New Changes to British Standards for Slating and Tiling
In construction, it’s vital you keep up-to-date with new rules and regulations. Recent changes to the British Standards (BS3544) have made this all the more relevant for slating and tiling. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about the changes, with a look at how they could affect you.
Changing Standards
It’s essential for those in the construction industry to know exactly what the changes are, and consider them in their work immediately. The recent changes, namely BS5534, can be split into four key points:
1. Mortar
Mortar is now deemed to have “no tensile strength” and should not be included when calculating mechanical resistance. This means that mortar components also need mechanical fixings to ensure they meet with the new standards.
2. Underlays
BS5534 now has new underlay test, classification and stricter recommendations for securing underlay, to avoid excessive drape. This minimises the risk of ‘ballooning’, where extra drape allows wind to lift the underlay.
3. Fixing Specifications
The changes to BS5534 also affect the fixing specifications for different types of roofing. Minimum requirements for tiles, slates and shingles are all outlined. This aims to cover all bases of design varieties and different materials to ensure correct application and installation.
4. Battens
The main change with battens is that manufacturers now hold the responsibility for grading roofing batten before it reaches the building site. Automatic roof timber grading also now means that timber can be assessed for its suitability for a variety of criteria. With fully graded timber roofing battens, roofing contractors should receive paperwork that helps towards risk assessments and method statements – essential elements when it comes to planning this kind of work.
The change to battens is arguably the biggest of them all as it means there really is no excuse for construction professionals to be using poor quality materials.
Adapting to the changes
Whilst these changes are all relatively straight-forward, it’s important that construction companies and contractors are aware of them and adapt to them once they are in place. Make sure your contracts meet all of the existing and updated standards, and ensure all materials come with the required level of grading. It’s also worth noting that our post only contains a brief summary of the changes. For a more in-depth look at the changes to BS5534, check out this article on Building.co.uk.
Want more information on new regulations?
If you want similar advice on new regulations and safety advice, be sure to check the Manchester Safety blog again for more updates. At Manchester Safety, we offer a wide range of top quality construction equipment and supplies. If you have any questions, get in touch with our sales team on 01706 364 943, or by filling in our online contact form.
