November 2019

NOV 2019 

FEATURES 

• WINTER’S COMING: PLANNING 

FOR POOR CONDITIONS ON SITE 

• SECURE THE PERIMETER: ADVICE FOR 

TWICE FIXING TILES AT JUNCTIONS 

• HIGH ASPIRATIONS: HOW ONE 

ROOFER’S USING HIS NEW SKILLS 

TO REALLY MOVE FORWARD 

An Inspector Calls 

NFRC Tech Talk 

Business Talk 

>>> • LEAD & LEAD ALTERNATIVES • TOOLS OF THE FUTURE • ROOF OVERLAYS • >>>

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Editor’s Comment 

MATT DOWNS 

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR 

MATTDOWNS@MEDIA-NOW.CO.UK 

07963 330774 

As ever in Total Contractor magazine, we’ve got you covered on the 

business side of your job, as well as the practical, on-site 

considerations for projects. 

COVER PIC: 

BMI UK & IRELAND 

This month’s Marketing Talk column from SIG Roofing offers advice on 

attracting new business and moving customers from the ‘new client’ to 

‘retained client’ tray. Read Richard Kendrick’s tips for raising awareness, 

responding to the spark of interest, cementing the relationship and 

delivering what you’ve promised, on p20. 

Moving to the legal and financial side of business, the experts at law firm 

Womble Bond Dickinson have put together advice regarding the common 

causes of insolvency and how to protect your position against this all too 

common occurrence in construction (p22); plus, in our regular Business 

Talk feature, we ask the question “Is your vehicle a car or a van?”, and 

explain why the answer is not as straight forward as you might think – and 

can have big implications on your tax situation (p26). 

Moving to projects, this month Marley talk winter working (p28); we take a 

look at the updating of a historic leadwork project with Midland Lead (p30); 

John Mercer offers advice on how to twice-fix tiles at each roof junction 

(p34); Karl Sands of HS RoofClad explains why several factors need to be 

considered before opting to install a roof overlay (p48); whilst Bob 

Richardson outlines the key considerations when accessing and working on 

pitched roofs (p.50); plus the experts at Quantum Insulation talk 

Safe2Torch and reducing fire risk when installing flat roofs (p65). 

So read on for all this and so much more! 

FROM 

A 

ONL 

* 

£345 

LY 

per leaf 

Including 

delivery 

Matt 

We talk to Connor Pringle, a young roofer planning for his future in the sector, 

who says communicational skills are becoming increasingly important (p46). 

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NOVEMBER 2019 TC 3

Contents 

COVER FEATURES 

28 WINTER’S COMING 

Tom Woodhouse gives his top tips for working 

on site in winter weather, plus get your FREE 

Marley Snood to protect against the weather! 

34 SECURE THE PERIMETER 

BS 5534 says all perimeter tiles should be 

twice fixed; John Mercer offers his advice on 

how this can be achieved at each roof junction 

46 HIGH ASPIRATIONS 

Connor Pringle, Highly Commended in BMI’s 

awards, explains how he’s using the new skills 

acquired to really move ahead in his career 

28 

FEATURES 

16 THE BIG QUESTION 

What impact will the benefits of offsite construction 

have on onsite? Consultant John Mercer gives his view 

18 SAFETY CALLS 

Jackie Biswell says near misses and minor incidents 

must be recorded if we’re to really tackle safety on site 

22 INSOLVENCY: THE INS & OUTS 

With insolvency rates on the rise, we take a look at 

some of the warning signs and how to protect yourself 

48 THE ART OF THE OVERLAY 

Karl Sands outlines some of the key considerations 

when approaching a possible roof overlay project 

24 

58 PROJECT FOCUS: CLADDING 

We hear how Shackerley worked closely with the 

installer to achieve their goals at Burnley FC 

72 #TOOLSOFTHEFUTURE 

What do tradespeople want from the tools of the 

future? FEIN’s survey has the answers... 

4 TC NOVEMBER 2019

REGULARS 

20 MARKETING TALK 

Richard Kendrick offers advice on how to keep 

the orders rolling in... 

24 AN INSPECTOR CALLS 

The Inspector unlocks the secret to ensuring 

interlocking tiles fit properly and look right 

50 NFRC TECH TALK 

Bob Richardson talks through how to work on 

pitched roofs safely 

65 QI COLUMN 

The experts at Quantum Insulation discuss 

reducing fire risk when installing flat roofs 

SECTIONS: 

TOTAL 

ROOFING 

28 

TOTAL 

CLADDING 

58 

INDUSTRY NEWS 

06 BATTEN LENGTH IS KEY TOPIC 

SR Timber were surprised to find the length of battens was 

the key talking point on their stand at Contractor’s Day 

14 BAUDER SUPPORTS SPRA 

Bauder says it is “delighted” to support SPRA as Headline 

Sponsor for 2020 

TOTAL 

INSULATION 

64 

06 

VEHICLES, TOOLS 

& WORKWEAR 

70 


Industry News 

TOUGH TOOL TALES 

More than three-quarters of Britain’s 

builders have been victims of tool theft, 

with some having lost more than £20,000 

worth of tools in the past ten years, 

according to new research by the 

Federation of Master Builders (FMB). 

Key results from the research reveal: More 

than three quarters (83%) of UK builders 

have had their tools stolen; More than one in 

three incidents involved theft from vans 

(38%) and theft from sites (34%); Of 

builders who had tools stolen in the past ten 

years (78%), the most common value of loss 

was £2,500. One in ten builders said that 

they had at least £10,000 worth of tools 

stolen, and 2% said they had at least 

£20,000; When asked how many working 

days builders had lost to tool theft over the 

past ten years, one in three builders (29%) 

said one to two working days and 16% said 

two to five working days. 7% of builders said 

they had lost five working days or more; Over 

a 40-year working life, a builder will typically 

lose £10,000 worth of tools and 6 working 

days to tool theft; Tool theft is taking its toll 

on builders’ mental health, causing 15% of 

builders to suffer from anxiety, one in ten 

builders (11%) to suffer from depression 

and some reported experiences of panic 

attacks and suicidal thoughts. 

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: 

“Decisive action is needed to tackle tool 

theft. Eight in ten builders report that they 

have had tools stolen before. This is causing 

mental health issues amongst builders with 

reports of depression, anxiety, anger, 

frustration, stress and even suicidal 

thoughts. The Government needs to look into 

tool theft and consider the need for the 

introduction of tighter regulations around 

selling second-hand tools, and greater 

minimum fines for those convicted of tool 

theft.” 

BATTEN LENGTH IS BIG TALKING POINT 

The length of roofing batten was the main 

talking point for SR Timber at the recent 

Contractor’s Day exhibition, which was held at 

Manchester United Football Club’s Old 

Trafford ground in Manchester. 

Staff from the company – which is a leading 

importer of timber products and the UK’s largest 

importer of roofing batten, including its flagship 

Premium Gold – were geared up for 

conversations around issues such as quality, 

stock availability and cost of materials, as they 

have been key issues in 2019, but it was the 

lengths of batten that kept cropping up. 

Trading Manager Richard Stone said that SR 

Timber spoke to both contractors and a merchant 

who came onto the stand keen to talk about the 

availability of mid-range lengths of batten, as 

opposed to the most popular one, which is 4.8m. 

“SR Timber is very supportive of the Contractor’s 

Day exhibition, as it is a great opportunity to bring 

all the different parts of the roofing industry 

together to meet, network and, of course, do 

business,“ said Richard. “And the exhibition at 

Old Trafford proved to be another great event 

where we had our finger on the pulse of the 

industry – and on the day, batten lengths were 

the hot topic. 

“Lengths of 4.8m are by far our bestseller, but it 

was interesting that there were people who 

wanted to talk about the availability of 3.6m, 

3.9m and 4.2m batten. The driver for this 

appeared to be that some businesses prefer 

smaller lengths because of both storage issues 

and restrictions on sites – particularly in built-up, 

congested areas. 

“One business that we spoke to had come from 

South London to the show in Manchester and said 

that 4.8m lengths are problematic because sites 

such as projects in built-up residential areas are 

always tight, so shorter lengths make such a 

difference to both delivery and installation. 

(L-R) Phil Shotton and Richard Stone of SR Timber fielded a 

number of questions regarding roofing battens at this year’s 

Contractor’s Day event, with batten length proving a key issue. 

“It was the same story for a merchant who said 

that they had a cramped yard and that although 

they carried 4.8m lengths, stocking shorter ones 

would free up valuable space.” 

Reflecting on the feedback from the show, and the 

orders that were confirmed, Trading Director 

Shaun Revill said that it was great to see roofing 

contractors and merchants taking more interest 

in mid-range batten lengths. 

“Contractor’s Day proved to be a productive show 

for SR Timber, and all the reports from the team 

suggest that there’s increasing receptiveness to 

different lengths of batten,” said Shaun. 

“We know that 4.8m is the most convenient 

length for roofing contractors – even though there 

can often be a fair amount of wastage – and this 

drives the market, but it’s interesting to see that 

other factors are coming into play and making 

other lengths more appealing. 

“As we are a leading importer of timber products, 

the show gave us credible feedback that we can 

factor into our business moving forward, so that 

we can meet the demands of both roofing 

contractors and merchants.” 

SR Timber offers its flagship Premium Gold roofing batten. 


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Industry News 

FLEX-R INCREASES SRIS AT ROOFING EVENT 

Flex-R took full advantage of exhibiting at the 

recent Contractor’s Day in Manchester to 

increase the amount of Specialist Registered 

Installers (SRIs) it has in the North of 

England. 

ROOFER WINS BIG 

The High Wycombe-based company – which is 

one of the UK’s largest suppliers of EPDM 

materials – opened a second depot in 

Huddersfield just over a year ago as part of bold 

expansion plans, and used the Contractor’s Day 

exhibition as a platform to promote the new 

depot, its products, its technical support and the 

service it can deliver from the Old Fieldhouse 

Lane site. 

Danny Cole, Flex-R’s National Sales Manager, 

said that the exhibition – which was held at 

Manchester United Football Club’s Old Trafford 

ground – proved very successful for the company, 

as it was able to engage with roofing contractors 

and spell out all the reasons why their businesses 

would benefit from becoming SRIs with a 

company that is able to offer dedicated support 

from its new Huddersfield depot. 

“Our new facility in Huddersfield has been a real 

step change for our business, and having the 

presence along the M62 corridor offers huge 

benefits to roofing contractors in the region,” said 

Danny. 

“From Huddersfield, we are able to do next-day – 

and even same-day – deliveries of our range of 

EPDM roofing membranes and liquid 

waterproofing systems to building sites right 

across the North of England. We also have the 

facilities to offer a range of training from 

Danny Cole, Flex-R’s National Sales Manager. 

Flex-R had a successful show at Contractor’s Day 2019, 

increasing the amount of Specialist Registered Installers (SRIs) 

in the North of England. 

Huddersfield, which is a huge leap forward for us 

because previously, roofing contractors would 

have had to travel to our High Wycombe head 

office to go through our training on products such 

as RubberBond FleeceBack, LQD-R and the 

recently launched silicone liquid coating GE 

Enduris.” 

Danny added that the team on the stand at the 

exhibition said that the messages about the level 

of technical support that Flex-R offers, as well as 

the quality of the products that are on tap from 

Huddersfield, really hit home with visitors at the 

show. This, he said, was backed up by the fact 

that in just under 18 months and from a standing 

start, 45% of the company’s turnover now comes 

through its Huddersfield hub. 

“The success of the Huddersfield depot is far 

beyond what we expected when we opened it in 

spring 2018, and the fact that it accounts for 

nearly half of our trade after such a short space 

of time is a phenomenal achievement,” said 

Danny. 

“For a number of years, we recognised the 

potential and benefits of having a second depot 

in the North of England, and this has been 

justified because since we opened, it’s been like 

turning a tap on. We have become very busy, very 

quickly. 

“Being at Contractor’s Day was a great move for 

us, and we have been able to attract roofing 

contractors who are keen to become SRIs.” 

Darren McGhee (above), a third 

generation roofer from North Lanarkshire, 

is celebrating after being crowned 

Britain’s Top Tradesperson 2019. 

Darren was presented with the award by 

Screwfix CEO, John Mewett, at Screwfix’s 

annual trade show Screwfix Live and 

walked away with £10,000 worth of tools, 

£5,000 tech bundle and £5,000 towards 

future training. 

Caroline Welsh, Director of Brand and 

Marketing at Screwfix, said: “Every year 

the judges and I are blown away by our 

tradespeople’s stories. When Darren 

came in the room his passion and 

commitment to his industry was 

contagious, but his customer care was 

outstanding. When he showed us his 

innovative MyRoofCare package, we 

knew he was about to change the roofing 

industry. This first of its kind product 

means that for a small monthly fee, 

homeowners can now have roof protection 

cover and no nasty surprises. Darren also 

went on to share how he trains his 

colleagues to ensure every customer gets 

the DMG Roofing experience.” 

Darren McGhee said: “I am absolutely 

delighted to win this competition! Just 

making it to the final was a massive 

achievement so to win is amazing. The 

prize will be hugely valuable in helping 

me to continue to grow MyRoofCare and 

help raise standards in the roofing 

industry. I want to thank Screwfix and the 

other judges for this great opportunity.” 


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Industry News 

NEXT PHASE OF SIG 

ROOFING REFURBS 

SIG Roofing has confirmed the next five 

branches to be refurbished as part of its 

exciting programme of investment in its 

UK branch network. 

The refurbishments will take place 

throughout October, with a total of 24 

branches set to be modernised by early 

2020. The supplier says updated branches 

will ensure roofers will benefit from more 

availability of leading products in store, such 

as everyday essentials, as well as improved 

services in branch. 

The branches benefiting from the next set of 

refurbishments are Stratford, Kings Langley, 

Hull, Rotherham and Derby. SIG Roofing says 

the refreshed design will offer an organised 

layout, allowing roofers to find what they 

need quickly and efficiently, enabling more 

time to be spent on the job. 

What’s more, SIG Roofing says branches will 

offer new and innovative products with the 

reassurance that products will be available 

when roofers need them, providing them with 

a more diverse offering. Also, to make the 

time in branch that bit more enjoyable, the 

supplier says there will be a dedicated space 

to serve refreshments to maximise comfort. 

Stuart Base, Marketing Director for SIG 

Roofing, commented: “Following the 

announcement last month of the launch of 

our branch refurbishment programme, we’re 

delighted to confirm the next five branches to 

be made over. 

“Alongside a refreshed aesthetic, the 

branches will also be offering a wide range of 

new, innovative products – something we’re 

sure will help us improve even further our 

offering to customers.” 

QUEEN’S SPEECH SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT 

The construction sector has responded to the 

Queen’s speech which included plans to 

create higher safety standards in the wake of 

the Grenfell Tower disaster. 

Peter Johnson, Chairman of independent cladding 

supplier Vivalda Group, stated: “With just four 

words – ‘new building safety standards’ - which 

were hidden away at the end of the eighth 

paragraph of this year’s Queen’s Speech, we 

finally have confirmation that the construction 

industry is getting a new, independent safety 

regulator. And that new regulator will be there to 

force developers and landlords to comply with 

rigorous new safety standards. 

“Granted, it’s being hailed by many as the biggest 

reform of the sector in 40 years. While the details 

are yet to be confirmed, I understand that the 

new law will impose far stronger obligations on 

those responsible for the safety of high-rise 

buildings throughout design, construction and 

occupation. 

“As always, the devil is in the detail. While the 

new safety regime is very welcomed, there still 

remain practical challenges within the post- 

Grenfell cladding sector – specifically where the 

private sector is concerned. Back in May 2019, 

the government set up a £200m fund to replace 

unsafe Grenfell Tower-style cladding on around 

170 private high-rise residential buildings across 

the UK. However, looking forward, how will 

landlords of presently ‘safe’ buildings be expected 

to meet the cost of refurbishment, should the new 

legislation raise the current safety bar? 

“We are concerned that there may be significant 

numbers of public and private high rise 

developments that are currently within safety 

limits, but may retrospectively be deemed unsafe 

if new tests reveal inadequacies in the existing 

safety regime. 

“The UK’s dysfunctional building safety culture 

was painfully exposed by the Grenfell Tower 

tragedy. I applaud the new laws to create a 

Above l-r: Peter Johnson, Chairman of Vivalda and Brian 

Berry, FMB Chief Executive. 

much-needed regulator, but we’re not out of the 

woods yet when it comes to healing the wounds 

created back in July 2017. 

“We need to maintain pressure on the 

government to create a solid legal framework 

for high rise building and ensure landlords and 

developers have the financial support to make 

the make the required safety improvements.” 

Meanwhile, the Federation of Master Builders 

made the point that new legislation regarding the 

implementation of building safety standards 

needs to be underpinned by a mandatory 

licensing scheme for all UK construction 

companies. Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the 

FMB, said: “The Queen’s announcement that the 

Government will bring forward new rigorous laws 

forcing compliance with building safety standards 

is an important and essential step in improving 

safety and confidence in our built environment. 

After the Grenfell fire tragedy it’s essential that 

we raise the bar in construction. 

“However, the Government must go further still 

and publicly consult on a mandatory licensing 

scheme for all UK construction companies. This 

would serve to remove from the industry any 

firm that ignores health and safety procedure 

and risks safety in and around the built 

environment. Licensing would also remove rogue 

traders that bring the image of builders into 

disrepute, whether they are operating in the 

private domestic sector or in the supply chain 

on a large commercial site. We now await 

further details on this bill and whether it will 

have the teeth it needs to improve the 

construction sector.” 


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Industry News 

ROOFERS’ EARNINGS 

SHOW GROWTH 

Earnings for freelance tradespeople in the 

construction sector dipped by 1.7% last 

month, according to latest figures 

released by Hudson Contract. 

Analysis of September payroll data for more 

than 2,200 construction companies in 

England and Wales revealed a weekly 

average of £889 for subcontractors. 

Underlying demand remains strong for 

tradespeople with average earnings 2.5% 

higher than the same month last year. 

Roofing contractors saw the strongest growth 

last month with average earnings rising by 

2.6% to £834 per week across England and 

Wales. 

They were followed by scaffolding and lifting 

contractors, up 1.4% to £851, and 

bricklaying contractors, up 1% to £787. 

Ian Anfield, Managing Director of Hudson 

Contract, said: “Beyond the national 

headlines about Brexit-related uncertainty in 

the construction sector, we see demand for 

housing remains high as does demand for 

highly skilled tradespeople. 

“The UK has a shortage of new homes and is 

way off government targets of 300,000 per 

year, managing 170,000 completions last 

year. This means self-employed specialists 

will continue to be able to command a 

premium for their valuable services.” 

COLLEGE PROVES #ITSOKAYTOTALK 

Leeds College of Building 

number of suicides in men under 45. 

celebrated the success of its 

Marking World Mental Health Day, 

partnership with Andy’s Man Club, 

the College promoted mental health 

the male suicide-prevention 

support for staff and students. The 

charity, on 10th October – World 

College signposts resources 

Mental Health Day. 

including beneficial wellbeing apps 

The Andy’s Man Club logo. 

Andy’s Man Club was launched by 

and technology, charity support 

Luke Ambler, a former International Rugby League groups, government initiatives, and information 

player, in 2016. Luke’s brother-in-law, Andy about counsellors, NHS services and mental 

Roberts, sadly died by suicide. Luke and his health nurses, and educational psychologists. 

family were left devastated by the news because 

Jubar Miah, Equality, Inclusion & Safeguarding 

there were no signs that Andy might be struggling 

Manager at Leeds College of Building, said: “I am 

with his mental health. 

extremely proud we support such an important 

It was in response to this tragic life event that initiative, which I have no doubt is saving many 

Luke launched ‘Andy’s Man Club’ in Halifax – a lives. Today, we’re showing our support of World 

safe space for men to open up to others in a Mental Health Day and Andy’s Man Club, 

similar situation. Today, there are 22 groups held providing a much-needed safe space for men to 

nationwide and Leeds College of Building became talk about the issues that are important to them. 

the first College in the UK to host a support group. This work is extremely valuable because it tackles 

Since opening 18 months ago, between 35-45 the stigma around mental health by saying 

men attend the College meet-up each week. #itsokaytotalk.” 

This year, the theme set by the World Federation Declan Storey, Facilitator of Leeds Andy’s Man 

for Mental Health for World Mental Health Day is Club, said: “Andy’s Man Club wanted to work 

suicide prevention. Suicide is the biggest killer of alongside the College for a number of important 

men under 45, and three-quarters of all suicides reasons. I am proud to be born in Leeds and love 

in the UK are men. Andy’s Man Club uses the the city. I also work in construction and studied at 

hashtag #itsokaytotalk to encourage men to talk the College for five years, so it is fantastic to give 

about their mental health issues rather than something back.” 

bottle them up. The ambition is halving the 

SILVER SERVICE FOR PRATER’S PEOPLE 

Prater has been awarded its second Investors and we are thrilled to be one of only a select 

in People Silver Standard, demonstrating its number of organisations to achieve this status. 

ongoing and continued commitment to 

Prater is committed to driving business 

realising the potential of its employees. 

performance through its biggest asset – our 

Gavin Hamblett, Managing Director at Prater, people. We want our employees to feel valued and 

commented: “We are delighted to have once inspired to work for us so that we attract, develop 

again received this important accolade. Achieving and retain quality, committed individuals. We 

this recognition from Investors in People is know that our clients, in turn will benefit from this 

testament to our continued dedication to the wellbeing 

and working environment of our employees have been reflected with this 

ethos, so we are proud that everyone’s efforts 

award.” 


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Industry News 

PAPERLESS PUSH IN 

CONSTRUCTION 

The construction sector is said to be 

embracing digital transformation, with a 

growing number of businesses 

abandoning paper-based processes in a 

bid to boost productivity. 

Leading construction consultancies 

Sustainable Construction Services and 

Waterman Group, timber frame 

manufacturing specialist Taylor Lane Timber 

Frame, precast concrete manufacturer, 

Treanor Pujol, and roofline, rainwater and 

cladding solutions provider DMD 

Installations are among the latest 

businesses to implement WorkMobile’s data 

capture app. 

The app replaces paper, helping to improve 

operational efficiencies and communication 

with field workers. It allows users to create 

digital forms relevant to the specific job in 

hand, such as site inspections, health and 

safety forms and timesheets. They can also 

use the app to capture all essential business 

data, including signatures, videos, 

photographs and GPS locations. 

Colin Yates, Chief Support officer at 

WorkMobile, said: “These latest client wins 

highlight how more and more businesses 

within the construction industry are 

beginning to look for ways to revolutionise 

how they operate, and we’re thrilled to be 

such a key player in this movement.” 

BAUDER PARTNERS WITH SPRA FOR 2020 

Bauder has announced that it will partner with speakers and a willingness to tackle difficult 

SPRA as Headline sponsor for 2020. 

subjects head-on, make the SPRA conference a 

real ‘must-attend’ event.” 

The manufacturer has secured lead sponsor for 

the SPRA events calendar and will add its support The SPRA Conference is complemented by the 

to the association’s mission for growth and prestigious SPRA Awards Dinner in the evening. 

sustainability in the single ply roofing sector of Presentation of the Awards is always an eagerly 

the construction industry. 

anticipated event where the very best in single ply 

projects and technical expertise is on show. 

Nigel Blacklock, Technical Director at Bauder, 

Cathie went on to say: “Our sponsors know that 

commented: “We are delighted to have this 

they play a valuable role in helping us bring this 

opportunity to show our support of SPRA as it 

level of quality event to the roofing industry. We 

correlates with Bauder’s growth strategy. This 

can’t do it without them and they value the 

sponsorship also provides us with the ideal outlet 

additional profile that sponsorship gives them. 

to continue to work with all the member 

It’s definitely a partnership and I look forward to 

manufacturers to maintain high standards for 

working with Bauder and all our other sponsors to 

manufacturing and installation, and to sustain 

making 2020 the best year yet.” 

SPRA’s influence for single ply roofing.” 

SPRA says there are still a range of sponsorship 

Cathie Clarke, SPRA CEO said: “2020 will see the 

opportunities available. Simply go to 

sixth SPRA Conference and 24th SPRA Golf Day. 

https://spra.co.uk/spra-sponsorship-2020/ and 

The Conference grows year on year and has 

complete the online form. Bookings for the 

gained a worthy reputation as a quality, national 

conference are open now 

conference, not just for the single ply industry, but 

https://spra.co.uk/events/spra-conference-andawards-dinner-2020/ 

for the wider roofing sector as a whole. Quality 

. 

BUILDING TRUST WITH CONSUMERS 

TrustMark has announced “a new and exciting collaboration with such a reputable brand as 

partnership” with insurance provider, 

Churchill Expert. 

Churchill Expert. 

“Churchill’s recognition of our commitment to 

The collaboration will provide a suite of quality quality will help ensure our registered businesses 

insurance services for TrustMark’s registered are synonymous with high standards of 

businesses. 

workmanship which consumers can trust. For our 

members, this is a really exciting development as 

TrustMark, the only Government Endorsed Quality 

they will now have access to quality products that 

Scheme, and Churchill Expert will also work 

will benefit their business. We firmly believe that 

together to develop new and bespoke offerings. 

our relationship will continue to grow, which will 

Not only does the partnership support high ultimately deliver benefits to our tradespeople and 

quality trading standards, but it also provides their customers.” 

comfort to consumers knowing the tradespeople 

Rebecca Clapham, Head of UK Insurance 

they choose to work in their homes, have 

Business Solutions, added: “We’re excited to be 

appropriate cover. 

working with Trustmark, an organisation who 

Simon Ayers, Chief Executive Officer of TrustMark, cares just as much about the small business 

said: “We are proud to enter into this 

community as we do.” 


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The Big Question 

CAN ONSITE SURVIVE THE MANY 

PERCEIVED BENEFITS OF OFFSITE? 

We asked John Mercer, Pitched Roofing Consultant and regular Total Contractor 

contributor, if onsite construction can survive the many perceived benefits that offsite 

construction offers? 

There are several drivers that could propel 

the housing construction sector towards 

offsite construction; not least material 

shortages, skilled labour shortages and concerns 

about build quality. 

We only need to look back in history to 

understand what can happen when there is a 

housing shortage. 

For example, after the second World War, the 

government brought in the Housing (Temporary 

Accommodation) Act. The idea was to build 

500,000 prefabricated houses with a planned 

life of 10 years. Interestingly, some of these 

houses still survive today. 

There is, of course, deep-rooted resistance to 

prefabricated houses, not least from the public who 

associate previous attempts with problems such 

as structural failures of the concrete and steel, the 

presence of asbestos and the now old-fashioned 

appearance of many of the prefab houses. 

Below: John believes if anything will cause a shift towards 

offsite construction, it will be quality. 

“In my view, if 

anything will 

cause a shift 

towards offsite 

construction, it 

will be quality” 

Considering the potential drivers 

towards prefabrication; 

1: Material shortages: These are unfortunate 

and are really a symptom of a ‘boom and bust’ 

construction economy. Any manufacturer of 

heavy-side building materials, such as bricks, 

blocks and roof tiles will tell you how difficult it 

is to regulate production to match demand. 

There is always a lag between supply and 

demand. 

2: Labour shortages: This is a long-term 

problem that does not appear to be improving and 

is more likely to get worse if foreign labour is 

discouraged from coming to the UK post-Brexit. 

John Mercer, Pitched Roofing Consultant. 

3 Quality issues: In my view, if 

anything will cause a shift 

towards offsite construction, it 

will be quality. One of the big 

problems with current construction 

methods is the huge gap that still exists in 

thermal and energy performance between ‘as 

designed’ and ‘as built’; i.e. the energy 

performance gap. Buildings account for over 40% 

of the UK’s energy consumption and carbon 

emissions, so when the government becomes 

serious about its commitment to eventual net 

zero carbon emissions, it will surely need to 

tackle construction. 

Under the current on-site construction model, the 

various trades responsible for each phase of the 

construction process simply do not work together; 

in fact, in many cases they can work against 

each other. This, of course, does not happen in a 

factory environment, where people without 

specialist skills can be taught to carry out each 

process. Equally, it is easier to mechanise more 

processes in a factory and replace people 

altogether. For offsite construction to work, new 

building materials may replace some traditional 

building products. 

In summary, I think we will see a continued – 

albeit gradual at first – shift towards offsite 

construction methods. 

Contact John Mercer 

www.johnmercerconsultant.co.uk 

@Johnmercer3 


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The Apex: Falls from Height 

DON’T LET SAFETY CALLS FALL FLAT 

New statistics have revealed that fatal injuries as a result of working at height have risen 

significantly in the last year. Jackie Biswell, from Apex Roofing, examines how we can 

ensure everyone stays safe on site. 

You would be forgiven for thinking parliament 

has only one thing on its mind right now. 

But last month a group of MPs deviated from the 

usual Brexit chat to demand the Government 

undertake a major review into something that’s 

close to our hearts – working at height. 

It is an unfortunate fact that falls have long been 

– and remain – a leading cause of death in the 

workplace. 

In fact, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) 

revealed that a total of 147 workers were killed at 

work in 2018/19 – up from 141 the year before. 

Of those, 40 suffered a fatal injury after falling 

from height, making it the single biggest cause of 

workplace death. 

It’s little wonder, therefore, that the All-Party 

Parliamentary Group (APPG) has stepped in, 

insisting we explore what steps the government 

and industry might take to prevent such incidents 

in future. 

The current situation 

The primary legislation governing work at heights 

is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 which 

the HSE is responsible for enforcing, along with 

the Work at Heights Regulation 2005. 

One of the most notable aspects of the 2005 

regulations is the hierarchy of measures, which 

asks three essential questions to guide working 

practices; can work at height be avoided? Can 

you prevent a fall happening? Can you minimise 

the distance or consequence of a fall? 

Generally, the advice is to do as much work as 

possible from the ground, using extendable tools 

to remove the need to climb a ladder. 

If this is not possible, try to prevent a fall by using 

an existing place of work that is 

already safe – such as a nonfragile 

roof with a permanent 

perimeter guard rail or by using 

work equipment such as a 

harness. 

Practical examples to minimise injury 

from a fall might include safety nets, soft 

landing systems or rope access. These measures 

go some way to protecting people. 

However, as the report points out, there is still 

much to be done to drive better protection for the 

estimated 10 million UK employees involved in 

work at height each year. 

Making a mark 

The APPG report – Staying Alive: preventing 

serious injury and fatalities while working at 

height – highlights the inconsistency of recording 

health and safety breaches at work which could 

be used to highlight training gaps. 

For example, recording near-misses and minor 

incidents that do not result in more serious 

injuries is almost non-existent. 

This means an opportunity for greater 

understanding of why incidents happen is being 

missed and these are needed to help to change 

behaviours. 

On top of this, cultural change is needed to 

ensure workers feel able to disclose information 

confidentially without fear of repercussions. 

The APPG suggest the introduction of an 

enhanced reporting system through RIDDOR 

(which at a minimum records the scale of a fall, 

the method used and the circumstances of the 

fall). 

They also think appointing an independent body 

Left: Jackie Biswell, Apex Roofing. 

to allow confidential, 

enhanced and digital 

reporting of all near misses 

should be introduced. 

On top of this, the group wish to 

extend a system equivalent to 

Scotland’s Fatal Accident Inquiry process to the 

rest of the UK. 

Our position 

We need to stamp out complacency and bad 

habits, keep on top of training programmes for 

employees and supervise staff to guarantee 

correct processes are carried out. 

This ensures we also protect home and businessowners 

and other individuals who may be around 

while work is carried out. 

Organisations have a responsibility to create 

safer working practices for their own employees 

and to insist that third party contractors 

demonstrate the same level of commitment. 

We have a duty to protect our employees any way 

we can and prevent hundreds more families in 

the UK from losing a loved one. 

Currently, falls from height account for 18% of all 

workplace deaths, and a staggering 48% of all 

fatal injuries in the construction industry. 

We want the APPG, alongside government, 

colleagues, competitors and clients, to bring 

these fatality figures down to zero. 

Contact Apex Roofing 

01502 537129 

http://www.apexroofinguk.com 

@ApexAnglia 


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Marketing Talk 

FEEDING A HUNGRY SALES FUNNEL 

Building up any business is a challenge. Yes, it’s right to keep the existing customer 

satisfied, but for long-term sustainability it’s equally important to keep the orders rolling 

in. Below, Richard Kendrick, Marketing Manager for SIG Roofing, offers advice on 

feeding that hungry sales funnel. 

There are different ways to describe the 

stages a company has to go through to 

achieve a sale. 

Awareness, Interest, Decision, Action. Awareness, 

Engagement, Discovery, Purchase, Retention; 

These are just two examples. 

The language may change but the fundamentals 

are the same. The starting point is to raise 

awareness, making sure your business is as 

widely known as possible but in the right places. 

A catch-all, scatter-gun approach wastes time, 

resource and money. It has to be targeted at the 

sectors where you can deliver, where there is a 

demand for your services and, of course, where 

there is profit to be made. 

The next stage is responding to that spark of 

interest, exploring the prospect’s needs and 

building a case as to why you are the solution 

they are looking for. 

Then it’s about cementing the relationship, 

refining the detail and agreeing the deliverables. 

All the time you are working towards one 

objective, that of instilling sufficient confidence in 

the prospect that it’s easy for them to take the 

final decision and place the order. 

The last stage is implementation – delivering 

what you’ve promised, as a minimum. That way 

they will be satisfied and could be open to 

another order. Then you will have the pleasant 

task of moving them from the tray marked ‘new 

client’ to ‘retained client’. 

Help the customer say ‘yes’ 

So that’s the process. How can you help them 

make that decision in your favour? There are a 

number of actions you can take, and 

a variety of persuaders you can 

call upon. The first is targeting 

correctly. 

Assuming you have been in business 

a while, you will have built-up a 

database. Based on past success, economic 

conditions, changes in technology and trends, 

cleanse your contact list. 

Work out where the opportunities lie and which to 

strike off. It might be worth revisiting some old 

enquiries, even six months or 12 months on. 

People can take a long time to come to a decision. 

If it’s a domestic property, it will represent a big 

investment for the homeowner. 

Or for a main contractor looking to sub-contract, 

they may have moved on to the next job and if 

they know you’re available and interested, it will 

put you back in the frame. 

One important task is to identify the right person. 

Is your previous contact still there? Or is it 

someone new? Are they aware of you? Also, 

speak to other companies you’re friendly with. 

Where do they see the market going? If you share 

your thoughts with them, they will share their 

insight with you. 

Tidy testimonials 

You’ve probably picked up some useful 

endorsements along the way. But do they still tie in 

to your target market? We’ve all seen those photos 

of a while ago where the fashions look dated. 

Testimonials can get tired too, especially if the 

images show a tiled roof from 20 years ago when 

today’s homes look different and roofing choices 

have moved on. 

Left: Richard Kendrick, SIG Roofing. 

All your marketing materials and 

channels need to be kept up to 

date. If the ‘customer stories’ on 

your site haven’t been added to in the 

past 12 months, or you’ve not been on 

Twitter regularly, it can give a poor impression. 

It’s really good practice to take photographs and ask 

for an endorsement after every job. It will keep your 

profile looking fresh and provide strong supporting 

evidence for when you make your next pitch. 

Of course, one of the best ways to grow your 

business is to win a client and then to keep them. 

An existing customer, if they’re happy, is likely to 

place a repeat order. If they’re a housebuilder or 

commercial developer they will be working on a 

range of projects. Do a good job on one site and it 

may open a door to another in their portfolio. 

They may operate a preferred contractor scheme 

and that could be your key to a sustainable 

future. Having been scrutinised and met their 

criteria you will no longer have to prove yourself, 

as long as you maintain the quality of service. 

You will also be able to cite that work, showing 

you are trusted by a significant player in the 

construction industry. 

So, along with the basics of responding quickly to 

enquiries and having the skills for the job, if you 

plan well, be strategic and put the time and focus 

in to developing a pipeline, the rewards will come. 

Contact SIG Roofing 

0845 612 4304 

www.sigroofing.co.uk 

@SIGRoofing 


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Legal Issues 

PROTECT AGAINST INSOLVENCY 

In the past five years, insolvency rates in the construction industry have increased more 

quickly than in other industries across the UK. In this article, Simon Lewis and Philippa 

Jones, of Womble Bond Dickinson, consider the common causes of construction 

insolvency, and how to protect your position if insolvency occurs. 

Reasons for construction insolvency 

In the construction industry there is usually a 

delay between work being performed and 

payment being received. Most contracts 

provide for stage payments in arrears, resulting in 

the supply chain carrying significant work in 

progress until it is paid. This lag in monetary 

recovery can result in businesses suffering cash 

flow issues because they have to wait up to 90 

days or more for invoices to be paid, or because 

in some cases (for various reasons) they may not 

be paid at all. Late payments and bad debts are 

the main triggers for insolvency. 

“Tenders are often 

decided on a price 

metric meaning the 

lowest price often wins 

the work. This can 

result in contractors 

performing work with 

minimal margins” 

Lack of profitability can also affect construction 

businesses of all sizes. The sector contributes 

approximately 7% of GDP meaning it is a large 

industry, and therefore a highly competitive 

industry. Tenders are often decided on a price 

metric meaning the lowest price often wins the 

work. This can result in contractors performing 

work with minimal margins. Any unexpected 

delays or increased costs in the works which the 

contractor has to bear (such as higher material 

costs, currency fluctuation risks and rising labour 

costs) can wipe the profit from the work. In light 

of the pressure to ensure a job is profitable, 

combined with any cash flow issues as 

mentioned above, disputes can emerge regarding 

payment and valuations – otherwise 

again the business can be at risk 

of insolvency. 

Finally, the domino effect reflects 

the impact which one party higher 

up the chain becoming insolvent 

can have on others, such as a main 

contractor on a subcontractor. The 

failure of one business can have 

repercussions for others in the 

chain who were reliant on the 

income from the project to fund 

their works. 

Warning signs of insolvency 

There are many early warning signs that an 

employer, contractor or subcontractor could be 

facing financial difficulties, which include: 

1. Cash flow issues 

2. Late/non-payment of supply chain 

invoices/employees' wages 

3. Attempts to negotiate changes in payment 

terms such as renegotiating credit limits 

4. Persistent rumours within the industry about 

their financial position 

5. Late filing of accounts or annual returns at 

Companies House 

6. Unsatisfied court judgements, County Court 

Judgements or High Court Writs being issued 

against them 

7. Creditors issuing winding up petitions 

8. Official announcements to shareholders/the 

market regarding financial performance 

9. Suspension of work without explanation or 

Left: Philippa Jones; Below: Simon Jones. 

surprising/uncommercial 

omissions from a project 

10. Personnel removed from the 

project unexpectedly. 

Protection methods in advance 

of insolvencies 

To reduce the risk of insolvency, 

parties should consider the 

following when negotiating 

contracts: 

1. Obtaining references / credit 

checks. Auditing the other party's 

financial status at the time of contract 

negotiation can be a good indicator of future 

performance. 

2. Pay when paid clauses. Generally these 

clauses are prohibited under the Act. However, 

there is an exception to the prohibition in the 

event of upstream insolvency, so that a paying 

party does not have to pay if its own payment is 

withheld due to insolvency. This requires specific 

drafting in the contract. 

3. Retention of title clauses. These can enable 

an unpaid party to get back goods/materials 

belonging to them prior to full payment being 

made. However, the clauses need to be properly 

drafted, and title to goods often passes to the 

buyer when the goods have been incorporated 

into the building / attached to the land even if the 

supplier is unpaid. 

4. Collateral warranties. These create a direct 

contractual relationship between the contractor’s, 

consultants or subcontractors and the employer – 

by which the consultant or subcontractor 


warrants to the employer that it has complied with 

its appointment / subcontract. This enables the 

employer to pursue them for defects despite not 

directly appointing them. 

5. Parent company guarantee (PCG). The 

contractor’s parent company can guarantee the 

performance of the contractor in the event of its 

insolvency. The PCG will make the parent 

company liable for any amounts due to the 

employer at any point in time if the contractor 

does not complete the works. The parent company 

may remain financially viable and hold additional 

assets. However the PCG will often only pay out 

on completion of the building works so that the 

value of the claim is easily quantifiable which 

may limit its use. A bond can also or alternatively 

be used to protect the employer. 

6. Third Party (Rights Against Insurers) Act 

2010. This legislation enables claimants to bring 

proceedings against the insurers of defaulting 

insolvent companies. This may assist an employer 

if latent defects arise after practical completion at a 

time when the contractor has become insolvent as 

the defects may be covered by the insurance policy. 

7. Suspension / termination clauses. Including 

a clause permitting suspension of performance or 

termination of the contract in the event of the 

other party's insolvency can protect a party, but 

care needs to be taken in the drafting to detail the 

parties’ rights and the effect of termination on the 

contract, and to ensure the definition of 

“insolvency” is sufficiently wide. 

8. Communication is key. As a creditor, any debtor 

must consider your interests when experiencing 

cash flow issues. Arranging agreements with 

debtors that spread payments can help avoid 

insolvency occurring. If insolvency occurs, parties 

can negotiate with Insolvency Practitioners to reach 

mutually agreeable solutions such as ensuring 

works are completed, and the site is secured. 

9. Records. Maintaining proper records 

demonstrating the losses arising out of the 

insolvency (such as recording what materials and 

equipment are on site, especially what has been 

paid for) can help safeguard a party’s interests if 

insolvency does occur. 

10. Dispute Resolution. Initiating an adjudication 

prior to the other party becoming insolvent can 

mean the difference between securing payment 

prior to the insolvency and ending up in the queue 

of unsecured creditors. Always consider formal 

dispute resolution options prior to impending 

insolvency as adjudication cannot be pursued 

against a company in liquidation / administration. 

Insolvency can affect all businesses regardless of 

turnover. If you would like advice on a 

construction insolvency issue, please contact a 

member of the Construction team at WBD. 

Contact Womble Bond Dickinson 

0345 415 0000 

www.womblebonddickinson.com 

@WBD_UK 

For fu 

rther inf ormation 

or a hire quotation call 

01858 410372 


An Inspector Calls 

A GOOD FIT: SECURING YOUR 

INTERLOCKING ROOF PROJECT 

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

with the experts in pitched and flat roofing solutions 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 unlocks the 

secret of getting interlocking tiles to look 

good on your roofing project. 

When it comes to interlocking concrete roof tiles, 

you have to wonder how anyone can get it wrong. 

The nibs hang on the battens, the nail goes 

through the hole and each tile interlocks with the 

one next to it. 

It’s that simple – isn’t it? Unfortunately no, it’s not. 

Like many skilled trades, what appears to be 

simple is often far more complex than it seems and 

installing interlocking tiles falls into that camp. 

While the tile itself may be simple to understand, 

the roof is not. For starters, roofs are very rarely 

straight; the battens certainly won’t be and there 

is a very good chance that the designer did not 

come up with a roof that was purpose-made to 

accommodate the linear cover of the chosen tile. 

Striking out 

In all things roofing, as we’ve said many times in 

this column, failing to plan is planning to fail. And 

that is why it is so important that before any 

timber or a single tile is laid, you need to strike 

out the roof to guide the laying of the tiles. 

The chalk line is the roofer’s oldest friend here, 

as it places markings on the roof that allow us to 

ensure both battens and tiles are laid out to fit 

with the roof area and each other. 

Firstly, marking a chalk line for the battens 

highlights bends in the batten timber. After years 

and years of installing thousands and thousands 

of metres of graded timber, of every colour, one 

“Failing to plan is 

planning to fail – that is 

why it is so important 

that before any timber 

or a single tile is laid, 

you need to strike out 

the roof to guide the 

laying of the tiles” 

can only be convinced of one thing: there is no 

such thing as a straight batten. If one mistakenly 

trusts the timber and fails to strike those lines, 

the tile courses will inevitably resemble a banana 

rather than a straight line. 

Secondly, and with battens in place, one 

measures and strikes out the vertical lines down 

the roof. This is generally in 900mm centres to 

allow three tiles per column. Most large format 

concrete tiles have a linear cover of 300mm: that 

is to say, the tile width minus the interlock. By 

striking these lines, it is easier to keep an eye on 

where the tiles should be sitting in relation to the 

roof space and ensure they do not wander off 

along the batten. 

Each tile has around 3mm shunt. That means 

they can be moved together or apart 3mm 

without affecting the bond of the interlock. This 

shunt is necessary to make the tiles fit the roof 

space. Yet it can also be the enemy of best 

because if not watched, and each tile is out by 

3mm, by the time we get to the other end of the 

roof, it will be off by half-a-tile either way. 

Above: Interlocking tiles bunching. 

Striking vertical lines allows tiles that are too 

spread – or bunched, like those in the image – 

to be spotted immediately. 

Top tip 

Pay attention to the verge detail, especially if 

using a dry verge system. The batten overhang 

varies and can have a significant effect on the tile 

positioning. Generally, the tile should sit around 

5mm in from the end of the batten for a dry verge, 

but read the manufacturer’s instructions for their 

particular system: and do not deviate! 

So yes: interlocking tiles are simple, but the roof 

is not. When installing them, the work is in the 

preparation and cutting corners on the 

measurements and markings will result in 

nothing less than poorly fitted tiles. 

Contact BMI National Training Centre 

01285 863545 

www.bmigroup.com/uk 

@_Redland / @Icopal_UK 


We do things differently 

At Kestrel our approach to aluminium door and window manufacture is a little different. 

With our advanced powder coating facility we can not only supply more than 1000 colour 

options but do so far quicker than the industry norm. 

Whatever your requirements Kestrel's technical knowledge, developed over more than 30 years, 

enables us to produce a variety of gloss levels and dual colours, all providing the highest standard 

of durability and colour retention to guarantee lasting performance. 

WINDOWS DOORS ROOFING SHOPFRONT CURTAIN WALL 

BIRMINGHAM’S BEST KEPT SECRET 

www.kestrelaluminium.co.uk 

Tel: 0121 333 3575

Business Talk 

IS YOUR VEHICLE A CAR OR A VAN? 

IT SHOULD BE EASY TO ANSWER... 

...but it’s not as straightforward as you might think, and it can have big implications on both 

the company’s and employees’ tax. We take a look at the problem of crew-cab panel vans. 

Crew-cab panel vans are proving very 

popular at the moment, with the flexibility 

to carry both goods and people thanks to 

the extra row of seats behind the driver. However, 

a recent case involving drinks firm Coca-Cola has 

thrown doubt on the tax treatment of these 

vehicles when employees are allowed to use them 

for personal as well as work purposes. 

Helen Thornley, Technical Officer at the ATT, says 

that those considering purchasing a crew-cab 

van which employees will be allowed to use 

privately, need to be aware of the potential tax 

risk that this case could cause. She says: 

“Getting it wrong could cost both you and your 

employees more in National Insurance 

contributions (NIC) and 

income tax than you expected. 

To further complicate matters, 

the Coca-Cola case is 

currently being appealed and 

until a final decision is 

reached, this is an area of 

uncertainty.” In other words, 

she says to tread carefully. 

The Coca-Cola case 

The origins of the case aren’t new: Back in 1997, 

Coca-Cola moved to supplying its mobile 

technicians with vans instead of estate cars. The 

vans at the heart of the case were three types of 

crew-cab vehicle – a series 1 or series 2 VW 

Kombi and a Vauxhall Vivaro. 

“All three vehicles look very similar from the 

outside,” says Thornley, “as they are based on a 

panel van design and marketed as commercial 

vehicles. Each vehicle had some form of 

additional seating and windows behind the driver 

and had been subject to further modifications 

after manufacture, such as the addition of 

racking, to suit Coca-Cola’s needs.” 

She continues: “All the 

vehicles had been treated by 

Coca-Cola as vans for 

benefit-in-kind purposes. 

HMRC disagreed and 

challenged this, arguing that 

all three types were, in fact, 

cars. This resulted in the 

“Those considering purchasing a crew-cab van, which employees will be allowed to use privately, need to be aware of the 

potential tax risk that this case could cause – Getting it wrong could cost both you and your employees more in National 

Insurance contributions (NIC) and income tax than you expected.” 

issue of demands for additional NIC and income 

tax from both Coca-Cola and their technicians. 

Coca-Cola and their technicians appealed and in 

March 2019, an earlier tribunal ruling which 

decided that the two VW Kombis were cars and 

the Vauxhall Vivaro was a van was upheld by the 

Upper Tribunal.” 

“As any accountant will 

know, falling on the 

‘van’ side of the line is 

far more beneficial for 

both the employee and 

employer” 

Why does this matter? 

The case matters because the definition of a car 

or van makes a big difference to the tax treatment 

when the employee is allowed private use of the 

vehicle. As any accountant will know, falling on 

the ‘van’ side of the line is far more beneficial for 

both the employee and employer. 

The rules state that when an employee is 

provided with a car and they are allowed to use it 

privately, they must pay income tax on the value 

of the benefit in kind. This is calculated as a 

percentage of the list price of the car, including 

any accessories. The percentage used will 

depend on the CO2 emissions of the car and can 

be up to 37% of the list price. If private fuel is 

provided, the same percentage is applied to a set 

figure (£24,100 for 2019/20) to calculate the 

benefit for the year. The employer must also pay 

Class 1A National Insurance contributions (NIC) 

on the value of the benefit-in-kind. This can 

clearly get expensive. 


But where a van is used privately, the benefit in 

kind is calculated based on a flat rate (£3,430 for 

2019/20) regardless of the cost of the van or its 

CO2 emissions. If any fuel is provided for private 

use, then the fuel benefit charge is also a flat 

rate, which is much lower than the car equivalent 

(£655 for 2019/20). 

It’s worth noting that, as Thornley explains, “as 

well as a van having a lower benefit in kind 

charge than a car, it is possible for there to be no 

benefit in kind at all if the private use of the van 

is incidental or limited to ordinary commuting 

from home to work.” She says that this compares 

very favourably with the provision of a car where, 

even if the private use is insubstantial, a benefit 

in kind must always arise. 

The effect of the Coca-Cola case 

The Coca-Cola case has caused controversy 

because three vehicles which are superficially so 

similar have fallen either side of the car/van 

divide. 

For Thornley, what differences there are between 

the vehicles appear to centre around the seats to 

the rear of the driver. The Vivaro vehicle held to 

be a van left the assembly line as a panel van 

and was subsequently modified by Coca-Cola to 

add a second row of two seats behind the driver, 

together with a single window. The seats did not 

span the full width of the vehicle, leaving some 

storage space to the side. These extra seats could 

be removed, but only with tools. 

In comparison, both models of the Kombi vehicles 

held to be cars arrived from the manufacturer 

with a second row of seats already fitted: This 

“row spanned the full width of the vehicle, and 

there were windows on both sides. However, the 

whole row of seats could be removed without 

tools and it was a company requirement that the 

seats were removed during working hours.” 

In practice 

So, what does this mean for firms looking to 

acquire a crew-cab vehicle in the near future? It’s 

simple as far as Thornley is concerned. She 

“Whether a vehicle is a car or a van is not as 

straightforward as you might want to believe. But 

that’s the situation with much in tax law” 

makes it plain that they “should be aware of the 

case and take advice on the potential tax 

treatment of the vehicle before purchase… if a 

decision is taken that the vehicle is a van, and it 

is subsequently found to be a car, the tax 

implications could be significant.” 

The position is muddied by the fact that the case 

is under appeal and so the current decision by 

the Upper Tribunal cannot be taken as final and 

may be overturned. 

It doesn’t help that HMRC has not issued any new 

guidance as a result of the March 2019 Coca-Cola 

decision. Says Thornley: “The existing guidance 

[from HMRC] remains that it will consider a 

vehicle with side windows behind the driver and 

passenger doors to be unlikely to be a van.” 

But, according to Thornley, there’s more to 

choosing a vehicle than an employee’s benefit 

in kind position. She says that the type of 

vehicle also “affects the capital allowances 

available to the employer – the tax relief they 

can claim for the cost of the vehicle and the 

VAT recovery.” She outlines the principle that a 

vehicle that is classified as a car for benefit in 

kind purposes is likely to be considered a car 

for capital allowances purposes since the 

definitions are similar, although not identical. 

Again, being classed as a van is preferable for 

tax. 

And to further complicate matters, Thornley 

says that the definition of a van for VAT 

purposes is different, and a vehicle is not a car 

if it has a payload of more than one tonne – “it 

is possible for a vehicle to be a car for benefit in 

kind purposes because of the seats and a van 

for VAT purposes because of its payload.” For 

VAT recovery purposes it is preferable to be a 

van. 

Those with existing vans 

But just as the issue affects the acquisition of 

new vans, so it has implications for employers 

who have already provided crew-cab vehicles to 

their employees and have treated them as vans 

for benefit in kind purposes; they also need to 

keep the position under review. 

Thornley sums up the position: “Following the 

Coca-Cola ruling, employers should have 

reviewed the tax treatment of all crew-cab type 

panel vans provided to their employees before 

preparing P11D returns which reported the 

benefits in kind for 2018-19.” She adds: “Unless 

it was possible to distinguish their vehicles on the 

facts, some employers will have found 

themselves in the position that certain vehicles 

could no longer be considered a van and must be 

taxed as a car, significantly increasing the tax 

cost for both them and their employees.” 

Whatever happens when the case is ruled on at 

the appeal, employers will have to act. Thornley 

says that if the outcome of the Coca-Cola case 

changes, then employers may need to revisit their 

2018-19 P11D returns. But if the current decision 

is upheld, then employers will need to consider if 

they should amend returns for earlier years if they 

have treated a vehicle as a van that should have 

been considered a car. She warns, though, that 

employers “should always take advice before 

amending earlier years.” 

For the moment, her advice is that “provided that 

reasonable enquiries were made, and an 

informed decision was taken at the time, given 

the uncertainty, it is reasonable to wait until the 

case is final before making a decision about 

amending earlier returns.” 

So, until the case is final, whether a vehicle is a 

car or a van is not as straightforward as you 

might want to believe. But that’s the situation 

with much in tax law. 


Winter Work 

WINTER’S COMING: PROJECT PREP 

As Britain braces itself for another big freeze, Tom Woodhouse, Site Services Manager at 

Marley, gives his tops tips for roofing in winter. 

In 2018, the UK was battered with three snowstorms in just a matter of weeks throughout February 

and March, bringing parts of the country to a standstill with punishingly cold temperatures as low as 

-15 degrees. With forecasters warning of a colder than average winter this year with similar extreme 

weather events likely, contractors should take steps now to make sure they are prepared for freezing 

conditions when they arrive. 

As well as important safety precautions, there are other considerations to ensure the durability and 

security of pitched roofs in winter, such as choice of materials, storage and fixing. Below, we give some 

of our top tips for roofing in the winter: 

Get in the snood! 

To help you prepare for freezing temperatures, 

Marley is giving away 100 cosy snoods to keep 

your head and neck warm on site this winter! 

For your chance to get one, visit 

www.marley.co.uk/wintercampaign and fill 

in your details. 

1When it comes to working on roofs in 

winter, don’t take any risks. Monitor the 

weather forecast so you can anticipate and 

be prepared for poor weather conditions. Carry 

out a risk assessment every day to check that it 

is safe to work and that conditions haven’t 

changed. Pay particular attention to working at 

height platforms and do not work on roofs in icy 

conditions. Always consider safety when working 

at height as scaffolding and roofs can become 

slippery. 

2Always install roofs to the BS 5534:2014 

standard, as this was revised to help 

make roofs more secure against 

extreme weather. Get a new fixing specification 

for each project, as this will help to ensure the 

roof is as wind resistant as possible and will help 

to prevent call-backs. You can get a free fixing 

specification from our website 

www.marley.co.uk/specifying 

3Make sure that any clay tiles you use 

have passed all freeze/thaw test 

requirements. In the UK, clay tiles face a 

challenging environment because they have to go 

through many more freeze thaw cycles than those 

used in colder or warmer countries. That’s why 

EN 1304: the European Standard details robust 

test criteria to confirm freeze/thaw resistance. 

Clay roof tiles in the UK have to pass a minimum 

of 100 cycles to achieve CE marked status when 

tested in accordance with the frost test method 

detailed in BS EN 539-2: the European Standard 

test method for frost resistance. 

All of Marley’s clay tiles have been tested to meet 

these standards and carry the CE mark to 

demonstrate conformity. If you are using clay tiles 

manufactured outside of the UK, as a minimum 

they should match the standard BS EN 1304 

when tested to BS EN 539-2, otherwise they may 

not be durable enough for our changeable 

weather conditions. 

4Ensure roofing products are stored 

correctly. Many roofing products are 

delivered to site shrink-wrapped but for 

products that aren’t – like battens – make sure 

they are protected from the weather or store them 

in racks that have a roof. Battens should always 

be stored on bearers, spaced so that twisting and 

sagging is prevented and protected from water 

saturation. 

5Protect unfinished roofs. Avoid using wet 

battens where possible and get roofs 

covered in at the earliest opportunity to 

prevent moisture damage. 

6Use dry fix where possible. Mortar 

should be avoided in very cold conditions, 

so even though mortar bedding with 

mechanical fixings is allowed under BS 5534, it 

may be worth switching to full dry fix systems in 

the winter to enable roofing work to go ahead. 

Make sure that any dry fix systems you use that 

require BS 8612 compliance, meet the 

requirements or have BBA certification. 

If you are going to keep using mortar in the winter, 

the NHBC states that it should not be used below 

2°C, to resist frost damage and BS 8000 part 3 

says that mortar should not be mixed when the 

air temperature is at or below 3°C and falling, or 

below 1°C and rising. 

7Seal underlay laps. Always install 

membranes to BS 5534 requirements and 

seal the laps to prevent snow or water 

ingress. Our Breathable and Non-Breathable 

membranes come with integrated tape to seal the 

laps to prevent ballooning, without the need for 

additional tapes or the use of a dangerous fly 

batten. 

8Take steps to prevent condensation. 

Avoid using a breathable membrane as the 

only source of ventilation and ensure there 

is supplementary high and low level ventilation. 

To ensure there is adequate ventilation, you can 

get a free roof system specification from our 

technical team, or via our website. 

Contact Marley 

01283 722588 

www.marley.co.uk 

@MarleyLtd 


From vents and outlets to edge trims and cappings... 

Areco are the UK’s leading distributor of flat roofing accessories 

With over 50 years experience of manufacturing and 

distributing renowned brands such as Glasstrim, 

Nutrim, V-Trim and Rofycom, Areco has over 40,000 

metres of roof edge trim in stock for next day delivery. 

A full range of Roof Drains, Termination Bars, Breather 

Vents and Paving Supports mean we have the right 

product for your project. 

Areco also offer a bespoke metal fabrication service 

for flashings and wall cappings. 

www.areco.co.uk 

• technical knowledge and advice 

• nationwide express delivery 

• competitive rates 

tel: 01922 743553 

NEW WEBSITE NOW LIVE! 

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

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

Project Focus: Leadwork 

TENEMENT PROJECT RISES LIKE A 

SALMON THANKS TO LEADWORK 

Restoration work, including leadwork from Midland Lead and Glenbuild, is almost complete 

on a historic building in the Gorbals that forms part of a city-wide urban regeneration project 

in Glasgow, to bring the area back to life. 

This landmark project in Glasgow is one of 

the last remaining Victorian tenement 

buildings in the area. The former British 

Linen Bank building was built in 1900 and is of 

significant architectural importance, and 

remained largely untouched during the changes 

to the Gorbals’ landscape in the 1960s. 

Midland Lead, the lead manufacturer that 

produces BBA and NHBC-approved lead, worked 

closely with Glenbuild to create specialist 

leadwork to ensure that the finishing touches 

would be as historically accurate as possible. 

Work to restore this Victorian fourstorey 

building has brought it back 

into the heart of the community by 

providing six apartments on the 

upper floors and space for a 

bar/restaurant on the lower floor. 

This represents one of the few 

remaining buildings designed by 

James Salmon Jr. of Salmon and 

Gillespie Architects, a 

contemporary of Mackintosh and 

celebrated Art Nouveau Glasgow 

style architect in the 19th Century. 

Specialist leadwork 

During the planning and design 

phases, period features have been 

sensitively restored using the 

original 19th century drawings, 

including details that were never 

recorded as having been included 

in the finished building. One feature 

includes the prominent cast of a 

salmon on a hopper, which 

Above: Midland Lead supplied 

BBA-approved lead sheet for 

the roofing and bell tower; One 

feature includes the prominent 

cast of a salmon on a hopper, 

which signatures the original 

architect James Salmon. 

signatures the original architect James Salmon. 

In addition to supplying BBA-approved lead sheet 

for the roofing and bell tower, Midland Lead 

supplied the sandcast lead for the hopper. 

Sandcasting this feature ensured that it looked 

exactly as it would if it was manufactured in 1900 

and is a prominent feature of the main building. 

George Gargan, Project Manager at Glenbuild, 

who played a major role in this project, said: 

“Being involved in the restoration of such a 

significant listed building has been both a 

privilege and a challenge. I have a real passion 

for restoring the historic features of a 

building and the Gorbals tenement is a 

rare example of James Salmon’s vision 

back in the late 19th century. 

“Working with Midland Lead has been 

fantastic, they share the same passion 

for heritage and restoration as I do. Their 

attention to detail is outstanding and it’s 

great to work with suppliers who care as 

much about the project as you do.” 

Lynn Street, Sales and Marketing 

Manager at Midland Lead, commented: 

“Midland Lead is no stranger to 

working on heritage projects and the 

Gorbals project was a great challenge. 

This project showcases what we do 

best – working with our customers to 

ensure that every detail is taken care 

of from the original brief to completion. 

All our products are BBA approved and 

therefore accepted by the NHBC for 

use on all house build projects 

including restorations.” 

Above left: Old pic of the former British Linen Bank; 

Right: artist’s impression of the refurbished building. 

At a glance: Former British Linen 

Bank building project 

• Category A-Listed built in 1900 for the 

British Linen Bank. 

• This is one of the last remaining tenement 

buildings within the historic Gorbals area in 

Glasgow. 

• BBA Approved code 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 lead 

were used. NHBC approves the use of cast 

lead supplied by Midland Lead. 

• A bespoke sandcast lead hopper was 

created to better cope with water run-off and 

this incorporates dates and a decorative 

salmon feature. 

• The roof was re-slated using reclaimed 

Scottish Slate to ensure that every detail is 

as historically accurate as possible. 

• Restoration of the original and imposing 

lead-roofed bay window – incorporating the 

original Art Nouveau ironwork. 

Contact Midland Lead 

01283 224 555 

www.midlandlead.co.uk 

@MidlandLead 


Lead and Hard Metal 

courses run every month 

NCTS delivers professional and progressive 

course programmes to inspire and train 

Leadworkers and Hard Metal Workers. 

BOOK 

YOUR 

COURSE 

NOW 

Book now for the following courses and qualifi cations: 

• Basic Bossing and Welding 

• Basic Hard Metals 

• NVQ Level 2 

• NVQ Heritage Level 3 

• On-Site Assessment & Training (OSAT) for experienced 

Leadworkers and Hard Metals Workers 

• Estimating 

CITB-funded training for registered companies. 

How can I book? 

Booking is simple. You can book your course through the NCTS website www.ncts.org.uk or you can 

contact us directly on 01992 801914 or email training@ncts.org.uk. 

NCTS - Delivering Training across the Roofing Industry 


Flashings 

LEAD FLASHING & THE ALTERNATIVES 

The experts at Roof Giant outline the 6 things they feel you need to know about lead 

flashing and the alternative options... 

With over a hundred years of reliability and durability in the building sector, it’s no wonder that lead is and always will be the “go-to” material for any 

roofing tradesperson. But surging in popularity is something we just can’t ignore – the lead-free or lead flashing alternative. Typically made from 

rubber polymer or a bitumen and metal lattice composite, lead-free alternatives – like traditional lead – come in rolls that can be cut-to-size, 

manipulated and installed in a very similar way to standard flashing, whilst possessing an array of benefits that could be useful to your next project. But if you 

were hoping for a lead vs lead-free flashing face-off, you’re not going to get one... At Roof Giant, we believe that for every tried and tested traditional method, 

there should be an innovative alternative to suit the individual needs of every roofer and any project. 

So allow us to let you in on everything you need to know about lead flashing and its alternatives before you buy, including the advantages, disadvantages and 

a few key factors you need to consider... 

Easy to install 

Working with lead is a real 

craft, requiring the skill of 

a professional lead 

worker to dress and 

artfully mould complex 

shapes and curvatures 

to create a more 

elaborate roof, whereas 

lead-free flashing 

alternatives such as 

Manthorpe SmartFlash are by 

comparison very easy to install. 

Often, lead alternatives require little or no skilled 

labour and can be installed simply, efficiently and 

quickly with just a simple pair of scissors or a 

knife needed to complete the task at hand. Lead 

will still be necessary for properties that require a 

certain level of attention to detail, but for roofing 

jobs that value function over form, you could do a 

lot worse than a user-friendly lead-free 

alternative. 

Environmental friendly 

Which is more environmentally friendly - lead or 

lead-free? There's an argument to be made for 

both in the eco-friendly stakes. On the one hand, 

lead is one of the most prolifically recycled 

metals in the world, on the other, lead-free 

flashing is often made from highly sustainable 

materials like EPDM and other rubber polymers 

“We believe that for every tried and 

tested traditional method, there 

should be an innovative alternative 

to suit the individual needs of every 

roofer and any project” 

that can easily be 

reused, causing little 

environmental impact. 

Although you’re likely to 

experience eco-friendly benefits from 

whichever option you choose, the advantage of 

using lead-free flashing is that there’s no risk of 

any lead-contaminated rainwater runoff, unlike 

lead, where the water from your roof surface can 

become tainted upon contact. 

Low maintenance 

One of the crucial advantages of using lead-free 

alternatives is that, once installed, your roof 

flashing will require minimal short or long term 

maintenance. 

Although traditional lead remains THE most 

durable and hardwearing flashing material out 

there, it is susceptible to tarnishing as well as 

thermal expansion and contraction caused by 

fluctuating surrounding temperatures which can 

lead to warping, cracking and splitting over time. 

Lead-free options are designed not to curl or distort 

or visibly alter over time due to their unique 

composition, reducing the need for sporadic 

checks and inspections throughout the year. 

If you’re installing a roof with lead flashing and 

want to protect the finish, Patination Oil will help 

to keep your surfaces looking immaculate for 

longer whilst protecting against the formation of 

white carbonate deposits which can cause 

staining on surrounding roof materials. Also, look 

out for our full range of lead flashing, produced to 

BS EN 12588 and British Board of Agreement 

(BBA) – Certificate No: 86/1764 quality 

standards, which ensures your lead maintains a 

consistent thickness even as external 

temperatures change. 


Cost-effective 

Some of the real, tangible benefits 

of using lead-free roofing 

materials lie in their cost-saving 

qualities. If you’re looking for 

economy and performance, you’re 

going to get just that, however, 

don't expect too much from the 

visual side of things, which leads 

us onto our next point... 

Undesirable to thieves 

One of the most desirable factors 

associated with lead-free flashing is that it's 

highly undesirable to thieves. Due to the 

materials used, these roofing alternatives hold no 

scrappage value and will, therefore, have no 

interest for passing opportunists. 

Conversely, the undesirable thing about lead is 

that it is desirable to thieves, so roofers will be on 

the look out for flashing materials that can mimic 

lead as closely as possible. Leadfree 

Leadax roll is not only very 

pliable, it also dresses just like 

lead and looks very similar as 

well, making it a perfect choice for 

buildings that have become victim 

to repeat lead theft offences or 

need a good quality substitute 

without compromising too much 

on appearance. 

If you are worried about lead 

thieves tampering with your roof, 

we recommend purchasing the 

Ubbink ‘No Lead’ Sign as a simple form of 

deterrent. 

What about planning permission? 

Lead-free flashing possesses many benefits, but 

if you’re creating or maintaining a roof with 

aesthetic value, you may have to stick with lead 

due to planning reasons. 

For traditional or period properties, churches, 

cathedrals, and heritage structures, the 

conventional visual qualities and unique 

malleability of lead are essential for creating the 

smart, intricate and more elaborate mouldings 

required for roofs on classically-inspired buildings. 

For projects that are focussed more on 

practicality over pulchritude, lead-free 

alternatives will suit roofs that don’t need the 

same level of workmanship, where the flashing 

won’t be visible or, more probably, the purpose of 

the building is one that performs a function 

instead of facilitating a specific style. 

If in doubt about what materials you’re allowed to 

use on your roof, you can check with your local 

planning authority (LPA) online. 

Contact Roof Giant 

01858 455055 

www.roofgiant.com 

@RoofgiantLtd 

The Eurofast ® Adjustable Screw (EAS) 

combined with our tube washers, is the 

mechanical fastener for tapered insulation 

The EAS / tube washer combination offers full 

confidence in a correct fixation of the roofing 

system, by means of visible clamping of the roofing 

membrane. 

NOW AVAILABLE ! 

SCAN FOR 

MORE INFORMATION 

www.eurofast-uk.com 

info@eurofast-uk.com | T +44 (0)771896 2129 

Eurofast ® is the trade name of Van Roij Fasteners Europe B.V. 


Perfectly Pitched 

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO FIXING 

SINGLE LAP TILES AT PERIMETERS 

By John Mercer, Pitched Roofing Consultant writing on behalf of Edilians. 

BS 5534: British Standard Code of Practice 

for Slating and Tiling recommends that all 

perimeter tiles be twice fixed; that is tiles 

at verges, eaves, ridge, abutments and sides of 

hips and valleys. In practice, how can this be 

achieved? In this article, I will give some practical 

advice on how tiles can be twice fixed at each 

roof junction. 

Verge 

At a traditionally mortar bedded verge, single lap 

tiles can generally be nailed at the head with at 

least one nail and clipped at the tail. At the lefthand 

verge, the clip is usually a visible type that 

wraps over the side edge of each tile. Ideally, the 

same clip can be used at the right-hand verge 

also, though strictly speaking, a two-point fixing 

can be achieved using a standard tile clip; tile 

clips normally fit into the tile side interlock and so 

are hidden once installed. However, if tile clips 

are used, it is often questioned by surveyors who 

expect to see visible clips on both verges. In any 

case, because the verge tiles are more vulnerable 

to wind uplift, it is better to use verge clips on 

both left and right-hand verges to prevent 

possible rotation of the verge tiles. 

If using dry verge systems, check with the 

manufacturer that the dry verge units can be 

regarded as one of the two required fixings; 

generally, verge systems that comply with BS 

8612: British Standard for dry fix ridge and verge 

systems, are suitable. 

If using cloaked verge tiles, not all of these can 

be fixed at two points due to their traditional 

nature. In these cases, my advice is to screw-fix 

each cloaked verge tile through the top fixing hole 

and use a dab of a suitable roofing adhesive to 

secure the cloaked tile tails. 

“At all roof junctions, 

perimeter tiles should 

be twice nailed” 

Eaves 

Most single lap tiles can be twice fixed at eaves 

by nailing at the head and securing the tail with 

an eaves clip. Possibly the only exceptions to this 

rule are traditionally bedded clay pantiles. 

However, the scope of BS 5534 states that the 

recommendations contained in this Standard may 

not be appropriate for some traditional materials 

and old roofs. 

Ridge 

At ridges, single lap tiles can be nailed at the 

head and secured at the tail with a tile clip. Some 

regard dry ridge systems as another source of 

fixing for the top tile course, though in my view, it 

is better to nail and clip the tiles without any 

need to rely on the ridge system, just in case the 

ridge system does not have the uplift resistance 

strength to resist the combined wind loads on the 

ridges and top course tiles. 

Side abutment 

At side abutments, the lead or lead replacement 

cover flashing generally acts as the second fixing 

in combination with the tile head nail. Where a 

secret gutter – sometimes referred to as a 

continuous soaker – is used with flat interlocking 

tiles, the nail hole may miss the end of the tile 

battens, particularly where half tiles are used. In 

this case, it may be necessary to finish the tiling 

20 to 40mm away from the abutment wall and 

extend the cover flashing a similar amount over 

the tiling to ensure a minimum coverage of 

150mm. 

Above: Edilians Double HP20. 

Top abutments 

At top abutments, single lap tiles can be nailed at 

the head and secured at the tail with a tile clip. 

Although the top course tiles are covered by a 

lead or lead replacement flashing, it is still 

prudent to twice fix each tile rather than rely on 

the flashing as a fixing. 

Hip and valleys 

Where possible, tiles should be set out to avoid 

small cut pieces. To aid setting out and to ensure 

cut tiles are large enough to fix, Edilians provide 

tile-and-half width versions of some of their tiles – 

such as Beauvoise single lap plain tiles and 

Graphite single lap slates. Several popular Edilians 

tiles are double width; i.e. Artoise, Double HP20 

and Double Panne S, making the fixing of cut tiles 

at hips and valleys extremely easy. For small cut 

tile pieces, Edilians offer a special cut tile clip 

which provides an additional mechanical fixing 

where a nail or standard clip cannot be used. 

Just a final, note; the above advice does not 

apply to double lapped plain tile. At all roof 

junctions, perimeter tiles should be twice nailed. 

Where tiles are cut into hips and valleys, always 

use tile-and-half width tiles so that the cut tile is 

large enough to nail. 

Contact Edilians / John Mercer 

www.imerys-roof-tiles.com 

@imerys 

@johnmercer3 


Reliability... 

our strength 

When you need a reliable solution, you need a team behind you with experience, 

dedication and quality unrivalled in the delivery of industry leading products. 

At SR Timber, RELIABILITY means: 

n Consistent quality from our managed sawmill to the roof 

n ‘Full to size’ in all dimensions GOLD battens 

n Our ranges are certified and compliant to British Standards 

n Treatment with a waterbased, organic preservative, VACSOL Aqua (Vac-Vac) 

n 60 Year lifetime warranty against insect attack and wood rotting fungi 

(when installed above dpc level in buildings) 

With decades of experience, our team is more 

passionate than ever, offering you expertise, 

independent advice, experience and industry support. 

TIMBER SPECIALISTS 

TEL: 01623 446 800 

sales@sr-timber.co.uk 

www.sr-timber.co.uk

Pitched Roofing 

MODERN CONSTRUCTION METHODS 

WITH TRADITIONAL APPEARANCES 

Anil Sharma, Business Development Manager at Kingspan Insulated Panels, asks what if 

you could combine the benefits of an insulated panel roof with the familiarity and warmth of 

slate or tiles? 

Whether you are working on a new build 

or refurbishment project, getting the 

roof sorted is a top priority. In addition 

to protecting the structure and allowing internal 

works to continue whatever the weather, a 

properly installed, well-insulated roof is vital to 

creating an energy efficient building that meets 

regulations. Insulated panel systems are a 

popular solution for ticking all these boxes. 

However, their typically industrial appearance can 

look out of place on properties in residential 

areas, such as homes, schools and other 

commercial and public buildings. But what if you 

could combine the benefits of an insulated panel 

roof with the familiarity and warmth of slate or 

tiles? 

Combining approaches 

Panelised tile support systems offer the best of 

both worlds, providing a high-performance 

insulated panel roof finished with more traditional 

roofing materials. Like a typical insulated panel 

solution, the system comprises single 

components which incorporate a metal façade, 

insulation and weather sheet. These are quickly 

and easily fitted together with factory-engineered 

jointing and screwed directly to the purlins, 

reducing time working at height and creating a 

fully insulated and weathertight roof cover. With 

the roof structure completed, the process can 

then go one step further. 

The panel roof provides a strong and sturdy base 

for a tile fixing system. The latest innovations in 

these systems feature battens and link channels 

made from high quality treated steel. These are 

installed over the insulated panels with specially 

designed fixing screws, creating an interlocking 

Above, left: Kingspan Slate & Tile Support System is now available with the Nulok Roofing System – a simple yet durable fixing 

method for natural slate, ceramic tiles and even integrated solar PV panels. Right: The entire Kingspan Slate & Tile Support 

System with Nulok is covered by the Kingspan 25-Year System Warranty. 

grid. The link channels also play an important 

role in weatherproofing the roof, as excess 

rainwater simply flows into the channel and out 

onto the tile below, keeping the structure dry. 

The chosen exterior roofing materials can then be 

simply slotted into place and secured by stainless 

steel clips. These finishes can include natural 

slate or ceramic tiles, and even integrated solar 

PV panels which can further reduce and 

potentially eliminate a building’s energy demand. 

This simple, yet durable, fixing method is much 

less labour intensive than a traditional slate or 

tile installation and does not need to be done by a 

specialist slating contractor. In addition, the 

lightweight solution reduces both the depth of the 

roof build-up and material requirements, using 

50% less slates than traditional systems, helping 

to save further time and money. Before beginning 

the installation, it is important to check that the 

roof pitch is suitable for the slate or tile system 

being used. 

The staged installation approach facilitated by 

the tile support system also helps to reduce 

pressure on builds where the roof construction is 

interrupted by bad weather or unforeseen 

scheduling issues as, once the insulated panel 

roof is completed, the tiles or slates can be fitted 

further down the line. Additionally, entire 

solutions can be supplied with comprehensive 

warranties, covering both the structural and 

thermal performance for complete peace of 

mind. 

Pitched for success 

The pressure to deliver more buildings more 

quickly is nothing new for contractors. 

However, it can be a challenge to balance this 

with the increased focus on build quality and 

building performance, and not to mention the 

building users’ expectations. By combining 

modern construction methods and systems 

with more traditional finishes, contractors can 

deliver solutions that can help to meet these 

requirements whilst also making their jobs 

simpler. 

Contact Kingspan Insulated Panels 

01352 717 251 

www.kingspanpanels.co.uk 

@KingspanIP_UK 


New name, 

serious roofing heritage 

This 1919 advert in The Builder is a testimony to BMI Icopal’s flat 

roofing heritage, and we’re proud that we can look back even further to 

1849 when we manufactured our first tarred flax felt. Ever since we’ve 

been delivering innovative roofing and waterproofing systems. Now as 

BMI we continue this work by providing shelter, protection and peace of 

mind for architects, roofers, building and homeowners alike - through 

roofs that are designed to transform the way people live and work. 

bmigroup.com/uk 

Providing total roofing solutions

BMI Centenary Focus 

FURTHER PROGRESS THROUGH THE 

70S: BMI STARTS TO TAKE SHAPE 

This month sees BMI UK & Ireland celebrate – through its iconic BMI Redland brand – 

100 years of concrete tile manufacture, making it the oldest concrete tile maker in the 

UK. With celebrations due later this year, the company continues to look back on some 

of its milestones from over the decades: not just 1919, but from a heritage and pedigree 

dating back over 180 years. 

From the explosive boom and growth of the 

1960s, the 1970s were a period of 

consolidation for Redland, with a minor 

corporate shift marked in 1976 with a name 

change to Redland Roof Tiles, highlighting the 

specificity of its offer from the broader Redland 

Tiles moniker of 1946. 

Innovation in this decade was reflected in both 

service and product systems, both in 1978. 

First was the company’s REDIES computer-based 

roof estimating service. In an age when smart 

phones are more powerful than the on-board 

computing of the Apollo programme’s rockets, the 

importance of such a pioneering development on 

the roofing sector cannot be underestimated and 

heralded the future of online functionality, 

currently represented by the company’s 

SpecMaster and FixMaster systems. 

Second, 1978 was the year that saw the launch 

of the UK’s first dry ridge system. A natural and 

obvious counterpart to Redland’s dry verge 

system launched in 1966, dry 

ridge meant the company 

could offer specifiers, 

developers and contractors 

mechanically fixed systems 

across the whole roof. 

If the 1970s was a relatively 

fallow decade for Redland, 

this was matched to an 

extent by the 1980s – save 

for three exceptional 

milestones. 

1980s 

In 1981, the roofing industry’s first dedicated 

training centre was opened in South Cerney, 

Gloucestershire. Now in its fourth decade of 

operation, the BMI Academy – as the National 

Training Centre is now known – employs three 

full-time dedicated pitched and flat roofing 

trainers and delivers approximately 60 hours of 

training every week. Since opening, over 45,000 

delegates have been 

trained at the centre – with 

2,000 visitors being hosted 

in 2018 alone. 

1984 saw two developments 

– an acquisition and an 

opening – that truly centred 

Redland at the heart of UK tile 

manufacture. First, it acquired 

the Rosemary Brick & Tile 

Company. This meant the 

company extended its pedigree 

beyond 1919 back to 1837. It also meant that the 

UK’s most popular and durable clay tile became 

part of its portfolio. Yet if that wasn’t enough, the 

company made a huge stride this same year with 

the opening of its Rassau plant to manufacture 

Cambrian Slate – the UK’s first interlocking tile 

made from reconstituted waste slate. 

Comprising over 60% recycled Welsh slate, 

Cambrian is designed with a three-point fixing, 

making it secure on even the most exposed sites. 

Manufactured to be lightweight with a thin 

leading edge and surface patterning taken from 

impressions of real natural slates, and proven on 

pitches as low as 15°, Cambrian is suitable for a 

wide range of projects. 

1990s 

The 1990s were far more striking for the group in 

terms of highlights than the previous ten years. 

The decade started out with the launch of 

Far left: BMI Redland Cambrian installation; BMI Redland 

Nassau Plant; Above: Historic BMI artwork. 


BMI Centenary Focus 

Dovetail, a separate universal roofing 

components business, while Anderson, along with 

Callenders and Vulcanite, was acquired by Icopal 

to create a leading UK waterproofing business. 

The year was capped by the opening of a new 

wind tunnel, built at a cost of £2 million, in 

Horsham. 

This strong start was matched by back-to-back 

milestones in the following two years when, first, 

Cambrian Slate won the Queens Award for 

Technological Achievement and, second, the 

company acquired Steetley Brick & Tile – 

meaning UK brick stocks in 1993, when 

Steetley’s were added to Redland’s own, totalled 

a whopping 110,000,000! Three years later, the 

combined Redland / Steetley business was sold 

for £155m. 

Following on from where REDIES led, SpecMaster 

– an NBS-based roof specification service – and 

the DesignMaster CAD package were introduced 

in 1994. 

1996 saw the establishment, by Icopal, of the 

Intelligent Membrane Association (IMA), designed 

to improve flat roofing industry standards and 

give building owners and architects access to a 

network of high-quality roofing contractors. All 

members have a quality track record in roofing 

projects of all sizes and are committed to ongoing 

training. A not-for-profit organisation, the IMA’s 

members not only use products from across the 

BMI range, but also have exclusive access to 

systems that require the greatest installation skill 

and therefore carry Icopal’s most comprehensive 

guarantees. 

Whereas to 1997, the Redland story had been one 

of frequent strategic acquisitions, this year saw a 

role reversal with the company being acquired by 

Lafarge, who went on to acquire 100% of Braas 

– the German company Redland itself had 

invested in in 1954. 

Unbeknownst to many at the time, the Lafarge 

acquisition nearly resulted in the extinction of the 

BMI Redland Cambrian at Lochwinnoch Primary School. 

Redland name – the new parent taking a more 

corporate approach to branding. Yet that was 

something for the new Millennium. 

With the concrete tile centenary imminent, 

BMI – formed in 2017 following the coming 

together of Icopal and Monier Redland – will be 

concluding the story of its historic rise next 

month. 


01285 863545 



SELF-ADHESIVE VCL DELIVERS 

REAL TIME-SAVING BENEFITS 

Protect Membranes, UK producer of roofing 

and construction membranes, has 

introduced Protect VB200, a reflective air 

and vapour control layer with an integral selfsealing 

adhesive backing, designed for use in either 

a flat warm roof construction or on walls, floors and 

ceilings where bonding the membrane to the 

substrate would be beneficial. Protect VB200 

features a high purity foil surface on both the front 

and back of the membrane to provide thermal 

enhancement if used with an unventilated airspace. 

As a bitumen-free product, Protect VB200 

features a reinforcement grid for added stability, 

yet is lightweight for ease of installation and 

can be walked upon straight after 

installation on a flat roof. Cold applied 

without the requirement for heat, 

Protect VB200 does not need an 

additional primer in 

many instances, 

thereby providing 

time-saving and 

efficiency benefits. 

The product can be 

installed on a warm 

flat roof deck 

unrestricted 

throughout the UK and 

Ireland in wind uplift 

John Mellor, Protect 

zones 1-5 to BS 5534. 

Product Manager, 

commented: “Protect 

VB200 delivers many 

advantages over 

Above: Warm flat deck build up with trapezoid sheet structure using 

Protect VB200 as the vapour barrier. 

To request U-value 

calculations and for 

details of how Protect 

traditional bitumen-based membranes. With wide 

appeal across multiple applications, the high-tack 

self-adhesive used ensures an airtight system is 

achieved with excellent vapour resistance.” 

Available in 1.5m wide and 50m lengths for ease 

of handling, Protect VB200 is suitable to be used 

in high humidity and vapour loaded areas such 

as swimming pools, kitchens and bathrooms. 

products can be incorporated into flat roof, wall, 

floor or ceiling applications within new build 

commercial, residential or public sector builds, 

email technical@protectmembranes.com.contact 

or see details below: 

Contact Protect Membranes 

0161 905 5700 

www.protectmembranes.com 


Whatever your flat roofing requirement, 

you will be safe in the knowledge that a 

RubberBond FleeceBack installation will 

provide you with the highest quality, 

long term flat roofing solution. 

n Strength of FleeceBack Single Ply EPDM 

n Speed of Factory Applied Tape 

n Clean - No mixing of chemicals or liquids 

n Versatile - Install on new build or 

refurbishment projects 

n Smooth, slate grey finish 

n Simple application - No heat or welding 

Contact us for: 

Contractor training or to 

request your sample pack. 

Tel: 01494 448792 

Email: enq@flex-r.co.uk 

Flat Roofing Solutions

Safety at Height 

ABLE OPERATIVES: TRAINING IS KEY 

Roger Boulter, Training Manager for HCL, explains how when working at height, creating 

competent end users starts with quality training. 

Falls: still a real danger 

Almost all falls from height can be 

prevented, but they still remain the leading 

cause of workplace fatalities. 

A fall of 3.05m (10 ft) takes only 0.8 seconds. 

There’s virtually no time to react. The velocity 

reached on impact with the ground is 7.74m/s 

(17.3 mph). 

The most recent Health and Safety Executive 

(HSE) statistics show that in 2017 alone, falls 

accounted for 35 (28%) of all UK fatalities in the 

workplace. Fatalities are only part of the picture. 

Falls from height also contributed to 43,000 nonfatal 

accidents. Over 60% of deaths when 

working at height involve falls from ladders, 

scaffolds, working platforms and roof edges and 

through fragile roofs. 

It goes without saying that both competency and 

safety awareness are inextricably linked to these 

figures. Under health and safety legislation 

(Health & Safety at Work Act 1974) employers 

have a duty to provide suitable and sufficient 

information, instruction and training for their 

employees. Users of fall protection equipment 

who are well-trained and confident will be far 

less likely to inadvertently place themselves, or 

their colleagues, at risk. 

Clear protocols 

Since 2005, mandatory working at height 

regulations (including BS 8437:2005 and BS 

8454:2006) have set out clear protocols for 

organisations to help ensure competency when 

working at height. The standards cover 

provisioning appropriate best-practice training, 

keeping a register, user assessment and 

evaluation. It is no coincidence that, in the event 

of an investigation following any accident, the 

first documents to be scrutinised will be the 

record of competency training, and the risk 

assessments in place. 

Confidently safer 

The more prepared users are to deal with a 

potentially dangerous environment, the less likely 

they are to make poor judgements and increase 

the likelihood of injury. Just as manufacturers 

have clear expectations about how their systems 

should be used and maintained over time, 

employers have a responsibility to ensure 

operatives have the necessary safety awareness 

and training to use systems correctly. But quality 

training isn’t just about using the system; it must 

also cover safety awareness in the widest sense. 

As well as exploring the theory and practice 

behind safely working at height, training should 

also highlight the applicable legislation and the 

legal ramifications of non-compliance. 

The HCL Way: HCL provides both site-specific fall protection training courses and also workshops for 

operators needing to work across multiple sites. It is HCL’s aim for each attendee to enjoy the necessary 

‘hands-on’ practice and experience, which is why its Height Safety Training courses comprise groups of 

no more than six operatives. Each comprehensive session includes a detailed safety theory session 

which is subsequently put into practice on a building with several supervised exercises. 

Importantly, HCL training is delivered by qualified safety instructors meaning trainees leave with the 

widest possible awareness of managing risk and working safely. On completion of the course each 

user receives either a site-specific or a multi-site working at height competency certificate and ID 

card, which is valid for three years when refresher training is recommended. 

Theory and practice 

While interactive training is fundamental, it’s 

important to understand the theory behind working 

at height. The best training puts both safety and 

fall protection in context and focuses on small 

groups of people at a time – giving the opportunity 

to share learnings and get a full experience. 

Ultimately, a classroom session followed by 

practical training is what will give the best results. 

Wider benefits 

The benefits of adopting a rigorous approach 

quickly permeate across the workforce. 

Employees who are properly trained and prepared 

to apply the appropriate control measures to safe 

working at height are more likely to be engaged, 

diligent, efficient and ultimately loyal to their 

employer. If operatives feel at risk on a roof, they 

will inevitably become more stressed. By 

provisioning detailed training that equips workers 

with the skills and knowledge to deal confidently 

with any situation, companies can improve 

workforce wellbeing and build esprit de corps. 

The confidence has a further benefit. Operatives 

become empowered to raise potential issues they 

encounter and propose solutions to improve 

safety and working practices on-site. 

Knowledge is power; by choosing quality training 

to deliver a good competency level, operatives 

become aware of their own limitations and can 

avert situations that may place themselves or 

their colleagues at risk. Historic complacency and 

ignorance is eradicated, and workers can operate 

safely with a heightened sense of awareness. 

Contact HCL Safety 

0845 600 0086 

www.hclsafety.com 

@HCLSafety 


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

Project Focus 

A PERFECT FIT FOR THE AREA 

As one of the best preserved stone towns in the UK, Stamford, Lincolnshire, is 

understandably a desirable place to live. Seeking to meet the demand for new housing in 

the area, developer Morris Homes began work on Cecil Square, a brand-new luxury housing 

development comprising more than 40 three-to-five bedroomed houses. However, with 

properties in Stamford renowned for their traditional yet eye-catching use of Collyweston 

slate which is local to the area, Morris Homes had to ensure its new builds were in keeping 

with the local vernacular. Total Contractor hears more… 

It was this unique requirement that first led 

Morris Homes to contacting Forticrete – Chris 

Pollard, Area Sales Manager for Forticrete, 

takes up the story: “For any new build project, 

maintaining the aesthetics of the surrounding 

area is a primary consideration, but that’s 

particularly magnified in an area which is closely 

associated with an iconic building material. In 

this case, it was Stamford’s slate. 

“Speaking with the team at Morris Homes, they 

were looking for a product which would not only 

complement the vernacular of the town, but 

would be cost effective too. With these 

considerations in mind, Forticrete’s Hardrow 

offering was the perfect solution. 

“Designed to closely replicate the look of the slate 

so prevalent throughout Lincolnshire and the 

wider East Midlands, Hardrow is the result of a 

completely unique manufacturing process. The 

process sees the base slate produced via 

machine, but the hips and valleys 

of the tile are totally 

handmade – affording the 

product a rugged, textured 

finish, and meaning no 

two tiles are the same. 

This lends Hardrow slate 

perfectly to developments 

such as Cecil Square, which 

must be considerate of the 

prevailing aesthetics of the wider area. 

“The slate associated 

with Lincolnshire is 

both rare and difficult 

to mine” 

“Alongside the eye-catching finish, Hardrow Slate 

are also incredibly cost-effective. The slate 

associated with Lincolnshire is both rare and 

difficult to mine, putting an 

understandable premium on 

price. With Hardrow, 

developers in the East 

Midlands have at their 

disposal a slate which is 

both good looking and a 

fraction of the cost of the 

natural equivalent.” 

Nick Bee, Site Manager for Morris 

Homes’ Cecil Square development, added: 

“We’re absolutely delighted to have partnered 

with Forticrete for this high-value project. The 

slates they provided are not only visually 

appealing, they are also highly durable – a 

testament to Hardrow’s bespoke manufacturing 

process. 

“Stamford is a popular area for homeowners of 

all ages; from people looking to take advantage 

of the rolling countryside which surrounds the 

towns, to first time buyers commuting to towns 

and cities across the East Midlands. With such 

demand for new housing, it’s important for 

developers to provide properties which are not 

only premium quality, but also respectful of the 

vernacular of the area. With Forticrete, we’ve 

been able to achieve this in truly striking 

style!” 

Contact Forticrete 

01525 244900 

www.forticrete.co.uk 

@Forticrete 


Maximum Protection, 

Minimum Effort 

Kee®Cover range of rooflight protection is a modular and easy to install solution 

designed to cover rooflights and skylights on trapezoidal and standing seam roofs. 

The covers are designed to provide a robust effective solution without blocking out 

the light into the building. 

The range is component based, making it easier to transport to the roof and 

assemble on site. Standard mesh panels are supplied 2m long and 1m wide and 

sit onto the metal frame which is constructed from Kee Klamp®fittings. Extension 

panels are available for larger rooflights and skylights. 

Tel: 01293 529977 

Email: info@safesite.co.uk 

Guardrails / Mobile Man Anchor / Demarcation / Mobile Valley Frame 

Fragile Roof Access Solutions / Bespoke Access Platforms / Ladder Restraints 

Self Closing Gate / Life Line Systems 

www.safesite.co.uk

BMI Apprentice of the Year 

CONNOR PRINGLE: NEW SKILLS 

LEAD TO HIGH ASPIRATIONS 

Having your talents recognised in prestigious national awards is always a great career 

moment, and Connor Pringle is riding high, having been Highly Commended in the flat 

roofing category of the 2019 BMI Apprentice of the Year competition... 

As you might expect, Connor Pringle, 

apprentice at New Charter Building 

Company, is pretty chuffed about his 

performance at the BMI Apprentice of the Year 

2019 competition. He was only a whisker away 

from clinching the title in the flat roofing category 

– so close, in fact, that he was an absolute shoein 

for a Highly Commended award from the 

judges. 

Inevitably, Connor is supremely upbeat about the 

experience and what it gave him: “Entering the 

competition and getting into the final 20 was 

great, and being that close to winning overall 

confirms I’ve found a trade that I’ve got a talent 

for,” he explained. 

Competing against the top apprentices in the 

country boosted his ambitions and confirmed that 

he has a future in roofing. “I’m more confident 

now, I know what I’m doing and I’ve got more 

faith in my own judgment, so if I spot a problem 

“It’s all well and good 

having the skills to lay 

a roof, but you need the 

ability to tell the 

customer about any 

issue, what the 

solution is and how to 

go on from there” 

of any sort I know that I’ll be right and I’ll know 

how to fix it,” he continued. “Taking part in the 

competition cemented the fact that I now know 

that I want to set up my own business one day 

and have a few vans on the go – maybe even 

become a household name!” 

Finding a trade was very important for Connor: it 

is why he left the Army despite having been set 

on a military career since being a boy. “I’d always 

wanted to go into the military, so I joined straight 

from school and I loved every second of it but 

then I realised that I’d have nothing to fall back 

on. Because I was less than 18 years old I was 

able to leave and go job-hunting,” he explained. 

So the plan was simply to find a job where he 

would be trained, qualify and then re-join the 

Army; The job he got was almost by chance. 

The New Charter Building Company (NCBC – part 

of the Jigsaw Homes Group) had a vacancy for an 

apprentice roofer and fitted Connor’s needs on 

several counts. It is based in Dukinfield in Greater 

Manchester and only a short distance from his 

home; it’s a large company with the resources to 

match. NCBC operates as a direct labour 

organisation providing services for the Jigsaw 

Homes Group, which owns more than 33,000 

homes in the North West and the East Midlands. 

For Connor, it was clear from the start that he 

had found something that he really enjoyed and 

that roofing was the trade for him. 

“I enjoy the graft and the variety – every roof’s 

different and you have to think about how you 

approach each one. Because I’m interested in the 

work, I picked up the skills quite quickly. It’s also 

an outdoor job which is important because I 

couldn’t cope with being stuck in an office,” he 

admitted. “Plus, you get to meet so many 

different people every day.” 

NCBC sent Connor to Bolton College as part of his 

training. Roofing tutor Luke O’Gorman soon spotted 

his potential and suggested that Connor should 

enter the BMI Apprentice of the Year competition. 

Images left and right: Connor Pringle on site. 


“I enjoy the graft and the variety – every roof’s 

different and you have to think about how you 

approach each one” 

“I didn’t think anything of it, so it was a surprise 

when Luke rang me to say that I’d been 

shortlisted,” Connor recounted, “though he did 

say he thought I’d have a good chance of 

winning.” 

Paul Fisher, Connor’s Manager and Contracts 

Manager for investment works was not surprised: 

“Connor’s pretty mature and good at his work so 

when the college rang up to ask if he could have 

two days off to compete I was pleased but not 

shocked.” 

But the important part of the Apprentice of the 

Year is that the competition is also an education 

in itself, as Connor found out. “It was really 

amazing,” he said, “You learnt so much and got 

such an insight into running a business. It’s all 

well and good having the skills to lay a roof, but 

you need the ability to tell the customer about 

any issue, what the solution is and how to go on 

from there.” 

And this is one of the reasons that Luke 

encourages his students to enter the competition: 

“We saw the difference in those who entered last 

year – they were more confident and they could 

present themselves that much better when they 

came back to college.” 

And Connor’s boss Paul has much the same 

impression: “He’s more confident in his abilities, 

his customer service skills have improved and 

he’s more the complete package,” he noted. 

In fact, Paul reckons that Connor could follow a 

Paul Fisher, Connor’s boss at New Charter Building Company. 

“He’s more confident in 

his abilities, his 

customer service 

skills have improved 

and he’s more the 

complete package” 

similar path to another colleague who did well in 

a previous competition and is now training to be 

a Site Manager. While Connor may follow that 

career path, the competition, which involved 

many of the skills required to run your own 

business, means he also has another direction in 

mind: “It might take five to 10 years but I really 

would like to set up my own business, starting in 

Greater Manchester and then branching out into 

the rest of Northern England,” he enthused. 

“The thing with roofs is that when people have a 

problem they don’t let it fester, they want it 

sorted, so it’s not like other trades where you 

might be brought in just to give a price. So, if you 

get a name for reliability and good workmanship, 

then I reckon you can do well and grow a 

business quickly.” 

And that goes to show that contestants in the 

BMI Apprentice of the Year competition will 

always come away with something far more 

valuable than the prizes, something you cannot 

put a price on: ambition. 


01285 863545 




Roofing Overlays 

THE ART OF THE OVERLAY: KEY 

CONSIDERATIONS FOR PROJECTS 

By Karl Sands, Roofing Director at HS RoofClad. 

Refurbishing an existing roofing structure 

can be both a costly and time-consuming 

process. A simple roof overlay is an 

alternative solution that can provide the desired 

outcome on both commercial and industrial 

properties. However, several factors need to be 

considered before opting to install a roof overlay 

including the size of the structure, as well as the 

expected longevity of the roof. 

A roof overlay offers the benefit of reducing costs 

when compared to full replacement works. The 

ability to install a roof overlay depends on the 

condition and characteristics of the current roof. 

A liquid plastic roof overlay will be suitable in 

most scenarios, providing the existing insulation 

and structure is in good condition. 

Core samples 

A responsible installer will analyse core samples 

of these roof elements to evaluate the feasibility 

of installing a roof overlay. The insulation must be 

dry and cannot allow excessive thermal 

transmittance in line with UK Building 

Regulations. If the insulation is 

damp, then replacement 

material must be 

installed prior to the 

consideration of a 

roof overlay. 

Prior to instructing 

any works, 

specialists at HS 

Roof Clad would 

recommend booking a 

condition survey to 

ascertain these factors as part 

of the consideration process. 

A crucial benefit of a roof overlay is that it can be 

installed on flat roof structures constructed using 

metal, cement or concrete. When installed by a 

professional service provider, the process is 

simple ensuring no down time as a result of 

working on the structure. The existing surface will 

be prepared and then primed using a spray 

applied primer. Following that, the primer will be 

treated to a layer of PU adhesive spray. The PU 

adhesive allows the new thermal insulation 

material to be installed securely on the roof. 

Finally, an adhesive membrane is added to create 

a quality and attractive finish. 

The HS RoofClad roof overlay solutions offer a 

number of bespoke aesthetic and practical 

benefits. The cold applied roofing system is 

suitable for warm roofs as well as inverted and 

green roof finishes. 

Roof overlays are seamless, durable and weather 

resistant, making them an ideal solution for 

exposed roof areas. This is achieved as a result 

of utilising a waterproofing membrane that can 

cure in a wide range of conditions. This is a 

particular benefit in the UK where installation can 

often take place in unpredictable 

weather conditions. Once 

installed, the overlay also 

improves the drainage 

of flat roof 

structures. 

Hot works on 

roofing structures 

can leave both 

operatives and 

property vulnerable to 

substantial risks, even 

when the works are 

completed in accordance to Health 

& Safety guidelines. A roof overlay negates the 

need for any hot works to be performed, therefore 

mitigating any associated risks. The roof overlay 

Top 5 considerations when working on 

an overlay project: 

• Is there a requirement for me to reduce 

operational downtime? What is the building I 

manage used for? Does it need to be 

operational 24/7? 

• Is the structure of the existing roof in good 

condition? What materials have been used to 

construct it? 

• Is the existing insulation dry and preventing 

excessive thermal transmittance? The 

structure must comply with Part L of building 

regulations – Conservation of fuel and power. 

• Have I booked a condition survey to 

ascertain the condition of the existing 

structure? 

• Have core samples of the existing roof 

structure been obtained? 

system also achieves high fire safety ratings 

when tested in accordance with BS476:Part 

3:2004 and EN1187: 2002: Test 4. 

In summary 

Roof overlays are a cost-effective solution that 

ensure no business downtime for the client. The 

system ensures that the existing roof structure is 

sealed from adverse weather conditions and 

protected from damage. The installation process 

mitigates work at height risks and potential 

damage to property as a result of a simple and 

safe process. 

Contact HS RoofClad 

020 3002 6865 

www.hsroofclad.com 

@HsRoofClad 


PROTAN BLUEPROOF – A ROOF FOR THE FUTURE 

CAN YOU AFFORD TO LET 

YOUR ROOF BE JUST A ROOF? 

A roof represents exciting opportunities 

for architects and property developers. 

If you are on top of a tall building and looking out over the 

urban landscape, you will see a lot of unutilised space. 

Architects and property developers can no longer afford to 

use the roof just to keep the rain and snow out and protect 

your contents. 

Using the roof for other functions creates additional values. 

These values not only allow for increased profits, but also 

add value to society at large and for the people living in 

and around these buildings. 

The roof can be a place where people can spend recreational 

time, grow flowers and encourage wildlife. The roof can 

also be utilised to solve other tasks that could be profitable 

for the building project, such as generating electricity with 

solar panels or taking control of heavy rainfall. 

Protan has developed a unique BlueProof roofing solution 

to avoid creating dead space on top of a building, enabling 

use that space for water attenuation. That is both smart 

and sustainable. The BlueProof system works equally well 

for new buildings and refurbishment projects, and can be 

combined with recreational areas, eco-friendly features 

and energy production. 

Protan BlueProof – coming to a roof near you soon. 

Safe 

Sustainable 

Cost effective 

Space efficient 

protan.co.uk

NFRC Tech Talk 

DON’T GET IN A FRAGILITY FIX 

Roof tiles are considered fragile roof coverings; with this in mind, Bob Richardson, NFRC’s 

Head of Technical, explains how to work on them safely, without causing damage. 

Before the 2014 revision of the British 

Standard BS 5534, operatives installing 

single lap roof tiles would leave a few tiles 

unfixed, then push them up so they could walk up 

the roof on the timber battens. This access option 

is now not available because the latest revision 

to the Standard recommends that, as a 

minimum, all tiles should be fixed with nails or 

clips. 

The NFRC has published guidance for its 

members, with some of the key points 

summarised here. 

Using perp lines 

During their installation, single lap roof tiles 

should be fixed from right to left with a ‘perp line’ 

to ensure that the vertical start line of the roof 

coverings is straight, to account for any 

difference in length between the dimensions of 

the ridge and eaves during the installation. 

Ideally, perp lines should be struck after every 

third tile so that the horizontal shunt (play) in the 

tile sidelock can be utilised to keep the tiles 

running straight, which will ensure that any 

cutting is minimised and where cutting is 

required, all the cuts will be of equal size. 

However, note that there may be regional 

variations to setting out the perp line. 

Eaves vent system and underlay 

support tray 

If possible, these should be installed after the 

roof is loaded out to prevent damage caused by 

foot traffic during the loading process. If this isn’t 

possible, then the rafter roll should be installed 

prior to loading followed by the underlay support 

tray and over fascia vent after loading. 

Position of the operative on the roof 

The finished roof covering should be installed by 

the operative while kneeling or 

standing on the timber roof 

battens rather than on the 

completed newly installed 

tiles. The operative’s foot 

position should be where the 

horizontal roof batten attaches to 

the roof truss. At no point should the 

operative stand mid-span between roof 

trusses. Roof works should continue around the 

project working from right to left and any detailing 

should be completed as works progress (where 

reasonably practicable). 

Roof vents 

If the position of the roof vents is known, they 

should be installed at the same time as the roof 

coverings, since retrofitting them at a later date 

would require the removal of the finished roof 

tiles which may cause unnecessary damage to 

adjacent tiles and their fixings. 

Leadwork 

When installing any leadwork (or equivalent), 

soakers and flashings, all chases into masonry or 

brickwork should be cut and installed prior to the 

finished roof coverings being installed. This 

ensures that operatives are working off the timber 

battens with only the final dressing being 

undertaken once the finished roof has been 

completed. 

Dry fix ridge system 

Lay the rollable weathertight membrane centrally 

along the ridge batten (if required) and tack with 

a staple or underlay nail to the ridge batten. Once 

the membrane has been dressed and stuck to the 

profile of the roof tiles, then the ridge tiles should 

be installed as the works progress, with the 

operative working from the leading edge of the 

installation off the timber battens. 

Left: Bob Richardson, NFRC’s 

Head of Technical. 

Verge detailing 

This should be completed off a 

safe working platform, scaffold 

or ladder so that access onto 

the completed roof coverings is 

not required. 

Maintenance and repair 

Repairs should be carried out in a kneeling 

position or from crawling boards or roof ladders, 

suitably packed with a solid foam-type product 

(such as insulation board) or other compressible 

material. This spreads the load so as to avoid 

point contact on the tiles. Any access equipment 

utilised should be properly supported and 

anchored to prevent slippage or tipping. 

Stripping off old roofs 

Remember that tiling battens deteriorate with age 

and should not be used as footholds unless they 

have been inspected by a competent person who 

has confirmed that they are strong enough. If in 

doubt, they should be regarded as fragile. 

Windy conditions 

It is unsafe to work or handle materials in windy 

conditions. The HSE recommends that tiling work 

should cease if the mean wind speed reaches 23 

mph (gusting to 35 mph or over) and if handling 

rolls of underlay the limit reduces to 17 mph 

(gusting to 26 mph or over). 

This article is based on guidance for NFRC 

members, available in the members area of 

www.nfrc.co.uk 

Contact the NFRC 

020 7638 7663 


@TheNFRC 


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Ladder Access 

KEY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN 

SPECIFYING LADDERS 

Tony Stevens, Technical Estimator at Bilco UK, outlines some of the key factors to consider 

when specifying ladders for accessing a roof area. 

Where is the ladder going to be used? 

If the ladder is required to gain access to the 

roof and to be mounted externally, it will 

require a safety cage and guard rail to enter 

the roof safely. 

What is the ladder going to be used with? 

You need to have a clear understanding of the 

type of access product the ladder is going to be 

used with. 

For a small hatch, such as the Bilco E-50TB, 

which has internal dimensions of 915mm x 

915mm, a fixed vertical ladder should be 

specified. A retractable ladder would not be 

recommended for the E-50TB as the ladder angle 

would hinder access when you get close to the 

hatch. 

Where frequent access to the roof area is 

required for maintenance personnel, tools and 

equipment, a companionway roof hatch, like the 

CS-50TB which is a larger elongated access 

hatch, is generally required. In this instance a 

companionway ladder or a retractable ladder can 

be specified (the maximum size for 

companionway would be 2440mm and 1500mm 

for retractable). 

The companionway ladder is a 75 degree angled, 

rigid ladder providing permanent access to the 

roof hatch. 

Retractable ladders are ideal for use in areas 

such as schools and hospitals, where the floor 

space must be kept clear. They can be mounted 

above a ceiling and be offered with additional 

vertical backboards with steps and a handrail. 

They can also be supplied with fire rating. 

Where access is required to the roof area via a 

smoke ventilator, like the Bilco ESW-50REM, a 

retractable ladder is not an option. The very 

nature of the mechanism of a retractable ladder 

would prevent the flow of smoke through the 

vent. It would therefore be counterproductive to 

use a retractable ladder with a smoke vent, 

although we have seen this specified on more 

than one occasion! 

The only recommended ladder for use with a 

smoke ventilator is a fixed vertical ladder, due to 

the small footprint of this type of ladder. 

Ladder Height 

Knowing the height of the floor to underside of 

roof access hatch that you wish to access may 

seem incredibly obvious, but you may be 

surprised by the number of ladders that are 

specified either too short or too long for the height 

required! 

Roof Void Height 

When specifying a retractable ladder it is 

essential that you know the height of the roof 

void – the space between the ceiling and the roof. 

This is to ensure the ladder box liner will fit inside 

the space once retracted. 

What happens if you get the 

specification wrong? 

If you specify a small hatch for use with either a 

companionway ladder or retractable ladder it will 

be difficult to access, so it will not be functional. 

If you specify a large length hatch, it will be 

difficult to access from a fixed vertical ladder. The 

worker will have to overstretch to open and close 

the hatch, putting themselves into an unsafe 

position. 

If you specify a retractable ladder with a smoke 

ventilator you will compromise the integrity of the 

“Always ensure you 

specify the right type 

of ladder and hatch 

that will provide the 

safest and easiest 

access to the roof 

area” 

smoke ventilator by blocking the flow of smoke. 

To conclude, specifying ladders might seem like a 

straightforward aspect of a building project but 

the health and safety and functionality 

implications are far reaching. Always ensure you 

specify the right type of ladder and hatch that will 

provide the safest and easiest access to the roof 

area. 

If you need some help with specifying the right 

ladder to use for roof access, please contact Tony 

– tony.stevens@access-360.co.uk. 

Contact Bilco UK 

01284 701696 

www.bilcouk.co.uk 

@bilcouk 


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Roofing Updates 

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

EDEN: A TEMPTING OFFER 

Marley has launched a pantile with a traditional profile but incorporating modern fixing methods for quicker installation. 

The new Eden tile will transform pantile projects, giving architects and specifiers an authentic low pitch option when a traditional pantile 

is required for aesthetic or planning purposes. Marley says the Eden pantile combines a traditional appearance with time-saving 

features previously only seen on Marley’s Lincoln interlocking tile, including a specially designed SoloFix channel to make BS 5534’s two 

point fixing easier, a flat back on the rear of the tile so it doesn’t rock during installation and an enlarged nib for easier nailing. 

Above: Eden has a low 

minimum pitch of just 

22.5 degrees. 

Stuart Nicholson of Marley explained: “While modern clay interlocking tiles have become increasingly popular as a quicker way of achieving a 

rustic appearance, some architects and specifiers prefer the look of a traditional pantile and others are required to use them because of planning. However, until now 

there hasn’t been an easy way of fixing these to the latest British Standards, which now require pantiles to be twice fixed with nails and / or clips, as well as being 

used with a mechanically fixed ridge and hip. We wanted to help architects and specifiers, who design pantile roofs, by finding a simpler way for them to meet these 

modern fixing specifications without creating an overly engineered product and compromising on the authentic aesthetic required by some planning departments. As a 

result, we are rewriting the book on clay pantiles by launching Eden, a ground-breaking new pantile with a traditional profile but incorporating some subtle, innovative 

design improvements for quicker and easier installation.” www.marley.co.uk/edenpantile 

A ROOF WITH A VIEW 

Waterloo’s shining Whitehouse Apartments have recently been completed with state-of-theart 

Alumasc Derbigum roofing. 

Derbigum from Alumasc is a high-performance 

waterproofing membrane that carries a BBA certificate 

confirming its service life in excess of 40 years. 

Craig La-Thangue, Senior Contracts Manager at Acclaim Contracts, who installed the roof, explained: “Our 

project at the Whitehouse Apartments was very enjoyable to complete for many reasons, including the 

spectacular view, and of course working with Alumasc Derbigum membranes, as the high-quality product 

made the project run very smooth.” Alumasc Derbigum membranes are manufactured in accordance 

with ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015. https://www.alumascroofing.co.uk/support/ 

HEAVY 3 MAKES LIGHT WORK 

Completing the exceptional Arts and Crafts style at a large, private family home in Scotland’s 

Gleneagles, CUPA PIZARRAS’ thick Heavy 3 natural slate roofing has been specified and 

installed to provide a durable and lasting high quality finish across this impressive 680m² 

roof. 

The blue black Heavy 3 is supplied as a 300 x 200mm 

slate and was installed by roofing contractor John Carey. 

Designed to accentuate the traditional appearance of this stunning three-storey new build house, the 

diminishing course natural slate roof features a 50-degree pitch with each course getting 

progressively shorter in length towards the roof’s ridge. www.cupapizarras.com/uk 

DEMANDS MET BY LOTHIAN TILES 

Russell Roof Tiles has supported Cameron Homes with one of its largest developments. 

“Having built a strong relationship with Cameron Homes 

over the last three years, we were delighted to support the 

team once again on one of their larger developments by 

providing high quality, sustainable products.” 

The Lawnswood development, part of the £5m Branston Lock scheme, will provide 70 new four and 

five-bedroom detached homes. Work on the homes is expected to finish in 2021. Russell Roof Tiles 

supplied 150,000 of its pitched roof Lothian tiles in Slate Grey and Peat Brown. Lothian tiles form 

part of Russell Roof Tiles’ Natural Range of products – an expanding selection of thinner leadingedge 

interlocking concrete tiles that have the appearance of natural slate, stone and clay, whilst 

offering the long-lasting attributes of a concrete interlocking roof tile. www.russellrooftiles.com 


WHEN TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE... 

Marley Alutec is reducing delivery times from five working days to two working days for the company’s most 

popular product ranges. 

Effective immediately, the lead times for selected products in Marley Alutec’s Evolve, Traditional, Aligator, Tudor and 

Elite ranges have been reduced to two working days, subject to the order being placed before 12 noon*. The new lead 

times apply to Marley Alutec’s easy to install Evolve range of gutter systems in Heritage Black and Anthracite Grey 

(RAL7016) as well as a select number of popular sizes in the company’s cast iron alternative Traditional range in Half 

Round and Moulded Ogee profiles, and Marley Alutec’s snap-fit Aligator Classic gutter systems. Also available to order within two working days is the 

company’s Evolve, Aligator Classic, Tudor and Flush-fit downpipe ranges in addition to its new Elite roof outlet range. 

Kevin Stanley, Head of Operations and Customer Service at Marley Alutec, said: “We realise that tight time constraints on projects can often result in 

customers requiring products at short notice, and we want to be able to provide merchants and contractors with a high quality solution to meet their needs. 

Instead of having to miss project deadlines, we have invested in our stock and delivery times to make sure this is no longer an issue.” 

www.marleyalutec.co.uk *Subject to stock availability. 

NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE WITH BMI 

The BMI Redland Heathland Autumn concrete plain tile proved ideal for Aquinna Homes’ 

eight-unit development at the Boatyard in Yarnton. 

Aquinna Homes used the Heathland Autumn concrete 

plain tile at the Boatyard development in Yarnton, as it 

combines 21st century modern material performance 

with the appearance of a weathered hand-made tile. 

Planning permission was granted as long as Aquinna Homes delivered houses that were in keeping 

with the local architecture, yet not uniform. David Chidlow of Aquinna Homes explained: “The 

planners made it clear that they didn’t want eight boxes and, with each house having to have a 

different look, we chose the Heathland tile because the colour choice is tried and trusted by us, and 

its sanded finish works well with the facing brick that we like to use.” www.bmigroup.com 

SELECTOR SET TO DELIVER DEALS 

Rooflights & Skylights has made it even easier to get the best deals and find the right product 

for the job with its new online rooflight and skylight product selector. 

Whatever the project or your experience, the new online tool breaks down the product selection 

process into simple stages to find the most suitable glass or polycarbonate solution. The tool walks 

you through your roof type, rooflight/skylight type, kerb and opening requirements, along with sizing, 

listing the recommended products for your application at the best trade prices, plus highlighting any 

special monthly promotions. www.rooflights-skylights.co.uk/rooflight-selector 

A KEE OPTION IN ROOF SAFETY 

Kee Safety offers the KeeGuard, a free-standing roof edge protection system that can keep 

workers on the roof safe without damaging the roof itself. 

Keeguard can also be used for retrofitting to older buildings 

as well as for new constructions. 

Suitable for use on concrete, asphalt, PVC membrane and felt roof surfaces, the flexible system can 

be used on almost any flat roof up to 10 degrees. The guardrail system is compatible with a range of 

rooftop configurations and is available for many different roof types, whether it is used where a 

restraining wall such as a parapet is in place, or where the rooftop is completely open around the 

perimeter. www.keesafety.co.uk 


Roofing Updates 


A LASTING LEGACY FOR CHURCH 

As part of the roof refurbishment of St Mary’s Church based in Kettering, the original cast iron rainwater 

system had to be replaced, although it had lasted for more than 120 years. 

When considering a rainwater system for an historic building, there are several factors that need to be taken into 

consideration. Namely, which profiles would retain the aesthetics of the Church and its surroundings, the choice of 

materials to be used, budget available and importantly if the predicted rainfall intensity would mean a change in gutter 

sizing. Warkton Roofing were the appointed contractor and ARP’s local Account Manager, Nigel Hancock, met with Bob 

St Mary’s Church, Kettering, was built in 1893. 

Lockley, MD, on site to discuss the requirements of the new rainwater system and carry out a full site measure. With 

rainfall intensity and budget being key factors and due to the roof pitch and effective roof area, the chosen option was ARP’s Legacy No. 46 ogee gutter on the 

high-level roofs and Legacy plain half round gutter on the lower roofs with additional downpipes to aid the flow of rainwater from the roof. The Legacy gutters, 

Colonnade cast eared rainwater pipes and Carinus hoppers all imitate the Victorian style of the profiles being replaced. Aluminium was chosen instead of cast 

iron on this project for its low maintenance, lightweight, yet durable properties. By polyester powder coating the rainwater system in a heritage type RAL 9005 

Black Leatherette finish, it mimics the cast iron aesthetics and will not need repainting for at least 30 years. www.arp-ltd.com 

WHATEVER THE WEATHER... 

Thompson’s Emergency Roof Repair will immediately fill and bridge small gaps and holes, even in 

heavy rain. 

It flexes with the natural movement of the roof for a tough, long lasting, water-tight repair. It is 

perfect for small repairs on any kind of roof including felt, asphalt, slate and tiles. Thompson’s 

Emergency Roof Repair only requires one application to provide a long lasting repair and offers 

instant weather protection and can prevent damp penetrating the roof. 

www.thompsonsweatherproofing.co.uk 

NTU PRACTICES WHAT IT PREACHES 

Alumasc Derbigum Olivine roofing, which absorbs and neutralises CO on contact as it falls in 

² 

rainwater, has been used in the recent redesign and refurbishment of Nottingham Trent 

University’s (NTU) Clifton Campus Library, which now features over 1000m² of Olivine, 

providing a waterproof, BBA approved roofing solution. 

The installation of Alumasc’s carbon dioxide neutralising 

roofing, Derbigum Olivine, has helped NTU stay one of the 

UK’s most environmentally friendly universities. 

M & J Roofing installed the membranes after it was identified as the most appropriate waterproofing 

solution that would also offer the sought-after added environmental benefits for one of the UKs most 

environmentally friendly universities. www.alumascwms.co.uk 

A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION 

Russell Roof Tiles, based in Burton, put their best foot forward, walking 7,077 miles to raise 

an impressive £1,600 for the charity, Footprints Orphanage, in the Shimba Hills of Kenya.. 

The money raised By Russell Roof Tiles for the Footprints 

Orphanage in Kenya is being directly match-funded by 

Russell Roof Tiles as part of its Pitching for Pennies scheme 

launched this year. This means that the total raised from the 

walking challenge will be taken to £3,000. 

MD Andrew Hayward came up with the idea of walking more than 17 million steps over a four-month 

period – the distance from Burton to the Footprints Orphanage. 14 volunteers including Footprints 

Orphanage volunteer John Dixon, nine Russell Roof Tiles’ employees and their wives and husband – 

Emma Young, Coral Hayward, Dawn McLoughlin and Jason Beaney – joined Andrew in his quest. They 

each completed on average 9,256 steps a day and 278,000 steps a month. www.russellrooftiles.com 


SLATE FOR ROOFING 

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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 

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Project Focus: Burnley FC 

CLADDING GOALS ACHIEVED 

Shackerley’s SureClad System helps Burnley FC meet its accessibility goals. 

Premier League football club, Burnley FC, has 

been playing home matches at its Turf Moor 

ground in the Lancashire town since 1883. 

As part of a move to ensure that all fans can 

access the ground safely on match days, the club 

has recently invested in a major improvement 

programme to create wheelchair accessible 

stands. 

Designed by Architects Wilson Owens Owens, the 

project has involved infill extensions to the 

existing ground at the north east and south east 

corners, ensuring that the stadium complies with 

the FA’s Accessible Stadium Guide (ASG) 

Regulations. 

The façades of the existing stadium are finished 

in the distinctive ‘claret and blue’ colours of 

Images: Shackerley’s SureClad system in natural black was 

installed by Aztec Roofing at Burnely FC. 

Burnley FC. Conversely, the design for the new 

elevations saw the club make a break from 

tradition and opt for a high-end and timeless 

natural black finish, using Shackerley’s SureClad 

Ceramic Granite ventilated façade system, 

installed by Aztec Industrial Roofing. 

Derek Wilson, from Wilson Owens Owens, 

commented: “By opting for Shackerley’s SureClad 

system in natural black we have been able to create 

contrast with the claret and blue colour palette of 

the existing façade, while ensuring that the new 

additions create a sense of drama and quality. 

“And because Shackerley’s Ceramic Granite is 

impervious, it will not discolour over time due to 

weathering or pollution and is resistant to UV 

light, graffiti and algae, so we can be confident 

the new extensions will continue to look great for 

years to come.” 

Detailing goals 

The SureClad Ceramic Granite panels were 

specified in a standard large format 1198 x 

598mm size and installed in a vertical 

orientation, creating a uniform appearance 

across the façade. 

Despite the relatively modest size of the façade 

areas, there was a significant amount of 

technically-challenging detailing. 

“The abutments with the existing façade look to 

be at right angles,” explained Frank Smith from 

Aztec Roofing, “but, in fact, they are – by design 

– a few millimetres from being true, so the end 

panels had to be slightly tapered. The tapering 

requirement was between three and seven 

millimetres, so the tolerances were extremely 

precise, but each of the tapered panels delivered 

to site by Shackerley was an exact fit. 


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Project Focus: Burnley FC 

Moreover, they were all delivered to site in the 

correct sequence marked with the numbers laid 

out on the plan we’d provided, which made 

identifying the right panel simple.” 

For selected panels, ventilation was required due 

to louvres behind the façade and this was 

achieved with precision drilling of small diameter 

holes in each panel. Once again, Shackerley’s 

investment in precision drilling equipment at their 

ISO 9001 accredited factory in Lancashire was 

critical in custom-fabricating these panels, which 

were perforated with 15-20mm diameter 

perforations spaced 20-30mm apart. 

Below: The SureClad Ceramic Granite panels were specified 

in a standard large format 1198 x 598mm size and installed 

in a vertical orientation, creating a uniform appearance 

across the façade. 

The design for the façade also included etching 

the name ‘The Longside’ on the north east corner 

stand and this was achieved with 44 customfabricated 

panels. Shackerley etched the required 

panels in-house, with each letter extending over 

two or more panels, and each of them was 

numbered to facilitate straight forward 

installation on site. 

Hybrid system 

Shackerley’s large format ceramic granite panels 

were specified for the new accessible stands at 

Burnley FC’s Turf Moor Stadium as part of 

Kingspan Facades’ Karrier Panel system. This 

innovative external envelope solution brings 

together Kingspan’s high performance structural 

insulating panels with the premium appearance 

and longevity of Shackerley’s fully-prefabricated 

ceramic granite cladding, and the installation 

benefits of Shackerley’s Queen’s Award-winning 

SureClad Access System. 

The combined Kingspan and Shackerley system 

enables rapid installation and allowed Aztec 

Roofing to make the building watertight with the 

installation of the structural panels prior to 

installation of the SureClad façade. The 

completed hybrid system also delivers excellent 

airtightness and low U-values post installation. 

Frank Smith added: “Shackerley’s SureClad 

Access System ensured that installing the 

ceramic granite panels was straightforward, even 

at the interface with the feature polycarbonate 

façade section and the interfaces with the 

existing building. 

“We were able to discuss the installation plan 

and production schedule with Shackerley, 

including the custom-modified panels, helping the 

project run smoothly.” 

Contact Shackerley 

01257 273114 

www.shackerley.com 


Our mission: 

“ To provide 

standards and 

guidance to our 

members, which 

raises confidence 

among businesses 

and householders, 

and promotes 

roofing as a skilled, 

professional 

sector within the 

wider construction 

industry.” 

Find out more 


@TheNFRC

Cladding Updates 


TOP FINISH FOR BRONZE FACADE 

Chesil Lodge, a £16 million Extra Care facility that provides contemporary-style homes for local 

residents of Winchester aged 55 and over, features bronze rainscreen cladding from Proteus Façades. 

The development, commissioned by Winchester City and Hampshire County Council, features striking 

Proteus’ HR TECU Bronze rainscreen panels on the upper levels and traditional Winchester red brick on 

other elements. 

Proteus HR TECU Bronze was specified because the material’s ochre, brown and red tones perfectly 

complement the brickwork colour to create an aesthetically pleasing yet unobtrusive façade. 

Chesil Lodge: Proteus Facades offers one of the widest ranges 

of TECU copper and copper alloys in the UK. 

Working alongside Main Contractor Galliford Try, Proteus Facades fabricated the panels which have a 

lightweight aluminium honeycomb core structurally bonded between two thin gauges of metal, with the outer veneer in this case being the specified TECU 

Bronze material. This rainscreen system minimises weight loadings on the underlying structure whilst helping the panels achieve near perfect optical flatness, 

strength and rigidity. The cladding panels were installed by MK Facades. www.proteusfacades.com 

OFFSITE BENEFITS WITH THRUBUILD 

Etex Building Performance has launched Thrubuild – a new load-bearing system from its EOS brand. 

Etex has launched its Thrubuild system to drive 

productivity and push the industry towards a 

systems-based approach. 

Thrubuild brings together elements from the company’s three lightweight construction brands, streamlining the 

procurement process for projects. It combines a load-bearing, light-gauge steel frame from EOS and external Weather 

Defence sheathing board and internal Frameboard from Siniat, while drawing on Promat’s expertise in passive fire 

protection. The single solution is manufactured offsite at Etex’s production facility in County Durham. The finished 

panels can then be delivered to site ready for installation and made watertight once windows are fitted, allowing 

internal works to start and boosting overall construction productivity. www.etexgroup.com 

PRATER SET TO DELIVER ENVELOPE 

Prater will deliver the full envelope package to two rail stations located at Luton Airport – a new Central 

Terminal and the redevelopment of the existing Luton Airport Parkway. 

Scheduled to open in 2021, Prater will provide 

the envelope package for the £225 million 

Luton DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit), part of the 

airport’s transformation programme to deliver 

a world-class passenger experience. 

Prater’s scope of works at Luton DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit) will include a feature metalwork package, parasol 

canopies, metal cladding, louvres and bespoke glazing. Key supply chain partners working on this project include 

Kawneer and Sika Sarnafil. “We’re thrilled to have been appointed for this project,” said Karl Moxon, Sales and 

Estimating Manager at Prater. “This new state-of-the-art DART will benefit airport passengers for years to 

come.” www.prater.co.uk 

SPANDREL PANEL LAUNCHED BY METALLINE 

Metalline has introduced a new non-combustible A1 rated spandrel panel that has been designed to fit into most curtain walling, structural 

glazing and unitised systems. 

This new panel allows architects and designers to specify with confidence a tested panel. Constructed from an A1 non-combustible material, Metalline’s new 

Spandrel panels have been independently tested at Efectis achieving a 60/60 rating to ensure they meet the very latest fire and safety regulations. Metalline’s 

range of aluminium spandrel panels, also known as Ultima spandrel panels are produced in a wide variety of colours and finishes. These include a full range of 

anodised colours as well as specialist PPC finishes that mimic portland stone and corten for example. We also offer a full range of PPC finishes. The range of 

finishes means these panels can be introduced without compromising the overall aesthetics of the building façade. www.metalline.co.uk 


Opinion 

INSTALLATION OF INSULATION IS KEY 

TO MEETING NET ZERO TARGETS 

By Simon Storer, Chief Executive of the IMA. 

In order to meet the government’s net zero 

carbon emissions target by 2050, the energy 

efficiency of our existing and new build homes 

has to be urgently addressed. Even though the 

insulation industry has been ready for some time, 

and there is supporting legislation, there is still 

some way to go in terms of assuring we are all 

prepared. 

An essential part of the building envelope, 

PIR/PUR insulation is the easiest and most costeffective 

way to save energy in homes and 

buildings, and will go some way to ensure 

Britain’s housing stock is ready for 2050. 

Stressing the importance of tackling the 

inefficiency of new and existing buildings, the 

Committee on Climate Change (CCC) report “Net 

Zero: The UK’s contribution to stopping global 

warming” makes a strong case for quality 

insulation. The UK must make homes and 

buildings more sustainable and off-set some of 

the increasing energy costs and climate change 

effects by this date. 

Furthermore, last month the 

government launched the 

Future Homes Standard 

consultation, which mandates 

the end of fossil fuel heating 

systems in new homes by 2025. Set to 

be implemented through Part L of the Building 

Regulations, which deals with energy, this 

additional legislation necessitates the adoption of 

low and zero carbon technologies and a ‘fabricfirst’ 

approach to building. 

The role of PIR and PUR 

insulation in achieving energy 

efficient buildings, and 

therefore a sustainable future, 

must not be underplayed. By 

using a product with high thermal 

efficiency, such as PIR, it will make a difference 

between a building’s success or failure. The 

thermal performance of a building envelope 

makes a significant contribution to reducing the 

overall building energy usage – so tighter U- 

values in walls, floors and roofs will help to 

deliver the standards required. 

With lambda values as low as 0.021 W/mK, PIR 

insulation is available as boards, blocks, and 

composite panels, and PUR as spray and cavityinjected 

insulation. Performance can be achieved 

with less thickness than other commonly used 

insulation materials. 

A widely used product across Europe, PIR 

insulation demonstrates how designers can 

achieve the highest insulation values from the 

minimum thickness of material because of its 

exceptional insulating properties. It is why this 

insulation in particular has become increasingly 

popular in residential, commercial and 

refurbishment projects. 

Adopting a fabric first approach 

Competency in installation is vital because when 

a high performing product such as PIR/PUR is not 

installed correctly, the thermal performance and 

reduced thermal efficiency will not be maximised. 

All contractors need to make sure the levels of 

site supervision are to a good standard. By 

adhering to the manufacturer’s installation 

instructions, airtightness and cold bridging will 

not be jeopardised. Addressing these aspects of 


“All contractors need to make sure 

the levels of site supervision are to 

a good standard” 

construction means the thermal targets of Building Regulation and codes 

can be met and even exceeded, and those performance levels can be 

incorporated into the finished building’s performance targets. 

Installed to last, a fabric-first approach will enable specifiers to meet and 

even exceed regulatory performance criteria, whether it is for the largest 

public building or the smallest domestic extension. Furthermore, an energy 

efficient building can be improved further down the line with services, 

ventilation measures or the addition of renewable technologies. 

With insulation manufacturers at both individual company and trade body 

level committed to supporting the journey towards meeting our net zero 

climate change targets, it is crucial that good practice guides and practical 

advice are accessible to all stakeholders, and IMA is currently developing 

these to ensure quality installation in every application. This will help to 

ensure that when PIR/PUR materials are used, the theoretical performance 

will not be compromised on site. 

Key to the fabric-first approach, insulation such as high-performance PIR 

will make our buildings comfortable for occupants and sustainable for the 

planet. Not only will this approach help achieve the net-zero 2050 target – 

which the government has now enshrined in law – a fabric-first approach 

will comply with the energy performance requirements of Building 

Regulations and codes, making it an essential design solution across all 

types of buildings. 

Contact IMA 

0161 672 7387 

www.insulationmanufacturers.org.uk 

@IMA_Org 


Insulating Details 

TECH DESK REQUESTS: INSULATING 

WINDOW REVEALS 

The experts at A. Proctor Group outline the steps to take 

when insulating window reveals. 

What: Energy Efficiency 

One of the biggest boxes on any conversion or 

refurbishment project’s checklist is an 

improvement to the overall energy performance of 

the building. 

Efforts to help bring a project up to modern 

efficiency standards will almost certainly involve 

new thermal insulation. This will usually mean 

adding insulation to previously un-insulated 

areas of the building &/or the replacement of 

inefficient insulating materials with modern 

equivalents. 

Where: Window Reveals 

One area where improved insulation levels will 

have an instant effect on energy efficiency, as 

well as the internal comfort of residents, is at 

window reveals. This is particularly true in older 

buildings where the original windows may need to 

be retained. 

A combination of traditional construction 

methods and poor workmanship can mean 

sufficient levels of insulation were not included 

around the window frame at the time of 

construction. Gaps in the frame and areas of cold 

bridging contribute to making window openings 

cold, draughty and prone to the effects of 

condensation including mould and mildew 

growth. Poor-performing window reveals that are 

not remediated at the same time as the rest of 

the refurbishment will only serve to undermine 

other efforts to improve energy efficiency. 

While restrictive window openings and preserved 

historical features can make improving the 

insulation level in these areas a challenge, the 

percentage of total heat loss from buildings 

originating from gaps in the envelope including at 

window reveals is estimated to be 40%, so 

attention to detail will pay dividends in the long 

run. 

What: The right insulation product 

Insulation products that are designed for window 

reveals are generally more expensive because of 

their thermal performance – in order to fit in the 

tight spaces of window openings, not disturb 

decorative window features, and still meet 

modern U-value requirements, window reveal 

insulation must be as high-performing as 

possible in order to be as thin as possible. 

Contractors and home-owners can justify this 

investment by sourcing quality insulation 

products that are third-party tested and 

accredited. They can also find peace of mind by 

enlisting the help of qualified technical advisors 

who can troubleshoot design issues before 

construction even begins. 

Spacetherm WRB 

Spacetherm WRB (window reveal board) is a 

high-performance laminate specifically designed 

to be fixed or glued to the existing solid wall at 

the window reveals. Spacetherm WRB consists of 

Spacetherm aerogel insulation blanket bonded to 

plasterboard or magnesium oxide board, with or 

without plywood reinforcement depending on 

fixings. It is ideal for use in applications where 

low U-values are required but space is limited. 

Contact A. Proctor Group 

01250 872 261 

www.proctorgroup.com 

@proctorgroup 


octor 

the A Proctor Group Collection 2019 

the trendsetter 

Spacetherm 

® 

high performance aerogel insulation 

01250 872 261 

Proctor 

Group 

www.proctorgroup.com

Insulation Updates 


SITE GROWTH FOR S AND B EPS 

S and B EPS, the North East insulation manufacturing firm, is set to double its manufacturing and storage 

capacity, having spent £4million on its factory expansion. 

S and B EPS has made a number of improvements to its business including the erection of two new warehouse units, 

investment in new machinery and the creation of a new, modern office facility; all on its new 10 acre site. 

Darren Smith, Managing Director of S and B EPS, said: “These are genuinely exciting times for us and we’re over the 

moon at how our expansion plans have taken shape. We outgrew the factory at our current site in Dudley some time ago, so when a 

large plot of land surrounding it came on the market, we knew that buying it would be a shrewd investment for us. The demand for high 

quality insulation products is growing rapidly in the UK, especially in the industrial and commercial flooring sector.” He continued: 

“From our original plant, we were able to produce 400,000m³ of EPS insulation. By constructing two new warehouses and investing in 

more modern machinery, over the forthcoming coming year we have scope to manufacture 1,000,000m³+; more than double the 

previous amount. We have the capacity to store the insulation blocks twice as high and with our operatives working shifts, this equates 

to a massive increase in our production and supply capabilities.” https://sandbeps.com 

SOUND ADVICE TO MEET DEMANDS 

Builders’ merchant Huws Gray referred Formby Point Construction to Knauf Insulation when it 

was specifying insulation for The Gables, an exclusive housing development in Crosby. 

The Gables project had multiple objectives including 

going beyond the thermal and acoustic requirements 

outlined in the building regulations. 

For the separating floor applications, Knauf Insulation recommended Earthwool OmniFit roll, a, noncombustible 

A1 Euroclass Reaction to Fire classification Glass Mineral Wool insulation that provides 

excellent thermal and acoustic performance. Knauf Insulation recommended Earthwool DriTherm 32 

Cavity Slab for the masonry cavity external walls, Earthwool Masonry Party Wall Slab for separating walls 

and Earthwool Loft Roll for the insulation of the loft. www.knaufinsulation.co.uk 

ROCKWOOL UK WINS AWARDS 

ROCKWOOL UK has won Bridgend Business of the Year 2019 and Manufacturing Business of the 

Year at the annual Bridgend Business Forum Awards gala. 

ROCKWOOL UK has created 115 new permanent jobs 

over the past year with the development of its new 

logistics centre at its Bridgend site. 

The awards come as ROCKWOOL UK celebrates 40 years of business in Wales this year. Darryl 

Matthews, Managing Director, said: “These awards are a celebration of the strong growth and 

exceptional business performance we have seen over the past few years. It is a testament to our 

hard-working staff and I would like to thank each and every one of them. I would also like to 

congratulate the commendable nominees and other award participants.” 

SLENTEX DELIVERS FOR TOWER PROJECT 

The A. Proctor Group’s Spacetherm SLENTEX A2 Aerogel Blanket has been chosen in the refurbishment of the 

Balfron Tower, 146 high-rise apartments in Poplar, East London. 

Architects Egret West chose SLENTEX 

to bring the fabric of the building up to 

modern-day standards in terms of fire, 

acoustic and thermal performance. 

The re-design is part of a development led by Studio Egret West. In their concept for the refurbishment Egret West has 

sought to bring the fabric of the building up to modern-day standards in terms of fire, acoustic and thermal performance. 

Alisan Dockerty, project architect at Egret West, explained: “We chose to apply Spacetherm SLENTEX A2 Aerogel Blanket, a 

high-performance insulation blanket with A2 fire rating, capable of achieving the BRE’s surface condensation analysis 

target temperatures of 16°C, whilst providing us with a minimum loss of space.” www.proctorgroup.com 


• Experts in Insulation – 

Quantum Insulation brings 

together over 100 years of flat 

roof insulation expertise to aid 

roofing contractors to select the 

right product for each individual 

application; supporting this 

process with thermal and tapered 

design services, contractor 

friendly purchasing and delivery 

options, and comprehensive 

compliance documentation. 

• Calculation Services – 

thermal calculations to BS 

5250:2011+A1:2016 Code 

of practice for control of 

condensation in buildings and in 

accordance with ETAG 031. 

• Design Services – comprehensive 

design service for tapered and VIP 

insulation schemes, including site 

assembly drawings. 

• Customer Focused – helping 

you deliver a professional roofing 

service to your customer. 

• Bespoke Delivery Packages – 

designed and priced to your site 

requirements. 

• FORS Deliveries – Bronze, 

Silver and Gold delivery options 

available. 

T: 01858 456018 E: sales@quantuminsulation.com

First 

SPONSORED 

Impressions 

BY 

QUALITY WORK COUNTS, BUT FIRST 

IMPRESSIONS ARE STILL IMPORTANT 

Following the results of a homeowner survey by van expert Vanarama, Tom Roberts 

discusses the little points that can help make a good first impression... 

It’s been a tumultuous few months for 

tradespeople across the UK. Analysis of 

weekly earnings by Hudson Contract show just 

how much work has fluctuated. Earnings reached 

a three year high in December, before dropping 

significantly in the first half of the year. With 

competition fierce and work coming (as it does) 

in peaks and troughs, business owners need to 

do everything they can to win work on a more 

regular basis. One way to do this is to make a 

positive first impression when quoting for work. 

Vanarama recently surveyed homeowners about 

their decision-making processes when selecting a 

tradesperson and the results are clear – creating 

a positive first impression is vital for 

tradespeople to win a job over the competition. 

Although the quality of work still needs to speak 

volumes, even the most talented, or most 

accomplished tradesperson in the country could 

miss out on a job by making a bad first 

impression. And, in this regard, keeping up 

appearances is everything. 

Time is money…for everyone 

No one likes to be kept waiting, so it shouldn’t be 

a big surprise to know that one of the biggest pet 

peeves of homeowners looking for a tradesperson 

is punctuality. Almost all (97%), said that arriving 

on time would affect whether they would hire or 

recommend a tradesperson to friends or family. 

Predicting exactly how long every job will take is a 

difficult art, and one little thing that’s not going as 

planned can lead to a lengthy delay. With our roads 

seemingly busier than ever, it’s understandable 

that tradespeople are held up from time to time. 

But having the courtesy to update the customer 

on your estimated time of arrival only takes a 

minute or two and has a big impact. 

Ditch the old banger 

The first element crucial to creating a positive 

first impression is the vehicle you arrive in. Three 

quarters of homeowners said that the state of a 

tradesperson’s vehicle would influence their 

decision to hire them. Almost two thirds said that 

the condition of their business vehicle would 

impact their decision making – for example if it 

was dirty, had dents or scratches. The age of the 

vehicle is also important, with 54% saying an old 

vehicle in good condition would still make them 

question their confidence in the tradesperson. 

Digging deeper as to why the condition of a 

business vehicle is so important, 44% of 

homeowners said a vehicle that had clearly seen 

better days would make them question the 

tradesperson’s professionalism and quality of 

work. A similar proportion (43%) said it would 

make them worry that the tradesperson did not get 

enough custom to afford a better-quality vehicle. 

Giving your business vehicle a regular wash is a 

quick win to improving its condition and helps to 

create a more positive first impression, but it’s a 

short-term solution to the issues of age and 

ongoing appearance. Vehicle leasing is a prime 

solution for tradespeople – offering greater choice 

of commercial vehicles at the best prices, and at 

the end of the lease you can just hand it back to 

get a new one (if you opt for a Personal Contract 

Hire agreement). Simply put, leasing makes it 

more cost-effective to drive a brand-new vehicle 

and make a great impression on your customers! 

Branding matters 

While no one expects a tradesperson to be a 

branding expert, brand is still important when it 

comes to winning work. In fact, 70% of 

homeowners said a proper company logo on a 

“Tradespeople might 

not get a foot in the door 

and win work if they 

don’t make a positive 

first impression” 

vehicle is a factor in their decision making. 

Personal presentation is another key element of 

branding – 75% of those surveyed said that how a 

tradesperson is dressed when they visit the property 

to quote a job influences their confidence and 

decision making. While you can almost certainly 

leave the three-piece suit at home, the expectation 

is that you will be neat and tidy in appearance. Try 

keeping a change of clothes, or at least a spare shirt 

in the van that you can put on when quoting for jobs 

– it really could make all the difference. 

Final thoughts 

In the end there is no substitute for quality work 

– 93% of homeowners said that evidence of 

certified technical skills is very important when 

selecting a tradesperson and giving them 

confidence. I’m not saying it’s right, but 

tradespeople might not get a foot in the door and 

win work if they don’t make a positive first 

impression, regardless of the quality of their 

work. But, the good news is that a few small 

steps can go a long way to boosting that first 

impression and helping them win the work from 

the competition, securing yet another person 

who’ll recommend them to their friends and 

family down the line. 

Contact Vanarama 

01442 838 195 

www.vanarama.com 

@Vanarama 


COPPER 

PER 

THE HOME OF 

METAL GUTTERING 

Online ordering - 

pay securely by 

credit card or PayPal 

Next day delivery on 

a huge choice of 

stocked items 

 

 

quotes and 

technical advice 

Unrivalled 

customer service 

NEW! 

ZINC 

0800 644 44 26 www.rainclear.co.uk

Tools 

SPONSORED BY 

of the Future 

WHAT DO TRADESPEOPLE WANT 

FROM THEIR #TOOLSOFTHEFUTURE? 

Following its survey of tradespeople, the experts at FEIN reveal what the tools of the future 

might look like... 

Tradespeople across the country have had 

their say on what features they want the 

power tools of the future to have. 

As part of power tool manufacturer FEIN’s 

#ToolsoftheFuture campaign, trades were asked 

which features they would like to see added to 

power tools in the coming years. Theft is still 

clearly the number one concern for tradespeople 

when it comes to power tools with almost 50% of 

suggestions regarding safeguarding tradespeople 

against tool theft. Passcodes, security kill 

switches and finger print recognition were 

suggested as key features which could help to 

deter opportunists and reduce the number of 

stolen tools. 

Elsewhere, increased connectivity and the use of 

AI were proposed to produce power tools which 

can read regular work patterns. This will ensure 

“While some trades 

want to see more 

technology introduced, 

it’s clear that they don’t 

want the quality and 

robustness of 

their tools to be 

compromised” 

The top ten features tradespeople want 

to see on their tools were: 

1. Laser level lines 

2. Finger print recognition 

3. Bluetooth connectivity alerting to theft 

4. Battery charge alert 

processes are smoother 

and more 

efficient with 

analytics feeding 

back instantly to 

prevent errors. 

While some trades 

want to see more 

technology 

introduced, it’s 

clear that they don’t 

want the quality and 

robustness of 

their tools to be compromised. An end to cheap 

materials and unnecessary apps was called for 

with a focus instead on creating durable tools 

that will last well into the future. 

Tradespeople also expect to see the advancement 

of cordless tools continue with some suggesting 

that site work will rely solely on battery 

technology in the future. Some people had simpler 

visions for the future of power tools, however, 

with one suggesting they’d be happy with a tool 

which you could easily fit back in the tool box it 

was supplied in. 

Andy Mills, national sales manager at FEIN, said: 

“With over 150 years’ experience of 

manufacturing power tools, FEIN has a proud 

5. Security kill switch 

6. Nationwide logging of serial numbers 

7. Work pattern analytics to improve efficiencies 

8. Universal batteries 

9. Built in extraction 

10. Noise reduction 

history of working 

closely with 

users to identify 

their wants and 

needs. This helps us 

to produce a wide 

range of quality 

products which 

enable processes 

to become more 

efficient and 

effective. 

“Our 

#ToolsoftheFuture campaign is another example 

of our desire to find out what users want from 

their power tools and we’d like to thank everyone 

who got involved. We received a fantastic mix of 

suggestions with some trades highlighting the 

need for more technology and others wanting a 

more stripped back tool that gets the job done. As 

a result, there is a requirement for power tool 

manufacturers such as FEIN to get the balance 

right. 

“FEIN power tools are known for their 

robustness and quality and it’s important that 

that isn’t compromised at any point. However, 

it’s also crucial to take into account the number 

of interesting features suggested when 

designing future tools to ensure connectivity, 

security and productivity are accounted for in 

future designs.” 

Contact FEIN 

01327 308730 

https://fein.com/en_uk/ 

@FEIN_UK 


100,000 miles of blood vessels and 100 billion neurons enable your brain to make 

35,000 decisions every day. That’s 2,000 decisions per hour. One every two seconds. 

Five since you looked at this advert… 

Your head is your greatest asset and most valuable tool. 

Look after it with MSA head protection. 

Find out more at: www.msasafety.com/headprotection

Updates 


ALLROUND PROTECTION 

You can count on comfort and protection throughout the autumn and winter with Snickers Workwear’s new 

AllroundWork Jackets for professional tradesmen and women. 

Stay dry, warm and comfortable by choosing from a selection of water-repellent jackets that will give you basic 

protection from light showers with great breathability to ventilate your body if you continue to be active on site for 

short periods. 

But if you need 100% protection from the rain for long periods on site, check out Snickers’ GORE-TEX jackets 

and trousers. These highly technical garments are extremely durable with a membrane that has over 1.4 billion 

pores per square cm. They’re 100% waterproof to keep you dry, windproof to keep you warm, and breathable 

to keep you comfortable all day long 

There’s a host of designs, styles and extensive size options so you can select the right jacket for you and 

your job. There are also a great range of Winter Vests and Bodywarmers, even a Body Mapping Micro Fleece 

– so you’ll be well looked after all day, every day. www.snickersworkwear.co.uk 

Snickers Workwear’s new AllroundWork Jackets 

NEW DURHAM SHOWROOM 

Workwear Express has officially opened the doors to a new, fully fitted customer showroom 

and outlet at its County Durham headquarters. 

Workwear Express is a leading supplier of personalised 

workwear, uniform and promotional clothing. 

The company has spent £150,000 to refit the new showroom and outlet store at the Belmont Industrial 

Estate site. Andrew Ward, MD of Workwear Express, said: “We are delighted to welcome customers to 

our specially-designed new showroom and outlet store. It is a great opportunity for businesses in the 

region to have this facility on their doorstep, with access to a wide variety of our products, high quality, 

customised options and a fast, efficient turnaround.” www.workwearexpress.com 

BRUSHING OFF THE COMPETITION 

Makita has launched its DHR182ZJ 18v Brushless Rotary Hammer LXT. 

Above: DHR182ZJ 18v Brushless Rotary Hammer LXT. 

www.makitauk.com 

Benefiting from a brushless motor and patented battery technology, the tool offers excellent run times and 

extended life. Powered by a single 18V lithium-ion battery, the new rotary hammer offers three operating 

modes – Rotary only (RO), Hammer only (HO) and Rotation with Hammer (RH) to suit a range of high 

performance demands. This heavy duty tool also comes with a variable speed trigger, constant speed 

control, and forward and reverse rotation. The DHR182ZJ also comes equipped with anti-vibration 

technology (AVTTM), an ergonomic soft grip and Makita’s new Auto-Start Wireless System (AWS). 

NO CORDS ATTACHED 

Powered by Makita’s Twin 18V LXT battery technology, the DHS782ZJ and DHS783ZJU are both 

high-power cordless circular saws that can be used across a range of tasks. 

Above: the DHS782ZJ circular saw. 

Makita’s DHS782ZJ and DHS783ZJU also utilise 190mm ‘EFFI-CUT’ saw blades – making them 

perfect for heavy-duty applications. The DHS782ZJ and DHS783ZJU are compatible with a Makita 

guide rail, without the need for an adapter, so there is minimal set-up required. Both machines 

include Makita’s Automatic Torque Drive Technology (ADT), which automatically adjusts the cutting 

speed of the machine according to the load conditions. www.makitauk.com 


...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

METAL RAINWATER & 

ROOFLINE PRODUCTS 

RAINWATER • SOFFIT • FASCIA • COPINGS • CAPPINGS • FLASHINGS 

ARP works to ensure that the roofline and rainwater systems we manufacture are the best 

quality, long lasting and will meet with the needs of the properties, contractors and installers. 

Let us take the strain - we are here to help: 

• Site visits. 

• Dedicated project support from initial enquiry, 

drawings, production and finally fitting on site. 

• Excellent lead times. 

• High-quality metal roofline and rainwater systems 

• National network of technical Sales Managers 

We work closely with our customers to get the right product, at the right time and the right price. 

ALUMINIUM RAINWATER CAST IRON RAINWATER ALUMINIUM PRESSINGS 

ALUMINIUM RAINWATER CAST IRON RAINWATER ALUMINIUM PRESSINGS 

Call us today on 0116 298 6783 

or visit www.arp-ltd.com

November 2019

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