s specific instructions and get a fixing specification for each project. 

Large format clay interlocking tiles are 

growing in popularity as roofers look for a 

more cost effective, easier to fix clay tile, 

that doesn’t require specialist skills. Although 

they are quick to install, clay interlocking tiles 

must be fixed according to BS 5534 on all new 

and re-roofing projects. Below, we’ve provided a 

guide to installing interlocking double roman and 

interlocking clay pantiles: 

Step 1 - Battens and underlay 

First of all check that all battens have been pregraded 

to meet BS 5534 requirements. 

Underlays must also be BS 5534 compliant and 

installed in line with the Standard’s 

recommendations. 

Step 2 - Eaves ventilation 

To ventilate the 

eaves, a 10mm, 

25mm or eaves 

vent plus system 

can be used with 

2 x 6m continuous rafter roll. 

Step 3 - Eaves 

BS 5534 requires 

that all perimeter 

tiles should be 

fixed with a 

minimum of two 

mechanical fixings. 

2 

3 

This can be achieved by head fixing each tile with 

the appropriate size aluminium clout head nail, 

and an eaves clip nailed to the fascia board and 

located over the side lock of the tile. 

Step 4 - Verges 

Tiles need to have 

two fixings to meet 

BS 5534 

requirements. They should either be head nailed 

and fixed with a dry verge, or if using a traditional 

mortar finish, they can be head nailed and fixed 

with a verge clip. 

Step 5 - Tile laying 

Most clay 

interlocking tiles 

will have a flexible 

gauge to make 

installation easier. 

However, there is an interlocking pantile on the 

market with a fully open gauge, which means the 

tiles can be laid in a similar way to concrete roof 

tiles, without the need for complicated setting 

out. 

Step 6 - Nailing and clipping 

BS 5534 requires 

that all single lap 

tiles should be 

mechanically 

fixed. 

The level of fixing will depend on the roof 

specification. 

4 

5 

6 

Clay interlocking tiles should be mechanically 

fixed with at least one aluminium clout head nail 

and / or tail clipped. 

One piece clip and nails, like SoloFix, can save 

up to 30% on roof clipping time. 

Step 7 - Valley 

The valley can be 

installed with a 

universal GRP 

valley system and small pieces of cut tiles at the 

hip and valley can be secured using retention clips. 

Step 8 - Hips 

Hips can be fixed with hip 

fixing packs for use with 

traditional mortar, or a dry 

hip system to provide a low 

maintenance mortar-free 

mechanically fixed solution. 

Step 9 - Ridges 

Clay interlocking tiles will often have their own 

matching or concrete ridge tiles which can be 

installed with security fixings. However, a dry ridge 

system has the double benefit of helping to ensure 

compliance with the fixing requirements, while 

providing the required continuous ventilation at 

the roof apex. 

Step 10 - The finished roof! 

Please note that all dry-fix systems used should be 

compliant with the new BS 8612 Standard. 

Contact Marley Eternit 

01283 722588 

www.marleyeternit.co.uk 

@MarleyEternit 

7 

8 

10 


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Roof Windows 

ROOF WINDOW INSTALLATION: 

GET IT RIGHT FIRST TIME 

If not selected and installed correctly, a roof window can be a potential point of leaks and 

affect the thermal performance of the building. Lee Griffiths, Technical Sales Manager GBI at 

Dakea, discusses the factors to consider when selecting a roof window, and provides a stepby-step 

guide on how to install a roof window and get it right first time. 

Establishing the customer’s exact 

requirements from the outset sounds 

obvious but most definitely avoids 

disappointment further down the line. 

Consider the size and number 

of roof windows 

A good starting point is establishing the size of 

the roof window and the number of windows 

required. Bigger windows, of course, admit more 

daylight, but it is also worth considering a number 

of smaller windows instead, as a better overall 

effect can sometimes be achieved. 

Other factors worth discussing 

with your client 

If thermal performance is a 

priority there are roof 

windows that keep houses 

warm in the winter and 

prevent heat build-up in 

the summer. Systems that 

feature double-pane 

window glazing units filled 

with krypton and covered in a 

double low emission coating will 

achieve this. 

1 

Reviewing how the room will be used can also 

throw up questions when it comes to noise 

protection. At Dakea we have introduced our 

Noise Block technology - a 6mm thick, toughened 

outer pane, flashing system and inner pane with 

two layers of noise-reducing film. This means 

external noise is reduced 50% more effectively 

than comparable windows on the market. 

Installing correctly first time 

There are also a few challenges to combat when 

installing a roof window and it depends on the 

particular situation. This step-by-step guide 

focuses on an outside-in sequence for the Ultima 

window. 

Firstly, remove the battens to the 

extent of the framed area. 

The aperture on the roof 

must be at least 6cm 

wider and 12.5cm (for tile 

roofing) higher than the 

outer size of the window. 

Cut out the roofing underlay 

and fix it with staples, cutting 

away the excess. 

Determine the correct height of the window 

“An un-insulated gap 

between the rafter and 

back of the window 

frame means water and 

air can pass through” 

installation (for tile roofing only) and fasten a 

batten to support the frame – level and position 

8cm above the tiles. 

It is essential to repair the roofing membrane. An 

un-insulated gap between the rafter and back of 

the window frame means water and air can pass 

through. Exposed gaps can cause interior surface 

damage and colder room temperatures, 

compromising energy efficiency and a resulting 

rise in heating costs. 

Meeting various regulation requirements is also 

important. Filling the un-insulated gap between 

the rafters and the roof window will ensure it is 

compliant with Part L1B of the Building 

Regulations. 

Many installers choose to use rigid foam cut to fit 

from larger, premium priced sheets. While this leads 

to a secure and tight fit around the frame, it 

The impact to which the window will be exposed 

is also worth considering. With increasingly 

extreme UK weather conditions, options that offer 

storm resistance and glass protection against 

impact from both the exterior and the interior are 

advisable – some include a lifetime guarantee 

against hail damage for the pane. 

2 


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Bespoke flashings and 

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Roof Windows 

can prove troublesome and time consuming, 

creating onsite debris and waste. 

A product that features free installation accessories 

and can address installation issues like this directly 

is our Ultima roof window. This includes the Dakea 

IFC Insulating Foam Collar – a rebated foam profile 

manufactured to fit the window frame. It offers 

superior insulation and reduces installation time to 

approximately three minutes per window. 

3 

Once the frame is assembled, pass it through the 

opening on to the support battens and check 

alignment, replacing the sash to test that it opens 

and closes; Secure all the brackets with screws. 

After removing the sash once more, the roofing 

membrane must be substituted to restrict water 

and air ingress. Traditionally available as a large 

underlayer sheet, the membrane must be cut to 

size so it fits snuggly around the window. Using 

the remaining membrane, a gutter system should 

then be formed to catch any water ingress and 

direct it away from the opening in the roof. 

“Roof window 

installations can 

produce several time, 

procedure and 

weather-related 

challenges” 

Furthermore, an installer knows this process 

requires a high level of accuracy to ensure a 

water and airtight seal. For larger projects 

containing four or more roof windows, the 

complete process may take considerable time to 

cut and install roofing membrane and foam. The 

Dakea RUC Underfelt Foil Collar offers another 

time-saving solution. The single piece of stretchable 

fabric removes any need for cutting and joining 

membrane material. Slide this underneath the 

battens and fix securely to create a water and 

airtight barrier in a simple 15-minute process. 

To complete the installation, fix the flashing and 

covers to the bottom, sides and top of the frame 

then simply replace the tiles and the sash. 

Roof window installations can produce several 

time, procedure and weather-related challenges 

meaning professionals must purchase additional 

materials and spend considerable time onsite. By 

following this guide you can be assured you’ll get 

it right first time. 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

“Fix the flashing and 

covers to the bottom, 

sides and top of the 

frame then simply 

replace the tiles and 

the sash” 

Contact Dakea 

+44 203 598 1165 

www.dakea.com/professionals 

@dakea_uk 


Go Further with SupaLite 

SupaLite design & 

manufacture more 

than just roofs? 

It’s true, we are the market leader in lightweight replacement 

conservatory roofs, but we are experts in much more. 

Our revolutionary FLAT ROOF ORANGERY is installed within 

hours with amazing thermal properties. Our LANTERNS are the 

most stylish available, and our VERANDAS are proving to be a 

very popular and extremely flexible choice. 

U-Value 

as low as 

0.15 

W/m 2 K 

SupaLite Tiled Roofs 

Flat Roof Orangeries 

Modular 

Design 

Lanterns 

Elegant Verandas 

Every SupaLite product 

is precision made to 

ensure a perfect fit for 

any configuration. 

BUILDING CONTROL 

SupaLite will optionally facilitate building control on your behalf 

ENERGY EFFICIENT 

Designed for ultimate performance 

TRIED & TESTED 

10 year guarantee as standard 

01772 82 80 60 

www.supaliteroof.co.uk

Living Roofs 

10 Q’S TO ASK WHEN INSTALLING A 

LIVING ROOF RETENTION SYSTEM 

By Jonathan Brown, Fixfast 

The living roof market is booming. It grew by 

over 17% last year, with no sign of slowing. 

This is great news for contractors able to 

install living roofs, who should see a healthy 

pipeline of projects. 

But with this growth comes challenges; as more 

living roofs are installed, the risk of underengineered 

systems increases. Problems with 

insufficient drainage, soil erosion or compromised 

fire safety can all cause a living roof to fail 

prematurely. If this becomes common, building 

owners could lose their appetite for living roofs and 

reduce opportunities for contractors. 

Fortunately, the simple installation of a living roof 

retention system can prevent these issues from 

occurring. But not all retention systems are created 

equal. Without carefully selected components, a 

system may not extend the roof’s lifespan as hoped. 

Here are 10 questions to ask yourself when 

selecting products for a living roof retention 

system, to ensure your client ends up with a longlasting 

living roof. 

Q. Have you chosen materials that don’t 

rust? 

A: Galvanised steel rooftop products are not 

appropriate for use on living roofs as their 

rustproofing is easily damaged. Use aluminium or 

stainless-steel materials to prevent component 

deterioration. 

Q. Are the materials lightweight & durable? 

A: Roof load is a factor in any rooftop 

construction. To minimise the weight of 

essential components, use materials such as 

aluminium, which is sufficiently durable for 

rooftop use. Lightweight materials also make 

your life easier during installation. 

Q. Are the materials non-combustible for 

maximum fire protection? 

A: Metal components are inflammable and offer 

the best balance of durability, design flexibility 

and weight. Plastics can be appropriate on a 

living roof, but they must be installed correctly in 

line with fire safety guidance. 

Q. Do the system components have 

sufficient drainage holes? 

A: Drainage issues are a major cause of living 

roof failures. To ensure excess water has 

sufficient exit points, choose components with 

large and well-spaced drainage holes. 

Q. Can the drains be easily accessed for 

ongoing maintenance? 

A: All drains should be protected to prevent 

debris causing blockages. Inspection chambers 

are superior to other drain protectors as they 

make it easier for the building occupier to inspect 

and maintain the drains regularly. 

Q. Are your retention angles tall enough to 

maintain minimum substrate depth? 

A: A minimum substrate depth of 80mm is 

recommended best practice for fire safety. When 

choosing retention angles for your system, their 

edge height must exceed the substrate depth to 

help preserve it over time. 

Q. Could your components damage the 

roof’s waterproofing? 

A: You should think about keeping the membrane 

intact throughout the installation, including the 

impact of damage by following trades. Use L- 

shaped retention angles, rather than solely vertical 

edges, as this will spread the load, protecting the 

waterproof membrane from potential breaches. 

Q. Is your living roof protected from soil 

slippage? 

A: Soil slippage can cause drainage issues and 

compromise fire safety. In barrel-vaulted and 

pitched roofs, you should install anti-slump 

products to hold the sedum blanket securely in 

place. 

Q. Are your firebreaks secure? 

A: Unbroken fire breaks are essential for living 

roof fire safety. Use retention angles to stop 

plants from growing into them. To protect gravel 

firebreaks from strong winds and heavy boots, 

use large pebbles of between 20-40mm, and 

apply a gravel adhesive to hold them in place. 

Q. Is there safe access for maintenance? 

A: A successful living roof requires regular 

maintenance. Have you provided a safe means of 

access for the occupier to reach the roof? 

Permanent, collective protection (e.g. ladders and 

rails) is better than a temporary or personal 

system as more people can safely use it. 

By asking yourself these 10 questions, and 

choosing the right retention system as a result, you 

can ensure your living roof installations thrive as 

intended. A properly engineered living roof will last 

longer, look better, and do more for the environment. 

As demand for living roofs continues to rise, 

those contractors with a good reputation for 

delivering long-lasting living roofs – underpinned 

by well-chosen retention systems – will be bestplaced 

to benefit. 

Contact Fixfast 

01732 882387 

www.fixfast.com 

@fixfast_uk 


NO STREAKING. NO LUMPY BITS. 

NOW EVEN FASTER. 

NEW RAPID DRYVERGE 

Our new Rapid DryVerge looks great and is even quicker to install. The sleek design 

gives a more streamlined roof and it meets the requirements of the new BS 8612, 

with greater wind resistance, and unique drainage channels to help prevent nasty 

streak marks on gable ends. Of course, what you get up to in your own time’s entirely 

up to you, but we’ve never liked streaking on walls. 

Find out more at Redland.co.uk 

Part of BMI GROUP

Fragile Roofs 

THE COST AND CONSEQUENCES 

OF FRAGILE ROOF FALLS 

A staggering number of falls from height continue to be linked with fragile roofs. Employers 

are faced with harsh fines and court appearances due to unsafe working conditions and not 

following the correct procedures for employees to remain safe. Soni Sheimer, General 

Manager at Easi-Dec, takes a look at the range of options and solutions that are available to 

contractors working at height. 

According to the Health and Safety 

Executive (HSE), falls from height remain 

one of the most common causes of fatality 

and major injury in the UK, with falls through 

fragile surfaces accounting for 22% of all 

accidents from height in the construction 

industry. The 2016/2017 provisional figures 

report that there were 25 fatalities as a result of 

falls from height at work. 

The key piece of legislation is the Work at Height 

Regulations 2005, as amended by the Work at 

Height (Amendment) Regulations 2007, which 

places a legal requirement for anyone who 

contracts others to access and maintain rooftop 

equipment on public buildings and housing 

developments to ensure proper safety precautions 

are in place. Breaching these regulations can 

result in a legal prosecution and either a 

substantial fine or possible imprisonment. 

In November 2017, a Dudley-based contractor 

was fined and sentenced to 180 hours community 

service and given a six-month prison sentence 

suspended for 12 months after a 30-year old 

labourer fell more than six metres through a 

fragile roof. The man suffered numerous fractures 

to his spine, pelvis and shoulder, and will now 

never work as a roofer again. The HSE 

investigation found that the contractor failed to 

address the risk of working at height and on 

fragile surfaces before undertaking this roofing 

work. He also failed to ensure that fellow workers 

had the adequate support to complete this work 

and this resulted in it being carried out in an 

unsafe manner. 

Solutions for fragile roof work 

Access to roof tops requires 

solutions that are designed to 

overcome the challenges of 

working on fragile roofs and 

provide the user with a safe 

working position for skin 

maintenance, inspection, cleaning and 

re-sealing work. 

It is essential that all work at 

height is properly planned and 

carried out by competent 

members of staff. 

Selecting the right equipment is 

key to reducing the risk of accidents 

and falls from height. It needs to be 

secure, easy to access and meet 

required regulations. Any of 

these three types of access 

systems can be considered 

when accessing roof tops: 

1. Mesh walkways are a great 

option when access is needed to 

run from the eaves to ridge. It provides 

the benefit of spreading the weight across the 

support battens, allowing the contractors to 

confidently move along the full length of the 

system. Opting for a solution that is made from 

high grade aluminium ensures the structure is 

robust, lightweight, and easily transportable. 

2. A fully guarded rolling platform, which is 

mounted on twin racks, allows contractors to 

move up and down the roof on a secure and level 

surface. Requiring no penetration, 

the structure is easy to 

assemble and take down, and 

is possible to transport quickly 

to other parts of the roof. The 

platform moves along a linking 

track which is fitted with safety 

mesh and battens to provide further 

support. 

3. Lightweight mobile walking 

frames are designed to 

provide safe access for one or 

two people when working 

along valley gutters. The 

outriggers are filled with safety 

mesh and cushioned for comfort. This 

system can also be used to transport 

light payloads. Suitable for typical 

symmetrical valleys, the system 

could also be fully adjustable 

to suit uneven designs. 

Working with these types of 

systems presents roofing 

contractors with a quicker, more 

cost-effective and more practical 

approach to rooftop access, and will ensure that 

they comply fully with the requirements of the 

Work at Height Regulations. 

Images, top to bottom: Board-Walk Mesh Walkway; Roof- 

Walk rolling work platform; Valley-Walk mobile walking frame 

Contact Easi-Dec 

01767 691812 

www.easi-dec.co.uk 

@EasiDec 


Innovative upgrade & refurbishment solutions for profiled fibre cement or metal roofs & cladding 

Fragile roofs are only unsafe 

if you walk on them. 

Replace rooflights and sheets from below with Fixsafe. 

Figures published by the Health & Safety Executive show that falls through fragile roof 

materials caused over one quarter of fatal accidents in the construction industry. 

Fixsafe addresses the problem and is playing a major role in reducing this statistic. 

Fixsafe allows sheets to be replaced from below, eliminating the need to access fragile 

roofs and thereby greatly increasing site safety. By removing the requirement for costly 

safety netting, roof staging or external scaffolding, on-site time is reduced and access 

equipment costs are minimised. 

Replacing rooflights from below is an HSE recommended method and complies with 

Regulation 9 of the Work At Height Regulations 2005. Protect your roofers and yourself and 

your team by repairing or replacing rooflights and roof sheets with Fixsafe. 

We also offer: • Insulated rooflights for energy-saving upgrades and refurbishment 

• Lightweight over-roofing for cost-effective roof refurb with minimal disruption. 

For details, please call us on 01543 687300 or visit www.filon.co.uk 

Filon Fixsafe allows replacement rooflights 

or roof sheets to be installed from below, 

avoiding the need to access fragile roofs 

Filon Products Ltd, Unit 3 Ring Road, Zone 2, Burntwood Business Park, Burntwood, Staffs WS7 3JQ

Flat Roofing: Project Focus 

OVERCOMING COMPLEX DETAILS 

Total Contractor takes a look at Envirotek’s work on a seven storey commercial scheme in 

the centre of Cardiff’s Commercial Enterprise Zone; a project which involved some 

interesting challenges... 

Aseven storey landmark commercial 

scheme in the centre of Cardiff’s 

Commercial Enterprise Zone, Number 

Three Capital Quarter will provide 77,931ft² of 

high quality office space, with a central atrium 

and terraces on the 6th and first floors providing 

features that will ensure a pleasant and 

functional workplace for occupiers. 

Designed by architects Morgan 2 Hayman, for 

developer JR Smart, the speculative office 

building adds to the existing 200,000ft² of office 

space already occupied at Capital Quarter, 

providing high calibre accommodation for 

occupiers. 

Prestige & performance 

Conveniently, located close to Cardiff’s railway 

stations and within easy reach of both the city 

centre and Cardiff Bay, Number Three Capital 

Quarter is part of a major investment in the city’s 

Central Business District. The specification of the 

office building not only needs to reflect the 

prestige and quality required to attract occupiers 

today, but also needs to withstand the test of 

time to provide an extended service life for 

continued high calibre accommodation in the 

future. 

As a critical element of the building envelope, the 

roof build up had to be aligned to this 

specification philosophy and the decision to use a 

RubberGard EPDM membrane from Firestone was 

driven by the developer. 

Gary Foster from JR Smart explained: “We had 

used Firestone’s RubberGard EPDM membrane on 

previous schemes on the Capital Quarter 

development and had been very pleased with how 

quickly and easily it could be installed with a neat 

Images show Number Three Capital Quarter project. Project details: Total Roof Area: 1,300m² • Products Used: Firestone 

RubberGard EPDM waterproofing membrane • Firestone QuickSeam FormFlash • Contractor: Envirotek • Client: JR Smart • 

Length of Programme: 2 years 

“The team had to 

interface the 

membrane with 

abseiling hooks” 

finish. The service life of the roof is very 

important for these high calibre office schemes 

as it will reduce maintenance requirements and 

ensure the building retains its Grade A 

performance. 

“We’re confident the strength and durability of 

RubberGard EPDM will give us a fit and forget 

solution, which, as the membrane will be 

obscured by the paved overlay, was a vital factor 

in the specification.” 

The RubberGard EPDM membrane was installed 

by Firestone Licensed contractor, Envirotek, on 

the main roof area at 7th floor level along with the 

terraces at 6th and 1st floor level. The contractor 

was involved in the project at design stage to 

ensure that sufficient provision was made for 

drainage in terms of the number and size of 

drainage outlets to maximise roof performance 

and avoid any risk of standing water. 

Envirotek began the installation by priming the 

concrete roof with a bonded vapour control layer. 

To further aid drainage to the outlets designed 

into the roof, a tapered insulation scheme was 

then installed, creating a fall to the drainage 

points. This was installed as a two layer 

insulation system, with flat insulation board 

followed by the tapered board to deliver the 

required U-value. 

With the insulation in place, the RubberGard EPDM 

could be adhered to the roof. Firestone worked with 

Envirotek to develop the specification for the 

membrane, assisting with wind loading 

calculations and optimisation of the membrane 

material to support a safe installation process with 

high standards of integrity for the finished roof. 


Neil Jones from Envirotek explained: “We have 

used RubberGard EPDM on many projects but the 

technical support and training provided by 

Firestone help to ensure that we deliver the 

highest standards of quality and workmanship on 

every scheme, with a team that are confident 

with even the most complex of details.” 

The detailing required for the fully-adhered 

RubberGard EPDM membrane at Number Three 

Capital Quarter was said to be considerable. The 

Envirotek team had to interface the membrane 

with abseiling hooks around the perimeter of the 

seven storey roof, which will be used for window 

cleaning purposes, along with steel columns that 

support maintenance gantries, structural 

steelwork installed on the roof to create visual 

shielding for rooftop plant and support steelwork 

for a solar PV installation. 

For all the penetrations, Envirotek used 

Firestone’s QuickSeam FormFlash, an uncured 

EPDM flashing laminated to cured seam tape. The 

tape was used to fully-encapsulate any details 

and regular site visits from Firestone’s technical 

support team ensured that all elements of the 

installation were fully compliant to the 

manufacturer’s guidelines. The building has been 

designed with a 1.3m parapet wall around the 

perimeter of both the main roof area and the 

terraces, and the roofing scheme required a 

solution that could be taken up and over the top 

of these walls with a metal capping termination. 

On the main roof area, Envirotek took the insulation 

up the wall, followed by the fully adhered 

RubberGard EPDM membrane. For the terraces, the 

RubberGard EPDM was adhered directly onto the 

concrete face of the parapet wall and terminated at 

the top of the wall with a metal capping, before 

being obscured by a 50mm cement particle board, 

which was mechanically fixed to the internal face of 

the wall to provide a decorative finish, visible to any 

occupant standing on the terrace. 

Indeed, with the installation now complete, none 

of the RubberGard EPDM membrane is visible. 

Both the roof and terrace areas have been 

finished with 600 x 600 x 50mm paving slabs, 

which have been mounted onto support pads to 

protect the membrane from abrasion and aid 

drainage. For the terrace areas, adjustable 

support pads enabled the paving to be laid as a 

flat walking surface level with access to the 6th 

and 1st floor doorways, despite the falls created 

by the tapered insulation. 

Contact Firestone 

01606 552026 

www.firestonebpe.co.uk 

@FirestonebpUK 

EXPE ECT 

MORE INNOVAT 

TION 

INTRODUCING THE NEW DOUBLE 

 

The new Danelaw Double Slip Tile Vent is designed to accommodate 

small cuts of machine or handm made clay and concrete plain tiles at high 

or low level as an alternative to ridge or eaves ventilation. 

It provides 

discreet, unobtrusive ventilation through an uninterrupted roofscape on 

pitches of 35º or greater. The use of Double Slip Tile Vent can meet the 

BS5250 and BS5534 requirements and also provides a means of soilpipe 

 

 

 

 

* THAT T’S THE DANELAW DIFFERENCE 

PIT CHED ROOFING | FLASHINGS | VENTILATION 

| ANCILLARIES WWW.HAMBLESIDE-DANELADANELA 

AW.CO.UK 


Rolled Lead Sheet 

INSTALLING ROLLED LEAD SHEET: 

HOW MUCH DO YOU REALLY KNOW? 

Darren Tutt, Lead Sheet Association Technical Officer, offers some top tips to assist 

contractors when working on projects which involve Rolled Lead Sheet. 

The Lead Sheet Association has been 

providing technical advice and training for 

decades across the construction industry. 

Using that expertise, we have put together the top 

ten issues and queries we deal with on a day-today 

basis to help contractors get the most out of 

this material. 

All the advice and guidance provided here is in 

relation to Rolled Lead Sheet manufactured to BS 

EN 12588 and conforming to the Standard set out 

in BS 6915. More detailed information about the 

following issues can be found in the LSA’s 

Complete Manual, or if you want a handy guide to 

basic information when you are out and about, on 

our new App – search LSApp – it’s available for 

Apple and Android. 

We are also on the other end of the phone to 

support contractors with more complex enquiries 

where we handle thousands of calls a year 

through our technical enquiry line. We know that 

contractors have to contend with many aspects of 

roofing and often bring in lead or hard metal 

specialists, but by sharing the following we hope 

to give you some guidance on the things to look 

out for. 

1. Ventilation 

The consequences of installing lead sheet on an 

unventilated substrate can be detrimental to the 

expected longevity of the roof in question. All lead 

sheet should be laid on a thoroughly ventilated 

substrate. That means that under the decking 

the lead sheet that actually sits on there should 

be a minimum 50mm through-ventilated path 

with no stagnant air pockets. Even vertical 

applications should be ventilated although here 

the ventilated path can be reduced to 25mm. 

“All lead sheet must be 

laid on a minimum fall 

of 1:80 which equates 

to a little under 1 

degree” 

2. Neoprene expansion joints 

Traditionally, lead gutters incorporate steps or 

‘drips’ in their design. These are intended to break 

up the lengths of lead sheet used to ensure that 

thermal expansion is within guidelines for 

individual pieces of lead. In many instances this 

works wonderfully well, but in others there simply 

isn’t the height to allow for them. Our advice is 

simple really – wherever possible stick to 

traditional tried and tested methods and only use 

neoprene expansion joints as a last resort. With 


new-build design, the inclusion of drips should 

always be considered first. 

3. Lead sizing 

Getting the thickness of the lead sheet right for a 

particular application is essential. Lead comes in 

a range of codes (thicknesses) yet so many times 

we see the wrong codes of lead used or the 

individual pieces of lead sheet installed in too 

large a piece. Lead sheet is a metal of low 

strength but provision for this is made by sizing 

and fixing within certain parameters so that the 

risk of fatigue cracking or ‘creep’ is minimised. 

Check the Manual – or App – to make sure you 

get the right code and the right length, lead is 

incredibly reliable if you get these things right and 

will last an incredible amount of time. 

4. Underlays 

When asked what underlay – if any – is required 

the answer is quite simple. If exterior quality 

plywood, penny gap softwood boarding, penny 

gap oak boarding, stone, concrete or brick is 

used, a building paper to BS 1521 Class A should 

be used. It is only with penny gap softwood 

boarding that geotextile fleece can be used as an 

alternative. In all cases there must be throughventilation 

present. 

5. Flashing lengths 

Lead flashings should nearly always be installed 

in 1.5m lengths, however there are exceptions. 

Lead flashings to asphalt, bituminous felt, or 

single ply roof coverings are continuously bonded 

along one side, therefore it is essential to limit the 

lengths to 1m so that the thermal movement of 

the lead sheet is not affected when exposed to 

long periods of summer sun. 

“We see lead flashings 

or other edges of 

roofing, cladding and 

weatherings missing 

any form of restraint to 

their free edges” 

6. Falls 

All lead sheet must be laid on a 

minimum fall of 1:80 which 

equates to a little under 1 

degree. Anything less may 

encourage ponding water and 

a build-up of debris and dust 

or staining of the lead sheet 

which should be avoided. 

7. Clipping 

There are so many instances where 

we see lead flashings or other edges of 

roofing, cladding and weatherings missing 

any form of restraint to their free edges. All such 

edges must be adequately clipped to prevent 

lifting and distortion in high wind conditions, and 

it is amazing to see how often these are missed 

out or not considered at all. Clipping of lead sheet 

varies considerably in both material used and the 

distances that they are set apart – this is covered 

in detail in the LSA Manual. 

8. Laps 

A lot of enquiries we get assume that a flashing 

should lap over a pitched roof covering by 150mm. 

This is true for a 30 degree slope, but what a lot of 

people don’t realise is that the lap length is wholly 

dependent on pitch and can vary considerably. We 

usually end up referring clients to the 75mm lap 

diagram that we show in the manual. Laps can 

vary between 75mm to 395mm on pitched roofs or 

even more if the exposure of a particular building 

is considered severe. It is also worth noting that 

the lap should always be taken from the lowest 

row of fixings in whatever it is covering. 

9. Fixing 

The fixing of lead sheet is carried out in many 

different ways, all of which are dependent on 

the particular application. For instance, a lead 

roofing bay on a roof with a small pitch of up to 

3 degrees differs in the arrangement and 

position of its fixings when compared to the 

same roofing bay on a higher pitch. These 

differences are very important to ensure correct 

installation and future longevity. 

Above: Lead is a contemporary building product that has 

been used by architects in many different scenarios 

“The consequences of 

installing lead sheet on 

an unventilated 

substrate can be 

detrimental to the 

expected longevity of 

the roof in question” 

10. Damp Proof Courses (DPCs) 

Lead DPCs and trays are designed to prevent 

moisture that penetrates brick or stonework 

finding its way into the building. Many of the 

calls we receive regarding these centre around 

mysterious staining appearing. In nearly all 

cases this is caused by failure to treat the lead 

that is built into the walls with bituminous 

black paint on both sides prior to fitting. This 

coating prevents free alkali in fresh Portland 

cement mortar and sulphuric acid vapours that 

are contained in the moisture in chimneys from 

corroding the lead sheet. 

Contact the Lead Sheet Association 

01622 872 432 

www.leadsheet.co.uk 

@LeadSheetAssoc 


Opinion 

ROOFING IS NOW A SAFE AND 

DESIRABLE CAREER CHOICE 

By Mark Hibberd, National Field Manager – Roofing at Sika 

If I was a school leaver considering my career 

options ahead of me, why would I choose to 

take a job in the roofing industry? At face 

value, it’s a decision that would see me spending 

the best part of my working life out in all 

weathers, doing a physically demanding role that 

can be dirty and unsafe. 

Most roofers when asked would probably not say 

they always aspired to be a roofer from a young 

age. Most roofers have fallen into the roofing 

industry by accident or default. So how can we 

encourage younger generations to embark on a 

career in roofing? 

Manufacturer training has improved significantly 

and is backed up by Trade Associations and 

national industry training boards to give each 

roofing operative a qualification, meaning 

recognition in the industry and the chance to 

progress however far they wish. Once an 

operative has a qualification and gains 

experience in the installation of different roofing 

systems, they become a prime target for 

manufacturers looking for Field Technicians to 

train in the use of their systems, products, and 

inspect installations to maintain high 

workmanship standards. 

Some may move into site 

supervision, contract management 

or chance their arm at starting up their 

own contracting organisation. Experienced 

installation operatives are much sought after – they 

do say you can’t teach experience. 

Working practices 

We can’t change the weather but we can change 

working practices. Health and safety protocols 

are at the forefront of any company’s strategy. 

Sites now have excellent welfare facilities, 

stringent PPE and place the emphasis on the 

safety of workers at all times. Products also have 

to meet or exceed strict guidelines, particularly 

when it comes to installation. 

“We can’t change 

the weather but 

we can change 

working practices” 

Left: Mark Hibberd, National Field Manager – 

Roofing at Sika 

Manufacturers, such as ourselves, 

are constantly reacting to 

feedback from operatives and 

changing installation techniques and 

products to mitigate the stress on the 

applicator. New products are designed to be far 

less demanding and cleaner to use than 

traditional methods. 

Spray technology has made major in-roads into 

most manufacturers’ portfolio of products which 

negates the need for site operatives to spread 

adhesives with rollers, brushes or squeegees and 

saving from future exo-skeletal problems. Selfadhered 

membranes are seen as a progressive 

way of installing single ply membranes for the 

same reasons, again with Sika leading the way. 

All this, combined, gives me such hope for the 

future of the industry. 

Long-term career opportunities 

The roofing industry is now safer, cleaner and 

less physically demanding than ever before and 

also offers more long-term career opportunities 

for young professionals than we’ve ever seen. 

This has helped draw more talented professionals 

into roofing, something we’re personally seeing 

through the Sika apprenticeships, industrial 

placements and internships. With more high 

quality roofing professionals using high quality 

products, the roofing industry will continue to 

deliver high quality roofing results for projects of 

all shapes and sizes up and down the country for 

many years to come. 

Contact Sika 

01707 394444 

gbr.sika.com 

@SikaLimited 


Specification 

TOPHAT is the answer! 

Have you signed up? It’s free and easy! 

If not, find out more by calling 01992 444100 

or email cpd@enviro-lead.co.uk 

Hoddesdon | Barnsley | Glasgow

Roofing Updates 

For further info on all these roofing updates and more, visit www.total-contractor.co.uk 

BATTEN END CLIP 

SHOWS ITS TEETH 

A new batten end clip, designed to make it easier for roofers to install dry verges in 

accordance with the new BS 8612 Standard, has been launched by Marley Eternit. 

Marley Eternit says its new c-shaped clip is a quick and easy way of complying with BS 8612 

and provides a strong fix. The clip is designed to fit securely onto the end of the batten, with a robust metal plate for the dry verge to be fixed into, keeping the nail 

locked into place. Alex Gill from Marley Eternit, explained: “Our new clip requires no nails and has sharp teeth which grip into the batten, making it extremely secure, 

as well as being very quick to hammer into place.” 

The new batten end clip also features a larger metal face plate, with multiple holes, to make alignment much simpler. Alex added: “There are many different dry verge 

products on the market, with varying levels of performance. The new British Standard addresses some of the concerns the industry had not only about inconsistencies 

between the quality of products, but also ensuring the systems are easy to fix correctly and securely.” www.marleyeternit.co.uk 

A HEAVY RESEMBLANCE 

Crammond Select Homes renovated the Powis Mains Farm in the village of Blairlogie, one of 

Scotland’s first conservation villages, using CUPA PIZARRAS’ Heavy 3 slate due to its close 

resemblance to the traditional highland slate from Ballachulish that is no longer produced. 

Derek Waters of Derek Waters and Sons, the roofing contractor for this project, said: “We use 

CUPA PIZARRAS frequently, as the slates are solid and can stand up to any powerful weather. 

When we complete each house, it appears to have a perfect aesthetic every time and this is 

thanks to this high quality product.” www.cupapizarras.com/uk 

SITE SEEING WITH SR TIMBER 

A revamped website has been launched by SR Timber as part of the batten 

manufacturer’s drive to stay at the top of its game. 

Shaun Revill, Trading Director, explained: “Websites are the public face of most companies, 

ours included, and businesses in this day and age can’t afford to stand still, so it was 

important that we refreshed the look of the site and improved the experience of using it. We’ve 

had really good feedback from the people who have used it, and they especially like it when 

they access it from their smartphone or tablet.” www.sr-timber.co.uk 

A COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE 

ALM and Jamestown Metals are collectively said to be the UK’s leading distributors of 

Rolled Lead Sheet manufactured to BS EN 12588 2006 in accordance with British 

Standards and European norms for the building industry. To compliment this, they stock 

the complete range of Premium Roofing ancillary products alongside Zinc and Aluminium 

Soakers, Valleys and Ridges all produced to the customer’s requirements. 

Furthermore, both companies are able to offer the full range of Hard Metals required for any roof 

design, together with all that is required for a comprehensive package. www.associatedlead.co.uk 


DRESSED FOR SUCCESS 

Snickers says its new Floorlayers Work Trousers and the patented Knee Guard System combine very 

effectively to deliver the ultimate solution for working safely and in comfort on your knees. 

These new trousers are said to take the best features, fabrics and functionality from Snickers’ new FLEXIWork 

range and combine them with the best of the classic Floorlayer trouser. 

With an advanced body-mapping design, they’re made from the highly durable Ripstop fabric with a 

‘mechanical stretch’, providing great flexibility, comfort and advanced functionality. What’s more, the kneepad 

pockets are made of a full-stretch Armortex fabric with DuPont Kevlar aramid fibres, keeping the kneepads in the optimum, durable working 

position as you move around. 

Snickers says these trousers are ergonomically designed to anticipate your natural working movements. They come with an integrated belt for superior waist 

fit, with easy-to-access holster pockets with zipped compartment leg pockets including knife fastener, mobile phone compartment and detachable hidden IDbadge 

holder. www.snickersworkwear.co.uk 

A TRULY COORDINATED DESIGN 

Freefoam Building Products has launched an Anthracite Grey Round Gutter System. 

The popularity of Ral 7016 Anthracite Grey for windows and doors has been phenomenal over 

the last few years. Freefoam has consequentially seen sales of its Deep rainwater range in 

Anthracite Grey increase over the last 18 months. The addition of a round gutter system is the 

next logical step to give Freefoam customers more choice and the flexibility to meet demand 

from housebuilders and specifiers. It is manufactured exactly to Ral 7016 allowing customers 

to create a truly co-ordinated design. www.freefoam.com 

ENERGY AND MOISTURE CONTROL 

The A. Proctor Group will be showcasing its latest innovations in managing the balance between heat, air and 

moisture movement within the building envelope at this year’s Ecobuild. 

Architects, developers and contractors will be guided through the most effective solutions and high-specification products 

designed to ensure the most energy-efficient and moisture free building envelope for both commercial and residential 

projects. Innovations on show include Fireshield, the vapour permeable walling underlay with a fireproof surface; 

Spacetherm which maximises thermal performance in space critical applications; plus Wraptite and Roofshield. 

Visit A. Proctor Group at Ecobuild on Stand E60. www.proctorgroup.com 

A FASTER FIX WITH SLATER’S TUB 

Marley Eternit has launched a new Slater’s Tub to make it quicker and easier to install 

fibre cement slates to BS 5534 requirements. The convenient container is designed to 

sit perfectly on the battens and contains all of the fixings needed to install 1,000 

slates. 

Removing the need to have loose bags open on the roof, the cost-effective Slater’s Tub 

contains 2,000 copper nails and 1,000 copper disc rivets in two sections ready to use, saving 

time and improving safety on site. www.marleyeternit.co.uk 


Guarantees 

ARE YOU GUARANTEED A NASTY 

SURPRISE? 

Here, Dave Cooper, Customer Technical Services Manager at Tata Steel, explores what 

makes a good guarantee and explains the importance of really understanding them. 

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the 

definition of a guarantee is ‘a promise that 

something will be done or will happen, 

especially a written promise by a company to 

repair or change a product that develops a fault 

within a particular period of time’. 

Guarantees are a great way to boost customer 

confidence. In fact, they are one of the most 

“This often involves 

navigating the supply 

chain to determine the 

outcome” 

powerful commitments that a business can make 

to demonstrate confidence in their products. 

For example, a well-established company, which 

has a strong track record, will provide end users 

peace of mind that they will be around long 

enough to honour a guarantee if required. 

As such, when it comes to choosing your product 

– especially pre-finished steel products – it is 

important to understand what guarantees 

manufacturers provide. 

Indeed, for most building owners, discovering 

whether the products used for their roof and wall 

systems will be rectified within the parameters of 

the guarantee is a time-consuming and laborious 

task. 

This often involves navigating the supply chain, 

from contractor to contractor, right back to the 

manufacturer of the product, to determine the 

outcome. 

For pre-finished steel products, this can be 

especially frustrating if during the lifespan of the 

building a single maintenance check or inspection is 

missed, resulting in the guarantee being invalidated. 

Also, it may be that not all features are included, 

such as factory cut edges, and cover may be 

limited. 


More than just a 

pretty fixing. 

Whether it’s speed of service, 

reliability of delivery or varied 

product range, we know what 

matters most to contractors. 

Speak to our friendly team today 

and let us find a complete solution 

for your next project. 

01242 265 100 

fixingpoint.com 

Roofing & 

Cladding 

Fixings 

Roofing & 

Cladding 

Support 

Systems 

Sealing 

Products 

Tools & 

Accessories 

Flat Roof 

Products

Guarantees 

The details 

Therefore, it’s important to delve deep into the 

details of guarantees to ensure you and your 

clients are getting the real deal when it comes to 

promises. And there are a few items you should 

keep an eye out for: 

• Factory cut edges being covered for the entirety 

of the guarantee. 

• Cover under photovoltaic (PV) modules for the 

full guarantee period. 

• Fully transferable should building ownership 

change. 

•Flashings included, if registered for at the same 

time as the roof and / or wall. 

•Full rectification in the unlikely event of a claim. 

“Delve deep into the 

details of guarantees 

to ensure you and your 

clients are getting the 

real deal when it 

comes to promises” 

Guarantees offered direct to the building owner 

present fundamental advantages. Creating a 

contractual relationship between the 

manufacturer and the building owner will ensure 

that if any problems do arise, they can be 

rectified quickly and efficiently. 

At Tata Steel we offer the Confidex Guarantee. The 

guarantee continues to provide the most 

comprehensive protection for branded pre-finished 

steel products used in roof and wall cladding 

applications. It also provides peace of mind for the 

building owner, as well as the supply chain. 

The Confidex Guarantee is the product performance 

guarantee for Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra and 

Colorcoat Prisma. It offers up to 40 years of 

protection when used in external conventional 

building envelope applications – namely roof and 

wall cladding – using single skin, built-up or 

composite panel construction in industrial and 

commercial buildings. 

Above: a Tata Steel project; 

Right: Tata Steel offers the 

Confidex Guarantee 

Key relationships 

Provided directly to the 

building owner, the unique 

guarantee creates a 

contractual relationship 

between the end client 

and Tata Steel, removing 

the need for a property 

owner to navigate the supply 

chain in the unlikely event of 

a claim. And for projects 

around coastal areas, the Confidex Guarantee has 

also been increased from up to 25 to up to 30 

years for walls with Colorcoat Prisma. 

Requiring no maintenance and inspection to 

remain valid, the guarantee also removes the 

need to go onto the roof of a property, reducing 

maintenance costs and improving safety. 

Furthermore, the Confidex Guarantee ensures full 

rectification in an unlikely event of a failure, 

including factory cut edges, which are covered for 

the duration of the guarantee. 

With a simple online registration process 

following installation, the guarantee is easily 

transferred should building ownership change, 

and is supported with a dedicated service team. 

Undeniably, building material 

guarantees offer building owners 

reassurance of the product’s quality, lifespan 

and performance. By delving into the detail of a 

guarantee and choosing solutions supported by 

comprehensive, market-leading guarantees, 

building owners can enjoy complete peace of 

mind. 

“It may be that not all 

features are included, 

such as factory cut 

edges, and cover may 

be limited” 

Contact Tata Steel 

020 7717 4444 

www.tatasteelconstruction.com 

@TataSteelConstr 


Timelessly beautiful facades 

With the visual appeal of natural timber, simplicity of installation and resistance to rot, the 

Cedral range offers an attractive, low maintenance alternative to traditional weatherboard 

cladding materials. 

Marley Eternit Limited Lichfield Road | Branston | Burton-upon-Trent | DE14 3HD 

Request your free Cedral samples at: 

www.cedralsidings.com

Walls & Roofs 

UNDERSTANDING DOUBLE SKIN 

GRID SUPPORT SYSTEMS 

By Jason Wood, Contracts Director at Fixing Point. 

Using double skin or twin skin steel 

insulated cladding applications is a costeffective 

way of improving the efficiency 

of a building or renewing a roof covering. The 

system usually consists of a profiled metal liner, 

a layer of insulation, a spacer system and an 

external metal sheet. 

The application of this method does, however, 

require consideration of a number of different 

factors, all of which can impact the overall 

stability and effectiveness of a building. 

Understanding the installation procedures and 

type of roofing and cladding system is essential in 

ensuring a building is secure and performs the 

way it should. 

Getting this wrong could result in multiple 

problems further down the line and may even 

require the involvement of an additional 

structural engineer to create 

a solution at more cost. 

Spacer systems 

explained 

The purpose of a spacer 

system is to provide 

support to the external 

sheet at specific points from 

the liner sheet. 

It therefore needs to be strong enough to 

transfer sufficient loading through to the 

purlins. 

The most common spacer system is the bar and 

bracket, which creates a platform for the external 

sheet by using steel bars. 

These are then supported by steel brackets 

attached to the purlins through the liner. 

Left: Work at the Logistics City project. 

Image courtesy of Deane Roofing 

Insulation 

Double skin roofing and 

wall cladding panels 

with a layer of 

insulation in between 

can provide additional 

strength and efficiency 

to a building. 

The minimum thickness of 

insulation for energy use compliance 

has, however, increased considerably over the 

last 30 years. This means that ensuring you have 

the correct insulation at the right thickness is 

essential for obtaining the optimum U-value. 

It is also very important to realise that different 

depths of liner sheets impact the U-value 

calculations. For example, installing a 32mm liner 

will mean thicker depth of construction is 

required to achieve a particular U-value than 

using a 19mm liner. The purlin centre spacings on 

a building will also affect a U-value calculation, 

for example 1.8m vs 1.4m. 

Vertical vs horizontal cladding 

When planning for your cladding application for 

roofing or walling, the most important detail to 

understand from the outset is that horizontal and 

vertical cladding require different approaches for 

their application. 

Contractors often think they can use a standard 

support system for any type of cladding, but 

horizontal cladding is, in fact, much more 

complicated than vertical. 

With vertical cladding for walls, the steel bars are 

fixed horizontally and in line with the purlins 

underneath and the profile sheet is then fitted 

vertically. Horizontal cladding, however, requires a 


Images show the Logistics City project Fixing Point worked on with Deane Roofing, at Motherwell Way, West Thurrock, which demonstrates the use of double-skin horizontal cladding 

different approach as the bars must be fixed 

vertically, which can be a cause of confusion at 

the application stage. 

The reason for using vertical bars that span 

across the purlins below is so the building can 

handle the wind load more effectively. Although 

the external weather sheet is designed to 

protect the building from adverse weather 

conditions, it does also play an important role 

in the overall structure of a building. It is, 

therefore, essential that it is fitted with the 

appropriate support. 

The corners of buildings are often more exposed 

to higher wind loads, so when using vertical bars 

the spacing between them is particularly 

important for horizontal wall cladding sections. 

At Fixing Point, we recommend the use of the 

Gridtite General Purpose (GP) lightweight bar and 

bracket system for horizontal cladding. It is 

designed to provide a controlled space between 

the inner and outer metal sheets that make up 

twin skin site assembled roofing and walling 

“Contractors often 

think they can use a 

standard support 

system for any type of 

cladding, but horizontal 

cladding is more 

complicated than 

vertical” 

systems and is strong and stable when sheeted 

over. 

Using specialist systems for horizontal cladding 

might seem like an unnecessary expense at 

design stage, but it could ultimately save much 

more money in the long run. Because the bars are 

fitted vertically, a standard support system is 

unlikely to provide a sufficient level of security for 

the building and would have less spanning 

capabilities. 

A system like Gridtite GP also provides the option 

of pre-assembled bars, which removes the risk of 

misalignment of fixed brackets, and uses a single 

layer of quilt insulation. Contractors should, 

however, always take note of the capability of any 

GP system to accept wind suction and wind 

pressure loads. Thermal and structural values 

will also vary with every application. 

Contact Fixing Point 

01242 265100 

www.fixingpoint.com 

@FixingPoint 


Health & Wellbeing 

THE 3 RS: MIND HOW YOU GO... 

Total Contractor takes a look at how Willmott Dixon has been tackling ‘mental fitness’ on its 

construction sites through its All Safe Minds initiative. 

Willmott Dixon has a long and wellestablished 

track record for 

safeguarding the physical health of its 

employees across the nation’s construction sites. 

But as a result of some unsettling figures that 

have emerged from the industry over recent 

years, they are now also leading the way in 

raising awareness of the mental health issues 

affecting the sector. 

2017 saw the launch of All Safe Minds – a 

campaign to encourage mental fitness across the 

UK construction sector, particularly amongst 

young men who historically have found it difficult 

to talk about their problems. 

Recent studies commissioned by Public Health 

England (PHE) found that certain groups of male 

construction workers were at greatest risk of 

suicide, with figures at a staggering 3.7 times 

above the national average. 

As one of the UK’s largest contractors, Willmott 

Dixon forged ahead with the All Safe Minds 

campaign to ensure that everyone working on its 

many project sites across the UK is fully aware of 

the support network available. 

All Safe Minds aims to instil a 3-step process – 

the Three Rs – into daily work culture, 

encouraging all employees to: 

1. RECOGNISE. Be aware if you or someone you 

know is struggling to cope. 

2. REACH OUT. Start the conversation. If you are 

struggling, talk to someone you trust. Or if you 

know a colleague is struggling, offer your support 

– simply lending an ear can make all the 

difference. 

3. REBUILD. Use the resources available to you 

to start taking back control. 

The All Safe Minds infographic 

As part of the All Safe Minds campaign, a hardhitting 

infographic has been released, laying bare 

some frightening statistics. 

Mark French, Head of Health, Safety and 

Environment for Willmott Dixon Group, explained: 

“Although the way we deal with mental health in 

the workplace is improving fast, our industry still 

presents some of the most upsetting statistics. 

The figures make uncomfortable reading, but we 

need to break the taboo and start talking about 

how serious this problem is. The infographic 

immediately caught the attention of the UK trade 

media, who helped it reach hundreds of 

thousands of construction personnel within just a 

few days of its release.” 

As a direct result of the infographic, Mark was 

invited to appear on a ground breaking 24-hour 

non-stop broadcast for mental health hosted by 

Radio City in Liverpool. The major event took 

place on Monday 15th January, aka Blue Monday, 

and featured contributions from many of the 

region’s most respected healthcare professionals. 

Mental Health First Aiders 

To support the public face of All Safe Minds, 

Willmott Dixon is working tirelessly behind the 

scenes to increase the routes to support. All 

operatives across project sites nationwide receive 

an introductory presentation on mental health in 

which they are made aware of the help available. 

In addition, hundreds of Mental Health First Aiders 

(MHFAs) are being trained and deployed to site. The 

MHFAs will provide a network of support across the 

entire organisation, encouraging employees and 

colleagues to seek help if they have existing 

problems or realise that they’re starting to struggle. 

Every site office will clearly display a new 

campaign poster raising awareness of the MHFAs 

and making it easy for personnel to contact their 

local first aider quickly and discreetly if needed. 

All Safe Minds Z-Cards 

The latest addition to the campaign is a new Z- 

Card, which is issued to everyone attending the 

initial mental health session. The discreet 

business-card sized aide has been designed to fit 

easily into a pocket or wallet, offering a subtle 

source of reference, which can be accessed easily 

if the need arises. Hundreds of Z-Cards have 

already been issued, with thousands more ready 

to be handed out over coming months. 

Mark French concluded: “Our long-term aim is 

for All Safe Minds to become a natural mind-set 

for men to seek help if they become overwhelmed 

by their personal situation. The Z-Card will be 

handed out across our business both internally 

and externally. The logo and ethos are already 

commonplace across Willmott Dixon sites and 

throughout 2018 we will continue to roll the 

campaign out to a wider construction audience 

until All Safe Minds becomes engrained into our 

everyday culture.” 

Contact Willmott Dixon 

01462 671852 

www.willmottdixon.co.uk 

#AllSafeMinds 


LEVATO MONO 

Porcelain paver system 

and coordinating internal tiling 

The Deck Tile Co’s new website www.surface360.co.uk now has +150 colours and 

finishes in their Levato Mono 20mm porcelain ranges plus co-ordinating internal tiling – 

enabling seamless visual transition between internal and external spaces. 

20mm porcelain pavers 40x80 45x90 60x60 

75x75 80x80 30x120 40x120 60x120 

‘Floating floor’ – installation over single ply 

membranes 

Eternal product - zero maintenance required 

– offering massive over-life savings 

Highly abrasion and stain resistant 

Highly slip resistant ; R11 AB+C 

Lightweight – 45kgs per m 2 

High load bearing and impact resistance 

Timber, stone & cementitious effects 

Completely non porous 

Ideal for balconies, roof terraces and piazzas, 

for both commercial and residential use 

Frost proof 

Height adjustable/slope correcting support 

system ranging from 9mm up to 550mm 

INTRODUCING OUR NEW WEBSITE: 

WWW.SURFACE360.CO.UK

Cladding Updates 

MAKING AN 

ENTRANCE! 

Skyline Fascia, Soffits and Copings – part of Alumasc Water Management Solutions 

(AWMS) – has supplied bespoke window and door surrounds to create a striking 

new entrance and frontage for a major office refurbishment in Spitalfields, London. 

For further info on all these cladding updates and more, visit www.total-contractor.co.uk 

The project, known as 45 Folegate Street, was led by Tatehindle Architects, who worked 

closely with contractor Tetraclad to install the new window and door surrounds. Matt 

Swaffer, Tetraclad Contracts Director, explained: “The drawings requested an aluminium 

cladding panel which included specific detailing. I was tempted to steer away from it at 

first as I had never attempted anything like it before. Some of this detailing was quite 

complex but I knew Skyline would produce good fabrication drawings – a service which 

other manufacturers don’t offer. It worked out very well.” www.alumascskyline.co.uk 

“SOME OF THIS DETAILING WAS 

QUITE COMPLEX BUT I KNEW 

SKYLINE WOULD PRODUCE GOOD 

FABRICATION DRAWINGS” 

AHEAD OF THE CURVE 

Contour North and South, two luxury housing projects located just off Chircombe Lane 

near the river Torridge in Bideford, Devon, have utilised Catnic’s SSR² roof because of 

its aesthetic appeal and performance capabilities. 

Due to the buildings’ unique curved roof design, Catnic manufactured bespoke curved panels to 

ensure an easy to assemble and flexible installation. Martin Riley, Director at Building Firm Riley 

& Guy explained: “The SSR² system is extremely flexible in its design, however we had to ensure 

that the panels fitted the curvature of the buildings without distorting them.” www.catnic.com 

SCREEN STAR 

Black Mountain has launched a new video which opens with the image – and sound – of 

crackling flames, thereby vividly alluding to the purpose and the performance of its 

Magply, Euroclass A1 and non-combustible Fire Protection Boards. 

The manufacturer says it has made the film to emphasize Magply’s superiority over other 

manufacturers’ boards, in terms of its strength, breathability and low carbon footprint and crucially 

its low chloride content which negates any moisture related problems. Importantly, to ensure low 

chloride content in the manufacturing process, Magply is air dried. www.magply.co.uk/video 

BRONZE AGE 

The £57m new Emily Wilding Davison Building at Royal Holloway, University of London’s 

Egham campus, has been clad using Proteus HR TECU Bronze materials. 

The east side of the striking 10,000m² building, which expands the university’s library 

provision, now features the beautiful brown-red to brown-grey and ochre tones of Proteus HR’s 

TECU Bronze cladding panels. The main contractor was Osborne and the Proteus HR TECU 

Bronze cladding panels were installed by Colorminium who worked with Associated Architects 

and Proteus Facades during the process. www.proteusfacades.com 


ideal for use on conservatory 

conversions, outbuildings 

and commercial projects 

A unique premium quality lightweight roofing 

tile available in a choice of three colours 

specifically developed for the UK market. 

The smaller ExtraLight ridge and hips are 

designed to be more aesthetically pleasing 

and in-keeping with a conservatory style roof. 

Priced in Kits or Pallet Quantities 

Next Day Delivery in Mainland UK 

Over Half a Million Pounds Worth 

of Tiles in Stock 

Wider Range of Accessories 

compared to other Lightweight 

Roof System Companies 

New Range of Wall Soakers 

35% Extra Superior Base Coat 

PREMIUM 

LIGHTWEIGHT 

ROOF TILES 

superior natural stone finish 

registered 

Registered Details 

CERTIFICATE 17/5463 : ROSS ROOF GROUP 

ask for your free tile sample 

charcoal 

ember 

walnut 

50 Year 

TILE WARRANTY 

20 Year 

COATING WARRANTY 

UV Protection for 

Permanent Beauty 

Non Combustible 

Class A Fire Rating 

Marine Environments 

Weatherproof 

Lightweight 

Easy Installation 

High Wind and 

Hurricane Resistant 

Environmentally 

Sustainable 

50 Year Warranty 

on the Tile Product 

20 Year Warranty 

on the Tile Coating 

www.extralight.co.uk 

Tel: 01772 80 20 22 

Email: sales@extralight.co.uk 

Unit 4 | Croft Street | Preston | Lancashire | PR1 8ST

Hackitt review 

A CALL TO ACTION 

The Hackitt Review is set to help bring change to the construction industry, and that change 

should be for the better, but what does it really mean for contractors operating in the roofing 

and cladding sectors? Roy Weghorst, Head of Regulatory Affairs – Fire at Kingspan, gives 

Total Contractor his thoughts... 

Ever since the terrible fire at Grenfell Tower 

claimed the lives of 71 people in June 

2017, there has been a hunger for real 

change. It is hoped that the Independent Review 

of the Building Regulations and Fire Safety, led by 

Dame Judith Hackitt, will help to bring about that 

change. The full Review is due to be published in 

the next few weeks, but the construction industry 

is looking for clear guidance now. 

The Interim Report, which was published in 

December 2017, highlights six areas where 

change needs to happen: 

• Regulation and Guidance 

• Roles and Responsibilities 

• Competence 

• Process, Compliance and Enforcement 

• Residents’ Voice and Raising Concerns 

• Quality Assurance and Products 

Each of these will have an impact on contractors 

to some degree, and it is important to understand 

what that might be. 

Regulation and guidance 

The first point to be raised is that the rules for 

high-rise and complex buildings should be made 

more risk-based, in proportion to how great the 

risks are, and that people responsible for those 

buildings should be more accountable. There is, 

of course, already additional guidance for some 

high-risk buildings such as hospitals and schools, 

but this recommendation would take much more 

account of how buildings in general are going to be 

used and who is going to be using them. 

A possible knock-on effect from this 

recommendation could be better levels of 

insurance premiums, because the balance of risk 

is being managed better. 

The next point is a call to action to the 

construction industry to take more responsibility 

for the identification and specification of safe 

solutions that meet the Government “functional 

standards”, rather than relying on Government 

guidance being kept up to date, or on overprescription 

within that guidance. This would be 

an important shift – it makes the industry more 

accountable, at the same time allowing for 

innovative solutions, provided they meet the 

requirements. 

The last, and probably the most important point is 

that “Regulations and guidance must be 

simplified and unambiguous”. Nobody would 

argue against the claim that aspects of the 

current guidance are complicated and that this 

may have been a factor in many of the problems 

now coming to light. Making the guidance clearer 

is the first step towards healing our broken 

system. 

Roles and responsibilities 

We’ve already talked about the industry as a 

whole taking more responsibility. This section 

looks at the part that individuals must play. The 

report states that the main responsibility rests 

with “those who commission, design and build 

the project”. In other words, if you are a 

contractor on a project, you are responsible for 

the quality of the build. This may seem like an 

obvious thing, but especially on big projects with 

complicated supply chains, it is all too easy to 

BS 8414 test to assess system performance 

assume that somebody else is checking that 

nothing is being missed. It is stressed, therefore, 

that this responsibility must rest with “clearly 

identifiable senior individuals”. Of course, it is not 

just the build stage that is coming under scrutiny, 

and the next recommendation is that who is 

responsible for what should be made clearer over 

the whole life of the building. 

Competence 

Fire prevention in buildings is a complex thing. 

Understanding how all the different elements 

interact and being able to construct them 

correctly requires specialist knowledge and skill, 

especially for something like a high-rise building. 

The suggestion is that we need to raise the 

levels of competence for those involved in fire 

prevention, whether it’s design, construction, 

inspection or maintenance, and to have a 

system of accreditation to demonstrate that 

competence. 


Delivering 

training 

excellence 

to the 

construction 

industry 

National Construction Training Services is 

committed to providing an outstanding level of 

training across all roofing disciplines. 

All facets of pitched and flat roofing are included 

with extra focus given to the most needed 

sectors such as lead and hard metal. 

Our professional and progressive course 

programmes inspire and educate roofers. 

Working with roofing federations, training groups, 

manufacturers and employers from across the 

industry we can offer a variety of training courses 

designed to fit with your needs, no matter your 

level of skill. 

NCTS Training & Assessment 

Lead & Hard Metal Slate and Tiling Flat Roofing 

Apprenticeships Upskilling Programmes Liquid Waterproofing 

Manufacturers Training 

OSAT Qualifying the workforce 

For more information on apprenticeship training contact: 

training@ncts.org.uk 

www.ncts.org.uk 

01480 501011 

National Construction Training Services 

@NCTS_2017 

NCTS

Hackitt review 

Process, compliance and enforcement 

Making sure that a building is safe in the event of 

a fire doesn’t end with the original design and 

construction. Most buildings are expected to last 

for decades, and over that time are likely to be 

altered in some way or may even undergo a 

change of use. They also need maintaining. The 

report talks about having a “golden thread” for 

high-rise and complex buildings – a means of 

keeping a record of any changes and any reviews 

of the building to check whether it is still safe and 

fit for purpose. 

The proper use of BIM at the right level could 

potentially be a way of supplying that “golden 

thread” – a comprehensive log of every detail 

from design to construction, which is then handed 

over to the building manager to be updated 

throughout the life of the building. 

Secondly, these processes need to be enforced 

much more rigorously than under the current 

system, with proper sanctions for “the few who 

do not follow the rules”. 

Residents’ voice and raising concerns 

All too often, the people who live in these 

buildings are not consulted or listened to when 

they raise concerns. Yet they are most likely to be 

able to spot problems and identify risks. They 

should also be able to have peace of mind that 

their homes have been constructed safely. The 

other steps highlighted above should help to 

provide that assurance, and the report also 

states that there should be a “clear, quick and 

effective route for residents’ concerns to be 

addressed”. 

Quality assurance and products 

Specifiers and contractors rely on manufacturers 

to supply good information about the performance 

of their products. It is essential that this 

information is based on proper testing and 

certification. One of the issues highlighted in the 

report is that individual products are being used 

as part of systems, when those systems have not 

been fully tested. In other words, the 

performance of individual components should 

Changing the way that health and safety is managed on site has greatly reduced risks to construction workers 

The installation of the system is every bit as important as the 

product performance 

not be taken in isolation, but in relation to how 

they are installed and how they interact with 

each other – something that can only be 

assessed through large-scale system testing 

such as BS 8414. 

From a contractor’s point of view, the 

installation of the system is every bit as 

important as the product performance, with the 

report stating that: 

“The integrity and efficacy of product and system 

classifications are highly dependent on correct 

installation by competent and knowledgeable 

persons”. 

The report therefore calls for products to be 

marketed in a way that is “clear and easy to 

interpret” – there must be no ambiguity. It also 

highlights the need for the quality of the 

“In other words, if you 

are a contractor on a 

project, you are 

responsible for the 

quality of the build” 

installation work to be overseen. Even the best 

performing products and systems can fail if 

they are improperly installed. 

A call to action 

The summary of the report concludes “this is a 

call to action for an entire industry”. The 

responsibility to bring about real change rests 

with all of us to step up and play our part. 

Dame Judith reminds us that we have made 

such a major shift in culture before; for 

example, changing the way that health and 

safety is managed on site has greatly reduced 

risks to construction workers over the last 

decade. Now it is time to make our buildings 

safer for those who live and work in them. 

We know the direction of travel. The next step is 

to look at how we go about transforming the 

regulatory system and delivering the quality of 

buildings we know we are capable of. 

Contact Kingspan Insulation 

01544 387 384 

www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk 

@KingspanIns_UK 


HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID 

WATERPROOFING SYSTEM 

BENEFITS & PRODUCT 

INFORMATION 

BBA certified for life in excess of 25 years. 

NHBC and Green Roof Approval. 

ULTRAFLEX can be used on new or existing 

roofs, walkways, balconies, gutters etc. 

Ready to use straight out of the tin, application 

with solvent resistant roller. 

Use fully reinforced with ULTRAFLEX matting 

ensures easy ‘wet on wet’ application. 

Can be used all year round – moisture curing. 

Fully trafficable when cured. 

Instantly rain resistant after application. 

Once installed, forms a seamless membrane. 

Exellent adhesion to different substrates: plywood, 

bitumen membranes, asphalt, metals, 

brick, concrete, wood etc. 

Fresh concrete must be cured for 28 days. 

On EPDM and TPO it is recommended to install 

patch test to check compatibility. 

Do not use silicone sealants. Always use PU 

based mastics.

Stone Wool 

BRINGING CLARITY TO FIRE SAFETY 

By Tim Vincent, Head of Technical at ROCKWOOL. 

Back in July 2017, the Government 

announced an independent review of 

Building Regulations and fire safety and a 

final report is expected no later than Spring 2018. 

As we await these findings, it’s important and 

helpful to establish clarity in language and 

definitions, specifically, the terms noncombustible 

and combustible and how these 

apply to building materials such as insulation and 

cladding. 

We can start with basic definitions. Here’s what 

the Oxford English Dictionary has to say: 

Non-combustible: Made of material that does not 

burn if exposed to fire. 

Combustible: Able to catch fire and burn easily. 

But, how do these terms combustible and noncombustible 

relate to building materials? 

The European Reaction to Fire classification system 

(Euroclasses) is the EU harmonised standard for 

assessing the qualities of building materials in the 

event of exposure to fire. This standard is a legal 

requirement for CE marked construction products 

and relevant for both the United Kingdom and the 

Republic of Ireland. 

As the name suggests, this classification system 

assesses and rates the ‘reaction to fire’ 

performance of construction products, providing a 

clear and simple method for comparing the 

performance of products when exposed to fire. 

When products are tested according to the 

Euroclass system, a range of factors are 

investigated: ignitability, flame spread, heat release, 

smoke production and propensity for producing 

flaming droplets / particles. The Euroclass system is 

accepted by all European Union States (and is 

mandatory where there is a Harmonised Product 

Standard) and includes seven classification levels, 

from A1 to F. 

Understanding these Euroclass classifications is 

vitally important. 

The Euroclass system states that products 

achieving A1 classification are defined as 

non-combustible under these Regulations. 

Products achieving an A2 classification are 

recognised as products of limited 

combustibility, offering “no significant contribution 

to fire growth”. 

Products achieving a rating of B-F are deemed to be 

combustible. Where a product has not been 

measured for fire safety under the Euroclass system 

then it will be classed as F, meaning no 

performance declared (NPD). 

So, in short, non-combustible equals non 

combustible. 

Other terms typically used by the industry to 

describe product performance, such as, fire safe, 

fire proof, fire retardant or flame proof do not 

necessarily define that the product is noncombustible. 

“Non-combustible” is a legally defined 

term within the Building Regulations. 

So, how can you determine the Euroclass rating of a 

product’s combustibility? In the case of thermal 

insulation, all products should be CE marked 

against the appropriate harmonised standard. The 

Harmonised Product Standard for mineral wool is 

BS EN 13162:2012. 

Whichever harmonised standard is applicable, by 

law, all manufacturers must have their products 

independently tested to verify performance claims. 

Once a product has been CE marked, the 

manufacturer must make publicly available a 

Declaration of Performance (DoP). The DoP is a legal 

document in which the manufacturer identifies the 

product and its intended use, indicating compliance 

in relation to the relevant Harmonised Product 

Standard and performance in relation to specified 

“essential characteristics”. 

It’s in the DoP that 

you can determine a 

product’s Euroclass 

rating. The declared 

value on the DoP will 

match one of the 

Euroclasses. For 

ROCKWOOL stone wool 

insulation, you will find an A1 

rating, meaning non-combustible. 

So, how is this information of use when considering 

building products? 

When we consider the fact that more than 95% of 

buildings screened and covered by the recent 

Government BS 8414 testing program failed to meet 

current fire safety standards, it’s clear that 

ambiguity, complexity, and confusion exists. This 

leaves many people asking: “is there a simple way 

to ensure a high rise building is compliant?” 

An “obvious solution” was stated by the DCLG on 

the 2nd August 2017 in their Advice to Landlords: 

“to ensure that the cladding system adequately 

resists external fire spread…replace the system 

with one where all of the elements of the wall are of 

limited combustibility. For example, a wall system 

which includes an ACM panel with limited 

combustibility filler (category 1) and limited 

combustibility insulation, such as, stone wool.“ 

ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation withstands 

temperatures of up to 1000°C and has achieved the 

highest possible Euroclass rating: A1 noncombustible. 

The Rainscreen DuoSlab, designed 

and manufactured specifically for this kind of 

application, is already an established choice within 

the market and installed on many high rise projects. 

Contact ROCKWOOL 

01656 862 621 

www.rockwool.co.uk 

@ROCKWOOLUK 


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Rafter Level 

THERMAL & ACOUSTIC PROPERTIES: 

A MARRIAGE MADE IN HEAVEN 

Chris Roughneen, Technical Manager at Isover, explains the importance of finding the 

balance between the acoustic and thermal performance of building insulation – especially 

when it comes to installing it within pitched roof rafters. 

Over the last decade, there has been much 

scrutiny on the energy efficiency of 

homes, with the focus being placed highly 

on the thermal performance of insulation. 

However, as the agenda shifts towards achieving 

a deeper understanding of how our environment 

affects our health and well-being, the emphasis 

is starting to be placed on how products can 

actually enhance the lives of building occupants. 

As such, when it comes to choosing insulation for 

any application, you must take into account all of 

its properties, including its thermal conductivity 

and acoustic performance, as well as its ease of 

installation to ensure you can complete the job 

quickly and with minimal waste. 

Everyone knows that the thermal performance of 

insulation is important, but not many people 

understand the impact of installing poorly 

performing acoustic insulation. 

In fact, according to the World Health Organisation, 

being exposed to excessive noise can seriously 

harm human health and interfere with people’s 

daily activities at school, work and at home. 

Therefore, when it comes to rafter-level insulation 

for pitched roofs, it is important to ensure that not 

only is it Building Regulations compliant, but that 

it also enhances the general comfort of 

occupants. After all, a quarter of the heat in a 

building can be lost through an uninsulated roof, 

while unwanted outside noise can disturb those 

that use the space. 

For these applications, I feel a high-performance 

glass mineral wool is the best option as there are 

many benefits to installing it within the rafter 

zone of a pitched roof. 

Firstly, it is a very cost effective solution 

compared to other materials and some products, 

such as our Metac range, can provide an 

excellent thermal conductivity of 0.034 W/mK and 

possess impressive acoustic properties. 

What’s more, it’s also quick and easy to install, 

as it’s lightweight and can easily be friction-fitted 

between the rafters when cut accurately, which 

will result in no slumping or air gaps. If you do 

decide to install insulation within the rafters of a 

pitched roof, you’ll also have to install a vapour 

control layer. However, as many UK properties have 

become better insulated and more airtight, moisture 

management has risen as a key area of concern 

across the market. 

If not managed correctly, moisture build-up within 

the building fabric can give rise to damp and rot, 

potentially damaging the structure of the building 

and affecting the day-to-day comfort levels of the 

building’s occupants. 

As such, a smart vapour control layer (VCL) 

should be chosen. Vario XtraSafe is the latest 

development in airtightness and moisture 

management from Isover. It reacts to changes 

within the internal environment, allowing the 

membrane to permit trapped moisture to escape 

from the structure in summer, whilst preventing 

moisture accumulation over the winter months. 

With the above in mind, it is vital that you liaise with 

a reputable manufacturer to ensure that the correct 

insulation is chosen for pitched roofs – or any 

application – to not only comply with Building Regs, 

but to provide occupants with a warm, comfortable 

and peaceful environment to enjoy. 

A quick guide to installing Metac, a range designed specifically for pitched roof rafters: 

1) Measure and record both the vertical depth of the rafters and the horizontal widths of the gap 

between the rafters. 

2) Measure and cut the Metac roll with an insulation saw or knife to fit the horizontal width of the 

gap between the rafters – adding an extra 10mm width to the measurement to allow for a snug fit. 

3) Slit the packaging on the cut section to allow Metac to unroll and wait for the full thickness to 

recover. Measure and cut the roll to the required length with a straight edge and sharp insulation knife. 

4) Push and friction fit Metac between the rafters, keeping the lower face of Metac flush with the 

bottom edge of the rafters. 

Contact Isover 

0800 032 2555 

www.isover.co.uk 

@IsoverUK 


weather 

The proof is 

in the detail 

When it comes to waterproofing any kind of 

penetration – it’s the detail that counts. Which is 

why aperture, a seamless cold applied system, is 

one of the most successful products of its kind. 

aperture benefits: 

• High Elongation 

• Permanent Elasticity 

• Cold Applied, Using Hand Lay Process 

• Durable Finish 

• Reinforced With Chopstand Matting 

• Can be Applied During or After Construction 

• Minimal Disruption 

• Maintenance Free 

• 10 Year Guarantee Available 

For further information call us on: 0161 772 1750 

or email: iweston@aperturesp.co.uk 

www.aperturesp.co.uk

EWI: Q&A 

“GOOD IDEAS CAN FALL FOUL OF 

POOR EXECUTION” 

Chris Kendall, Field Engineer for Baumit, answers Total Contractor’s questions on his role, 

the market in general, training and funding for the energy efficiency sector 

TC: Could you tell us a bit about Baumit 

and its offering for contractors and 

installers… 

CK: Baumit offers a wide range of innovative, 

tested products from external wall insulation 

systems to façade renders, paints and healthy 

living indoor plasters. Our brand was created in 

1988, following collaboration between two 

Austrian building materials companies. Since 

then we’ve become one of Europe’s leading 

brands with a presence in more than 30 

countries. 

Images: Baumit has recently opened an EWI training facility in Kent. Email: contact@baumit.co.uk for more information 

TC: You’re a Field Engineer at Baumit, can 

you describe what this role involves... 

CK: Dealing with customers and helping them 

overcome on-site installation issues and offering 

support where necessary. 

TC: What was your path into construction 

and your current position? 

CK: I was introduced to construction through my 

father’s business. I went to Germany in 1991 and 

worked there for nine years on external wall 

insulation and internal renders and plasters. 

When I returned to the UK, I branched-out into 

site management, then after a number of years 

moved into contract management. From there, I 

was offered a field engineer’s position at Baumit. 

TC: There still seems to be some outdated 

perceptions regarding a career in 

construction; how have you found your 

time in the construction sector? 

CK: Construction is a fantastic trade to be in. It’s 

given me a great career path and I’ve always 

been in work. I’ve met a lot of wonderful people at 

all levels, and no two working days are the same 

- there’s always something to learn. 

TC: Baumit has recently opened a new 

training facility in Kent – what prompted 

this decision? Was it because the market 

is buoyant, or is it to bridge the skills gap 

when installing EWI? 

CK: A bit of both, really. With the Government 

focused on improving the UK’s energy-deficient 

housing stock, the EWI market is undoubtedly 

buoyant. Yet, according to contractors, architects 

and the like in response to a recent industry-wide 

survey, a lack of insulation installation experience 

is seen as a major obstacle in bridging the 

current skills gap. 

TC: Who are you looking to attract to the 

new training facility? 

It’s open to those within the industry who are 

looking to gain further theoretical and practical 

experience in a range of EWI systems and 

practices. Our experts are fully-equipped to 

ensure clients come away better informed of the 

processes and systems involved. 

TC: What are the different courses on offer? 

CK: Three course levels are available – bronze, 

silver and gold – offering the following: 

Bronze is for those with minimal experience in EWI 

systems. It’s mainly theory-based and ideal for site 

managers, site supervisors and contract managers 

looking to extend their knowledge of external 


Whatever your flat roofing requirement, 

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Contact us for: 

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request your sample pack. 

Tel: 01494 448792 

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Flat Roofing Solutions

EWI: Q&A 

rendering. Silver caters for those who want to 

become Baumit-approved. Practical sessions 

include fixing base profiles, boarding and 

beading. Course-completion results in Baumit 

onsite support, reports for clients and a Baumitapproved 

installer card. Gold is for those 

experienced in EWI systems and competent in 

rendering. Trainees who complete this course will 

become a Baumit-approved partner. A host of 

additional benefits include access to Baumit 

product marketing materials, and OSCAR Onsite 

overview and approval. 

TC: How easy is it for someone operating 

in the construction sector to diversify into 

EWI installation? What sort of skills will 

they require? 

CK: Anyone with a plastering skillset who wants 

to move from internal to the external method 

should be able to diversify. A bit of building 

knowledge and some trowel skills are a perfect 

base from which to branch out into EWI. 

TC: What are some of the challenges that 

contractors and installers face on EWI 

projects? 

CK: The challenge is to be as focused on the 

minor details as you would the major ones. I’ve 

seen many an EWI project fail in the hands of an 

experienced installer because they failed to 

address a seemingly minor issue. 

TC: How is the EWI market performing 

currently? 

CK: While it is extensively used in Europe, EWI is 

still a relatively little known technology in the UK 

but the market is growing gradually as architects, 

clients and homeowners start to better 

understand the benefits. In the mid-2010s, the 

market was driven almost exclusively by funding 

but became overstretched, and the quality of 

workmanship dropped as some companies saw 

an opportunity to make a quick buck. Now that 

funding has reduced to a much lower level, the 

market has contracted but as a consequence, 

quality has increased in the main. 

“I recently saw a 

contractor working on 

top of a 30ft-high 

pitched roof without 

the aid of a roof ladder. 

It was terrifying to 

watch” 

TC: Is the Government doing enough to 

incentivise the market and drive take-up 

of energy efficiency measures? 

CK: Funding is a very delicate topic. As we have 

seen with the Green Deal, good ideas can fall 

foul of bad execution and the main challenge 

with funded work is making sure that the work 

is not only completed, but completed to the 

right standard. We are trying to help with this 

by what we are doing with the academy. My 

personal opinion is that the Government could 

do more but some clear structure is required 

about what energy efficiency measures should 

be used and when. The ‘fabric first’ approach 

is a simple concept to understand – i.e. 

upgrade the thermal performance of the 

building so you need to put less energy in in the 

first place – but when there are more pressing 

needs such as a dilapidated boiler, and funding 

is limited, priorities often change. 

TC: How do you feel the construction 

sector is shaping up in 2018? Are there 

reasons to be positive? 

CK: The Government’s pledge to address the UK’s 

energy-deficient housing stock through subsidies 

and the like gives us very good reason to be 

positive. 

TC: Can you describe some of the more 

interesting projects or jobs you’ve worked 

on… 

CK: Our products supplied a 230mm thick render 

for the building of a ‘hyper-modern country 

pavilion’ in rural Kent. It looks as spectacular as 

it sounds, and we were delighted to be involved in 

the creation of a house that stands as a 

testament to modern architecture and interior 

comfort. 

TC: What about some of the funnier or 

perhaps alarming things you’ve seen on 

site? 

TC: I recently saw a contractor working on top of 

a 30ft-high pitched roof without the aid of a roof 

ladder. It was terrifying to watch. Thankfully, he 

lived to tell the tale. 

Contact Baumit 

01622 710 763 

www.baumit.co.uk 

@BaumitUKLtd 


FROM THE GROUND UP 

Karen Everitt at RAVATHERM UK – manufacturer of POLYFOAM XPS insulation – 

explains the key considerations to make during installation of ground floor insulation. 

During the construction on any new build or 

major refurbishment project, careful 

attention must be paid to the ground floor 

insulation. Understanding the correct installation 

methods and why a certain insulation material 

has been specified ensures the correct thermal 

efficiency of the finished building, whilst providing 

a durable and robust solution. 

The insulation market 

The recent shortage of polyisocyanurate (PIR) 

insulation has impacted many construction 

projects. Caused by insufficient supply of 

Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI), the main 

constituent of PIR, severe production delays have 

resulted in a market-wide shortage and extended 

lead times – not to mention price increases – 

leading to contractors and specifiers seeking 

viable alternative insulation products. 

Extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation is one of 

those alternatives, and there are some key 

considerations for installers to make if XPS is 

specified. In housing projects for instance, slightly 

thicker XPS board will likely be required, meaning a 

little more digging out at the start of construction. 

As when using any unfamiliar construction 

product, it is recommended that contractors and 

specifiers liaise with a reputable XPS 

manufacturer with a knowledgeable technical 

team to ensure the key differences of an 

alternative material against the original 

specification can be explained. 

Insulation specification 

On some projects, contractors may need to be 

aware why a certain insulation product has been 

chosen, as factors such as the applied floor loading 

and the position of the installed insulation need to 

be taken into consideration prior to installation. 

Ground bearing floors, for example, can include 

insulation either below or above the concrete slab. 

Insulation installed below the slab increases the 

thermal capacity of the building, helping to 

maintain steady internal temperatures. If insulation 

is installed above the slab, the building responds 

more quickly to an intermittent heating system. 

Compressive strength of insulation 

Insulation materials used under slabs, screeds 

and chipboard should be capable of 

accommodating the applied loads with the 

minimum of compression. The loads in a 

domestic property, for example, are not likely to 

be significant compared to the requirements for a 

warehouse or factory whereby the floor will 

endure heavily trafficked areas on a daily basis. 

In housing developments, however, some 

circumstances such as basement constructions or 

swimming pools do impose greater loads, and 

benefit from the insulation being laid directly on the 

ground. Basement projects are increasingly 

popular in London where many people are 

‘building down’ due to space restrictions to build 

around the home. 

In these instances, XPS insulation really comes 

into its own and delivers a durable solution 

thanks to its compressive strength and low 

moisture absorption. 

Our floorboard range, for example, has a moisture 

absorption of 0.6% by volume when tested in 

accordance with EN 12087, and can be laid in 

standing water or up against wet concrete with 

negligible impact on the performance of the 

product. 

The material is also available with both 200 and 

300 kPa (Kilopascal) compressive strength – 

ideal for domestic projects requiring high 

compressive strength. 

The position of the insulation 

As briefly mentioned earlier, the position of the 

insulation in the floor has an influence over the 

thermal characteristics the floor brings to the 

building. Ground bearing floors can include 

insulation either below or above the concrete slab, 

and there are factors when choosing either method. 

Where the insulation is below a slab, screed or 

timber boards for example, the entire load is 

acting on the insulation. Point loads are spread by 

the layers above the insulation so that the load 

acting on the insulation is lower than the load 

applied to the floor surface. 

For instance in most domestic projects, an ‘over 

slab, under screed’ insulation solution is ideal for 

intermittent heating regimes, where a homeowner 

may only turn on the heating twice a day. In this 

scenario, the insulation should be installed with a 

vapour control layer over it. Ideally, the insulation 

should be positioned above the damp proof 

membrane. Yet in some circumstances this is not 

always the case. However, if installation doesn’t 

accord with best practice, the durable qualities of 

XPS insulation means it is resilient enough to still 

perform as expected. 

The versatility of XPS insulation means it’s ideal 

for a wide range of projects including domestic 

properties, and even when installed below a damp 

proof membrane, it can still offer its declared 

thermal performance, which is reassuring for 

specifiers and contractors considering switching 

specifications for future projects. 

Please contact us for further information: 

01429 855100 

www.ravatherm.com 

@RavathermUK 


Insulation Updates 

For further info on all these insulation updates and more, visit www.total-contractor.co.uk 

TIME TO TAKE A 

BREATHER 

RG Leverett, a family-run roofing company, has switched to using BreatherQuilt from 

YBS as it says it finds it more cost-effective to install and offers superior 

performance compared to rival products. The first project where RG Leverett 

trialled YBS BreatherQuilt was a 1950’s bungalow in Norwich, where the original 

roof covering of concrete tiles was at the end of its life. 

Rob Leverett, owner of RG Leverett, explained: “We carry out a lot of work like this for the 

owners of older properties and decided to try YBS BreatherQuilt because it is not only 

cheaper than the other products we were using, but it offers better insulation as well. It is 

straightforward to install – we had absolutely no problems with it – and I am sure we will 

be purchasing BreatherQuilt for more projects in the future.” www.ybsinsulation.com 

“IT IS STRAIGHTFORWARD TO 

INSTALL – WE HAD ABSOLUTELY 

NO PROBLEMS WITH IT” 

SAWING TOOLS MAKE THE CUT 

Hultafors now offers a new range of cutting and sawing tools that include Bow Saws, 

general purpose Short Hand Saws, Hack Saws, a Jab Saw, a Concrete Saw, plus a superb 

Japanese Ryoba Saw. 

So, what makes these saws really different? Hultafors points to the blade tips which offer an 

easier start and ongoing sawing motion control; the easy-to-use blade exchange system; the 

extra stable precision blades and the ergonomics which make sawing an easier and more 

precise experience. www.hultafors.co.uk 

FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS 

David Allsopp has been appointed Business Development Manager (BDM) for the South 

East at RAVATHERM UK, the POLYFOAM XPS insulation manufacturer. 

Speaking about his new role, David explained: “I’m really enjoying working with the 

RAVATHERM UK team. It is a fantastic company and what encouraged me to the role was 

how innovative the business is. RAVATHERM UK is always looking at ways to improve its 

service and will make investment where needed to ensure the needs of customers are 

met.” www.ravatherm.co.uk 

INSPIRE AND EDUCATE 

National Construction Training Services (NCTS) is a provider of training for the roofing 

industry. It is dedicated to ensuring an outstanding level of training across the many 

roofing disciplines in metal, flat and pitched roofing. Its program of courses are 

designed to inspire and educate roofers across the country. 

Working with roofing federations, roofing training groups, manufacturers and employers from 

across the industry, NCTS can offer a variety of comprehensive training courses designed to fit 

with your needs, no matter your level of skill. www.ncts.org.uk 


Lincoln. 

A classic 

clay pantile 

Lincoln’s flexible, open gauge technology, now offers 

an easier way to create beautiful clay pantile roofs. 

A flat batten locator on the reverse of the tiles makes 

installation even faster and simpler still. 

Combining the elegance of an s-curve profile, with 

a thin leading edge, it has a groundbreaking 17.5º 

minimum pitch making design even more versatile. 

The Lincoln range is available in beautiful, 

multi-toned Rustic Red as well as Natural Red. 

Talk to us about your needs, or order your 

free Lincoln pantile sample today. 

Call us on 01283 722588 

or visit marleyeternit.co.uk/lincoln

Payment Issues 

THE IMPACT OF POOR PAYMENT 

PRACTICES ON CONTRACTORS 

The collapse of Carillion left thousands of suppliers and subcontractors owed money. Jackie 

Biswell, of Apex Roofing, examines how late payment practices have exacerbated the 

damage experienced by these small businesses. 

Small suppliers have always suffered at 

the hands of big businesses – but when 

those giants go under, the fallout can spell 

utter disaster. 

As the news spread over the past weeks of 

Carillion’s £1.3 billion debt, work on many 

construction sites across the UK came to a 

standstill and analysts warned that many 

businesses were unlikely to be paid, throwing 

their viability into doubt. 

Carillion is holding up to £800m in retention 

payments – the commonplace practice of holding 

back part of a contractor’s payment as security to 

ensure work is carried out. 

It had also failed to pay on time for a number of 

contracts – perpetuating the unacceptable levels 

of slow payer ethic commonplace in our industry. 

“With the aftermath of 

the Carillion collapse 

causing widespread 

devastation, we need 

to ensure that late 

payment is seen as 

totally unacceptable” 

All contractors would prefer to be paid within a 

month of invoicing but, when dealing with large 

companies, they are rarely in a position to argue if 

they don’t like the terms on offer. 

In the current climate, many large firms demand 

60-day payment terms. But almost 20% of 

specialist building contractors admit to paying 

between 60 and 90 days after invoices have been 

received, and some admit to pushing this beyond 

120 days. 

As a result, contractors and sub-contractors – 

which represent the backbone of our economy – 

are always battling to make ends meet. 

In December 2008, the Prompt Payment Code was 

established to help small suppliers recover the 

£30.2 billion owed to them by some of the UK’s 

largest companies. 

Jackie Biswell, Apex Roofing 

But the scheme was blasted as a failure after many 

firms ignored the terms and suppliers were cut out 

of future business dealings if they kicked up a fuss. 

In January, Richard Beresford, chief executive of 

the National Federation of Builders, released a 

statement saying that late payment was still a 

huge problem. He said: “When you factor in some 

main contractors imposing 120-day payment 

terms, £10.5 billion withheld in retention 

payments, and around £22 billion in annual SME 

turnover is paid late, it becomes clear why so 

many SMEs are in a precarious situation.” 

With the aftermath of the Carillion collapse causing 

widespread devastation, we need to ensure that 

late payment is seen as totally unacceptable. We 

should start by ensuring that public sector 

contracts are not awarded to companies known for 

their poor payment practices. 

We also need the Construction Leadership 

Council, which has promised to launch a 

construction payment charter introducing 30-day 

payment terms by 2025, to ensure this is 

monitored and enforced properly. 

Contact Apex Roofing 

01502 537129 

www.apexroofinguk.com 

@ApexAnglia 


Contractor’s Day 2018 

coming soon!

Van Insurance 

MAKING INROADS ON VAN 

INSURANCE: TOP TIPS 

Van insurance premiums reportedly hit a three-year high in 2017, so Total Contractor 

decided to take a look at some of the simple tips that might help contractors cut their 

insurance costs... 

In its October 2017 Van Insurance Index, 

Consumer Intelligence, an insurance market 

analyst, found that average premiums were 

at a three-year high of £1,214 after prices had 

risen 31.7% in the year to September. 

There are a number of reasons for this rise – 

an Insurance Premium Tax hike, a cut in the 

Ogden rate (which governs pay-outs for major 

personal injury claims), rising claims and 

fraud, the post-Brexit weak pound and the cost 

of repairing more technologically advanced 

vans. 

With this in mind, the natural question for most 

is how to cut insurance costs? 

“Look at the miles you 

drive because you 

should only pay for 

those driven, and the 

more you insure for, 

the higher the 

premium” 

1. Don’t make a claim! 

The most obvious solution is to not make a 

claim and the more years of no claims bonus 

(NCB) acquired, the greater the discount 

applied to the insurance. Only claiming for 

catastrophic losses that you cannot afford to 

cover or protecting your NCB at extra cost are 

the only options. 

2. Safety in numbers 

For those with more than one van, a thought 

might be fleet insurance; it’s easier to 

administrate and policyholders will benefit from 

the effect of multi-buy. 

3. Appropriate action 

Next comes insuring vehicles appropriately. 

Anything other than third party fire and theft, or 

third-party cover is wasted on an old van, while 

clearly comprehensive insurance should be 


taken for more valuable vehicles. Third party is 

the legal minimum but some form of 

commercial van insurance to cover either 

carriage of own goods (tools and materials 

between jobs), carriage of goods for hire or 

reward (for those delivering goods), or haulage 

(‘single’ deliveries over long distances) should 

be taken; always confirm if the contents are 

covered. 

4. Added extras 

Consider also the optional extras. Do you need 

breakdown cover, legal expenses insurance, 

trailer insurance, courtesy van cover or 

overseas cover? 

5. Mile markers 

Look at the miles you drive because you should 

only pay for those driven, and the more you 

insure for, the higher the premium. Be realistic 

– if there’s a claim, insurers can seek proof of 

mileage through servicing and MOT documents. 

6. Excess baggage 

Also, be careful when setting the excess. The 

higher the excess, the lower the premium, but 

set it too high and you’ll never make a claim. 

Ensure that the policy and claims are 

affordable. You could also make drivers pay the 

excesses, but this requires them to agree to 

this beforehand or you risk a claim for 

unauthorised deductions from wages. 

7. Training and gaining 

Is additional driver training an option to lower 

the odds that your insurer will have to pay out? 

If so, the key will be to find training that is 

provided by a firm approved of by your insurer. 

8. Monitor your progress 

Look also at fitting trackers and on-board 

cameras; these devices effectively put drivers on 

notice that their activities are being monitored 

while providing defence backup in case of a 

claim. Also look at offering bonuses based on the 

driving record of employees. 

Vehicles are an essential tool of any contractor’s trade, but insurance can prove costly 

“The higher the 

excess, the lower the 

premium, but set it too 

high and you’ll never 

make a claim” 

9. Size matters 

How big is your van? The larger the vehicle the 

greater the premium, so if you don’t need a 

large vehicle, trade it down for something 

smaller. Not only could it release capital, it’ll 

have a smaller engine and will be cheaper to 

run and may cost less to insure. 

10. Parking practice 

And just as with your car at night, where you 

keep a van after hours will have a bearing on 

the premium. Garaged, on a drive or behind 

locked gates will lower the risk and therefore 

the premium. By the same token, keeping the 

van empty at night will help reduce the risk of a 

claim. At the same time, consider retro-fitting 

security devices such as an immobiliser, 

tracker, alarm, or stronger door locks which 

have been approved by insurers. 

11. Modify your behaviour 

Lastly, vehicle modifications increase 

premiums so make sure you steer clear of 

those that boost performance or alter the 

aesthetics. That said, van wraps or logos 

appear to be cost neutral as they make a 

vehicle more readily identifiable and so perhaps 

less attractive to thieves. Also, insurers believe 

liveried van drivers to be more careful because 

they can be identified and complained about. 

Below we’ve listed a selection of useful online 

comparison sites: 

www.thevaninsurer.co.uk 

www.moneysupermarket.com/van-insurance 

www.confused.com/van-insurance 

www.gocompare.com/van-insurance 

www.mustard.co.uk/van-insurance 


Total Events 


Total Recruitment 

To promote your vacancy, contact Andy or Jake on: 01892 732047 

Technical Secretary 

Part-time 

Based from home, this role offers an exciting and challenging 

opportunity to work at a high level developing industry best 

practice, producing technical guidance and influencing future 

legislation. 

The ideal candidate will have proven experience in roofing & 

liquid waterproofing, with the inter-personal skills to 

communicate and represent the association at relevant 

industry meetings or events. 

Working closely with the Board, CEO and other LRWA 

personnel you will oversee all technical association activity 

therefore you will need to work on your own initiative. 

For more information and a job specification please contact 

info@lrwa.org.uk 

Closing Date: 31 st March 2018 

www.lrwa.org.uk 


Material Prices 

THE PRICE IS RIGHT? MATERIAL 

COSTS AND CONTRACTORS 

The issue of rising material costs is becoming an even thornier one than usual for roofing 

contractors according to Simon Smith, Divisional Director at Bracknell Roofing. In the first of 

a new, regular column, Simon says he sees a growing gulf between price rises that are 

justified and ones that feel like they are a step too far. 

Brexit, currency fluctuations and global 

demand for raw materials are just some of 

the reasons why we have seen price rises 

across all of the staple materials we need to 

construct a roof. 

In the last couple of years, we know that some of 

our suppliers have worked really hard to manage 

costs at their end and in turn to minimise price 

increases to their customers. For that they should 

be applauded because it demonstrates the 

importance placed by some on trust and positive 

working relations between contractors and 

suppliers. So, when prices have gone up, we know 

that these suppliers have made all reasonable 

endeavour to prevent this. Whilst nobody likes 

price rises, sometimes fair and reasonable 

increases are unavoidable. 

A double-whammy 

However, what does stick in the throat is the fact 

that there are some sections of the supply chain 

that are hitting us with a double-whammy. In 

some cases, prices are rising well above historical 

trends experienced over the past ten years and 

beyond, yet without reasonable validation of the 

input cost impacts driving this approach. The 

effect of this is compounded for contractors, 

particularly in slating and tiling, where the 

availability and service level in some product 

sectors has been acutely strained over an 

extended period, resulting in significant impact to 

resource and material costs. 

I know everyone is in business to make money but 

there’s a fine line between putting prices up 

because you have to, and putting them up to 

capitalise on market conditions. Of 

course that’s a matter of opinion, 

but it doesn’t sit well with me to 

know that we have suppliers that 

work with our customer base to 

get their products specified (fair 

enough) to the point of agreeing prices 

with them for extended periods, only to leave it to 

the last minute to advise us of significant price 

increases agreed with our customers without 

reference to us, which we are usually expected to 

start paying immediately and left to absorb the 

increased costs for weeks or months, until our 

contract next permits price renegotiation. To say 

this practice is unfair on contractors would be a 

massive understatement. This leaves me with the 

question: “do some manufacturers view roofing 

contractors as a valued customer, or merely a 

transactional link within the supply-chain?” 

Notwithstanding my previous point, our business 

understands that the prices of some commodities 

like timber and metals are much more volatile 

and, as much as we are able to, we factor this 

volatility into our forecasting and projections. We 

also have a good bellwether on insulation and 

waterproofing – but roof tiles is one product 

segment that confounds me. 

The supply of some roof tiles over recent-times 

has been worse than the market has seen at any 

other point in my 30-something years in this 

industry. The availability of materials such as 

concrete roof tiles has been severely stretched, 

with supply lead times reaching up to six-months 

in some cases. Although there appears to have 

been some improvement over the past few weeks, 

it’s too early to say whether this 

will be sustained and whilst I 

hope it will, the fact remains that 

contractors will continue to suffer 

the cost effects of this period of 

dysfunctional supply-chain 

performance for some time to come. 

Rock and a hard place 

I think the most galling part is that roofing 

contractors are stuck between a rock and a hard 

place. Yes, we can express our dissatisfaction but 

ultimately we have to work with these suppliers 

because of specifications, third party supply-chain 

agreements or due to the simple reality that we have 

projects that need completing to time and budget. 

What about passing on these rising costs? As 

most contractors will appreciate, this is a 

completely different ball game because in most 

cases our hands are tied under contractual pricing 

periods. We don’t have the luxury of continually 

renegotiating terms with builders and 

housebuilders. They just won’t stand for it. 

For us, reviewing our costs is like a military 

operation because we may only get one chance a 

year to negotiate with our customers – so every 

aspect of our costs are scrutinised and justified. And 

no matter how prepared and well organised we are, 

we have to work very hard to ensure we are not left 

to absorb the burden of the pricing strategies and 

performance of the roofing material supply chain. 

Contact Bracknell Roofing 

08705 626800 

www.bracknellroofing.com 

@BracknellUK 


Technical Secretary 

Part-time 

Based from home, this role offers an exciting and challenging 

opportunity to work at a high level developing industry best 

practice, producing technical guidance and influencing future 

legislation. 

The ideal candidate will have proven experience in roofing & 

liquid waterproofing, with the inter-personal skills to 

communicate and represent the association at relevant 

industry meetings or events. 

Working closely with the Board, CEO and other LRWA 

personnel you will oversee all technical association activity 

therefore you will need to work on your own initiative. 

For more information and a job specification please contact 

info@lrwa.org.uk 

Closing Date: 31 st March 2018 

www.lrwa.org.uk

Uniquely 

breathable 

Roofshield 

Roofshield: with its unique air permeability, 

plus high vapour transmission rate, 

Roofshield provides a fully ventilated 

roof without the need for any 

ventilation accessories. 

Red-Eyed Tree frog - Like all amphibians, oxygen can 

pass through the frog's highly permeable skin. This 

unique feature allows frogs to "breathe" through 

their skin. 

Get in touch to find out more about Roofshield 

☎ 01250 872 261 ✉ contact@proctorgroup.com 

www.proctorgroup.com 

Group

March 2018

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