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British Standards for Roofing
Regulations and standards for roofing in the UK
Roofing or re-roofing a building is a very big job and before you even begin, you’ll need to consider the regulations set by the industry and administered by local councils to ensure the project is legal and safe.
The regulations are there primarily to protect people’s safety, health and welfare in buildings, but that’s not all. They also have an important environmental function, in helping to improve conservation of energies such as power and fuel, as well as protecting and enhancing the environment. Finally, they have a strong role to play in promoting sustainable development.
A certified installer will be up to the date with the current regulations and building standards and you should check this is the case before work begins. Otherwise, the penalties may be high. Failure to follow the correct procedures when carrying out building work, could mean you have to change or entirely remove the structure at a later stage.
Building regulations for re-roofing
If you are planning on re-roofing under 25% of your total roof space, then you probably won’t need local authority approval for the job.
However, you will need local authority permission in the following cases:
You are planning an extension
Your roofing project will cover more than 25% of your existing roof
You are making structural alterations to your roof
The performance of the new roof will be significantly different to the existing roof (in the event of fire for example)
To apply for approval, visit your local council’s website. In addition to building regulations and standards, you may also need to consider local area considerations when making your application, including climate and exposure. Read more on our blog.
Building standards for roofing
Ensuring your roofing project meets with current British Standards is an important part of the project. And while there are over 27,000 British Standards currently in operation, luckily not all of them apply to roofing. We’ve selected the key standards you should be aware of.
What you also need to know
BES 6001 is the ‘Framework Standard for the Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products’ by the Building Research Establishment (BRE). Cedral slates have been certified ‘Very Good’ by the BRE and demonstrate the company’s continued commitment to supporting sustainable building.
“The accreditation means architects, specifiers and contractors using Cedral roofing products can have total confidence that our processes, quality systems, and production methods conform to the highest standards of responsible sourcing,” says Martin Smithurst, Technical Manager UK for Cedral.
BS 5534:2014 +A2 2018
This covers slating and tiling for pitched roofs, as well as the code of practice for vertical cladding, which includes shingles. It provides recommendations for the design, materials, application, installation, and performance of slates, tiles, and shingles, including durability, insulation, fire proofing and the control of condensation. It also covers all fittings and accessories used in the construction of pitched roofs, and environmental considerations including wind and rain resistance, sound, environment and health and safety.
It works in conjunction with BS 8000-6, below.
For more information on the BS 5534 certification and best practice using battens, fixings, underlay and slates, read our blog.
BS 8000-6:2013
This covers workmanship on building sites and the code of practice for laying slates and tiles on roofs and claddings, including laying and fixing of all types of tiles and slates, eg clay, concrete and fibre cement.
BS 5250:2011+A1:2016
This standard covers the control of condensation in buildings which, if not properly adhered to, can lead to structural damage and dampness, and can pose health problems. Read more about condensation and ventilation in roof spaces.
BS 8612
This relatively recent standard was issued in 2018 and sets down requirements for dry-fixed roofing systems regarding fixing, wind resistance, durability, and ventilation. It is a direct response to the recent significant growth in the dry-fix market and aims to ensure that products in this market are suitable for purpose.
Help and support for your project
Cedral’s range of fibre cement slates can be fitted in accordance with BS 5534:2014 and the Cedral technical team are on hand to offer installation guidance, as well as recommendations to optimise performance. We also offer comprehensive technical information on our website – see our range of documents here.
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