May 2019
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MAY <strong>2019</strong><br />
FEATURES<br />
• DON’T BE THE FALL GUY<br />
WHEN IT COMES TO FLAT ROOFING<br />
• CALL FOR REINFORCEMENTS: IS YOUR<br />
LIQUID ROOFING SYSTEM REINFORCED?<br />
• PROFIT’S IN THE PLANNING: REMEMBER,<br />
IT’S IMPORTANT TO MAKE A JOB PAY!<br />
Perfectly Pitched<br />
NFRC Tech Talk<br />
Contractor’s Qs<br />
>>> • SAFETY AT HEIGHT • OFF-SITE FOCUS • WORKWEAR • PRODUCT UPDATES >>>
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I<br />
V<br />
Editor’s Comment<br />
MATT DOWNS<br />
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR<br />
MATTDOWNS@MEDIA-NOW.CO.UK<br />
07963 330774<br />
This month’s issue is packed full of the latest product updates,<br />
interviews, advice and opinions for operatives working in the<br />
roofing and cladding sectors.<br />
COVER PIC:<br />
COURTESY OF<br />
BMI UK & IRELAND<br />
An issue that has caused concern for the pitched roofing sector in<br />
recent times is staining on gable end walls caused by water shedding<br />
from some dry verge systems. Despite the introduction of BS 8612,<br />
there is still some concern, and with this in mind, we asked Tom<br />
Woodhouse, Site Services Manager at Marley, to provide his top tips to<br />
prevent this occurring. You can read Tom’s tips on p.24.<br />
Moving to the liquid roofing sector, a key issue for many is the use of<br />
systems without a reinforcement layer. Often billed as being more cost<br />
effective and quicker to install, Sarah Spink, CEO of the LRWA, is keen<br />
to point out this is often not the case. In her article on p.40, Sarah<br />
explains the very real advantages of using a reinforced liquid roofing<br />
system, and the problems that can arise if you don’t.<br />
Elsewhere in this issue, in his latest Perfectly Pitched column, John<br />
Mercer explains the considerations that need to be made when choosing<br />
a pitched roof underlay, including his own research which throws up<br />
some interesting results (p.32); Nick Boulton of TRA provides a checklist<br />
for roofers to ensure the trussed rafters are ready for them to begin<br />
work (p.38); Andrew Bright explains why profit’s all in the planning for<br />
roofing projects (p.42); whilst Peter Johnson urges cladding installers<br />
to let his company take care of the “dirty work” (p.60).<br />
So read on for all this and so much more!<br />
FROM<br />
A<br />
ONL<br />
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£345<br />
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per leaf<br />
Including<br />
delivery<br />
Matt<br />
Ceiran Peel-Price is Owner of Peel-Price Construction and operates in the<br />
Wirral area. This month Ceiran answers our Contractor’s Qs on page 26.<br />
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MAY <strong>2019</strong> TC 3
Contents<br />
COVER FEATURES<br />
16 DON’T BE THE FALL GUY<br />
The Inspector explains how updates in BS 6229<br />
can prevent you being the fall guy when it<br />
comes to flat roofing<br />
40 REINFORCEMENTS CALL<br />
Sarah Spink explains the advantages of<br />
utilising reinforced liquid roofing systems and<br />
what contractors should look out for<br />
42 PLANNING FOR PROFIT<br />
Andrew Bright says we all enjoy the day job but<br />
it’s important to make a job pay, and to do this<br />
remember the profit’s in the planning...<br />
16<br />
FEATURES<br />
24 GABLE END STAINING<br />
Tom Woodhouse offers his top tips to ensure gable end<br />
staining doesn’t leave its mark on your project<br />
32 PERFECTLY PITCHED<br />
John Mercer explains the importance of using the<br />
right pitched roof underlay in the right location<br />
38 SHOUT IT FROM THE RAFTERS<br />
Nick Boulton talks through the trussed rafter safety<br />
checks roofers should make before commencing work<br />
46 DRAINAGE DESIGN<br />
Brian Bell discusses what to consider when installing<br />
an efficient drainage system<br />
60 OFF-SITE INSIGHT<br />
38<br />
Peter Johnson says contractors and installers have less<br />
time and space on site, so companies like his can help...<br />
70 HARD FACTS FOR SOFTWARE<br />
Could you save time and reduce risk on your projects<br />
with the right software? Richard Boston gives his thoughts<br />
4 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
REGULARS<br />
18 NFRC TECHNICAL TALK<br />
In his latest look at the changes to BS 6229,<br />
Gary Walpole focuses on loading and drainage<br />
22 BUSINESS TALK<br />
We take a look at the issues and protocols when<br />
recruiting staff with criminal records<br />
26 CONTRACTOR’S QS<br />
Finalist in the BMI Apprentice of the Year in 2017<br />
and 2018, Ceiran Peel-Price answers our Qs<br />
74 THE APEX<br />
The response to T Levels has been mixed,<br />
Jackie Biswell gives an overview and her thoughts<br />
SECTIONS:<br />
TOTAL<br />
ROOFING<br />
24<br />
TOTAL<br />
CLADDING<br />
60<br />
INDUSTRY NEWS<br />
06 WIENERBERGER MAKES MOVE<br />
Acquisition of BPD Holdings enables Wienerberger to<br />
expand its roof accessory offering<br />
10 INNOVATION HUB FOR SFS<br />
New hub is designed to connect professionals and new<br />
entrants and enable them to network and learn<br />
TOTAL<br />
INSULATION<br />
66<br />
VEHICLES, TOOLS<br />
& WORKWEAR<br />
10<br />
70<br />
MAY <strong>2019</strong> TC 5
Industry News<br />
SIG ROOFING’S NEXT<br />
GENERATION SUPPORT<br />
Top: Kieren Stevenson; Above left: Samuel Haworth;<br />
right: Megan Boygle<br />
SIG Roofing is supporting 11 apprentices<br />
through the Re:allies Framework, an<br />
initiative which provides smart<br />
procurement to asset management<br />
solutions for social housing projects that<br />
generates efficiencies to directly support<br />
people into training and employment in<br />
their local communities.<br />
SIG Roofing, which supplies products through<br />
the Re:allies planned maintenance<br />
framework to a number of clients across the<br />
north of England, has provided starter toolkits<br />
and ongoing training and mentoring to<br />
support 11 apprentices as well as sponsoring<br />
three of these apprentices who, with SIG’s<br />
support, have overcome barriers and now<br />
gained employment for construction<br />
companies on the Procure Plus Framework.<br />
Kieren Stevenson, Samuel Howarth and<br />
Megan Boygle have been recruited through<br />
Re:vision, supported by its partnership with<br />
local employment groups in the north:<br />
Newground, Achieve and Women and Manual<br />
Trades (WaMT). Find out more at<br />
www.total-contractor.co.uk.<br />
WIENERBERGER MAKES KEY ACQUISITION<br />
Wienerberger has announced the acquisition<br />
of UK-based BPD Holdings to further expand<br />
its roof accessory offering and complement<br />
its existing roof product portfolio in the UK<br />
and Europe.<br />
As a prominent producer of roof underlays, wall<br />
and construction membranes, building ventilation<br />
systems and specialist roof products, BPD will<br />
become a centre of excellence for innovative<br />
roofing solutions within Wienerberger. BPD will<br />
reportedly be tasked with developing innovative<br />
solutions designed to be implemented and sold<br />
across the broader Wienerberger network,<br />
leveraging the combined regional strengths and<br />
product expertise. With a large product offering<br />
including the Protect, Passivent, Glidevale and<br />
Kingfisher brands, as well as a tailor-made<br />
solutions service, BPD operates two highly<br />
advanced and efficient UK production sites in<br />
Nottinghamshire and South Wales. BPD has over<br />
200 employees and most recently generated<br />
annual revenues of around £30 million.<br />
Heimo Scheuch, Wienerberger AG CEO,<br />
commented: “The UK is one of the strongest and<br />
The importance of proper planning and safe<br />
working practices has once again been<br />
highlighted after a roofing company was<br />
sentenced for safety breaches when a worker<br />
fell about three metres through a rooflight,<br />
suffering a fractured pelvis and spinal injuries.<br />
Leeds Magistrates court heard how, on 17 March<br />
2016, a self-employed roofer, working for PNR<br />
Roofing and Building Services, was on a roof<br />
laying wooden ‘lats’ and roofing felt, when he fell<br />
through a skylight that was covered with felt. PNR<br />
was subcontracted to carry out roof work at Globe<br />
Mills in Slaithwaite. An investigation by the Health<br />
and Safety Executive (HSE) found that whilst PNR<br />
initially provided air bags as a means of mitigating<br />
any falls by employees, the air bags had been<br />
Wienerberger has acquired BPD Holdings to further expand<br />
its roof accessory offering.<br />
most innovative markets for roofing products, and<br />
a key growth area for us as a business. The<br />
acquisition of BPD will strengthen our own<br />
position as a full-range roof systems supplier<br />
thanks to their reputation for innovation and<br />
production expertise. BPD’s specialist roof<br />
accessories are a perfect fit with our existing roof<br />
portfolio and we look forward to being able to<br />
promote them throughout the UK and Europe.”<br />
Wienerberger says its growth strategy is focused<br />
on advancing its market position in the roof,<br />
façade, wall and paver sectors, bringing building<br />
materials solutions for the whole building<br />
envelope to the construction industry.<br />
POOR PLANNING PUNISHED BY HSE<br />
moved to remove debris and the worker hit the<br />
floor instead.<br />
PNR Roofing and Building Services of Park View,<br />
Shafton, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to breaching<br />
Section 3 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc<br />
Act 1974 and has been fined £20,000 and<br />
ordered to pay £1,100 in costs. After the hearing,<br />
HSE inspector Chris Tilley commented: “Falls from<br />
height through fragile surfaces and skylights<br />
remain one of the most common causes of workrelated<br />
fatalities in this country and the risks<br />
associated with working at height are well known.<br />
This incident could so easily have been avoided by<br />
simply adopting reasonably practicable safe<br />
working practices such as using netting instead of<br />
relying on fall bags.”<br />
6 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
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Industry News<br />
TAYLOR WIMPEY ‘RECOGNISES THE WORK’ OF ITS TRADES<br />
Bracknell Roofing has been named Best Roofing<br />
Contractor by Taylor Wimpey.<br />
The housebuilder held an event for all the trades<br />
that have worked on its projects in London and the<br />
South East, and the Reading branch of Bracknell<br />
Roofing – which is part of Avonside Group Services<br />
– won the roofing contractor award.<br />
The award ceremony was unexpected, according<br />
to Contracts Manager Clive Naish, who said: “We<br />
just thought Taylor Wimpey was having an annual<br />
get-together of all the different trades that support<br />
them to build homes in London and the South East<br />
– so it came as a surprise when they started<br />
handing out awards, but it was a proud moment<br />
when Bracknell Roofing was named Best Roofing<br />
Contractor for 2018.<br />
“It is a great honour to pick up the award because<br />
we know that Taylor Wimpey work with some very<br />
good roofing contractors, who all<br />
do outstanding work – but this<br />
reflects the fact that we work to<br />
the very highest standards of<br />
workmanship and provide very<br />
responsive project management.<br />
This is something that was<br />
clearly recognised by Taylor<br />
Wimpey. The award is a huge boost for the team at<br />
the Reading branch – which is where the company<br />
was originally founded more than 40 years ago –<br />
and it is validation of the standards that we set for<br />
ourselves and how they positively benefit the<br />
customers we work with – whether that’s a small<br />
development of a few dozen homes or large<br />
developments of thousands of new homes.”<br />
The team at the Reading branch also marked the<br />
milestone by remembering their Branch Manager<br />
Kevin Mather, who passed away suddenly last year.<br />
Clive added: “Our delight was<br />
tinged with sadness, as Kevin<br />
should have been with us to<br />
celebrate, as he was well liked<br />
and respected by all those he<br />
worked with.”<br />
L-r: Tain McDonald & Clive Naish.<br />
Divisional Director Simon Smith<br />
of Bracknell Roofing explained: We applaud<br />
Taylor Wimpey for going out of its way to<br />
recognise the work of all the trades who it<br />
works with to build new homes – because it<br />
highlights the high levels of skill and<br />
professionalism right across the industry. The<br />
team at the Reading branch fully deserve this<br />
award, and in light of the difficult time around<br />
the untimely passing of a well-liked colleague, it<br />
highlights that our high standards have never<br />
slipped in supporting customers like Taylor<br />
Wimpey.”<br />
FMB: QUALITY & STANDARDS MUST BE KEY<br />
Andrew Stephenson MP, the new<br />
sector has widespread support among<br />
Construction Minister, should make it<br />
the industry and homeowners, alike. The<br />
his mission to raise quality and<br />
Government must legislate to stop the<br />
standards in the construction<br />
scourge of unprofessional behaviour<br />
industry through mandatory<br />
blighting the entire industry.”<br />
licensing, according to the Federation<br />
Berry concluded: “With the recent<br />
of Master Builders (FMB).<br />
appointment of a member of the FMB<br />
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB,<br />
onto the Construction Leadership<br />
said: “I warmly welcome Andrew<br />
Council, we also look forward to<br />
Stephenson into his new role and I look<br />
working with the Minister on<br />
forward to working with him to raise<br />
implementing the Sector Deal in a way<br />
standards, quality and professionalism<br />
that will help to unleash the potential of<br />
in the construction industry. The time is<br />
small to medium-sized construction<br />
Top: Andrew<br />
right to look at a meaningful way in Stephenson MP, Above: firms.<br />
Brian Berry.<br />
which we can purge the sector of rogue<br />
“After all, they are the bedrock of the<br />
firms and unprofessional outfits once and for all.<br />
industry, training two-thirds of all construction<br />
With the publication of the Independent Review of<br />
apprentices and forming the supply chain of<br />
Building Regulations and Fire Safety, and the<br />
larger contractors. We must tirelessly work to<br />
quality of some new build homes being called into<br />
remove barriers to SME construction companies if<br />
question, we need to act now to improve<br />
we are to deliver on the Government’s<br />
standards and increase productivity. A mandatory<br />
infrastructure targets.”<br />
licensing scheme for the whole UK construction<br />
SPRA’S TEAM GROWS<br />
SPRA Council has welcomed John McMullan<br />
from Firestone Building Products (FBP) onto<br />
the leadership team.<br />
Martyn Holloway, SPRA Chair, said “I am<br />
very pleased to welcome John onto SPRA<br />
Council. His depth of knowledge and<br />
determination to improve the sector and<br />
attract new talent will be invaluable.”<br />
Cathie Clarke, CEO, said “I am delighted that<br />
John is joining the leadership team. He will<br />
play an important role helping to drive our<br />
business plan and representing the EPDM<br />
sector on the SPRA Council. John joins Ian<br />
Muddiman (SIKA), Mike Crook (SIG D&T)<br />
and Steve Downey (DANOSA) as the four<br />
Membrane Representatives on the 12-<br />
strong SPRA Council. Their collective<br />
experience, enthusiasm & knowledge is a<br />
great asset to SPRA and has been a key<br />
element in the growth in influence of this<br />
dedicated and focussed association.”<br />
8 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
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Industry News<br />
LRWA APPOINTMENTS<br />
Above l-r: Stuart Hicks and Mark Flello.<br />
The Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing<br />
Association (LRWA) has appointed a new<br />
Chairman – Stuart Hicks, UK Marketing<br />
Manager at Kemper System, and Vice<br />
Chairman – Mark Flello, Managing<br />
Director of Dove Technology.<br />
Stuart and Mark, who were put forward for<br />
each of their positions by the LRWA board,<br />
were then voted-in by members at the LRWA<br />
AGM in March <strong>2019</strong>. As Chair, Stuart will<br />
help guide the delivery of significant new<br />
projects and sector developments with the<br />
support of the LRWA board, its members and<br />
the CEO, Sarah Spink, to continue to help<br />
raise the standards and awareness of the<br />
liquid roofing and waterproofing industry.<br />
Stuart explained: “We have a fantastic<br />
association that is shaping the future of not<br />
just the liquid waterproofing sector, but the<br />
entire roofing industry, which is really<br />
exciting. I’m passionate about making change<br />
for the better – so let us continue our good<br />
work and make a positive impact.”<br />
CEO of the LRWA Sarah Spink, added: “We<br />
are absolutely delighted to welcome Stuart<br />
and Mark into their new roles. Both<br />
individuals have been key players within the<br />
association for many years, and their skillset<br />
and experience complement one another<br />
in these leading roles. We have a busy and<br />
exciting year ahead with new developments<br />
and projects in the making, and having Stuart<br />
and Mark at the forefront of the association will<br />
be a real asset for the LRWA and its members.”<br />
SFS OPENS NEW INNOVATION HUB<br />
SFS opened the doors to its<br />
new construction<br />
innovation hub alongside a<br />
distinguished panel of<br />
speakers in <strong>May</strong>.<br />
The Academy is SFS’s new<br />
learning space at its UK<br />
Above: SFS’s new construction innovation hub.<br />
Directors of key companies<br />
in construction, speakers<br />
from local universities, and<br />
David Wigglesworth, MD of<br />
SFS UK.<br />
“The way buildings are<br />
designed and constructed is<br />
headquarters in Leeds. The hub is designed to<br />
connect professionals and the future generation<br />
of construction to trade knowledge, network, learn<br />
and share ideas.<br />
changing and evolving at a faster rate than ever<br />
before,” explained Wigglesworth. “Everybody from<br />
all corners of construction is facing new<br />
challenges, from 5D BIM, to solving the skills<br />
shortage problem, to working collaboratively and<br />
As part of the launch, SFS hosted an evening on<br />
bringing in much needed efficiencies.<br />
2nd <strong>May</strong> to provide key insight from leading<br />
players across a spectrum of specialities within<br />
the construction industry. Attendees had the<br />
opportunity to learn about topics such as the<br />
future of architecture, developing new talent,<br />
construction 4.0, diversification in the workforce,<br />
and women in engineering and construction.<br />
The event brought together a range of speakers<br />
and the panel included well-known architectural<br />
historian, broadcaster and writer Tom Dyckhoff.<br />
As well as Tom, the panel comprised Managing<br />
“The Academy is one of SFS’s core pillars to help<br />
the industry to focus on these challenges. The<br />
space is designed to share thought leadership<br />
initiatives and allow different professions of<br />
construction to come together.”<br />
The Academy at SFS will be the focal point for<br />
delivering CPDs, hosting networking events,<br />
engaging the next generation of professionals,<br />
while SFS experts will be on hand to provide<br />
product demonstrations and technical insight.<br />
ROOFLIGHTS MADE EASIER WITH NARM<br />
NARM, the National Association of Rooflight<br />
Manufacturers, has launched a new website<br />
which it claims “offers the most<br />
comprehensive independent source of<br />
technical information for rooflight specifiers”.<br />
The National Association of Rooflight<br />
Manufacturers is an active and influential trade<br />
NARM has launched a new website.<br />
association representing manufacturers and<br />
well as providing listings of member companies,<br />
suppliers of all types of rooflights into the UK<br />
latest news and a comprehensive rooflight gallery,<br />
market. Its purpose is to identify and promote<br />
with sector categories.<br />
best practice in rooflight specification,<br />
installation, maintenance and safety.<br />
Full membership criteria for rooflight suppliers<br />
interested in NARM membership, is also available<br />
The new site provides easy access to the<br />
on the new website:<br />
association’s complete library of technical<br />
documents, ‘quick guides’ and case studies, as www.narm.org.uk<br />
10 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
Handrails:- EasyGuard<br />
free-standing Guardrails<br />
*CurveyGuard – an aesthetically pleasing curved rail.<br />
*EasyGuard – raked or straight legs dependant on<br />
application. *FoldGuard – folding handrail.<br />
Trip hazard reduction – long thin base-plates with<br />
Counterweights used on un-secured ends only. Placed at 2m<br />
centres maximum to enable use for leading edge protection.<br />
Galvanised or powder coated finish. Protective mats 5mm<br />
bonded to the base plates.<br />
Standards – Exceeds Class A EN13374- Class A; For<br />
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Industry News<br />
READING TECH HUB<br />
FOR BMI GROUP<br />
BMI Group has opened its new Technology<br />
Hub in Reading.<br />
The Hub marks a multi-million-pound<br />
investment in technology and people for BMI<br />
and is part of Standard Industries’ global<br />
mission to “transform the industry”.<br />
Rich Robinson, Chief Technology Officer at<br />
Standard Industries, parent company of BMI,<br />
commented: “Digital transformation is about<br />
empowering the customer by taking the<br />
friction out of buying a roofing system. The<br />
new BMI Technology Hub is part of our<br />
commitment to leverage emerging<br />
technologies and lead the way in becoming a<br />
truly tech-driven building materials and<br />
construction company.”<br />
BMI is making a major commitment to<br />
accelerate the integration of data and digital<br />
capabilities into the manufacturing of highquality<br />
roofing and waterproofing solutions. The<br />
company is also deploying machine learning to<br />
advance and automate its production and<br />
services as well as the development of a<br />
competitive, integrated solar roof.<br />
BMI says its significant investments in<br />
proprietary technologies continue to enhance<br />
the group’s roofing and waterproofing<br />
solutions and services. They enable BMI to<br />
offer innovative platforms that will make<br />
identifying, selecting, delivering and installing<br />
a roofing system a seamless and integrated<br />
process for both the customer and contractor.<br />
Shreyas Mysore, Chief Information Officer of<br />
BMI Group, expressed big ambitions for the<br />
centre’s growth: “The BMI Technology Hub<br />
will grow into a sophisticated centre for<br />
technology and IT innovation. We have many<br />
exciting opportunities for technologists, and<br />
plans to branch into sectors ripe for<br />
technological development and disruption.”<br />
SR TIMBER’S CONSTRUCTIVE BREXIT TALKS<br />
Shaun Revill, SR Timber Trading Director,<br />
joined business leaders to tell Conservative<br />
MP Nicky Morgan about the stark realities that<br />
businesses are facing as the uncertainty<br />
around Brexit continues.<br />
The group, which included the Confederation of<br />
British Industry (CBI), a high street bank and<br />
Sean Revill, SR Timber, and Conservative MP Nicky Morgan.<br />
leading business figures – spoke to Mrs Morgan at<br />
the event at Loughborough University and<br />
Referendum in 2016 was announced, the value of<br />
expressed genuine concern about how Parliament the pound had plummeted against other currencies<br />
and the government are handling what the MP and, again, this had driven up costs, which again,<br />
described as a “political and constitutional crisis”. businesses around the table said they were<br />
struggling to pass on to their customers.<br />
Mr Revill was quick to tell the MP for<br />
Loughborough about the case of SR Timber – Mr Revill took the opportunity to highlight the issue<br />
which is a leading importer of timber products of British Standards. He told Mrs Morgan about the<br />
and the UK’s largest importer of roofing batten. case of roofing batten and how there has been a<br />
rise in the amount of roofing contractors either<br />
He said that since the Referendum in 2016, he<br />
knowingly using materials which are noncompliant<br />
with current British Standards, or are<br />
has faced constant questions from suppliers – in<br />
particular those in SR Timber’s supply chain in<br />
unwittingly purchasing materials that are<br />
the Baltic states – asking what’s happening in<br />
counterfeit, in order to save money.<br />
the UK. He also said that the continued<br />
uncertainty over Brexit means his suppliers are “When I mentioned the case of battens, Mrs<br />
themselves under pressure because the UK is Morgan quite rightly asked the question about<br />
their largest market.<br />
when regulators are being pushed to enforce<br />
standards,” said Mr Revill. “The reality is that<br />
“There are rumours swirling around Europe that<br />
they’re not as robust as they should be. British<br />
the UK will grind to a halt in the days and weeks<br />
Standards have been developed for specific<br />
after Brexit – and this is making our suppliers<br />
reasons – such as the quality of materials – and<br />
understandably very nervous,” said Mr Revill.<br />
they should be adhered to, Brexit or no Brexit.”<br />
Mrs Morgan was quick to point out that the civil<br />
When asked what contingencies businesses<br />
service and government departments have lots of<br />
around the table had taken to plan for Brexit,<br />
plans and contingencies in place, but the group<br />
there was a very clear divide between FTSE<br />
criticised the government for not promoting this<br />
companies and businesses such as SR Timber.<br />
and not communicating this better to countries in<br />
the EU.<br />
“The CBI said that some of the largest businesses<br />
were spending more than £100m to prepare, and<br />
The group discussed the example of<br />
their boards were spending up to 80% of their<br />
transportation costs of distributing materials once<br />
time planning,” said Mr Revill. “If we did that, we<br />
they arrive at UK ports and many of the<br />
wouldn’t have a business left to run.”<br />
businesses said they had faced rising costs –<br />
which they had to absorb because they couldn’t Reflecting on the event, Mr Revill said that it was<br />
pass them on.<br />
a great opportunity to meet other businesses who<br />
import and share experiences around the<br />
They also discussed how, since the result of the<br />
challenges of importing.<br />
12 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
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Industry News<br />
PLEASING READING<br />
FOR GREEN ROOFS<br />
Shirley Rodrigues, London’s Deputy <strong>May</strong>or for<br />
the Environment, launched a report which<br />
shows the speed with which London has<br />
delivered on its drive to meet its objectives<br />
on climate resilience and biodiversity.<br />
Rodrigues led the Greater London Authority’s<br />
(GLA) Environment Team when the First<br />
green roof policy was included in the London<br />
Plan in 2008: “I have been delighted to<br />
witness the patchwork of green roofs and<br />
walls spreading across London’s skyline,<br />
alongside the establishment of a world-class<br />
industry that is working towards the greening<br />
of London,” said Rodrigues.<br />
The report, produced by the European<br />
Federation of Green Roofs and Walls (EFB),<br />
and livingroofs.org, reveals that the total area<br />
of green roofs in the Greater London area is<br />
equal to 1.5 million m² with a density of<br />
0.17m² per inhabitant, which far surpasses<br />
that of other cities in the world.<br />
Significantly, the density in the capital’s<br />
Central Activity Zone is now a remarkable<br />
1.21m² of green roof per inhabitant.<br />
The new report contains infographics<br />
detailing all the green roofs installed in the<br />
Greater London Area and the Central Activity<br />
Zone (CAZ) as of 2018, with links to<br />
infographics for all the London boroughs<br />
which are published at www.livingroofs.org;<br />
the First ever league table of green roof cities<br />
around the world including London’s CAZ to<br />
provide a snapshot of London’s comparative<br />
performance; a review of global green roof<br />
policies in cities around the world; new<br />
evidence of the benefits and economic case<br />
for green roofs and walls; an appraisal of<br />
how various London boroughs are delivering<br />
green roofs; and 17 case studies of green<br />
roofs and walls in London.<br />
www.livingroofs.org<br />
TRAINING KEY FOR FORMER BMI AOTY<br />
The BMI National Training Centre welcomed an<br />
old friend, when roofer Ceiran Peel-Price<br />
attended one of the centre’s flat roofing courses.<br />
Ceiran is no stranger to the BMI National Training<br />
Centre as he was a finalist in the pitched roof<br />
category of the annual BMI Apprentice of the Year<br />
(AOTY) competition in both 2017 and 2018. After<br />
completing his apprenticeship, and with the<br />
confidence and insight gained through the<br />
competition, Ceiran successfully set up his own<br />
business and is now seeking to add flat roofing<br />
installation to the company’s services. Of BMI’s<br />
available courses, Ceiran opted for an<br />
Introduction to Single Ply Roofing.<br />
With 2018 delivering the completion of the flat<br />
roofing training area, and the refurbishment of the<br />
existing pitched training facility, the BMI National<br />
Training Centre was an obvious choice for Ceiran<br />
when looking to improve his skillset: “Being part<br />
of the BMI Apprentice of the Year competitions<br />
really taught me a lot and meant that BMI was a<br />
natural place for me to look for training as I am<br />
expanding my business. They not only gave me a<br />
great boost to my confidence, they also really<br />
Above: Ceiran Peel-Price took part in BMI’s Apprentice of the<br />
Year and returned to BMI’s National Training Centre to carry<br />
out flat roof training as owner of his own business.<br />
inspired me to push on with the next stage of my<br />
career. The facilities here are excellent, and the<br />
quality of training is superb.”<br />
Mat Woodyatt, BMI Technical Training Manager,<br />
said: “It’s great to see Ceiran back, and I’m really<br />
proud that, not only has BMI been part of<br />
inspiring him to set up his own company; but also<br />
that he sees us as a ‘go to’ provider for new<br />
skills. Our BMI Apprentice of the Year awards are<br />
part of our commitment to help ensure that new<br />
entrants to the sector receive the necessary<br />
levels of support that they need to develop and<br />
succeed. Ceiran is absolute proof of that, and we<br />
couldn’t think of a better candidate to attend one<br />
of our flat roof training courses.”<br />
Ceiran takes part in Contractor’s Qs on p. 26.<br />
NEW APPOINTMENT AT MADE FOR TRADE<br />
Jonathan Fletcher has joined<br />
Made for Trade as Business<br />
Development Manager.<br />
Going forward, Jonathan’s<br />
appointment will help ensure the<br />
successful roll out of all MFT<br />
products. However, customer<br />
support and guidance will be<br />
Bradley Gaunt (left) welcomes<br />
Jonathan Fletcher to the team.<br />
area for Jonathan is the Midlands<br />
and he will be focusing on existing<br />
customer support, retention and<br />
growth.<br />
Jonathan explained: “I’m looking<br />
forward to increasing awareness<br />
of the Made For Trade brand<br />
through strategic marketing<br />
crucial as Made for Trade continue to invest in<br />
research and design of new systems. With over<br />
20 years of business to business experience in<br />
national sales roles, Jonathan brings a wealth of<br />
experience to the position. Alongside supporting<br />
the Made for Trade team at this year’s FIT Show,<br />
his immediate goals will be on the road visiting<br />
existing clients and offering support. The first<br />
avenues, whilst also increasing face time with<br />
our customers. I have known of Made for Trade<br />
for some years now, so as soon as the<br />
opportunity arose I was keen to get on board. The<br />
fact that Made for Trade has a strong ethos<br />
towards developing market leading products gives<br />
me confidence that this role will be an exciting<br />
and enjoyable one for me.”<br />
14 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
An Inspector Calls<br />
DON’T BE THE FALL GUY WHEN IT<br />
COMES TO FLAT ROOFING<br />
In our regular monthly column – ‘An Inspector Calls’ – Total Contractor has teamed up with<br />
the experts at BMI UK & Ireland to help you avoid the common pitfalls that can often cost<br />
you both time and money, and ultimately help you achieve roofing success.<br />
This month, the Inspector looks at how<br />
updates in BS 6229:2018 can stop you<br />
being the fall guy when it comes to flat<br />
roofing.<br />
One of the most eye-catching amendments in the<br />
revision of BS 6229:2018 was the reference to<br />
falls. This is now much clearer, stating that “all<br />
flat roof surfaces (including gutter beds) should<br />
be designed with a fall of 1:40 to ensure finished<br />
drainage falls of 1:80 are achieved. This should<br />
take account of construction tolerances,<br />
permitted deviations and deflection under load,<br />
and account for deflections/settlement.”<br />
In other words, any design should allow for all<br />
factors that could reduce or hinder the drainage,<br />
eliminating the risk of ponding on roofs. Without<br />
these considerations, it is highly likely standing<br />
water will occur. Although improvements in<br />
membrane technology and performance have<br />
increased significantly, standing water may still<br />
result in additional and unnecessary stresses in<br />
the membrane, particularly in the winter when<br />
that standing water freezes. Furthermore, in the<br />
event of a defect being present in the area of the<br />
ponding, greater water ingress will occur when<br />
compared to a well-drained roof.<br />
Accelerate the ageing process<br />
Standing water is typically defined as water that<br />
remains on the roof for longer than 48 hours, and<br />
whilst this is not an immediate threat, it can<br />
accelerate the natural ageing process and have a<br />
detrimental effect on the membrane’s lifespan.<br />
It’s possible that standing water can still occur<br />
even when the structural deck has a fall within it,<br />
as compressed insulation,<br />
blocked or faulty drainage<br />
and damaged membranes<br />
can all contribute<br />
towards this issue too.<br />
Regular maintenance<br />
can therefore reduce<br />
this risk, alongside<br />
reducing the number and<br />
weight of items permanently<br />
stored on the roof. Another<br />
contributing factor could be the<br />
sequencing of membrane laps and edge details<br />
sitting proud of the finished floor level,<br />
consequently reducing the water’s ability to<br />
navigate past the resulting water-check.<br />
The reference to falls is all the more pertinent<br />
given that, these days, there are certain thirdparty<br />
certified waterproofing and insulating<br />
Above: Ponding can shorten the life of a roof. Below:<br />
Standing water due to lack of fall.<br />
systems that have gained<br />
approval for use with zero<br />
falls. Hot melt systems<br />
in particular are<br />
popular for this area<br />
of work. For these<br />
systems, zero falls<br />
are acceptable, but<br />
negative falls are not, so<br />
should be corrected. It is<br />
not really acceptable in this<br />
day and age for any contractor to<br />
install roof decks with large depressions, back<br />
falls and non-draining areas.<br />
To ensure a zero fall finished surface i.e. one that<br />
is totally flat, a design fall of 1:80 should be<br />
used, along with a detailed structural analysis to<br />
account for construction tolerances, settlement<br />
and deflection under load.<br />
Remedial action<br />
If sites have negative falls, thereby increasing the<br />
likelihood of ponding, then remedial action has to<br />
be taken before the roof system is applied. This<br />
could be by laying a localized screed to falls and<br />
firings, fitting tapered insulation or fitting<br />
additional rainwater outlets at the lowest points.<br />
As a result, the roofing contractor should expect a<br />
flat, properly drained surface on which to lay the<br />
specified system and the finished roof should not<br />
suffer from ponding or inadequate drainage.<br />
Contact BMI National Training Centre<br />
01285 863545<br />
www.redland.co.uk/training<br />
@_Redland / @Icopal_UK<br />
16 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
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NFRC Technical Talk<br />
SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO BS 6229<br />
PART 2: LOADING & DRAINAGE<br />
Gary Walpole, NFRC Technical Officer, continues his review of the changes to BS 6229, the<br />
Code of Practice for flat roofs.<br />
BS 6229 (Flat roofs<br />
with continuously<br />
supported flexible<br />
waterproof coverings. Code<br />
of Practice) was last updated<br />
in 2003 and much has<br />
changed within the industry in<br />
the last 15 years. The revised<br />
BS 6629:2018 describes best<br />
current practice in the design,<br />
construction, care and<br />
maintenance of roofs with a flat or<br />
curved surface, at a pitch not<br />
greater than 10 degrees to the<br />
horizontal, with a continuously supported flexible<br />
waterproof covering.<br />
Last month I explained what the main changes<br />
were in relation to the different flat roof buildups;<br />
this month I look at loading and drainage:<br />
Loading<br />
The roof structure should be designed for the<br />
strength of the specified waterproofing and take<br />
into account any added surfacing including green<br />
roofs, paving slabs, gravel, blue roofs for<br />
rainwater retention, or any mechanical or<br />
electrical equipment which may be situated on<br />
the finished roof.<br />
Achieving drainage through roof fall<br />
Ponding water adds a dead load to the roof<br />
structure and in exposed warm roofs increased<br />
stresses in the waterproofing layer, therefore, a<br />
minimum 1:80 finished fall is recommended to<br />
both the general area of the roof and to any<br />
formed internal gutters.<br />
BS 6229 recommends that all flat roofs should be<br />
designed with a fall of 1:40 to ensure a 1:80 fall<br />
BS 6229 has been revised and there are a<br />
number of changes that roofers need to be<br />
aware of.<br />
is achieved once the<br />
roof is completed.<br />
This design criteria<br />
includes internal<br />
gutters and should<br />
take account of<br />
construction tolerances,<br />
settlement and for deflection<br />
under load, both during and<br />
post construction.<br />
Zero falls<br />
Certain third-party certified<br />
waterproofing and insulating<br />
systems are approved for use with zero falls, but<br />
back falls are not acceptable. To ensure a<br />
finished surface with a zero fall, a design fall of<br />
1:80 should be used and a detailed structural<br />
analysis should account for construction<br />
tolerances, settlement and for deflection under<br />
load. Where areas are found by a site level survey<br />
to have negative falls, ponding water will occur.<br />
This will need to be corrected through the<br />
introduction of an additional outlet or localised<br />
screed to falls.<br />
To prevent ponding caused by waterproofing<br />
system lap, build ups around rainwater outlets,<br />
rainwater outlets should be recessed into the slab<br />
/ deck or fitted in sumps when it is practicable to<br />
do so.<br />
Rainwater disposal<br />
The design of most flat roofs should ensure<br />
rainwater is drained from the roof as quickly as<br />
possible. However, some roof finishes are<br />
designed to control the disposal of rainwater from<br />
the roof. For example, green roofs are designed to<br />
support planting, and blue roofs are designed to<br />
attenuate the drainage of rainwater. These roofs<br />
Left: Gary Walpole, NFRC.<br />
may require additional rainwater<br />
design considerations. All blue<br />
roofs and roofs that drain into a<br />
single internal rainwater outlet or<br />
combined outlets connected to a single<br />
downpipe, should also be fitted with a visible<br />
overflow to drain and alert the building user of<br />
any blockages to the rainwater outlet.<br />
Door threshold and upstand details<br />
The minimum height of all upstands and<br />
abutments from the finished waterproofing<br />
system remains at 150mm. However, if level<br />
access is required from within the building, as in<br />
the case of a door opening onto a balcony or<br />
terrace:<br />
• The height of the clear upturn under the door<br />
threshold may be reduced to not less than 75mm.<br />
• The waterproofing should be fitted before fixing<br />
the door threshold.<br />
It is important that the roof is designed with the<br />
rainwater falling away from the door, and in cases<br />
where there is an internal outlet or through-wall<br />
outlet:<br />
• An overflow must be fitted a minimum 25mm<br />
below the height of the door threshold to prevent<br />
water ingress into the dwelling in situations of<br />
blockages to the outlet.<br />
• The height of the upstand must return to<br />
150mm above the finished roof level beyond the<br />
door reveals.<br />
Contact the NFRC<br />
020 7638 7663<br />
www.nfrc.co.uk<br />
@TheNFRC<br />
18 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
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Material Talk<br />
AT ONE WITH YOUR PROJECT<br />
The choice of roof materials for a new project is vital and there is much to consider.<br />
However, with the focus very much on the physical components of a roof, it’s all too easy to<br />
overlook its overall life expectancy and any warranties that may cover the products. Andrea<br />
Ramirez, Product Manager at SIG Roofing, discusses the benefits behind using single<br />
package warranties.<br />
When planning a project, decisions need<br />
to be made on which products to use,<br />
their colour, size and texture, along with<br />
any planning restrictions, and of course the<br />
budget. Roofs are made up of multiple products,<br />
so the choice of roof coverings, fittings, fixings,<br />
breather membrane and batten for example, will<br />
also be carefully considered.<br />
“Things do go wrong,<br />
and when they do, you<br />
need the reassurance<br />
that the manufacturer<br />
or supplier will stand<br />
by your claim”<br />
Naturally, as roofers and contractors, you want to<br />
get the roof just right, especially the aesthetic as<br />
it accounts for 20-30% of the visible exterior and<br />
will determine the appearance of the property for<br />
decades. However, if it fails to meet requirements<br />
or a fault occurs and you’re required to make any<br />
repairs necessary, you will find yourself making a<br />
claim. Things do go wrong, and when they do, you<br />
need the reassurance that your roofing products<br />
can be relied upon in the event of defect or<br />
failure, and that the manufacturer or supplier will<br />
stand by your claim. Otherwise, not only could a<br />
claim prove costly, it can seriously discredit your<br />
reputation too.<br />
Thankfully, over the years, roofing products have<br />
become more advanced, and with the quality and<br />
reliability increasing, most products come with a<br />
standard twelve-month warranty – if not longer.<br />
This said, research has shown that 70% of<br />
contractors have had to replace a roofing product<br />
through a warranty claim at some<br />
time or other. Therefore, you need<br />
to be confident that the warranties<br />
offered by the products you choose<br />
are comprehensive and robust.<br />
Whether it’s a new roof, an extension or<br />
even a repair, it’s rare that only one product<br />
will be ever used. Warranties are<br />
normally issued separately for<br />
each product, so that means<br />
several warranties to manage<br />
too. Keeping track of every<br />
warranty and storing them safely<br />
can be a job in itself. So, imagine<br />
having to deal with multiple suppliers<br />
in the event of a claim? It can be difficult, timeconsuming,<br />
and downright frustrating and can all<br />
add up to lost revenue. Single package warranties<br />
take the headache away and offer a number of<br />
valuable benefits; the key attraction is simplicity.<br />
When a single package warranty is purchased,<br />
just one warranty covers the performance of the<br />
key products involved in the build-up of a roof –<br />
in some cases up to 15 years. In the unfortunate<br />
event of a claim, there’s just one company and<br />
only one contact to deal with at any time<br />
throughout the process.<br />
In a move to provide additional support to<br />
contractors, SIG Roofing has extended its ONE<br />
Warranty scheme to provide 15-year coverage for<br />
flat roofing products as well as those for pitched<br />
roofs.<br />
Since its launch in 2015, ONE Warranty has gone<br />
from strength to strength with contractors signing<br />
up to the single package product guarantee,<br />
which is designed to support the products<br />
Left: Andrea Ramirez, Product Manager at<br />
SIG Roofing.<br />
Contact SIG Roofing<br />
0845 612 4304<br />
www.sigroofing.co.uk<br />
@SIGRoofing<br />
involved in the build-up of the roof<br />
from batten to roof coverings.<br />
Now, with coverage extended to<br />
include flat roofing products, the free-toregister<br />
product warranty gives contractors<br />
greater value and an even stronger<br />
offer to put to their customers.<br />
The simplicity of the ‘onepartner<br />
covers all’ ONE<br />
Warranty scheme takes away<br />
that inconvenience, while<br />
property owners have peace of mind<br />
knowing their roof is covered, which in turn<br />
gives them greater confidence in the contractor.<br />
“Contractors can then<br />
easily create a<br />
warranty for their<br />
project online”<br />
Contractors wishing to take advantage of ONE<br />
Warranty simply have to register online<br />
at www.sigroofing.co.uk/onewarranty. Once<br />
registered they will receive membership details<br />
and marketing materials to use with their<br />
customers. Contractors can then easily create a<br />
warranty for their project online, following the<br />
purchase and installation of products, for ONE<br />
Warranty to take effect.<br />
20 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
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Business Talk<br />
PROS & CONS OF RECRUITMENT<br />
We take a look at the issues and protocols when recruiting individuals with criminal<br />
convictions.<br />
Arecent study, conducted for the Scottish<br />
Centre for Crime and Justice, found that 11<br />
million people in the UK have a criminal<br />
record and that 75% of employers admit to<br />
rejecting a job applicant once a criminal<br />
conviction is disclosed.<br />
With this in mind, what is the law surrounding<br />
employees with criminal records, and what can<br />
employers do to ensure they are asking the right<br />
questions at the right time?<br />
The law<br />
According to Mark Stevens, a Senior Associate at<br />
VWV, it’s important to note that an employer can<br />
obtain information on a person’s criminal record:<br />
“They can do so in one of two ways – either by<br />
asking the candidate or employee directly, or by<br />
requesting an official criminal record check by the<br />
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).”<br />
The treatment of individuals with criminal records<br />
is set out in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act<br />
1974 (ROA 1974). This Act provides a system for<br />
the records of people with convictions to be<br />
cleared.<br />
Subject to certain exemptions, a person whose<br />
conviction is spent is entitled to hold themselves<br />
out as a having a clean record – only ‘unspent’<br />
convictions need to be disclosed. However, even<br />
with unspent convictions it is worth bearing in<br />
mind an applicant may not disclose this<br />
information.<br />
Stevens advises that if an individual has a spent<br />
conviction and they choose not to disclose it<br />
“A person whose<br />
conviction is spent is<br />
entitled to hold<br />
themselves out as a<br />
having a clean record”<br />
when questioned, subject to certain exemptions,<br />
“they cannot be subjected to any liability or<br />
prejudice for their failure to disclose, and this<br />
would include an employer not hiring them.<br />
Failure to disclose a spent conviction is not a<br />
lawful ground for dismissal.” An employee<br />
dismissed on these grounds may bring a claim for<br />
unfair dismissal.<br />
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974<br />
(Exceptions) Order 1975 identifies that in certain<br />
cases spent convictions should be disclosed. The<br />
Order sets out certain occupations, offices and<br />
professions where the disclosure of spent<br />
convictions can be required:<br />
• Professions such as medicine, lawyers,<br />
accountants, vets, chemist and opticians;<br />
• Those employed to uphold the law, including<br />
judges and prison officers;<br />
• Certain regulated occupations, including the<br />
financial services;<br />
• Those who work with children and vulnerable<br />
adults; and<br />
• Those whose work could pose a risk to national<br />
security.<br />
If an applicant fails to disclose a spent conviction<br />
in these circumstances, an employer will have a<br />
valid reason for withholding or withdrawing an<br />
offer of employment or dismissal.<br />
Disclosure and Barring Service<br />
As mentioned earlier, an alternative to asking an<br />
employee about their past is for an employer to<br />
obtain information on an individual’s criminal<br />
record via a DBS check which will include all<br />
spent and unspent convictions, and avoids the<br />
need to rely solely on an individual’s voluntary<br />
disclosure.<br />
22 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
There are two main types of DBS checks,<br />
standard disclosure and enhanced disclosure.<br />
Stevens reminds employers that they “should<br />
remember when considering requesting a DBS<br />
check that this can only be requested if the<br />
individual in question is to undertake a role set<br />
out in the Exceptions Order.”<br />
He explains that “if a DBS certificate discloses<br />
convictions, employers should be careful not to<br />
respond in a knee-jerk way when deciding if the<br />
individual is suitable for a role.” His reasoning is<br />
based on a recent case where, in January <strong>2019</strong>,<br />
the Supreme Court found that the way that<br />
criminal records were disclosed to employers<br />
infringed an individual’s right to private life: “It<br />
has been reported that the Supreme Court’s<br />
decision was that the criminal records disclosure<br />
scheme was disproportionate in certain respects<br />
– specifically in respect to the requirement that<br />
all previous convictions should be disclosed,<br />
(regardless of how minor they might have been),<br />
where the person has more than one conviction,<br />
and also in respect to young offenders. The<br />
repercussions of this case remain to be seen –<br />
but it could lead to significant changes to the way<br />
that the DBS system works.”<br />
Employers should keep in mind that information<br />
on a person’s criminal record is personal data<br />
and cannot be processed unless there is a lawful<br />
basis for doing so. As well as having a lawful<br />
reason for processing the data, an employer<br />
should also comply with the data protection<br />
principles which includes making sure the<br />
processing is adequate, relevant and not<br />
excessive.<br />
An applicant has a criminal record<br />
As to how to react if a conviction, spent or<br />
unspent, is disclosed, Stevens suggests that an<br />
employer's response should depend on the<br />
individual circumstances, regardless of how the<br />
information is obtained.<br />
“If the conviction is spent and the position<br />
applied for does not fall under the Exceptions<br />
Order, the employer may not refuse to employ the<br />
‘Be careful who you employ’<br />
Firms in the sector need to be careful who<br />
they employ. Take the 2007 case of roofer<br />
Anthony Robert Turner who was convicted of<br />
theft and money laundering after stealing<br />
cheques from an 80-year-old woman when<br />
working on her house.<br />
In 2012, roofer Joe Crossley was jailed after<br />
“It may not always be<br />
appropriate for an<br />
employer to ask<br />
applicants about<br />
criminal convictions”<br />
individual on the basis of the conviction. If the<br />
conviction is spent but the position falls under the<br />
Exceptions Order, then an employer may refuse to<br />
employ the individual. When dealing with<br />
positions which fall within the Exceptions Order,<br />
due regard should be given to industry and<br />
sector-specific guidance as this will often set out<br />
how an employer should proceed. If the<br />
conviction is not spent, the employer may refuse<br />
to employ the individual, but again, appropriate<br />
regard should be given to any sector specific<br />
legislation.”<br />
A current employee did not disclose<br />
Looking at the issue from the perspective of an<br />
employee, Stevens says that here too, “an<br />
employee is entitled to withhold a spent<br />
conviction, subject to the exceptions, and it is<br />
likely that if an employee with qualifying service<br />
is dismissed for this reason the dismissal will be<br />
unfair.”<br />
He adds that if a person has deceived their<br />
employer about a criminal record and they were<br />
not entitled to withhold the information, i.e they<br />
have an unspent conviction or the exceptions to<br />
ROA 1974 apply, then the employer may<br />
terminate their employment contract for<br />
breaching the implied term of mutual trust and<br />
confidence. But he offers a note of caution: “Care<br />
pleading guilty to stealing tiles from churches<br />
across Wiltshire, causing thousands of<br />
pounds worth of damage.<br />
And in 2017, roofer Richard Cakebread who<br />
stole £88,000 through VAT fraud and evaded<br />
£14,000 in income tax was jailed following an<br />
HMRC investigation. Cakebread charged VAT<br />
on invoices he sent to clients and used a VAT<br />
number which had been deregistered in 2009.<br />
should be taken where an employee has sufficient<br />
qualifying service to bring an unfair dismissal<br />
claim as an employer will need to show that<br />
dismissal was within the band of reasonable<br />
responses.” He says that in considering this an<br />
employer will want to think about the employee’s<br />
performance record as well as whether or not the<br />
conviction was relevant or particularly serious.<br />
In summary<br />
As can be seen from the recent research<br />
published and the legal considerations when<br />
requiring criminal records are disclosed, it may<br />
not always be appropriate for an employer to ask<br />
applicants about criminal convictions.<br />
If an employer chooses to continue to ask for<br />
criminal records information in their application<br />
form, it should consider writing a detailed<br />
recruitment policy with a section on the<br />
recruitment of ex-offenders that explains how the<br />
suitability of candidates with a criminal record is<br />
assessed. This could include the nature of the<br />
offence, the relevance to the role applied for, how<br />
old the offence is, and whether an individual’s<br />
circumstances have changed since it was<br />
committed.<br />
Employers can also continue to reject<br />
applications on the basis of a criminal record<br />
without taking these steps. However, giving more<br />
thought to the situation may open up a wider<br />
range of suitable candidates for a role.<br />
What are your thoughts on recruiting or working<br />
with people with criminal records? Email the<br />
Editor at mattdowns@media-now.co.uk or tweet<br />
@TotContractorUK.<br />
MAY <strong>2019</strong> TC 23
Pitched Roofing<br />
PREVENTING GABLE END STAINING<br />
By Tom Woodhouse, Site Services Manager at Marley.<br />
Despite the introduction of BS 8612, the Dry Fix Standard, there is still some concern in the<br />
industry about staining on gable end walls caused by water shedding from inferior, incompatible<br />
or incorrectly installed dry verge systems. Gable end staining not only looks unsightly, but left<br />
unchecked, saturated walls can leave the bricks at risk of frost damage.<br />
Part of the reason for BS 8612’s introduction was to eliminate this problem and the Standard includes<br />
some strict tests for dry verge products. This means that a compliant system must not allow water to<br />
discharge in one or more concentrated, continuous or intermittent streams on the wall. However,<br />
random splashes are acceptable. So, while in theory, using a BS 8612 compliant dry verge system<br />
should prevent any gable end staining, in order to do so it must be fitted in accordance with<br />
manufacturer instructions. However, it’s important to remember, even between compliant systems there<br />
will be differences in performance. For example, some will have built-in drainage features, or have<br />
batten end clips that make them easier to fix securely.<br />
Here’s Tom’s top tips to prevent gable end staining:<br />
Tom Woodhouse, Site Services Manager at Marley.<br />
“Choose a dry verge<br />
system that has an<br />
integral design feature<br />
to drain water away<br />
from the wall”<br />
1Never use a dry verge system that is not<br />
BS 8612 compliant. This means that it<br />
hasn’t been tested to meet the minimum<br />
quality required by the British Standard.<br />
2Choose a dry verge system that has an<br />
integral design feature to drain water away<br />
from the wall. For example, both our<br />
Ashmore and Universal Dry Verges have been<br />
designed and tested to protect against gable end<br />
staining, with multiple drainage channels to direct<br />
water away from the wall.<br />
3Always follow the manufacturer<br />
instructions. Even if you have fitted similar<br />
products before, check the instructions as<br />
failure to do so could lead to an inadequate fix or<br />
water shedding and invalidate any warranty. All<br />
verge tiles should be mechanically fixed in<br />
accordance with BS 5534 in addition to the use of<br />
the universal dry verge units, i.e. by nailing,<br />
clipping or screwing as appropriate.<br />
4Having a continuous bargeboard can add<br />
further protection, by making sure the<br />
verge is positioned out from the brickwork.<br />
However, as part of BS 8612 requirements, our<br />
dry verge products are tested without a<br />
bargeboard present – so contractors can have<br />
peace of mind they will drain water effectively<br />
with or without a bargeboard.<br />
5Minimise the risk of incorrect fixing by<br />
choosing a system that is simple to install<br />
to British Standards. For example, a dry<br />
verge system that includes a batten end clip<br />
makes the mechanical engagement required<br />
under BS 8612 much simpler. Our batten end clip<br />
has sharp teeth which grip into the batten,<br />
making it extremely secure, as well as being very<br />
quick to push or hammer into place. Unlike others<br />
on the market, it can be fitted after the roof has<br />
been tiled.<br />
6Take extra care with eaves closure units or<br />
starter verges, and always follow<br />
manufacturer instructions. Depending on<br />
the design, it can be particularly difficult to fix the<br />
eaves closure unit adequately. This can lead to<br />
roofers having to improvise to gain a secure<br />
mechanical fix, using things like brick ties to<br />
achieve a suitable fix into the fascia or roof<br />
substructure. To prevent this, our Universal and<br />
Ashmore Dry Verges incorporate a quick starter<br />
verge fixing method that can be installed easily,<br />
regardless of any obstructions such as gutters.<br />
This provides an easy-to-install, robust method<br />
of securing the first verge unit, even when there<br />
are no bargeboards. This also gives the site<br />
manager visual confirmation that the verge has<br />
been installed correctly.<br />
7For refurbishment work, you need to make<br />
sure there are no undulations where the<br />
dry verge will be installed. Any roof dipping<br />
at the edges can cause excessive water run-off,<br />
so you may need to adjust the battens<br />
underneath to make it flatter.<br />
8Compatibility is crucial. Many dry verge<br />
products are sold as universal but they<br />
have different levels of compatibility so it<br />
is important to check this. Our Universal Dry<br />
Verge is compatible with all three main<br />
interlocking tile types; large standard, medium<br />
format (15” by 9”) and large format thin leading<br />
edge. Our Ashmore Dry Verge has been designed<br />
to complement the Ashmore double interlocking<br />
plain tile but it is also fully compatible with other<br />
interlocking plain tiles on the market.<br />
Contact Marley<br />
01283 722588<br />
www.marley.co.uk/dryverge<br />
@MarleyLtd<br />
24 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
Contractor’s Qs<br />
“NO POINT IN HAVING THE GEAR IF<br />
YOU’VE GOT NO IDEA!”<br />
After leaving the army, Ceiran Peel-Price began renovating his own home which sparked a real<br />
interest in construction. This led to him completing an apprenticeship, including consecutive<br />
years as a finalist in BMI’s Apprenticeship of the Year competition, then ultimately establishing<br />
his own business, Peel-Price Construction. Total Contractor caught up with Ceiran to hear about the<br />
lessons he’s learned, dealing with very particular customers and why knowledge is key...<br />
10<br />
questions for Ceiran Peel-Price<br />
“I’ve asked for help and<br />
it’s always been there<br />
but if you don’t you can<br />
find yourself in a<br />
corner”<br />
TC: What was your path into roofing and<br />
to your current position?<br />
CP-P: When I came out of the army I started<br />
renovating the house we were in and it was<br />
brilliant taking things down but I wanted to learn<br />
how to rebuild them. I started off with a brickwork<br />
course while I had operations on my knees and,<br />
when my knees were healed and I’d finished the<br />
brickwork course, I started off as an apprentice with<br />
Les Perry Roofing and then I set up on my own.<br />
TC: If you had one piece of advice about<br />
starting a roofing business, what would it<br />
be?<br />
Images, clockwise from top: Ceiran Peel-Price moved into<br />
construction after serving in the army; He has been a finalist<br />
twice in BMI’s Apprentice of the Year competition which has<br />
helped provide him with the skills and confidence to set up<br />
his own roofing business.<br />
CP-P: Never be afraid to ask for help. I’ve asked<br />
for help and it’s always been there but if you<br />
don’t you can find yourself in a corner. I’ve taken<br />
on jobs where I didn’t have the full set of skills<br />
but asked people to work with me and they’ve not<br />
only done the job but taught me along the way.<br />
TC: Tell us about a current project you’re<br />
working on…<br />
CP-P: I’m on with a really big<br />
house in Heswall – nine<br />
bedrooms. It started off as<br />
just a small repair and then,<br />
when I got there, the<br />
customer said they wanted<br />
to replace all the ridge tiles,<br />
the fascias, soffits and the<br />
gutters – they didn’t like the colour. 250 metres<br />
worth – it’s huge.<br />
TC: You mentioned your apprenticeship:<br />
was that worthwhile?<br />
CP-P: Absolutely. It worked out brilliantly for me<br />
and, for example, I was a finalist in the BMI<br />
Apprentice of the Year competition twice – first in<br />
2017, and again in 2018. The<br />
competition taught me a lot and<br />
was one of the things that<br />
encouraged me to set up my<br />
own business. It also taught<br />
me the value of quality<br />
training. The facilities at BMI<br />
are excellent, and I’ve recently<br />
undertaken some of their flat<br />
26 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
oofing courses to help grow the business.<br />
TC: What about difficult customers? Any<br />
situations that stand out that you can tell<br />
us about?!<br />
CP-P: I haven’t had one that was difficult in an<br />
angry way, just one that was very particular. I had to<br />
go to nine suppliers to get the right material that<br />
they wanted and then ended back with the first one.<br />
They were trying to match into brand new windows<br />
they were installing but there was no match.<br />
TC: What’s the most frustrating thing<br />
about your job?<br />
CP-P: Fixing mistakes where people haven’t<br />
known what they’re doing. Sometimes I just don’t<br />
know how they got away with it.<br />
TC: And the most satisfying?<br />
CP-P: Helping people out because when they<br />
have problems with their roof it’s not something<br />
they can sort out themselves.<br />
Above: Ceiran Peel-Price.<br />
TC: What’s your most important tool as a<br />
roofing contractor, either in the office or<br />
on site?<br />
CP-P: Knowledge. No point in having the gear if<br />
you’ve no idea.<br />
TC: What’s the best social media platform<br />
for you as a roofing contractor?<br />
CP-P: I use Facebook. I put current jobs up there<br />
and customers leave feedback too. I’ve recently<br />
offered Bluelight discount for NHS staff and<br />
people in the forces and put that on the Facebook<br />
page and got a strong response.<br />
“When they have<br />
problems with their<br />
roof it’s not something<br />
they can sort out<br />
themselves”<br />
TC: How has the start of <strong>2019</strong> been and are<br />
there reasons to be positive for the remainder<br />
of the year?<br />
CP-P: January/February were quite quiet but I<br />
expected that and now work’s coming in thick<br />
and fast, so I’m very positive for the future.<br />
Total Contractor will keep you up-to-date with<br />
the finals of the <strong>2019</strong> BMI Apprentice of the Year<br />
which will be held at the beginning of July.<br />
Contact Peel-Price Construction<br />
07730 684784<br />
@PeelPrice<br />
For furt<br />
ther inf ormation<br />
or a hire quotation call<br />
01858 410372<br />
MAY <strong>2019</strong> TC 27
Roof Windows<br />
PART 3: SMARTER MAINTENANCE<br />
In the final instalment of our series from Dakea, Lee Griffiths looks at the maintenance<br />
advice roofing contractors should pass on to their customers.<br />
Homeowners tend to concern themselves<br />
with the upkeep of their interior space,<br />
often forgetting the importance of<br />
maintaining products that are part of the building<br />
fabric. By advising homeowners on the value of<br />
sustaining a schedule of maintenance that<br />
includes the upkeep of the glass, frame and<br />
gutter roofing, contractors can help customers<br />
avoid costly repair and replacement work.<br />
Pane-less cleaning<br />
Dirt can quickly build up on the outer pane due to<br />
a range of factors. Often blamed on rainwater,<br />
this is actually a common misconception as it<br />
contains almost no particles, which means it<br />
cannot make the window dirtier. The main<br />
contributors to a dirty window are from things<br />
such as airborne contaminants, pollen,<br />
windswept dirt from vehicles, and even from<br />
animals such as birds or squirrels.<br />
Most roof windows come with a rotating sash,<br />
which allows homeowners to easily clean the outer<br />
window from inside their house. This involves<br />
using a soft, clean, lint-free cloth, a chamois<br />
leather, non-abrasive sponge or non-metal window<br />
squeegee and water to quickly wipe down, making<br />
sure they avoid contact from silicone with the<br />
pane. For hard water areas, a small amount of<br />
detergent is recommended to soften the water or<br />
wipe off excess water after cleaning.<br />
However, thanks to continuing innovation, there<br />
are glazing units now available on the market that<br />
can provide an unparalleled reduction of dirt<br />
build-up on the external surface of the window, by<br />
using rain itself. Units of this nature have a<br />
microscopic titanium dioxide applied directly to<br />
the surface of the glass. When exposed to<br />
sunlight, the coating uses a photocatalytic<br />
process to break down and disintegrate organic<br />
dirt. Then, when it rains, instead of leaving streaks<br />
“By properly advising customers on the<br />
maintenance required, roofing contractors can<br />
reduce the lifetime cost of the product”<br />
in any settled dirt, it is simply washed away.<br />
In addition, the glazing tends to dry quicker, which<br />
reduces the chances of water streaks, leaving the<br />
customer with clear windows and no<br />
maintenance requirements.<br />
Maintain the frame<br />
It is important to make customers aware that<br />
taking care of the window frame, particularly<br />
timber ones, is important to ensure the wood<br />
does not become affected by damp. This could<br />
cause the frame to swell and become deformed –<br />
creating damage that is costly to fix and<br />
compromises the watertightness of the window.<br />
External factors that can cause this include rain,<br />
freezing temperatures and exposure to ultraviolet<br />
radiation. Internal moisture can also be a problem,<br />
as high humidity areas can cause condensation to<br />
occur on the inner surface of the window.<br />
To reduce the chance of damage to the frame,<br />
roofing contractors should make sure they select<br />
a product from a manufacturer that carries out a<br />
treatment process on the timber before<br />
installation. For example, this could be demoisturising<br />
the wood to protect against<br />
deformation of the frame, and a specialist double<br />
layer coating to help ensure a durable surface.<br />
When it does come to treating the window again,<br />
customers should be advised to apply a simple,<br />
even coat of water-based lacquer to the wood<br />
every four years and whenever additionally<br />
required. However, higher humidity areas of a<br />
property, such as bathrooms and kitchens, will<br />
require treatment every two years.<br />
If the frame at any point requires cleaning, this can<br />
be completed with warm soapy water – but it is<br />
important to advise customers that cleaning more<br />
frequently may increase the need for re-lacquering.<br />
In addition, if an electrical opener has been<br />
installed and needs to be cleaned, a damp cloth<br />
and standard detergents are fine to be used, and<br />
the chain should be greased annually to keep it<br />
working smoothly.<br />
Concerns in the gutter<br />
For the small gutter above the window, advise<br />
your customers that they do not require any extra<br />
maintenance or care. All that is required is a<br />
periodic clean to remove any blockages to allow<br />
rainwater to flow freely, which can be done at the<br />
same time the rest of the gutters on the property<br />
are cleaned. Additionally, if any external roller<br />
shutters are installed they can be cared for easily<br />
with a quick clean with soapy water.<br />
Roof windows are a significant investment in a<br />
property, and as such are expected to last for many<br />
years. While many roof windows come with lengthy<br />
guarantees, if they are kept in good condition they<br />
can often last much longer than this. By properly<br />
advising customers on the maintenance required,<br />
roofing contractors can reduce the lifetime cost of<br />
the product for the homeowner, leaving them with<br />
a high quality installation that looks good and<br />
works as intended.<br />
Contact Dakea<br />
020 3970 5080<br />
www.dakea.com<br />
@dakea_uk<br />
28 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
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Perfectly Pitched<br />
KNOW WHICH WAY THE WIND<br />
BLOWS: PITCHED ROOF UNDERLAYS<br />
Roofing Consultant John Mercer – writing on behalf of Edilians – explains what needs to be<br />
considered when choosing a pitched roof underlay, and the importance of getting it right.<br />
The primary functions of pitched roof<br />
underlays are to a) provide a completely<br />
waterproof barrier to prevent water from<br />
entering the building and b) take a share of the<br />
wind load to reduce the uplift forces acting on the<br />
roof tiles. Another function of vapour and airpermeable<br />
underlays is to assist in preventing<br />
harmful condensation in the roof space.<br />
In this article, I will deal with point ‘b’; i.e. how<br />
the underlay must act to share the wind uplift<br />
loads on the roof system.<br />
A barrier to reduce wind uplift<br />
BS 5534 stipulates that pitched<br />
roofing underlay should provide a<br />
barrier to reduce the wind uplift<br />
load acting on the tiles. If the<br />
underlay cannot sufficiently resist<br />
the wind uplift load, then a greater<br />
share is borne by the roof tiles, possibly<br />
resulting in dislodgement of the tiles. The share of<br />
the wind load borne by the underlay is<br />
considerable, therefore the underlay must be of<br />
suitable strength to resist these uplift forces. An<br />
“The share of the wind load borne by the underlay<br />
is considerable, therefore the underlay must be<br />
of suitable strength to resist these uplift forces”<br />
Left: John Mercer, Pitched Roofing Technical<br />
Consultant.<br />
underlay must always be<br />
specified that is appropriate for<br />
the design of building and,<br />
importantly, its location.<br />
Underlays are usually classified in<br />
accordance with their geographic location and<br />
wind zone in the form of a UK Zonal<br />
Classification Table on the packaging. The UK is<br />
divided into 5 wind zones, with lowest wind<br />
speed, Zone 1, being centred around London and<br />
the south of England, up to Zone 5 covering the<br />
very far north of Scotland (see Wind Zones map<br />
next page).<br />
When choosing an underlay, designers and<br />
When choosing a pitched roof underlay it is important to always check if a project is likely to exceed any of the Zonal Classification Table’s conditions (see table on next page).<br />
32 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
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Zonal Limitations<br />
• Ceiling must be well sealed<br />
• Ridge height must not be greater than 15<br />
metres<br />
• Roof pitch must be between 12.5º and 75º<br />
• Site altitude must not be greater than 100m<br />
• There should be no significant topography<br />
“If there is any doubt<br />
about the suitability of<br />
an underlay for any<br />
particular site or<br />
project, obtain the<br />
actual underlay uplift<br />
resistance value<br />
figure”<br />
installers must be mindful of the list of criteria<br />
that apply to underlay Zonal tables. These are as<br />
follows:<br />
• The ceiling must be ‘well sealed’, as defined in<br />
BS 9250 (referred to as ‘continuous’ in BS 5534)<br />
• The ridge height must not be greater than 15<br />
metres<br />
• The roof pitch must be between 12.5º and 75º<br />
• The site altitude must not be greater than 100<br />
metres<br />
• There should be no significant site topography<br />
(as defined in BS 5534)<br />
Wind uplift calculations<br />
Where a project falls outside any of these<br />
parameters, the predicted wind load may exceed<br />
the maximum declared load resistance in the<br />
Zonal Classification table for the location.<br />
In these cases, it is a requirement of BS 5534<br />
that a wind uplift calculation is performed to<br />
determine what strength the underlay needs to<br />
be.<br />
Some concerns have been raised recently that<br />
these exclusions are not always considered<br />
Above: Wind zones map.<br />
when choosing an underlay. Many roofing<br />
projects fall outside these parameters, possibly<br />
because the ceiling isn’t well-sealed or perhaps<br />
the ridge height is higher than 15 metres.<br />
Similarly, there are many areas in the UK that<br />
are much higher than the site altitude restriction<br />
of 100 metres.<br />
In view of these concerns, I ran some test wind<br />
uplift calculations for actual development sites<br />
close to where I live. The results were alarming. I<br />
live in an area where the height above sea level is<br />
much greater than 100m and many locations can<br />
be described as having significant topography due<br />
to the hills and valleys in the area.<br />
For two sites, I found that the predicted wind<br />
load far exceeded the maximum load resistance<br />
given in the Zonal Classification Table for the<br />
area. This means that, certainly for these<br />
locations, it is not possible to use an underlay<br />
that only achieves the uplift resistance given in<br />
the Zonal Classification Tables for the location.<br />
Therefore, it would be necessary to use an<br />
underlay that has a higher uplift resistance.<br />
Conclusion<br />
In summary, it is important to always check if a<br />
project is likely to exceed any of the Zonal<br />
Classification Table’s conditions. If there is any<br />
doubt about the suitability of an underlay for any<br />
particular site or project, obtain the actual<br />
underlay uplift resistance value figure.<br />
Alternatively, use an underlay that is classified for<br />
unrestricted use in all UK wind zones, such as the<br />
range of Tyvek Supro underlay systems.<br />
“For two sites, I found that the predicted wind load<br />
far exceeded the maximum load resistance given<br />
in the Zonal Classification Table for the area”<br />
Contact EDILIANS / John Mercer<br />
www.imerys-roof-tiles.com<br />
@imerys<br />
@johnmercer3<br />
34 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
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Fall Protection<br />
MAINTAINING/SERVICING EQUIPMENT<br />
Matthew Bailey, Divisional Manager, Inspection and Certification at HCL Safety, explains<br />
why it is essential for companies to install fall protection equipment when required and<br />
properly look after it once it’s in place.<br />
Ultimately, lives depend on height safety<br />
systems. That in itself should be reason<br />
enough to ensure that equipment is<br />
properly installed, regularly maintained and<br />
thoroughly serviced. You wouldn’t board an<br />
airplane knowing that it hasn’t been regularly<br />
checked and serviced. Why should fall protection<br />
equipment be any different? The consequences of<br />
equipment failure can be just as severe.<br />
The continued upkeep and regular maintenance of<br />
fall protection equipment are both important<br />
contributing factors that help ensure systems<br />
carry out their intended purpose when required:<br />
saving lives. Any fall protection system should be<br />
checked and maintained by experienced,<br />
competent professionals according to relevant<br />
European or British standards, as well as<br />
manufacturers’ guidelines.<br />
Factors that can affect the safety system<br />
There are a variety of factors that can potentially<br />
impact the performance of fall protection<br />
equipment, from general wear and tear to poor<br />
weather and flying objects or operative misuse.<br />
Some are somewhat expected while others are<br />
unforeseen. Either way, they all highlight the<br />
importance of regularly checking and maintaining<br />
your fall protection equipment. Failure to do so<br />
could compromise the functionality of the system<br />
and ultimately affect end-users.<br />
Responsibility for the upkeep of fall protection<br />
equipment typically lies with the building owner.<br />
They have an obligation to ensure that processes<br />
are in place to effectively maintain the<br />
equipment. This includes regular servicing and<br />
annual inspection and certification. Building<br />
owners should also educate themselves as to the<br />
legal and moral safety obligation they have for the<br />
safety of those that work at height. If in doubt or<br />
“Companies<br />
must<br />
acknowledge<br />
that it’s a<br />
human life at<br />
risk if they fail<br />
to implement a<br />
robust fall<br />
protection regime and<br />
properly look after<br />
their equipment”<br />
in need of support, consult experienced<br />
professionals like HCL Safety. Ignorance is not a<br />
valid excuse when people’s lives may be at stake.<br />
Risks faced by companies that don’t<br />
properly maintain their equipment<br />
The negative implications associated with<br />
building owners not fulfilling their fall protection<br />
safety obligation are wide and varied. Most<br />
importantly, of course, the end-user may be<br />
impacted. But so may companies’ reputations<br />
and bottom lines. If a work at height operative<br />
were to fall using poorly maintained, faulty<br />
equipment, legal proceedings will likely be<br />
brought, fines issued and the HSE would open an<br />
investigation into the company and its health and<br />
safety ethos.<br />
On occasion, operatives have been known to<br />
access roof spaces to carry out work only to<br />
discover that there is no height safety system in<br />
place. At which point – as is absolutely their right<br />
– they may refuse to carry out the work. This can<br />
prove costly and delay work that may have been<br />
urgent. Installing fall protection equipment<br />
retrospectively also tends to be more expensive<br />
than simply incorporating it into the building’s<br />
initial design. It’s worth<br />
remembering that – more often<br />
than not – at some point in<br />
the future, someone is likely<br />
to need to gain access to the<br />
roof space or within an area<br />
where eliminating, reducing or<br />
controlling risks associated with<br />
working at height is paramount. It<br />
just isn’t worth avoiding or delaying the<br />
installation of fall protection equipment.<br />
Reducing risk<br />
First and foremost, companies must fully<br />
understand what fall protection equipment is,<br />
what it does and what their height safety<br />
requirements are. If for any reason you feel that<br />
your knowledge around height safety is limited,<br />
then consult specialists.<br />
Secondly, companies need to implement a robust<br />
height safety process and ensure that they<br />
adhere to all legal requirements, including the<br />
annual inspection and certification of fall<br />
protection equipment. If you rent a building<br />
space, then you need to understand your<br />
responsibilities and make sure that you’re<br />
minimising risk and fulfilling your safety<br />
obligation. And, most importantly, remember that<br />
behind all the equipment and safety processes is<br />
the end-user. Companies must acknowledge that<br />
it’s a human life at risk if they fail to implement a<br />
robust fall protection regime and properly look<br />
after their equipment.<br />
Contact HCL Safety<br />
0845 600 0086<br />
www.hclsafety.com<br />
@HCLSafety<br />
36 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
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Trussed Rafters<br />
WHAT YOU NEED TO CHECK<br />
Nick Boulton, Chief Executive of the Trussed Rafter Association (TRA), talks through the<br />
Trussed Rafter safety checks that can give contractors extra protection.<br />
Perhaps you don’t need telling, yet again, about the dangers of working at height. The roofing industry<br />
is rightly obsessed with safety, and works with many other parts of the construction supply chain to<br />
share knowledge and advice on best practice.<br />
This is also what drives the Trussed Rafter Association (TRA). By working with a range of partners, including<br />
the Home Builders Federation and the HSE, we can ensure that the construction sector has access to the<br />
latest information. While TRA members design, manufacture and deliver, most trussed rafter roofs are<br />
installed by sub-contractors. But as a contractor, how can you know it is safe to proceed to the next stage?<br />
Images courtesy of Pasquill, roof trusses in place.<br />
To help in this situation, TRA members can supply a helpful checklist as a key part of the safety guidance<br />
Below: On-site installation.<br />
we provide to housebuilders. This allows you to ensure that the right protections are in place before<br />
starting work on the next phase of the roof package. As trussed rafters are load-bearing and an integral part of the overall roof structure, making sure they are<br />
safe is essential before proceeding. There are several elements that the TRA advises contractors to check:<br />
1The trussed rafters themselves The first<br />
step is to check the layout drawings<br />
provided by the trussed rafter<br />
manufacturer to ensure that the correct quantity<br />
of trussed rafters have been installed, and that<br />
they are in the right positions and orientation. It is<br />
worth double checking that the centres are not<br />
greater than specified and every truss is vertical.<br />
You also need to make sure that no unauthorised<br />
modifications have been made or accidental<br />
damage has happened, as both could lead to<br />
weak points and potential failure of a truss.<br />
In areas of high stress multiple trusses are used<br />
together to form a girder truss, where these are<br />
joined on site (rather than in the factory) it is<br />
essential the fixing schedule provided by the truss<br />
manufacturer is followed exactly in terms of the<br />
number and type of fixings used.<br />
2Bracing timbers Permanent bracing is<br />
essential to hold trusses upright and<br />
prevent buckling. The truss manufacturer<br />
will always provide a suggested bracing plan, but<br />
this needs to be approved by the Building<br />
Designer as responsibility for roof stability<br />
ultimately rests with them. The bracing also<br />
needs to be checked to ensure it is the correct<br />
size, usually 25 x 100 sawn and fully fixed to<br />
each truss, most often now with 2<br />
x 3.1mm x 90mm machine<br />
nails. Where used, valley sets<br />
need to be braced as specified<br />
and fully supported on<br />
bevelled fillets.<br />
3Loose timbers Contractors<br />
need to be sure all loose timbers<br />
used are the correct size and grade and<br />
located in the right positions, and centres are not<br />
greater than specified. All connections such as<br />
birdsmouth joints or scarfs should be accurately<br />
and correctly made.<br />
4Structural metalwork All the structural<br />
metalwork should be double-checked as it<br />
is essential to the structural integrity of the<br />
roof. Truss clips, framing anchors and other<br />
vertical restraints should be present and fully<br />
nailed. Gable restraint straps should also be<br />
correctly fixed. Where used, trussed rafters need<br />
to be properly seated into hangers which conform<br />
to the specification provided and are fully fixed as<br />
specified.<br />
5Additional elements There are other<br />
elements that are worthy of a safety check.<br />
For example, the formation of openings for<br />
“Contractors<br />
need to be<br />
sure all loose<br />
timbers used<br />
are the correct<br />
size and grade<br />
and located in the<br />
right positions, and<br />
centres are not greater<br />
than specified”<br />
the trap hatch or other purposes, and that<br />
sarking where used is exactly as specified. It is<br />
also essential that the roof tiles to be used are<br />
the correct weight as specified by the designer.<br />
Should any issues with the trusses, loose timbers<br />
or structural metalwork come to light during the<br />
checks, they must be addressed and rectified<br />
before work commences.<br />
Contact the Trussed Rafter Association<br />
020 3205 0032<br />
www.tra.org.uk<br />
@TrussedRafter<br />
38 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
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Liquid Roofing & Waterproofing<br />
THE REINFORCEMENT LAYER DEBATE<br />
Sarah Spink, CEO of the Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association (LRWA), outlines the<br />
advantages of choosing reinforced liquid waterproofing systems, as well as what contractors<br />
should look out for...<br />
There are so many liquid waterproofing<br />
systems to choose from, it can often be<br />
difficult to know which is the right solution<br />
for your job. At the LRWA, we have seen firsthand<br />
how projects have failed because the wrong<br />
product was installed. In this article, we will look<br />
at why reinforced liquid roofing systems are often<br />
the better choice in certain environments.<br />
Why use a reinforced system?<br />
Over the years, the LRWA has seen some liquid<br />
roofing manufacturers introduce systems without<br />
a reinforcement layer – claiming to be more cost<br />
effective and quicker to install. Reinforcement<br />
layers are often made up typically of either a<br />
polyester fleece material or a glass fibre mat.<br />
Cold-applied liquids are predominately used in<br />
refurbishment projects which are often installed<br />
over the top of existing roofing systems. Because<br />
of this, there is potential for more thermal<br />
movement, putting the waterproofing system<br />
under stress if reinforcement is not used.<br />
Therefore, most liquid systems require full<br />
reinforcement in refurbishment projects to offer<br />
increased strength and durability.<br />
Reinforcement also provides crack bridging<br />
capabilities, particularly if a crack on the roof or<br />
balcony substrate forms after the liquid<br />
application. To bridge any cracks which may<br />
develop, the overall strength of a full reinforced<br />
system will be significantly higher than the<br />
strength of the liquid resin alone. This means, if a<br />
crack does form, a reinforced system will offer<br />
more flexibility on either side of the crack, which<br />
will lessen the stress on the roof as a whole.<br />
However, if an unreinforced system is used, this<br />
process would create more stress than<br />
elongation, ultimately compromising the lifespan<br />
of the system and potentially<br />
causing it to fail. This can even<br />
happen if a crack wasn’t present<br />
at the time the system was<br />
installed, as no resin coating alone<br />
has infinite elongation capabilities.<br />
Contractors should also be aware that some liquid<br />
waterproofing systems sold without a reinforcement<br />
layer often advise including reinforcing strips over<br />
cracks, joints or points of stress to improve<br />
performance in these critical areas, adding more<br />
cost to a project without providing a full, seamless<br />
reinforced system. It is therefore still advisable to<br />
specify a fully reinforced system as the overall<br />
performance of the solution is then consistent<br />
throughout the entire project.<br />
Reinforcement also ensures consistent thickness<br />
of the waterproofing membrane. Having a liquidapplied<br />
top coat with good adhesion to the base<br />
layer and correct film thickness is really<br />
important. In exposed applications, this layer<br />
endures any potential foot traffic on the surface,<br />
and has to withstand the weather conditions in<br />
our varying UK climate.<br />
There is an argument to suggest that in some<br />
circumstances, reinforcement is not required.<br />
Some non-reinforced liquid systems are often<br />
used in new-build applications where structural<br />
waterproofing is applied direct to concrete or for<br />
coating metal profiled or asbestos cement sheets<br />
The LRWA says there are many advantages to choosing<br />
reinforced liquid waterproofing systems and contractors<br />
need to be aware of these.<br />
Contact the LRWA<br />
0333 987 4581<br />
www.lrwa.org.uk<br />
@LRWAssociation<br />
Left: Sarah Spink, CEO of the LRWA.<br />
for example. In these cases, it is<br />
always best to refer to a<br />
manufacturer’s guidelines on what<br />
substrate a partially or non-reinforced<br />
system has been tested on.<br />
Quality is key<br />
Contractors should be aware of the quality of the<br />
liquid product before they buy. Liquid<br />
manufacturers should have a third-party<br />
accredited quality management system such as<br />
ISO 9001, which ensures the product is<br />
manufactured to a consistent specification.<br />
It is also essential for contractors to undergo<br />
training of that particular liquid system, as every<br />
product is different and may require alternative<br />
installation techniques. Application guidelines<br />
must be readily available from the manufacturer<br />
as well as clear routes for system training for the<br />
contractor. The LRWA also offers accredited<br />
courses which are led by a specialist team.<br />
Raising standards of liquids<br />
The LRWA is committed to working with<br />
merchants to help raise standards across the<br />
industry, and we are currently working on a<br />
project which could provide merchants and other<br />
distributors with a tool enabling them to quickly<br />
and easily assess the suitability of liquid<br />
systems, including accreditations. New initiatives<br />
like this, combined with more awareness and<br />
training, will ensure that merchants, contractors<br />
and manufacturers can provide and install liquid<br />
waterproofing solutions which perform as expected.<br />
40 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
octor<br />
the A Proctor Group Collection <strong>2019</strong><br />
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Liquid Projects<br />
DON’T BE BUSY EARNING LESS:<br />
PLAN FOR PROFIT ON PROJECTS<br />
As much as we enjoy the day job, roofing contractors like to make a job pay. Profit’s all in<br />
the planning, says Andrew Bright, SIG Design & Technology’s National Business<br />
Development Manager for Liquids...<br />
Making money is about saving money,<br />
making the most of new opportunities,<br />
doing a good job on site – so you don’t<br />
get call backs for the wrong reason – and being<br />
able to relax knowing you’ve done a good job.<br />
While the internet is a wonderful thing, I’ve come<br />
across roofers that say to themselves: “I’ve<br />
downloaded a liquid waterproofing specification<br />
from the manufacturer’s website, so let’s get<br />
started!” This isn’t advisable as one size doesn’t<br />
fit all. So, do the homework on the job yourself or<br />
it can lead to misunderstandings during the<br />
tender stage or practical issues during<br />
construction.<br />
board in a warm roof has already<br />
been agreed, has it been tested and<br />
approved by both the board and<br />
liquid manufacturer?<br />
Will the building be occupied while<br />
works are in progress e.g. a school<br />
during term time or a hospital<br />
undergoing refurbishment; or again, is<br />
it a new build, greenfield site?<br />
Sometimes, the use of those liquids<br />
with higher VOCs or certain chemical<br />
Andrew Bright, SIG Design &<br />
Technology.<br />
compositions may not be permitted.<br />
If refurbishment, what state is the<br />
existing substrate in? Some<br />
planned maintenance or overlays<br />
are undertaken as a matter of<br />
course whereas many are a result<br />
of water ingress (often over a<br />
considerable period). This is likely<br />
to mean that the treatment of the<br />
existing surface coverings will be<br />
dramatically different.<br />
Below: The curved and vaulted roof to Grade II listed Plymouth Market was refurbished using the Hydrostop AH-25 Liquid<br />
Waterproofing System by DATAC contractor, Clegg & Shortman. At SIG’s request, AH-25’s manufacturers created a special<br />
colour – Weathered Silver – specifically in keeping with English Heritage’s requirements.<br />
“Don’t just rely on<br />
suppliers and<br />
manufacturers’<br />
standard specification<br />
documents on their<br />
websites”<br />
You should look to obtain or create a specification<br />
based on project-specific information. While<br />
they’re useful, don’t just rely on suppliers and<br />
manufacturers’ standard specification<br />
documents on their websites, for example J31 for<br />
liquid applied waterproof roof coatings.<br />
The key to any successful project is getting both<br />
specification and product choice right at the<br />
outset. Say it’s a job requiring a liquid system,<br />
start by asking the basics: Is the project a new<br />
build – which may be on a greenfield site – or a<br />
refurbishment? A liquid primer may be required<br />
on certain existing substrates whereas on new<br />
insulation boards it may not. If an insulation<br />
42 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
PROTAN LR20<br />
A high performance liquid<br />
roofing system to complement<br />
Protan’s range of single ply<br />
products.<br />
PROTAN LR20...<br />
• Ideal for use where complex detailing<br />
or difficult access restricts the use of a<br />
sheet membrane<br />
• Can be applied to most substrates on<br />
new build projects or as an overlay on<br />
existing roofs<br />
• Independently Fire Tested – conforms<br />
to BROOFT4 with zero spread of flame<br />
• A cost-effective solution that is both<br />
fast-curing and simple to install<br />
• Moisture tolerant and can be applied<br />
at low temperatures<br />
• 20 Year Warranty – can be extended<br />
after initial design period<br />
NEW<br />
PRODUCT<br />
For further details on PROTAN LR20<br />
contact: sales@protan.co.uk<br />
or call 01925 658 001
Liquid Projects<br />
Works could range from some minor basic blister<br />
repairs, caulking of splits or gaps, wholesale<br />
screeding or a full overlay with a recovery board.<br />
There might be major budget implications e.g. the<br />
state of the existing coverings could impact on<br />
both labour and coverage rates of materials. If,<br />
for instance, the existing coverings are dry,<br />
cracked and very absorbate due to UV<br />
degradation, the application of a primer where<br />
one may not be technically required may<br />
dramatically reduce over-spend on a base coat<br />
that would soak into the existing waterproofing,<br />
and always remember to do a bond check first to<br />
ensure materials are compatible.<br />
On a new build, the whole roof design needs to<br />
consider every component in the build-up and<br />
how they interface with the other building<br />
elements. Build into your planning solutions<br />
which will avoid surprises or mistakes later down<br />
the line. On a refurbishment project, a site<br />
inspection is an absolutely essential extra step.<br />
Accredited contractors’ bid support<br />
If you’re bidding for the work, make sure they<br />
know about your firm’s credentials on similar<br />
successful projects. Don’t forget to include details<br />
about the training and monitoring of your<br />
installers and other back-up that your supplier<br />
will provide.<br />
Members of SIG Design & Technology’s<br />
Accredited contractors scheme (DATAC) receive<br />
extra contract support to help them win work. For<br />
any projects over 500m², SIG D & T will produce a<br />
‘Bid Support Pack’ which they can present to<br />
their client. The pack will contain the<br />
specification required for that project, for<br />
example; NBS specifications, wind up lift<br />
calculations, technical drawings, cut to falls<br />
schemes and a SIG plc backed guarantee<br />
sample.<br />
Train to Gain<br />
The myth that; “Some systems are so simple they<br />
don’t need specialised trained operatives” or “It’s<br />
just the same as that other stuff from so and so”,<br />
are just two of the regular excuses used by some<br />
contractors who don’t want to “waste” time or<br />
money by sending their teams on training courses.<br />
Over the years, I’ve seen extremely unsuccessful<br />
installations where the accelerator has either been<br />
omitted completely or mixed at the wrong ratio; or<br />
the reinforcement has been missed out because<br />
the “other system doesn’t need it on bitumen<br />
substrates”. Clients also have a right to expect that<br />
only correctly trained operatives are employed.<br />
We offer product specific training in accordance<br />
with NFRC and SPRA approved criteria. In 2018,<br />
we delivered 85 courses (many for liquids) for 317<br />
candidates at our Shepshed Training Academy and<br />
other UK locations.<br />
Contact SIG Design & Technology<br />
01509 505714<br />
www.singleply.co.uk<br />
@SIGDesignTech<br />
ADVERTORIAL<br />
Musgrave Market Place in Dublin is<br />
enjoying a fresh lease of life following<br />
the application of a new roof<br />
waterproofing system from Britannia Advanced<br />
Coating Systems, working with approved<br />
contractor David Jameson Roofing.<br />
The project was undertaken in summer 2018 and<br />
involved the full encapsulation of the Market<br />
Place’s 8000m² corrugated asbestos six-profile<br />
sheet roof. The specified waterproofing system<br />
was Britannia’s Polyshield Liquid Coating.<br />
After a site visit and discussion between all<br />
parties, Britannia’s Roofing Manager Kevin Killen<br />
put forward a proposal of works that was<br />
approved by the client. This was followed by<br />
further discussion leading to agreed timings and<br />
application methods.<br />
After debris had been removed, a full coating of<br />
Britannia Anti-Fungal Wash was applied to all<br />
Musgrave Market Place before the application.<br />
parts of the roof. The contractors then sprayapplied<br />
a first primer coat of Polyshield to seal<br />
the roof. As specified, a second primer coat was<br />
then applied to provide the Polyshield system<br />
with extra strength.<br />
Working from secure safety platforms, the<br />
roofers’ next job was to roller apply Polyshield<br />
base coat to all vertical and horizontal laps.<br />
These were reinforced with Polyshield polyester<br />
mesh.<br />
Once the four installation crews had completed<br />
one roof section, the spraying crews then finished<br />
base coating all other parts of the roof on a<br />
conveyor-type basis. This agreed method of<br />
After Britannia’s Polyshield Liquid Coating was applied.<br />
installation reduced standing time and used man<br />
power in the most effective way.<br />
Finally, Polyshield top coat was applied, providing<br />
a seamless, watertight finish to a well planned<br />
and executed project.<br />
“Good weather meant we completed ahead of<br />
schedule, which was great,” said John<br />
Symmington, Jameson Contracts Manager.<br />
David Johnstone, Britannia Managing Director,<br />
concluded it was: “a very successful project<br />
handled well by Britannia’s Kevin Killen and<br />
everybody in the Jameson team.”<br />
www.britanniapaints.co.uk<br />
44 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
The choice for decking and paving supports<br />
With the demand for useable rooftop space ever<br />
increasing, Areco is leading the way with its range of<br />
fixed and adjustable supports for paving and decking<br />
applications. We have worked with Hotels, Landscapers,<br />
Roofing Contractors and Builders to provide attractive<br />
and practical solutions.<br />
To complement our range of supports, Areco have<br />
several ranges of Composite and PVCu Decking Systems<br />
available. New ranges of Fireproof Self-Extinguishing<br />
pedestals will soon be available along with Aluminium<br />
Decking Bearers to complete the range.<br />
With a stock of over 20,000 units, we are sure to have<br />
the right support for your project.<br />
Please contact Areco with your enquiry.<br />
• large stock range<br />
• technical knowledge and advice<br />
• nationwide express delivery<br />
• competitive rates<br />
tel: 01922 743553<br />
www.areco.co.uk<br />
t: 01922 743553 e: sales@areco.co.uk<br />
ARECO, Unit 2A Coppice Park, Coppice Lane, Aldridge, Walsall, West Midlands WS9 9AA
Efficient Drainage<br />
FLAT ROOF DRAINAGE DESIGN:<br />
GET IT RIGHT FIRST TIME!<br />
For any flat roof construction, it is important to consider drainage design to avoid costly<br />
damage to the building’s fabric and structure. Brian Bell, Head of Technical Services at<br />
Marley Alutec, discusses what to consider when specifying an efficient drainage system.<br />
Flat roofs are a popular choice for large<br />
buildings such as schools, high rise<br />
residential, hospitals, commercial and<br />
retail units. When compared to a pitched roof, by<br />
far the main advantage of a flat roof is the lower<br />
initial cost of construction, installation and<br />
materials.<br />
The design of flat roofs also means that it can<br />
serve a multitude of uses other than protecting<br />
the building’s fabric and contents. They can be<br />
utilised to accommodate terrace areas, living<br />
green roofs, and plant equipment such as air<br />
conditioning units.<br />
To ensure the longevity of a building it is<br />
important that the design of a suitable flat roof<br />
rainwater drainage system is carefully considered<br />
and carried out in accordance with BS EN 12056-<br />
3:2000 and the National Annex for the UK. To do<br />
this the following factors need to be taken into<br />
consideration:<br />
Effective roof area<br />
Firstly, the effective roof area that needs to be<br />
drained must be calculated to ensure water<br />
does not gather on the roof and can be<br />
effectively drained. This is the total square plan<br />
area of the roof, plus any additional likely<br />
rainwater runoff from other roof areas and<br />
vertical surfaces.<br />
Often ignored, vertical surfaces must be<br />
considered in the overall calculation. BS EN<br />
12056 requires that 50% of the vertical<br />
surface, up to a maximum height of 10 metres<br />
from the roof, must be included in the area to<br />
be drained.<br />
Building design life<br />
While this information is usually specified by the<br />
designer or building owner, it is important to have<br />
an understanding of the design life of the building<br />
to ensure design category calculations are<br />
properly carried out. On average, the typical<br />
design life of a building is 60 years before major<br />
refurbishment.<br />
Return period design categories<br />
A return period is the theoretical frequency of<br />
occurrence, in this case the frequency of a storm<br />
event. To identify this period and level of risk, the<br />
roof rainwater drainage design standard (BS<br />
EN12056-3) proposes four design categories,<br />
these are:<br />
Category 1: Roofs where ponding can be<br />
tolerated are designed using a one-year return<br />
period. This category is typically used where the<br />
building has no parapet or upstand, as long as<br />
any overflow can fall clear of the building, and the<br />
roof structure can cope with the additional live<br />
loading. Surcharge and overflow flooding will only<br />
occur in very heavy rain.<br />
Category 2: Typically utilised for enclosed /<br />
parapet roofs where ponding depths will become<br />
excessive if the rainwater system fails to cope,<br />
should be designed for an intensity based on the<br />
building life and a 1.5 safety factor. For most<br />
buildings, a 60-year life would be the most<br />
common value chosen in absence of information.<br />
This equates to a return period of 90 years.<br />
Category 3: When a higher degree of security is<br />
desired than that provided by category 2, a return<br />
period of 4.5 x the anticipated building life is<br />
used. For a building with a 60-year life, this<br />
would equate to a return period of 270 years.<br />
Category 4: This category simply refers to<br />
“maximum probable rainfall” with no defined<br />
46 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
€45<br />
£40
Efficient Drainage<br />
period. It is used when there should be the<br />
highest possible security – for example, at a<br />
nuclear facility. There is a separate rainfall map<br />
for this category.<br />
Categories 3 and 4 often result<br />
in storm return periods<br />
greater than 200 years. It is<br />
worth noting that events that<br />
occur with a frequency of 200<br />
years or more are often considered<br />
catastrophic incidents by insurers.<br />
Therefore, unless there is a justifiable<br />
reason (e.g. the building is of national<br />
strategic importance) it would be impractical to<br />
design a rainwater drainage system with greater<br />
storm return period.<br />
Rainfall intensity<br />
The BS EN12056-3 document provides detailed<br />
information on rainfall intensities throughout the<br />
UK. After choosing a design category and<br />
obtaining a storm return period, the applicable<br />
rainfall intensity figure can be found using the<br />
statistical rainfall data maps provided (Figures<br />
NB.1 to NB.5). Alternatively, if a greater level of<br />
accuracy is desired, rainfall design intensities for<br />
a given return period can be obtained using the<br />
calculation set out in NB.2.2.<br />
Number and positioning of roof<br />
drainage outlets<br />
The total rainfall runoff is calculated by<br />
multiplying the effective roof area by the rainfall<br />
intensity. The total rainfall runoff can then be<br />
divided by the performance of an outlet to<br />
determine how many are required. Roof outlets<br />
should be distributed as evenly as possible<br />
across the roof area, to accept an equal<br />
proportion of rainwater runoff.<br />
Emergency overflows should be included within the<br />
design of all flat roofs and balconies with perimeter<br />
upstands greater than 50mm, as these will<br />
indicate if there is a blockage or other maintenance<br />
requirements whilst preventing rainwater from<br />
spilling into the building’s fabric and causing<br />
damage while the blockage is cleared.<br />
“Contractors should<br />
look for outlets that<br />
have been rigorously<br />
tested”<br />
Flat roof drainage design often requires prior<br />
specialist knowledge, however Marley Alutec has<br />
created a free to use, online Flat Roof Drainage<br />
Calculator to reduce time spent on this<br />
process. Designed with simplicity in mind, the<br />
tool calculates the number of outlets required<br />
based on location and specification, ensuring full<br />
compliance with the rainwater drainage design<br />
standard BS EN12056-3.<br />
Outlet compatibility<br />
There are a number of different types of roof<br />
outlets available, dependent on the type of roof<br />
construction and the waterproofing material being<br />
used. Therefore, it’s crucial to select a<br />
compatible outlet and one that will efficiently<br />
drain the water away.<br />
Outlets need to be compatible with the type of<br />
membrane being used on the roof, otherwise a<br />
watertight seal may not be achieved. With the<br />
wide range of roofing membranes available, such<br />
as bituminous, hot melt, glass reinforced<br />
polyester (GRP), asphalt and cold liquid, it means<br />
that specifying the correct outlet can often be<br />
confusing.<br />
To combat this, Marley Alutec has created the<br />
Elite range of roof and balcony outlets.<br />
Image shows the Elite range of roof and balcony outlets.<br />
Compatible with all waterproofing<br />
systems, the new range features a<br />
reliable clamping feature that ensures<br />
a water tight seal is easily achieved.<br />
Performance<br />
To allow complete peace of mind<br />
when it comes to the performance<br />
of a roof outlet, contractors should<br />
look for outlets that have been<br />
rigorously tested. Typically, within<br />
roof drainage design, the peak<br />
rainwater design depth at an outlet will not<br />
exceed 35mm. To ensure ultimate reliability and<br />
confidence, the Elite range from Marley Alutec<br />
has been rigorously tested to maintain a<br />
watertight seal with water depths surpassing 1m.<br />
Outlets with exceptional drainage performance<br />
figures such as these reduce the number of<br />
outlets required to drain an area, which will of<br />
course reduce overall costs.<br />
Maintenance<br />
The typical recommendation for maintenance on<br />
a flat roof is once every six months, though it is<br />
advised to check more often in the event of<br />
severe weather when leaves may have been<br />
blown over from nearby trees. As such, when<br />
installing the outlets, they should be clearly<br />
identifiable and accessible and the gratings<br />
should not be covered by pavers, plant material<br />
or decking.<br />
Flat roofs are becoming increasingly popular with<br />
commercial and educational establishments. By<br />
applying correct drainage design and relevant<br />
building regulation, you can ensure your<br />
installation can protect these buildings and<br />
inhabitants from the elements.<br />
Contact Marley Alutec<br />
01234 359438<br />
www.marleyalutec.co.uk<br />
@marleyalutec<br />
48 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
HIGH PERFORMANCE WATERPROOFING<br />
6 338<br />
EMERGENCY REPAIR
EPDM Roofing<br />
SPEEDING THINGS UP: ROOFING<br />
WHEN TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE<br />
John McMullan, General Manager of Firestone Building Products, discusses the speed of<br />
installation benefits which he says EPDM roofing membranes can offer.<br />
Increasingly tight programmes mean that<br />
pressure is often passed down the<br />
construction delivery chain to avoid any<br />
knock-on effects on the schedule and the risk of<br />
penalties.<br />
For roofing contractors, the impact of the weather<br />
and the need to get the building watertight makes<br />
the roofing installation amongst the most urgent<br />
and programme-critical elements of the entire<br />
build.<br />
At Firestone, we understand those challenges and<br />
work with contractors to ensure that roofing<br />
membranes can be installed quickly, with<br />
reduced resourcing requirements and labour<br />
costs, without compromising the long-term<br />
performance of the roof by rushing the job.<br />
The benefits of increased width<br />
EPDM single ply membranes allow<br />
a large expanse of roof to be<br />
covered quickly, ensuring the<br />
structure below is protected from<br />
the elements while the installation<br />
is completed. RubberGard EPDM<br />
roofing membrane is provided in larger<br />
widths than either traditional bitumen (which is<br />
typically 1m wide) or other single ply membranes<br />
(which are typically 2m wide). In fact, the<br />
smallest size for RubberGard EPDM is 3m wide x<br />
30m long, and it is usually used in this width for<br />
fully-adhered installations, or as a 6m-wide roll<br />
for mechanically-fixed installations. However, for<br />
larger roofs, it can be supplied in widths as large<br />
as 15 metres to cover huge areas very quickly.<br />
Once unrolled on the roof, the EPDM membrane is<br />
“One of the key advantages of using wider panels<br />
of membrane is the reduction in the number of<br />
seams this provides”<br />
John McMullan, General Manager of<br />
Firestone Building Products.<br />
raised at the edges to allow air<br />
underneath making it<br />
surprisingly easy to manoeuvre<br />
into position.<br />
In addition to the speed of roof<br />
coverage, one of the key advantages of using<br />
wider panels of membrane is the reduction in the<br />
number of seams this provides. Even when<br />
considering the difference between the smallest<br />
3m width of EPDM membrane and a traditional<br />
bitumen system, the x3 larger size means at least<br />
a 50% reduction in the number of seams<br />
required. If we then consider the speed and ease<br />
of taping these EPDM seams, with a 30m seam<br />
typically sealed in around 15 minutes, it is easy<br />
to see how the time savings quickly add up as<br />
compared to other single ply systems.<br />
Taping EPDM membrane seams is a fast and<br />
reliable roofer-friendly solution. The installation<br />
technique means that a consistent seam<br />
installation quality can be maintained without<br />
dependency on electrical cables or proximity to<br />
generators.<br />
Seam & detailing integrity<br />
As the joints and detailing of any roofing system<br />
are its most vulnerable points, it’s not only<br />
important that these can be installed quickly, but<br />
also that the speed of installation is matched<br />
“Taping EPDM<br />
membrane seams is a<br />
fast and reliable<br />
roofer-friendly<br />
solution”<br />
50 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
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CEMENT ENT SLATES<br />
The charm of a natural slate roof with all the economical,<br />
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EPDM Roofing<br />
by long-term watertight performance. Like any<br />
single ply system, an EPDM<br />
membrane must be laid with<br />
laps in line with the<br />
specification and<br />
manufacturer<br />
guidelines, but the<br />
use of a selfadhesive<br />
splice<br />
tape dramatically<br />
reduces the<br />
margin for error by<br />
providing exactly the<br />
correct width and<br />
thickness of adhesive<br />
sealant. Consequently, the<br />
consistency achieved with QuickSeam Splice<br />
Tape, which forms part of the Firestone<br />
RubberGard EPDM system, requires only a<br />
visual check to monitor integrity throughout the<br />
working day, underpinning both speed and<br />
performance.<br />
Similarly, detailing can be a time-consuming<br />
element for some roofing systems, particularly<br />
where irregular or awkward details are involved.<br />
Conversely, QuickSeam FormFlash,<br />
an uncured EPDM strip that<br />
has been factorylaminated<br />
to<br />
QuickSeam Tape,<br />
enables installers<br />
to hand-mould<br />
complex, threedimensional<br />
waterproof details<br />
and the suite of<br />
QuickSeam<br />
accessories that has<br />
evolved from this technology<br />
significantly improves quality and<br />
productivity on the roof.<br />
Fix or stick?<br />
Decisions about whether to adhere or<br />
mechanically fix the membrane are usually taken<br />
as part of the technical specification, considering<br />
elements such as the type of structure, its<br />
capability for anchoring and wind load pressures.<br />
“Detailing can be a<br />
time-consuming<br />
element for some<br />
roofing systems,<br />
particularly where<br />
irregular or awkward<br />
details are involved”<br />
Fully-adhered EPDM membranes of 3-5m wide<br />
are already quick to install compared to other<br />
membrane types but, for best speed of<br />
installation, mechanical attachment of the EPDM<br />
membrane can be the fastest route to getting the<br />
building watertight, especially on large roofs with<br />
relatively few penetrations, because the largest<br />
membrane panel sizes may be utilised to fullest<br />
advantage.<br />
Contact Firestone Building Products<br />
01606 552026<br />
www.firestonebpe.co.uk<br />
@FirestonebpUK<br />
52 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
WHEN I’M FACING MY<br />
DAILY BATTLES, WHAT<br />
MATTERS IS WHO’S WITH<br />
ME IN THE TRENCHES.<br />
With products designed to get you on and off the roof faster,<br />
dedicated support, and tailored warranties, we do whatever it<br />
takes to help you succeed. Because every step of the way, and in<br />
every sense of the word, we’ve got you covered.<br />
Learn more at www.firestonebpe.co.uk<br />
© <strong>2019</strong> Firestone Building Products EMEA. All rights reserved
Safety at Height<br />
MAXIMISING THE BENEFITS OF<br />
SAFETY AT HEIGHT INSTALLATIONS<br />
Simon Mealor, from working at height experts Altus Safety, discusses the benefits of building<br />
safety at height installations into roofing projects.<br />
Whether you’re working for a main<br />
contractor or direct for the end user, the<br />
chances are that, as a roofing<br />
contractor, any edge protection or safety at height<br />
installation required for the project may be<br />
included in your package of works.<br />
In our experience, however, some roofing<br />
contractors are reluctant to take this element of<br />
the project on. This may be because it doesn’t fall<br />
within your team’s core skills, or because it keeps<br />
you on site for longer, or even because you’re<br />
nervous about the due diligence involved in<br />
getting the specification and installation right.<br />
If any of those reasons are holding you back from<br />
accepting safety equipment installation work,<br />
there are two important considerations you<br />
should bear in mind:<br />
• You can subcontract the specification and<br />
installation to an expert specialist like Altus<br />
Safety with complete confidence that the due<br />
diligence will be taken care of and your own team<br />
can focus on completing the job or moving on to<br />
the next, while our team carries out the work.<br />
• You can take advantage of the opportunity to<br />
build additional margin into the project from the<br />
safety installation, or even up-sell the client to a<br />
more expensive system.<br />
Specification considerations<br />
If you work with a safety at height specialist like<br />
Altus Safety, you simply need to provide a brief on<br />
the client’s requirements and the layout of the<br />
roof and we will advise you on the options, put<br />
together a full specification and cost it all out for<br />
you. For refurbishment projects, we’ll even visit<br />
site to complete a survey.<br />
However, it is useful to<br />
understand the types of systems<br />
available and where they fit with<br />
the safety at height hierarchy. If a<br />
collective measure is viable we<br />
would always recommend this,<br />
specifying a guardrail that fits the<br />
parameters of the brief. We<br />
reserve fall restraint systems for<br />
buildings that will only require<br />
occasional maintenance and fall<br />
arrest systems for buildings<br />
where no other option is possible.<br />
Our approach is always to ensure we understand<br />
the actual need rather than simply answering the<br />
client brief. In this way, we can be confident that the<br />
system installed answers the requirements of the<br />
building and the maintenance teams who will rely<br />
on the right level of safety being in place. Often, this<br />
may be your own team returning to the building<br />
for routine roof inspections, gutter clearing or<br />
rooflight cleaning. We look at how many people<br />
will need to access the roof at any one time, how<br />
often and with what level of safety training.<br />
Guardrail options<br />
The most likely approach to permanent safety at<br />
height solutions is the installation of a guardrail,<br />
and Altus Safety provides a complete guardrail<br />
design and installation service, assessing the<br />
site-specific loading and structural parameters to<br />
ensure the guardrail is fit for purpose and meets<br />
the specific requirements of the building and the<br />
needs of the personnel who will access the roof.<br />
Freestanding guardrails have become a popular<br />
solution as these are weighted and don’t need to<br />
be fixed to the roof. This not only makes them<br />
faster and easier to install, it also means that the<br />
Above: Atlus Safety provides roof<br />
safety equipment.<br />
warranty for the roofing system<br />
will not be compromised and<br />
there are no penetrations to<br />
increase the roof’s vulnerability to<br />
leaks. The absence of fixings also<br />
ensures that the guardrail<br />
requires no detailing, reducing site<br />
time for the roofing contractor.<br />
Where a freestanding guardrail is<br />
not viable, either due to aesthetic<br />
stipulations or space restrictions,<br />
there are a number of alternative guardrail<br />
options. A collapsible guardrail is a popular<br />
choice for buildings where the architect or end<br />
user wants to limit the visual impact of the safety<br />
protection as this can be collapsed and out of<br />
sight when not in use. A powder-coated guardrail,<br />
which effectively camouflages the edge protection<br />
against the roof surface, is another option for a<br />
more subtle approach.<br />
Where space is limited, a fixed guardrail may be<br />
necessary, and on very congested roofs, a parapet<br />
or clamped system offers a robust solution<br />
without encroaching on the actual roof area.<br />
Additional guardrail protection may also be<br />
needed for roof features such as skylights, atria<br />
and lightwells, as the danger of falling through a<br />
glazed feature is just as significant as that of<br />
falling from the edge of the roof. Here, modular<br />
guardrails can be used to create skylight<br />
protection units, creating a barrier to prevent falls.<br />
Contact Atlus Safety<br />
0330 113 0870<br />
www.altussafety.co.uk<br />
@AltusSafety<br />
54 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
...and it’s the same for your house!<br />
Cavity Ventilation now available,<br />
manufactured in Britain by<br />
Weep & Peep Vents • Telescopic Underfloor Vents • Brick Vents<br />
Vertical Extension Sleeves • Cavity Sleeves • Plus a huge range of associated products<br />
Ask for the Easy-trim range by name at your local Trade Counter<br />
t 0845 034 6008 f 0845 034 6010<br />
12B Metcalf Drive, Altham Industrial Estate, Altham,<br />
Lancashire, BB5 5TU, Great Britain<br />
www.easy-trim.co.uk
Roofing Updates<br />
For further info on all these roofing updates and more, visit www.total-contractor.co.uk<br />
COROVERGE FITS THE BILL<br />
Installers can edge ahead of the competition with the new Coroverge Universal Dry Verge system, the reengineered<br />
dry fix roofing solution from Ariel Plastics that is fast, easy-to-fit and fully compatible with an<br />
expansive range of roof tiles.<br />
An installation video of the Coroverge Universal<br />
The Coroverge Universal Dry Verge system is a 100% mortar-free, dry fix solution, offering a hard-wearing, durable Dry Verge System is available to watch on Ariel<br />
and attractive finish to the roofline without the inconvenience of using mortar bedding. The Coroverge Universal Dry Plastics’ Youtube channel.<br />
Verge system protects the roof verge from wind uplift, pest infestation and weather degradation. Available in Brown, Anthracite Grey and Terracotta, this allweather<br />
system includes Starter Piece, Verge Section, Batten Clip, and, Angled and Half-Round Ridge Caps options to suit the ridge style. Fully adjustable for<br />
installation with tiles of between 260mm-350mm gauges, the Coroverge Universal Dry Verge system is quick and easy to install, and offers a wealth of<br />
features to make life easier for the installer, giving a more superior dry verge solution for both new build and renovation projects.<br />
The temporary ‘True-Line’ guide in the Starter Piece ensures it is correctly lined up with the tiles, guaranteeing perfect alignment on the roof, whilst a handy<br />
cut out area provides the flexibility to work around existing gutters. www.arielplastics.com<br />
THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA<br />
Cromar has unveiled its new, biggest ever catalogue.<br />
Cromar has launched its biggest and most comprehensive<br />
catalogue which showcases its complete range of products.<br />
The new catalogue, launched at the beginning of April combines the complete Cromar Roofing range<br />
with the new AlphaChem Builders’ range to create the company’s biggest and best catalogue yet. It<br />
is filled with key information on all the company’s products and eye-catching adverts, all delivered<br />
with a fresh and clean design celebrating a brand new era for the company. The catalogue has<br />
already been well received by customers and is not only available on request, but also available on<br />
the company website to download: www.cromar.uk.com<br />
MAXIMA BENEFIT, MINIMUM EFFORT<br />
Marley has extended its range of Maxima clay interlocking tiles with the introduction of a new<br />
Matt Black colour.<br />
Above: Marley’s new Matt Black Maxima clay<br />
interlocking tile. “The Maxima Matt Black offers a classic<br />
profile together with a modern matt black finish which<br />
can be used on a wide variety of roofing vernaculars”<br />
The new Maxima Matt Black tiles offer a modern roofing solution, while also reducing installation time<br />
due to their high coverage rate. The Maxima range features an open gauge and interlock so no specialist<br />
skills are required as installation is the same as installing any concrete interlocking tile. Furthermore,<br />
with a minimum pitch of 17.5º, the Maxima is the ideal solution for a wide variety of building projects,<br />
including one storey extensions where low pitch can be a challenge. www.marley.co.uk/maxima<br />
SITE BENEFITS FOR ROOFERS<br />
CUPA PIZARRAS has launched a new, user-friendly website featuring an installer specific<br />
platform to provide a more tailored experience that suits visitors’ needs and requirements.<br />
Julian Gomez, Director of Marketing at Cupa Pizarras: “Our<br />
hope is that the new website will provide a more relevant<br />
space for installers to browse the CUPA PIZARRAS product<br />
offering and easily locate the relevant information they<br />
need.”<br />
The new design has been structured to include more in-depth product information as well as a number of<br />
new features and tools to ease specification. Roofers visiting the website will now find a ‘Professional’<br />
specific page for their use, which includes case study examples, product and installation videos as well<br />
as an FAQs section. From the Resource Centre, roofers will also be able to access information including<br />
product brochures, datasheets and performance certifications. www.cupapizarras.com/uk/<br />
56 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
FIT IT.<br />
FORGET IT.<br />
Trust Ubbink for quality roofing products to make your life easier<br />
Call us on 01604 433000 or<br />
visit our website for more details.<br />
• VENTS • TERMINALS • NON-LEAD FLASHING • ROOFLINE PRODUCTS • & MORE<br />
www.ubbink.co.uk
Roofing Updates<br />
For further info on all these roofing updates and more, visit www.total-contractor.co.uk<br />
FLAT & PITCHED SOLUTIONS<br />
Sympathetic locally-sourced materials, technical expertise and market-leading guarantees led Vale of<br />
Glamorgan Council to choose BMI Redland and BMI Icopal materials when re-roofing a primary school.<br />
“We chose BMI because it could offer us 15-year guarantees on the products; the roof slate was made from locallysourced<br />
materials and because the pitched and flat products could work in conjunction on the details,” said Paul Cogan Primary School: For the pitched roof BMI<br />
Hynam, Consultant Building Surveyor to the project.<br />
Redland Cambrian Slate was used, a dry-fix<br />
system to cut down maintenance, and fixings<br />
on the ridge and hip system to mimic the<br />
Built in 1905, Cogan Primary School suffered from a roof that continually leaked despite being patched with various previous roof. BMI Icopal’s Firesmart SBS<br />
types of slate over the years. The roof’s deterioration was accelerated by thieves stripping lead flashings and it had modified reinforced bitumen membrane was<br />
used for the flat roof.<br />
the complexity of there being a 100m² flat roof right in the centre of the school. “The interface between pitched and<br />
flat roof can sometimes cause an issue, so it was a concern. If you have two companies responsible for each, then one can blame the other for any faults,”<br />
Paul explained. “We’d worked with BMI before using its SpecMaster service for pitched roofs and knew that it would oversee the job closely. However, as BMI<br />
supply both pitched and flat roofing solutions, we also knew that we could rely on them for all parts of the roof and they would make sure that the detailing<br />
between the two roofing systems was sufficiently robust.” www.bmigroup.com/uk<br />
LUXLITE’S CONSERVATION BENEFITS<br />
Roof Maker has launched its new rooflight, the Conservation Luxlite.<br />
The Conservation Luxlite offers outstanding U-values as<br />
low as 0.5W/m²K by featuring triple glazing as standard.<br />
This significantly improves the overall energy efficiency and<br />
thermal comfort of the living space.<br />
The conservation area-friendly rooflight has been designed to help architects and installers maintain<br />
the heritage character of their clients’ homes. Designed to replicate the original Victorian cast iron<br />
skylight, Roof Maker’s latest rooflight features a slim shaped split bar that is constructed of high quality<br />
aluminium for better weathering and aesthetics. Roof Maker’s split is structurally bonded to the glass to<br />
eliminate the presence of a cold bridge, significantly minimising the risk of condensation forming and<br />
retaining the best possible thermal performance. http://info.roof-maker.co.uk/conservation<br />
ALL THE SUPPORT YOU NEED<br />
Rainclear Systems can help with selecting, costing and buying your rainwater system.<br />
Rainclear Systems has installation guides and videos<br />
available if you are installing yourself, or they can put you in<br />
touch with an experienced local installer.<br />
They offer a free ‘Take-off’ from architect’s drawings to ensure you have a list of all the<br />
components you need, and using a rainwater flowrate calculator, they will work out what size<br />
guttering & downpipes will be required on your project in your particular geographic location.<br />
Then they can let you know the cost of buying all the components from them. If you need a<br />
special colour or a bespoke item fabricated for your project, they can help with that.<br />
www.rainclear.co.uk<br />
NEW AREA TECHNICAL MANAGER<br />
Donna Owen is Sika-Trocal’s new Area Technical Manager for the Midlands region.<br />
Donna Owen is Sika Trocal’s<br />
new Area Technical Manager for<br />
the Midlands region.<br />
Donna, who will be working with Area Technical Managers and the applications team, said: “This is<br />
an extremely exciting opportunity for me. Sika-Trocal is a leading light in the roofing industry and<br />
renowned as an innovator of high-quality solutions. I hope my experience will prove beneficial and<br />
further the company’s superb service offering.”<br />
Donna commenced her appointment with Sika-Trocal in February. www.sika.co.uk<br />
58 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
SLATE FOR ROOFING<br />
Comprehensive product range<br />
30 to 75 year market-leading warranties available<br />
Reproduction & Fibre Cement ranges<br />
Tailored ranges in stock in your area<br />
Full support & guidance<br />
Natural Slate Ranges<br />
Excellence<br />
Commercial<br />
Classic<br />
www.sigaslate.co.uk
Off-site Construction<br />
“THERE ARE SAVINGS TO BE MADE<br />
BY ENGAGING OFF-SITE SPECIALISTS”<br />
Architectural panels specialist Vivalda Group has seen a growth of around 70% in its off-site<br />
fabrication services in the last two years – a definite sign that contractors and installers have<br />
less time and less space on building sites. Peter Johnson, Vivalda Chairman, explains why<br />
more contractors are now moving processes such as machining, cutting, drilling and preassembly<br />
off-site, leaving the dirty work to companies like his…<br />
We have seen definite shift in attitude<br />
from contractors over the last few years<br />
aimed at reducing waste and increasing<br />
accuracy. When times are good, wasted offcuts<br />
and the odd mistake in cutting size can be<br />
overlooked. However, as profit margins have<br />
reduced, diligent contractors have taken a fresh look<br />
at their supply chains and realised that there are<br />
savings to be made by engaging off-site specialists.<br />
Mistakes reduced, efficiencies increased<br />
While this approach reduces costly mistakes, it also<br />
creates much greater efficiency in the supply chain,<br />
significantly reducing the time it takes to install<br />
cladding board. Traditionally, the contractor would<br />
take boards from pallets delivered to site and<br />
then cut them to size, adding brackets, screws<br />
and fixings as required. Taking the task off-site<br />
means that the process is done by a focused<br />
team of technicians, in a conducive environment<br />
and then quality checked before<br />
dispatch.<br />
This off-site approach also<br />
supports main contractors in their<br />
need to reduce the footprint of<br />
construction sites. This requirement<br />
is especially evident in urban and<br />
inner-city sites, where space is at a premium<br />
and the availability of land to store bricks, cladding<br />
and other materials is simply not there.<br />
Health and safety<br />
Finally, health and safety provides another strong<br />
argument in favour of adopting off-site<br />
fabrication. On-site dust has always been an<br />
issue, given the fact that even now more than<br />
500 construction workers a year die from inhaling<br />
silica dust. We’ve all seen site workers cutting<br />
stone, plastic and plasterboard on site – without<br />
Left: Peter Johnson, Chairman of Vivalda.<br />
a properly fitting mask. And this is<br />
an area that the HSE is really<br />
clamping down on.<br />
While there are plenty of steps<br />
contractors can take on-site to<br />
reduce risks in this area, we’re seeing<br />
more site managers export this problem to<br />
us. At all of our UK production facilities, we’ve<br />
invested in modern cutting technology, all of which<br />
is linked to extraction pumps that deal with the<br />
dust. We also use the latest CNC programmes to<br />
ensure absolute accuracy when cutting and drilling<br />
fixing locations.<br />
Growth in modular housing<br />
This emerging off-site trend is also being fuelled by<br />
the growth in modular housing which is being driven<br />
by businesses such as L&G, Pocket Living and<br />
Caledonian. We all know that the UK is suffering<br />
from a chronic lack of housing and off-site<br />
manufacturing is widely considered to be the best<br />
way of delivering this important national project.<br />
Installers need to be aware of these trends, as<br />
they will begin to affect the way that panels are<br />
delivered to site before being erected. We think<br />
this will be good news for installers as it will<br />
improve their efficiency levels while reducing<br />
costly mistakes during the pre-fixing stage.<br />
Contact Vivalda Group<br />
0121 328 9381<br />
www.vivalda.co.uk<br />
@VivaldaLimited<br />
60 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
Cladding Updates<br />
For further info on all these cladding updates and more, visit www.total-contractor.co.uk<br />
ANSWERING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS<br />
Following customer feedback and online requests, Freefoam Building Products is pleased to announce the launch<br />
of a brand new online feature – Technical Frequently Asked Questions.<br />
Louise Sanderson, Freefoam UK Marketing Manager, explained: “As our product range has increased and diversified we’ve<br />
seen a significant rise in enquires regarding product information. Customers selling and using our products are<br />
professionals who want to get it right. Freefoam products have been designed to be used in a wide variety of situations and<br />
projects and we want to ensure that installers have the right information to get the job done correctly and professionally.”<br />
Freefoam answers questions and<br />
provides information on its product<br />
range with its new facility.<br />
The database covers a wide range of technical questions that customers and fitters have asked and find most useful. Quick and easy to access from a pop up<br />
box on every web page, the tool allows site visitors to view a wide range of topics and issues covering the full Freefoam product range. From general fitting<br />
instructions and product information, to more specific fitting tips and examples of individual fitting situations the database allows users to filter by product<br />
range or simply type in their question. Accessible from PC, mobile and tablet, the tool is instantly available to customers and fitters out on the job.<br />
www.freefoam.com<br />
CEMBRIT’S STADIUM PERFORMANCE<br />
Cembrit HD (heavy duty) board has been installed in the redeveloped East Stand at<br />
Twickenham, the home of England Rugby.<br />
Cembrit HD has been installed at Twickenham Stadium.<br />
Resilient, hard wearing and with an impressive fire rating, HD is an ideal multi-use board for high<br />
traffic areas in sports stadia such as Twickenham. Supplied by the Hayes branch of Minster, the<br />
Cembrit HD board is installed in the Rose Garden itself, in the wings of the facility, as well as on the<br />
walls of the adjacent L5 concourse where impact resistance was important as crowds are moving in<br />
confined spaces. www.cembrit.co.uk<br />
FREEFOAM SPRINGS INTO ACTION<br />
Freefoam has launched the Spring edition of its Product Catalogue.<br />
Freefoam has launched its<br />
Spring Product Catalogue<br />
With an updated look and new products , the guide provides customers and users with the complete<br />
guide to the full range of Freefoam products including PVC-U and PVC-UE fascia, soffit, rainwater<br />
systems, exterior cladding, interior panelling and flooring. With over 2,000 product items, a clear and<br />
concise catalogue is essential for Freefoam stockists to promote the range. This A5 compact format<br />
is ideal for building professionals, roofline fitters and roofers to keep a copy handy whilst on the go,<br />
with all the product information they need. www.freefoam.com<br />
STOVENTEC’S A GLASS ACT<br />
The StoVentec Glass Rainscreen System supplied by Sto UK was chosen for a museum<br />
collections centre extension project in Edinburgh, thanks to its outstanding aesthetic<br />
properties and its durable nature.<br />
A StoVentec Glass Rainscreen System was chosen for<br />
this extension to the National Museums Collection<br />
Centre in Edinburgh.<br />
The black infused colour StoVentec Glass was installed on the new extension to the National Museums<br />
Collection Centre in Granton, Edinburgh. “We were looking for a rainscreen cladding system that would<br />
help harmonize the new extension with the existing building, and the StoVentec Glass system offered<br />
the perfect solution”, explained Francesco Di Domenico of Hypostyle Architects. www.sto.co.uk<br />
62 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
A NEW COMPOSITE<br />
CLADDING SYSTEM<br />
THAT’LL IMPROVE<br />
YOUR BOTTOM LINE<br />
coastline®<br />
LIGHTWEIGHT COMPOSITE CLADDING<br />
MINIMAL EXPANSION/CONTRACTION<br />
BBA CERTIFIED SYSTEM<br />
INDEPENDENTLY FIRE TESTED (UK 2018) TO BS EN 13501-1<br />
PATENT PENDING COMPOSITE MATERIAL<br />
Find out more about the new coastline ® lightweight<br />
composite cladding range. Call us on:<br />
0800 988 7318<br />
or visit: eurocell.co.uk/coastline
Cladding Updates<br />
For further info on all these cladding updates and more, visit www.total-contractor.co.uk<br />
OFF-SITE WALL SOLUTION<br />
Kingspan TEK Cladding Panels have provided an off-site wall solution for a unique school and leisure campus in<br />
Littleport, helping the project to achieve excellent thermal performance within a tight construction deadline.<br />
The £37.5 million development, designed by SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins business, co-locates a pre-school, Littleport and East<br />
Cambridgeshire Academy (LECA), Highfield Littleport Academy Special Education Needs (SEN) school and a public<br />
leisure centre. It has helped to create an inclusive community where children of all ages and abilities can develop together. To ensure the ambitious plan would<br />
be delivered in time for the new school year without compromising on the facilities’ energy performance, 142 mm-thick Kingspan TEK Cladding Panels were<br />
specified for many of the external walls. Kingspan TEK Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) were designed and factory cut to the project’s unique specifications<br />
by Kingspan Timber Solutions. This offsite production process minimised site waste and enabled the panels to be quickly installed onto the steel frame, ready<br />
for main contractors, Morgan Sindall Construction, to apply the final external finishes,<br />
The highly-insulated core of the Kingspan TEK Cladding Panels allowed the project to meet its thermal performance targets. Meanwhile, the OSB/3 facing and<br />
unique jointing system minimised air-leakage through the building envelope, helping the scheme achieve a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating.<br />
www.kingspantek.co.uk<br />
MAGPLY HAS IT COVERED<br />
A residential project in Essex is making use of Magply boards for both the internal lining<br />
and exterior cladding treatment to an innovative lightweight steel framing system,<br />
demonstrating the widely specified fire resistant product’s multiple attributes.<br />
The four bedroom new-build and extensions to a neighbouring existing property are being<br />
carried out by SP&J Construction, in a joint venture with Uni-Frame and the ARG Group. The<br />
intention is to use the current project as a show-site for the rapid build MMC solution and the<br />
wide choice of finishes which will be available to future purchasers. www.magply.co.uk<br />
RCM ADDS MEG TO ITS OFFERING<br />
RCM, the complete through wall solutions supplier, is delighted to announce the<br />
addition of Abet Laminati MEG HPL façade to its already impressive portfolio.<br />
Robust, compact and long-lasting, MEG – Material Exterior Grade building façade by Abet<br />
Laminati is specifically designed for outdoor applications. This versatile and durable range is<br />
made up of a rigid core combined with a decorative surface consisting of weather-resistant<br />
thermosetting resins. The high pressure laminate (HPL) is often used as rainscreen cladding,<br />
as well as on balconies. www.buildingboards.co.uk<br />
ROUGH OPTION SHOWS ITS CLASS<br />
Cembrit has launched Patina Rough, a new through-coloured cladding board which has a<br />
sandblasted surface which gives the board an attractive, stone-effect finish.<br />
Cembrit Patina is a genuinely through-coloured, fibre<br />
cement decorative rainscreen cladding and is available<br />
in two popular and attractive shades, Flint and Sand.<br />
Patina Rough complements the original Patina, with its directional grain surface, to offer a desirable<br />
choice of premium cladding for a wide variety of external applications. Patina Rough has a surface<br />
that achieves a natural, cast, or engineered stone cladding-type finish, but at the reduced price and<br />
structural cost that is in line with lightweight rainscreen cladding,” explained Ged Ferris, Marketing<br />
Manager at Cembrit. www.cembrit.com<br />
64 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID<br />
WATERPROOFING SYSTEM<br />
BENEFITS & PRODUCT<br />
INFORMATION<br />
BBA certified for life in excess of 25 years.<br />
NHBC and Green Roof Approval.<br />
ULTRAFLEX can be used on new or existing<br />
roofs, walkways, balconies, gutters etc.<br />
Ready to use straight out of the tin, application<br />
with solvent resistant roller.<br />
Use fully reinforced with ULTRAFLEX matting<br />
ensures easy ‘wet on wet’ application.<br />
Can be used all year round – moisture curing.<br />
Fully trafficable when cured.<br />
Instantly rain resistant after application.<br />
Once installed, forms a seamless membrane.<br />
Exellent adhesion to different substrates: plywood,<br />
bitumen membranes, asphalt, metals,<br />
brick, concrete, wood etc.<br />
Fresh concrete must be cured for 28 days.<br />
On EPDM and TPO it is recommended to install<br />
patch test to check compatibility.<br />
Do not use silicone sealants. Always use PU<br />
based mastics.
The Building Envelope<br />
ADDRESSING MOISTURE MOVEMENT<br />
The experts at A Proctor Group talk through the considerations<br />
that should be made when it comes to moisture movement.<br />
Heat, air and moisture movement (HAMM)<br />
through the building envelope is a<br />
naturally occurring process that affects<br />
the integrity of building components and the<br />
health of building occupants. As an<br />
understanding of HAMM grows in the industry,<br />
designing for moisture management in all areas<br />
of the building envelope has quickly become<br />
standard practice.<br />
Construction professionals in the UK consider BS<br />
5250:2011 ‘Code of Practice for control of<br />
condensation in buildings’ the authoritative<br />
resource on this topic. As a starting point, the<br />
Standard specifies the industry must be aware of<br />
both the internal and external factors contributing<br />
to condensation control and building health,<br />
where it states:<br />
“In order to avoid the occurrence of excess<br />
condensation, which can result in mould growth<br />
and damage to the building fabric, designers<br />
should assess the amount of water vapour likely<br />
to be generated within the building … and<br />
consider the effects of the external climate.”<br />
This statement seems perfectly reasonable in<br />
theory, but how in practice can a designer deal<br />
with internal humidity levels that can change with<br />
building function, use and occupancy<br />
adaptations, as well as external conditions like<br />
weather and topography that are clearly beyond<br />
their control?<br />
Risk assessment methods<br />
Construction professionals have traditionally<br />
utilised the Glaser method to assess<br />
condensation risk. Glaser is a ‘steady state’<br />
calculator that uses average monthly<br />
temperatures, vapour pressure and heat<br />
conduction to determine if condensation occurs at<br />
critical points over the span of 12 months. While<br />
this method correctly looks at vapour diffusion, or<br />
the passage of water vapour through the building<br />
fabric, it only considers this movement in a single<br />
direction. There are other limitations with the<br />
Glaser method: the calculations do not account<br />
for additional sources of moisture such as damp<br />
soil, seasonal wet and dry cycles, or the porosity<br />
of materials used in the construction. The Glaser<br />
method is suitable for very simple, lightweight<br />
construction types, however, it is broadly<br />
considered to be inappropriate for the vast<br />
majority of projects, particularly any that use<br />
materials with the potential for absorbing water<br />
like porous brick or fibrous insulations, as well<br />
as any retrofitted buildings with solid masonry<br />
walls.<br />
WUFI (Wärme Und Feuchte Instationär) software,<br />
developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Building<br />
Physics in Germany, was a huge step forward for<br />
the industry in terms of condensation risk<br />
assessment. In contrast to the Glaser method,<br />
WUFI calculations are ‘non-steady state’<br />
simulations that constantly plot the movement of<br />
heat, air and moisture in a state of constant<br />
change relative to building usage, project aspect,<br />
and seasonality. WUFI goes much further than<br />
Glaser by including other sources of moisture<br />
such as ingress from the ground, worst-case<br />
scenario precipitation events, and the natural<br />
variation in moisture content within individual<br />
building materials over time. As the designer is<br />
able to simulate an hour-by-hour condensation<br />
risk analysis over an infinite amount of time,<br />
projects can be optimised for longevity and for the<br />
health and wellbeing of occupants.<br />
Advanced assessments,<br />
advanced materials<br />
The profession’s growing understanding of the<br />
complexities of HAMM has led to a shift in the<br />
industry in two ways. First, modeling software<br />
like WUFI is becoming increasingly<br />
Above: WUFI test: Grey – External surface; Blue – Midpoint;<br />
Black – Internal surface; Red – Temperature (Midpoint).<br />
Above Top: A Proctor’s products were used at Canalside<br />
Walk, Paddington.<br />
sophisticated to better model and assess the<br />
subtleties of building physics, and second, a<br />
new generation of construction materials are<br />
being developed to work with HAMM thereby<br />
supporting the long-term health and durability<br />
of a building.<br />
One example of these advanced materials are<br />
“intelligent” vapour control layers (VCLs) which<br />
have been designed to adapt to changing<br />
humidity circumstances. These variable<br />
permeability VCLs can change their permeability,<br />
becoming more vapour resistant during winter<br />
and more vapour permeable in the summer.<br />
Variable permeable membranes help to regulate<br />
the natural moisture-loading and drying out<br />
cycle of the building envelope by protecting the<br />
building fabric in the colder, wetter months, and<br />
allowing it to dry out effectively in warmer, drier<br />
months.<br />
Need a WUFI calculation? Contact the A. Proctor<br />
Group’s Technical Department.<br />
Contact A Proctor Group<br />
01250 872261<br />
www.proctorgroup.com<br />
@proctorgroup<br />
66 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
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Insulation Updates<br />
KINGSPAN HOLDS COURT ON RENOVATION<br />
Tower Bridge Magistrates’ Court and Police Station has been reinvented as a four-star boutique hotel in a<br />
Dominvs Group development. It includes the installation of a tapered roof insulation system from Kingspan<br />
Insulation – ensuring the only thing taking the fall from now on at the former court will be the rain.<br />
To raise the thermal performance of the building’s flat roof, whilst also providing effective drainage, Kingspan<br />
Thermataper TT47 LPC/FM and Kingspan Thermaroof TR27 LPC/FM were installed.<br />
Kingspan systems were used on this<br />
Dominvus Group project.<br />
Kingspan Thermataper TT47 LPC/FM provided the project team with a fast-track alternative to other drainage methods, such as structural falls. The product<br />
combines high performance insulation and drainage in a single board which can be fixed with a dry installation process, avoiding the time lost waiting for wet<br />
trades to dry. The lightweight boards can also be as little as 1.5%, or less, of the weight of a screed to fall solution, minimising the structural support<br />
requirements for the roof surface.<br />
Kingspan Insulation’s specialist tapered roofing service team created a carefully tailored scheme layout for the hotel roof, maximising cost efficiency whilst<br />
also ensuring the surface met the rainwater runoff and insulation requirements. The layout also simplified the installation process for the site team aided by<br />
the pre-mitred hip and valley boards supplied as part of the Kingspan Thermataper system. www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk<br />
SLENTEX A2 MAKES ITS MARK<br />
The A. Proctor Group has launched a new vapour permeable insulation, which offers superior<br />
thermal performance and fire protection behind cladding.<br />
With a thermal conductivity of 0.019 W/mK, Spacetherm<br />
Slentex A2’s performance credentials are said to qualify<br />
it as one of the best insulation materials available.<br />
Spacetherm Slentex A2 is the result of extensive research and development to produce a vapour<br />
permeable insulation with an A2 fire rating classification. The new insulation is classified as Class<br />
A2, s1 – d0 according to the Euroclass system, which classifies the reaction to fire performance of<br />
building products. Spacetherm Slentex A2 is available in a range of laminates utilising MgO and<br />
plasterboard as well as in a cold bridging strip format. www.proctorgroup.com<br />
KINGSPAN SHOWS ITS BOTTLE<br />
Kingspan has committed to recycling 500m plastic bottles each year by 2023 for use in its<br />
insulation with a further target of 1bn bottles each year by 2025.<br />
Kingspan has partnered with the EcoAlf Foundation and<br />
under a 3-year partnership, the company will proactively<br />
help to remove up to 150 tonnes of waste from the<br />
Mediterranean each year.<br />
This recycling initiative is part of a broader Kingspan programme, together with the company’s 2020<br />
Net Zero Energy manufacturing target, to produce its energy-saving products in a low carbon and<br />
environmentally responsible way. Kingspan is already manufacturing insulation using recycled<br />
plastic but will be adding recovered ocean plastic to this manufacturing chain, made with raw<br />
materials from its plant near Barcelona, Spain. www.kingspan.com/group/<br />
PHYSICAL & THERMAL BENEFITS<br />
An iconic residential development by Barratt London is includes the use of Marmox Multiboard<br />
for its outstanding physical performance with two walls around the 20 metre swimming pool<br />
being lined with the moisture resistant backing board.<br />
Marmox Multiboard has been used at Landmark Place<br />
which stands alongside the Tower of London.<br />
The ground floor pool and spa used close to 100 of the 2500 x 600mm Multiboards for the work, as well<br />
as six boxes of dowels to secure them and 30 rolls of Marmox Jointing Tape. Marmox Multiboards are<br />
manufactured from XPS and offer a range of positive physical characteristics, including good thermal<br />
insulation, in addition to being fully waterproof. www.marmox.co.uk<br />
68 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
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COULD YOU SAVE TIME & REDUCE<br />
RISK WITH THE RIGHT SOFTWARE?<br />
By Richard Boston, Marketing Director at Eque2.<br />
Construction management software is<br />
becoming increasingly more important for<br />
contractors. Industry-specific solutions,<br />
such as Eque2’s Construct for Sage software, are<br />
equipped with the tools to manage construction<br />
businesses efficiently and securely in order to<br />
eliminate risk and protect margins.<br />
These programmes remove the need for manual<br />
spreadsheets and store important information all<br />
in one system to help with day-to-day<br />
management, job costing, subcontractor<br />
compliance and client billing. But what are the<br />
wider benefits and what difference can they make<br />
to construction businesses and the industry as a<br />
whole?<br />
According to a recent publication from the<br />
McKinsey Global Institute, the implementation of<br />
digital technologies across the construction sector<br />
will generate a 14-15% improvement to the<br />
industry’s productivity. Both large and small<br />
contractors are under a hefty amount of pressure<br />
to meet current housing demands and to build<br />
buildings for the nation’s ever-developing regions.<br />
And although this demand is keeping the industry<br />
occupied, as a whole these unwieldy pressures<br />
are stunting the industry’s overall output.<br />
Taking the McKinsey statistic into consideration, it<br />
is clear that investment in technology would<br />
increase construction projects’ efficiencies,<br />
driving the industry towards the modernisation it<br />
is yearning for.<br />
Moving towards a digital resolution<br />
As a collective, the construction industry should<br />
always be asking itself: what can we do to deliver<br />
projects more efficiently? What the industry truly<br />
needs are solutions which streamline even the<br />
slowest and arduous tasks which businesses<br />
have to complete day-in, day-out.<br />
Whether it is manual invoicing<br />
or general administrative<br />
duties, these tasks have<br />
the potential to save<br />
time and money if the<br />
right platform is<br />
selected.<br />
In this case, the right<br />
platform is digital<br />
solutions. A pivotal aspect of<br />
the UK’s current Industrial<br />
Strategy, the digitisation of the construction<br />
industry is already having a transformative<br />
impact on both the quality of construction<br />
projects and the manner in which they are<br />
managed.<br />
Direct benefits<br />
The immediate benefits of digital technology on<br />
the construction industry are multiple. For<br />
instance, a solution such as our product<br />
Construct for Sage which was created in<br />
partnership with Sage, can revolutionise the way<br />
contractors run their businesses. Providing<br />
different packages dependent on a business’s<br />
size, Construct for Sage is a comprehensive<br />
solution allowing businesses to run their company<br />
with more efficiency.<br />
With this technology, crucially the finance and<br />
commercial teams can share vital project<br />
information across a multitude of tasks without<br />
the need for duplication of effort. These digital<br />
platforms ensure all information is stored<br />
securely and can be accessed easily by those<br />
granted to acquire them, rather than sat in<br />
multiple standalone spreadsheets which are<br />
prone to errors.<br />
Not only can they ensure<br />
subcontractor compliance<br />
with CIS, manage<br />
industry-specific<br />
processes such as<br />
variations,<br />
applications and<br />
retentions, they can<br />
also see the real-time<br />
performance of a project<br />
and take action early when<br />
a contract is set to go over<br />
budget. This level of visibility into the<br />
true financial performance of projects is crucial to<br />
protecting margins and ensuring contractors keep<br />
on top of their business at all times.<br />
Wider benefits<br />
Another huge pressure on the construction<br />
industry is the skills shortage. According to<br />
statistics from the Construction Industry Training<br />
Board (CITB), 168,000 new jobs will be created<br />
over the next five years. Although it is<br />
encouraging to see new work being won, it is still<br />
an immense pressure on an industry that is<br />
already floundering; fuelled by the departure of<br />
EU workers from the UK due to Brexit.<br />
There are, however, examples of some change in<br />
action. For instance, mobile technology has been<br />
developed to connect on-site work with the back<br />
office. This modern method of working is highly<br />
attractive to younger people looking at a career in<br />
the industry.<br />
Moreover, the City of Glasgow College has<br />
implemented Eque2’s EValuate estimating<br />
software to help students working towards a<br />
career in the construction industry. This<br />
progressive college recognises the need to<br />
continually modernise and adopt new practices to<br />
70 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
“These digital platforms ensure all<br />
information is stored securely and<br />
can be accessed easily by those<br />
granted to acquire them, rather than<br />
sat in multiple standalone<br />
spreadsheets”<br />
remain relevant in today’s tough climate.<br />
The technology is fresh, innovative and exciting radically changing the<br />
erroneous perception that construction simply constitutes hammers, ‘wood’<br />
and muddy hi-vis vests. In effect, further integration of software into multiple<br />
institutions will cultivate a substantial workforce equipped with the<br />
knowledge and experience to take the industry into a digital age.<br />
On a broader spectrum, construction management software also minimises<br />
risk which is crucial in the post-Grenfell construction world. A calamity such<br />
as this truly highlighted what needed to change in industry – enhanced<br />
visibility and traceability. With digital solutions, risk can be easily identified<br />
as information can be accessed quickly and efficiently. Risk can be located<br />
throughout a building project’s entire lifecycle, to not only ensure occupant<br />
and building safety, but to preserve the industry’s credibility as a whole.<br />
For an industry that is drastically lagging behind in terms of digital adoption,<br />
straightforward, easy-to-use, innovative digital systems are the catalysts for<br />
change. The benefits of these digital solutions are two-fold; not only do they<br />
help businesses manage their day-to-day operations more efficiently, they<br />
remove risk and save money – two fundamental factors essential to the<br />
construction industry’s preservation and growth. And with digital systems<br />
already showing the fruits of its labour, it is becoming more and more<br />
difficult to identify the reasons why digital systems won’t be the industry’s<br />
saving grace.<br />
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LIMITS FOR VAN DRIVERS<br />
Tradespeople who use work vans to get to and from jobs could be hit with a fine of up to £300 if they exceed<br />
the UK daily driving hours limit, experts have warned.<br />
LeaseVan.co.uk has highlighted the law which states that drivers operating a van for commercial purposes must Those who use vans to get to and from jobs must<br />
take note of the UK daily driving hours limit.<br />
observe the same working hour restrictions and rest period requirements as professional HGV drivers. Drivers<br />
operating a work van for more than four hours per day are not permitted to be behind the wheel for more than ten hours and aren’t allowed to be on duty for<br />
more than 11 hours on any day in which they drive. Working drivers can only reach the ten-hour limit twice per week. For other days that week, they are then<br />
restricted to nine hours – or 56 hours in a week and 90 hours in any fortnight.<br />
Van drivers on the roads for business purposes must also get at least 11 hours rest daily, take breaks totalling at least 45 minutes after a maximum of four<br />
and a half hours of driving and take an unbroken rest period of 45 hours weekly. Skipping breaks and exceeding these limits could see van drivers hit with a<br />
fine of up to £300. It could also prove dangerous for both the driver and other road users, with tiredness and fatigue among the leading causes of road<br />
accidents and being potentially as deadly as drink or drug driving. The limits are suspended for the duration of emergencies, where the driver needs to take<br />
immediate preventative action to avoid danger to someone or an animal’s life or health, or serious damage to property. www.leasevan.co.uk<br />
SHORT GAME: COOL COMFORT THIS SUMMER<br />
Snickers’ FLEXIWork Stretch Shorts are designed to deliver superior comfort and freedom of movement.<br />
Above: FLEXIWork Stretch<br />
shorts from Snickers.<br />
While fabric, functionality and fit are hallmarks of Snickers Workwear, it’s the innovation and fabric technology in the design of<br />
the new FlexiWork Stretch Shorts for men and women that really set these new garments apart. Delivering superior flexibility<br />
and comfort, these lightweight work shorts come in a hi-tech body-mapping design and are made from a self-ventilating<br />
stretch fabric with Cordura reinforcements for all-round mobility and durability when you need it most. As well as being streetsmart<br />
with men’s and women’s designs, they’re packed with comfort and functionality and specially designed for the fastpaced<br />
professional who’s always on the go and always delivering top class work on site. www.snickersworkwear.co.uk<br />
LIGHT IT UP WITH LUCECO<br />
A new range of site lighting has been created by lighting experts, Luceco.<br />
The range includes a number of tripod work lights and<br />
options for single or twin heads, a plasterer’s work light,<br />
festoon kit, a portable work light and non-corrosives in<br />
both two foot and five foot.<br />
The range of robust, high performing and efficient 110V site lights have been developed based on<br />
feedback from those using similar products across a wide range of environments. The new worklights<br />
further expand Luceco’s arsenal of lighting options, joining an already broad range of lighting<br />
products aimed towards the day-to-day tradesperson. Available since April <strong>2019</strong>, the range provides<br />
a variety of site lighting options. All the lights are certified to a minimum IP rating of IP44, however,<br />
the bulk of the fittings are tested to IP65, with the plug being IP44. www.luceco.com/uk<br />
NEW CAT S61: PACKED WITH TOOLS<br />
The successor to the multi award winning Cat S60, the CAT S61 features enhanced FLIR thermal<br />
imaging capability, built-in laser assisted distance measure, and an indoor air quality sensor.<br />
The new Cat S61 is the tool to help get any job done and is available now from www.catphones.com<br />
with an MSRP of £799.<br />
The new Cat S61 is the tool to help get any job done and<br />
is available now from www.catphones.com.<br />
The Cat S61 includes an integrated thermal imaging camera, laser assisted distance measure and<br />
indoor air quality monitor to assist tradespeople with all aspects of their work. www.catphones.com<br />
72 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
The Apex<br />
WILL T LEVELS ATTRACT TALENT?<br />
Academic routes are not the only path to success, and with a shortage of new talent<br />
entering the construction industry it is more important than ever to find an alternative way of<br />
learning to bridge the gap. The introduction of T Levels – technical education programmes<br />
for young people aged 16 to 18 – have been billed as the solution. Jackie Biswell from Apex<br />
Roofing gives her view...<br />
The construction industry is facing a<br />
recruitment crisis. During one of the worst<br />
economic downturns in recent memory in<br />
2008, building contracted by 16.5%. Although the<br />
sector recovered and work was plentiful, the<br />
workforce was no longer there to carry it out.<br />
It is not only the recession that has given cause<br />
for concern. There is still uncertainty over Brexit.<br />
Whether we leave or remain, the future for<br />
existing migrant workers in the UK is unknown<br />
and employing overseas workers will no doubt be<br />
a more complicated process.<br />
Another threat to the industry is the prediction<br />
that 400,000 construction workers will retire in<br />
the next decade. And that statistic is not matched<br />
by the numbers of new talent entering the trade;<br />
essentially, the old guard will be leaving and there<br />
will not be enough new workers to fill the void.<br />
The new generation<br />
A report from the Chartered Institute of Building<br />
(CIOB) revealed that the construction industry<br />
needs to find 157,000 new recruits by 2021 to be<br />
able to keep up with the increasing demand.<br />
At a time when major national infrastructure<br />
projects are taking place and there is an evergrowing<br />
demand for skilled workers, it is crucial<br />
that a new generation of construction workers are<br />
recruited to address the skills gap.<br />
Previously, one of the key initiatives from the<br />
industry and government has been apprenticeships.<br />
In April 2017, changes in apprenticeship funding<br />
were introduced meaning the funding of new<br />
apprenticeships now comes from an<br />
apprenticeship levy rather than<br />
taxpayers.<br />
The Government’s aim was to boost<br />
productivity by investing in human<br />
capital, developing vocational skills and<br />
increasing both the quality and quantity of<br />
apprenticeships.<br />
Between August and October 2017, only 114,400<br />
young people began apprenticeships –<br />
substantially less than the 155,300 reported in<br />
the same three months in 2016.<br />
Apprenticeships are often seen as a fall back for<br />
those who cannot or do not want to study for A-<br />
levels or go for university. There needs to be a<br />
greater emphasis placed on vocational learning<br />
and that’s where the T Level comes in.<br />
What is the T Level?<br />
More than £500million a year will be spent on the<br />
new-style technical courses which provide an<br />
alternative route into work.<br />
T Levels will become one of the main choices for<br />
students after GCSEs alongside apprenticeships<br />
for students who want to learn a specific<br />
occupation on the job and A-levels for those who<br />
want to continue with academic education.<br />
The T Level, which will last for two years, will be<br />
the equivalent to three A Levels, include at least<br />
45 days of industry placement and the students<br />
will receive a grade upon completion.<br />
The qualification will be based on the same<br />
occupational standards as apprenticeships which<br />
are designed by employers.<br />
Left: Jackie Biswell, Apex Roofing.<br />
T Level panels, which consist of<br />
employers, professional bodies and<br />
providers, have worked together to<br />
develop the curriculum to ensure the<br />
content meets the needs of the industry and<br />
prepares students for the world of work.<br />
The first of the new T Level courses will start in<br />
September 2020 with construction being one of<br />
the 15 chosen sectors.<br />
It is expected that the construction T Level will be<br />
broken down into sub-categories of skills for jobs<br />
such as bricklayer, carpenter/joiner, construction<br />
supervisor and electrician.<br />
Will it be a success?<br />
The construction industry is crying out for skilled<br />
workers and the T Level has been created with<br />
the intention of garnering a new generation of<br />
young workers with valuable industry skills.<br />
The new qualification has, of course, been<br />
welcomed and criticised by various sectors, but<br />
we think it is a positive step to plug the widening<br />
skills gap by actively supporting those who do not<br />
take the A-level, apprenticeship or university<br />
route into their career.<br />
What are your thoughts on T Levels? Email<br />
mattdowns@media-now.co.uk /<br />
@TotContractorUK<br />
Contact Apex Roofing<br />
01502 537129<br />
www.apexroofinguk.com<br />
@ApexAnglia<br />
74 TC MAY <strong>2019</strong>
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO BOOK YOUR STAND CONTACT<br />
ANDY DUNN andydunn@media-now.co.uk<br />
JAKE ROXBOROUGH jakeroxborough@media-now.co.uk<br />
01892 732047 | WWW.CONTRACTORSDAY.CO.UK<br />
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