May 2019

MAY 2019

FEATURES

• DON’T BE THE FALL GUY

WHEN IT COMES TO FLAT ROOFING

• CALL FOR REINFORCEMENTS: IS YOUR

LIQUID ROOFING SYSTEM REINFORCED?

• PROFIT’S IN THE PLANNING: REMEMBER,

IT’S IMPORTANT TO MAKE A JOB PAY!

Perfectly Pitched

NFRC Tech Talk

Contractor’s Qs

>>> • SAFETY AT HEIGHT • OFF-SITE FOCUS • WORKWEAR • PRODUCT UPDATES >>>

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Editor’s Comment

MATT DOWNS

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

MATTDOWNS@MEDIA-NOW.CO.UK

07963 330774

This month’s issue is packed full of the latest product updates,

interviews, advice and opinions for operatives working in the

roofing and cladding sectors.

COVER PIC:

COURTESY OF

BMI UK & IRELAND

An issue that has caused concern for the pitched roofing sector in

recent times is staining on gable end walls caused by water shedding

from some dry verge systems. Despite the introduction of BS 8612,

there is still some concern, and with this in mind, we asked Tom

Woodhouse, Site Services Manager at Marley, to provide his top tips to

prevent this occurring. You can read Tom’s tips on p.24.

Moving to the liquid roofing sector, a key issue for many is the use of

systems without a reinforcement layer. Often billed as being more cost

effective and quicker to install, Sarah Spink, CEO of the LRWA, is keen

to point out this is often not the case. In her article on p.40, Sarah

explains the very real advantages of using a reinforced liquid roofing

system, and the problems that can arise if you don’t.

Elsewhere in this issue, in his latest Perfectly Pitched column, John

Mercer explains the considerations that need to be made when choosing

a pitched roof underlay, including his own research which throws up

some interesting results (p.32); Nick Boulton of TRA provides a checklist

for roofers to ensure the trussed rafters are ready for them to begin

work (p.38); Andrew Bright explains why profit’s all in the planning for

roofing projects (p.42); whilst Peter Johnson urges cladding installers

to let his company take care of the “dirty work” (p.60).

So read on for all this and so much more!

FROM

ONL

£345

per leaf

Including

delivery

Matt

Ceiran Peel-Price is Owner of Peel-Price Construction and operates in the

Wirral area. This month Ceiran answers our Contractor’s Qs on page 26.

WWW.TOTAL-CONTRACTOR.CO.UK

Advertising:

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

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reserved.

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MAY 2019 TC 3

Contents

COVER FEATURES

16 DON’T BE THE FALL GUY

The Inspector explains how updates in BS 6229

can prevent you being the fall guy when it

comes to flat roofing

40 REINFORCEMENTS CALL

Sarah Spink explains the advantages of

utilising reinforced liquid roofing systems and

what contractors should look out for

42 PLANNING FOR PROFIT

Andrew Bright says we all enjoy the day job but

it’s important to make a job pay, and to do this

remember the profit’s in the planning...

FEATURES

24 GABLE END STAINING

Tom Woodhouse offers his top tips to ensure gable end

staining doesn’t leave its mark on your project

32 PERFECTLY PITCHED

John Mercer explains the importance of using the

right pitched roof underlay in the right location

38 SHOUT IT FROM THE RAFTERS

Nick Boulton talks through the trussed rafter safety

checks roofers should make before commencing work

46 DRAINAGE DESIGN

Brian Bell discusses what to consider when installing

an efficient drainage system

60 OFF-SITE INSIGHT

Peter Johnson says contractors and installers have less

time and space on site, so companies like his can help...

70 HARD FACTS FOR SOFTWARE

Could you save time and reduce risk on your projects

with the right software? Richard Boston gives his thoughts

4 TC MAY 2019

REGULARS

18 NFRC TECHNICAL TALK

In his latest look at the changes to BS 6229,

Gary Walpole focuses on loading and drainage

22 BUSINESS TALK

We take a look at the issues and protocols when

recruiting staff with criminal records

26 CONTRACTOR’S QS

Finalist in the BMI Apprentice of the Year in 2017

and 2018, Ceiran Peel-Price answers our Qs

74 THE APEX

The response to T Levels has been mixed,

Jackie Biswell gives an overview and her thoughts

SECTIONS:

TOTAL

ROOFING

TOTAL

CLADDING

INDUSTRY NEWS

06 WIENERBERGER MAKES MOVE

Acquisition of BPD Holdings enables Wienerberger to

expand its roof accessory offering

10 INNOVATION HUB FOR SFS

New hub is designed to connect professionals and new

entrants and enable them to network and learn

TOTAL

INSULATION

VEHICLES, TOOLS

& WORKWEAR

MAY 2019 TC 5

Industry News

SIG ROOFING’S NEXT

GENERATION SUPPORT

Top: Kieren Stevenson; Above left: Samuel Haworth;

right: Megan Boygle

SIG Roofing is supporting 11 apprentices

through the Re:allies Framework, an

initiative which provides smart

procurement to asset management

solutions for social housing projects that

generates efficiencies to directly support

people into training and employment in

their local communities.

SIG Roofing, which supplies products through

the Re:allies planned maintenance

framework to a number of clients across the

north of England, has provided starter toolkits

and ongoing training and mentoring to

support 11 apprentices as well as sponsoring

three of these apprentices who, with SIG’s

support, have overcome barriers and now

gained employment for construction

companies on the Procure Plus Framework.

Kieren Stevenson, Samuel Howarth and

Megan Boygle have been recruited through

Re:vision, supported by its partnership with

local employment groups in the north:

Newground, Achieve and Women and Manual

Trades (WaMT). Find out more at

www.total-contractor.co.uk.

WIENERBERGER MAKES KEY ACQUISITION

Wienerberger has announced the acquisition

of UK-based BPD Holdings to further expand

its roof accessory offering and complement

its existing roof product portfolio in the UK

and Europe.

As a prominent producer of roof underlays, wall

and construction membranes, building ventilation

systems and specialist roof products, BPD will

become a centre of excellence for innovative

roofing solutions within Wienerberger. BPD will

reportedly be tasked with developing innovative

solutions designed to be implemented and sold

across the broader Wienerberger network,

leveraging the combined regional strengths and

product expertise. With a large product offering

including the Protect, Passivent, Glidevale and

Kingfisher brands, as well as a tailor-made

solutions service, BPD operates two highly

advanced and efficient UK production sites in

Nottinghamshire and South Wales. BPD has over

200 employees and most recently generated

annual revenues of around £30 million.

Heimo Scheuch, Wienerberger AG CEO,

commented: “The UK is one of the strongest and

The importance of proper planning and safe

working practices has once again been

highlighted after a roofing company was

sentenced for safety breaches when a worker

fell about three metres through a rooflight,

suffering a fractured pelvis and spinal injuries.

Leeds Magistrates court heard how, on 17 March

2016, a self-employed roofer, working for PNR

Roofing and Building Services, was on a roof

laying wooden ‘lats’ and roofing felt, when he fell

through a skylight that was covered with felt. PNR

was subcontracted to carry out roof work at Globe

Mills in Slaithwaite. An investigation by the Health

and Safety Executive (HSE) found that whilst PNR

initially provided air bags as a means of mitigating

any falls by employees, the air bags had been

Wienerberger has acquired BPD Holdings to further expand

its roof accessory offering.

most innovative markets for roofing products, and

a key growth area for us as a business. The

acquisition of BPD will strengthen our own

position as a full-range roof systems supplier

thanks to their reputation for innovation and

production expertise. BPD’s specialist roof

accessories are a perfect fit with our existing roof

portfolio and we look forward to being able to

promote them throughout the UK and Europe.”

Wienerberger says its growth strategy is focused

on advancing its market position in the roof,

façade, wall and paver sectors, bringing building

materials solutions for the whole building

envelope to the construction industry.

POOR PLANNING PUNISHED BY HSE

moved to remove debris and the worker hit the

floor instead.

PNR Roofing and Building Services of Park View,

Shafton, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to breaching

Section 3 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc

Act 1974 and has been fined £20,000 and

ordered to pay £1,100 in costs. After the hearing,

HSE inspector Chris Tilley commented: “Falls from

height through fragile surfaces and skylights

remain one of the most common causes of workrelated

fatalities in this country and the risks

associated with working at height are well known.

This incident could so easily have been avoided by

simply adopting reasonably practicable safe

working practices such as using netting instead of

relying on fall bags.”

6 TC MAY 2019

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Industry News

TAYLOR WIMPEY ‘RECOGNISES THE WORK’ OF ITS TRADES

Bracknell Roofing has been named Best Roofing

Contractor by Taylor Wimpey.

The housebuilder held an event for all the trades

that have worked on its projects in London and the

South East, and the Reading branch of Bracknell

Roofing – which is part of Avonside Group Services

– won the roofing contractor award.

The award ceremony was unexpected, according

to Contracts Manager Clive Naish, who said: “We

just thought Taylor Wimpey was having an annual

get-together of all the different trades that support

them to build homes in London and the South East

– so it came as a surprise when they started

handing out awards, but it was a proud moment

when Bracknell Roofing was named Best Roofing

Contractor for 2018.

“It is a great honour to pick up the award because

we know that Taylor Wimpey work with some very

good roofing contractors, who all

do outstanding work – but this

reflects the fact that we work to

the very highest standards of

workmanship and provide very

responsive project management.

This is something that was

clearly recognised by Taylor

Wimpey. The award is a huge boost for the team at

the Reading branch – which is where the company

was originally founded more than 40 years ago –

and it is validation of the standards that we set for

ourselves and how they positively benefit the

customers we work with – whether that’s a small

development of a few dozen homes or large

developments of thousands of new homes.”

The team at the Reading branch also marked the

milestone by remembering their Branch Manager

Kevin Mather, who passed away suddenly last year.

Clive added: “Our delight was

tinged with sadness, as Kevin

should have been with us to

celebrate, as he was well liked

and respected by all those he

worked with.”

L-r: Tain McDonald & Clive Naish.

Divisional Director Simon Smith

of Bracknell Roofing explained: We applaud

Taylor Wimpey for going out of its way to

recognise the work of all the trades who it

works with to build new homes – because it

highlights the high levels of skill and

professionalism right across the industry. The

team at the Reading branch fully deserve this

award, and in light of the difficult time around

the untimely passing of a well-liked colleague, it

highlights that our high standards have never

slipped in supporting customers like Taylor

Wimpey.”

FMB: QUALITY & STANDARDS MUST BE KEY

Andrew Stephenson MP, the new

sector has widespread support among

Construction Minister, should make it

the industry and homeowners, alike. The

his mission to raise quality and

Government must legislate to stop the

standards in the construction

scourge of unprofessional behaviour

industry through mandatory

blighting the entire industry.”

licensing, according to the Federation

Berry concluded: “With the recent

of Master Builders (FMB).

appointment of a member of the FMB

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB,

onto the Construction Leadership

said: “I warmly welcome Andrew

Council, we also look forward to

Stephenson into his new role and I look

working with the Minister on

forward to working with him to raise

implementing the Sector Deal in a way

standards, quality and professionalism

that will help to unleash the potential of

in the construction industry. The time is

small to medium-sized construction

Top: Andrew

right to look at a meaningful way in Stephenson MP, Above: firms.

Brian Berry.

which we can purge the sector of rogue

“After all, they are the bedrock of the

firms and unprofessional outfits once and for all.

industry, training two-thirds of all construction

With the publication of the Independent Review of

apprentices and forming the supply chain of

Building Regulations and Fire Safety, and the

larger contractors. We must tirelessly work to

quality of some new build homes being called into

remove barriers to SME construction companies if

question, we need to act now to improve

we are to deliver on the Government’s

standards and increase productivity. A mandatory

infrastructure targets.”

licensing scheme for the whole UK construction

SPRA’S TEAM GROWS

SPRA Council has welcomed John McMullan

from Firestone Building Products (FBP) onto

the leadership team.

Martyn Holloway, SPRA Chair, said “I am

very pleased to welcome John onto SPRA

Council. His depth of knowledge and

determination to improve the sector and

attract new talent will be invaluable.”

Cathie Clarke, CEO, said “I am delighted that

John is joining the leadership team. He will

play an important role helping to drive our

business plan and representing the EPDM

sector on the SPRA Council. John joins Ian

Muddiman (SIKA), Mike Crook (SIG D&T)

and Steve Downey (DANOSA) as the four

Membrane Representatives on the 12-

strong SPRA Council. Their collective

experience, enthusiasm & knowledge is a

great asset to SPRA and has been a key

element in the growth in influence of this

dedicated and focussed association.”

8 TC MAY 2019

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Industry News

LRWA APPOINTMENTS

Above l-r: Stuart Hicks and Mark Flello.

The Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing

Association (LRWA) has appointed a new

Chairman – Stuart Hicks, UK Marketing

Manager at Kemper System, and Vice

Chairman – Mark Flello, Managing

Director of Dove Technology.

Stuart and Mark, who were put forward for

each of their positions by the LRWA board,

were then voted-in by members at the LRWA

AGM in March 2019. As Chair, Stuart will

help guide the delivery of significant new

projects and sector developments with the

support of the LRWA board, its members and

the CEO, Sarah Spink, to continue to help

raise the standards and awareness of the

liquid roofing and waterproofing industry.

Stuart explained: “We have a fantastic

association that is shaping the future of not

just the liquid waterproofing sector, but the

entire roofing industry, which is really

exciting. I’m passionate about making change

for the better – so let us continue our good

work and make a positive impact.”

CEO of the LRWA Sarah Spink, added: “We

are absolutely delighted to welcome Stuart

and Mark into their new roles. Both

individuals have been key players within the

association for many years, and their skillset

and experience complement one another

in these leading roles. We have a busy and

exciting year ahead with new developments

and projects in the making, and having Stuart

and Mark at the forefront of the association will

be a real asset for the LRWA and its members.”

SFS OPENS NEW INNOVATION HUB

SFS opened the doors to its

new construction

innovation hub alongside a

distinguished panel of

speakers in May.

The Academy is SFS’s new

learning space at its UK

Above: SFS’s new construction innovation hub.

Directors of key companies

in construction, speakers

from local universities, and

David Wigglesworth, MD of

SFS UK.

“The way buildings are

designed and constructed is

headquarters in Leeds. The hub is designed to

connect professionals and the future generation

of construction to trade knowledge, network, learn

and share ideas.

changing and evolving at a faster rate than ever

before,” explained Wigglesworth. “Everybody from

all corners of construction is facing new

challenges, from 5D BIM, to solving the skills

shortage problem, to working collaboratively and

As part of the launch, SFS hosted an evening on

bringing in much needed efficiencies.

2nd May to provide key insight from leading

players across a spectrum of specialities within

the construction industry. Attendees had the

opportunity to learn about topics such as the

future of architecture, developing new talent,

construction 4.0, diversification in the workforce,

and women in engineering and construction.

The event brought together a range of speakers

and the panel included well-known architectural

historian, broadcaster and writer Tom Dyckhoff.

As well as Tom, the panel comprised Managing

“The Academy is one of SFS’s core pillars to help

the industry to focus on these challenges. The

space is designed to share thought leadership

initiatives and allow different professions of

construction to come together.”

The Academy at SFS will be the focal point for

delivering CPDs, hosting networking events,

engaging the next generation of professionals,

while SFS experts will be on hand to provide

product demonstrations and technical insight.

ROOFLIGHTS MADE EASIER WITH NARM

NARM, the National Association of Rooflight

Manufacturers, has launched a new website

which it claims “offers the most

comprehensive independent source of

technical information for rooflight specifiers”.

The National Association of Rooflight

Manufacturers is an active and influential trade

NARM has launched a new website.

association representing manufacturers and

well as providing listings of member companies,

suppliers of all types of rooflights into the UK

latest news and a comprehensive rooflight gallery,

market. Its purpose is to identify and promote

with sector categories.

best practice in rooflight specification,

installation, maintenance and safety.

Full membership criteria for rooflight suppliers

interested in NARM membership, is also available

The new site provides easy access to the

on the new website:

association’s complete library of technical

documents, ‘quick guides’ and case studies, as www.narm.org.uk

10 TC MAY 2019

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Industry News

READING TECH HUB

FOR BMI GROUP

BMI Group has opened its new Technology

Hub in Reading.

The Hub marks a multi-million-pound

investment in technology and people for BMI

and is part of Standard Industries’ global

mission to “transform the industry”.

Rich Robinson, Chief Technology Officer at

Standard Industries, parent company of BMI,

commented: “Digital transformation is about

empowering the customer by taking the

friction out of buying a roofing system. The

new BMI Technology Hub is part of our

commitment to leverage emerging

technologies and lead the way in becoming a

truly tech-driven building materials and

construction company.”

BMI is making a major commitment to

accelerate the integration of data and digital

capabilities into the manufacturing of highquality

roofing and waterproofing solutions. The

company is also deploying machine learning to

advance and automate its production and

services as well as the development of a

competitive, integrated solar roof.

BMI says its significant investments in

proprietary technologies continue to enhance

the group’s roofing and waterproofing

solutions and services. They enable BMI to

offer innovative platforms that will make

identifying, selecting, delivering and installing

a roofing system a seamless and integrated

process for both the customer and contractor.

Shreyas Mysore, Chief Information Officer of

BMI Group, expressed big ambitions for the

centre’s growth: “The BMI Technology Hub

will grow into a sophisticated centre for

technology and IT innovation. We have many

exciting opportunities for technologists, and

plans to branch into sectors ripe for

technological development and disruption.”

SR TIMBER’S CONSTRUCTIVE BREXIT TALKS

Shaun Revill, SR Timber Trading Director,

joined business leaders to tell Conservative

MP Nicky Morgan about the stark realities that

businesses are facing as the uncertainty

around Brexit continues.

The group, which included the Confederation of

British Industry (CBI), a high street bank and

Sean Revill, SR Timber, and Conservative MP Nicky Morgan.

leading business figures – spoke to Mrs Morgan at

the event at Loughborough University and

Referendum in 2016 was announced, the value of

expressed genuine concern about how Parliament the pound had plummeted against other currencies

and the government are handling what the MP and, again, this had driven up costs, which again,

described as a “political and constitutional crisis”. businesses around the table said they were

struggling to pass on to their customers.

Mr Revill was quick to tell the MP for

Loughborough about the case of SR Timber – Mr Revill took the opportunity to highlight the issue

which is a leading importer of timber products of British Standards. He told Mrs Morgan about the

and the UK’s largest importer of roofing batten. case of roofing batten and how there has been a

rise in the amount of roofing contractors either

He said that since the Referendum in 2016, he

knowingly using materials which are noncompliant

with current British Standards, or are

has faced constant questions from suppliers – in

particular those in SR Timber’s supply chain in

unwittingly purchasing materials that are

the Baltic states – asking what’s happening in

counterfeit, in order to save money.

the UK. He also said that the continued

uncertainty over Brexit means his suppliers are “When I mentioned the case of battens, Mrs

themselves under pressure because the UK is Morgan quite rightly asked the question about

their largest market.

when regulators are being pushed to enforce

standards,” said Mr Revill. “The reality is that

“There are rumours swirling around Europe that

they’re not as robust as they should be. British

the UK will grind to a halt in the days and weeks

Standards have been developed for specific

after Brexit – and this is making our suppliers

reasons – such as the quality of materials – and

understandably very nervous,” said Mr Revill.

they should be adhered to, Brexit or no Brexit.”

Mrs Morgan was quick to point out that the civil

When asked what contingencies businesses

service and government departments have lots of

around the table had taken to plan for Brexit,

plans and contingencies in place, but the group

there was a very clear divide between FTSE

criticised the government for not promoting this

companies and businesses such as SR Timber.

and not communicating this better to countries in

the EU.

“The CBI said that some of the largest businesses

were spending more than £100m to prepare, and

The group discussed the example of

their boards were spending up to 80% of their

transportation costs of distributing materials once

time planning,” said Mr Revill. “If we did that, we

they arrive at UK ports and many of the

wouldn’t have a business left to run.”

businesses said they had faced rising costs –

which they had to absorb because they couldn’t Reflecting on the event, Mr Revill said that it was

pass them on.

a great opportunity to meet other businesses who

import and share experiences around the

They also discussed how, since the result of the

challenges of importing.

12 TC MAY 2019

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Industry News

PLEASING READING

FOR GREEN ROOFS

Shirley Rodrigues, London’s Deputy Mayor for

the Environment, launched a report which

shows the speed with which London has

delivered on its drive to meet its objectives

on climate resilience and biodiversity.

Rodrigues led the Greater London Authority’s

(GLA) Environment Team when the First

green roof policy was included in the London

Plan in 2008: “I have been delighted to

witness the patchwork of green roofs and

walls spreading across London’s skyline,

alongside the establishment of a world-class

industry that is working towards the greening

of London,” said Rodrigues.

The report, produced by the European

Federation of Green Roofs and Walls (EFB),

and livingroofs.org, reveals that the total area

of green roofs in the Greater London area is

equal to 1.5 million m² with a density of

0.17m² per inhabitant, which far surpasses

that of other cities in the world.

Significantly, the density in the capital’s

Central Activity Zone is now a remarkable

1.21m² of green roof per inhabitant.

The new report contains infographics

detailing all the green roofs installed in the

Greater London Area and the Central Activity

Zone (CAZ) as of 2018, with links to

infographics for all the London boroughs

which are published at www.livingroofs.org;

the First ever league table of green roof cities

around the world including London’s CAZ to

provide a snapshot of London’s comparative

performance; a review of global green roof

policies in cities around the world; new

evidence of the benefits and economic case

for green roofs and walls; an appraisal of

how various London boroughs are delivering

green roofs; and 17 case studies of green

roofs and walls in London.

www.livingroofs.org

TRAINING KEY FOR FORMER BMI AOTY

The BMI National Training Centre welcomed an

old friend, when roofer Ceiran Peel-Price

attended one of the centre’s flat roofing courses.

Ceiran is no stranger to the BMI National Training

Centre as he was a finalist in the pitched roof

category of the annual BMI Apprentice of the Year

(AOTY) competition in both 2017 and 2018. After

completing his apprenticeship, and with the

confidence and insight gained through the

competition, Ceiran successfully set up his own

business and is now seeking to add flat roofing

installation to the company’s services. Of BMI’s

available courses, Ceiran opted for an

Introduction to Single Ply Roofing.

With 2018 delivering the completion of the flat

roofing training area, and the refurbishment of the

existing pitched training facility, the BMI National

Training Centre was an obvious choice for Ceiran

when looking to improve his skillset: “Being part

of the BMI Apprentice of the Year competitions

really taught me a lot and meant that BMI was a

natural place for me to look for training as I am

expanding my business. They not only gave me a

great boost to my confidence, they also really

Above: Ceiran Peel-Price took part in BMI’s Apprentice of the

Year and returned to BMI’s National Training Centre to carry

out flat roof training as owner of his own business.

inspired me to push on with the next stage of my

career. The facilities here are excellent, and the

quality of training is superb.”

Mat Woodyatt, BMI Technical Training Manager,

said: “It’s great to see Ceiran back, and I’m really

proud that, not only has BMI been part of

inspiring him to set up his own company; but also

that he sees us as a ‘go to’ provider for new

skills. Our BMI Apprentice of the Year awards are

part of our commitment to help ensure that new

entrants to the sector receive the necessary

levels of support that they need to develop and

succeed. Ceiran is absolute proof of that, and we

couldn’t think of a better candidate to attend one

of our flat roof training courses.”

Ceiran takes part in Contractor’s Qs on p. 26.

NEW APPOINTMENT AT MADE FOR TRADE

Jonathan Fletcher has joined

Made for Trade as Business

Development Manager.

Going forward, Jonathan’s

appointment will help ensure the

successful roll out of all MFT

products. However, customer

support and guidance will be

Bradley Gaunt (left) welcomes

Jonathan Fletcher to the team.

area for Jonathan is the Midlands

and he will be focusing on existing

customer support, retention and

growth.

Jonathan explained: “I’m looking

forward to increasing awareness

of the Made For Trade brand

through strategic marketing

crucial as Made for Trade continue to invest in

research and design of new systems. With over

20 years of business to business experience in

national sales roles, Jonathan brings a wealth of

experience to the position. Alongside supporting

the Made for Trade team at this year’s FIT Show,

his immediate goals will be on the road visiting

existing clients and offering support. The first

avenues, whilst also increasing face time with

our customers. I have known of Made for Trade

for some years now, so as soon as the

opportunity arose I was keen to get on board. The

fact that Made for Trade has a strong ethos

towards developing market leading products gives

me confidence that this role will be an exciting

and enjoyable one for me.”

14 TC MAY 2019

An Inspector Calls

DON’T BE THE FALL GUY WHEN IT

COMES TO FLAT ROOFING

In our regular monthly column – ‘An Inspector Calls’ – Total Contractor has teamed up with

the experts at BMI UK & Ireland to help you avoid the common pitfalls that can often cost

you both time and money, and ultimately help you achieve roofing success.

This month, the Inspector looks at how

updates in BS 6229:2018 can stop you

being the fall guy when it comes to flat

roofing.

One of the most eye-catching amendments in the

revision of BS 6229:2018 was the reference to

falls. This is now much clearer, stating that “all

flat roof surfaces (including gutter beds) should

be designed with a fall of 1:40 to ensure finished

drainage falls of 1:80 are achieved. This should

take account of construction tolerances,

permitted deviations and deflection under load,

and account for deflections/settlement.”

In other words, any design should allow for all

factors that could reduce or hinder the drainage,

eliminating the risk of ponding on roofs. Without

these considerations, it is highly likely standing

water will occur. Although improvements in

membrane technology and performance have

increased significantly, standing water may still

result in additional and unnecessary stresses in

the membrane, particularly in the winter when

that standing water freezes. Furthermore, in the

event of a defect being present in the area of the

ponding, greater water ingress will occur when

compared to a well-drained roof.

Accelerate the ageing process

Standing water is typically defined as water that

remains on the roof for longer than 48 hours, and

whilst this is not an immediate threat, it can

accelerate the natural ageing process and have a

detrimental effect on the membrane’s lifespan.

It’s possible that standing water can still occur

even when the structural deck has a fall within it,

as compressed insulation,

blocked or faulty drainage

and damaged membranes

can all contribute

towards this issue too.

Regular maintenance

can therefore reduce

this risk, alongside

reducing the number and

weight of items permanently

stored on the roof. Another

contributing factor could be the

sequencing of membrane laps and edge details

sitting proud of the finished floor level,

consequently reducing the water’s ability to

navigate past the resulting water-check.

The reference to falls is all the more pertinent

given that, these days, there are certain thirdparty

certified waterproofing and insulating

Above: Ponding can shorten the life of a roof. Below:

Standing water due to lack of fall.

systems that have gained

approval for use with zero

falls. Hot melt systems

in particular are

popular for this area

of work. For these

systems, zero falls

are acceptable, but

negative falls are not, so

should be corrected. It is

not really acceptable in this

day and age for any contractor to

install roof decks with large depressions, back

falls and non-draining areas.

To ensure a zero fall finished surface i.e. one that

is totally flat, a design fall of 1:80 should be

used, along with a detailed structural analysis to

account for construction tolerances, settlement

and deflection under load.

Remedial action

If sites have negative falls, thereby increasing the

likelihood of ponding, then remedial action has to

be taken before the roof system is applied. This

could be by laying a localized screed to falls and

firings, fitting tapered insulation or fitting

additional rainwater outlets at the lowest points.

As a result, the roofing contractor should expect a

flat, properly drained surface on which to lay the

specified system and the finished roof should not

suffer from ponding or inadequate drainage.

Contact BMI National Training Centre

01285 863545

www.redland.co.uk/training

@_Redland / @Icopal_UK

16 TC MAY 2019

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NFRC Technical Talk

SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO BS 6229

PART 2: LOADING & DRAINAGE

Gary Walpole, NFRC Technical Officer, continues his review of the changes to BS 6229, the

Code of Practice for flat roofs.

BS 6229 (Flat roofs

with continuously

supported flexible

waterproof coverings. Code

of Practice) was last updated

in 2003 and much has

changed within the industry in

the last 15 years. The revised

BS 6629:2018 describes best

current practice in the design,

construction, care and

maintenance of roofs with a flat or

curved surface, at a pitch not

greater than 10 degrees to the

horizontal, with a continuously supported flexible

waterproof covering.

Last month I explained what the main changes

were in relation to the different flat roof buildups;

this month I look at loading and drainage:

The roof structure should be designed for the

strength of the specified waterproofing and take

into account any added surfacing including green

roofs, paving slabs, gravel, blue roofs for

rainwater retention, or any mechanical or

electrical equipment which may be situated on

the finished roof.

Achieving drainage through roof fall

Ponding water adds a dead load to the roof

structure and in exposed warm roofs increased

stresses in the waterproofing layer, therefore, a

minimum 1:80 finished fall is recommended to

both the general area of the roof and to any

formed internal gutters.

BS 6229 recommends that all flat roofs should be

designed with a fall of 1:40 to ensure a 1:80 fall

BS 6229 has been revised and there are a

number of changes that roofers need to be

aware of.

is achieved once the

roof is completed.

This design criteria

includes internal

gutters and should

take account of

construction tolerances,

settlement and for deflection

under load, both during and

post construction.

Zero falls

Certain third-party certified

waterproofing and insulating

systems are approved for use with zero falls, but

back falls are not acceptable. To ensure a

finished surface with a zero fall, a design fall of

1:80 should be used and a detailed structural

analysis should account for construction

tolerances, settlement and for deflection under

load. Where areas are found by a site level survey

to have negative falls, ponding water will occur.

This will need to be corrected through the

introduction of an additional outlet or localised

screed to falls.

To prevent ponding caused by waterproofing

system lap, build ups around rainwater outlets,

rainwater outlets should be recessed into the slab

/ deck or fitted in sumps when it is practicable to

do so.

Rainwater disposal

The design of most flat roofs should ensure

rainwater is drained from the roof as quickly as

possible. However, some roof finishes are

designed to control the disposal of rainwater from

the roof. For example, green roofs are designed to

support planting, and blue roofs are designed to

attenuate the drainage of rainwater. These roofs

Left: Gary Walpole, NFRC.

may require additional rainwater

design considerations. All blue

roofs and roofs that drain into a

single internal rainwater outlet or

combined outlets connected to a single

downpipe, should also be fitted with a visible

overflow to drain and alert the building user of

any blockages to the rainwater outlet.

Door threshold and upstand details

The minimum height of all upstands and

abutments from the finished waterproofing

system remains at 150mm. However, if level

access is required from within the building, as in

the case of a door opening onto a balcony or

terrace:

• The height of the clear upturn under the door

threshold may be reduced to not less than 75mm.

• The waterproofing should be fitted before fixing

the door threshold.

It is important that the roof is designed with the

rainwater falling away from the door, and in cases

where there is an internal outlet or through-wall

outlet:

• An overflow must be fitted a minimum 25mm

below the height of the door threshold to prevent

water ingress into the dwelling in situations of

blockages to the outlet.

• The height of the upstand must return to

150mm above the finished roof level beyond the

door reveals.

Contact the NFRC

020 7638 7663

www.nfrc.co.uk

@TheNFRC

18 TC MAY 2019

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Material Talk

AT ONE WITH YOUR PROJECT

The choice of roof materials for a new project is vital and there is much to consider.

However, with the focus very much on the physical components of a roof, it’s all too easy to

overlook its overall life expectancy and any warranties that may cover the products. Andrea

Ramirez, Product Manager at SIG Roofing, discusses the benefits behind using single

package warranties.

When planning a project, decisions need

to be made on which products to use,

their colour, size and texture, along with

any planning restrictions, and of course the

budget. Roofs are made up of multiple products,

so the choice of roof coverings, fittings, fixings,

breather membrane and batten for example, will

also be carefully considered.

“Things do go wrong,

and when they do, you

need the reassurance

that the manufacturer

or supplier will stand

by your claim”

Naturally, as roofers and contractors, you want to

get the roof just right, especially the aesthetic as

it accounts for 20-30% of the visible exterior and

will determine the appearance of the property for

decades. However, if it fails to meet requirements

or a fault occurs and you’re required to make any

repairs necessary, you will find yourself making a

claim. Things do go wrong, and when they do, you

need the reassurance that your roofing products

can be relied upon in the event of defect or

failure, and that the manufacturer or supplier will

stand by your claim. Otherwise, not only could a

claim prove costly, it can seriously discredit your

reputation too.

Thankfully, over the years, roofing products have

become more advanced, and with the quality and

reliability increasing, most products come with a

standard twelve-month warranty – if not longer.

This said, research has shown that 70% of

contractors have had to replace a roofing product

through a warranty claim at some

time or other. Therefore, you need

to be confident that the warranties

offered by the products you choose

are comprehensive and robust.

Whether it’s a new roof, an extension or

even a repair, it’s rare that only one product

will be ever used. Warranties are

normally issued separately for

each product, so that means

several warranties to manage

too. Keeping track of every

warranty and storing them safely

can be a job in itself. So, imagine

having to deal with multiple suppliers

in the event of a claim? It can be difficult, timeconsuming,

and downright frustrating and can all

add up to lost revenue. Single package warranties

take the headache away and offer a number of

valuable benefits; the key attraction is simplicity.

When a single package warranty is purchased,

just one warranty covers the performance of the

key products involved in the build-up of a roof –

in some cases up to 15 years. In the unfortunate

event of a claim, there’s just one company and

only one contact to deal with at any time

throughout the process.

In a move to provide additional support to

contractors, SIG Roofing has extended its ONE

Warranty scheme to provide 15-year coverage for

flat roofing products as well as those for pitched

roofs.

Since its launch in 2015, ONE Warranty has gone

from strength to strength with contractors signing

up to the single package product guarantee,

which is designed to support the products

Left: Andrea Ramirez, Product Manager at

SIG Roofing.

Contact SIG Roofing

0845 612 4304

www.sigroofing.co.uk

@SIGRoofing

involved in the build-up of the roof

from batten to roof coverings.

Now, with coverage extended to

include flat roofing products, the free-toregister

product warranty gives contractors

greater value and an even stronger

offer to put to their customers.

The simplicity of the ‘onepartner

covers all’ ONE

Warranty scheme takes away

that inconvenience, while

property owners have peace of mind

knowing their roof is covered, which in turn

gives them greater confidence in the contractor.

“Contractors can then

easily create a

warranty for their

project online”

Contractors wishing to take advantage of ONE

Warranty simply have to register online

at www.sigroofing.co.uk/onewarranty. Once

registered they will receive membership details

and marketing materials to use with their

customers. Contractors can then easily create a

warranty for their project online, following the

purchase and installation of products, for ONE

Warranty to take effect.

20 TC MAY 2019

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Business Talk

PROS & CONS OF RECRUITMENT

We take a look at the issues and protocols when recruiting individuals with criminal

convictions.

Arecent study, conducted for the Scottish

Centre for Crime and Justice, found that 11

million people in the UK have a criminal

record and that 75% of employers admit to

rejecting a job applicant once a criminal

conviction is disclosed.

With this in mind, what is the law surrounding

employees with criminal records, and what can

employers do to ensure they are asking the right

questions at the right time?

The law

According to Mark Stevens, a Senior Associate at

VWV, it’s important to note that an employer can

obtain information on a person’s criminal record:

“They can do so in one of two ways – either by

asking the candidate or employee directly, or by

requesting an official criminal record check by the

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).”

The treatment of individuals with criminal records

is set out in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act

1974 (ROA 1974). This Act provides a system for

the records of people with convictions to be

cleared.

Subject to certain exemptions, a person whose

conviction is spent is entitled to hold themselves

out as a having a clean record – only ‘unspent’

convictions need to be disclosed. However, even

with unspent convictions it is worth bearing in

mind an applicant may not disclose this

information.

Stevens advises that if an individual has a spent

conviction and they choose not to disclose it

“A person whose

conviction is spent is

entitled to hold

themselves out as a

having a clean record”

when questioned, subject to certain exemptions,

“they cannot be subjected to any liability or

prejudice for their failure to disclose, and this

would include an employer not hiring them.

Failure to disclose a spent conviction is not a

lawful ground for dismissal.” An employee

dismissed on these grounds may bring a claim for

unfair dismissal.

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

(Exceptions) Order 1975 identifies that in certain

cases spent convictions should be disclosed. The

Order sets out certain occupations, offices and

professions where the disclosure of spent

convictions can be required:

• Professions such as medicine, lawyers,

accountants, vets, chemist and opticians;

• Those employed to uphold the law, including

judges and prison officers;

• Certain regulated occupations, including the

financial services;

• Those who work with children and vulnerable

adults; and

• Those whose work could pose a risk to national

security.

If an applicant fails to disclose a spent conviction

in these circumstances, an employer will have a

valid reason for withholding or withdrawing an

offer of employment or dismissal.

Disclosure and Barring Service

As mentioned earlier, an alternative to asking an

employee about their past is for an employer to

obtain information on an individual’s criminal

record via a DBS check which will include all

spent and unspent convictions, and avoids the

need to rely solely on an individual’s voluntary

disclosure.

22 TC MAY 2019

There are two main types of DBS checks,

standard disclosure and enhanced disclosure.

Stevens reminds employers that they “should

remember when considering requesting a DBS

check that this can only be requested if the

individual in question is to undertake a role set

out in the Exceptions Order.”

He explains that “if a DBS certificate discloses

convictions, employers should be careful not to

respond in a knee-jerk way when deciding if the

individual is suitable for a role.” His reasoning is

based on a recent case where, in January 2019,

the Supreme Court found that the way that

criminal records were disclosed to employers

infringed an individual’s right to private life: “It

has been reported that the Supreme Court’s

decision was that the criminal records disclosure

scheme was disproportionate in certain respects

– specifically in respect to the requirement that

all previous convictions should be disclosed,

(regardless of how minor they might have been),

where the person has more than one conviction,

and also in respect to young offenders. The

repercussions of this case remain to be seen –

but it could lead to significant changes to the way

that the DBS system works.”

Employers should keep in mind that information

on a person’s criminal record is personal data

and cannot be processed unless there is a lawful

basis for doing so. As well as having a lawful

reason for processing the data, an employer

should also comply with the data protection

principles which includes making sure the

processing is adequate, relevant and not

excessive.

An applicant has a criminal record

As to how to react if a conviction, spent or

unspent, is disclosed, Stevens suggests that an

employer's response should depend on the

individual circumstances, regardless of how the

information is obtained.

“If the conviction is spent and the position

applied for does not fall under the Exceptions

Order, the employer may not refuse to employ the

‘Be careful who you employ’

Firms in the sector need to be careful who

they employ. Take the 2007 case of roofer

Anthony Robert Turner who was convicted of

theft and money laundering after stealing

cheques from an 80-year-old woman when

working on her house.

In 2012, roofer Joe Crossley was jailed after

“It may not always be

appropriate for an

employer to ask

applicants about

criminal convictions”

individual on the basis of the conviction. If the

conviction is spent but the position falls under the

Exceptions Order, then an employer may refuse to

employ the individual. When dealing with

positions which fall within the Exceptions Order,

due regard should be given to industry and

sector-specific guidance as this will often set out

how an employer should proceed. If the

conviction is not spent, the employer may refuse

to employ the individual, but again, appropriate

regard should be given to any sector specific

legislation.”

A current employee did not disclose

Looking at the issue from the perspective of an

employee, Stevens says that here too, “an

employee is entitled to withhold a spent

conviction, subject to the exceptions, and it is

likely that if an employee with qualifying service

is dismissed for this reason the dismissal will be

unfair.”

He adds that if a person has deceived their

employer about a criminal record and they were

not entitled to withhold the information, i.e they

have an unspent conviction or the exceptions to

ROA 1974 apply, then the employer may

terminate their employment contract for

breaching the implied term of mutual trust and

confidence. But he offers a note of caution: “Care

pleading guilty to stealing tiles from churches

across Wiltshire, causing thousands of

pounds worth of damage.

And in 2017, roofer Richard Cakebread who

stole £88,000 through VAT fraud and evaded

£14,000 in income tax was jailed following an

HMRC investigation. Cakebread charged VAT

on invoices he sent to clients and used a VAT

number which had been deregistered in 2009.

should be taken where an employee has sufficient

qualifying service to bring an unfair dismissal

claim as an employer will need to show that

dismissal was within the band of reasonable

responses.” He says that in considering this an

employer will want to think about the employee’s

performance record as well as whether or not the

conviction was relevant or particularly serious.

In summary

As can be seen from the recent research

published and the legal considerations when

requiring criminal records are disclosed, it may

not always be appropriate for an employer to ask

applicants about criminal convictions.

If an employer chooses to continue to ask for

criminal records information in their application

form, it should consider writing a detailed

recruitment policy with a section on the

recruitment of ex-offenders that explains how the

suitability of candidates with a criminal record is

assessed. This could include the nature of the

offence, the relevance to the role applied for, how

old the offence is, and whether an individual’s

circumstances have changed since it was

committed.

Employers can also continue to reject

applications on the basis of a criminal record

without taking these steps. However, giving more

thought to the situation may open up a wider

range of suitable candidates for a role.

What are your thoughts on recruiting or working

with people with criminal records? Email the

Editor at mattdowns@media-now.co.uk or tweet

@TotContractorUK.

MAY 2019 TC 23

Pitched Roofing

PREVENTING GABLE END STAINING

By Tom Woodhouse, Site Services Manager at Marley.

Despite the introduction of BS 8612, the Dry Fix Standard, there is still some concern in the

industry about staining on gable end walls caused by water shedding from inferior, incompatible

or incorrectly installed dry verge systems. Gable end staining not only looks unsightly, but left

unchecked, saturated walls can leave the bricks at risk of frost damage.

Part of the reason for BS 8612’s introduction was to eliminate this problem and the Standard includes

some strict tests for dry verge products. This means that a compliant system must not allow water to

discharge in one or more concentrated, continuous or intermittent streams on the wall. However,

random splashes are acceptable. So, while in theory, using a BS 8612 compliant dry verge system

should prevent any gable end staining, in order to do so it must be fitted in accordance with

manufacturer instructions. However, it’s important to remember, even between compliant systems there

will be differences in performance. For example, some will have built-in drainage features, or have

batten end clips that make them easier to fix securely.

Here’s Tom’s top tips to prevent gable end staining:

Tom Woodhouse, Site Services Manager at Marley.

“Choose a dry verge

system that has an

integral design feature

to drain water away

from the wall”

1Never use a dry verge system that is not

BS 8612 compliant. This means that it

hasn’t been tested to meet the minimum

quality required by the British Standard.

2Choose a dry verge system that has an

integral design feature to drain water away

from the wall. For example, both our

Ashmore and Universal Dry Verges have been

designed and tested to protect against gable end

staining, with multiple drainage channels to direct

water away from the wall.

3Always follow the manufacturer

instructions. Even if you have fitted similar

products before, check the instructions as

failure to do so could lead to an inadequate fix or

water shedding and invalidate any warranty. All

verge tiles should be mechanically fixed in

accordance with BS 5534 in addition to the use of

the universal dry verge units, i.e. by nailing,

clipping or screwing as appropriate.

4Having a continuous bargeboard can add

further protection, by making sure the

verge is positioned out from the brickwork.

However, as part of BS 8612 requirements, our

dry verge products are tested without a

bargeboard present – so contractors can have

peace of mind they will drain water effectively

with or without a bargeboard.

5Minimise the risk of incorrect fixing by

choosing a system that is simple to install

to British Standards. For example, a dry

verge system that includes a batten end clip

makes the mechanical engagement required

under BS 8612 much simpler. Our batten end clip

has sharp teeth which grip into the batten,

making it extremely secure, as well as being very

quick to push or hammer into place. Unlike others

on the market, it can be fitted after the roof has

been tiled.

6Take extra care with eaves closure units or

starter verges, and always follow

manufacturer instructions. Depending on

the design, it can be particularly difficult to fix the

eaves closure unit adequately. This can lead to

roofers having to improvise to gain a secure

mechanical fix, using things like brick ties to

achieve a suitable fix into the fascia or roof

substructure. To prevent this, our Universal and

Ashmore Dry Verges incorporate a quick starter

verge fixing method that can be installed easily,

regardless of any obstructions such as gutters.

This provides an easy-to-install, robust method

of securing the first verge unit, even when there

are no bargeboards. This also gives the site

manager visual confirmation that the verge has

been installed correctly.

7For refurbishment work, you need to make

sure there are no undulations where the

dry verge will be installed. Any roof dipping

at the edges can cause excessive water run-off,

so you may need to adjust the battens

underneath to make it flatter.

8Compatibility is crucial. Many dry verge

products are sold as universal but they

have different levels of compatibility so it

is important to check this. Our Universal Dry

Verge is compatible with all three main

interlocking tile types; large standard, medium

format (15” by 9”) and large format thin leading

edge. Our Ashmore Dry Verge has been designed

to complement the Ashmore double interlocking

plain tile but it is also fully compatible with other

interlocking plain tiles on the market.

Contact Marley

01283 722588

www.marley.co.uk/dryverge

@MarleyLtd

24 TC MAY 2019

Contractor’s Qs

“NO POINT IN HAVING THE GEAR IF

YOU’VE GOT NO IDEA!”

After leaving the army, Ceiran Peel-Price began renovating his own home which sparked a real

interest in construction. This led to him completing an apprenticeship, including consecutive

years as a finalist in BMI’s Apprenticeship of the Year competition, then ultimately establishing

his own business, Peel-Price Construction. Total Contractor caught up with Ceiran to hear about the

lessons he’s learned, dealing with very particular customers and why knowledge is key...

questions for Ceiran Peel-Price

“I’ve asked for help and

it’s always been there

but if you don’t you can

find yourself in a

corner”

TC: What was your path into roofing and

to your current position?

CP-P: When I came out of the army I started

renovating the house we were in and it was

brilliant taking things down but I wanted to learn

how to rebuild them. I started off with a brickwork

course while I had operations on my knees and,

when my knees were healed and I’d finished the

brickwork course, I started off as an apprentice with

Les Perry Roofing and then I set up on my own.

TC: If you had one piece of advice about

starting a roofing business, what would it

be?

Images, clockwise from top: Ceiran Peel-Price moved into

construction after serving in the army; He has been a finalist

twice in BMI’s Apprentice of the Year competition which has

helped provide him with the skills and confidence to set up

his own roofing business.

CP-P: Never be afraid to ask for help. I’ve asked

for help and it’s always been there but if you

don’t you can find yourself in a corner. I’ve taken

on jobs where I didn’t have the full set of skills

but asked people to work with me and they’ve not

only done the job but taught me along the way.

TC: Tell us about a current project you’re

working on…

CP-P: I’m on with a really big

house in Heswall – nine

bedrooms. It started off as

just a small repair and then,

when I got there, the

customer said they wanted

to replace all the ridge tiles,

the fascias, soffits and the

gutters – they didn’t like the colour. 250 metres

worth – it’s huge.

TC: You mentioned your apprenticeship:

was that worthwhile?

CP-P: Absolutely. It worked out brilliantly for me

and, for example, I was a finalist in the BMI

Apprentice of the Year competition twice – first in

2017, and again in 2018. The

competition taught me a lot and

was one of the things that

encouraged me to set up my

own business. It also taught

me the value of quality

training. The facilities at BMI

are excellent, and I’ve recently

undertaken some of their flat

26 TC MAY 2019

oofing courses to help grow the business.

TC: What about difficult customers? Any

situations that stand out that you can tell

us about?!

CP-P: I haven’t had one that was difficult in an

angry way, just one that was very particular. I had to

go to nine suppliers to get the right material that

they wanted and then ended back with the first one.

They were trying to match into brand new windows

they were installing but there was no match.

TC: What’s the most frustrating thing

about your job?

CP-P: Fixing mistakes where people haven’t

known what they’re doing. Sometimes I just don’t

know how they got away with it.

TC: And the most satisfying?

CP-P: Helping people out because when they

have problems with their roof it’s not something

they can sort out themselves.

Above: Ceiran Peel-Price.

TC: What’s your most important tool as a

roofing contractor, either in the office or

on site?

CP-P: Knowledge. No point in having the gear if

you’ve no idea.

TC: What’s the best social media platform

for you as a roofing contractor?

CP-P: I use Facebook. I put current jobs up there

and customers leave feedback too. I’ve recently

offered Bluelight discount for NHS staff and

people in the forces and put that on the Facebook

page and got a strong response.

“When they have

problems with their

roof it’s not something

they can sort out

themselves”

TC: How has the start of 2019 been and are

there reasons to be positive for the remainder

of the year?

CP-P: January/February were quite quiet but I

expected that and now work’s coming in thick

and fast, so I’m very positive for the future.

Total Contractor will keep you up-to-date with

the finals of the 2019 BMI Apprentice of the Year

which will be held at the beginning of July.

Contact Peel-Price Construction

07730 684784

@PeelPrice

For furt

ther inf ormation

or a hire quotation call

01858 410372

MAY 2019 TC 27

Roof Windows

PART 3: SMARTER MAINTENANCE

In the final instalment of our series from Dakea, Lee Griffiths looks at the maintenance

advice roofing contractors should pass on to their customers.

Homeowners tend to concern themselves

with the upkeep of their interior space,

often forgetting the importance of

maintaining products that are part of the building

fabric. By advising homeowners on the value of

sustaining a schedule of maintenance that

includes the upkeep of the glass, frame and

gutter roofing, contractors can help customers

avoid costly repair and replacement work.

Pane-less cleaning

Dirt can quickly build up on the outer pane due to

a range of factors. Often blamed on rainwater,

this is actually a common misconception as it

contains almost no particles, which means it

cannot make the window dirtier. The main

contributors to a dirty window are from things

such as airborne contaminants, pollen,

windswept dirt from vehicles, and even from

animals such as birds or squirrels.

Most roof windows come with a rotating sash,

which allows homeowners to easily clean the outer

window from inside their house. This involves

using a soft, clean, lint-free cloth, a chamois

leather, non-abrasive sponge or non-metal window

squeegee and water to quickly wipe down, making

sure they avoid contact from silicone with the

pane. For hard water areas, a small amount of

detergent is recommended to soften the water or

wipe off excess water after cleaning.

However, thanks to continuing innovation, there

are glazing units now available on the market that

can provide an unparalleled reduction of dirt

build-up on the external surface of the window, by

using rain itself. Units of this nature have a

microscopic titanium dioxide applied directly to

the surface of the glass. When exposed to

sunlight, the coating uses a photocatalytic

process to break down and disintegrate organic

dirt. Then, when it rains, instead of leaving streaks

“By properly advising customers on the

maintenance required, roofing contractors can

reduce the lifetime cost of the product”

in any settled dirt, it is simply washed away.

In addition, the glazing tends to dry quicker, which

reduces the chances of water streaks, leaving the

customer with clear windows and no

maintenance requirements.

Maintain the frame

It is important to make customers aware that

taking care of the window frame, particularly

timber ones, is important to ensure the wood

does not become affected by damp. This could

cause the frame to swell and become deformed –

creating damage that is costly to fix and

compromises the watertightness of the window.

External factors that can cause this include rain,

freezing temperatures and exposure to ultraviolet

radiation. Internal moisture can also be a problem,

as high humidity areas can cause condensation to

occur on the inner surface of the window.

To reduce the chance of damage to the frame,

roofing contractors should make sure they select

a product from a manufacturer that carries out a

treatment process on the timber before

installation. For example, this could be demoisturising

the wood to protect against

deformation of the frame, and a specialist double

layer coating to help ensure a durable surface.

When it does come to treating the window again,

customers should be advised to apply a simple,

even coat of water-based lacquer to the wood

every four years and whenever additionally

required. However, higher humidity areas of a

property, such as bathrooms and kitchens, will

require treatment every two years.

If the frame at any point requires cleaning, this can

be completed with warm soapy water – but it is

important to advise customers that cleaning more

frequently may increase the need for re-lacquering.

In addition, if an electrical opener has been

installed and needs to be cleaned, a damp cloth

and standard detergents are fine to be used, and

the chain should be greased annually to keep it

working smoothly.

Concerns in the gutter

For the small gutter above the window, advise

your customers that they do not require any extra

maintenance or care. All that is required is a

periodic clean to remove any blockages to allow

rainwater to flow freely, which can be done at the

same time the rest of the gutters on the property

are cleaned. Additionally, if any external roller

shutters are installed they can be cared for easily

with a quick clean with soapy water.

Roof windows are a significant investment in a

property, and as such are expected to last for many

years. While many roof windows come with lengthy

guarantees, if they are kept in good condition they

can often last much longer than this. By properly

advising customers on the maintenance required,

roofing contractors can reduce the lifetime cost of

the product for the homeowner, leaving them with

a high quality installation that looks good and

works as intended.

Contact Dakea

020 3970 5080

www.dakea.com

@dakea_uk

28 TC MAY 2019

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Perfectly Pitched

KNOW WHICH WAY THE WIND

BLOWS: PITCHED ROOF UNDERLAYS

Roofing Consultant John Mercer – writing on behalf of Edilians – explains what needs to be

considered when choosing a pitched roof underlay, and the importance of getting it right.

The primary functions of pitched roof

underlays are to a) provide a completely

waterproof barrier to prevent water from

entering the building and b) take a share of the

wind load to reduce the uplift forces acting on the

roof tiles. Another function of vapour and airpermeable

underlays is to assist in preventing

harmful condensation in the roof space.

In this article, I will deal with point ‘b’; i.e. how

the underlay must act to share the wind uplift

loads on the roof system.

A barrier to reduce wind uplift

BS 5534 stipulates that pitched

roofing underlay should provide a

barrier to reduce the wind uplift

load acting on the tiles. If the

underlay cannot sufficiently resist

the wind uplift load, then a greater

share is borne by the roof tiles, possibly

resulting in dislodgement of the tiles. The share of

the wind load borne by the underlay is

considerable, therefore the underlay must be of

suitable strength to resist these uplift forces. An

“The share of the wind load borne by the underlay

is considerable, therefore the underlay must be

of suitable strength to resist these uplift forces”

Left: John Mercer, Pitched Roofing Technical

Consultant.

underlay must always be

specified that is appropriate for

the design of building and,

importantly, its location.

Underlays are usually classified in

accordance with their geographic location and

wind zone in the form of a UK Zonal

Classification Table on the packaging. The UK is

divided into 5 wind zones, with lowest wind

speed, Zone 1, being centred around London and

the south of England, up to Zone 5 covering the

very far north of Scotland (see Wind Zones map

next page).

When choosing an underlay, designers and

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).

32 TC MAY 2019

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Perfectly Pitched

Zonal Limitations

• Ceiling must be well sealed

• Ridge height must not be greater than 15

metres

• Roof pitch must be between 12.5º and 75º

• Site altitude must not be greater than 100m

• There should be no significant topography

“If there is any doubt

about the suitability of

an underlay for any

particular site or

project, obtain the

actual underlay uplift

resistance value

figure”

installers must be mindful of the list of criteria

that apply to underlay Zonal tables. These are as

follows:

• The ceiling must be ‘well sealed’, as defined in

BS 9250 (referred to as ‘continuous’ in BS 5534)

• The ridge height must not be greater than 15

metres

• The roof pitch must be between 12.5º and 75º

• The site altitude must not be greater than 100

metres

• There should be no significant site topography

(as defined in BS 5534)

Wind uplift calculations

Where a project falls outside any of these

parameters, the predicted wind load may exceed

the maximum declared load resistance in the

Zonal Classification table for the location.

In these cases, it is a requirement of BS 5534

that a wind uplift calculation is performed to

determine what strength the underlay needs to

be.

Some concerns have been raised recently that

these exclusions are not always considered

Above: Wind zones map.

when choosing an underlay. Many roofing

projects fall outside these parameters, possibly

because the ceiling isn’t well-sealed or perhaps

the ridge height is higher than 15 metres.

Similarly, there are many areas in the UK that

are much higher than the site altitude restriction

of 100 metres.

In view of these concerns, I ran some test wind

uplift calculations for actual development sites

close to where I live. The results were alarming. I

live in an area where the height above sea level is

much greater than 100m and many locations can

be described as having significant topography due

to the hills and valleys in the area.

For two sites, I found that the predicted wind

load far exceeded the maximum load resistance

given in the Zonal Classification Table for the

area. This means that, certainly for these

locations, it is not possible to use an underlay

that only achieves the uplift resistance given in

the Zonal Classification Tables for the location.

Therefore, it would be necessary to use an

underlay that has a higher uplift resistance.

Conclusion

In summary, it is important to always check if a

project is likely to exceed any of the Zonal

Classification Table’s conditions. If there is any

doubt about the suitability of an underlay for any

particular site or project, obtain the actual

underlay uplift resistance value figure.

Alternatively, use an underlay that is classified for

unrestricted use in all UK wind zones, such as the

range of Tyvek Supro underlay systems.

“For two sites, I found that the predicted wind load

far exceeded the maximum load resistance given

in the Zonal Classification Table for the area”

Contact EDILIANS / John Mercer

www.imerys-roof-tiles.com

@imerys

@johnmercer3

34 TC MAY 2019

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Flat Roofing Solutions

Fall Protection

MAINTAINING/SERVICING EQUIPMENT

Matthew Bailey, Divisional Manager, Inspection and Certification at HCL Safety, explains

why it is essential for companies to install fall protection equipment when required and

properly look after it once it’s in place.

Ultimately, lives depend on height safety

systems. That in itself should be reason

enough to ensure that equipment is

properly installed, regularly maintained and

thoroughly serviced. You wouldn’t board an

airplane knowing that it hasn’t been regularly

checked and serviced. Why should fall protection

equipment be any different? The consequences of

equipment failure can be just as severe.

The continued upkeep and regular maintenance of

fall protection equipment are both important

contributing factors that help ensure systems

carry out their intended purpose when required:

saving lives. Any fall protection system should be

checked and maintained by experienced,

competent professionals according to relevant

European or British standards, as well as

manufacturers’ guidelines.

Factors that can affect the safety system

There are a variety of factors that can potentially

impact the performance of fall protection

equipment, from general wear and tear to poor

weather and flying objects or operative misuse.

Some are somewhat expected while others are

unforeseen. Either way, they all highlight the

importance of regularly checking and maintaining

your fall protection equipment. Failure to do so

could compromise the functionality of the system

and ultimately affect end-users.

Responsibility for the upkeep of fall protection

equipment typically lies with the building owner.

They have an obligation to ensure that processes

are in place to effectively maintain the

equipment. This includes regular servicing and

annual inspection and certification. Building

owners should also educate themselves as to the

legal and moral safety obligation they have for the

safety of those that work at height. If in doubt or

“Companies

must

acknowledge

that it’s a

human life at

risk if they fail

to implement a

robust fall

protection regime and

properly look after

their equipment”

in need of support, consult experienced

professionals like HCL Safety. Ignorance is not a

valid excuse when people’s lives may be at stake.

Risks faced by companies that don’t

properly maintain their equipment

The negative implications associated with

building owners not fulfilling their fall protection

safety obligation are wide and varied. Most

importantly, of course, the end-user may be

impacted. But so may companies’ reputations

and bottom lines. If a work at height operative

were to fall using poorly maintained, faulty

equipment, legal proceedings will likely be

brought, fines issued and the HSE would open an

investigation into the company and its health and

safety ethos.

On occasion, operatives have been known to

access roof spaces to carry out work only to

discover that there is no height safety system in

place. At which point – as is absolutely their right

– they may refuse to carry out the work. This can

prove costly and delay work that may have been

urgent. Installing fall protection equipment

retrospectively also tends to be more expensive

than simply incorporating it into the building’s

initial design. It’s worth

remembering that – more often

than not – at some point in

the future, someone is likely

to need to gain access to the

roof space or within an area

where eliminating, reducing or

controlling risks associated with

working at height is paramount. It

just isn’t worth avoiding or delaying the

installation of fall protection equipment.

Reducing risk

First and foremost, companies must fully

understand what fall protection equipment is,

what it does and what their height safety

requirements are. If for any reason you feel that

your knowledge around height safety is limited,

then consult specialists.

Secondly, companies need to implement a robust

height safety process and ensure that they

adhere to all legal requirements, including the

annual inspection and certification of fall

protection equipment. If you rent a building

space, then you need to understand your

responsibilities and make sure that you’re

minimising risk and fulfilling your safety

obligation. And, most importantly, remember that

behind all the equipment and safety processes is

the end-user. Companies must acknowledge that

it’s a human life at risk if they fail to implement a

robust fall protection regime and properly look

after their equipment.

Contact HCL Safety

0845 600 0086

www.hclsafety.com

@HCLSafety

36 TC MAY 2019

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Fragile roofs are only unsafe

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Replace rooflights and sheets from below with Fixsafe.

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

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

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

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

equipment costs are minimised.

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

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

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Trussed Rafters

WHAT YOU NEED TO CHECK

Nick Boulton, Chief Executive of the Trussed Rafter Association (TRA), talks through the

Trussed Rafter safety checks that can give contractors extra protection.

Perhaps you don’t need telling, yet again, about the dangers of working at height. The roofing industry

is rightly obsessed with safety, and works with many other parts of the construction supply chain to

share knowledge and advice on best practice.

This is also what drives the Trussed Rafter Association (TRA). By working with a range of partners, including

the Home Builders Federation and the HSE, we can ensure that the construction sector has access to the

latest information. While TRA members design, manufacture and deliver, most trussed rafter roofs are

installed by sub-contractors. But as a contractor, how can you know it is safe to proceed to the next stage?

Images courtesy of Pasquill, roof trusses in place.

To help in this situation, TRA members can supply a helpful checklist as a key part of the safety guidance

Below: On-site installation.

we provide to housebuilders. This allows you to ensure that the right protections are in place before

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

safe is essential before proceeding. There are several elements that the TRA advises contractors to check:

1The trussed rafters themselves The first

step is to check the layout drawings

provided by the trussed rafter

manufacturer to ensure that the correct quantity

of trussed rafters have been installed, and that

they are in the right positions and orientation. It is

worth double checking that the centres are not

greater than specified and every truss is vertical.

You also need to make sure that no unauthorised

modifications have been made or accidental

damage has happened, as both could lead to

weak points and potential failure of a truss.

In areas of high stress multiple trusses are used

together to form a girder truss, where these are

joined on site (rather than in the factory) it is

essential the fixing schedule provided by the truss

manufacturer is followed exactly in terms of the

number and type of fixings used.

2Bracing timbers Permanent bracing is

essential to hold trusses upright and

prevent buckling. The truss manufacturer

will always provide a suggested bracing plan, but

this needs to be approved by the Building

Designer as responsibility for roof stability

ultimately rests with them. The bracing also

needs to be checked to ensure it is the correct

size, usually 25 x 100 sawn and fully fixed to

each truss, most often now with 2

x 3.1mm x 90mm machine

nails. Where used, valley sets

need to be braced as specified

and fully supported on

bevelled fillets.

3Loose timbers Contractors

need to be sure all loose timbers

used are the correct size and grade and

located in the right positions, and centres are not

greater than specified. All connections such as

birdsmouth joints or scarfs should be accurately

and correctly made.

4Structural metalwork All the structural

metalwork should be double-checked as it

is essential to the structural integrity of the

roof. Truss clips, framing anchors and other

vertical restraints should be present and fully

nailed. Gable restraint straps should also be

correctly fixed. Where used, trussed rafters need

to be properly seated into hangers which conform

to the specification provided and are fully fixed as

specified.

5Additional elements There are other

elements that are worthy of a safety check.

For example, the formation of openings for

“Contractors

need to be

sure all loose

timbers used

are the correct

size and grade

and located in the

right positions, and

centres are not greater

than specified”

the trap hatch or other purposes, and that

sarking where used is exactly as specified. It is

also essential that the roof tiles to be used are

the correct weight as specified by the designer.

Should any issues with the trusses, loose timbers

or structural metalwork come to light during the

checks, they must be addressed and rectified

before work commences.

Contact the Trussed Rafter Association

020 3205 0032

www.tra.org.uk

@TrussedRafter

38 TC MAY 2019

Edgemere.

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Call us on 01283 722588

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Liquid Roofing & Waterproofing

THE REINFORCEMENT LAYER DEBATE

Sarah Spink, CEO of the Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association (LRWA), outlines the

advantages of choosing reinforced liquid waterproofing systems, as well as what contractors

should look out for...

There are so many liquid waterproofing

systems to choose from, it can often be

difficult to know which is the right solution

for your job. At the LRWA, we have seen firsthand

how projects have failed because the wrong

product was installed. In this article, we will look

at why reinforced liquid roofing systems are often

the better choice in certain environments.

Why use a reinforced system?

Over the years, the LRWA has seen some liquid

roofing manufacturers introduce systems without

a reinforcement layer – claiming to be more cost

effective and quicker to install. Reinforcement

layers are often made up typically of either a

polyester fleece material or a glass fibre mat.

Cold-applied liquids are predominately used in

refurbishment projects which are often installed

over the top of existing roofing systems. Because

of this, there is potential for more thermal

movement, putting the waterproofing system

under stress if reinforcement is not used.

Therefore, most liquid systems require full

reinforcement in refurbishment projects to offer

increased strength and durability.

Reinforcement also provides crack bridging

capabilities, particularly if a crack on the roof or

balcony substrate forms after the liquid

application. To bridge any cracks which may

develop, the overall strength of a full reinforced

system will be significantly higher than the

strength of the liquid resin alone. This means, if a

crack does form, a reinforced system will offer

more flexibility on either side of the crack, which

will lessen the stress on the roof as a whole.

However, if an unreinforced system is used, this

process would create more stress than

elongation, ultimately compromising the lifespan

of the system and potentially

causing it to fail. This can even

happen if a crack wasn’t present

at the time the system was

installed, as no resin coating alone

has infinite elongation capabilities.

Contractors should also be aware that some liquid

waterproofing systems sold without a reinforcement

layer often advise including reinforcing strips over

cracks, joints or points of stress to improve

performance in these critical areas, adding more

cost to a project without providing a full, seamless

reinforced system. It is therefore still advisable to

specify a fully reinforced system as the overall

performance of the solution is then consistent

throughout the entire project.

Reinforcement also ensures consistent thickness

of the waterproofing membrane. Having a liquidapplied

top coat with good adhesion to the base

layer and correct film thickness is really

important. In exposed applications, this layer

endures any potential foot traffic on the surface,

and has to withstand the weather conditions in

our varying UK climate.

There is an argument to suggest that in some

circumstances, reinforcement is not required.

Some non-reinforced liquid systems are often

used in new-build applications where structural

waterproofing is applied direct to concrete or for

coating metal profiled or asbestos cement sheets

The LRWA says there are many advantages to choosing

reinforced liquid waterproofing systems and contractors

need to be aware of these.

Contact the LRWA

0333 987 4581

www.lrwa.org.uk

@LRWAssociation

Left: Sarah Spink, CEO of the LRWA.

for example. In these cases, it is

always best to refer to a

manufacturer’s guidelines on what

substrate a partially or non-reinforced

system has been tested on.

Quality is key

Contractors should be aware of the quality of the

liquid product before they buy. Liquid

manufacturers should have a third-party

accredited quality management system such as

ISO 9001, which ensures the product is

manufactured to a consistent specification.

It is also essential for contractors to undergo

training of that particular liquid system, as every

product is different and may require alternative

installation techniques. Application guidelines

must be readily available from the manufacturer

as well as clear routes for system training for the

contractor. The LRWA also offers accredited

courses which are led by a specialist team.

Raising standards of liquids

The LRWA is committed to working with

merchants to help raise standards across the

industry, and we are currently working on a

project which could provide merchants and other

distributors with a tool enabling them to quickly

and easily assess the suitability of liquid

systems, including accreditations. New initiatives

like this, combined with more awareness and

training, will ensure that merchants, contractors

and manufacturers can provide and install liquid

waterproofing solutions which perform as expected.

40 TC MAY 2019

octor

the A Proctor Group Collection 2019

the authority

design by:

Sarah McClintock

Roofshield ®

air permeable vapour permeable roofing underlay

01250 872 261

Proctor

Group

www.proctorgroup.com

Liquid Projects

DON’T BE BUSY EARNING LESS:

PLAN FOR PROFIT ON PROJECTS

As much as we enjoy the day job, roofing contractors like to make a job pay. Profit’s all in

the planning, says Andrew Bright, SIG Design & Technology’s National Business

Development Manager for Liquids...

Making money is about saving money,

making the most of new opportunities,

doing a good job on site – so you don’t

get call backs for the wrong reason – and being

able to relax knowing you’ve done a good job.

While the internet is a wonderful thing, I’ve come

across roofers that say to themselves: “I’ve

downloaded a liquid waterproofing specification

from the manufacturer’s website, so let’s get

started!” This isn’t advisable as one size doesn’t

fit all. So, do the homework on the job yourself or

it can lead to misunderstandings during the

tender stage or practical issues during

construction.

board in a warm roof has already

been agreed, has it been tested and

approved by both the board and

liquid manufacturer?

Will the building be occupied while

works are in progress e.g. a school

during term time or a hospital

undergoing refurbishment; or again, is

it a new build, greenfield site?

Sometimes, the use of those liquids

with higher VOCs or certain chemical

Andrew Bright, SIG Design &

Technology.

compositions may not be permitted.

If refurbishment, what state is the

existing substrate in? Some

planned maintenance or overlays

are undertaken as a matter of

course whereas many are a result

of water ingress (often over a

considerable period). This is likely

to mean that the treatment of the

existing surface coverings will be

dramatically different.

Below: The curved and vaulted roof to Grade II listed Plymouth Market was refurbished using the Hydrostop AH-25 Liquid

Waterproofing System by DATAC contractor, Clegg & Shortman. At SIG’s request, AH-25’s manufacturers created a special

colour – Weathered Silver – specifically in keeping with English Heritage’s requirements.

“Don’t just rely on

suppliers and

manufacturers’

standard specification

documents on their

websites”

You should look to obtain or create a specification

based on project-specific information. While

they’re useful, don’t just rely on suppliers and

manufacturers’ standard specification

documents on their websites, for example J31 for

liquid applied waterproof roof coatings.

The key to any successful project is getting both

specification and product choice right at the

outset. Say it’s a job requiring a liquid system,

start by asking the basics: Is the project a new

build – which may be on a greenfield site – or a

refurbishment? A liquid primer may be required

on certain existing substrates whereas on new

insulation boards it may not. If an insulation

42 TC MAY 2019

PROTAN LR20

A high performance liquid

roofing system to complement

Protan’s range of single ply

products.

PROTAN LR20...

• Ideal for use where complex detailing

or difficult access restricts the use of a

sheet membrane

• Can be applied to most substrates on

new build projects or as an overlay on

existing roofs

• Independently Fire Tested – conforms

to BROOFT4 with zero spread of flame

• A cost-effective solution that is both

fast-curing and simple to install

• Moisture tolerant and can be applied

at low temperatures

• 20 Year Warranty – can be extended

after initial design period

NEW

PRODUCT

For further details on PROTAN LR20

contact: sales@protan.co.uk

or call 01925 658 001

Liquid Projects

Works could range from some minor basic blister

repairs, caulking of splits or gaps, wholesale

screeding or a full overlay with a recovery board.

There might be major budget implications e.g. the

state of the existing coverings could impact on

both labour and coverage rates of materials. If,

for instance, the existing coverings are dry,

cracked and very absorbate due to UV

degradation, the application of a primer where

one may not be technically required may

dramatically reduce over-spend on a base coat

that would soak into the existing waterproofing,

and always remember to do a bond check first to

ensure materials are compatible.

On a new build, the whole roof design needs to

consider every component in the build-up and

how they interface with the other building

elements. Build into your planning solutions

which will avoid surprises or mistakes later down

the line. On a refurbishment project, a site

inspection is an absolutely essential extra step.

Accredited contractors’ bid support

If you’re bidding for the work, make sure they

know about your firm’s credentials on similar

successful projects. Don’t forget to include details

about the training and monitoring of your

installers and other back-up that your supplier

will provide.

Members of SIG Design & Technology’s

Accredited contractors scheme (DATAC) receive

extra contract support to help them win work. For

any projects over 500m², SIG D & T will produce a

‘Bid Support Pack’ which they can present to

their client. The pack will contain the

specification required for that project, for

example; NBS specifications, wind up lift

calculations, technical drawings, cut to falls

schemes and a SIG plc backed guarantee

sample.

Train to Gain

The myth that; “Some systems are so simple they

don’t need specialised trained operatives” or “It’s

just the same as that other stuff from so and so”,

are just two of the regular excuses used by some

contractors who don’t want to “waste” time or

money by sending their teams on training courses.

Over the years, I’ve seen extremely unsuccessful

installations where the accelerator has either been

omitted completely or mixed at the wrong ratio; or

the reinforcement has been missed out because

the “other system doesn’t need it on bitumen

substrates”. Clients also have a right to expect that

only correctly trained operatives are employed.

We offer product specific training in accordance

with NFRC and SPRA approved criteria. In 2018,

we delivered 85 courses (many for liquids) for 317

candidates at our Shepshed Training Academy and

other UK locations.

Contact SIG Design & Technology

01509 505714

www.singleply.co.uk

@SIGDesignTech

ADVERTORIAL

Musgrave Market Place in Dublin is

enjoying a fresh lease of life following

the application of a new roof

waterproofing system from Britannia Advanced

Coating Systems, working with approved

contractor David Jameson Roofing.

The project was undertaken in summer 2018 and

involved the full encapsulation of the Market

Place’s 8000m² corrugated asbestos six-profile

sheet roof. The specified waterproofing system

was Britannia’s Polyshield Liquid Coating.

After a site visit and discussion between all

parties, Britannia’s Roofing Manager Kevin Killen

put forward a proposal of works that was

approved by the client. This was followed by

further discussion leading to agreed timings and

application methods.

After debris had been removed, a full coating of

Britannia Anti-Fungal Wash was applied to all

Musgrave Market Place before the application.

parts of the roof. The contractors then sprayapplied

a first primer coat of Polyshield to seal

the roof. As specified, a second primer coat was

then applied to provide the Polyshield system

with extra strength.

Working from secure safety platforms, the

roofers’ next job was to roller apply Polyshield

base coat to all vertical and horizontal laps.

These were reinforced with Polyshield polyester

mesh.

Once the four installation crews had completed

one roof section, the spraying crews then finished

base coating all other parts of the roof on a

conveyor-type basis. This agreed method of

After Britannia’s Polyshield Liquid Coating was applied.

installation reduced standing time and used man

power in the most effective way.

Finally, Polyshield top coat was applied, providing

a seamless, watertight finish to a well planned

and executed project.

“Good weather meant we completed ahead of

schedule, which was great,” said John

Symmington, Jameson Contracts Manager.

David Johnstone, Britannia Managing Director,

concluded it was: “a very successful project

handled well by Britannia’s Kevin Killen and

everybody in the Jameson team.”

www.britanniapaints.co.uk

44 TC MAY 2019

The choice for decking and paving supports

With the demand for useable rooftop space ever

increasing, Areco is leading the way with its range of

fixed and adjustable supports for paving and decking

applications. We have worked with Hotels, Landscapers,

Roofing Contractors and Builders to provide attractive

and practical solutions.

To complement our range of supports, Areco have

several ranges of Composite and PVCu Decking Systems

available. New ranges of Fireproof Self-Extinguishing

pedestals will soon be available along with Aluminium

Decking Bearers to complete the range.

With a stock of over 20,000 units, we are sure to have

the right support for your project.

Please contact Areco with your enquiry.

• large stock range

• technical knowledge and advice

• nationwide express delivery

• competitive rates

tel: 01922 743553

www.areco.co.uk

t: 01922 743553 e: sales@areco.co.uk

ARECO, Unit 2A Coppice Park, Coppice Lane, Aldridge, Walsall, West Midlands WS9 9AA

Efficient Drainage

FLAT ROOF DRAINAGE DESIGN:

GET IT RIGHT FIRST TIME!

For any flat roof construction, it is important to consider drainage design to avoid costly

damage to the building’s fabric and structure. Brian Bell, Head of Technical Services at

Marley Alutec, discusses what to consider when specifying an efficient drainage system.

Flat roofs are a popular choice for large

buildings such as schools, high rise

residential, hospitals, commercial and

retail units. When compared to a pitched roof, by

far the main advantage of a flat roof is the lower

initial cost of construction, installation and

materials.

The design of flat roofs also means that it can

serve a multitude of uses other than protecting

the building’s fabric and contents. They can be

utilised to accommodate terrace areas, living

green roofs, and plant equipment such as air

conditioning units.

To ensure the longevity of a building it is

important that the design of a suitable flat roof

rainwater drainage system is carefully considered

and carried out in accordance with BS EN 12056-

3:2000 and the National Annex for the UK. To do

this the following factors need to be taken into

consideration:

Effective roof area

Firstly, the effective roof area that needs to be

drained must be calculated to ensure water

does not gather on the roof and can be

effectively drained. This is the total square plan

area of the roof, plus any additional likely

rainwater runoff from other roof areas and

vertical surfaces.

Often ignored, vertical surfaces must be

considered in the overall calculation. BS EN

12056 requires that 50% of the vertical

surface, up to a maximum height of 10 metres

from the roof, must be included in the area to

be drained.

Building design life

While this information is usually specified by the

designer or building owner, it is important to have

an understanding of the design life of the building

to ensure design category calculations are

properly carried out. On average, the typical

design life of a building is 60 years before major

refurbishment.

Return period design categories

A return period is the theoretical frequency of

occurrence, in this case the frequency of a storm

event. To identify this period and level of risk, the

roof rainwater drainage design standard (BS

EN12056-3) proposes four design categories,

these are:

Category 1: Roofs where ponding can be

tolerated are designed using a one-year return

period. This category is typically used where the

building has no parapet or upstand, as long as

any overflow can fall clear of the building, and the

roof structure can cope with the additional live

loading. Surcharge and overflow flooding will only

occur in very heavy rain.

Category 2: Typically utilised for enclosed /

parapet roofs where ponding depths will become

excessive if the rainwater system fails to cope,

should be designed for an intensity based on the

building life and a 1.5 safety factor. For most

buildings, a 60-year life would be the most

common value chosen in absence of information.

This equates to a return period of 90 years.

Category 3: When a higher degree of security is

desired than that provided by category 2, a return

period of 4.5 x the anticipated building life is

used. For a building with a 60-year life, this

would equate to a return period of 270 years.

Category 4: This category simply refers to

“maximum probable rainfall” with no defined

46 TC MAY 2019

€45

£40

Efficient Drainage

period. It is used when there should be the

highest possible security – for example, at a

nuclear facility. There is a separate rainfall map

for this category.

Categories 3 and 4 often result

in storm return periods

greater than 200 years. It is

worth noting that events that

occur with a frequency of 200

years or more are often considered

catastrophic incidents by insurers.

Therefore, unless there is a justifiable

reason (e.g. the building is of national

strategic importance) it would be impractical to

design a rainwater drainage system with greater

storm return period.

Rainfall intensity

The BS EN12056-3 document provides detailed

information on rainfall intensities throughout the

UK. After choosing a design category and

obtaining a storm return period, the applicable

rainfall intensity figure can be found using the

statistical rainfall data maps provided (Figures

NB.1 to NB.5). Alternatively, if a greater level of

accuracy is desired, rainfall design intensities for

a given return period can be obtained using the

calculation set out in NB.2.2.

Number and positioning of roof

drainage outlets

The total rainfall runoff is calculated by

multiplying the effective roof area by the rainfall

intensity. The total rainfall runoff can then be

divided by the performance of an outlet to

determine how many are required. Roof outlets

should be distributed as evenly as possible

across the roof area, to accept an equal

proportion of rainwater runoff.

Emergency overflows should be included within the

design of all flat roofs and balconies with perimeter

upstands greater than 50mm, as these will

indicate if there is a blockage or other maintenance

requirements whilst preventing rainwater from

spilling into the building’s fabric and causing

damage while the blockage is cleared.

“Contractors should

look for outlets that

have been rigorously

tested”

Flat roof drainage design often requires prior

specialist knowledge, however Marley Alutec has

created a free to use, online Flat Roof Drainage

Calculator to reduce time spent on this

process. Designed with simplicity in mind, the

tool calculates the number of outlets required

based on location and specification, ensuring full

compliance with the rainwater drainage design

standard BS EN12056-3.

Outlet compatibility

There are a number of different types of roof

outlets available, dependent on the type of roof

construction and the waterproofing material being

used. Therefore, it’s crucial to select a

compatible outlet and one that will efficiently

drain the water away.

Outlets need to be compatible with the type of

membrane being used on the roof, otherwise a

watertight seal may not be achieved. With the

wide range of roofing membranes available, such

as bituminous, hot melt, glass reinforced

polyester (GRP), asphalt and cold liquid, it means

that specifying the correct outlet can often be

confusing.

To combat this, Marley Alutec has created the

Elite range of roof and balcony outlets.

Image shows the Elite range of roof and balcony outlets.

Compatible with all waterproofing

systems, the new range features a

reliable clamping feature that ensures

a water tight seal is easily achieved.

Performance

To allow complete peace of mind

when it comes to the performance

of a roof outlet, contractors should

look for outlets that have been

rigorously tested. Typically, within

roof drainage design, the peak

rainwater design depth at an outlet will not

exceed 35mm. To ensure ultimate reliability and

confidence, the Elite range from Marley Alutec

has been rigorously tested to maintain a

watertight seal with water depths surpassing 1m.

Outlets with exceptional drainage performance

figures such as these reduce the number of

outlets required to drain an area, which will of

course reduce overall costs.

Maintenance

The typical recommendation for maintenance on

a flat roof is once every six months, though it is

advised to check more often in the event of

severe weather when leaves may have been

blown over from nearby trees. As such, when

installing the outlets, they should be clearly

identifiable and accessible and the gratings

should not be covered by pavers, plant material

or decking.

Flat roofs are becoming increasingly popular with

commercial and educational establishments. By

applying correct drainage design and relevant

building regulation, you can ensure your

installation can protect these buildings and

inhabitants from the elements.

Contact Marley Alutec

01234 359438

www.marleyalutec.co.uk

@marleyalutec

48 TC MAY 2019

HIGH PERFORMANCE WATERPROOFING

6 338

EMERGENCY REPAIR

EPDM Roofing

SPEEDING THINGS UP: ROOFING

WHEN TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE

John McMullan, General Manager of Firestone Building Products, discusses the speed of

installation benefits which he says EPDM roofing membranes can offer.

Increasingly tight programmes mean that

pressure is often passed down the

construction delivery chain to avoid any

knock-on effects on the schedule and the risk of

penalties.

For roofing contractors, the impact of the weather

and the need to get the building watertight makes

the roofing installation amongst the most urgent

and programme-critical elements of the entire

build.

At Firestone, we understand those challenges and

work with contractors to ensure that roofing

membranes can be installed quickly, with

reduced resourcing requirements and labour

costs, without compromising the long-term

performance of the roof by rushing the job.

The benefits of increased width

EPDM single ply membranes allow

a large expanse of roof to be

covered quickly, ensuring the

structure below is protected from

the elements while the installation

is completed. RubberGard EPDM

roofing membrane is provided in larger

widths than either traditional bitumen (which is

typically 1m wide) or other single ply membranes

(which are typically 2m wide). In fact, the

smallest size for RubberGard EPDM is 3m wide x

30m long, and it is usually used in this width for

fully-adhered installations, or as a 6m-wide roll

for mechanically-fixed installations. However, for

larger roofs, it can be supplied in widths as large

as 15 metres to cover huge areas very quickly.

Once unrolled on the roof, the EPDM membrane is

“One of the key advantages of using wider panels

of membrane is the reduction in the number of

seams this provides”

John McMullan, General Manager of

Firestone Building Products.

raised at the edges to allow air

underneath making it

surprisingly easy to manoeuvre

into position.

In addition to the speed of roof

coverage, one of the key advantages of using

wider panels of membrane is the reduction in the

number of seams this provides. Even when

considering the difference between the smallest

3m width of EPDM membrane and a traditional

bitumen system, the x3 larger size means at least

a 50% reduction in the number of seams

required. If we then consider the speed and ease

of taping these EPDM seams, with a 30m seam

typically sealed in around 15 minutes, it is easy

to see how the time savings quickly add up as

compared to other single ply systems.

Taping EPDM membrane seams is a fast and

reliable roofer-friendly solution. The installation

technique means that a consistent seam

installation quality can be maintained without

dependency on electrical cables or proximity to

generators.

Seam & detailing integrity

As the joints and detailing of any roofing system

are its most vulnerable points, it’s not only

important that these can be installed quickly, but

also that the speed of installation is matched

“Taping EPDM

membrane seams is a

fast and reliable

roofer-friendly

solution”

50 TC MAY 2019

FIBRE

CEMENT ENT SLATES

The charm of a natural slate roof with all the economical,

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EPDM Roofing

by long-term watertight performance. Like any

single ply system, an EPDM

membrane must be laid with

laps in line with the

specification and

manufacturer

guidelines, but the

use of a selfadhesive

splice

tape dramatically

reduces the

margin for error by

providing exactly the

correct width and

thickness of adhesive

sealant. Consequently, the

consistency achieved with QuickSeam Splice

Tape, which forms part of the Firestone

RubberGard EPDM system, requires only a

visual check to monitor integrity throughout the

working day, underpinning both speed and

performance.

Similarly, detailing can be a time-consuming

element for some roofing systems, particularly

where irregular or awkward details are involved.

Conversely, QuickSeam FormFlash,

an uncured EPDM strip that

has been factorylaminated

QuickSeam Tape,

enables installers

to hand-mould

complex, threedimensional

waterproof details

and the suite of

QuickSeam

accessories that has

evolved from this technology

significantly improves quality and

productivity on the roof.

Fix or stick?

Decisions about whether to adhere or

mechanically fix the membrane are usually taken

as part of the technical specification, considering

elements such as the type of structure, its

capability for anchoring and wind load pressures.

“Detailing can be a

time-consuming

element for some

roofing systems,

particularly where

irregular or awkward

details are involved”

Fully-adhered EPDM membranes of 3-5m wide

are already quick to install compared to other

membrane types but, for best speed of

installation, mechanical attachment of the EPDM

membrane can be the fastest route to getting the

building watertight, especially on large roofs with

relatively few penetrations, because the largest

membrane panel sizes may be utilised to fullest

advantage.

Contact Firestone Building Products

01606 552026

www.firestonebpe.co.uk

@FirestonebpUK

52 TC MAY 2019

WHEN I’M FACING MY

DAILY BATTLES, WHAT

MATTERS IS WHO’S WITH

ME IN THE TRENCHES.

With products designed to get you on and off the roof faster,

dedicated support, and tailored warranties, we do whatever it

takes to help you succeed. Because every step of the way, and in

every sense of the word, we’ve got you covered.

Learn more at www.firestonebpe.co.uk

Safety at Height

MAXIMISING THE BENEFITS OF

SAFETY AT HEIGHT INSTALLATIONS

Simon Mealor, from working at height experts Altus Safety, discusses the benefits of building

safety at height installations into roofing projects.

Whether you’re working for a main

contractor or direct for the end user, the

chances are that, as a roofing

contractor, any edge protection or safety at height

installation required for the project may be

included in your package of works.

In our experience, however, some roofing

contractors are reluctant to take this element of

the project on. This may be because it doesn’t fall

within your team’s core skills, or because it keeps

you on site for longer, or even because you’re

nervous about the due diligence involved in

getting the specification and installation right.

If any of those reasons are holding you back from

accepting safety equipment installation work,

there are two important considerations you

should bear in mind:

• You can subcontract the specification and

installation to an expert specialist like Altus

Safety with complete confidence that the due

diligence will be taken care of and your own team

can focus on completing the job or moving on to

the next, while our team carries out the work.

• You can take advantage of the opportunity to

build additional margin into the project from the

safety installation, or even up-sell the client to a

more expensive system.

Specification considerations

If you work with a safety at height specialist like

Altus Safety, you simply need to provide a brief on

the client’s requirements and the layout of the

roof and we will advise you on the options, put

together a full specification and cost it all out for

you. For refurbishment projects, we’ll even visit

site to complete a survey.

However, it is useful to

understand the types of systems

available and where they fit with

the safety at height hierarchy. If a

collective measure is viable we

would always recommend this,

specifying a guardrail that fits the

parameters of the brief. We

reserve fall restraint systems for

buildings that will only require

occasional maintenance and fall

arrest systems for buildings

where no other option is possible.

Our approach is always to ensure we understand

the actual need rather than simply answering the

client brief. In this way, we can be confident that the

system installed answers the requirements of the

building and the maintenance teams who will rely

on the right level of safety being in place. Often, this

may be your own team returning to the building

for routine roof inspections, gutter clearing or

rooflight cleaning. We look at how many people

will need to access the roof at any one time, how

often and with what level of safety training.

Guardrail options

The most likely approach to permanent safety at

height solutions is the installation of a guardrail,

and Altus Safety provides a complete guardrail

design and installation service, assessing the

site-specific loading and structural parameters to

ensure the guardrail is fit for purpose and meets

the specific requirements of the building and the

needs of the personnel who will access the roof.

Freestanding guardrails have become a popular

solution as these are weighted and don’t need to

be fixed to the roof. This not only makes them

faster and easier to install, it also means that the

Above: Atlus Safety provides roof

safety equipment.

warranty for the roofing system

will not be compromised and

there are no penetrations to

increase the roof’s vulnerability to

leaks. The absence of fixings also

ensures that the guardrail

requires no detailing, reducing site

time for the roofing contractor.

Where a freestanding guardrail is

not viable, either due to aesthetic

stipulations or space restrictions,

there are a number of alternative guardrail

options. A collapsible guardrail is a popular

choice for buildings where the architect or end

user wants to limit the visual impact of the safety

protection as this can be collapsed and out of

sight when not in use. A powder-coated guardrail,

which effectively camouflages the edge protection

against the roof surface, is another option for a

more subtle approach.

Where space is limited, a fixed guardrail may be

necessary, and on very congested roofs, a parapet

or clamped system offers a robust solution

without encroaching on the actual roof area.

Additional guardrail protection may also be

needed for roof features such as skylights, atria

and lightwells, as the danger of falling through a

glazed feature is just as significant as that of

falling from the edge of the roof. Here, modular

guardrails can be used to create skylight

protection units, creating a barrier to prevent falls.

Contact Atlus Safety

0330 113 0870

www.altussafety.co.uk

@AltusSafety

54 TC MAY 2019

...and it’s the same for your house!

Cavity Ventilation now available,

manufactured in Britain by

Weep & Peep Vents • Telescopic Underfloor Vents • Brick Vents

Vertical Extension Sleeves • Cavity Sleeves • Plus a huge range of associated products

Ask for the Easy-trim range by name at your local Trade Counter

t 0845 034 6008 f 0845 034 6010

12B Metcalf Drive, Altham Industrial Estate, Altham,

Lancashire, BB5 5TU, Great Britain

www.easy-trim.co.uk

Roofing Updates

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

COROVERGE FITS THE BILL

Installers can edge ahead of the competition with the new Coroverge Universal Dry Verge system, the reengineered

dry fix roofing solution from Ariel Plastics that is fast, easy-to-fit and fully compatible with an

expansive range of roof tiles.

An installation video of the Coroverge Universal

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

and attractive finish to the roofline without the inconvenience of using mortar bedding. The Coroverge Universal Dry Plastics’ Youtube channel.

Verge system protects the roof verge from wind uplift, pest infestation and weather degradation. Available in Brown, Anthracite Grey and Terracotta, this allweather

system includes Starter Piece, Verge Section, Batten Clip, and, Angled and Half-Round Ridge Caps options to suit the ridge style. Fully adjustable for

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

features to make life easier for the installer, giving a more superior dry verge solution for both new build and renovation projects.

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

cut out area provides the flexibility to work around existing gutters. www.arielplastics.com

THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA

Cromar has unveiled its new, biggest ever catalogue.

Cromar has launched its biggest and most comprehensive

catalogue which showcases its complete range of products.

The new catalogue, launched at the beginning of April combines the complete Cromar Roofing range

with the new AlphaChem Builders’ range to create the company’s biggest and best catalogue yet. It

is filled with key information on all the company’s products and eye-catching adverts, all delivered

with a fresh and clean design celebrating a brand new era for the company. The catalogue has

already been well received by customers and is not only available on request, but also available on

the company website to download: www.cromar.uk.com

MAXIMA BENEFIT, MINIMUM EFFORT

Marley has extended its range of Maxima clay interlocking tiles with the introduction of a new

Matt Black colour.

Above: Marley’s new Matt Black Maxima clay

interlocking tile. “The Maxima Matt Black offers a classic

profile together with a modern matt black finish which

can be used on a wide variety of roofing vernaculars”

The new Maxima Matt Black tiles offer a modern roofing solution, while also reducing installation time

due to their high coverage rate. The Maxima range features an open gauge and interlock so no specialist

skills are required as installation is the same as installing any concrete interlocking tile. Furthermore,

with a minimum pitch of 17.5º, the Maxima is the ideal solution for a wide variety of building projects,

including one storey extensions where low pitch can be a challenge. www.marley.co.uk/maxima

SITE BENEFITS FOR ROOFERS

CUPA PIZARRAS has launched a new, user-friendly website featuring an installer specific

platform to provide a more tailored experience that suits visitors’ needs and requirements.

Julian Gomez, Director of Marketing at Cupa Pizarras: “Our

hope is that the new website will provide a more relevant

space for installers to browse the CUPA PIZARRAS product

offering and easily locate the relevant information they

need.”

The new design has been structured to include more in-depth product information as well as a number of

new features and tools to ease specification. Roofers visiting the website will now find a ‘Professional’

specific page for their use, which includes case study examples, product and installation videos as well

as an FAQs section. From the Resource Centre, roofers will also be able to access information including

product brochures, datasheets and performance certifications. www.cupapizarras.com/uk/

56 TC MAY 2019

FIT IT.

FORGET IT.

Trust Ubbink for quality roofing products to make your life easier

Call us on 01604 433000 or

visit our website for more details.

• VENTS • TERMINALS • NON-LEAD FLASHING • ROOFLINE PRODUCTS • & MORE

www.ubbink.co.uk

Roofing Updates

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

FLAT & PITCHED SOLUTIONS

Sympathetic locally-sourced materials, technical expertise and market-leading guarantees led Vale of

Glamorgan Council to choose BMI Redland and BMI Icopal materials when re-roofing a primary school.

“We chose BMI because it could offer us 15-year guarantees on the products; the roof slate was made from locallysourced

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

Hynam, Consultant Building Surveyor to the project.

Redland Cambrian Slate was used, a dry-fix

system to cut down maintenance, and fixings

on the ridge and hip system to mimic the

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

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

used for the flat roof.

the complexity of there being a 100m² flat roof right in the centre of the school. “The interface between pitched and

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,”

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

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

between the two roofing systems was sufficiently robust.” www.bmigroup.com/uk

LUXLITE’S CONSERVATION BENEFITS

Roof Maker has launched its new rooflight, the Conservation Luxlite.

The Conservation Luxlite offers outstanding U-values as

low as 0.5W/m²K by featuring triple glazing as standard.

This significantly improves the overall energy efficiency and

thermal comfort of the living space.

The conservation area-friendly rooflight has been designed to help architects and installers maintain

the heritage character of their clients’ homes. Designed to replicate the original Victorian cast iron

skylight, Roof Maker’s latest rooflight features a slim shaped split bar that is constructed of high quality

aluminium for better weathering and aesthetics. Roof Maker’s split is structurally bonded to the glass to

eliminate the presence of a cold bridge, significantly minimising the risk of condensation forming and

retaining the best possible thermal performance. http://info.roof-maker.co.uk/conservation

ALL THE SUPPORT YOU NEED

Rainclear Systems can help with selecting, costing and buying your rainwater system.

Rainclear Systems has installation guides and videos

available if you are installing yourself, or they can put you in

touch with an experienced local installer.

They offer a free ‘Take-off’ from architect’s drawings to ensure you have a list of all the

components you need, and using a rainwater flowrate calculator, they will work out what size

guttering & downpipes will be required on your project in your particular geographic location.

Then they can let you know the cost of buying all the components from them. If you need a

special colour or a bespoke item fabricated for your project, they can help with that.

www.rainclear.co.uk

NEW AREA TECHNICAL MANAGER

Donna Owen is Sika-Trocal’s new Area Technical Manager for the Midlands region.

Donna Owen is Sika Trocal’s

new Area Technical Manager for

the Midlands region.

Donna, who will be working with Area Technical Managers and the applications team, said: “This is

an extremely exciting opportunity for me. Sika-Trocal is a leading light in the roofing industry and

renowned as an innovator of high-quality solutions. I hope my experience will prove beneficial and

further the company’s superb service offering.”

Donna commenced her appointment with Sika-Trocal in February. www.sika.co.uk

58 TC MAY 2019

SLATE FOR ROOFING

Comprehensive product range

30 to 75 year market-leading warranties available

Reproduction & Fibre Cement ranges

Tailored ranges in stock in your area

Full support & guidance

Natural Slate Ranges

Excellence

Commercial

Classic

www.sigaslate.co.uk

Off-site Construction

“THERE ARE SAVINGS TO BE MADE

BY ENGAGING OFF-SITE SPECIALISTS”

Architectural panels specialist Vivalda Group has seen a growth of around 70% in its off-site

fabrication services in the last two years – a definite sign that contractors and installers have

less time and less space on building sites. Peter Johnson, Vivalda Chairman, explains why

more contractors are now moving processes such as machining, cutting, drilling and preassembly

off-site, leaving the dirty work to companies like his…

We have seen definite shift in attitude

from contractors over the last few years

aimed at reducing waste and increasing

accuracy. When times are good, wasted offcuts

and the odd mistake in cutting size can be

overlooked. However, as profit margins have

reduced, diligent contractors have taken a fresh look

at their supply chains and realised that there are

savings to be made by engaging off-site specialists.

Mistakes reduced, efficiencies increased

While this approach reduces costly mistakes, it also

creates much greater efficiency in the supply chain,

significantly reducing the time it takes to install

cladding board. Traditionally, the contractor would

take boards from pallets delivered to site and

then cut them to size, adding brackets, screws

and fixings as required. Taking the task off-site

means that the process is done by a focused

team of technicians, in a conducive environment

and then quality checked before

dispatch.

This off-site approach also

supports main contractors in their

need to reduce the footprint of

construction sites. This requirement

is especially evident in urban and

inner-city sites, where space is at a premium

and the availability of land to store bricks, cladding

and other materials is simply not there.

Health and safety

Finally, health and safety provides another strong

argument in favour of adopting off-site

fabrication. On-site dust has always been an

issue, given the fact that even now more than

500 construction workers a year die from inhaling

silica dust. We’ve all seen site workers cutting

stone, plastic and plasterboard on site – without

Left: Peter Johnson, Chairman of Vivalda.

a properly fitting mask. And this is

an area that the HSE is really

clamping down on.

While there are plenty of steps

contractors can take on-site to

reduce risks in this area, we’re seeing

more site managers export this problem to

us. At all of our UK production facilities, we’ve

invested in modern cutting technology, all of which

is linked to extraction pumps that deal with the

dust. We also use the latest CNC programmes to

ensure absolute accuracy when cutting and drilling

fixing locations.

Growth in modular housing

This emerging off-site trend is also being fuelled by

the growth in modular housing which is being driven

by businesses such as L&G, Pocket Living and

Caledonian. We all know that the UK is suffering

from a chronic lack of housing and off-site

manufacturing is widely considered to be the best

way of delivering this important national project.

Installers need to be aware of these trends, as

they will begin to affect the way that panels are

delivered to site before being erected. We think

this will be good news for installers as it will

improve their efficiency levels while reducing

costly mistakes during the pre-fixing stage.

Contact Vivalda Group

0121 328 9381

www.vivalda.co.uk

@VivaldaLimited

60 TC MAY 2019

Cladding Updates

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

ANSWERING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

Following customer feedback and online requests, Freefoam Building Products is pleased to announce the launch

of a brand new online feature – Technical Frequently Asked Questions.

Louise Sanderson, Freefoam UK Marketing Manager, explained: “As our product range has increased and diversified we’ve

seen a significant rise in enquires regarding product information. Customers selling and using our products are

professionals who want to get it right. Freefoam products have been designed to be used in a wide variety of situations and

projects and we want to ensure that installers have the right information to get the job done correctly and professionally.”

Freefoam answers questions and

provides information on its product

range with its new facility.

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

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

instructions and product information, to more specific fitting tips and examples of individual fitting situations the database allows users to filter by product

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.

www.freefoam.com

CEMBRIT’S STADIUM PERFORMANCE

Cembrit HD (heavy duty) board has been installed in the redeveloped East Stand at

Twickenham, the home of England Rugby.

Cembrit HD has been installed at Twickenham Stadium.

Resilient, hard wearing and with an impressive fire rating, HD is an ideal multi-use board for high

traffic areas in sports stadia such as Twickenham. Supplied by the Hayes branch of Minster, the

Cembrit HD board is installed in the Rose Garden itself, in the wings of the facility, as well as on the

walls of the adjacent L5 concourse where impact resistance was important as crowds are moving in

confined spaces. www.cembrit.co.uk

FREEFOAM SPRINGS INTO ACTION

Freefoam has launched the Spring edition of its Product Catalogue.

Freefoam has launched its

Spring Product Catalogue

With an updated look and new products , the guide provides customers and users with the complete

guide to the full range of Freefoam products including PVC-U and PVC-UE fascia, soffit, rainwater

systems, exterior cladding, interior panelling and flooring. With over 2,000 product items, a clear and

concise catalogue is essential for Freefoam stockists to promote the range. This A5 compact format

is ideal for building professionals, roofline fitters and roofers to keep a copy handy whilst on the go,

with all the product information they need. www.freefoam.com

STOVENTEC’S A GLASS ACT

The StoVentec Glass Rainscreen System supplied by Sto UK was chosen for a museum

collections centre extension project in Edinburgh, thanks to its outstanding aesthetic

properties and its durable nature.

A StoVentec Glass Rainscreen System was chosen for

this extension to the National Museums Collection

Centre in Edinburgh.

The black infused colour StoVentec Glass was installed on the new extension to the National Museums

Collection Centre in Granton, Edinburgh. “We were looking for a rainscreen cladding system that would

help harmonize the new extension with the existing building, and the StoVentec Glass system offered

the perfect solution”, explained Francesco Di Domenico of Hypostyle Architects. www.sto.co.uk

62 TC MAY 2019

A NEW COMPOSITE

CLADDING SYSTEM

THAT’LL IMPROVE

YOUR BOTTOM LINE

coastline®

LIGHTWEIGHT COMPOSITE CLADDING

MINIMAL EXPANSION/CONTRACTION

BBA CERTIFIED SYSTEM

INDEPENDENTLY FIRE TESTED (UK 2018) TO BS EN 13501-1

PATENT PENDING COMPOSITE MATERIAL

Find out more about the new coastline ® lightweight

composite cladding range. Call us on:

0800 988 7318

or visit: eurocell.co.uk/coastline

Cladding Updates

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

OFF-SITE WALL SOLUTION

Kingspan TEK Cladding Panels have provided an off-site wall solution for a unique school and leisure campus in

Littleport, helping the project to achieve excellent thermal performance within a tight construction deadline.

The £37.5 million development, designed by SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins business, co-locates a pre-school, Littleport and East

Cambridgeshire Academy (LECA), Highfield Littleport Academy Special Education Needs (SEN) school and a public

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

be delivered in time for the new school year without compromising on the facilities’ energy performance, 142 mm-thick Kingspan TEK Cladding Panels were

specified for many of the external walls. Kingspan TEK Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) were designed and factory cut to the project’s unique specifications

by Kingspan Timber Solutions. This offsite production process minimised site waste and enabled the panels to be quickly installed onto the steel frame, ready

for main contractors, Morgan Sindall Construction, to apply the final external finishes,

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

unique jointing system minimised air-leakage through the building envelope, helping the scheme achieve a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating.

www.kingspantek.co.uk

MAGPLY HAS IT COVERED

A residential project in Essex is making use of Magply boards for both the internal lining

and exterior cladding treatment to an innovative lightweight steel framing system,

demonstrating the widely specified fire resistant product’s multiple attributes.

The four bedroom new-build and extensions to a neighbouring existing property are being

carried out by SP&J Construction, in a joint venture with Uni-Frame and the ARG Group. The

intention is to use the current project as a show-site for the rapid build MMC solution and the

wide choice of finishes which will be available to future purchasers. www.magply.co.uk

RCM ADDS MEG TO ITS OFFERING

RCM, the complete through wall solutions supplier, is delighted to announce the

addition of Abet Laminati MEG HPL façade to its already impressive portfolio.

Robust, compact and long-lasting, MEG – Material Exterior Grade building façade by Abet

Laminati is specifically designed for outdoor applications. This versatile and durable range is

made up of a rigid core combined with a decorative surface consisting of weather-resistant

thermosetting resins. The high pressure laminate (HPL) is often used as rainscreen cladding,

as well as on balconies. www.buildingboards.co.uk

ROUGH OPTION SHOWS ITS CLASS

Cembrit has launched Patina Rough, a new through-coloured cladding board which has a

sandblasted surface which gives the board an attractive, stone-effect finish.

Cembrit Patina is a genuinely through-coloured, fibre

cement decorative rainscreen cladding and is available

in two popular and attractive shades, Flint and Sand.

Patina Rough complements the original Patina, with its directional grain surface, to offer a desirable

choice of premium cladding for a wide variety of external applications. Patina Rough has a surface

that achieves a natural, cast, or engineered stone cladding-type finish, but at the reduced price and

structural cost that is in line with lightweight rainscreen cladding,” explained Ged Ferris, Marketing

Manager at Cembrit. www.cembrit.com

64 TC MAY 2019

HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID

WATERPROOFING SYSTEM

BENEFITS & PRODUCT

INFORMATION

BBA certified for life in excess of 25 years.

NHBC and Green Roof Approval.

ULTRAFLEX can be used on new or existing

roofs, walkways, balconies, gutters etc.

Ready to use straight out of the tin, application

with solvent resistant roller.

Use fully reinforced with ULTRAFLEX matting

ensures easy ‘wet on wet’ application.

Can be used all year round – moisture curing.

Fully trafficable when cured.

Instantly rain resistant after application.

Once installed, forms a seamless membrane.

Exellent adhesion to different substrates: plywood,

bitumen membranes, asphalt, metals,

brick, concrete, wood etc.

Fresh concrete must be cured for 28 days.

On EPDM and TPO it is recommended to install

patch test to check compatibility.

Do not use silicone sealants. Always use PU

based mastics.

The Building Envelope

ADDRESSING MOISTURE MOVEMENT

The experts at A Proctor Group talk through the considerations

that should be made when it comes to moisture movement.

Heat, air and moisture movement (HAMM)

through the building envelope is a

naturally occurring process that affects

the integrity of building components and the

health of building occupants. As an

understanding of HAMM grows in the industry,

designing for moisture management in all areas

of the building envelope has quickly become

standard practice.

Construction professionals in the UK consider BS

5250:2011 ‘Code of Practice for control of

condensation in buildings’ the authoritative

resource on this topic. As a starting point, the

Standard specifies the industry must be aware of

both the internal and external factors contributing

to condensation control and building health,

where it states:

“In order to avoid the occurrence of excess

condensation, which can result in mould growth

and damage to the building fabric, designers

should assess the amount of water vapour likely

to be generated within the building … and

consider the effects of the external climate.”

This statement seems perfectly reasonable in

theory, but how in practice can a designer deal

with internal humidity levels that can change with

building function, use and occupancy

adaptations, as well as external conditions like

weather and topography that are clearly beyond

their control?

Risk assessment methods

Construction professionals have traditionally

utilised the Glaser method to assess

condensation risk. Glaser is a ‘steady state’

calculator that uses average monthly

temperatures, vapour pressure and heat

conduction to determine if condensation occurs at

critical points over the span of 12 months. While

this method correctly looks at vapour diffusion, or

the passage of water vapour through the building

fabric, it only considers this movement in a single

direction. There are other limitations with the

Glaser method: the calculations do not account

for additional sources of moisture such as damp

soil, seasonal wet and dry cycles, or the porosity

of materials used in the construction. The Glaser

method is suitable for very simple, lightweight

construction types, however, it is broadly

considered to be inappropriate for the vast

majority of projects, particularly any that use

materials with the potential for absorbing water

like porous brick or fibrous insulations, as well

as any retrofitted buildings with solid masonry

walls.

WUFI (Wärme Und Feuchte Instationär) software,

developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Building

Physics in Germany, was a huge step forward for

the industry in terms of condensation risk

assessment. In contrast to the Glaser method,

WUFI calculations are ‘non-steady state’

simulations that constantly plot the movement of

heat, air and moisture in a state of constant

change relative to building usage, project aspect,

and seasonality. WUFI goes much further than

Glaser by including other sources of moisture

such as ingress from the ground, worst-case

scenario precipitation events, and the natural

variation in moisture content within individual

building materials over time. As the designer is

able to simulate an hour-by-hour condensation

risk analysis over an infinite amount of time,

projects can be optimised for longevity and for the

health and wellbeing of occupants.

Advanced assessments,

advanced materials

The profession’s growing understanding of the

complexities of HAMM has led to a shift in the

industry in two ways. First, modeling software

like WUFI is becoming increasingly

Above: WUFI test: Grey – External surface; Blue – Midpoint;

Black – Internal surface; Red – Temperature (Midpoint).

Above Top: A Proctor’s products were used at Canalside

Walk, Paddington.

sophisticated to better model and assess the

subtleties of building physics, and second, a

new generation of construction materials are

being developed to work with HAMM thereby

supporting the long-term health and durability

of a building.

One example of these advanced materials are

“intelligent” vapour control layers (VCLs) which

have been designed to adapt to changing

humidity circumstances. These variable

permeability VCLs can change their permeability,

becoming more vapour resistant during winter

and more vapour permeable in the summer.

Variable permeable membranes help to regulate

the natural moisture-loading and drying out

cycle of the building envelope by protecting the

building fabric in the colder, wetter months, and

allowing it to dry out effectively in warmer, drier

months.

Need a WUFI calculation? Contact the A. Proctor

Group’s Technical Department.

Contact A Proctor Group

01250 872261

www.proctorgroup.com

@proctorgroup

66 TC MAY 2019

No more

space to

insulate

Ultra-high performance encapsulated VIP insulation

for flat roofs and terraces

Say goodbye to build-up constraints when installing effective insulation on

flat roofs and terraces where space is tight and where height constraints

exist. Deck-VQ ® — with its exceptional thermal insulation performance of

0.008 W/mK with a thickness of just 60mm — helps you to achieve even

greater insulation with ease. It’s time to think thin.

For more details, please visit www.recticelinsulation.com

Insulation Updates

KINGSPAN HOLDS COURT ON RENOVATION

Tower Bridge Magistrates’ Court and Police Station has been reinvented as a four-star boutique hotel in a

Dominvs Group development. It includes the installation of a tapered roof insulation system from Kingspan

Insulation – ensuring the only thing taking the fall from now on at the former court will be the rain.

To raise the thermal performance of the building’s flat roof, whilst also providing effective drainage, Kingspan

Thermataper TT47 LPC/FM and Kingspan Thermaroof TR27 LPC/FM were installed.

Kingspan systems were used on this

Dominvus Group project.

Kingspan Thermataper TT47 LPC/FM provided the project team with a fast-track alternative to other drainage methods, such as structural falls. The product

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

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

requirements for the roof surface.

Kingspan Insulation’s specialist tapered roofing service team created a carefully tailored scheme layout for the hotel roof, maximising cost efficiency whilst

also ensuring the surface met the rainwater runoff and insulation requirements. The layout also simplified the installation process for the site team aided by

the pre-mitred hip and valley boards supplied as part of the Kingspan Thermataper system. www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk

SLENTEX A2 MAKES ITS MARK

The A. Proctor Group has launched a new vapour permeable insulation, which offers superior

thermal performance and fire protection behind cladding.

With a thermal conductivity of 0.019 W/mK, Spacetherm

Slentex A2’s performance credentials are said to qualify

it as one of the best insulation materials available.

Spacetherm Slentex A2 is the result of extensive research and development to produce a vapour

permeable insulation with an A2 fire rating classification. The new insulation is classified as Class

A2, s1 – d0 according to the Euroclass system, which classifies the reaction to fire performance of

building products. Spacetherm Slentex A2 is available in a range of laminates utilising MgO and

plasterboard as well as in a cold bridging strip format. www.proctorgroup.com

KINGSPAN SHOWS ITS BOTTLE

Kingspan has committed to recycling 500m plastic bottles each year by 2023 for use in its

insulation with a further target of 1bn bottles each year by 2025.

Kingspan has partnered with the EcoAlf Foundation and

under a 3-year partnership, the company will proactively

help to remove up to 150 tonnes of waste from the

Mediterranean each year.

This recycling initiative is part of a broader Kingspan programme, together with the company’s 2020

Net Zero Energy manufacturing target, to produce its energy-saving products in a low carbon and

environmentally responsible way. Kingspan is already manufacturing insulation using recycled

plastic but will be adding recovered ocean plastic to this manufacturing chain, made with raw

materials from its plant near Barcelona, Spain. www.kingspan.com/group/

PHYSICAL & THERMAL BENEFITS

An iconic residential development by Barratt London is includes the use of Marmox Multiboard

for its outstanding physical performance with two walls around the 20 metre swimming pool

being lined with the moisture resistant backing board.

Marmox Multiboard has been used at Landmark Place

which stands alongside the Tower of London.

The ground floor pool and spa used close to 100 of the 2500 x 600mm Multiboards for the work, as well

as six boxes of dowels to secure them and 30 rolls of Marmox Jointing Tape. Marmox Multiboards are

manufactured from XPS and offer a range of positive physical characteristics, including good thermal

insulation, in addition to being fully waterproof. www.marmox.co.uk

68 TC MAY 2019

Complex Worksites.

Simplified Safety Solutions.

The training you need.

The products you want.

The knowledge you trust.

Visit us at

Safety & Health Expo

for a Virtual Reality

experience!

Stand

SH2270

May 2019

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