Codes of practice

The key to a good result

The best quality products, the most imaginative building designs and the most progressive construction techniques can all be compromised through poor detailing and inadequate workmanship. Nothing can beat expertise in any field and the BSI publishes “Codes of Practice” for accepted good practice as followed by competent and conscientious practitioners, and which brings together the results of practical experience and acquired knowledge for ease of access and use of the information. If the codes of practice are followed a problem free construction should result. The key codes for roofing and cladding are;

Fibre cement corrugated sheet

1. Various codes of practice in the BS 5502 series – The design of agricultural buildings
2. BS 5247-1:1996 Code of Practice for the use of profiled sheet for roof and wall claddings on buildings. Design.
3. BS 8219:2001 Installation of sheet roof and wall coverings – Profiled fibre cement

1. BS 5534:2003 Code of practice for slating and tiling (including shingles)
2. BS 8000: Part 6: 1990 Code of practice for workmanship on Building Sites (NB Section 4.3 Natural slates)  PDF
3. BS 5250: 2002 Code of practice for control of ventilation in buildings. Vapour permeable underlays and fibre-cement slates.

    

   N.B. Within the definition of BS 5250: 2002 fibre cement slates must be considered as a "tight fitting" roof and consequently the roof space and/or batten cavity must always be ventilated regardless of the type of underlay used. Sections 8.4.2.2 to 8.4.2.6 of BS 5250: November 2002 give design guidance appropriate to particular roof constructions. 
    

4. For the latest NHBC recommendations on pitched roof ventilation please follow the link to the NHBC's technical newsletters and open Standards Extra issue 48 October 2010 page 3.