October 2018

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Roofing Rules SHOULD ROOFING RULES BE SIMPLER? A SUPPLIER’S VIEW... There are growing calls from across the roofing industry to make the rules and regulations that govern the quality of materials and the standards of installation easier to use and understand, as part of a wider drive to boost the industry’s perceived reputation and levels of professionalism. Duncan Winter, Flex-R’s Trading Director, has his say from a supplier’s perspective. Anything that can help to increase awareness of standards and regulations – and therefore enhance the reputation of the roofing industry – can only be a good thing at a time when we’re still smarting from the damning Which? Trusted Traders report earlier this year, which found that roofers were amongst the least trusted trades. There’s logic to the argument about looking at making the rules and regulations easier to understand because it should lead to greater industry engagement and adoption of standards so that everyone in the industry pulls in the same direction. “It should lead to greater industry engagement and adoption of standards so that everyone in the industry pulls in the same direction” Standing up for standards These standards are usually written by industry experts, and drafts of the standards are distributed widely as part of a consultation process until consensus is achieved and the standards are published. That’s exactly what’s going on at the moment with BS 6229 (Flat roofs with continuously supported flexible waterproof covering). The standard – which will eventually supersede BS 6229:2003 – was drafted earlier this year, went out for public comment and is currently undergoing comment resolution. According to the BSI’s Standards Development website, the comment resolution is timetabled to be completed by the end of December. Who’s got time to read them? When the new BS 6229 is published, it’ll no doubt be heralded as another step forward for the industry by setting higher standards, but who will have time to read it? Us, certainly, but busy roofing contractors? almost certainly not. The people who write the standards could look at producing bite-sized versions, but I’m sure they’d feel like it was dumbing down a lot of hard work, so I can understand why they’ve never really gone down this route. “Rule makers’ loss is our gain” Don’t get me wrong, we’re not opposed to progress, but suppliers like us benefit from the system being the way it is for two key reasons. The first is the implementation of standards. When new rules, guidance and specifications come out, we work with our manufacturers to make sure the products are compliant. This is often a long and complicated process, but in short, we do all the hard work so that contractors don’t have to – thus giving them peace of mind that every product they purchase from us is up to the job in every sense of the phrase. After all, that’s what responsible suppliers do, right? Duncan Winter, Flex-R’s Trading Director. The second is that I’d argue that the rule makers miss a trick in not fanfaring each standard as it comes out. They could proactively explain the nuts and bolts of each standard and, more importantly, be clear about what any changes mean for roofing contractors. They could work closely with media like Total Contactor to spread these messages. Their radio silence gives us the opportunity to produce product guides and other information – often in bite-sized form – which we give out via merchants, at shows, online and at in-branch demonstration days so that roofing contractors can get the information they need quickly and easily. And having our marketing materials in the hands of contractors goes a long way to being front of mind as roofers are buying materials for their next roofing jobs. In the November issue, we bring you a contractor’s thoughts on this topic. Contact Flex-R 01494 448792 www.flex-r.co.uk @FlexR_UK 26 TC OCTOBER <strong>2018</strong>
THE REVOLUTION IN LEAD REPLACEMENT FLASHINGS IS HERE! SUPER SAFE FLASHING ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● DIFFERS FROM ALL OTHER LEAD REPLACEMENT FLASHINGS ON THE MARKET. NEW AND UNIQUE SAFE FLASHING PRODUCT. IS 100% METAL PRODUCT. PERFORMS LIKE LEAD AND IS FIXED LIKE LEAD. SPECIAL SOFT ZINC ALLOY. BBA CERTIFIED. CLASS A1 FIRE CERTIFICATE. NO THEFT PROBLEM. MEETS NHBC FLASHING REQUIREMENTS. MALLEABLE FOR DETAILING. GREY SURFACE FINISH. ROLL WIDTHS 150MM, 240MM, 300MM, 440MM SEE US AT Approved Product CF 5639 18/5531 LEAD TOXIC MATERIAL HEAVY PRODUCT HIGH SCRAP VALUE NO FIRE CERTIFICATES REQUIRES NAKED FLAME TO WELD BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT INSTALLER TRAINING REQUIRED METZ NON-TOXIC 75% LIGHTER THAN CODE 4 LEAD MINIMAL SCRAP VALUE CLASS A1 FIRE CERTIFICATE <strong>2018</strong> BONDS TO ITSELF ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY INSTALLATION BY ANY COMPETENT PERSON METZ IS DISTRIBUTED BY: METRA NON-FERROUS METALS LTD. UNIT N7, RD PARK, ESSEX ROAD, HODDESDON, HERTS, EN11 OFB 01992 460455 ENQUIRIES@METRA-METALS.CO.UK PLEASE CONTACT METRA FOR STOCKIST DETAILS OR IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A STOCKIST MANUFATURED BY GRILLO WERKE AG METAL DIVISION WESELER STR. 1 • D-47169 DUISBURG CERTIFIED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ACCORDING TO:
Page 1 and 2: OCTOBER 2018 Perfectly Pitched Cont
Page 3 and 4: Editor’s Comment MATT DOWNS EDITO
Page 5 and 6: REGULARS 20 CONTRACT TALK Richard K
Page 7 and 8: ALL ALUMINIUM LANTERN ROOF FITTED I
Page 9 and 10: SEE US AT Have you heard? The ultim
Page 11 and 12: SEE US AT Handrails:- EasyGuard fre
Page 13 and 14: MANUFACTURERS OF SPECIALIST TEST EQ
Page 15 and 16: #ejot-knowhow Behind every fastener
Page 17 and 18: The show for people who build 100+
Page 19 and 20: one warranty...all the cover you ne
Page 21 and 22: Whatever the weather, Alumasc’s m
Page 23 and 24: “Another recipe for failure is co
Page 25: A SIZE THAT IS SIMILAR TO GENUINE S
Page 29 and 30: SEE US AT Passionate about slate Se
Page 31 and 32: We’ll bring your roof to life! SE
Page 33 and 34: SEE US AT
Page 35 and 36: Whatever your flat roofing requirem
Page 37 and 38: SEE US AT LINCOLN CLAY PANTILE. TRA
Page 39 and 40: There’s more to some breather mem
Page 41 and 42: STATUS CREDIT INSURANCE BROKERS Sub
Page 43 and 44: Come and see us at Did you know? As
Page 45 and 46: Take a fresh look at our flat roofi
Page 47 and 48: SEE US AT The Lead Sheet Training A
Page 49 and 50: QUALITY YOU CAN TRUST The Weightank
Page 51 and 52: SEE US AT
Page 53 and 54: Complete Building Envelope Solution
Page 55 and 56: FREEFOAM’S UPDATES & ADDITIONS Fr
Page 57 and 58: BTS Facades and Fabrications offici
Page 59 and 60: SEE US AT PROTAN BLUEPROOF - A ROOF
Page 62 and 63: Opinion MEETING THE DEMAND FOR SKIL
Page 64 and 65: How To: RETROFIT WALL INSULATION Th
Page 66 and 67: Insulation Updates CREATING THE RIG
Page 68 and 69: Organising Your Van RACKING OUT YOU
Page 70 and 71: Selling Your Van TOP TIPS FOR SELLI
Page 72 and 73: Vehicle Hire: Opinion CAN FLEXIBLE
Page 74: UAV Advice DRONES & ROOFING: IT’S

October 2018

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?