Batten ChecksWILL YOU PAY THE PRICE FORINFERIOR BATTEN QUALITY?Contractors should check they are getting the roofing battens they pay for, warns StuartNicholson, Roof Systems Director for Marley.The lockdown in the UK has led to a hugeincrease in demand for treated timber forexternal use in DIY and garden projects.Together with domestic extensions and new buildhousing demand, there is growing pressure on thetreated timber industry worldwide. This has led toconcerns about the quality of some timberproducts coming into the market, particularlyroofing battens.Whereas, in the past a substantially cheaperprice for roofing battens should have soundedalarm bells about the quality, now pricing of theseinferior products has increased and it’s muchharder for contractors to distinguish a qualitybatten by price alone.There have also been concerns in the industrythat some battens on the market have beendipped in preservative rather than pressuretreated, which is hard to detect from sight aloneand can give inadequate protection against rotand insect attack.This means that, if they aren’t buying from atrusted manufacturer, contractors couldunintentionally be using inferior quality battens,which has serious implications for their safetyand reputation.Roofing battens are an important structural andload bearing element. In addition, BS 5534graded battens can be used as a secure footholdduring installation, so it would only take a singlebatten failure to have serious consequences.Using inadequately treated battens, or those witha high moisture content can also lead to problemssuch as premature rotting, batten shrinkage anddistortion.Building control inspections are becomingincreasingly stringent when it comesto checking the right battens havebeen used. Non-compliant battenuse could lead to contractorsbearing the cost of stripping andredoing the whole roof and could alsoinvalidate any warranties, such as NHBC.The good news is that there are some quick andsimple steps contractors can take to make surethey are getting the roofing battens they havepaid for:1When you buy the battens, specifically askthe merchants or stockist for BS 5534compliant roofing battens.2Buy from a trusted brand or manufacturer,such as JB Red, as this will give you peaceof mind that battens have consistentquality standards and guaranteed compliancewith BS 5534. Our roofing experts are also easilycontactable should you ever have any queries.3Order your roofing battens early to ensurestock is available when you need it.4When the battens are delivered to site,open the packaging and give the battens avisual check yourself before use – seeadvice below:Visual batten checks:Grading stamp Only battens that have been preor factory graded to BS 5534 can be calledroofing battens. Make sure there is an indeliblestamp on the batten saying BS 5534.Third party accreditation Look for anindependent quality mark – our JB Red battenshave a BBA stamp to demonstrate this.Stuart Nicholson, Roof Systems Director atMarley.Check for defects If you pick itup from one end, the battenshould not snap, and it should alsobe straight (within the agreed BS5534 limit of 5mm distortion).Timber The species of tree from which the timberhas come from should be stamped on the batten.We only use slow grown imported redwood orwhitewood for our JB Red battens. Also look outfor an FSC or PEFC stamp to ensure sustainablesourcing.5Colour is not a guarantee of qualitypreservative treatment. If you aren’t sureabout the battens you are using, ask themanufacturer to see the treatment certificates.JB Red battens are pressure treated using apatented next generation technology preservativecalled MicroPro, which has a unique red pigmentand carries a 60-year lifetime expectancy againstinsect attack and wood rotting fungi (wheninstalled correctly in accordance with therequirements of Usage Class 2).6If you have any doubts at all about defects,strength or quality, don’t risk using thebatten. Instead, contact the manufactureror supplier for advice.For further help with checking your battens, youcan request your free battens pocket checklist byemailing, info@marley.co.uk.Contact Marley01283 722588www.marley.co.uk@MarleyLtd26 TC OCTOBER 2020
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