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Code of practice for |
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Slating and tiling |
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(including shingles) |
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Part 1. Design |
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ICS 91.060.20 |
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NO COPYING WITHOUT BSI PERMISSION EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW
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BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

Committees responsible for this

British Standard
The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by Technical Committee
B/542, Roofing and cladding products for discontinuous laying, to Subcommittee
B/542/1, Slating and tiling, upon which the following bodies were represented:

Association of Building Engineers

Association of British Roofing Felt Manufacturers
Association of Building Component Manufacturers
British Precast Concrete Federation Ltd.
Building Employers' Confederation
Clay Roofing Tile Council
Concrete Tile Manufacturers' Association
Department of the Environment (British Board of AgreÁment)
Department of the Environment (Building Research Establishment)
Fibre Cement Manufacturers' Association
Health and Safety Executive
Institute of Building Control
Metal Cladding and Roofing Manufacturers' Association
National Federation of Roofing Contractors
National House-building Council
Natural Slate Quarries Association
Royal Institute of British Architects
Timber Research and Development Association
Timber Trade Federation
Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians
Wood Panel Industries Federation

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Sector Board for
Building and Civil Engineering,
was published under the
authority of the Standards Board
and comes into effect on
15 September 1997

 BSI 1997
Amendments issued since publication
Amd. No. Date Text affected

The following BSI references

relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference B/542/1
Draft for comment 93/106962 DC

ISBN 0 580 27697 X

 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

Contents

Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
Foreword ii
Section 1. General
1.1 Scope 1
1.2 References 1
1.3 Definitions 1
1.4 Symbols 1
Section 2. Materials, fitting and accessories
2.1 Clay tiles and fittings (single and double lap) 3
2.2 Concrete tiles and fittings (single and double lap) 3
2.3 Fibre-cement slates and fittings 3
2.4 Natural slates and fittings 3
2.5 Bitumen shingles 3
2.6 Wooden shingles and shakes 3
2.7 Metal tiles 3
2.8 Other tiles and artificial slates 3
2.9 Valley units (pre-formed) 3
2.10 Roofing underlay 3
2.11 Boarding, sheathing and sarking 4
2.12 Battens and counterbattens 4
2.13 Mechanical fixings 5
2.14 Flashings and junctions 6
2.15 Mortar 7
2.16 Other fittings and accessories 7
Section 3. Design recommendations
3.1 Definitions 9
3.2 Rain and snow resistance 9
3.3 Roof pitch, headlaps and sidelaps 9
3.4 Recommendations for minimum roof pitch, headlaps and sidelaps (roof) 13
3.5 Recommendations for minimum headlaps, sidelaps and overlaps for
vertical walls (75Ê and above) 15
3.6 Structural stability 16
3.7 Durability 31
3.8 Thermal insulation 32
3.9 Control of condensation 32
3.10 Fire 33
3.11 Sound 33
3.12 Environmental 33
3.13 Health and safety 34
Section 4. Design details
4.1 General 35
4.2 Underlays 37
4.3 Battens 38
4.4 Double lap clay and concrete plain tiles 39
4.5 Single lap clay and concrete interlocking tiles 41
4.6 Fibre cement slates 43

 BSI 1997 i
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

4.7 Natural slates 45

4.8 Bitumen shingles 47
4.9 Wooden shingles and shakes 48
4.10 Metal tiles 49
4.11 Other tiles/artificial slates (non-traditional) 50
4.12 Vertical slating, tiling and shingling 50
4.13 Repairs and maintenance 50
Annexes
A (normative) Method of test for air permeability 51
B (normative) Values of the uplift pressure reduction factor R 54
C (normative) Method of test and requirements for wind uplift resistance of
mechanical fixings (clips) for small rigid roofing elements 55
D (normative) Worked examples of wind uplift and fixing calculations 60
E (normative) Permissible characteristics and defects for timber battens and
counterbattens 67
F (informative) Recommended preservative treatment schedules for timber
battens (BS 5268 : Part 5) 69
G (normative) Design of batten sizes by calculation 69
H (normative) Example of structural design calculations for tilting battens 70
J (normative) Method of test for determination of tensile adhesion strength
of bedding mortars 72
Tables
1 Recommended timber batten sizes (roofing and vertical work) 5
2 Recommended minimum headlaps and roof pitches and angles of creep
for double lap natural, fibre cement and other artificial slates 13
3 Recommended minimum headlaps and roof pitches and minimum angles
of creep for double lap natural, fibre cement and other artificial slates 13
4 Nail penetrations for fixing into timber against wind uplift 22
5 Mortar tensile adhesion strength St 24
6 Sand grading-envelopes grading classification of sands used for mortar
samples 24
7 Spacing of nails and screws 26
8 Pressure difference coefficients (Cpt) for duopitch, hipped, and monopitch
roofs of clad rectangular buildings 26
9 Values of air permeability factor D for certain roof covering types laid with
unsealed head and side laps 30
10 Values of roof substrate shielding factor S for calculating the wind uplift
loads on roof coverings laid with unsealed head and side laps 30
11 Cpi values applicable in cases where the ceiling is permeable or absent 30
12 Recommended minimum widths of valley gutters for different roof pitches 36
13 Recommended headlaps for underlay 37
A.1 Test sample layout 52
B.1 Values of the uplift pressure reduction factor R 54
C.1 Values of k 57
F.1 Preservative treatment schedules or immersion periods 69
G.1 Permissible short term load sharing bending stress for timber battens 69
Figures
1 Categories of exposure to driving rain 10
2 Laps and angles of creep for double lap products 11

ii  BSI 1997
 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

3 Wind uplift loading on slates and tiles (including eaves and verge
overhang) 17
4 Distances around obstructions 27
5 Key for Cpt data for duopitch and hipped roofs 28
6 Key for Cpt data for monopitch roofs 29
7 Valley with unbedded tiles or slates 35
8 Valley with bedded tiles 35
A.1 Arrangement of apparatus 51
A.2 Plenum chamber arrangement for air permeability test 53
C.1 Example of arrangement of test apparatus for determination of clip
strength 56
C.2 Example of hinged batten for supporting a clipped test tile 58
C.3 System of forces in an array of clipped tiles under uplift load 59
D.1 Dimensions of a single lap tile described in example 2 60
D.2 Dimensions of a plain tile fixed as in example 5 62
D.3 Uplift forces, Ftr and Fh and the self weight acting on a ridge tile 64
D.4 Restoring force provided by the mortar 64
D.5 Dimension of double lap slating example 66
E.1 Examples of knot configurations 67
E.2 Wane 68
E.3 Permissible depth of fissures 68
E.4 Permissible slope of grain 68
E.5 Permissible rate of growth 68
H.1 Loads and bending moments on roof battens 71
J.1 Illustration of test strip selection from plain tile 73
J.2 Illustration of sample configuration at the time of testing 73
List of references 75

 BSI 1997 iii

BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

Foreword

This British Standard has been prepared by Subcommittee B/542/1. This Part of
BS 5534 replaces BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1990 and BS 5534 : Part 2 : 1986, which are
withdrawn. The standard was first published as CP 142 in September 1942, revised in
January 1958 and April 1968 and converted into a metric version giving values in
SI units in October 1971. It was first published as BS 5534 : Part 1 in April 1978.
This edition is a full revision of the standard and incorporates the following main
changes.
Clauses have been introduced to reflect the wider range of slating/tiling products now
in use and to accommodate the requirements of the Construction Products
Regulation 1991 [1].
Section 3, which deals with recommendations for design, has been revised to reflect
the new knowledge and experience on rain resistance and wind load resistance.
Where reference is made to proprietary products and to manufacturers'
recommendations, the specifier should satisfy himself that these products and
recommendations have been proven by relevant experience or relevant test method
data based on the conditions of use and methods of use in the UK climate.
It is advisable that the designer or specifier seeks assurances at the design stage of a
project that such recommendations are appropriate and that adequate quality
assurance schemes such as BS EN 9001, BS EN 9002 and BS EN 9003 are used for all
roofing products, fittings and accessories.
Recommendations for workmanship for slating/tiling are given in BS 8000 : Part 6.
NOTE. As a code of practice, this Part of BS 5534 takes the form of guidance and recommendations. It
should not be quoted as if it were a specification and particular care should be taken to ensure that
claims of compliance are not misleading.

Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity from
legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i to iv, pages 1
to 76, an inside back cover and a back cover.

iv  BSI 1997
 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

Section 1. General

1.1 Scope 1.4.2 The following symbols are specific to this Part
of BS 5534.
This code of practice deals with the design, material
NOTE. Additional symbols used only in the annexes are defined in
and application recommendations for slates, tiles and the annexes, where appropriate.
shingles and their associated fittings and accessories
used in the construction of pitched roofs and vertical a mortar contact surface area (in mm2)
cladding applications. Rain and wind resistance, along
A valley width (in mm)
with durability, thermal insulation, the control of
condensation, fire resistance, sound, environmental and Abo overhang at verge (in m)
health and safety issues are also considered. At exposed area of a roofing element (in m2)
This code of practice does not deal with workmanship Ao,e exposed overhanging area of roofing element
requirements which are included in BS 8000 : Part 6. It at eaves(in m2)
does not deal with designs and application techniques At,e exposed area of part of roofing element at
developed to satisfy a specific local need e.g. curved the eaves that is protecting the underlay
roofs and random slating. (in m2)
Ao,v exposed overhanging area of roofing element
1.2 References at verge (in m2)
At,v exposed area of part of roofing element at
1.2.1 Normative references the verge that is protected by underlay
This Part of BS 5534 incorporates, by dated or undated (in m2)
reference, provisions from other publications. These Atr vertically projected area of a ridge or hip tile
normative references are made at the appropriate (in m2)
places in the text and the cited publications are listed
Ah horizontally projected area of a ridge or hip
on page 75. For dated references, only the edition cited
tile (in m2)
applies; any subsequent amendments to or revisions of
the cited publication apply to this Part of BS 5534 only B cover width of a roofing element (in m)
when incorporated in the reference by amendment or Bn distance from nail hole to the side edge of a
revision. For undated references, the latest edition of slate (in m)
the cited publication applies, together with any Bo overhanging length of a roofing element
amendments. (in m)
1.2.2 Informative references Br length of a ridge or hip tile (in m)
This Part of BS 5534 refers to other publications that Cpt pressure difference coefficient
provide information or guidance. Editions of these Cpi internal pressure coefficient
publications current at the time of issue of this D air permeability factor
standard are listed on page 76, but reference should be Fh horizontal wind shear force on the ridge/hip
made to the latest editions. tiles (in N)
Ft wind uplift force on the exposed area of the
1.3 Definitions tile/slate (negative values denote uplift) (in N)
For the purposes of this Part of BS 5534, the Fo,e wind uplift force on the non overhanging
definitions given in 3.1, BS 6100 : Subsection 1.3.1 and part of the exposed area of the tile/slate
BS 6100 : Subsection 1.3.2 apply. (negative values denote uplift) (in N)
Ftr wind uplift force on a ridge or hip tile
1.4 Symbols (negative values denote uplift) (in N)
For the purposes of this Part of BS 5534, the symbols Fc force on the tile clip to resist wind uplift
given in 1.4.1 and 1.4.2 apply. (in N)
Fo wind uplift force on the overhanging part of
1.4.1 This Part of BS 5534 derives data from the exposed area of the slate/tile (negative
BS 6399 : Part 2, and the following symbols have been values denote uplift) (in N)
adopted from that standard.
g acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s2)
Ve effective wind speed (in m/s) Ga batten gauge (in m)
qs dynamic pressure of standard method Gd general roof areas for duopitch and hipped
(in N/m2) roofs (in m2)
Cpe external pressure coefficient Gm general roof areas for monopitch roofs
L building length (in m) (in m2)
H building height (in m) hr height of ridge or hip tile (in m)
W building width (in m) H height (in m)
a pitch angle (from the horizontal) of the roof
(in Ê)

 BSI 1997 1
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 1

Hi inner hip local roof areas for duopitch and

hipped roofs (in m)
K pressure drop coefficient
kn nailing factor (used for nailing an occasional
course of tiles)
l length (parallel to the rafters) of local roof
areas (in m)
Ld other local areas and valleys for duopitch
and hipped roofs (in m)
Lo overhanging length (up the rafter line) of a
tile/slate (in m)
Ls hanging length less the batten gauge (in m)
Lm all local roof areas and valleys for monopitch
roofs
Ln lever arm of nail (in m)
Lf uplift force lever arm (in m)
Lr width of a ridge or hip tile (in m)
Lh hanging length of a roofing element (in m)
Lv the exposed width of a valley (in m)
n number of courses of roofing elements held
down by one nailed course
pc critical upward pressure difference (in N/m2)
pu pressure acting on the underlay (in N/m2)
R uplift pressure reduction factor
Rc clip resistance against uplift (in N)
Ri inner ridge local roof areas for duopitch and
hipped roofs (in m2)
Rn required nail resistance (in N)
Rs rafter spacing (in m)
S roof substrate shielding factor
Sm failure load (in N)
Sn test values of mortar strength (in N/mm2)
St mortar tensile adhesion strength (in N/mm2)
w width (parallel to the battens) of local roof
areas (in m)
W9 weight of roofing elements (in N/m2)
Wp restoring force due to weight perpendicular
to the roof plane (in m)
X, Y dimensions of a roof obstruction (in m)
and Z
x and y dimensions of the local area surrounding a
roof obstruction (in m)
wt self-weight of a roofing element (in kg)
u angle of the roofing element from the
horizontal (in Ê)
f angle of creep on slates (in Ê)

2  BSI 1997
 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

Section 2. Materials, fittings and accessories

NOTE. Users of this Part of BS 5534 should also refer to 2.8 Other tiles and artificial slates
accreditation certificates and manufacturers' technical data
relevant to the conditions of use in the UK. Proprietary tiles and artificial slates which include
composite, resin filled, bonded or lightweight products,
etc. (outside the scope of the relevant tile, slate or
2.1 Clay tiles and fittings (single and shingle British Standards) should be of adequate
double lap) strength, water impermeability, durability, geometric
2.1.1 Single lap tiles (fixed and variable gauge) dimensions and tolerances.
There is no British Standard for single lap tiles. Clay
single lap tiles and fittings should conform to the frost 2.9 Valley units (pre-formed)
test given in BS 402 : Part 1. Proprietary valley units which include pre-formed GRP,
2.1.2 Double lap plain tiles PVC-U and metal products, etc. should be of adequate
strength, water impermeability, durability and
Double lap clay tiles and fittings should conform to the geometric dimensions.
recommendations given in BS 402 : Part 1.
NOTE. ENs for clay roofing tiles are in preparation.
2.10 Roofing underlay
2.2 Concrete tiles and fittings (single and 2.10.1 General
double lap) The roofing underlay provides a barrier to minimize
Concrete tiles and fittings should conform to the the wind load generated under wind gusts acting on
recommendations given in BS EN 490 and BS EN 491. slates and tiles. It also provides a barrier to prevent
wind driven snow or dust from entering the roof space
and transports any rainwater which may penetrate the
2.3 Fibre-cement slates and fittings slates or tiles into the roof drainage system.
Fibre cement slates should conform to the NOTE. An EN for roofing underlay is in preparation.
recommendations given in BS EN 492. All fibre cement 2.10.2 Fully supported
fittings should conform to the relevant quality and
durability recommendation given in BS EN 492. NOTE. This includes roofing underlays laid directly onto the
boarding or sarking.
NOTE. Health and Safety precautions are necessary when working
with asbestos cement products i.e. fibre cement products The roofing underlay should be of adequate strength,
containing asbestos fibres which should be identified as chrysotile. water resistance and durability with water vapour
See also 3.13. transmission high enough to prevent the formation of
condensation beneath the underlay. A test carried out
2.4 Natural slates and fittings in accordance with BS 3177 is recommended with a
minimum permeability of 0.36 g/m2 per 24 h at 25 ÊC
Natural slates should conform to the recommendations and a relative humidity of 75 %. The method of
given in BS 680. assessment given in BS 5250 should be used to ensure
NOTE. An EN for natural slates is in preparation. that harmful condensation will not develop. If
necessary, to overcome potential condensation risks, a
2.5 Bitumen shingles vapour control layer should be incorporated within the
structure.
There is no British Standard for bitumen shingles.
NOTE. An EN for bitumen roofing shingles is in preparation. 2.10.3 Unsupported
NOTE. This includes roofing underlays which are draped over the
rafters or underlays laid over counter-battens on boarding or
2.6 Wooden shingles and shakes sarking.
There is no British Standard for wooden shingles and Roofing underlay should be of adequate water
shakes. Wooden shingles and shakes should be suitably resistance and of tensile and nail-tear strength, low
treated to provide enhanced durability. See 3.7.5.2. extensibility under the roof environment to produce
the required resistance to wind uplift. It should
conform to the requirements for type 1F or 5U given in
2.7 Metal tiles BS 747. Other roofing underlays which satisfy these
There is no British Standard for metal tiles. Metal tiles recommendations may also be used.
should be manufactured from corrosion resistant NOTE. Refer also to NFRC Technical Bulletin No. 6 [2].
metals or metals of adequate strength, suitably treated
to provide durability. See 3.7.2.4.

 BSI 1997 3
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 2

2.10.4 Other types 2.12.3 Preservative treatment

Proprietary roofing underlays which have adequate It is not essential to treat tiling or slating battens with
strength, water resistance, nail-tear resistance, water a preservative except as required by the building
vapour resistance (where required) and durability and regulations and by-laws in areas subject to attack by
do not adversely affect the laying and performance of the House Longhorn beetle. Impregnation with
the roofing products may also be used. preservative should be considered in cases where
NOTE. Refer also to NFRC Technical Bulletin No. 6 [2]. maximum durability is sought or where there is a high
risk of condensation or lack of ventilation.
NOTE 1. Attention is drawn to the risk of chemical attack by
2.11 Boarding, sheathing and sarking certain types of preservative treatments on certain metal fittings
Boarding, sheathing and sarking should be either and fasteners (see 3.7). Preservative treatment compositions
should satisfy the schedules or immersion periods in accordance
tongued and grooved or square-edged. Tongued and with annex F.
grooved boarding should conform to BS 1297.
NOTE 2. It is also good practice to treat the cut ends of battens at
Plywoods should be selected from those listed in the verge.
BS EN 635, BS EN 313-1 and BS EN 313-2 and BS 5268 : NOTE 3. Consideration should be given to the safe disposal of
Part 2. battens treated with preservatives as they may contain toxic
substances which could introduce an environmental hazard.
Woodwool slabs should conform to BS 1105.
NOTE 4. Care should be taken to avoid contact between some
Fibreboards should conform to the recommended metal-based mechanical fixings or metal flashings and/or some
types for sarking and sheathing given in BS 1142. other metal products with some preservative treated timber types
which may result in galvanic corrosion when moisture is present.
Particle boards, type C3, C4 or C5 wood chipboard
NOTE 5. Information may be obtained from the British Wood
should conform to BS 5669 : Part 2 and BS EN 311. Preserving and Damp-proofing Association.
Orientated strand board type F2 should conform to
BS 5669 : Parts 3 and 5. 2.12.4 Recommended batten sizes
Cement bonded particleboard should conform to The following should be considered in determining
BS EN 634-1 and BS 5669 : Parts 4 and 5. batten sizes.
Other manufactured boards of adequate strength, a) Recommended timber batten sizes for various
durability and performance may also be used. common applications are given in table 1, subject to
permissible tolerances given in Note 1 of the table.
NOTE. Other ENs for wood based products suitable for use as
boarding/sheathing and sarking are in preparation. b) Battens of other sizes may be designed in
accordance with the recommendations of annex G
and annex H by structural calculation for strength
2.12 Battens and counterbattens and stiffness. The basic sizes so determined are
2.12.1 Timber species subject to the same tolerances on depth and width
Timber battens and counterbattens should be of the given in table 1 and permissible characteristics and
following species: defects given in annex E.
c) Generally, batten lengths should be sufficient to
Type A: Imported Whitewood span over not less than three consecutive supports.
Imported Redwood d) Battens fixed parallel to the rafters for
Canadian/USA Spruce-pine-fir under-and-over tiles should be of adequate size to
USA Southern Pine suit the tile used. These battens should be
chamfered to provide a bed for the undertile.
Type B: British-grown Corsican Pine
British-grown Scots Pine 2.12.5 Identification
British-grown Sitka Spruce Each delivery of battens should be accompanied by
documentation stating at least the following:
NOTE. For the purposes of this Part of BS 5534, `British-grown'
species are those grown in the United Kingdom and the Irish a) name of supplier;
Republic. b) timber species type or the actual species, from
2.12.2 Permissible characteristics and defects types A or B, graded as recommended in this Part of
Characteristics and defects in timber battens should BS 5534;
not exceed the limits given in annex E. c) basic size or sizes;
d) type of preservative and method of treatment, if
applicable.
NOTE. Refer also to NFRC Technical Bulletin No. 15 [3].

4  BSI 1997
Section 2 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

Table 1. Recommended timber batten sizes When selecting the type of nail for each application,
(roofing and vertical work) consideration should be given to the effects of its
mechanical and chemical properties in relation to other
Application Basic size of batten
metals or chemical salts that may be present in its final
450 mm span 600 mm span location.
Width Depth Width Depth
mm mm mm mm

Slates (double lap) 2.13.2 Nails for battens, counterbattens,

boarding and roofing underlays
Natural: Sized or 50 25 50 25
Random 2.13.2.1 General
Fibre cement or 38 25 50 25 Recommendations for the use of nails on battens,
Concrete counterbattens, boarding and roofing underlays are
given in 2.13.2.2 to 2.13.2.4.
Clay and concrete tiles
2.13.2.2 Battens and counterbattens
Double lap 38 25 38 25
Nails intended for use with battens and counterbattens
Single lap 38 25 50 25 should be as defined in BS 1202 : Part 1, round wire
NOTE 1. Tolerances on the basic sizes of timber batten should nails of 3.35 mm shank diameter. Annular ring shank or
be: Width +3 mm or 23 mm; depth 20 mm or +3 mm; based on helical threaded shank nails may also be used. For
measurement at a reference moisture content of 20 %
(see annex E). extra protection and in coastal regions the steel nails
NOTE 2. Where a batten is continuously supported directly by should be hot-dipped galvanized or sherardized. The
board sarking which itself is capable of supporting the roof length and type of nail to be used should depend on
imposed concentrated load (e.g. in Scottish practice), battens the exposure of the site (see 3.6.2.7). Special nails
should be of a minimum basic cross-section size of
38 mm 3 19 mm.
should be used for masonry wall applications.
NOTE 3. Span is defined as the distance between centres of 2.13.2.3 Boarding
supports, or the clear distance between the face of supports plus
half the bearing length at each end support, whichever is the Nails intended for use with boarding should be as
lesser. The minimum end bearing length should be 17.5 mm. defined in BS 1202 : Part 1, round wire nails of 3.35 mm
NOTE 4. Batten span sizes for other slates, tiles and shingles shank diameter, oval brad head, or cut floor brads,
such as timber shingles and shakes and metal tiles, or other
proprietary roofing products should be in accordance with with a minimum of 40 mm penetration into the
manufacturers' recommendations and AgreÁment Certificates supporting element.
where relevant.
NOTE 5. Batten sizes other than those given in table 1 should be 2.13.2.4 Roofing underlays
designed by structural calculation in accordance with annex H Nails intended for use with roofing underlays should
and annex G for strength and stiffness. When determining batten
sizes, consideration should also be given to adequate dimensions
be extra large head felt nails of 3.35 mm shank
for nailing and using commercially economic sizes. diameter and 20 mm length made of copper, aluminium
alloy or hot-dipped galvanized steel.

2.13 Mechanical fixings 2.13.3 Nails for clips

Nails intended for use with clips should be aluminium
2.13.1 Nails: general or stainless steel. Type, shank diameter and length
Nails are the most common form of fixing and it is should be determined by the type of clip, batten
recommended that nails intended for use as fixings dimensions and the exposure of the site
should conform to the relevant Parts of BS 1202, i.e. (see 3.6.3.4.2).
for aluminium nails: see BS 1202 : Part 3; 2.13.4 Nails for slates, tiles and shingles
for copper nails: see BS 1202 : Part 2; Copper nails intended for use with slates or tiles
for steel nails: see BS 1202 : Part 1. should conform to the requirements for clout nails
specified in BS 1202 : Part 2. For natural slates the
Or be as follows: minimum shank diameter should be 3.35 mm
(see 3.6.3.5.4). For natural slates, tiles and artificial
for silicon-bronze nails use the manufacturers' slates the shank diameter and length should be
specification; determined by the exposure of the site and the
manufacturers' recommendations (see 3.4.1 and
for zinc-coated nails hot-dipped, galvanized and 3.6.3.4.2).
sherardized;
for nails made of other use manufacturers'
materials specification.
NOTE. An EN for nails and staples for use in timber is in
preparation.

 BSI 1997 5
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 2

Aluminium nails intended for use with slates, tiles or 2.14 Flashings and junctions
shingles should conform to the requirements for clout
slate or tile nails specified in BS 1202 : Part 3. For 2.14.1 General
natural slates the minimum shank diameter should a) The sheet materials used for gutters, flashings,
be 3.35 mm (see 3.6.3.5.4). For natural slates, tiles and soakers, saddles should conform to the
artificial slates the shank diameter and length should recommendations given in 2.14.2 to 2.14.6.
be determined by the exposure of the site and the b) For each application, consideration should be
manufacturers' recommendations (see 3.4.1 and given to the type of metal intended for use in
3.6.3.4.2). Nails intended for use with wooden shingles flashings and junctions to ensure that any
should be of aluminium, hot-dipped galvanized or mechanical or chemical properties do not adversely
sherardized steel, phosphor or silicon bronze. affect durability of the work.
Stainless steel nails should conform to BS 1554
grades 302, 304, 315, 316, 321 or 347. Phosphor or silicon 2.14.2 Lead
bronze nails should conform to manufacturers' Lead sheet should conform to BS 1178. The thickness
recommendations. Nail sizes should conform to for the following applications should not be less than:
BS 1202 : Part 1.
NOTE. Where shingles or shakes are pressure treated for
for valleys 2.24 mm (code no. 5);
durability the use of uncoated aluminium nails is not for flashings 1.80 mm (code no. 4);
recommended. for soakers 1.32 mm (code no. 3);
for saddles 1.80 mm (code no. 4).
2.13.5 Clips for slates and tiles
NOTE 1. Further advice may be obtained from the Lead Sheet
2.13.5.1 General Association.
Evidence should be provided that in strength and NOTE 2. An EN for lead sheet is in preparation.
durability, the clip is fit for the intended use and that
the clip, as fitted, does not adversely affect the 2.14.3 Copper
performance of the tiles or slates on the roof Copper sheet should conform to the recommendations
(see annex C). given in BS 2870. The minimum thickness for the
following applications should not be less than:
2.13.5.2 Aluminium alloy
Clips of aluminium alloy should conform to the for gutters (fully supported) 0.45 mm to 0.70 mm
recommendations given in BS EN 485. (type ¡H) depending
on gutter width;
2.13.5.3 Stainless steel
for gutters (self supporting): 0.70 mm (type ¯H);
Clips of stainless steel should conform to the
recommendations given in BS 1449 : Part 2 and for flashings, soakers, saddles: 0.55 mm (type `fully
BS 1554 and be of the following specification: steel annealed').
grade 302, 304, 315, 316, 321 or 347. NOTE 1. Further advice may be obtained from the Copper
2.13.5.4 Other materials Development Association.
NOTE 2. An EN for copper sheet is in preparation.
Clips made of other alloy types, non-ferrous metals or
polymer based materials which can demonstrate 2.14.4 Aluminium and aluminium alloy
adequate sustained and fatigue strength (see annex C) Aluminium or aluminium alloy should conform to
and durability for the intended conditions of use, may BS EN 485 and BS EN 573. The thickness of aluminium
be used. or aluminium alloy for use as gutters, soakers,
2.13.6 Hooks and rivets for slates and tiles flashings and saddles should not be less than 0.70 mm.
It should be demonstrated that the hooks or rivets Grades 1199, 1080A, 1050A, 1200 and 3103 are suitable
used are of suitable strength and durability. When with the temper selected according to the strength and
fitted, they should not adversely affect the performance forming properties required.
of the tiles or slates in the roof. NOTE 1. Further advice may be obtained from the Aluminium
Federation.
NOTE 2. An EN for aluminium sheet is in preparation.

6  BSI 1997
Section 2 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

2.14.5 Zinc and zinc alloy 2.16 Other fittings and accessories
Zinc or zinc alloy should conform to the
2.16.1 Hip irons
recommendations given in BS EN 988. The thickness of
zinc alloy type for use as gutters, soakers, flashings Hip irons should be formed from steel strip
and saddles should be not less than 0.80 mm. conforming to BS 1449 : Part 1, and be hot-dipped
NOTE 1. Further advice may be obtained from the Zinc galvanized after cutting, forming and holing. The steel
Development Association. strip should conform to the following dimensions:
NOTE 2. An EN for zinc sheet is in preparation. ± for all roof pitches, hip irons should be 25 mm
wide and have a thickness of not less than 5 mm;
2.14.6 Proprietary flashing and junction units
± upstands should be of an adequate length to
Units which have adequate strength, water resistance
support the hip tile;
and durability and which do not adversely affect the
laying and performance of the roofing products, may ± the flat section along the hip rafter should not be
also be used. less than 400 mm in length and have two holes to
enable it to be fastened with at least two 5 mm
hot-dipped galvanized screws or nails.
2.15 Mortar
2.16.2 Rooflights
2.15.1 Materials
A range of proprietary translucent slates and tile
Materials should conform to the following products or translucent roof/attic windows may be
recommendations. used in the roof system. Rooflights may be
manufactured in glass, GRP, PVC or other suitable
a) Cement Portland Cement, BS 12 or polymers with or without wire reinforcement.
BS 146.
There are no British Standards for these products.
b) Quicklime and BS 890 or BS 5628 : Part 3.
NOTE 1. Users should pay particular attention to the durability,
hydrated lime light transmission and fire performance of the materials.
c) Sand Sand which provides a mortar NOTE 2. An EN for rooflights is in preparation.
mix that gives adequate bond
strength as described in the 2.16.3 Snow guards and boards
requirements given in 3.5.3.4.3 Proprietary devices may be used which are fixed
and when tested in accordance directly to the rafters or battens of the tile and slate
with the test method given in roof to provide resistance to the movement of snow.
annex J. These are more common on steeper roof pitches.
There are no British Standards for snow guards and
NOTE. Most BS 1200 sands are suitable.
boards.
d) Pigment BS 1014. NOTE 1. Users should pay particular attention to the strength and
durability performance of the material to be used.
e) Admixtures BS 5075 : Parts 1, 2 and 3 and in
NOTE 2. Snow guards as fitted should not adversely affect the
accordance with manufacturers' performance of the roof as laid.
recommendations.
f) Water Water should not contain 2.16.4 Safety hooks
soluble or suspended matter in Safety hooks are proprietary devices which are fixed
quantities which have an directly to the roof or building structure and to which
adverse effect on the safety ropes or harnesses are attached by roofing or
performance of the hardened maintenance contractors. These devices may be
mortar. subject to Health and Safety legislation.
NOTE 1. Users should pay particular attention to the strength and
2.15.2 Mix durability performance of the material. Safety hooks as fitted
should not adversely affect the performance of the roof as laid.
The mortar should typically consist of the following
NOTE 2. See also BS EN 517.
mix:
cement and sand: one part cement to three parts sand 2.16.5 Roof walkways
by volume. Plasticizing admixtures may be added in Roof walkways are proprietary devices which are fixed
accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations. to the roof structure as part of the tile/slate product
NOTE 1. If the use of other mixes is being considered, attention system. These devices may be required to be present
should be given to the workability of the mix and possible by Health and Safety legislation.
application problems, e.g. the need to avoid unsatisfactory bedding
on steep pitches. NOTE 1. The roof walkways should not adversely affect the
performance of the roof as laid.
NOTE 2. Mortar mixes stronger than the mix described above
could lead to excessive shrinkage and lower values of tensile NOTE 2. BS EN 516 applies to building elements permanently fixed
adhesion strength when tested in accordance with the method to pitched roofs, to stand or to walk on during inspection,
given in annex J. maintenance or repair operations.

 BSI 1997 7
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 2

2.16.6 Ventilation products 2.16.9 Lightning conductors

If proprietary roof space ventilation products are used, Lightning conductors should be fitted to roofs,
they should perform satisfactorily as roofing products particularly of tall buildings in exposed positions or
and should be: high altitudes to prevent damage by lightning strikes.
a) designed to provide an effective weatherproof air Lightning conductors may be required by Health and
path from the external environment into and/or out Safety legislation and may be required by law for some
of the roof space or roof construction zone; metal roofs.
b) provide the free air space recommendations given Lightning conductors should conform to BS 6651 and
in BS 5250 for the eaves, tile or ridge applications; be mechanically fixed to resist wind loads.
NOTE. Lightning conductors should be of a suitable design that
c) prevent access by animals, rodents or large they will not adversely affect the performance or aesthetic
insects. appearance of the roof, e.g. consider a location beneath the
NOTE. Users should pay particular attention to the resistance to roofing elements.
wind load, deluge, driving rain and durability performance of the
materials used. Ventilation products as fitted should not adversely 2.16.10 Eaves filler units
affect the performance of the roof. Proprietary eaves filler units are devices fitted at the
2.16.7 Dry roofing products eaves, primarily of tiled roofs, which possess
significant profiles (greater than a 16 mm sphere).
Proprietary dry roofing products and systems may be These are fitted to prevent access by birds and small
used to replace mortar to provide a gap-filling and rodents. The eaves filler may also provide an air
mechanical resistance property at all or some roof ventilation function.
details. There are no British Standards for these
products. There is no British Standard for eaves filler units.
NOTE. Users should pay particular attention to the resistance to NOTE. The eaves filler unit as fitted should not adversely affect
wind load and durability performance of the materials. Dry roofing the performance of the roof.
products as fitted should not adversely affect the performance of
the roof.

2.16.8 Rainwater products

Rainwater products should be fitted to the roof at
eaves and gullies between roof slopes to drain
rainwater and melted snow safely away. Design
recommendations for the drainage of roofs and paved
areas are given in BS 6367. Rainwater products should
conform to the relevant British Standards,
e.g. BS 4576 for PVC-U, BS 2871 for copper, BS 416 for
cast iron and BS 569 for fibre cement.
NOTE. ENs for roof gutters and downpipes are in preparation.

8  BSI 1997
 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

Section 3. Design recommendations

3.1 Definitions 3.3 Roof pitch, headlaps and sidelaps

3.1.1 deluge rain 3.3.1 Roof pitches
High rainfall without wind. The roof pitches given in tables 2 and 3 are the pitch of
the rafter (angle of elevation of the roof structure from
3.1.2 driving rain the horizontal). The actual pitch of a slate/tile/shingle
Rainfall with wind. when laid will be less than the roof pitch.
3.1.3 snow NOTE. Roof pitches below 75Ê are included.

Snowfall with or without wind. 3.3.2 Headlaps (double lap)

The headlap for double lap products is the distance by
3.2 Rain and snow resistance which the upper course of the slate/tile/shingle
provides a lap with the next but one course below
3.2.1 General (see 3.4.2.1 for tiles and 3.4.4.1 for slates).
The UK has a climate where there is a high risk of NOTE 1. Certain types of shingle are laid to a triple lap.
driven rain. NOTE 2. Tables 2 and 3 do not apply to single lap products.
Figure 1 details two categories of exposure based on 3.3.3 Headlaps (single lap)
driving rain penetration data from BS 8104 : 1992 and
BRE Report Thermal insulation: avoiding risks The headlaps for single lap tiles (see 3.4.3.1) is the
(second edition 1994) [4]. This map may be used when distance by which the upper course of tiles provides
designing buildings up to 12 m ridge height. For more an overlap with the next course below.
detailed guidance, reference should be made to NOTE. Some single lap products have a headlap of fixed
dimension resulting from the design of the product.
BS 8104 : 1992.
3.3.4 Sidelaps (double lap)
3.2.2 Product resistance to rain and snow
For double lap slates/tiles the sidelap is the side
Roofing products, fittings and accessories when laid
distance by which the slate/tile overlaps the slate/tile in
and fixed in a roof, perform in different ways to resist
the next course below (see figure 2b).
snow and rainwater penetration. The mechanisms of
rainwater ingress with roofing products are varied and 3.3.5 Side laps (single lap)
include: capillary action and rainwater creep; driving The sidelap for single lap products is the amount by
rain; deluge rain and flooding; raindrop bounce and which one tile overlaps the adjacent tile in the same
negative pressure rain suction, etc. course by way of a side interlock or upstand feature.
NOTE. Snow ingress is generally wind driven. NOTE. Single lap interlocking tiles generally have a proprietary
Roofing products may experience one or more of these side-lock design.
performance mechanisms which depend on the design 3.3.6 Angle of creep (double lap)
details, pitch, lap, gaps as laid and geometry of the
products in relation to the roof and the design, See figures 2a and 2b.
orientation, location, geometry, macro and micro The angle of creep can be calculated by using the
climate affecting the roof. following equations.
The definition of whether a roofing product as laid has For centre nailed slates:
a satisfactory rain resistance or snow resistance 1 CN
performance should depend on the building's use, its CAN = .
tan f AC
design life and the roof detailing.
For head and shoulder nailed or hook fixed slates:
At present, the UK does not have an agreed British
Standard performance test or rain or snow resistance 1 CB
CAB = .
test method to assess the pitch and lap performance of tan f AC
pitched roofing products. The maximum angle of creep for a particular slate is
The recommendations for rain resistance given are, the lesser of the following angles: CAN or CAB
therefore, prescriptive based on experience. (see figure 2a).
At present, there are no agreed recommendations for
snow resistance.

 BSI 1997 9
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 3

Inverness

Aberdeen

Oban Perth Dundee

Glasgow Edinburgh

Newcastle
Londonderry

Carlisle
Belfast

York Kingston
Preston Leeds upon-Hull

Key Liverpool Manchester

Sheffield

Exposure approximate wind driven Stoke Nottingham

zones rain (l/m 2 per spell)

Leicester
Norwich
Birmingham
less than 56.5
Aberystwyth Northampton Ipswich
Bedford

equal to or greater than 56.5 Oxford

Swansea
LONDON
Cardiff Bristol

Brighton
Bournemouth

Plymouth

NOTE. Derived from BS 8104 : 1992 and BRE Report Thermal insulation: avoiding risks (second edition 1994) [4].
Figure 1. Categories of exposure to driving rain

10  BSI 1997
Section 3 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

A
G

N
B C F

CAN = angle of creep to nail hole

CAB = angle of creep to side edge of slate
NF = horizontal nail hole distance from side edge of slate

a) Angles of creep

Figure 2. Laps and angles of creep for double

lap products

 BSI 1997 11
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 3

,,,,, D

,,,,, A
G

,,,,,
,,,,,
N
S CC

,,,,,
F

NOTE. The shaded area represents the minimum provision of headlap and
sidelap and the area of potential creep.
CAN represents the angle of creep of the particular slate.
CAS represents the minimum angle of creep for the conditions of use, given in
tables 2 and 3.
Where CAN and CAS are equal, there is no margin for reducing the slate width
by cutting during laying.
DG, FH and JE = headlap with the next course but one below.
DE = length of slate
HE = slate margin (and gauge)
EH = HG.
b) Area of side and headlaps

Figure 2. Laps and angles of creep for double lap products

(continued)

12  BSI 1997
Section 3 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

If the maximum angle of creep for a particular slate is Table 3. Recommended minimum headlaps and
less than the minimum shown in tables 2 and 3 the roof pitches and minimum angles of creep for
sidelap of the slate will be inadequate for the double lap natural, fibre cement and other
conditions of use. artificial slates (driving rain exposure
The minimum width of a slate is given by the following $ 56.5 l/m2 per spell)
equation: Roof Minimum Nominal length of slate
pitch headlap
Min. slate width = {(DE 2 3DG)tan f} + 2NF (min.) mm
560 mm 500 mm 460 mm Less than
or 460 mm
For head and shoulder nailed and hook-fixed slates the Ê longer
value of NF is zero.
Angle of creep fÊ

Table 2. Recommended minimum headlaps and 45 65 32 32 32 36

roof pitches and angles of creep for double lap 40 75 34 35 40 48
natural, fibre cement and other artificial slates
(driving rain exposure < 56.5 l/m2 per spell) 35 75 37 40 45 57
Roof Minimum Nominal length of slate 30 75 41 44 50 60
pitch headlap 560 mm 500 mm 460 mm Less than 27.5 90 43 47 55 Ð
(min.) mm or 460 mm
Ê longer
25 100 45 50 61 Ð
Angle of creep fÊ 22.5 115 52 60 Ð Ð
45 65 26 26 26 26 20 130 60 Ð Ð Ð
See notes 1 to 9 of table 2.
40 65 26 26 26 26
35 75 26 26 26 29
30 75 32 32 32 32 3.4 Recommendations for minimum roof
27.5 85 34 36 39 48
pitch, headlaps and sidelaps (roof)
25 90 36 40 47 Ð 3.4.1 General
22.5 100 41 47 56 Ð When considering the minimum recommendations for
pitch and laps for slate and tile products, the specifier
20 115 48 56 65 Ð should take account of any abnormal conditions which
NOTE 1. The headlap may be increased in calculating the width may apply to the proposed use of a generic or
of double lap product. proprietary product.
NOTE 2. These recommendations are minimum values which are
more critical at roof pitches below 30Ê(driving rain exposure Where abnormal weather conditions may be expected,
< 56.5 l/m2) and below 40Ê(driving rain exposure $ 56.5 l/m2). for example on elevated sites, near to the coast, in
The thickness of the slates will reduce the effective slope of the localities where heavy snow falls are commonly
slate surface.
NOTE 3. For steeper roof pitches it is possible to use a greater
experienced or in conditions of severe exposure, the
angle of creep to allow for a loss of side lap where it is following recommendations for pitches and laps may
necessary to cut the slates. not ensure full protection from the weather. In such
NOTE 4. For artificial double lap slating (fibre cement or conditions, the specifier using generic products should
artificial slates) these recommendations for headlaps and seek guidance from an experienced roofing contractor
sidelaps apply, except at roof pitches below 25Ê (driving rain
exposure < 56.5 l/m2) and 30Ê (driving rain exposure who is conversant with local conditions and any
$ 56.5 1/m2) in which case manufacturers should produce special precautions which should be taken into
evidence of satisfactory performance (see 3.4.1). account in designing the roof covering.
NOTE 5. For triple lap shingles or shakes, refer to
manufacturers' technical literature. Where proprietary tile and artificial slate products are
NOTE 6. The minimum roof pitch for double lap slating in UK to be specified, manufacturers' recommendations
climatic conditions is 20Ê. should be followed. Additionally, the specifier should
NOTE 7. The calculation of the minimum slate width using the satisfy himself that the performance of these products
relevant angle of creep is normally based upon a nail hole to
side edge distance (NF) of 20 mm to 25 mm. Any greater nail
and recommendations have been proven by relevant
hole to side edge distance will require recalculation of slate experience in use or relevant test data based on the
width in accordance with the expression given in 3.3.6. conditions and methods of use in equivalent and
NOTE 8. The headlap should not exceed one third of the length appropriate climatic conditions.
of the slate.
NOTE 9. Hook fixing of slates may require greater headlap than
those recommended in tables 2 and 3.

 BSI 1997 13
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 3

3.4.2 Double lap clay and concrete plain tiles 3.4.4.2 Sidelap
3.4.2.1 Headlap The nature of double lap slating ensures that a
notional half width of slate overlaps the slate below.
Headlap should be not less than 65 mm and should not
For special circumstances a reduction in sidelap
exceed one third of the length of the tile. For feature
should be assessed in accordance with 3.3.6 and the
and ornamental tiles, the shape of the tail should be
influence that it has on the angle of creep in relation to
considered when the headlap is specified and if
the lap and pitch.
necessary increased.
NOTE. The design of some products requires a limit to the 3.4.4.3 Roof pitch
maximum headlap.
The recommended roof pitch for the type of slate and
3.4.2.2 Sidelap conditions of use can be obtained from tables 2 and 3.
Sidelap should not be less than one third of the width The minimum roof pitch should be 20Ê.
of a plain tile. Special and purpose-made hip and valley Where abnormal conditions are expected, for example
tiles should provide for sidelaps not less than one third on elevated sites, near to the coast, or where high
of the width of a plain tile. snow or rainfalls are experienced, table 3 can be used
to obtain the recommended headlap and roof pitch.
3.4.2.3 Roof pitch
Table 2 can be used for other situations.
Plain tiles should be laid at rafter pitches not less
than 35Ê. Clay tiles which do not meet the dimensional 3.4.5 Bitumen shingles
and geometric requirements given in BS 402 should be 3.4.5.1 General
laid at pitches not less than 40Ê.
Bitumen shingles, which are proprietary products of
3.4.3 Single-lap clay and concrete tiles variable design, may be laid and fixed with or without
(interlocking) an adhesive section in the headlap area.
3.4.3.1 Headlap 3.4.5.2 Overlap
These products have the headlap fixed by design The overlap for bitumen shingles should be not less
features on the top surface at the head of the tile and than 200 mm.
features on the under surface at the tail of the tile. For
variable tiles without a head-lock design, the minimum 3.4.5.3 Sidelap
headlap should be not less than 75 mm. The sidelap for bitumen shingles should be not less
NOTE. The design of some products requires a limit to maximum than half the width of the tab width.
headlap.
3.4.5.4 Roof pitch
3.4.3.2 Sidelap The roof pitch for bitumen shingles should be as
The sidelap features are generally of a proprietary recommended by the manufacturer based on evidence
side-lock design. in use (see 3.4.1).
3.4.3.3 Roof pitch 3.4.6 Wooden shingles and shakes
In general, roof pitches should be not less than 30Ê.
3.4.6.1 General
Proprietary tile designs which have effective
anti-capillary headlap features, side-lock features and Wooden shingles and shakes, which are products of
are close fitting as laid, may be used below 30Ê. variable design, may be laid and fixed with or without
Manufacturers of tiles, fittings or accessories should a roofing underlay.
produce evidence of satisfactory prolonged and 3.4.6.2 Headlap
extensive use of their products at the roof pitches,
headlaps and sidelaps for which they are intended to The headlap for wooden shingles and shakes should be
be used. For example; evidence that products have a function of the length and thickness of the shingle or
been shown to be satisfactory for not less shake, the exposure category, the roof pitch and the
than 15 years in the location of intended use; or surface characteristics of the product.
evidence from an appropriate test method which may 3.4.6.3 Sidelap
be directly correlated with the recommended The sidelap for wooden shingles and shakes should be
conditions of use. not less than 38 mm.
3.4.4 Fibre cement slates and natural slates
3.4.6.4 Roof pitch
3.4.4.1 Headlap Roof pitches may be recommended by the
A satisfactory headlap should be a function of the manufacturer based on evidence in use (see 3.4.1).
length and width of the slate; the exposure category;
the roof pitch and the angle of creep. These factors are
summarized in tables 2 and 3 and can be used to obtain
the recommended headlap for the type of slate and
conditions of use.

14  BSI 1997
Section 3 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

3.4.7 Metal tiles 3.5 Recommendations for minimum

3.4.7.1 General headlaps, sidelaps and overlaps for
Metal tiles, which are proprietary products of variable vertical walls (75Ê and above)
design, may be laid and fixed to different
3.5.1 Double lap clay and concrete plain tiles,
specifications.
fibre cement slates and natural slates
3.4.7.2 Headlap
3.5.1.1 Headlap
Metal tiles have the headlap fixed by the design
Headlaps for double lapped clay and concrete plain
features of the head and tail.
tiles should be not less than 37.5 mm. Headlaps for
3.4.7.3 Sidelap double lapped slating should be not less than 44.5 mm.
The sidelap for metal products is fixed by the design 3.5.1.2 Sidelap
features which are typically related to the centres of
Sidelaps for double lapped clay and concrete plain
the corrugation and shaped features.
tiles, fibre cement slates and natural slates should be
3.4.7.4 Roof pitch in accordance with 3.4.2.2 and 3.4.4.2.
The roof pitch for metal tiles should be in accordance 3.5.2 Single lap clay and concrete tiles
with manufacturers' recommendations based on (interlocking)
relevant experience in use or relevant test data
reflecting appropriate climatic conditions. 3.5.2.1 Headlap
These products may have the headlap fixed by design
3.4.8 Other tiles and slates
features on the top surface at the head of the tile
Manufacturers of other proprietary tiles and slates and/or features on the under surface at the tail of the
which include composite, resin filled or bonded and tile. For variable headlap products the headlap should
lightweight products, etc., of variable design, should be not less than 35 mm below the nail hole.
produce evidence of satisfactory prolonged and
extensive use of their products at the roof pitches, 3.5.2.2 Sidelap
headlaps and sidelaps for which they are intended to The sidelap features are generally of a proprietary
be used. For example; evidence that products have side-lock design.
been shown to be satisfactory for not less
than 15 years in the location of intended use; or 3.5.3 Bitumen shingles
evidence from an appropriate test method which may 3.5.3.1 Overlap
be directly correlated with the recommended For bitumen shingles the overlap should be not less
conditions of use. than 200 mm.
3.4.9 Application of roof products below 3.5.3.2 Sidelap
recommended roof pitch, headlap or sidelap
For bitumen shingles the sidelap should be not less
3.4.9.1 There are design situations where it would be than half the width of the tab.
difficult to avoid using a roofing product, fitting or
accessory below the recommended roof pitch, headlap 3.5.4 Wooden shingles and shakes
or sidelap. These situations may include, for example, 3.5.4.1 Headlap
a lean-to on an existing building where a window,
A satisfactory headlap for wooden shingles and shakes
cavity tray line or boundary restricts the roof pitch. In
should be a function of the length and thickness of the
these situations, it is to be expected that the roof
shingle or shake, the exposure category, the roof pitch
covering may experience rain or snow penetration.
and surface characteristics of the product.
NOTE. Roof product manufacturers' guarantees may not apply in
these situations. 3.5.4.2 Sidelap
3.4.9.2 It is recommended that a roof designed below The sidelap for wooden shingles and shakes should be
the recommended roof pitch should have a functional not less than 38 mm.
underlay sub-roof system to remove any rainwater 3.5.5 Metal tiles
ingress safely to the eaves gutter. Proprietary roofing
underlays may also be used. However, it should have 3.5.5.1 Headlap
adequate strength, water resistance, nail tear The headlap for metal tile products is fixed by the
resistance, water vapour resistance (where required) design features of the head and tail of the metal tile.
and durability. The underlay should not adversely
affect the laying and performance of roofing products. 3.5.5.2 Sidelap
NOTE. Users should also refer to British Board of AgreÁment The sidelap for metal tile products is fixed by design
Certificates and manufacturers' technical data which are relevant features which are typically related to the centres of
to UK conditions of use and to NFRC Technical Bulletin No. 6 [2]. the corrugation and shaped features.

 BSI 1997 15
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 3

3.5.6 Other tiles and slates where

Manufacturers of other proprietary tiles and slates
which include composite, resin filled or bonded and At = B 3 Ga;
lightweight products etc., should produce evidence of Ft is the wind uplift load (in N);
the satisfactory prolonged and extensive use of their qs is the dynamic pressure of the wind (in N/m2),
products at the roof pitches, headlaps and sidelaps for calculated from the equation qs = 0.613Ve2,
which they are intended to be used. For example; where Ve is in m/s and is derived from
evidence that products have been shown to be BS 6399 : Part 2;
satisfactory for not less than 15 years in the location of
use; or evidence from an appropriate test method At is the exposed area of the roofing element
which may be directly correlated with the (in m2);
recommended conditions of use. D is the air permeability factor given by the
equation D = (log10K) 2 1, appropriate values
3.6 Structural stability being given in table 8 or obtained by test in
accordance with annex A;
3.6.1 Dead and imposed loads S is a roof substrate shielding factor, appropriate
Dead and imposed loads should be calculated in values being given in table 9;
accordance with the recommendations given in
Cpt is the pressure difference coefficient.
BS 6399 : Parts 1 and 3.
3.6.2 Wind loads b) For roof coverings that overhang the eaves by
more than 50 mm:
3.6.2.1 General
there are two loads acting simultaneously, Fo,e and
The effective wind speed Ve and the dynamic pressure Ft,e. Fo,e acts on the overhanging part and is given
of the wind qs appropriate to the location, altitude and by equation 2, and Ft,e acts on the part protected by
other topographical conditions in the United Kingdom the underlay and is given by equation 3.
should be calculated in accordance with the standard
method described in BS 6399 : Part 2, taking the size Fo,e = qs 3 {(Cpt/R) 20.8} 3 Ao,e (2)
effect factor, Ca, as 1.0 for slating/tiling. The where
appropriate pressure difference coefficient Cpt depends Ao,e = B (L0 2 0.05) .
on the roof geometry and building and should be
obtained from table 7. Alternatively, for more complex Ft,e = qs 3 Cpt 3 At,e 3 D 3 S (3)
roof shapes, appropriate Cpe values may be obtained where
from the more precise data given in BS 6399 : At,e = B(Ga 2 L0 + 0.05) .
Part 2 and these should be used in conjunction with The total load on the tile should be calculated from
values for uplift pressure reduction factor, R, from the sum of the overturning moments from the forces
annex B. Fo,e and Ft,e.
The wind uplift load on discontinuously laid small c) For roof coverings that overhang the verges by
element roofing products with unsealed laps should be more than 50 mm:
derived taking into account air permeability through
the side and endlaps according to the equations given There are two loads acting simultaneously, Fo,v and
in 3.6.2.1 to 3.6.2.4. Ft,v . Fo,v acts on the overhanging part and is given
by equation 4, and Ft,v acts on the part protected by
Attention is drawn to areas of high local wind uplift the underlay and is given by equation 5.
occurring near roof edges and around obstructions
such as chimney stacks, small dormers and other Fo,v = qs 3 {(Cpt /R) 20.8} 3 Ao,v (4)
similar projections above the roof surface. where
3.6.2.2 Wind loads on small roof covering Ao,v = Ga (B0 2 0.05) (see figure 3).
elements with unsealed laps (excluding ridges, Ft,v = qs 3 Cpt 3 At,v 3 D 3 S (5)
hips and valleys) where
These wind loads act on the centre of the exposed At,v = Ga (B 2 B0 + 0.05) (see figure 5).
area of the roofing element and in a direction normal
The total load on the tile should be calculated from
to it.
the sum of the overturning moments from the forces
a) For roof coverings that do not overhang either Fo,v and Ft,v .
the verge or eaves by more than 50 mm:
use equation (1):
Ft = qs 3 Cpt 3 At 3 D 3 S (1)

16  BSI 1997
Section 3 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

Ft

Fo,e F t,e

Lo

NOTE. Figure 3a illustrates eaves overhang. Equations 2 and 3 should be used when eaves overhang
exceeds 0.05 m.
a) Single lap tiles

Figure 3. Wind uplift loading on slates and tiles (including eaves and
verge overhang)

 BSI 1997 17
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 3

Ft
Fo,e Ft,e

Lo

NOTE. Figure 3b illustrates eaves overhang. Equations 2 and 3 should be used when eaves overhang exceeds 0.05 m.
The total load on the overhanging tile is Fo,e + Ft,e
b) Double lap slates or tiles
Figure 3. Wind uplift loading on slates and tiles (including eaves and verge overhang)
(continued)

18  BSI 1997
Section 3 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

Fo,v

Ft,v

Ga

Overhang Bo

NOTE. Figure 3c illustrates verge overhang. Equations 4 and 5

should be used when the verge overhang exceeds 0.05 m.
The total load on the overhanging tile is Fo,v + Ft,v
c) Single lap tiles
Figure 3. Wind uplift loading on slates and tiles
(including eaves and verge overhang)
(continued)

 BSI 1997 19
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 3

Ftr F tr
r

hr
h

Fh Fh

Lr Lr

Rectilinear ridge Half-round ridge

F tr
hr

Fh
Br

Lr

Monopitch ridge

NOTE. Figure 3d illustrates ridges and hips. Equations 6 and 7 should be used.
d) Ridges and hips
Figure 3. Wind uplift loading on slates and tiles (including eaves and verge overhang)
(continued)

20  BSI 1997
Section 3 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

3.6.2.3 Wind loads on ridge and hip tiles where

There are two loads acting simultaneously, Fh and Ftr.
Fh is the wind shear force acting horizontally and is Cpe is the external pressure coefficient value
given by equation 6, and Ftr is the uplift force acting obtained from BS 6399 : Part 2;
perpendicularly to the ridge or hip and is given by Cpi is the appropriate internal pressure coefficient
equation 7. for the underside of the element, obtained for
Fh = qs 3 2 3 Ah (6) table 9 or derived from BS 6399 : Part 2.
where 3.6.2.7 Resistance to wind loads of the batten to
Ah = Bh 3 hr (see figure 3). rafter nails
Ftr = qs 3 Cpt 3 Ar 3 D 3 S (7) The nails holding the battens onto the rafters should
where resist the wind loads on the underlay, less the dead
weight of the tiles. The required resistance Rn
Ar = Br 3 Lr (see figure 3). (in N/m2) is given by equation 11:
The value of D should be taken from table 8 for the Rn = Ga 3 Rs {qs (Cpi 2 Cpt/R) 2 (0.9 3 W9cos a)} (11)
elements of the main roof covering, and the value of S
should depend on the protection provided by the where
underlay as follows:
R is the uplift pressure reduction factor
a) with ridge fully protected by underlay (see annex B);
(non-ventilating), S = 1;
Rn is the required nail resistance (in N);
b) ventilated ridges (with underlay cut at the ridge), Rs is the rafter spacing (in m); and
S = 3;
W9 is the weight of the roofing elements (in N/m2)
c) on roofs without underlay, S = 1.75.
3.6.2.4 Wind loads on valleys 3.6.2.8 Batten fixing penetration
The uplift loads on sloping roof valleys Ftv (in newtons The total wind uplift load, less the dead load of the
per metre of valley), acting perpendicularly to the line roof covering will act upon the battens via the
of the valley are given by equation 8: underlay and the roof covering fixings. The transfer of
this load from the batten into the rest of the structure
Ftv = qs 3 Cpt 3 Lv 3 D 3 S (8) will be via the batten fixing to the rafter or
where counter-batten (structural timber). The batten fixing
Lv is the exposed width of the valley as shown on resistance depends upon its penetration into the
figure 5. structural timber and the type of fixing. The uplift load
The value of D should be taken from table 8 for the on each fixing will depend upon the area of roof
elements of the main roof covering. covering served by each fixing, the anticipated load on
the most onerous part of the roof and the dead weight
3.6.2.5 Wind loads on small roof covering of the roof covering. To determine the uplift load on
elements with sealed laps each batten fixing and the minimum fixing penetration
The wind load on a roofing element with sealed laps Ft into the structure to resist the uplift load
(in N) should be calculated assuming that the laps are equation 12 should be used.
air impermeable, in accordance with equation (9): Rn = Ga 3 Rs {qs (Cpi 2 Cpt/R) 2 (0.9 3 W9cos a)} (12)
Ft = qs 3 (Cpe 2 Cpi) 3 At (9) where
where
R is the uplift pressure reduction factor (see
At = B 3 Ga; annex B);
Cpe is the external pressure coefficient value Rn is the required nail resistance (in N);
obtained from BS 6399 : Part 2; Rs is the rafter spacing (in m);
Cpi is the appropriate internal pressure coefficient Ga is the batten gauge (in m);
for the underside of the element, obtained W9 is the weight of the roofing elements (in N/m2);
from table 10 or derived from BS 6399 : Part 2. a is the pitch of the roof (in Ê).
3.6.2.6 Wind loads on impermeable underlays or
sarking boards
The wind pressure on impermeable underlays or
sarking boards below air permeable roof coverings Pu
(in N/m2) should be calculated in accordance with the
following equation (10):
pu = Ga 3 Rs { qs (Cpe 2 Cpi)} (10)

 BSI 1997 21
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 3

Table 4. Nail penetrations for fixing into timber against wind uplift
Required Required nail penetration (mm) into timber of strength classes (1) C/16/18/22 and (2) C14 for:
fixing 4.00 mm diameter 3.75 mm diameter 3.35 mm diameter 2.65 mm diameter
resistance Rf
N Smooth Improved Smooth Improved Smooth Improved Smooth Improved
nail nail nail nail nail nail nail nail
(1) (2) (1) (2) (1) (2) (1) (2) (1) (2) (1) (2) (1) (2) (1) (2)
100 15 17 15 15 16 18 15 15 18 21 15 15 22 26 15 17
150 22 26 15 17 24 28 16 18 26 31 18 21 33 39 22 26
200 29 35 20 23 31 37 21 25 35 41 24 27 44 52 30 35
250 37 43 25 29 39 46 26 31 44 51 29 34 56 65 37 43
300 44 52 29 35 47 55 31 37 53 62 35 41 67 78 44 52
350 52 60 34 40 55 64 37 43 62 72 41 48 78 91 52 61
400 59 69 39 46 63 74 42 49 71 82 47 55 89 104 59 69
450 66 78 44 52 71 83 47 55 79 93 53 62 100 117 67 78
500 74 86 49 58 79 92 52 61 88 103 59 69 111 130 74 87
550 81 95 54 63 86 101 58 68 97 113 65 75 122 143 81 95
600 88 104 59 69 94 110 63 74 106 123 71 82 133 156 89 104
NOTE 1. For required nail penetrations for timber of other strength classes, see BS 5268 : Part 2 and 3.5.3.4.2. Strength classifications
are based on groupings of different species, defects grading and densities with the same assumed strength and stiffness properties. For
batten timbers referred to in annexes E and G, species types A and B correspond to strength classes C16/18/22 and C14 respectively.
NOTE 2. Nails of sufficient length may not be normally available to accomodate certain of the required penetration values.
NOTE 3. Improved nails as defined in BS 5268 : Part 2 for this purpose are ring shanked or helical threaded shank nails conforming to
BS 1202 : Part 1.
NOTE 4. Minimum nailing edge distance should be five times nail diameter.
NOTE 5. The depth of the structural timber being fixed to should be equal or greater than the required fixing penetration from table 4.
NOTE 6. The total length of the fixing is equal to the combined thickness of all the materials the fixing passes through, plus the
penetration into the structural timber.
NOTE 7. If a non structural counterbatten is to be used (less than the fixing penetration required) the batten fixing should penetrate
the structural timber rafter by the full fixing penetration from the calculation from equation (12).
NOTE 8. If a structural sarking is used its thickness may be used as part of the recommended fixing penetration provided it itself is
adequately fixed to the timber structure.
NOTE 9. For the fixing of the counterbatten to the rafter, reference should be made to 2.12 and 2.13.
NOTE 10. For headless fixings such as helical nails the thickness of the member which is being fixed should also be sufficient to
provide the required withdrawal resistance. Consideration should be given to the recommendations provided by the manufacturers of
such fixings.

To determine the fixing penetration into the timber 3.6.2.10 Control of internal pressure
structure the resulting Rn should be rounded up and A substantially impermeable ceiling of adequate
obtained from table 4, or interpolated between adjacent resistance to internal pressure should help to reduce
readings, which will provide typical nail penetration for the internal wind induced pressure transmitted to the
given fixing loads Rn. roof underlay and roof covering. Normal ceiling
3.6.2.9 Aircraft vortices construction in houses consisting of ceiling boards
with sealed edges, should afford such protection
Roofs near airports may experience high local wind
provided ceiling hatch covers have sufficient dead
load forces due to air vortices created by certain
weight or secure fixing to resist the pressure involved.
aircraft when taking off and landing. These forces may
be greater than the calculated wind load gust forces. It
is prudent for designers to seek advice from the
Airport Authority Planning Department when designing
roof fixings in these locations.
NOTE. Aircraft vortices should be distinguished from sonic
booms. Further advice may be obtained from BRE Digest No. 391
Damage to roofs from aircraft wake vortices [5].

22  BSI 1997
Section 3 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

3.6.3 Strength If nailing is not applied to every course of nibbed tiles,

the effective resistance of the fixings is equal to Kn
3.6.3.1 Roofing elements and accessories times the resistance of the mechanical fixings, where
Roofing elements and their fittings should have Kn is a factor given by the following equation:
adequate strength and stiffness to support their self L
weight and the imposed wind loads. Roofing elements 12 h
conforming with requirements for strength given in the Ls
Kn = (13)
relevant British Standards and laid in accordance with Lh n
12
this standard should normally be satisfactory. Where Ls 
the relevant British Standard does not include a where
strength requirement for the element, or for products
which do not have an AgreÁment Certificate, the Lh is the hanging length of the nibbed tiles;
manufacturer should provide evidence of adequate Ls is equal to Lh minus the batten gauge, Ga;
strength. n is the number of courses held down by one
3.6.3.2 Battens nailed course.
Battens should have adequate strength and stiffness to
3.6.3.4.3 Resistance of mortar
support the dead, imposed and wind loads without
impairing the fit of roofing elements. They should have Experience has shown that the mortar bedding of
sufficient width and depth to accept nailing to provide concrete or clay ridge and hip tiles, on concrete or
adequate withdrawal resistance without splitting and to clay tiles or slates, generally provides sufficient tensile
avoid excessive bounce during fixing. Recommended bond strength to resist wind uplift for low-rise
sizes of common timber battens, timber species and domestic buildings in the United Kingdom, provided
grading are given in table 1 and annex E. Batten sizes the mortar bedding is not affected by differential
may also be determined by structural design movement of the roof structure. When assessing the
calculation (annex G and annex H), with consideration wind uplift resistance of ridge and hip tiles, the mortar
being given to providing adequate dimensions for tensile bond strength should be ignored for a length
nailing and using commercially available batten sizes. equal to or not less than two consecutive units of the
ridge or hip pieces, or for a distance of 900 mm,
Battens should generally be continuous over not less
whichever is the greater, from the face of rigid
than three supports. Cantilevering or splicing of
masonry supports such as gables abutments and
battens between supports is not permitted. Butt joints
separating walls.
over intermediate supports should be staggered.
The mortar tensile bond strength may be affected by
3.6.3.3 Supporting structure the mortar mix, sand type, workmanship, surface
The structure supporting the roofing and substrate treatments and components of other materials.
should have adequate strength, stability and stiffness to Therefore, where mortar bedding is to be relied upon
safely support the roof loads and provide adequate to provide bond resistance to wind uplift, the mortar
stiffness against excessive spring during nailing of the tensile bond strength should be determined by test,
roofing elements. see annex J for a suitable test method.
3.6.3.4 Resistance to wind uplift The mortar tensile bond strength should exceed the
net wind uplift mortar strength requirement by a factor
3.6.3.4.1 Dead weight resistance of roofing products of 30. The method of calculating the wind uplift mortar
The dead weight resistance against uplift and strength requirement is given in annex D, example 7,
overturning should be taken as 0.9 times the average which assumes a minimum mortar bond width
dead weight of the roofing element. of 25 mm.
3.6.3.4.2 Resistance of mechanical fixings The following default values for mortar tensile
adhesion strength have been determined and may be
The resistance to wind uplift of mechanical fixings used to calculate the bond strength in circumstances
such as clips and hooks connected to the roofing where the tiles, ridges and mortar conform to the
substrate may be determined by the method of test descriptions given in table 5.
specified in annex D. The withdrawal resistance of
nails or screws may be obtained by calculation in
accordance with BS 5268 : Part 2, using the basic
withdrawal value multiplied by three.
NOTE. All withdrawal resistances assume that the penetration is
at least 15 mm.

 BSI 1997 23
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 3

Table 5. Mortar tensile adhesion strength St 3.6.3.5 Minimum recommendations for

Sand type Mix1) Tile/slate Ridge St
mechanical fixings
N/mm2 3.6.3.5.1 There are three criteria that should be
Sharp 3:1 Concrete Concrete 0.15 considered when specifying the fixings for roofing
elements:
Sharp 3:1 Concrete Clay Ð2)
a) roof covering elements should always be checked
Sharp 3:1 Clay Clay 0.17 by calculating the adequacy of resistance against
(unglazed) wind uplift by the combined resistance of self weight
Sharp 3:1 Clay Concrete Ð2) and mechanical fixings;
Sharp 3:1 Clay (glazed) Clay Ð2) b) the perimeter of roof cladding elements should
Sharp 3:1 Slate Concrete Ð2) always be mechanically fixed;
NOTE 1. `Perimeter' means the single element (e.g. tile, slate,
Sharp 3:1 Slate Clay Ð2) shingle) at any discontinuity in the plane of the roof, including
roof edges.
Sharp 3:1 Fibre cement Concrete Ð2)
slate c) the minimum recommendations given in 3.6.3.5.2
to 3.6.3.5.7 should be followed for general security
Sharp 3:1 Fibre cement Concrete Ð2) against dislodgement due to vibration, access traffic
slate and, in the case of elements without nibs, against
Soft 4:1 Ð3) Ð3) Ð3) slipping off. The recommendations for wind uplift
1)Unpigmented and without additives or admixtures. resistance or general security should also be
2)No value available; to be determined by test. followed; in many cases it has been found that the
3)Conversion factor of 0.7 can be applied to sharp sand results fixing recommendations for wind loads exceed the
to obtain the value for 4 : 1 soft sand mixes.
minimum recommendations for general security.
NOTE 2. Care should be taken to ensure that the required nail
Table 6. Sand grading-envelopes grading penetration is achieved where the insulation elements are
classification of sands used for mortar samples located above the rafter level.
(values as cumulative percentages passing sieves
conforming to BS 1200) 3.6.3.5.2 Double lap tiles
Sieve size Sharp concrete Soft building sand
Where nailed, plain tiles should have minimum fixings
sand in accordance with the following:
% % a) nibless tiles: two nails should be used to every
5.00 mm 98 to 100 98 to 100 tile;
2.36 mm 90 to 100 90 to 100 b) nibbed tiles: for rafter pitches below 60Ê, two
nails should be used in each tile in at least every
1.18 mm 70 to 85 85 to 100 fifth course. For rafter pitches of 60Ê and above, two
600 mm 40 to 70 70 to 100 nails should be used in every tile;
c) at verges and abutments: and at each side of
300 mm 0 to 25 25 to 50 valleys and hips, the end tile in every course should
150 mm 0 to 15 15 to 20 be nailed or mechanically fixed;
75 mm 0 to 5 0 to 10 d) at eaves and top edges: two courses of tiles
should be nailed or otherwise mechanically fixed.
3.6.3.4.4 Combined resistance Nails for plain tiles should be not less than 2.65 mm in
In calculating the combined resistance of the self diameter and of lengths which provide not less
weight of the ridge/hip product, the mortar bedding than 15 mm penetration into battens.
and the mechanical fixing, the mortar bedding NOTE. Peg tiles or nibless tiles require special treatment.
resistance and the mechanical fixings resistance should Guidance is given in NFRC Technical Bulletin No. 7 [6].
not be used together.
3.6.3.4.5 Resistance of roofing underlay and board
sarking
Underlays and board sarking should have adequate
resistance and stiffness against the loads calculated in
accordance with 3.6.2.4. The upward deflection of a
flexible underlay under maximum wind uplift load with
battens at the maximum design gauge should be such
as to avoid contact with the underside of the slates or
tiles.

24  BSI 1997
Section 3 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

3.6.3.5.3 Single lap tiles 3.6.3.5.5 Bitumen shingles

Single lap tiles should have minimum fixings in The manufacturers' instructions on minimum and wind
accordance with the following: resistance fixings should be followed. The
a) for rafter pitches of 45Êand over, each tile should manufacturer should provide satisfactory evidence that
be nailed with at least one nail. Additionally, for the wind uplift resistance is adequate for the
rafter pitches of 55Ê and over, the tail of each tile appropriate site exposure conditions in the UK.
should be mechanically fixed; NOTE. Bitumen shingles are usually supplied in short lengths,
which are nailed to boarding and glued to each other by
b) at verges and abutments, and at each side of intermittent self-adhesive strips across the centre of the shingle
valleys and hips, the end tile in every course should elements.
be mechanically fixed;
3.6.3.5.6 Wood shingles and shakes
c) at the eaves and top edges, one course of tiles
should be mechanically fixed; In addition to checking for adequate resistance to wind
uplift, wood shingles or shakes should be secured with
d) for separate under-and-over tiles, each tile should two nails 2.65 mm in diameter, for each shingle or
be nailed, with one nail for over-tiles and two nails shake 19 mm to 25 mm from the edge and or 38 mm
for under-tiles. to 50 mm above the butt line of the next course.
Nails for single lap tiles should be not less
than 3.00 mm diameter and of lengths which provide 3.6.3.5.7 Metal tiles
not less than 15 mm penetration into battens. In addition to checking for adequate resistance to wind
NOTE. The presence of nail holes reduces the effective lap of uplift, metal tiles are typically nailed upslope through
some pattern of tiles. Accordingly, tiles for low pitches are often the upstand of the head-lap into the side of the batten,
designed for fixing by nibs and clips. Such clips are usually fixed and vertically through the upper face at the tail of the
at or near the tail of the tile and connected to battens or boarding.
tile into the batten at the eaves course. The minimum
3.6.3.5.4 Double lap slates, stone slates or artificial fixing instructions of the manufacturer (and AgreÁment
slates Certificate if available) should be followed.
Double lap slates should have minimum fixings of two 3.6.3.5.8 Underlays, sarking and battens
nails to every slate when centre nailed. Nails should be In addition to checking the resistance to wind uplift,
of a diameter and length appropriate to the thickness the minimum nailing recommendation for sarking
of slates held down and the position of the slates on boards and battens for general security should be one
the roof. The minimum nail diameter should round steel wire nail (or two nails in the case of a butt
be 3.35 mm for natural and stone slates, 2.65 mm for joint) of 3.35 mm diameter and a penetration of not
fibre cement slates, and as recommended by the less than 40 mm.
manufacturer for other proprietary materials.
Battens and counterbattens fixed to masonry should be
The length should provide not less than 15 mm plugged or shot fired with connections of proven
penetration into the batten. adequate pull-out resistance. Cut nails driven into
Centre nailed slates usually require longer nails near masonry should only be used when loaded in shear
the eaves due to the greater thickness of slate. Where and not when loaded in withdrawal.
there is a gap between slate and batten, such as when
tilt is provided at the eaves, longer nails are required 3.6.3.5.9 Flashings
unless thicker battens are used to take up the gap Flashings should be installed in accordance with the
between slate and batten. Nail lengths in such cases recommendations in 2.14 and manufacturers'
should generally be equal to the sum of the calculated recommendations.
batten penetration, twice the slate thickness and any
3.6.3.5.10 Fittings and accessories
gap between slates and the batten. The use of thin
packing laths is not recommended to fill the gap In addition to checking for adequate resistance to wind
between the slates and the battens because they may uplift and differential movement the minimum fixing
split and as a result reduce the nail withdrawal recommendation for general security should be, in the
resistance. case of ridges and hips, mortar bedding or proprietary
dry fix systems, of proven resistance in accordance
Most types of double lap fibre cement slates are
with the manufacturers' recommendations.
additionally held together by a copper rivet connecting
the tail on the centre-line of the slate to the two slates 3.6.3.5.11 Spacing of nails and screws
below through the gap between them. The wind uplift To minimize timber splitting, nails and screws in timber
resistance of the tail rivet is normally not taken into to timber joints should be positioned with the
account, but where advantage is taken of its added minimum spacing as a multiple of nail or screw
resistance, satisfactory evidence of its wind resistance diameter d (see table 7).
should be provided by the manufacturer.
Slates for vertical work should preferably be
centre-nailed to eliminate the tendency of head nailed
slates to rattle in the wind.

 BSI 1997 25
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 3

Table 7. Spacing of nails and screws The dimensional accuracy of the wrap hook and the
Spacing Without pre-drilled With pre-drilled
tightness of fit around the batten and of the tail of the
holes holes hook around the slate are critical to its satisfactory
performance. Slate manufacturers' recommendations
Edge distance 5d 5d
should be followed when using hooks. Manufacturers
End distance 20d 10d should produce evidence such as calculations of wind
uplift resistance or experimental data to confirm the
Where it is impractical to satisfy the recommendations adequacy of their recommendations to resist the
for end distances (such as when nailing butt joints of conditions of use.
battens to rafters) opposed double skew nailing should To avoid wind rattle and lateral drift of slates, the tail
be used. hook should be sufficiently tight fitting around the
3.6.3.5.12 Tile clips slate, due account being taken of different slate
Clips should be tested for strength, flexibility and thickness and variations in thickness for each type of
interference with adjacent tiles for the particular slate. Furthermore, the end of each course should be
design of the tile. They should have adequate restrained against lateral drift of the slates by other
resistance, not displace excessively under load as to forms of positive fixing, such as by holed and nailed
significantly increase the wind load on the element and slates or by abutments.
should allow the roofing element to return to its laid NOTE 1. In continental practice, hooks are used on slates which
are generally smaller and where the wind exposure is generally
position after maximum wind load events. Clips should less severe than the maximum UK exposure conditions. Thus with
be tested in accordance with and satisfy the the larger slates normally used in the UK, each hook fixing is
recommendations in annex C. subject to a greater wind load area and in the more severe
exposure UK conditions, to greater wind uplift pressures.
3.6.3.5.13 Hook fixings NOTE 2. Refer also to NFRC Technical Bulletin No. 3 [7].
In recent years the use of hook fixings, one to every
slate, has been introduced into the UK applied
primarily to slates. Typically they are of stainless steel
round bar 2.5 mm to 3 mm in diameter, with an
S-shaped double hook, the upper batten end having a
hook to engage around the batten head (a wrap hook),
or a chisel point for nailing into the batten (a drive
hook); and the lower hook engaging the centre of the
tail of the slate. The advantages claimed are that no
holing is required, which reduces slate preparation
costs and improves the angle of creep.

Table 8. Pressure difference coefficients (Cpt) for duopitch, hipped, and monopitch roofs of clad
rectangular buildings
Roof pitch1) Duopitch and hipped roofs Monopitch roofs
Ê General roof areas Inner ridge and Other local roof General roof areas All local roof
Gd hip local roof areas and valleys Gm areas and valleys
areas Ld Lm
Ri and Hi
12¯ 20.14 20.16 20.21 20.14 20.21
15 20.14 20.15 20.20 20.14 20.21
17¯ 20.13 20.15 20.19 20.14 20.21
20 20.12 20.14 20.18 20.14 20.21
22¯ 20.11 20.14 20.17 20.14 20.21
25 20.11 20.14 20.16 20.14 20.21
27¯ 20.11 20.14 20.15 20.14 20.21
30 20.11 20.14 20.14 20.14 20.21
35 to 75 20.11 20.13 20.13 20.14 20.21
1) Slated or tiled roofs covered by this Part of BS 5534 cannot necessarily be used at all of the pitches listed.
NOTE 1. Values of Cpt for other, more complex, roof shapes may be obtained from the product of Cpe from data in BS 6399 : Part 2 and
values of R from table B.1.
NOTE 2. The width and length of the local areas are given by:
w = 0.2H or 0.1W, whichever is the lesser;
l = 0.2H or 0.1L, whichever is the lesser.
Roof abutments (side, and top edge) and roof valleys should be treated as local roof areas (see figures 5 and 6).

26  BSI 1997
Section 3 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

Z
x

Figure 4. Distances around obstructions

3.6.3.5.14 Obstructions The distances around obstructions are given by the

Obstructions are roof features, such as chimneys, roof following equations:
windows etc., that extend 300 mm above (or below) 1 1
the plane of the roof, i.e. Z > +300 mm x = √( X 2 + Z 2 ) or √(X 2 + Y 2)
2 2
(or Z < 2300 mm). whichever is the lesser;
For less high (or deep) obstructions, i.e. when Z is 1 1
between 100 mm and 300 mm high (or deep) the y = √(Y 2 + Z 2) or √(X 2 + Z 2)
2 2
surrounding roofing elements should be treated as
`perimeter' slates/tiles. Obstructions less than 100 mm whichever is the lesser.
high (or deep) may be ignored. These distances are shown in figure 4.
`Perimeter' roof covering elements are those single
elements that abut any discontinuity in the plane of the
roof, including the roof's edges. They should be
mechanically fixed as a minimum recommendation,
see 3.6.3.5, as opposed to `local' areas, which are roof
areas which extend over a defined width of the roof.

 BSI 1997 27
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 3

w
Hi
Ri

l Gd

Gd Gd
H

W L

Local roof areas, Ld

Gd general roof areas for duopitch and hipped roofs

H height
Hi inner hip local roof areas for duopitch and hipped roofs
l length (parallel to the rafters) of local roof areas (in m)
Ld other local areas and valleys for duopitch and hipped roofs
L building length (in m)
w width (parallel to the battens) of local roof areas (in m)
W building width (in m)
Figure 5. Key for Cpt data for duopitch and hipped roofs

28  BSI 1997
Section 3 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

w
Hi

l Gm

Gm Gm
H

W
L

Local roof areas, L m

Gm general roof areas for monopitch roofs

H height
Hi inner hip local roof areas for duopitch and hipped roofs
l length (parallel to the rafters) of local roof areas (in m)
Lm other local areas and valleys for monopitch and hipped roofs
L building length (in m)
w width (parallel to the battens) of local roof areas (in m)
W building width (in m)
Figure 6. Key for Cpt data for monopitch roofs

 BSI 1997 29
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 3

Table 9. Values of air permeability factor D for Table 10. Values of roof substrate shielding
certain roof covering types laid with unsealed factor S for calculating the wind uplift loads
head and side laps on roof coverings laid with unsealed head and
Roof covering type Values of factor D side laps
Double lap slates (K = 32 000) 3.51 Roof construction Value of S
Roof covering laid unsealed
Plain tiles (K = 5000) 2.70
a On underlay or board 1.00
Single lap tiles (K = 30 000) 3.48 sarking
Without test data 4.70 b On counterbattens of The lesser of
Derived from test data 2.70 (see note 2) depth = d (in m) on 1 + (5 3 d), or 1.25
NOTE 1. `Unsealed' refers to products that have not been
underlay or board sarking
deliberately sealed by the application of foams, membranes, c Without underlay or N/A
torching, etc. board sarking use
NOTE 2. Values of D given in this table for double lap slates, equation (9) i.e., treat
plain and single lap tiles commonly available in the UK, were
obtained by test (and rounded) in accordance with annex A. For as 3.6.2.4
other types of roof covering, the value of D should be 2.70, or NOTE. Where there is a risk of a dominant opening during a
the value obtained from annex A, whichever is the greater. severe storm, the wind uplift load should be calculated from
BS 6399 : Part 2.

Table 11. Cpi values applicable in cases where the ceiling is permeable or absent
Opening size/description House and 3 storey office 10 storey office Tight industrial Leaky industrial
bungalow
No dominant openings 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20
Personnel door or average 0.81 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20
window
(assumed area 1.5 m2)
Double personnel door or Ð 0.68 0.20 0.68 0.20
large window
(assumed area 3 m2)
Roller shutter door Ð Ð Ð 0.81 0.81
(assumed area 12 m2)

30  BSI 1997
Section 3 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

3.7 Durability 3.7.2.5 Clay tiles, bitumen shingles, wooden

shingles, shakes, composite tiles and slates and
3.7.1 General resin bonded fittings
The roof products and the roof as laid should follow Clay tiles, bitumen shingles, wooden shingles, shakes,
the recommendations for design life agreed for the composite tiles and slates and resin bonded fittings are
roof and its location (see BS 7543). generally resistant to acids and should require no
Roofs designed and laid in accordance with the special treatment, although reference should be made
recommendations of this code should meet the to manufacturers' technical data.
requirements of Building Regulations, Regulation 7,
3.7.2.6 Mechanical fixings
Materials and Workmanship [8].
All mild steel nails, hooks, clips, rivets, screws, etc.
The durability of the roof may be affected by the
should be hot-dipped galvanized, sherardized or treated
macro and micro climate experienced by the roof, its
with a suitable surface coating. Alternative materials to
pitch and its particular location. Specific factors should
be considered include copper, aluminium alloy,
be considered when selecting the type of material in
stainless steel and some structural plastics. The type of
relation to its location and design life.
metal selected for the mechanical fixings should not
The appearance of some products may be affected by provide any adverse mechanical or chemical reaction
the macro and micro climate acting physically and/or e.g. fibre cement slates (alkali) and aluminium nails
chemically on the roof. The specifier should consider with other metals or chemical salts which may be
and seek information from the supplier on any present.
perceived change in the colour or texture of the
product during its design life on the roof. 3.7.2.7 Flashings
Section 2 gives recommendations for the roofing Dissimilar metals which may create galvanic corrosion
materials, fittings and accessories. should not be in contact with each other. Cover
flashings and soakers should be of the same material
3.7.2 Atmospheric attack and marine pollutants (see 2.14).
3.7.2.1 General NOTE 1. PD 6484 provides further guidance to designers.
NOTE 2. Untreated lead and aluminium flashings may cause run
Atmospheres with high sulfur or nitrogen acid gases off and staining of the roof covering. A coating of patination oil on
created in industrial areas or by combustion flue the lead surface, precoated or painted aluminium, should avoid
outlets may attack and erode some roofing products unsightly stains on a newly completed roof.
which contain alkali salts, e.g. calcium carbonate as
lime or limestone etc. 3.7.3 Frost attack
NOTE. Similar effects may occur in marine and coastal locations 3.7.3.1 General
where high salt contents and humidities may occur.
Roofing tiles, slates and shingles which absorb water
3.7.2.2 Natural slates may be affected by frost action. The structure and
Only slates which conform to the highest acid porosity of the products along with the number and
resistance class in BS 680 should be used unless rate of change of freeze/thaw cycles in relation to the
evidence of satisfactory performance by prolonged and rainfall are important factors in establishing frost
extensive use in a similar environment is available. resistance.
Slates should also conform to the wetting and drying 3.7.3.2 Clay tiles and fittings
test given in BS 680.
Only clay tiles and fittings tested in accordance with
3.7.2.3 Concrete tiles and fibre cement slates and the frost test method given in BS 402 should be used.
fittings
3.7.3.3 Concrete tiles and fibre cement slates and
Tiles and slates may experience some surface etching fittings
of the cement to expose the aggregates or fibres. This
Only concrete tiles, fibre cement slates and their
may alter the perceived colour and texture of the
fittings tested in accordance with the frost test in
products.
BS EN 490 or BS EN 492, whichever is appropriate,
3.7.2.4 Metal tiles should be used.
Aluminium based metal tiles may exhibit white 3.7.3.4 Natural slates
deposits from exposed sections but this is primarily a
Only natural slates which conform to the
surface effect and is not normally progressive. Steel
recommendations for water absorption given in
based metal tiles with galvanized and/or other surface
BS 680 should be used.
treatments may exhibit oxidization at any cut edge or
NOTE. An EN for natural slates is in preparation.
penetration. The highest class of galvanized coating
and/or surface treatment thickness is required to
provide adequate protection for these situations. These
should be treated according to manufacturers'
recommendations (see also 3.4.1).

 BSI 1997 31
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 3

3.7.3.5 Bitumen shingles, metal tiles and 3.8 Thermal insulation

composite tiles and slates and resin bonded
fittings 3.8.1 General
For bitumen shingles, metal tiles, composite tiles and Building regulations give the procedure for determining
slates and their resin bonded fittings reference should the required `U' values for roofs and walls. These are
be made to manufacturers' published technical data calculated from the internal ceiling and wall surface
(see 3.4.1). through the roof and wall construction to and
including the external roof and wall surface.
3.7.3.6 Mortar Information on the method of calculation for the
The minimum quantity of mixing water should be used thermal resistance of air cavities, roof and wall
consistent with the required mortar workability to materials is given in CIBS E A3 Thermal Properties of
minimize the risk of subsequent frost damage to the Building Structures [9] and BRE Digest No. 108 [10].
bedding mortar.
3.8.2 Location
3.7.4 Ultraviolet and infrared radiation The thermal insulation may be located at various
Some resin, bitumen and organic based products may positions in the roofing system (see BS 5250).
be adversely affected by sunlight and in particular NOTE. Where the thermal insulation is located on rafters,
ultraviolet light and infrared radiation. Classes of provision should be made to ensure that the resistance of the
products should be selected which have the required mechanical fixings for the battens or counterbattens is adequate.
design life for the particular application and location.
3.7.5 Fungal, insect attack, rodent, bird attack 3.9 Control of condensation
3.7.5.1 General 3.9.1 General
Some organic and cellulose based products, e.g. timber Condensation can occur in roofs and walls when warm
battens, boards and shingles, may be adversely affected humid air is cooled below its dew point. This can
by humidity, fungal spores, insects, rodents and birds. occur on surfaces or within a structure or system,
e.g. thermal insulation, when it is known as interstitial
3.7.5.2 Wooden shingles and shakes condensation. Condensation which results in timber
All wooden shingles and shakes should be pressure rot, metal corrosion, damage to insulation, furnishings,
treated with a suitable preservative to provide etc. is known as harmful condensation.
enhanced durability. Information on methods available to control harmful
3.7.5.3 Battens, counterbattens, boarding and condensation is given in BS 5250. The most effective
sarking method of controlling condensation in pitched cold
For battens, counterbattens, boarding and sarking, roof voids is by effective air ventilation.
impregnation with preservative should be considered Effective flow of air ventilation requires an inlet and
in cases where maximum durability is sought or where outlet which ideally should be located at different
there is a high risk of condensation or lack of levels. Stagnant air pockets should be avoided.
ventilation (see 2.12.3). The air ventilation flow in roof voids may be:
3.7.5.4 Plastic sheets, foams and insulation a) low level to low level, e.g. eaves to eaves;
products b) eaves or low level to the ridge, or high level;
Some foamed or sheet plastics used as thermal c) a combination of a) and b).
insulation or membranes may be attacked by insects,
Ridge or high level ventilation should not be provided
birds or rodents. Users should refer to manufacturers'
without adequate eaves or low level ventilation as the
recommendations for the conditions of use (see 3.3.1).
suction effect at ridge and high level may imbalance
3.7.6 Rainwater the ventilation system and cause warm humid air to be
All roofing products should have prolonged resistance drawn up from the building below thereby increasing
to rainwater. Rainwater discharging from roofs which the risk of condensation.
have growths of moss, lichen or algae may be acidic Vapour control layers with a high water vapour
and could have a similar effect on roofing products as resistance may be located at the warm side of the
atmospheric and marine pollutants (see 3.7.2). insulation but they cannot be considered as an
Rainwater discharging from one metal product to alternative to air ventilation.
another, e.g. copper into aluminium or cast-iron gutters
can result in galvanic corrosion or staining. Similarly
the rainwater run-off from a roof covering can contain
cement particles (alkali) which may corrode uncoated
aluminium gutter surfaces.
NOTE. Surface treating the metals should be considered to
minimize the effects and should be based on manufacturers'
recommendations (see 3.4.1).

32  BSI 1997
Section 3 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

3.9.2 Ventilation gaps 3.11 Sound

3.9.2.1 For roof pitches of 15Ê and above, the eaves or The sound resistance of the roof or wall of a building
low level ventilation should have at least 10 000 mm2 is a function of the roof or cladding products and
per metre run of eaves or low level (equivalent to a accessories used, the air cavities, the method of
continuous, unobstructed gap 10 mm wide). The ridge assembly, the effects of the sub-elements and the air
or high level ventilation should have at least 5 000 mm2 permeability of the array as laid. Sound reaches the
per metre run of ridge (equivalent to a continuous, users of building as either airborne sound transmitted
unobstructed gap 5 mm wide). from outside the building or as impact sound
generated on the surface of the roof or wall products.
3.9.2.2 Roof pitches of less than 15Ê and any pitch Wind generated vibrations from the outside or from a
when insulation is located between the rafters or roofing product is an example of airborne sound. Rain
immediately below them, the eaves or low level or hail on the roof or wall is an example of impact
ventilation should have at least 25 000 mm2 per metre sound.
run of eaves or low level (equivalent to a continuous,
unobstructed gap 25 mm wide). The ridge or high level Reference should be made to the Building
should have at least 5 000 mm2 per metre run of eaves Regulations 1991 [12] for recommendations for
or high level (equivalent to a continuous, unobstructed acoustics for the building with regard for the use of
gap 5 mm wide). the building.
3.9.2.3 The continuity of high and low level
ventilation should be maintained around roof windows, 3.12 Environmental
dormers, chimneys, fire check walls, etc. The roof products and the roof as laid should be in
accordance with the environmental recommendations
3.9.2.4 All air voids in the roof should have a free air
agreed for the roof and its location (see BS 7750).
gap of ideally 50 mm but with a minimum of 25 mm at
the wallplate, and provide continuous and effective air It is expected that increasing attention will be given by
paths from the roof space to atmosphere. regulatory authorities to optimizing the environmental
NOTE 1. Further advice is given in BS 5250. effect of building and roofing products. This may lead
NOTE 2. Refer also to NFRC Technical Bulletin No. 21 [11].
to the prohibition of some materials used in the
manufacture of roofing products. However, this may
also encourage the development and use of more
3.10 Fire environmentally friendly roofing products which may
be more recyclable, reusable or have longer design
3.10.1 General lives.
The reaction to fire of the roof/wall in terms of flame
spread and flame penetration can be determined by the
properties of the individual roofing/cladding elements,
the method of assembly, the effects of the sub-elements
and the air permeability of the array as laid.
Reference should be made to the Building
Regulations 1991 [12] for recommendations for fire with
regard for the use and position of the building.
3.10.2 Test methods
Information on fire resistance test methods is given in
BS 476 : Parts 3, 6 and 7.
NOTE. An EN for fire resistance is in preparation.

 BSI 1997 33
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 3

3.13 Health and safety

Roofing is a hazardous activity and the following
statutory regulations apply to all types of roofing work
during construction of new work or in the
maintenance and repair of existing roofs. Users should
ascertain the latest legislation in force at the time of
building.

Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989 [13]

Noise at Work Regulations 1989 [14]
Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations
(CAWR) 1987 amended [15]
Road Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances, etc.)
Regulations 1986 [16]
Asbestos (Prohibition) Regulations 1992 [17]
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous
Occurrences Regulations 1985 [18]
Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 [19]
Electricity at Work Regulations 1980 [20]
Safety Signs Regulations 1995 [21]
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 [22]
Management of Health and Safety at Work
Regulations 1992 [23]
Construction (Design and Management ±(CDM))
Regulations 1994 [24]
Protection of Eyes Regulations 1974 [25]
Highly Flammable Liquids and LPG
Regulations 1972 [26]
Fire Precautions Act 1971 [27]
Abrasive Wheels Regulations 1970 [28]
Offices, Shops and Railway Premises (Lifts and Hoists)
Regulations 1968 [29]
The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare)
Regulations 1996 [30]
Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963 [31]
Construction (General Provisions) Regulations 1961 [32]
Construction (Lifting Operations) Regulations 1961 [33]
Factories Act 1961 [34]
Public Health Act 1961 [35]
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
Regulations 1988 [36]
Approved Code of Practice, Control of Lead at
Work, 1980 [37]
BS 8000 : Part 6 : 1990 Workmanship on Building Sites
Part 6: Code of practice for slating and tiling of roofs
and claddings

34  BSI 1997
 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

Section 4. Design details

4.1 General The recommended values of table 12 should be used

when:
4.1.1 Mechanical fixings
a) the two roof pitches adjacent to the valley have a
Roof or wall products and roof or wall details, e.g. difference # 5Ê;
eaves, bottom edges, verges, ridges, top edges, hips,
b) the rafter lengths are # 5 m on plan;
valleys, junctions, abutments and projections, etc.
should be mechanically fixed and/or bedded where c) the rafter lengths are > 5 m and # 10 m on plan;
required to conform to the recommendations given in d) the two roof areas discharging into the valley
3.6 (structural stability). have a difference in plan area of not greater
than 10 %;
4.1.2 Pitch and lap
e) the valleys are open. It does not apply to
Roof and wall products should not be laid at pitches soakered, closed or mitred valleys, secret gutters or
less than the minimum roof pitch and lap box gutters;
recommendations in 3.3, 3.4 and 3.5.
f) if any vertical projections drain onto a roof it is
4.1.3 Valleys necessary to add 50 % of the vertical wall area onto
The valley dimensions for roof products should the plan area of the roof onto which it discharges.
conform to recommendations given in NOTE 1. The performance and design minimum valley pitch for
figures 7 and 8 and table 12, with the exception of the valley products should be obtained from the manufacturer.
products with a continuous bond such as bitumen The design rainfall rates and risk categories are summarized in
BS 6367.
shingles.
The designer should choose the rate of rainfall that, at the chosen
location, has a period equal to or greater than the required return
period. When in doubt the worst case design rate of 225 mm/h
should be used.
NOTE 2. For lead valleys, reference should also be made to Lead
Sheet Manual, Volume 1 [38], published by the Lead Sheet
Association.

A - Valley or gutter width

B - Tile/slate overhang to
the tilting fillet to be
not less than 50 mm
Figure 7. Valley with unbedded tiles or slates

B A

,, ,,
,, ,, A - Valley gutter width
B - Clear channel between
bedding and tilting fillet
to be not less than 25 mm
NOTE. Figures 7 and 8 are given to identify the width of the valley gutters, i.e. dimension A. They should not be used to
establish construction details.
Figure 8. Valley with bedded tiles

 BSI 1997 35
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 4

Table 12. Recommended minimum widths of valley gutters for different roof pitches1)
Roof pitches Design rainfall rate
Ê mm/h
225 mm/h 150 mm/h 75 mm/h
x # 25 m2 on 25 m2 # x # x # 25 m2 25 m2 # x # x # 25 m2 25 m2 # x #
plan2) 100 m2 on plan3) on plan2) 100 m2 on plan3) on plan2) 100 m2 on plan3)
12.5 to 17 150 250 125 200 125 150
17.5 to 22 125 200 125 150 100 125
22.5 to 29 100 150 100 125 100 100
30 to 34 100 125 100 100 100 100
35+ 100 100 100 100 100 100
NOTE. x = the area to be drained.
1) The dimension `A' is measured as a horizontal distance between the tiles or slates in millimetres.
2) See recommendation 4.1.3b.
3) See recommendations 4.1.3c.

4.1.4 Flashings 4.1.7 Torching and roof seals

All roof and wall sheet metal details, e.g. flashings, 4.1.7.1 Torching, bodging, etc. to tiles, slates or
soakers, gutters, saddles, hip/ridge rolls, etc., should be shingles with mortar is not recommended. However, in
designed to fully conform to the latest Lead Sheet some circumstances, torching of slate, stone or clay
Association, Zinc Development Association, Copper tiled roofs may be required. In such circumstances the
Development Association or Aluminium Federation designer should seek guidance from an experienced
sheet metal technical manual requirements (see 2.14). roofing contractor who is conversant with local
4.1.5 Junctions conditions.
4.1.5.1 Junctions of ridges with valleys or abutments 4.1.7.2 The use of membranes, plastics, foams, etc. to
and other roof junctions should be detailed to prevent seal the top or bottom surface of tiling, slating or
the entry of rainwater. shingling is not recommended.
4.1.5.2 Sheet metal saddles, etc. should be detailed in 4.1.8 Roof drainage
accordance with those manufacturers' The discharge of rainwater in gutters and pipes from
recommendations relevant to UK conditions of use one roof to another should be avoided. Small quantities
(see 2.14). of rainwater discharge may be acceptable if the total
quantity discharged does not exceed the normal
4.1.5.3 Proprietary products should be detailed in drainage characteristics of the roof below.
accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations
NOTE 1. For valley drainage see 4.1.3.
(see 3.4.1).
NOTE 2. BS 6367 provides detailed guidance on roof drainage.
4.1.6 Projections
4.1.9 Translucent slates, tiles, shingles
4.1.6.1 Attic windows, skylights, roof windows, Translucent slates, tiles, and shingles may be in glass
chimney stacks, solar panels and similar roof or polymer based materials (with or without
projections should be designed as an abutment for top reinforcement). Polymer based materials should be of
edges, side and back gutter detail. Flue pipes, adequate durability and satisfy the fire regulations
ventilation products, overflow pipes, aerial holders and relevant for the roof and building type.
similar roof projections should be designed with a
NOTE. Construction Design and Management regulations and fire
suitable flashing material dressed under the tiles, regulations may require some materials to be wire reinforced and
slates, shingles or shakes up-roof from the projection this may limit the number and size of the products to be used in a
and on to the products down-roof from the projection. roof.

4.1.6.2 Sheet metal flashings should be detailed in

accordance with 4.1.4.
4.1.6.3 Proprietary products should be detailed in
accordance with those manufacturers'
recommendations which are relevant to UK conditions
of use (see 3.4.1).
NOTE. The integrity of the underlay should be maintained around
all projections.

36  BSI 1997
Section 4 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

4.2 Underlays c) the underlay extending into the gutter should not
significantly affect the flow of the rainwater in the
4.2.1 General gutter.
4.2.1.1 Roofing underlays NOTE. Some underlay materials may degrade in this exposed
position. It is recommended that an underlay of a more durable
The following products are suitable for use with material is used, e.g. type 5U as specified in BS 747, or equivalent.
roofing underlays: double-lapped clay and concrete
plain tiles, single-lapped clay and concrete tiles 4.2.1.3 Verges
(interlocking), fibre cement slates, natural slates, metal Underlay intended for use on verges should lap onto
tiles, other tiles or slates (non-traditional). the outer skin of the brickwork by 25 mm to 50 mm or,
Underlay overlaps in the main roof should be in in the case of an overhanging verge, onto a flying
accordance with the following: rafter. (For further guidance in the construction of
verges see BS 8000 : Part 6 : 1990 sections 3 and 4).
± for sidelaps: not less than 100 mm;
NOTE. Where proprietary verge tiles or systems are specified,
± for headlaps: see table 13. detailing should be in accordance with the manufacturers'
recommendations relevant to UK conditions of use (see 3.4.1).
Table 13. Recommended headlaps for underlay 4.2.1.4 Ridge
Rafter pitch Minimum headlap
For duo pitch roofs, underlay from one side of the roof
Ê Not fully supported Fully supported ridge should overlap the underlay on the other side by
mm mm
not less than the minimum recommended headlaps
12.5 to 14 225 150 given in table 12.
15 to 34 150 100 For mono pitch roofs, underlay should extend over the
35 and above 100 75 mono ridge and top fascia board by not less
than 100 mm.
a) Types of underlay for use on fully supported NOTE. Where proprietary ventilating ridge tiles or dry ridge
systems are specified, detailing should be in accordance with the
continuous roof decking or boarding should be of manufacturers' recommendations which are relevant to UK
the water vapour permeable type (see 2.10.2). conditions of use (see 3.4.1).
b) Underlay should be mechanically fixed and 4.2.1.5 Hips
conform to all details shown in section 3.
Underlay courses should overlap at the hip line by not
c) Underlay should provide a continuous under-roof less than 150 mm.
barrier.
d) All penetrations to the underlay should be 4.2.1.6 Valleys
suitably sealed to prevent water ingress. Underlay for use on valleys should be laid from side to
e) Purpose designed devices which open laps of the side. Each course should lap past the centre-line of the
underlay are not recommended. valley by not less than 300 mm. Where a continuous
length of underlay is laid in the valley, each course of
f) Where felt overlaps do not coincide with a batten, felt from either side should be cut to mitre at the
consideration should be given to either including an centre-line of the valley and lap onto the continuous
extra batten at the overlap or increasing the length by not less than 300 mm.
underlay lap to coincide with the next batten.
NOTE 1. Metal and plastic valley materials and units should not
NOTE. The underlay provides a barrier to minimize the wind load be laid directly onto underlays where there is any risk of
generated under wind gusts acting on the slates or tiles. Contact adhesion. Such adhesion can inhibit the free drainage of any
should be avoided between the underlay and the underside of the moisture, resulting in accelerated failure of the underlay. Likewise,
slates or tiles to prevent the wind uplift load being transmitted to adhesion can result in the premature failure of the valley material
the slates or tiles. It also provides a barrier to prevent wind driven or units.
snow or dust from entering the roof space.
NOTE 2. Where premature failure of the felt or the lining material
4.2.1.2 Eaves and bottom edge may happen, the felt should be cut to the valley line and lapped
onto the liner.
Consideration should be given to the following when
laying underlay on the eaves and bottom edge of the 4.2.1.7 Junctions
roof: Underlay should overlay roof junctions by a minimum
a) the underlay or its replacement should be detailed of 150 mm on each detail.
to extend over the fascia board or tilting fillet, and 4.2.1.8 Abutments (side and top edges)
into the gutter to allow effective rainwater drainage
into the gutter; Underlay should be turned up the abutment by not less
than 50 mm under the flashings.
b) ponding or water traps at the eaves should be
prevented;

 BSI 1997 37
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 4

4.2.1.9 Back abutment 4.3.1.2.5 The use of feather-edged boarding as a

Underlay should be detailed to lap over the material support for plain tiles is not recommended.
forming the back gutter by 100 mm to 150 mm, NOTE. In some areas, e.g. Scotland, and under certain
depending upon the pitch of the roof. Ponding or circumstances, it is preferable to lay the underlay (vapour
permeable type) directly onto the boarding or sheathing beneath
water traps behind the tilting fillet should be prevented the counterbattens.
by design.
4.3.1.3 Eaves and bottom edge
4.2.2 Bitumen shingles and wooden shingles and
shakes: general At the eaves (bottom edge) the batten should be set to
provide the required overhang of the tiles/slates or
Where special types of underlay and detailing are used shingles into the gutters. The recommended overhang
with wooden shingles and shake products, the type of is 45 mm to 55 mm horizontally or to the centre of the
underlay and the laying and fixing details should be in gutter, whichever is the lesser.
accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations
relevant to UK conditions of use (see 3.4.1). 4.3.1.4 Verge
Battens should overlap onto the outer skin of the
brickwork or the undercloak material by not less
4.3 Battens than 50 mm or, in the case of an overhanging verge,
4.3.1 Slates and tiles onto a flying rafter.
NOTE 1. Where proprietary verge tiles or systems are specified,
4.3.1.1 Recommendations the detailing should be in accordance with the manufacturers'
The recommendations given in 4.3.1.1 to 4.3.1.10 recommendations relevant to UK conditions of use (see 3.4.1).
apply to battens intended for use with the following NOTE 2. Where the distance of the batten fixing from the rafter is
slates/tiles: greater than 300 mm, an additional mechanical fixing is
recommended.
± double lap clay and concrete tiles;
± single lap clay and concrete tiles; 4.3.1.5 Ridge
± fibre cement slates; The ridge or top course batten should be set to allow
the ridge tiles or ridge units to overlap the top course
± natural slates; of tiles/slates or shingles by the overlap required for
± metal tiles; the main tiles/slates or shingles. For interlocking tiles
± other tiles/artificial slates. this should be not less than 75 mm. For double lap
products the top batten should be set to allow the
4.3.1.2 General ridge to overlap the penultimate course by the required
4.3.1.2.1 Batten size and specification should conform headlap.
to the recommendations in 2.12 and table 1 and NOTE. Where proprietary ridge systems are specified, the detailing
should be in accordance with the manufacturers'
annex E or annex G as appropriate. recommendations relevant to UK conditions of use (see 3.4.1).
4.3.1.2.2 Battens should not be nailed directly onto 4.3.1.6 Hips
roof decking or boarding.
Consideration should be given to the following when
4.3.1.2.3 Counterbattens should be fixed directly onto fixing battens to hips:
the roof through the roof decking or boarding (where a) battens should abut the hip board (where fitted)
fitted) into a rafter or similar structural member. or be mitred to the line of the hip;
Fixings that do not penetrate into the rafter and
penetrate only into the roof decking or boarding b) a continuous timber member should be fitted to
(where fitted) should demonstrate adequate withdrawal the line of the hip to provide a fixing for battens and
resistance. In situations where rigid insulation boards hip tiles, etc.;
have counterbattens secured through to the structural c) battens may be mechanically fixed by proprietary
rafters, the following important aspects need to be products in accordance with manufacturers'
considered: recommendations (see 3.4.1).
a) the ability of insulation to resist local d) batten ends should be fully supported.
compression;
b) the inclusion of a method to resist downslope
movement of the insulant e.g., `stop battens'
see 3.8.2).
4.3.1.2.4 Battens and counterbattens should be
mechanically fixed and all details should conform
to 3.6.3.

38  BSI 1997
Section 4 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

4.3.1.7 Valleys 4.4 Double-lap clay and concrete plain

Consideration should be given to the following when tiles
fixing battens in valleys. Battens should be:
4.4.1 Eaves and bottom edge
a) mitred to the centre line of the valley; or
b) supported on valley counter battens or boards 4.4.1.1 General
abutting the specified valley tile, or sheet metal For double lap clay and concrete plain tiles intended
valley; or for use on the eaves and bottom edge, the following
c) mechanically fixed by proprietary products in should be considered:
accordance with manufacturers' recommendations a) the eaves course should overhang the eaves tilt by
(see 3.4.1). an amount that ensures rainwater discharges into
NOTE. Suitable packing should be used to secure adequate fixing the gutter (where fixed). The recommended
of battens. overhang is 45 mm to 55 mm horizontally or to the
4.3.1.8 Junctions centre of the gutter whichever is the lesser;
Batten ends should be mechanically fixed at all roof b) the eaves course should be supported by a tilting
junctions. fillet, fascia board or other suitable feature;
c) the height of the support should ensure that the
4.3.1.9 Abutments eaves course is in substantially the same plane as
4.3.1.9.1 Top edges the main roof;
The top course batten should be set to allow the apron d) the eaves course should be mechanically fixed to
flashings to overlap the top course of tiles/slates or conform with the recommendations in section 3;
shingles by the overlap required for the main e) a double course of tiles should be used at the
tiles/slates or shingles. For interlocking tiles this should eaves.
be not less than 75 mm. For double lap products the NOTE 1. Where a roof is re-roofed with products of different
top batten should be set to allow the apron flashings effective thickness, it may be necessary to adjust the height of the
to overlap the penultimate course by the required eaves tilt.
headlap. NOTE 2. Allowance should be made for the height of ventilation
products where they are located on the eaves support.
4.3.1.9.2 Side abutments NOTE 3. Some manufacturers produce special eaves tiles.
Battens should be located between 10 mm to 25 mm
4.4.1.2 Eaves courses
from the face of the abutment and should be suitably
supported. Eaves courses may be straight, raking or sprocketed
(also known as bellcast). For double lap clay and
4.3.1.10 Back gutters concrete plain tiles intended for use on a straight,
At the eaves (bottom edge) the batten should be set to raking or sprocketed eaves course, the following
provide the required overlap onto the back gutter. The should be considered:
recommended overhang is 45 mm to 55 mm horizontally a) a straight eaves course is the normal detail and is
or to the centre of the gutter, whichever is the lesser. suitable for most products;
4.3.1.11 Projections b) a raking eaves course is where the walls of the
Battens should not be cut at roof penetrations without building have a splay on plan;
the provision of suitable support. c) sprocketed (or bellcast) eaves can be sprocketed
NOTE. Where possible, roof penetrations should be detailed gradually over several courses. The sprocketed
between batten courses. courses, being at a lower pitch than the main roof,
have a greater risk of rain penetration since they
4.3.2 Bitumen shingles
need to discharge the accumulated rainfall from the
Bitumen shingles should be fully supported by roof main roof. The lowest pitch and lap of the
decking. Battens should not be used. sprocketed eaves courses should be not less than
4.3.3 Wooden shingles and shakes the minimum requirements for the roof products
(see section 3).
Wooden shingles and shakes should be laid on battens
or on a roof deck. The batten type and detailing should 4.4.2 Verges
be in accordance with the manufacturers'
4.4.2.1 General
recommendations relevant to UK conditions of use
(see 3.4.1). Verges may be straight, raked and bedded with mortar
or laid dry with proprietary systems.

 BSI 1997 39
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 4

4.4.2.2 Bedded verges e) hip tiles should be mechanically fixed to conform

For double lap clay and concrete plain tiles intended to the recommendations given in 3.6.3.5.10;
for use on bedded verges the following should be f) the overlap of the top course of tiles by the hip
considered: ridge tiles should be not less than the minimum lap
a) the verge should be detailed with a tile and a half required for the main tiles.
and a full tile in alternate courses; 4.4.4.2 Hip irons
b) where unsupported, the verge overhang should be A hip iron conforming to 2.16.1 should be
not less than 38 mm and not greater than 50 mm; mechanically fixed to the eaves end of the hip rafter, to
c) the undercloak onto which the tiles are bedded support mortar bedded hip ridge tiles.
should be of plain tiles, slate, fibre cement strip or NOTE. Hip irons may not be required with some mechanically
of another suitable strip material. These should fixed hip tiles.
be 100 mm to 150 mm wide, and be laid face down.
4.4.5 Valleys
NOTE 1. Proprietary systems may not be suitable for raking
verges. 4.4.5.1 General
NOTE 2. Plain tile undercloaks with bargeboards are not For double lap clay and concrete plain tiles intended
recommended.
for use at valleys the following should be considered.
4.4.2.3 Dry verges a) Valleys should be designed with purpose made
Dry verge systems should be laid in accordance with valley tiles, or as open valleys with a metal sheet,
the manufacturers' recommendations relevant to UK preformed valley units or with a range of tiled
conditions of use (see 3.4.1). details e.g. laced valley, swept valley, mitred valley,
etc., (see 4.4.5.2 to 4.4.5.7).
4.4.3 Ridges
b) Where required, valleys should be mechanically
4.4.3.1 General fixed to conform to the recommendations given in
For roofs laid with double lap clay and concrete plain section 3.
tiles, clay and concrete ridge tiles are available in a NOTE. Refer to 4.1.6.2 of BS 8000 : Part 6 : 1990.
variety of patterns e.g., half round, angular, hogback,
segmental and ornamental etc. 4.4.5.2 Sheet metal valley
NOTE 1. Third round hip tiles are not recommended for use as For double lap clay and concrete plain tiles intended
ridge tiles. for use on sheet metal valleys, the following should be
NOTE 2. Some manufacturers produce special top tiles. considered.
4.4.3.2 Bedded ridges a) Metal sheets should be fully supported on 19 mm
thick lay boards and detailed to conform with the
At the ridge, the length of the top course of tiles technical recommendations for the sheet metal used.
should ensure the minimum lap is maintained. Ridges
should be bedded with mortar in accordance b) The valley gap should conform to the
with 3.6.3.4.3. recommendations given in 4.1.3.
c) The tiles on each side of the valley should be cut
4.4.3.3 Dry ridges on the rake to overlap the tilting fillet by not less
Dry ridge systems should be laid in accordance with than 50 mm.
the manufacturers' recommendations relevant to UK NOTE. Where the cut tiles are bedded with mortar, the laps of the
conditions of use (see 3.4.1). tiles should not be blocked. Bitumen based underlays should not
be used in contact with sheet metal valleys where contact
4.4.4 Hips adhesion may result in premature failure (see 4.2.1.6).

4.4.4.1 General 4.4.5.3 Preformed valley unit

For roofs laid with double lap clay and concrete plain Preformed valley units should be formed from plastic
tiles, the following should be considered: or metal. Detailing should be in accordance with those
a) clay and concrete hip ridges e.g. half round, manufacturers' recommendations relevant to UK
angular, segmental, etc. should be bedded with conditions of use and the recommendations given in
mortar or laid dry with a proprietary system; 4.1.3 (see also 3.4.1).
b) bonnet hip tiles should be nailed and bedded with NOTE. Materials which have high coefficients of thermal
expansion should have methods of fixing which can accommodate
mortar. The pointing should be struck back slightly the movement. Bitumen based underlays should not be used in
from the edge of the tile; contact with preformed valley units where contact adhesion may
c) arris hips (purpose made, angular) should be result in premature failure (see 4.2.1.6).
nailed and mortar bedded;
d) mitred hips should be laid with soakers with each
course extending to a minimum of 100 mm each side
of the hip line and have a length not less than the
gauge (at the hips) plus the lap, plus 25 mm;

40  BSI 1997
Section 4 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

4.4.5.4 Laced valley 4.4.6.3 Back gutter

When laying a laced valley, a support board with a As in 4.4.1.1.
width of not less than 225 mm should be laid into the
valley. During the tiling process, care should be taken
not to reduce the head lap and side laps below the 4.5 Single lap clay and concrete
recommended minimum. interlocking tiles
4.4.5.5 Swept valley 4.5.1 Eaves and bottom edge
Soakers for use in swept valleys should be of the 4.5.1.1 General
required length and laid to each course of tiling. For single lap clay and concrete interlocking tiles
During the tiling process, care should be taken not to intended for use on the eaves and bottom edge, the
reduce the head lap and side laps below the following should be considered:
recommended minimum.
NOTE 1. Laced and swept valleys should not be used at roof
a) the eaves course should overhang the eaves tilt by
pitches below 45Ê. an amount which ensures rainwater discharges into
NOTE 2. Refer to 4.1.6.2 of BS 8000 : Part 6 : 1990. the gutter (where fixed). The recommended
overhang is 45 mm to 55 mm horizontally or to the
4.4.5.6 Mitred valley centre of the gutter whichever is the lesser;
The soakers for mitred valleys should extend to a b) the eaves course should be supported by a tilting
minimum of 150 mm each side of the valley line and be fillet, fascia board or other suitable product;
mechanically fixed to battens or boarding away from c) the height of the support should ensure that the
the centre of the valley. The length of the soaker eaves course is in substantially the same plane as
should be not less than the sum of the extended gauge the roof;
at the valley, plus the head lap, plus 25 mm.
NOTE 1. Mitred valleys are not recommended where:
d) the eaves course should be mechanically fixed to
conform with the recommendations in section 3;
± the roof pitch intersects at less than 90Ê on plan;
± the roof pitch is below 50Ê; e) a course of tiles should be used at the eaves. The
± the valley length is greater than 6 m.
eaves tile should be overlapped with a full tile.
NOTE. Some manufacturers produce special eaves tiles for this
NOTE 2. See also Lead Sheet Association Technical Manual
purpose.
Volume 1 [38].

4.4.5.7 Valley tiles 4.5.1.2 Eaves courses

Valley tiles known as `purpose made valley tiles', Eaves courses may be straight, raking or sprocketed
should be angled in manufacture to suit the roof pitch. (also known as bellcast). For single lapped clay and
The side laps should not be below the recommended concrete tiles (plain) intended for use on a straight,
minimum and should be laid without mortar bedding raking or sprocketed eaves course, the following
or nailing. should be considered:
a) a straight eaves course is the normal detail and is
4.4.6 Abutments suitable for most products;
4.4.6.1 Top edges b) a raking eaves course is where the walls of the
The length of the top two courses of tiles should building have a splay on plan.
ensure the minimum lap is maintained in combination NOTE 1. Sprocketed or bellcast eaves are not recommended for
with the apron. interlocking tiles.
NOTE 2. Interlocking tiles are not suitable for curved roofs.
4.4.6.2 Side abutment
All tiles at eaves should be mechanically fixed to
Lead sheet soakers should normally be used for side conform to the recommendations given in section 3.
abutments. The length of the soaker should be not less
Where there is a gap of greater than 16 mm beneath
than the length of the tile gauge, plus the lap,
the tiles as laid and the eaves support either:
plus 25 mm.
a) the eaves course should be bedded onto a
Abutment gutters should be detailed in accordance
suitable undercloak; or
with sheet metal or tile manufacturers'
recommendations (see 3.4.1) and should be adequate b) a suitable eaves filler unit should be fitted to
for the length of the abutment with sufficient provision manufacturers' instructions; or
for water outlet. c) a proprietary block end eaves should be fitted to
NOTE. The top of the soaker should be turned down over the manufacturers' instructions.
head of the tile and secured. The width of the soaker should NOTE. For large profiled tiles, e.g. Pantiles, etc., the mortar
provide not less than half the width of a plain tile on the tile and should be filled with small pieces of tile.
not less than 75 mm turned up the abutment face above the tile
surface.

 BSI 1997 41
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 4

4.5.2 Verges 4.5.4 Hips

4.5.2.1 General 4.5.4.1 General
Verges may be straight, raked and bedded with mortar For roofs laid with single lap clay and concrete
or laid dry with proprietary systems. interlocking tiles, the following should be considered:
4.5.2.2 Bedded verges a) clay and concrete hip ridges e.g. half round,
angular, segmental, etc. should be bedded with
For single lap clay and concrete tiles (interlocking)
mortar or laid dry with a proprietary system;
intended for use on bedded verges the following
should be considered: b) hip tiles should be mechanically fixed to conform
to the recommendations given in 3.6.3.5.10;
a) the verge should be detailed with a half tile in
alternate courses for tiles laid in broken bond c) the overlap of the top course of tiles by the hip
(staggered joints), or with purpose made full tiles, as ridge tiles should be not less than the minimum lap
recommended by the manufacturer; required for the main tiles; or 75 mm.
b) the verge overhang when unsupported should be 4.5.4.2 Hip iron
not less than 38 mm and not greater than 50 mm; A hip iron conforming to 2.16.1 should be
c) the undercloak onto which the tiles are bedded mechanically fixed to the eaves end of the hip rafter, to
may be plain tiles, slates or of another suitable strip support mortar bedded hip tiles.
material not less than 100 mm to 150 mm wide. All
should be laid face down. 4.5.5 Valleys
NOTE 1. Proprietary systems may not be suitable for raking 4.5.5.1 General
verges.
When laying a valley for single lap clay and concrete
NOTE 2. Plain tile undercloaks with bargeboards are not interlocking tiles the following should be considered:
recommended
NOTE 3. Plain tile undercloaks below 30Ê are not recommended a) valleys should be designed as open valleys with
sheet metal, proprietary valley tile or pre-formed
4.5.2.3 Dry verges (including cloaked verge) valley units (see below);
Dry verges should be laid in accordance with b) valleys should be mechanically fixed where
manufacturers' recommendations which are relevant to necessary to conform to the recommendations given
UK conditions of use (see 3.4.1). in section 3.
4.5.3 Ridges NOTE. Close mitred valleys are not recommended with
interlocking tiles.
4.5.3.1 General
4.5.5.2 Sheet metal valley
For roofs laid with single lap clay and concrete
interlocking tiles, clay and concrete ridges are available When laying a sheet metal valley for single lap clay
in a variety of patterns e.g. half round, angular, and concrete interlocking tiles the following should be
hogback, segmental and ornamental etc. considered:
NOTE 1. Third round hip tiles are not recommended as ridge tiles. a) metal sheets should be fully supported on 19 mm
NOTE 2. Some manufacturers produce special top tiles.
lay boards and detailed to conform with the
technical recommendations for the sheet metal used;
4.5.3.2 Bedded ridge b) the valley gap should conform to the
For single lap clay and concrete interlocking tiles recommendations given in 4.1.3;
intended for use with bedded ridges the following c) the tiles on each side of the open valley should be
should be considered: cut on the rake and bedded onto a suitable width
a) the overlap of the top course of tiles by the ridge undercloak.
tiles should be not less than the minimum lap
required for the main tiles; 4.5.5.3 Preformed valley unit
b) gaps in the troughs of the tiles greater Preformed valley units should be formed from plastic
than 25 mm should be filled with dentil slips or tile or metal. Detailing should be in accordance with those
sections and be fully bedded in mortar. manufacturers' recommendations relevant to UK
conditions of use and the recommendations given in
4.5.3.3 Dry ridges 4.1.3 (see also 3.4.1).
Dry ridges should be laid in accordance with the NOTE. Materials which have high coefficients of thermal
manufacturers' recommendations relevant to UK expansion should have methods of fixing which can accommodate
the movement. Bitumen based underlays should not be used in
conditions of use (see 3.4.1). contact with preformed valley units where contact adhesion may
result in premature failure (see 4.2.1.6).

42  BSI 1997
Section 4 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

4.5.5.4 Valley trough tiles 4.6 Fibre cement slates

For single lap clay and concrete interlocking tiles the
4.6.1 Eaves and bottom edge
following should be considered. Trough valley tiles
should be suitable for the roof pitch and laid and fixed 4.6.1.1 General
in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations For fibre cement slates, intended for use at the eaves
and the valley gap should conform to the and bottom edge, the following should be considered.
recommendations given in 4.1.3.
a) The eaves courses should overhang the eaves by
NOTE. Valley trough tiles are not recommended for use at roof
pitches below 22.5Ê. an amount that ensures rainwater discharges into
the gutter (where fixed). The recommended
4.5.6 Abutments overhang for a 100 mm wide gutter is 45 mm
4.5.6.1 General to 55 mm measured horizontally from the fascia,
tilting fillet or wall face.
When fixing abutments for single lap clay and concrete
interlocking tiles the following should be considered. b) The eaves course should be supported by a tilting
fillet, fascia board or other suitable product.
a) Slate or tile fillets are not recommended unless
special details are provided to avoid the mortar c) The height of the support should ensure that the
cracking at the abutment face as a result of roof eaves courses are uplifted by an appropriate amount
settlement, etc. to ensure the correct lay of the slates.
NOTE 1. Where a roof is re-roofed with products of different
b) Cement fillets should not be used. thickness, it may be necessary to adjust the height of the eaves
support.
4.5.6.2 Top edges
NOTE 2. Allowance should be made for the height of eaves
The length of the top course of tiles should ensure the ventilation products where they are located on the eaves
minimum lap is maintained in combination with the support.
apron flashing.
4.6.1.2 Eaves courses
4.5.6.3 Side abutments For fibre cement slates intended for use on a straight
The side abutment should be detailed with an apron or raking (walls splayed in plan) eaves construction
cover flashing or stepped cover flashing, a proprietary the following should be considered.
flashing unit or an abutment gutter (open or closed). a) Sprocketed or bellcast eaves are not
For profiled tiles, the cover flashing should conform to recommended.
the tile manufacturers' flashing recommendations or to b) A straight eaves course is the normal detail and is
the relevant sheet metal technical recommendations suitable for most products.
(see 3.4.1).
c) A raking eaves course occurs where the eave is
For flat or substantially flat tiles proprietary or sheet not parallel to the battening.
metal single tile flashing units should be used in NOTE 1. When a raking eaves course is used with fibre cement
combination with a cover flashing in accordance with slates careful consideration of the repositioning of the copper
manufacturers' recommendations (see 3.4.1). disc tail rivet is necessary.
Abutment gutters should be detailed in accordance Two under eaves courses of slates should be used. The
with sheet metal or tile manufacturers' first under eaves slate should be of a length equal to
recommendations (see 3.4.1) and should be adequate the gauge of the full slate and head nailed to the eaves
for the length of the abutment with sufficient provision batten. The second under eaves slate should be of a
for water outlet. length equal to the gauge and lap of the slate and
NOTE. Where there is a risk of blockage by debris, a combination centre nailed through site-drilled holes to the eaves
of a cover flashing and abutment gutter should be considered. batten.
4.5.6.4 Back abutment NOTE 2. The first eaves course is required to support the disc
rivet.
As in 4.5.1. The first and second under eaves courses should be
NOTE. All sheet metal detailing should be in accordance with overlapped with a full slate with the joints of each
manufacturers' recommendations.
course being located generally over the centre of the
slate course below.
The eaves course should be fixed to conform to the
recommendations given in section 3.

 BSI 1997 43
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 4

4.6.2 Verges 4.6.4.2 Hip iron

4.6.2.1 Bedded verges A hip iron conforming to 2.16.1 should be
mechanically fixed to the eaves end of the hip rafter to
Verges may be bedded with mortar or laid dry. support the mortar bedded hip ridges.
Consideration should be given to the following.
a) The verge should be detailed with a slate and 4.6.4.3 Mitred hips
slate and a half in alternate courses. Consideration should be given to the following.
b) The verge overhang, when unsupported, should a) A minimum roof pitch of 30Ê is recommended.
be not less than 38 mm and not greater than 50 mm. b) The specified soakers should be laid with each
c) The undercloak onto which the slates are bedded course and extend a minimum of 100 mm each side
should be of fibre cement or another suitable of the hip line for pitches of 35Ê and above and a
material not less than 100 mm to 150 mm wide and minimum of 150 mm for pitches between 30Ê and 35Ê
laid face down. and have a length not less than the gauge (at hips)
plus the lap plus 25 mm.
4.6.2.2 Dry verge
NOTE. Mitred hips in exposed locations may be subject to high
The detail should be in accordance with those wind loads. Where mitred hips are specified in exposed locations,
manufacturers' recommendations which are relevant to external tail fixings such as screws, washers and caps, may be
UK conditions of use (see 3.4.1). necessary and these should be considered at the design stage.

4.6.3 Ridges 4.6.4.4 Metal roll hips

Metal roll hips should be detailed in accordance with
4.6.3.1 General metal sheet technical recommendations.
Consideration should be given to the following.
4.6.5 Valleys
a) Ridges can be bedded with mortar with a range
of special ridge tiles, e.g. angular, ornamental, half 4.6.5.1 General
round, roll top or socketed etc. or laid dry with Consideration should be given to the following.
ridge tile units.
a) Valleys may be designed as open valleys with
b) Where required, ridges can be mechanically fixed sheet metal, proprietary valley gutters or preformed
to conform to the recommendations given in valley units or be close mitred.
section 3.
b) Valleys should be mechanically fixed to conform
4.6.3.2 Bedded ridge to the requirements given in section 3.
The length of the top two courses of slates at the ridge 4.6.5.2 Sheet metal valleys
should ensure that the minimum headlap is maintained.
Consideration should be given to the following.
Ridges should be bedded in mortar in accordance
with 3.6.3.4.3. a) The metal sheets should be fully supported
NOTE 1. It will be necessary to cut the required length of the top on 19 mm thick lay boards and detailed to conform
two courses of slates from whole slates. with the technical recommendations for sheet metal
NOTE 2. Where bedded ridges are specified, manufacturers may used.
recommend a mortar additive and/or surface treatment to avoid b) The valley gap should conform to the
shrinkage cracks and to enhance the mortar adhesion.
Supplementary mechanical fixing may be necessary.
recommendations given in 4.1.3.

4.6.3.3 Dry ridge 4.6.5.3 Proprietary and preformed valley gutters

Dry ridges, including sheet metal ridges, should be laid The detailing should be in accordance with the
in accordance with the manufacturers' and/or sheet manufacturers' recommendations and those given
metal technical recommendations (see 3.4.1). in 4.1.3.

4.6.4 Hips 4.6.5.4 Mitred valleys

For each design detail, the width of the soaker should
4.6.4.1 General be half the width of a standard slate each side of the
Consideration should be given to the following. line of the valley and be designed to accommodate the
a) Hip ridges may be bedded with mortar or laid dry. size of slate, headlap, sidelap and pitch of the roof. For
b) A wide range of special hip ridges may be used, the use of extra wide slates refer to manufacturers'
e.g. half round, third round, angular, etc. recommendations.
c) Hip ridges may require mechanical fixing to
conform to the recommendations given in section 3.
d) Fibre cement ridges should be mechanically fixed
in accordance with the requirements given in
section 3.

44  BSI 1997
Section 4 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

The length of the soakers should be not less than the The lowest course should sufficiently overhang the
extended gauge at the valley plus the extended headlap back gutter to ensure complete discharge of water.
plus 25 mm. NOTE. The detailing and mechanical fixing (clips, etc.) of the
NOTE 1. Mitred valleys are not generally recommended at pitches soakers, apron and stepped cover flashing should be in
below 50Ê where the roof pitches intersect at a more acute angle accordance with manufacturers' recommendations.
than 90Ê on plan or have different roof pitches.
NOTE 2. Special attention should be paid to the design of metal
soakers to give adequate head and side laps down to a minimum
4.7 Natural slates
pitch of 27.5Ê, below which an open valley should be used
(see table 11 and 4.1.3).
4.7.1 Eaves and bottom edges
NOTE 3. Traditionally, mitred valleys are used where the external 4.7.1.1 General
appearance of metal soakers or linings are to be avoided.
The design of eaves and other bottom edges, such as
NOTE 4. See technical recommendations contained in the Lead
Sheet Association Technical Manual Volume 1 [38].
back abutments, formed with slates should take the
following into account:
NOTE 5. Where a valley length is greater than 6 m or is in an
exposed location an open valley is recommended. a) the eaves courses should overhang the eaves tilt
by an amount that ensures water discharges into the
4.6.6 Abutments gutter where one is provided, or into a back gutter
4.6.6.1 Top edges at an abutment. The recommended overhang
The length of the top two courses of slates should is 45 mm to 55 mm measured horizontally from the
ensure the minimum lap is maintained in combination facia, tilting fillet or wall face, for a 100 mm wide
with the apron. gutter or to the centre line for other gutter
dimensions whichever is the least;
4.6.6.2 Side abutments b) the eaves course should be supported by a tilting
Soakers should normally be used for this detail. fillet, facia board or other suitable product
Consideration should be given to the following. dimensioned and positioned so that the eaves
a) For fibre-cement slates the cover flashing should courses are raised by a sufficient amount to ensure
be used in combination with soakers to the slate the correct lay of the slates.
manufacturers' flashing recommendations or to the NOTE 1. Where a roof is re-roofed with products of different
relevant sheet metal technical recommendations thickness it may be necessary to adjust the height of the eaves
support
(see 3.4.1).
NOTE 2. Allowance should be made for the thickness of eaves
b) Abutment gutters should be detailed in ventilation products when they are located under the eaves
accordance with sheet metal or slate manufacturers' course.
recommendations (see 3.4.1) and should be
4.7.1.2 Eaves courses (straight, raking or
adequate for the length of the abutment with
sprocketed, also known as bellcast)
sufficient provision for water outlet.
NOTE. Where there is a risk of blockage by debris, a Eaves may be straight, raking (walls splayed on plan)
combination of a cover flashing and abutment gutter should be or sprocketed. The following should be taken into
considered. consideration when using slates.
c) The length of the soaker should be not less than a) Straight Ð this is the normal detail and is suitable
the length of the slate gauge plus the lap plus 25 mm. for all products.
d) The top of the soaker should be turned down b) A raking eaves course occurs when the eaves is
over the head of the batten and secured. not parallel to the battening.
e) The width of the soaker should be not less than c) Sprocketed (bellcast) Ð the eaves can be
half the width of a standard slate under the slate and sprocketed abruptly or gradually over several
not less than 75 mm turned up at the abutment face courses. The sprocketed courses being at a lower
above the slate surface. pitch to the main roof, have a greater risk of rain
penetration since they need to discharge the
4.6.6.3 Back abutments
accumulated rainfall from the main roof. The lowest
A tilting fillet should be provided of sufficient height to pitch and lap of the sprocketed eaves courses
ensure the lower courses lie substantially the same should not be below the minimum requirements for
plane as the main roof. The sheet metal should be the roof products (see section 3).
carried up and over the tilting fillet. The underlay NOTE 1. Where sprocketed eaves are used, it may be necessary to
should extend over the sheet metal and below the use longer nails or thicker battens to conform to the
tilting fillet by 100 mm to 150 mm. The underlay should recommendations given in section 3.
be supported behind the tilting fillet to prevent NOTE 2. The eaves course should be fixed to conform to the
ponding. recommendations given in section 3.

 BSI 1997 45
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 4

A double course of slates should be used. The under 4.7.4 Hips

eaves slates should be of a length equal to the gauge
and lap of the full slates. The under eaves slates 4.7.4.1 General
should be laid face down and head nailed to the eaves Consideration should be given to the following.
batten, the under eaves slates being overlapped with a a) Hips can be bedded with mortar or laid dry, see
full slate with the joints located generally over the item c).
centre of the under eave slates. Full size slates should b) A wide range of special hip ridge tiles can be
not be laid sideways to form the under-eaves course. used, e.g. half round, third round, angular, etc.
4.7.2 Verges c) Where required hip ridge tiles should be
mechanically fixed to conform to the
4.7.2.1 Bedded verges
recommendations given in section 3.
Verges may be bedded in mortar or laid dry.
Consideration should be given to the following. 4.7.4.2 Hip iron
a) The verge should be detailed with a slate and A hip iron conforming to 2.16.1 should be
either a slate and a half or half slate in alternate mechanically fixed to the eaves end of the hip rafter, to
courses (not less than 150 mm in width). support mortar bedded hip ridge tiles.
b) The verge overhang when unsupported should be NOTE. Hip irons may not be required with some mechanically
fixed hip tiles.
not less than 38 mm and not greater than 50 mm.
c) The undercloak onto which the slates are bedded 4.7.4.3 Mitred hips
should be of slate or of another suitable strip Consideration should be given to the following.
material not less than 100 mm to 150 mm wide and a) A minimum roof pitch of 30Ê is recommended.
laid face down.
b) The specified soakers should be laid with each
4.7.2.2 Dry verges course and extend a minimum of 100 mm each side
Dry verges should be in accordance with the of the hip line for pitches of 35Ê and above and a
manufacturers' recommendations relevant to UK minimum of 150 mm for pitches between 30Ê and 35Ê
conditions of use (see 3.4.1). and have a length not less than the gauge (at hips)
plus the lap plus 25 mm.
4.7.3 Ridges NOTE. Mitred hips in exposed locations may be subject to high
wind loads. Where mitred hips are specified in exposed locations,
4.7.3.1 General external tail fixings such as screws, washers and caps, may be
Consideration should be given to the following. necessary and these should be considered at the design stage.
a) Ridges can be bedded with mortar with a range 4.7.4.4 Metal roll hips
of special ridge tiles, e.g. angular, ornamental, half Metal roll hips should be detailed in accordance with
round, roll top or socketed etc. metal sheet technical recommendations.
b) Where required, ridges should be mechanically
fixed to conform to the recommendations given in 4.7.5 Valleys
section 3. 4.7.5.1 General
NOTE 1. Slates laid to a fixed gauge or headlap may not provide
the minimum headlap cover by the ridge. It is recommended that
Consideration should be given to the following.
the top two courses are set out with shortened slates if necessary a) Valleys may be designed as open valleys with
to ensure that the minimum headlap of the ridge over the sheet metal, proprietary valley gutters or preformed
penultimate course is achieved.
valley units or be close mitred.
NOTE 2. It may be necessary to cut the required length of the top
two courses of slates from whole slates. b) Valleys should be mechanically fixed to conform
to the recommendations given in section 3.
4.7.3.2 Bedded ridge
The length of the top two courses of slates at the ridge 4.7.5.2 Sheet metal valley
should ensure that the minimum headlap is maintained. Consideration should be given to the following.
Ridges should be bedded in mortar in accordance a) The metal sheets should be fully supported
with 3.6.3.4.3. on 19 mm thick lay boards and detailed to conform
NOTE. The top course of slates should be bedded with mortar on with the technical recommendations for sheet metal
battens above the nail holes to enhance the resistance to wind used.
uplift. Alternatively the head of the top course should be
supported by a thicker batten. b) The valley gap should conform to the
recommendations given in 4.1.3.
4.7.3.3 Dry ridges
Dry ridges should be laid in accordance with the 4.7.5.3 Proprietary or preformed valley gutters
manufacturers' recommendations relevant to UK The detailing should be in accordance with the
conditions of use or for metal roll ridges with the manufacturers' recommendations and with 4.1.3.
metal sheet recommendations (see 3.4.1).

46  BSI 1997
Section 4 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

4.7.5.4 Mitred valleys 4.7.6.3 Back gutters

For each design detail, the shape of the soaker used in A tilting fillet should be provided of sufficient height to
each course of slates should provide for adequate head ensure the lower courses lie substantially in the same
and side lap according to the size of slate and the plane as the main roof. The sheet metal should be
pitch of the roof. carried up and over the tilting fillet. The underlay
The top edge of each wing of the soaker, where fixed should extend over the sheet metal and below the
to the batten on both sides of the line of the valley, tilting fillet by 100 mm to 150 mm. The underlay should
should be at least a full slate width. The side edges of be supported behind the tilting fillet to prevent
the soaker should be parallel to the slate perpends at ponding.
either side of the valley. The lowest course should sufficiently overhang the
The length of the soakers should be not less than the back gutter to ensure complete discharge of water.
extended gauge at the valley plus the extended headlap NOTE. The detailing and mechanical fixing (clips, etc.) of the
plus 25 mm. soakers, apron and stepped cover flashing should be in
accordance with technical recommendations for metal sheet
NOTE1. Mitred valleys are not generally recommended at pitches (see 3.4.1).
below 50Ê where the roof pitches intersect at a more acute angle
than 90Ê on plan or have different roof pitches.
NOTE 2. Special attention should be paid to the design of metal 4.8 Bitumen shingles
soakers to give adequate head and side laps down to a minimum
pitch of 27.5Ê, below which an open valley should be used 4.8.1 Eaves and bottom edges
(see table 11).
For eaves and bottom edges, a range of shingle shapes
NOTE 3. Traditionally, mitred valleys are used where the external with or without adhesive strips are available.
appearance of metal soakers or linings are to be avoided.
Consideration should be given to the following.
NOTE 4. See technical recommendations contained in the Lead
Sheet Association Technical Manual Volume 1 [38]. a) For eaves and bottom edges a double course of
NOTE 5. Where a valley length is greater than 6 m or is in an shingles should be used. The under eaves course
exposed location an open valley is recommended. should be laid head to tail (tabs up) and in line with
the bottom edge, the eaves course being laid over
4.7.6 Abutments the under eaves course.
4.7.6.1 Top edges b) The shingles should be laid using a suitable
The length of the top course slates at the ridge should adhesive (where recommended by the
ensure that the minimum lap is maintained in manufacturer).
combination with the apron (see 4.7.3.1). c) The shingles should be mechanically fixed to
4.7.6.2 Side abutment conform to the recommendations given in section 3.
NOTE. Some manufacturers provide a proprietary eaves drip to
Soakers should normally be used for this detail. assist the rainwater to discharge effectively into the gutter.
Consideration should be given to the following.
4.8.2 Verges
a) For slates, the cover flashing should be used in
combination with soakers to the manufacturers' 4.8.2.1 General
recommendations or to the relevant sheet metal Verges should be formed with a bitumen shingle cap, a
technical recommendations (see 3.4.1). metal sheet or a preformed verge trim.
b) Abutment gutters should be detailed in
accordance with sheet metal manufacturers 4.8.2.2 Bitumen shingle cap
recommendations (see 3.4.1), should be adequate for Consideration should be given to the following.
the length of the abutment and with sufficient a) A suitable tilting fillet should be fixed to the
provision for water outlet. support deck flush with the verge fascia.
NOTE. Where there is a risk of blockage by debris, a b) The bitumen shingle cap should be heat formed
combination of a cover flashing and abutment gutter should be
considered. from cut individual sections from the shingle strips
which are overlapped and fixed with adhesive
c) The length of the soaker should be not less than recommended by the manufacturers.
the length of the slate gauge plus the lap plus 25 mm.
d) The top of the soaker should be turned down 4.8.2.3 Metal sheet cap
over the head of the batten and secured. Consideration should be given to the following.
e) The width of the soaker should provide not less a) A suitable tilting fillet should be fixed to the
than 100 mm cover or half the width of a standard support deck against a raised verge fascia.
slate under the slate and not less than 75 mm turned b) The on-site or preformed metal sheet cap should
up at the abutment face above the slate surface. then be fitted in accordance with the manufacturers'
recommendations.

 BSI 1997 47
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 4

4.8.3 Ridges 4.8.6 Abutments

4.8.3.1 General 4.8.6.1 Top edge
These may be formed from the bitumen shingle A top edge is formed from the bitumen shingle strip by
sections or with proprietary ridge systems. heat forming a minimum 75 mm upstand to suit the
pitch of the roof which is fixed with an adhesive
4.8.3.2 Bitumen shingle cap
recommended by the manufacturer and over-lapped
Consideration should be given to the following. with the apron flashing.
a) The bitumen shingle cap should be heat formed NOTE. The top course of bitumen shingles should provide the
to the roof pitch from cut individual sections from same overlap as the main roof.
the shingle strips. The bitumen shingle sections 4.8.6.2 Side abutment
should be overlapped away from the prevailing
weather direction where possible and fixed with the A side abutment is formed from the bitumen shingle
adhesive recommended by the manufacturer. strip by heat forming a minimum 75 mm upstand at 90Ê
to the face of the abutment wall to be overlapped by
b) The bitumen shingle cap should be mechanically the stepped cover flashing.
fixed to conform with the recommendations given in
section 3. 4.8.6.3 Back gutter
4.8.3.3 Proprietary ridge systems As in 4.8.1.
NOTE. The detailing and mechanical fixing (clips, etc.) of the
Details should be in accordance with the cover, apron and stepped cover flashing should be in accordance
manufacturers' recommendations relevant to UK with the metal sheet technical recommendations.
conditions of use (see 3.4.1).
4.8.4 Hips 4.9 Wooden shingles and shakes
The hips may be formed in the same manner as ridges 4.9.1 General
(see 4.8.3).
Consideration should be given to the following.
4.8.5 Valleys a) Shingles should be laid with a gap of 6 mm
4.8.5.1 General to 9 mm.
Valleys may be formed by: b) Shakes should be laid with a gap of 9 mm
a) an open valley; to 16 mm.
b) a lapped valley. c) Joints in any one course should have a side lap of
not less than 38 mm from the joint in adjacent
4.8.5.2 Open valley courses and in any three courses of shingles, no two
An open valley should be formed by laying a 1 m wide joints should be in direct alignment.
strip of high performance bitumen based felt up the d) Shingles and shakes may be laid without a
line of the valley. Fixings should be placed outside a roofing underlay.
clear 300 mm wide valley gap. e) An interleaf of felt may be provided between
NOTE. An effective valley depth measured at the centre line of the courses of shakes on the upper part of each course
valley should not be less than 75 mm for this detail.
for protection against wind-driven snow or rain.
Bitumen shingles should be cut on the rake to a
line 150 mm each side of the centre line of the valley 4.9.2 Eaves and bottom edges
and fixed with an adhesive recommended by the Consideration should be given to the following.
manufacturer. a) A double course of shingles or shakes should be
4.8.5.3 Lapped valley used at the eaves or bottom edge.
NOTE. In some cases the eaves course may be a triple course
Lapped valleys should be formed by laying a 1 m wide of shingles or shakes.
strip of high performance bitumen based felt up the
line of the valley. The bitumen shingle courses should b) Eaves courses should be lapped centrally over the
be taken across the centre line of the valley by 250 mm shingle or shake in the course below with a
on each side starting with the eaves course and minimum sidelap of 38 mm.
mechanically fixed at 125 mm each side of the centre c) The shakes/shingles may be bent by steam or
line of the valley in each course. other means for sprocketed eaves situations.
d) The overhang to the eaves should be sufficient to
discharge the rainwater into the gutter. This is
normally 50 mm ± 5 mm for a 100 mm wide gutter.
e) The shingles or shakes at eaves should be
mechanically fixed in accordance with section 3
(see 3.4.1).

48  BSI 1997
Section 4 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

4.9.3 Verges: general 4.9.7.2 Side abutment

Verges should be laid dry. Consideration should also be On side abutments the soaker flashings laid to each
given to the following. course of shakes/shingles should have a width not less
a) The verge should be detailed with a full shingle or than 100 mm and an upstand not less than 75 mm and
shake and a half shingle or shake in alternate covered by the stepped cover flashing.
courses. 4.9.7.3 Back gutters
b) When unsupported, the verge overhang should The detailing and mechanical fixing should conform to
not be less than 19 mm or greater than 50 mm. manufacturers' technical recommendations.
c) The shingles and shakes at the verge should be
mechanically fixed in accordance with section 3.
4.10 Metal tiles
4.9.4 Ridges
4.10.1 Eaves and bottom edges
Ridges should be laid dry with factory or site
assembled units. Consideration should be given to the 4.10.1.1 General
following. For metal tiles intended for use at eaves or bottom
a) The overlap of the ridge units with the shake or edges, the following should be considered.
shingle course should not be less than that for the a) The eaves course should overhang into the
main roof. rainwater gutter (where fixed) by an amount that
b) The ridge sections or each ridge unit should be ensures rainwater discharge into the gutter.
overlapped alternately away from the prevailing b) A special supporting timber should be provided
weather where possible. according to the manufacturers' recommendations
c) The ridge and top edge shingles and shakes and should ensure that the eaves course is
should be mechanically fixed in accordance with substantially in the same plane as the main roof.
section 3 (see 3.4.1). c) The eaves course should be mechanically fixed to
4.9.5 Hips conform to the recommendations given in section 3
(see 3.4.1).
The hips should be constructed as for ridges
NOTE 1. Allowance should be made for the height of ventilation
(see 4.9.4). products where they are located at the eaves support.
4.9.6 Valleys NOTE 2. Raking eaves are not recommended.

4.9.6.1 General 4.10.2 Verges

Metal valleys should be of galvanized steel or 4.10.2.1 Verges should be laid dry with a proprietary
aluminium fixed to conform with the recommendations verge cover unit. Consideration should be given to the
in section 3 (see 4.1.3). following.
± For a shingle roof with a slope of 45Ê or greater, a) Bargeboards should be detailed 25 mm ± 10 %
valley flashing should extend 178 mm each side of above the top face of the batten.
the centre line. b) A proprietary verge cover unit should be fixed in
± For lower pitches, valley flashing should accordance with the manufacturers'
extend 250 mm each side of the centre line. recommendations and to conform to the
± On a shake roof, valley flashing should extend a recommendations given in section 3.
minimum of 250 mm each side of the centre line. 4.10.3 Ridges
± All valley flashing should be underlaid with roofing Ridges should be laid dry with a proprietary ridge cap.
felt. Proprietary designs are available to suit trussed rafter
4.9.6.2 Open valleys roofs (without ridge tree) or traditional purlin and
rafter roofs (with ridge tree).
Neither shingles nor shakes should be applied with
their grain parallel to the centre line of the valley. Ventilation of the ridge should be considered. The
Shingles and shakes extending into the valley should verge cover units should be fixed in accordance with
be cut at the correct angle. Joints between shingles the manufacturers' recommendations and should
and shakes should not break into the valley. conform to the recommendations given in section 3.
4.9.7 Abutments 4.10.4 Hips
Hips should be laid dry with a proprietary hip cap
4.9.7.1 Top edge
(see 4.10.3).
The apron flashing should overlap the shingles or
shakes by not less than 150 mm and extend up the
abutment face not less than 75 mm.

 BSI 1997 49
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Section 4

4.10.5 Valleys 4.12.3 Top course

4.10.5.1 Open valleys should be used. The length of the top course of the tiles, slates or
shingles at the top edge should ensure that the
4.10.5.2 The valley gap should conform to the minimum lap is maintained.
recommendations given in 4.1.3. NOTE 1. Some manufacturers produce special top tiles for this
purpose.
4.10.5.3 The mechanical fixing at the valley should
conform to the recommendations given in section 3 NOTE 2. When using plain tiles, Winchester cut detail should not
be used to abut roof pitches below 40Ê; in these cases, soldier or
(see 3.4.1). double-soldier courses should be used. Winchester cut detail
should not be used in exposed locations.
4.10.5.4 The detailing of the metal tiles should be in
accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations. 4.12.4 Abutments
4.10.5.5 Metal sheet details should conform to the As in 4.4.6.2.
manufacturers' recommendations. 4.12.5 External angles
4.10.6 Abutments Consideration should be given to the following.
Proprietary abutment flashing units should be used and a) Purpose designed external angle tiles to suit the
detailed in accordance with the manufacturers' vertical angle required should be laid to bond in
recommendations relevant to UK conditions of use. with the adjacent tiles. Left- and right-hand units
should be used.
4.11 Other tiles/artificial slates b) All external angle tiles should be nailed using
each nail hole provided.
(non-traditional)
c) Mitred tiles, slates or shingles should be fitted
Eaves and bottom edges, verges, ridges, hips, valleys,
with the specified soakers laid to each course and
abutments and projections should conform to the
extending a minimum of 100 mm each side of the
following recommendations.
angle. The length of the soaker should be not less
a) All details should be in accordance either with the than the gauge, plus the lap, plus 25 mm.
manufacturers' recommendations relevant to UK
conditions of use or with the slate, tile or shingle 4.12.6 Internal angles
detail, as appropriate. Consideration should be given to the following.
b) Mechanical fixings should conform to the a) Purpose designed internal angle tiles to suit the
recommendations given in section 3 (see 3.4.1). vertical angle required should be laid to bond in
c) All sheet metal detailing should be in accordance with the adjacent tiles. Left- and right-hand units
with manufacturers' recommendations. should also be used.
b) All internal angle tiles should be nailed using each
nail hole provided.
4.12 Vertical slating, tiling and shingling
c) Mitred tiles, slates or shingles should be fitted
4.12.1 General with the specified soakers laid to each course and
The slate, tiles or shingles should be laid and extending a minimum of 100 mm each side of the
mechanically fixed to conform to the recommendations angle. The length of the soaker should be not less
given in section 3. than the gauge plus the lap, plus 25 mm.
4.12.2 Bottom edge
Consideration should be given to the following. 4.13 Repairs and maintenance
a) The eaves course should overhang the bottom For all repairs, re-covering and maintenance of roofs
edge so that rainwater discharges satisfactorily. attention is drawn to the guidance given in:
b) The eaves course should be supported by a tilting a) Building Regulations, and in particular Approved
fillet or other suitable product. Document A Ð Structure, Sub-section A1/2 clause 3
Re-covering of roofs;
c) The thickness of the bottom edge support (eave)
should maintain the plane of the main cladding. b) BS 8000 : Part 6 : 1990 Workmanship on building
sites Ð Part 6: Code of practice for slating and
NOTE. It is important to ensure that the tails of the tiles, slates or
shingles are supported from behind at the eaves position. tiling of roofs and claddings subclause 5.1.

50  BSI 1997
 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

Annexes

Annex A (normative) A.3.2 Airtight removable cover panel, which can be

secured airtight to the plenum chamber.
Method of test for air permeability
A.3.3 Open face mounting board, to receive the
A.1 General roofing substrate and test samples.
This method of test is used to measure the pressure
A.3.4 Controllable air flow generator, (such as an
drop coefficient K, and to calculate the air permeability
electrically powered fan) capable of continuously
factor D of unsealed small element roof assemblies.
delivering air at a rate such that the uplift overturning
NOTE. Data for some common roof cladding elements is given in moment on the roofing elements induced by the
table 8. The test method described in this annex is intended for
roof cladding elements that are not included in table 8. pressure in the plenum chamber by the air flow is
equal and opposite to the dead weight restoring
A.2 Principle moment.
Air pressure is applied to the underside of an air NOTE. Experience has shown that the air flow required to satisfy
permeable assembly of a specified type of roofing this delivery rate for certain common roofing elements assuming a
element. The difference in air pressure across the minimum number of samples in the assembly as given in A.6 is
approximately 0.2 m3/s.
assembly and the volume air flow rate are measured
and used to determine the air permeability A.3.5 Airflow meter, capable of measuring an air
coefficient K which is used to calculate air volume flow rate of not less than 0.25 m3/s in the
permeability factor D for the purpose of determining delivery pipe.
wind uplift pressure.
A.3.6 Pressure difference measuring device, (such as
A.3 Apparatus a manometer) connected to the inside and outside of
the plenum chamber, capable of measuring a pressure
A.3.1 Plenum chamber, rectangular in plan with a
difference of not less than 1000 Pa in accordance with
depth of not less than 0.5 m or one-third of the least
BS 1042 : Section 2.1 and BS EN ISO 5167-1 : 1997.
lateral dimension, whichever is the greater. The
chamber should be airtight except for an open upper A.3.7 Airtight seals, for pipe connections, mounting
face to receive a mounting board or cover panel, and a board and cover panels, and at joints and edges of the
tapping for the pressure gauge (relative to atmospheric roofing assembly.
pressure) positioned so as to avoid direct alignment
with the air input and a connection to an air delivery A.3.8 Weighing device, capable of measuring the dead
pipe. The shape and area of the mounting surface weight of the roofing elements to the nearest 0.05 kg.
should be capable of accepting the number of test
samples specified in A.5.

Pressure
difference
gauge

Air
flow
Plenum meter
Air flow
chamber generator
Delivery pipe

≥ five diameters ≥ 20 diameters

Figure A.1 Arrangement of apparatus

 BSI 1997 51
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Annex A

A.4 Check on airtightness of the apparatus A.7 Preparation of test sample assembly
Close the top of the plenum chamber by attaching and A.7.1 Construct the roof substrate without underlay
sealing the edges of the cover panel so that the plenum or sarking, with the battens at the appropriate gauge
chamber is airtight except where connected to the according to specification. Where the element may be
delivery pipe. laid to different gauges, carry out on only one gauge,
Supply air from the airflow generator to induce a set out to the maximum specified gauge.
pressure difference between the inside and outside of A.7.2 Lay and fix the roofing elements according to
the plenum chamber of not less than 500 Pa. The specification. In the case of double lapped elements,
apparatus may be considered to be satisfactory if this lay them with no gap between adjacent elements or, in
pressure difference is maintained with an air pressure the case of fibre cement slates, with no gap between
flow rate not exceeding 0.005 m3/s. the rivet and adjacent slates. In the case of single lap
A.5 Test samples elements, lay them at closed up shunt.
Select at random sufficient roofing elements (and half NOTE. It may not be necessary to clip or fix some products.
width elements where appropriate) to assemble an A.7.3 Seal against air leakage between peripheral
array with the following arrangement of unsealed elements to mounting board and to each other on all
elements (see table A.1). sides leaving only the intended headlaps and sidelaps
unsealed.
Table A.1 Test sample layout
A.7.4 Adjust the level of the plenum chamber such
Type Min. no. of Min. no. per
that the mounting board surface is at an angle of
10Ê ± 0.5Ê to the horizontal.
courses course
Single lap elements 2 2
A.7.5 Determine the effective area A (in m2) of the
Plain tiles 2 4 roofing element assembly under test from the following
Slates 2 2 equation:
A = N 3 B 3 Ga
In addition, provide a sufficient number of roofing where
elements for covering the perimeter of the mounting
board and air-seal at their appropriate laps, front and N is the number of unsealed roofing elements
side joints. under test;
NOTE. A typical array illustrated for double lap slates is shown in NOTE. There should be an equal number of unsealed
figure A.2. headlaps as there are sidelaps.
Provide sufficient roof element fixing devices where B is the cover width of each element (in m);
appropriate. Ga is the batten gauge (in m).
Provide sufficient roof substrate materials, such as
battens and their fixings. A.8 Test procedure
A.6 Determination of the critical upward A.8.1 Check the airtightness of the apparatus in
pressure difference pc accordance with A.4 before commencing the test.
Weigh each of the roofing elements in the air-dry A.8.2 Supply air from the air flow generator into the
condition. plenum chamber, gradually increasing the rate of
Calculate the average weight wt (in kg) of a roofing supply until the pressure reaches a value equal to pc
element. (see A.6). At this condition, record the volume flow
Calculate the upward pressure difference, pc (in N/m2), rate, Qc (in m3/s), in the delivery pipe and the pressure
required to induce an overturning moment that will difference in the plenum chamber, pc. Gradually reduce
just cause uplift of the sample, from the following the pressure to zero.
formula: A.8.3 Carry out the test procedure given in A.7.3
0.9 (9.81wt Lw) three times and calculate the average value of K from
pc = the three tests using the equation:
B 3 Ga 3 Lu
where K = 1.63 pc (A2 / Qc2)
A.9 Derivation of air permeability factor D
B is the cover width of the sample (in m);
Derive values of D from the equation:
Ga is the batten gauge (in m);
D = (log10 K) 2 1
Lu is the distance from the centre of the exposed NOTE. To take account of the value of K which is known to vary
area of the sample to its uppermost line of with pressure difference, and of the varying external and
support, or the batten (in m); and underside pressures over different parts of a roof, the expression
Lw is the distance from the centre of gravity of (log10K) 2 1 in the equation for D has been derived from a best fit
pressure-K curve, using computer modelling of these variable
the sample to its uppermost line of support, conditions, based on a duopitch of 5Ê to 45Ê pitch and the most
or the batten (in m). onerous local area uplift condition at the verge corner.

52  BSI 1997
Annex A BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

Pressure difference
gauge

Key

Sealed joints

Unsealed laps

Unsealed sides

Plenum chamber with an array of test samples

Test sample array

Battens
Pressure difference
gauge Rafters

Air
Plenum chamber

NOTE. This figure is illustrated with an array of double lap elements laid broken bond, and giving five unsealed slates, i.e.
five unsealed headlaps and five unsealed sidelaps.
Figure A.2 Plenum chamber arrangement for air permeability test

 BSI 1997 53
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Annex A

A.10 Test report Annex B (normative)

The test report should include:
Values of the uplift pressure reduction
a) the type, name and dimensions of product;
factor R
b) details of laps and any mechanical fixing system
To calculate the loads on the overhanging parts of
where appropriate;
roofing elements as well as the uplift pressures on the
c) details of the apparatus; sarking and boarding, the values of R for duopitch and
d) a plan of the roofing assembly tested, indicating monopitch roofs should be used.
sealed and unsealed elements; Table B.1 gives values of R for other roof shapes. For
e) calculated values of critical pressure drop pc to these less common roof shapes, Cpe data from
two significant figures; BS 6399 : Part 2 can be obtained to create values of Cpt
f) air volume flow rate at each of the pressure which can, in turn, be used in the uplift equations in
difference readings; the main body of this standard. These values should be
derived from:
g) calculated K and D values to three significant
figures; Cpt = R 3 Cpe
h) date of test; Care should be taken to ensure that the `local roof
area' values of R are only used with the roof edge
i) where tested. (local area) values of Cpe.

Table B.1 Values of the uplift pressure reduction factor R

Pitch Duopitch and hipped roofs Monopitch roofs Other roof shapes
Ê General roof All local roof General roof All local roof General roof All local roof
areas areas areas areas areas areas
12.5 0.24 0.13 0.16 0.08 0.24 0.13
15 0.23 0.13 0.16 0.08 0.23 0.13
17.5 0.21 0.13 0.16 0.08 0.21 0.13
20 0.20 0.13 0.15 0.09 0.20 0.13
22.5 0.19 0.13 0.15 0.10 0.19 0.13
25 0.18 0.13 0.15 0.10 0.18 0.13
27.5 0.18 0.12 0.14 0.12 0.18 0.13
30 0.18 0.11 0.14 0.13 0.18 0.13
35 0.18 0.11 0.14 0.13 0.18 0.13
40 0.18 0.11 0.14 0.14 0.18 0.14
45 0.18 0.11 0.14 0.14 0.18 0.14
50 0.17 0.11 0.16 0.15 0.17 0.15
55 0.16 0.11 0.18 0.17 0.18 0.17
60 0.15 0.11 0.20 0.18 0.20 0.18
75 0.15 0.11 0.20 0.18 0.20 0.18

54  BSI 1997
Annex C BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

Annex C (normative) NOTE 1. The base frame, substrate and restraining bar should be
of sufficient width to facilitate the insertion of an overlapping
Method of test and requirements for (unfixed) tile to be laid over the (fixed) test sample.
NOTE 2. Other apparatus satisfying C.1.2 and C.1.4 may also be
wind uplift resistance of mechanical used.
fixings (clips) for small rigid roofing
C.1.3 Samples
elements
The following recommendations are given for the
C.1 Method of test samples to be used on the example test apparatus.
C.1.1 Principle Select at random not less than five similar roofing
elements as test samples, together with not less than
Simulated wind uplift loads are applied to samples of a
five similar clips.
specified type of roofing element secured to the roof
substrate by a specified type of clip to determine the Provide additional accompanying samples for lapping
resistance and associated displacements of the clip. under the tail of the fixed test sample, and for
The maximum design value of the clip resistance Rc is sidelapping with the fixed test sample.
determined by the lesser of: Provide the roof substrate components (e.g. tiling
± the allowable failure load Rc1 (obtained from its battens, nails or screws) appropriate to the roofing
characteristic failure load, Cr, which is divided by a assembly, ensuring that battens are representative of
safety factor of 1.5); and the specified quality, including timber species,
permissible grading defects and minimum permissible
± Ci, the characteristic interference load obtained
dimensions.
when the clip deformation does not significantly
interfere with normal lapping of contiguous tiles. Provide sufficient clip samples selected at random. The
top course elements/tiles should have holes drilled in
The method described is primarily intended for a them so that the nails/screws/bolts will hold the fixed
single tail clip which secures one tile at the underlock tiles securely to the hinged top batten and the unfixed
near its tail, but the principle may be adapted for other tiles loosely to the hinged top batten.
forms of mechanical fixings such as slate hooks.
C.1.4 General procedure for setting up the test
C.1.2 Apparatus sample
An example of the apparatus is shown in figure C.1,
and consists of: C.1.4.1 Attach the roofing substrate to the base frame
in accordance with the appropriate fixing specification.
a) a rigid base frame onto which a roof substrate,
Fix the battens to the base frame on counter-battens
appropriate to the roofing element, is securely
set at the maximum intended rafter spacing. Set the
attached and fitted with rigid counter battens at the
batten spacing at the specified gauge for the roofing
maximum intended rafter centres;
element.
b) a loading device for connection to the test
sample, capable of applying a loading rate of not C.1.4.2 The test tile and the sidelapped tile should
less than 100 N/min initially in a direction normal to both be securely fixed (e.g. by nails, screws or bolts)
the tile surface at the loading point; and their heads fixed to the hinged top batten. Before
unloading the test tile, the fixing to the sidelapped tile
c) a load measuring device, hinged at both ends,
should be slackened to avoid inducing load in the clip
attached to or forming part of the loading device
during unloading of the test tile.
with an accuracy to the nearest newton;
d) a weighing device to determine the dead weight C.1.4.3 Lay the accompanying samples over which
of samples, loading and load measuring devices the test sample would overlap, then lay the test sample
which affect the net test load applied with an over them.
accuracy of 0.05 kg; C.1.4.4 Weigh any loading devices which may affect
e) a rigid bar, incorporating an accurate system for the net test load and connect the loading device to the
locating and supporting the linear displacement test sample as closely as practicable to the centre of
device. This bar should permit the tail of the fixed the exposed area of the tile.
tile to be raised by 75 mm; NOTE. For convenience, a small hole may be made through the
f) a linear displacement measuring device for test sample at the centre of the exposed area for attaching the
load application device.
recording the displacement of the unfixed tile to an
accuracy of 0.1 mm. The measuring device should be
able to measure displacements of up to 80 mm;
g) the top batten should be attached to the counter
battens by hinges (see figure C.2) and it should be
placed so that the hinge is immediately below the
load cell support bar.

 BSI 1997 55
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Annex C

Unfixed
test tile

Displacement
Bar to attach measuring device
displacement
measuring device

Load cell

Hinged
batten

Counterbattens
Jack to simulate rafters
Fixed test
tile

Figure C.1 Example of arrangement of test apparatus for determination of clip strength

C.1.4.5 Lay the test sample then attach and fix the C.1.4.7 Connect the loading and load measuring
clip to the test sample in accordance with the relevant devices to the fixed test sample.
specification and normal standards of workmanship.
C.1.4.8 Attach the displacement device to its rigid
NOTE. The connecting substrate to the clip (e.g. the batten) may
be reused for subsequent samples if undamaged, providing the
support such that it measures the displacement of the
distance between any new and existing nail or screw holes are sidelapped tile over the clip position and in a direction
spaced not less than 20 times the nail or screw diameter from normal to the tile surface.
existing holes.
C.1.4.9 Measure the dimensions illustrated in
C.1.4.6 Place an additional unfixed sample at figure C.3.
minimum shunt to interlock and sidelap with the fixed
test sample.

56  BSI 1997
Annex C BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

C.1.5 Test procedure C.1.6.2 To derive the characteristic interference

Incrementally load and unload the test sample and load Ci
record the applied force and the associated residual Plot the load and residual deflection data on a graph.
upward displacement of the unfixed test sample after The individual sidelapped tile failure load ct is when
the removal of each load increment. It is suggested the unfixed sample has a residual deflection of 1.5 mm,
that the measuring device be removed whilst the load obtained from the graph by linear interpolation.
is applied. Continue to incrementally increase the load Calculate the characteristic interference load Ci from
until either: the same formula given for the strength test in C.1.6.1
a) the maximum load is attained; or (except that all values are those at 1.5 mm residual
b) the measured displacement at the tail of the deflection).
sidelapped tile exceeds 75 mm; or C.1.6.3 The maximum design value of the clip
c) the nib of any of the lower course of tiles on the resistance against wind uplift Rc should be taken as
test rig disengages from its batten. the lesser of:
Discontinue the measurement of the residual a) Rc1, the allowable failure load (the characteristic
displacement after a value exceeding 1.6 mm has been failure load Cr divided by a safety factor of 1.5); or
measured. b) Ci, the characteristic interference load. (A safety
Note any damage and the mode of failure of the test factor of 1 is used for the interference test.)
sample or clip. Carry out the loading in not less than The design value relates to a direction normal to the
five increments and complete it within 15 min. After failure load or characteristic interference load. An
each test a new clip should be used and all roof appropriate correction should be made for any change
elements should be replaced with new tiles if there is in direction of the loading device due to angular
any risk that a damaged sample would affect the test displacement of the tile during the test.
result.
C.1.6.4 Test report
C.1.6 Analysis of the results
The report should include:
C.1.6.1 To derive characteristic failure load Cr a) the type, name and dimensions of tile;
NOTE. The loads obtained from the load measuring device in the
test are not the loads acting on the clip. b) the type, name and dimensions of the clip and
any associated nail, including material specification;
The individual clip failure load ct should be regarded
as either the maximum load or the load corresponding c) the species, or density, of the timber used for the
to a total displacement not exceeding 75 mm, battens;
whichever is the lesser value. d) details of the apparatus;
Calculate the characteristic failure load Cr of the clip e) dimensions for the positions of the point of
(in N) to three significant figures from: application of the load, the clip and the centre of
Cr = c 2 kn 3 sd mass of the tiles;
where f) the load-displacement plots for the unfixed test
sample;
sd = {∑ (c 2 ct)2 / (n 2 1)} 0.5
g) description of damage related to the load
increment and the mode of failure;
c is the average failure load (in N) of the clip
from a population of n samples; h) the characteristic failure load Cr to two significant
figures;
ct is the individual clip failure load (in N).
i) the characteristic interference load Ci to two
significant figures;
Table C.1 Values of k
j) the derived maximum design value of the clip
No. of test 3 4 5 6 8 10 20
results
resistance Rc (in N) in accordance with annex B;
k) date of test;
t0.5 3.37 2.63 2.33 2.18 2.00 1.92 1.76
l) the testing authority.

 BSI 1997 57
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Annex C

Fixing
Tile

Optional axis

Hinged
batten
Figure C.2 Example of hinged batten for supporting a clipped test tile

C.1.6.5 Wind force actions on clip in an assembly of To find the load on the clip Fc, take moments using
roofing elements lever arms which are at right angles to the axis A-A,
To find the force acting on a tail clip Fc attached to and use the following equation:
one side of a tile in an array of similarly clipped tiles Fc = Ft q / r 2 (Wp cos a) / r
with no other fixings, as shown in figure C.3, a tile For a clip designed for use anywhere on a roof, the
lapping on all four edges with contiguous tiles and maximum value of Ft should be assumed. Generally,
clipped on one edge at C is subjected to a system of Fc is greater for tiles laid in broken bond than for
forces (loads and reactions) acting perpendicularly to straight bond.
the plane of the tile as follows:
The clip resistance against uplift derived from test Rc
± wind uplift load Ft; should not be less than the required maximum value
± dead weight resistance W; of Fc .
± holding down force applied by the clip Fc. The formula for Fc has to be modified for the case of
Reactions A at two points: one upwards at the left tiles with clips as well as other fixings such as head
hand tail corner due to uplift forces from the course nails. In this case, the line of rotation of the tile under
lapping under; and the other downwards near the head uplift load Ft is likely to be about the batten bearing
of the tile where the upper course headlap provides a edge at the head of the tile.
holding down force. In the latter case, the holding
down position depends on whether the tiles are laid in
straight or broken bond as shown in figure C.3.
Batten reaction or upward force at P, a point along the
upper edge of the batten. For a flat tile the point P
occurs at the left hand edge and for a profiled tile it
occurs close to the left hand edge of the left hand nib.

58  BSI 1997
Annex C BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

Ft
θ

t Wt

Alternative positions for P

For flat tile
Section showing
typical single lap tile For profile tile
r

Clip e
edg
q

C nd
Le ft ha

A Nib

Wt Nib

p
B/2

Ft
Cov B
er w
idt

e
edg A
h

B/2

nd
ht ha
Rig P
P

Laid in straight bond

Clip
r

C
Nib
A
q

A
Wt
Ft

Nib

Laid in broken bond

NOTE. When the tile overhangs the roof, Ft should be replaced by Ft,v + Fo,v and new values of q should be measured for each
of these forces.
Figure C.3 System of forces in an array of clipped tiles under uplift load

 BSI 1997 59
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Annex D

Annex D (normative) The position of this force Ft is shown on figure D.1.

NOTE 2. Tiles that have part of their exposed area overhanging
Worked examples of wind uplift and the roof (e.g. at the verges or eaves) may experience more severe
fixing calculations uplift loads, see 3.5.2.1 and figure 3.

D.1 General D.2.2 Example 2. Mechanical fixings required for

roof details as in example 1
For all situations the uplift loads should be calculated
as described in 3.6.2, and the fixing requirements The uplift force Ft of 54.5 N, from example 1, exerts an
derived. The resultant fixing specification should then overturning moment on the tile. For an unfixed or
be compared with the minimum recommendations for head-nailed tile, the axis of rotation should be a line
fixing from 3.6.3.5, and the more onerous of these along the top arris of the batten. This overturning
should be used. moment should be resisted by the restoring moments
provided by the dead weight of the tile and by any
All wind uplift calculations require a value of the mechanical fixings, such as nails.
dynamic pressure of the wind qs to be derived for the
specific site from BS 6399 : Part 2. In these worked Figure D.1 shows the relevant dimensions.
examples a value of qs of 1000 N/m2 has been assumed In this example:
throughout. The dead weight of the tile = 4 kg, and the tile to rafter
NOTE. These calculations require various dimensions and fixing angle = 5Ê,
strengths for the products involved. Information on particular
products should be provided by the manufacturers. so at 27.5Ê rafterpitch
W = 4 3 0.9 3 9.81 3 cos(27.5Ê 2 5Ê) = 32.6 N; and
D.2 Calculations
Lt = 0.22 m; Lw = 0.19 m, Ln = 0.012 m
D.2.1 Example 1. Uplift loads on a single lap tile
The uplift moment, Mu = Ft 3 Lt = 54.5 3 0.22
(with underlay)
=12.0 N´m;
Roof details: Duopitch roof of 27.5Ê. Local area tiles,
hence Cpt = 20.15 (from table 7). Underlay, without The restoring moment due to the dead weight alone,
counterbattens, therefore S = 1 (from table 9). Mw = W 3 Lw
Tile details: Single lap tile, therefore D = 3.51 Mw = 32.6 3 0.19 = 6.2 N´m.
(from table 8). Cover width, B = 0.3 m, batten gauge, NOTE. Some tiles allow two nails to be used.
Ga = 0.345 m. This shows that the dead weight alone is insufficient to
The uplift force acting at the centre of the exposed resist the uplift moment of 12.0 N´m.
area of the tile Ft is given by the equations:
Ft = qs 3 Cpt 3 At 3 D 3 S (from 3.6.2.1)
Ft = 1000 3 20.15 3 0.3 3 0.345 3 3.51 3 1 = 254.5 N
NOTE 1. The minus sign denotes uplift.

Cover width of tile, B = 0.3m

Ft
Lt 27.5°
Roof pitch

Ga
Ln

Lw
22.5°
Tile pitch Wt

Figure D.1 Dimensions of a single lap tile described in example 2

60  BSI 1997
Annex D BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

The addition of a head-nail of 3.35 mm diameter, D.2.3 Example 3. To derive the nailing
and 23 mm penetration, giving a basic withdrawal load, requirements for the battens used in example 1
rn, from BS 5268 : Part 2 : 1996, table 60, of 1.89 N/mm The nails that hold the battens onto the rafters should
penetration in `type A' timber species battens resist the forces exerted onto the battens by the uplift
(see 2.12.1) provides an additional restoring moment, pressures on the underlay, taking into account the
given by: Mn = rn 3 p 3 3 3 Ln, where p is the restoring force provided by the dead weight of the roof
pointside penetration into the batten of 23 mm. The covering. One such nail will have to withstand the
permissible withdrawal resistance of the nails is three forces acting on an area of Ga 3 Rs, where Ga is the
times the basic withdrawal resistance. batten gauge and Rs is the rafter spacing. The equation
Mn = 1.89 3 23 3 3 3 0.012 = 1.56 N´m for Rf giving the required resistance of this nail Rn, is
Hence the combined restoring moments are given by the equation (see also 3.6.2.7):
Mw + Mn = 6.2 + 1.56 = 7.76 N´m. This is still less than Rn = Ga 3 Rs { qs (Cpi 2 Cpt / R ) 2 0.9W9 cos a }
the uplift moment Mu of 12.0 N´m. Hence nailing is where
insufficient and more effective mechanical fixings such
as a tail clip will be needed. W9 is the weight of the roofing elements
For a tile with a tail clip, the axis of rotation will be (in N/m2), taken in this example as 400 N/m2.
parallel to A ± A, and passing through point P, as
shown on figure C.3. The overturning moment about For the roof described in example 1, Rn (in N) is given
this axis should be resisted by the restoring moments by:
provided by both the dead weight of the tile and the
tail clip. If the dead weight of the tile is 4 kg the force Rn = 0.345 3 0.6 [1000 {0.2 2 (0.15/0.12)}
acting on the tail clip, Fc, can be calculated using the 20.9 3 400 cos (27.5)]
formula given in annex C, see C.1.6.5:
Rn = 234 N.
Fc = Ft 3 q / r 2 (Wp 3 p 3 cos a) / r
where This resistance is achieved by a 3.35 mm diameter,
smooth shanked nail if its penetration into a type A
Wp is the design weight acting perpendicular to species rafter is 41 mm or greater, i.e. for a batten
the plane of the roof, i.e. Wp = 32.6 N. depth of 25 mm a 66 mm long nail of this type is
sufficient.
The dimensions p, q and r should be measured for the
specific tile. In this example they are taken as: D.2.4 Example 4. Uplift loads on plain tiles (with
underlay)
± the distance from centre of gravity to the axis of
rotation, p = 0.20 m; Roof details: Duopitch roof of 45Ê, both general and
local area tiles, hence Cpt = 20.11 for general roof
± the distance from the uplift force to the axis of areas and 20.13 for local roof areas (from table 7).
rotation, q = 0.25 m; and Underlay is assumed to be present, without counter
± the distance from the clip to the axis of rotation, battens, therefore S = 1 (from table 9).
r = 0.16 m. Tile details: Plain tile, therefore D = 2.70 (from table 8).
F = 61.8 3 0.25/0.16 2 (32.6 3 0.20) / 0.16 Cover width, B = 0.167 m, and batten gauge, Ga = 0.1 m.
Fc = 44.4 N. The uplift force acting at the centre of the exposed
This positive value shows that clipping is needed, and area of the tile Ft is given by:
that the clip should have a value of clip resistance Rc Ft = qs 3 Cpt 3 At 3 D 3 S
measured in accordance with annex C, of at For general roof areas, Ft = 1000 3 20.11 3 0.167 3 0.1
least 44.4 N. 3 2.70 3 1 = 24.96 N.
NOTE. The minus sign denotes uplift.
For local roof areas, Ft = 1000 3 20.13 3 0.167 3 0.1
3 2.70 3 1 = 25.86 N.

 BSI 1997 61
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Annex D

Lt
Ft
Lh
Ft
10°
Ft Ls
Lw

Ft Ga
Ln

Wt

Wt

Wt

Wt
θ
Figure D.2 Dimensions of a plain tile fixed as in example 5

D.2.5 Example 5. Mechanical fixings required for As the dead weight resistance moment is greater than
roof details as in example 4 the wind overturning moment, it is unnecessary to
The uplift force Ft from example 4 exerts an uplift provide additional fixings for the general area tiles
moment Mu on the tile about an axis of rotation along other than the minimum fixings recommended
the top arris of the batten. This uplift moment should in 3.6.3.5.2.
be resisted by the total restoring moment Mr obtained The uplift moment on local area tiles Mu (in N´m) is
from the sum of the restoring moments from the dead given by the equation:
weight of the tile Mw and that of its nails, Mn 3 Kn. Mu = Ft 3 Lt = 5.86 N 3 0.2 m = 1.17 N´m
In this example : This exceeds the dead weight resistance moment
Self-weight of tile Wt = 1.25 kg, and tile to rafter by 1.17 N´m 2 1.085 N´m = 0.087 N´m, which should be
angle = 10Ê, resisted by the tile nails.
therefore at 45Êpitch, Wp = 1.25 3 0.9 3 9.81 3 For 2.65 mm diameter nails, the basic resistance to
cos (45Ê 2 10Ê) = 9.04 N. withdrawal in type A timber battens is (from BS 5268 :
Also, Lw = 0.12 m; Lt = 0.2 m; Lh = 0.25 m; Ls = 0.15 m; Part 2) 1.5 N per mm of penetration. From 3.6.3.4.2, the
and nail lever arm, Ln = 0.013 m. permissible withdrawal resistance of the nails is three
times the basic withdrawal resistance. Thus, for an
Figure D.2 shows the relevant dimensions.
assumed penetration of 17 mm into the batten, the
The uplift moment on general area tiles Mu (in N´m) is permissible withdrawal resistance of the two nails is:
given by the equation: 1.5 N/mm 3 17 mm 3 3 3 2 = 153 N
Mu = Ft 3 Lt = 4.96 N 3 0.2 m = 0.992 N´m With an effective lever arm from the nail-hole to the
The restoring moment due to the dead weight alone top arris of the batten, Ln of 0.013 m, the resistance
Mw (in N´m) is given by the equation: moment of each nailed tile Mn (in N´m) is:
Mw = Wp 3 Lw = 9.04 N 3 0.12 m = 1.085 N´m Mn = 153 N 3 0.013 m = 1.99 N´m

62  BSI 1997
Annex D BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

The nail uplift resistance moment, Kn 3 Mn, (allowing Both Ftr and Fh exert overturning moments on the
for the holding down of unnailed tiles by nailed tiles) ridge tile and these combine to give a total overturning
is calculated from the equation given in 3.6.3.4.2: moment Mcomb of:
Kn = (1 2 Lh / Ls) / { 1 2 (Lh / Ls)n} Mcomb = Ftr 3 Lr/2 + Fh 3 hr/ 2
Plain tiles of these dimensions give the following = 2182 3 0.25/2 2 92 3 0.10/2 = 227.3 N´m
values for Kn. NOTE. The minus sign denotes uplift.
If n = 1, Kn = 1; if n = 2, Kn = 0.375; if n = 3, Kn = 0.184; This overturning moment is resisted by the
if n = 4, Kn = 0.099; if n = 5, Kn = 0.056. combination of the self-weight of the ridge tile (taken
To decide whether the minimum required nailing, i.e. here as 5 kg) and a mechanical fixing into a ridge
every fifth course, is adequate: batten. Both of these forces act at a distance of
Lr/2 from the pivot point. Hence the self-weight
n = 5, so Kn = 0.056 and thus Kn 3 Mn = 0.056 3 1.99
restoring moment, Mw is given by the equation:
= 0.11 N´m.
Mw = 0.9 3 5 3 9.81 3 Lr /2 = 0.9 3 5 3 9.81 3 0.25 / 2
This is adequate since it exceeds 0.087 N´m.
= 5.5 N´m
Consequently, every fifth course should be nailed in the
local roof areas. If this had been inadequate then Since this is less than the overturning moment, the
progressively lower values of `n' should be tried. strength of the mechanical fixing needs to be
calculated so that it withstands the net uplift moment,
D.2.6 Example 6. Ridge tile loads, mechanically 27.3 2 5.5 = 21.8 N´m.
fixed end-ridge tiles
If Fn is the withdrawal force of the nail(s) then Fn is
Roof details: End ridge tiles on a 27.5Ê duopitch roof. given by the equation:
Rectilinear ridge tile, shown uppermost on figure D.3, Fn 3 Lr / 2 = 21.8; ∴ Fn = 21.8 3 2 / Lr = 21.8 3 2 / 0.25
with the following dimensions:
= 174.4 N
Lr = 0.25 m, hr = 0.10 m and Br = 0.46 m.
If there is one nail holding down a ridge tile (a smooth
NOTE. The uplift loads on ridge tiles depend on: nail of 3.75 mm diameter into type A timber), its
± end-ridge tile or central ridge tile (obtain value of Cpt from permissible withdrawal force is given by the equation:
table 7);
± the type of covering on the roof (obtain value of D from
Fn = 2.12 3 p 3 3; ∴ for Fn = 174.4 N, the nail
table 8); penetration p should not be less than the value derived
± ventilated or non-ventilated (obtain value of S from 3.6.2.2). from:
For this example there is: a ventilated ridge tile 174.4 = 2.12 3 p 3 3; ∴ p = 27.4 mm
(therefore S = 3); an end-ridge tile (therefore Cpt at NOTE. In more exposed areas, higher wind forces may be
experienced and ring-shank nails may be preferable, their
(27¯Ê) = 20.15); and with surrounding single lap withdrawal resistance being 1.5 times higher than smooth nails.
concrete tiles (therefore D = 3.51).
There are two forces acting simultaneously on the D.2.7 Example 7. Ridge tile loads, mortar bedded
ridge tile. Ftr, acting vertically and Fh, acting inner-ridge tiles
horizontally, as shown in figure D.3. Roof details: Duopitch roof of 40Ê (Cpt at 40Ê =20.13 for
These both exert overturning moments on the ridge inner ridge tiles) with plain tiles (therefore D = 2.70),
tile which should be resisted by the combination of the and the ridge is not ventilated, and the underlay is
ridge tile's self-weight and the mechanical fixings. continuous over the ridge (S = 1).
Ftr is given by the following equation: Ridge tile details: Half-round ridge tile, with dimensions
given below:
Ftr = qs 3 Cpt 3 Ar 3 D 3 S
± length, Br = 0.3 m (= 300 mm);
(where Ar = Br 3 Lr = 0.46 3 0.25)
± height, hr = 0.13 m;
Ftr = 1000 3 20.15 3 (0.46 3 0.25) 3 3.51 3 3
± width, Lr = 0.25 m;
= 2182 N
± weight, Wt = 5.4 kg.
Fh is given by the following equation:
Fh = qs 3 22 3 Ah
(where Ah = Br 3 hr = 0.460 3 0.10)
Fh = 1000 3 22 3 (0.460 3 0.10) = 292 N

 BSI 1997 63
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Annex D

Ftr

Fh

Wt

Pivot point
NOTE. Uplift forces, Ftr and Fh and the self-weight acting on a ridge tile all create moments about the pivot point.
Figure D.3 Uplift forces, Ftr and Fh and the self-weight acting on a ridge tile

(S t /30) x B r x 1000 x 0.025 Pivot point

NOTE. The restoring force provided by the mortar creates a restoring moment about the pivot point.
Figure D.4 Restoring force provided by the mortar

As in example 6, there are two forces acting and Fh is given by: Fh = qs 3 22 3 Ah

simultaneously on the ridge tile; Ftr acting vertically (where Ah = Br 3 hr = 0.3 3 0.13)
and Fh acting horizontally. These will both exert
overturning moments on the ridge tile (see figure D.3) ∴ Fh = 1000 3 22 3 (0.3 3 0.13) = 278 N
and these should be resisted by the restoring moments The total overturning moment due to these forces is
provided by the self-weight and, in this case, the given by the equation:
tensile bond strength of the mortar bedding Ftr 3 Lr / 2 + Fh 3 h / 2
(see figure D.4). = 226.3 3 0.25 / 2 2 78 3 0.13 / 2 = 28.36 N´m
Ftr is given by the equation:
The restoring moment provided by the self-weight is
Ftr = qs 3 Cpt 3 Ar 3 D 3 S given by:
(where Ar = Br 3 Lr = 0.3 3 0.25) 0.9 3 Wt 3 9.81 3 Lr / 2
∴ Ftr = 1000 3 20.13 3 (0.3 3 0.25) 3 2.7 3 1
where Wt = 5.4 kg.
= 226.3 N
NOTE. The minus sign denotes uplift. ∴ 0.9 3 Wt 3 9.81 3 0.25 / 2 = 6.0 N´m

64  BSI 1997
Annex D BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

Since the total overturning moment, 8.36 N´m, exceeds General and local slates Cpt derived from table 7:
the restoring moment provided by the ± for general areas = 20.11;
self-weight, 6.0 N´m, the net overturning moment,
(8.36 2 6.0 = 2.36 N´m), should be resisted by the ± for ridge and valleys = 20.14.
tensile bond strength of the mortar. Underlay without counter battens derived from
The strength of the bond between the particular ridge table 9: S = 1.
tiles and particular roof coverings will need to be Double lap slates derived from table 8: D = 3.51.
determined by test (annex J), which provides a value Calculation of the wind uplift force Ft.
of mortar bond resistance St (in N/mm2). In this From equation (1) Ft = qs 3 Cpt 3 At 3 D 3 S
example it is assumed that these unglazed clay tiles are
NOTE. A negative value denotes uplift.
bedded with a 3 : 1 mix using sharp sand. From
table 6 (see also 3.6.3.4.3) the value of St is 0.17 N/mm2 For the general area slates Ft = 1000 3 20.11 3 0.05
and requires a safety factor of 30 to be applied. 3 3.51 3 1 = 219.31 N
This example requires a resistance provided by the For ridge and valley area slates Ft = 1000 3 20.14
mortar bond to withstand the net overturning moment 3 0.05 3 3.51 3 1 = 224.57 N
M2, of 2.36 N´m. Calculation of the wind uplift moment Mu.
The prescribed bond width is 25 mm and gives a bond The uplift force Ft exerts an uplift moment Mu on the
area of Br 31000 3 25 (in mm2). With Br equal to 0.3 m slate at an axis of rotation at the head of the slate.
this is 7500 mm2. The uplift moment Mu = the uplift force Ft 3 axis
The mortar bond has a lever arm of Lr, and hence it length Lt.
provides a restoring moment of (0.17/30) 3 7500 For general area slates = 219.31 3 0.4 = 27.72 N´m.
= 5.31 N´m. This exceeds the required net overturning
moment of 2.36 N´m and confirms that, for this For ridge and valley area slates = 224.57 3 0.4
particular roofing situation, mortar bedding of the = 29.83 N´m.
inner ridge tiles is adequate. D.2.9 Example 9. Mechanical fixings required for
NOTE. The above calculation cannot be applied to the two end example 8
ridge tiles1) (see 3.6.3.4.3) because the mortar bond here is likely
to suffer due to differential movement of the roof. Mechanical The uplift moment Mu should be resisted by the total
fixings will be required for end-ridge tiles, and their strength restoring moment Mr obtained from the sum of the
should be calculated following the principles shown in example 6. restoring moments of the dead weight Mw plus that of
D.2.8 Example 8. Uplift loads on double lap the nails Mn.
slates (with underlay) Calculation of the dead weight resistance moment Mw
In this example the slate weight Wt = 1.7 kg
Roof details: duopitch roof of 30Ê The slate to rafter angle = 1.25Ê
with valley. From 3.6.3.4.1 the effective dead weight,
Construction: 500 mm 3 250 mm Wp = 0.9 3 Wt 3 9.81 3 cos (30Ê 2 1.25Ê) N = 13.16 N
slates at 100 mm lap on battens on The dead weight resistance acts at half the slate length
felt therefore the dead weight resistance moment
Batten gauge: (slate length 2 lap)/2 = 0.20 m Mw = 13.16 3 Lw = 13.16 3 0.25 = 3.29 N´m
Margin = gauge The uplift resistance to be provided by the fixings must
Nail holing gauge: gauge + lap + = 0.315 m be at least equal to the residual moment which equals
(8 to 15) mm (worst case) the uplift moment (negative) less the dead weight
resistance (positive):
The uplift axis of rotation = 0.40 m
Ft = length 2 (0.5 3 margin) Mn $ 2 (Mu + Mw)
Slate weight = 1.7 kg For general areas 2(Mu + Mw) = 2(27.72 + 3.29)
= 4.23 N´m
Slate thickness = 0.005 m For ridge and valley areas 2(Mu + Mw)
Exposed area of the slate = 0.05 m2 = 2(29.83 + 3.29) = 6.54 N´m
At = batten gauge 3 slate width Calculation of nail withdrawal resistance.
The lever arm for slates = = 0.50 2 0.10 For the sizes and types of nails given in table 4 the
length 2 half the margin = 0.4 m permissible resistance to withdrawal in type A or
type B timber can be determined.

1) Or over a length of 900 mm, whichever is the greater.

 BSI 1997 65
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Annex D

Lt
LW Rafter
line
Ft
LN e
aug
ng
tte
Ba
ad
He
rgin lap
Ma
e
aug
lingg
Ho

Wp
Figure D.5 Dimension of double lap slating example

For 3.35 mm smooth nails in class A timber the Alternatively, if the calculated nail resistance moment
permissible nail withdrawal resistance Rn = (100/18) does not exceed the residual moment the required
per millimetre of penetration = 5.56 N/mm. minimum nail penetration can be calculated from:
For each slate fixed with two nails per slate,
penetrating the minimum of 15 mm Rn = 2 3 15 3 5.56 Penetration = Residual uplift moment / (2 3 Basic nail
= 166.8 N/m. withdrawal resistance 3 Lever arm)
The effective lever arm Lm from the nail to the head Assume the residual uplift moment = 50 N´m
batten is equal to the slate length minus the holing Minimum penetration = 50 / (2 3 5.56 3 0.185)
gauge = 0.50 2 0.315 = 0.185 m. = 24.3 mm
Therefore the nail resistance moment Mn of each slate
is 166.8 3 0.185 = 30.86 N´m.
Since the nail resistance moment exceeds both the
residual uplift moment after allowing for the dead
weight moment and the total uplift moment Mu for all
roof areas the minimum nailing specification is
adequate.

66  BSI 1997
Annex E BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

K1 K1 K1

K 2 =0 K 2 =0
K2

a) Examples of K1 and K2

A
D

B
Not permissible Not permissible Permissible if neither A,B,C or D
are each not less than 5 mm

b) Examples of a knot visible on both sides (edges) of a batten

Figure E.1 Examples of knot configurations

Annex E (normative) E.4 Slope of grain

The deviation of the slope of grain from the
Permissible characteristics and defects longitudinal axis should not exceed 1 in 6 on either axis
for timber battens and counterbattens (see figure E.4).
E.1 Knot sizes NOTE. A method and tool for measuring slope of grain is given in
BS 4978.
For knot sizes, the sum of dimensions K1 and K2
encompassing a knot should not exceed the actual E.5 Rate of growth
width of the batten. A knot appearing on both sides of There should be an average of not less than four
the batten is not a permissible defect if any part of the annual growth rings per 25 mm measured at each end
knot is less than 5 mm from the face (see figure E.1b). (see figure E.5).
NOTE. The face is a surface of the batten which is parallel to the
slating or tiling. E.6 Decay and insect attack
Battens and counterbattens should be free from rot
E.2 Permissible wane and live insect attack.
Wane is permitted on one arris and should not exceed
one third of the dimension of each of the faces on E.7 Sap stain
which it occurs (see figure E.2). Sap stain such as `blue stain' is not a structural defect
and is permitted.
E.3 Fissures and splits
End splits (through the piece) which occur before E.8 Resin pockets
fixing should be trimmed off. End splits or splits at Resin pockets on either face of a batten are permitted
intermediate supports which occur due to nailing provided that no resin pocket exceeds 70 mm in length,
should be not greater than 150 mm long. Fissures (not or 6 mm in width, or one third of the batten thickness.
through the piece) should not exceed half the batten Resin pockets on either side of a batten are permitted
thickness (see figure E.3) nor exceed 300 mm in length. provided that no resin pocket exceeds 70 mm in length,
or 6 mm in width, or 12 mm in depth.

 BSI 1997 67
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Annex E

greater than 1/2 depth

Not greater than

Depth of fissure not

1/3 width

Not greater than

1/3 depth

Figure E.2 Wane Figure E.3 Permissible depth of

fissures
Width

depth
or

General slope of grain not greater At least four annula

than 1 in 6 from longitudinal axis rings per 25 mm

Figure E.4 Permissible slope of grain Figure E.5 Permissible rate of growth

E.9 Moisture content

The moisture content at the time of fixing should not
exceed 22 %.
The dimensions of battens and counterbattens are
based on measurement at 20 % moisture content. As
timber swells on wetting and shrinks on drying,
dimensions measured at other moisture contents may
be adjusted to the 20 % values by allowing 1 % change
in cross-sectional dimensions for every 4 % change in
moisture content.

68  BSI 1997
Annex F BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

Annex F (informative) Annex G (normative)

Recommended preservative treatment Design of batten sizes by calculation
schedules for timber battens G.1 Loading
(BS 5268 : Part 5) The unfactored loads supported by the batten should
Recommended preservative treatment schedules or be the dead load of the roofing, tiling batten and any
immersion periods are given in table F.1. roof fixtures, together with the following imposed load
uniformly distributed and placed centrally over one
Table F.1 Preservative treatment schedules or span, over a length of 600 mm or the length of the span
immersion periods whichever is the lesser.
Species Permeable (P) or Resistant (R) or ± For double lap roofing 0.45 kN, or 0.75 kN/m for
Moderately Extremely spans less than 600 mm.
resistant (MR) resistant (ER) ± For single lap roofing 0.68 kN, or 1.133 kN/m for
Schedules Ð Ð spans less than 600 mm.
Organic V/1 or 3 min V/3 or V/42) G.2 Strength
solvent1) immersion The permissible short term load sharing bending stress
CCA water P8 with 15 g/l P9 with 15 g/l for timber battens, graded in accordance with annex E,
borne solution solution should be limited to the values given in table G.1.
1) The organic solvent should include an insecticide where it is
considered that there is a risk of insect attack. Where the risk of Table G.1 Permissible short term load sharing
insect attack has been identified, any organic solvent
preservative used should have insecticidal properties and be of
bending stress for timber battens
class N or F/N conforming to BS 5707. Batten type Batten Permissible short term load
2) When treating R or ER species against fungal attack,
(see 2.12) depth d bearing bending stress
immersion is not permitted. Battens should not be bundled in mm (including load-sharing
immersion treatment as this would prevent free wetting of allowance)
preservative solution to all batten surfaces. N/mm2
A d # 38 20.9
38 < d # 72 10.23 + 0.3138 (72 2 d)
B d # 38 17.8
38 < d # 72 7.92 + 0.2906 (72 2 d)

G.3 Stiffness
The modulus of elasticity E for timber battens should
be taken as:
± 9000 N/mm2 for type A species; and
± 7500 N/mm2 for type B species.
The calculated maximum deflection on the batten
perpendicular to the roof slope should normally not
exceed the span divided by 100 for spans not
exceeding 600 mm and the span divided by 125 for
spans exceeding 600 mm. For very lightweight roof
coverings or where the battens cannot be temporarily
restrained against excessive rebound during nailing
(such as with centre-nailed slates) a lesser deflection
limit may be appropriate.

 BSI 1997 69
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Annex H

Annex H (normative) For imposed loads: In this case the load W of length
l = 600 mm (placed centrally over the span) is shorter
Example of structural design calculations than the effective span L, and thus the maximum
for tiling battens moment is given by:
H.1 Single span design condition M = W(0.25L 2 0.125l), which resolves into x and y
directions as:
Simply supported single span batten, basic
size 50 mm 3 25 mm in type A species, for single lap My = 0.639(0.25 3 0.6825 2 0.125 3 0.6)
tiles of laid weight 48 kg/m2, gauge 342 mm, roof = 0.0611 kN´m
pitch 20Ê, rafter spacing 700 mm. Mx = 0.233(0.25 3 0.6825 2 0.125 3 0.6)
NOTE 1. Typical loads and bending moments on roof battens are = 0.0223 kN´m
illustrated in figure H.1.
NOTE 2. Unless assurance is given that battens will span over not Combined dead and imposed load moments:
less than three consecutive supports (see 2.12.4c), the design My = 0.0704 kN´m
should be on the basis of simply supported single spans. Where
assurance is given, the design should be on the basis of a Mx = 0.0257 kN´m
two-span condition with the loading configuration given in Bending stresses:
figure H.1c) (i.e. one span unloaded as can occur during fixing
slates or tiles). On faces AB or CD: fx = My/ Zx = 0.0704 3 106/4896
Assume the dead weight of battens is 2.5 kg/m2 = 14.4 N/mm2
on batten = (48 + 2.5) 3 0.342 3 0.00981 = 0.169 kN/m On faces BC or AD: fy = Mx/ Zy = 0.0257 3 106/9204
Minimum batten size for calculation: 47 mm 3 25 mm = 2.8 N/mm2
Loads: Maximum combined corner bending stress at
Component dead load B or C = 17.2 N/mm2 2)
y direction: wy = 0.169 kN/m 3 cos(20Ê) = 0.159 kN/m Stiffness (deflection):
x direction: wx = 0.169 kN/m 3 sin(20Ê) = 0.058 kN/m Maximum midspan deflection(s) for uniformly
Imposed load (vertical) = 0.68 kN centrally over 600 mm distributed dead load = 5wL4/(384EI); and
for imposed load W uniformly distributed over a
Component imposed load length l < L
y direction: wy = 0.68 3 cos(20Ê) = 0.639 kN Maximum midspan deflection(s) = W(8L3 2 4Ll2
x direction: wx = 0.68 3 sin(20Ê) = 0.233 kN + l3)/(384EI)
Section properties of batten (see figure H1): For deflection in the y direction:
Moment of inertia From dead loads:
Ix = 47 3 253/12 = 61 198 mm4 sy = 5 3 0.159 3 0.68254 3 1012/(384 3 61198 3 9000)
Iy = 25 3 473/12 = 216 298 mm4 = 0.82 mm
Section modulus From imposed loads:
Zx = 47 3 252/6 = 4896 mm3 sy = 0.639 (8 3 0.68253 2 4 3 0.6825 3 0.62
Zy = 25 3 472/6 = 9204 mm3 + 0.63) 3 1012/(384 3 61198 3 9000)
Width of trussed rafter support = 35 mm = 5.37 mm
Clear distance between support faces Total deflection = 6.19 mm, which is greater
= 700 mm 2 35 mm = 665 mm than 682.5/125 = 5.46 mm, indicating inadequate
Effective span = 665 mm + 17.5 mm = 682.5 mm stiffness for normal use. Increase batten size and
Maximum midspan bending moments: re-check deflections to confirm adequate stiffness.
For dead loads: M = 0.125WL2, which resolves into x
and y directions as
My = 0.125 3 0.159 3 0.68252 = 0.0093 kN´m
Mx = 0.125 3 0.058 3 0.68252 = 0.0034 kN´m

2) Which is less than the permissible bending stress of 20.7 N/mm2 for a batten depth of 25 mm.

70  BSI 1997
Annex H BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

a) Load directional components on batten b) Load on a simply supported batten

B Load w
y

x
A L

D Maximum deflection at midspan 5wL4/384EI

x
Roof pitch

C wy
w

wx
y

c) Load on a two-span batten

Load w Unloaded span

(weight of battens ignored
for simplicity)

L L

Maximum deflection at loaded span 4wL4/384EI

d) Bending moments on a two-span batten with one span loaded

M 2 = 0.063 wL2
= 0.09
M max 2
5 wL

NOTE 1. L = design span.

NOTE 2. The loads and bending moments illustrated apply only in the case of loads being uniformly distributed over the full
length of the loaded span.

Figure H.1 Loads and bending moments on roof battens

H.2 Two span design condition Mmax = 0.095wL4, where w in this case is the sum of
Two-span batten continuous over three supports, each the dead and imposed loads.
span 600 mm, otherwise design conditions as H.1. Maximum deflection in loaded span is given by:
NOTE. Battens designed as continuous over more than two s = 4wL4/384EI
supports should not be used as simply supported single spans
unless checked in accordance with the example given in NOTE. The equations given for Mmax and M2 (see G.3) and
H.1 above. deflection s, apply only in the case of loads being uniformly
distributed over the full length of one span. In other cases the
The calculations are similar to those in (a) above appropriate equations may be obtained from structural engineering
except that: reference books.
Effective span L = 700 2 8.75 = 691.25 mm
Maximum bending moment M occurs near the centre
of loaded span 1 - 2 (see G.3)

 BSI 1997 71
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997 Annex J

Annex J (normative) J.4 Sample preparation

Cut test coupons of (50 ± 2) mm 3 (50 ± 2) mm from
Method of test for determination of sections removed from the tiles or slates using a
tensile adhesion strength of bedding diamond saw or other suitable cutting apparatus.
mortars Figure J.1 illustrates a suitable area for extraction of
coupons from plain tiles. The area of the tile or slate
J.1 Principle selected for sectioning should be free of any
Wind uplift loads on ridge tiles are modelled through indentations of manufacturers' identification markings
an approach based on the use of sample coupons cut which may influence the surface area of the underside.
from tiles which are bonded together using mortar. The Measure the dimensions to within 0.1 mm using
tensile failure load of the bond is measured in direct callipers and record these values. Soak the test
tension using a pull apart system utilizing fixings joined coupons in water for a minimum of 24 h. On removal
onto the opposing faces of the samples. The bond of the test samples from the water, wipe the surfaces
strength is expressed as a mean tensile adhesion with a damp cloth, and bond the coupons face-to-back
strength for the lowest two values, determined on a set using 40 g of mortar. Bed the coupons with a slight
of 10 samples. twisting movement to obtain an even mortar layer. The
J.2 Apparatus slump of the mortar should be measured in
Test apparatus as specified in BS 4551 should be used accordance with the method described in BS 4551 and
for measuring the slump of the mortar in addition to a record made of the value.
the following. Apply a 2 kg weight to the `sandwich' for a period of
not less than 1 min.
J.2.1 A tensile testing machine, conforming to
BS EN 10002-2 capable of applying a vertical tensile Dress the edges of the `sandwich' and place in the
force at the rate of 2 kN/min fitted with an assembly environmental chamber for a minimum of 24 h.
(e.g. hooks) capable of engaging into opposing Remove the `sandwich', clean up the edges, mark the
U-brackets mounted on plates which are bonded onto coupons to identify the tile type, batch and orientation
opposing faces of the test sample. The apparatus and the mortar specification. Return the `sandwich' to
should be fitted with a tensile load measuring device the environmental chamber.
accurate to within 1 N. After 20 days to 25 days remove the `sandwich' from the
environmental chamber and bond U-brackets onto
J.2.2 Callipers, accurate to within 0.1 mm. opposing faces using a high strength polyester resin or
J.2.3 Environmental chamber or curing area, other suitable adhesive. The hoops on the brackets
controlled to 20 ÊC ± 5 ÊC and 60 % RH ± 15 % RH. should be arranged centrally and at right angles to one
another. The `assembly' is returned to the
J.2.4 Steel U-brackets, mounted on backing plates environmental chamber.
(staple on plate) of 50 mm 3 50 mm.
The arrangement of test coupons, mortar and
J.2.5 Polyester resin bonding agent. U-brackets is illustrated in figure J.2.
J.2.6 Diamond saw, or other suitable apparatus to J.5 Test procedure
cut test coupons from tile samples. After 28 days ± 2 days, the samples are removed from
J.3 Samples the environmental chamber for testing.
A set of 10 plain tiles, or other tiles or slates should be Mount the test `assembly' in the tensile testing
provided for the purpose of undertaking the test. The apparatus using the hoops to the opposing clamp or
samples should be representative of the materials to be hook devices. Apply a tensile load at a rate
used on site. Choose a part of the tile or slate to of 2 kN/min ± 0.2 kN/min until failure of the mortar
provide a 50 mm by 50 mm surface area suitable for bond occurs.
bonding the U-brackets. Record the force at failure in newtons and the mode of
A sample of mortar under test should be provided. failure, e.g., top surface failure, bottom surface failure,
This should be batched using the same constituents in mortar failure, etc.
the same quantities and to achieve the same
consistency as the material to be used on site.

72  BSI 1997
Annex J BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

J.6 Calculation of test result J.7 Test report

For each test sample (`assembly') calculate the tensile The test report shall include:
adhesion strength Sn (in N/mm2) using the expression: a) types, names and manufacturers of tiles or slates;
Sn = Sm / a b) details of mortar mix (constituents and
where: proportions) and slump;
c) the average of the two lowest values of tensile
Sm is the failure load (in N); and adhesion strength to two significant figures;
a is the contact surface area of the smallest two d) the individual tensile adhesion strength values
tile coupons comprising the test sample and mode of failure;
(in mm2).
e) the date the test was undertaken;
Calculate the tensile bond strength St (in N/mm2), by f) the cure time in days;
taking the average of the two lowest values of Sn for g) the testing authority.
test samples which failed directly at the mortar bond.

,,,,,,
,,,,,
,,,,,,
,,,,,
,,,,,,
,,,,, Sample area
Figure J.1 Illustration of test strip selection from plain tile

Steel hoop
Mounting for U bracket
bonded to tile coupon

,,,,,,,,,
Upper tile coupon

,,,,,,,,,
,,,,,,,,, Mortar

Lower tile coupon

Figure J.2 Illustration of sample configuration at the time of testing

 BSI 1997 73
74 blank
 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

List of references (see 1.2)

Normative references

BSI publications
BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION, London

BS 12 : 1996 Specification for Portland cement

BS 146 : 1996 Specification for Portland blastfurnace cements
BS 402 Clay roofing tiles and fittings
BS 416 Discharge and ventilating pipes and fittings, sand-cast or spun in
cast iron
BS 476 : Fire tests on building materials and structures
BS 476 : Part 3 : 1975 External fire exposure roof test
BS 476 : Part 6 : 1989 Method of test for fire propagation for products
BS 476 : Part 7 : 1997 Method of test to determine the classification of the surface spread
of flame of products
BS 569 : 1973 Specification for asbestos-cement rainwater goods
BS 680 Specification for roofing slates
BS 747 : 1994 Specification for roofing felts
BS 890 : 1995 Specification for building limes
BS 1014 : 1975 Specification for pigments for Portland cement and Portland
cement products
BS 1042 Measurement of fluid flow in closed conduits
BS 1042 : Part 2 : Velocity area methods
BS 1042 : Section 2.1 : 1983 Method using Pitot static tubes
BS 1105 : 1981 Specification for wood wool cement slabs up to 125 mm thick
BS 1142 : 1989 Specification for fibre building boards
BS 1178 : 1982 Specification for milled lead sheet for building purposes
BS 1200 : 1976 Specification for building sands from natural sources
BS 1202 : Specification for nails
BS 1202 : Part 1 : 1974 Steel nails
BS 1202 : Part 2 : 1974 Copper nails
BS 1202 : Part 3 : 1974 Aluminium nails
BS 1297 : 1987 Specification for tongued and grooved softwood flooring
BS 1449 : Steel plate, sheet and strip
BS 1449 : Part 1 : Carbon and carbon- manganese plate, sheet and strip
BS 1449 : Part 2 : 1983 Specification for stainless and heat-resisting steel plate, sheet and
strip
BS 1554 : 1990 Specification for stainless and heat-resisting steel round wire
BS 2870 : 1980 Specification for rolled copper and copper alloys: sheet, strip and
foil
BS 2871 Specification for copper and copper alloys. Tubes
BS 3177 : 1959 Method for determining the permeability to water vapour of
flexible sheet materials used for packaging
BS 4551 : 1980 Methods of testing mortars, screeds and plasters
BS 4576 Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U) rainwater goods and
accessories
BS 5075 Concrete admixtures
BS 5075 : Part 1 : 1982 Specification for accelerating admixtures, retarding admixtures
and water reducing admixtures
BS 5075 : Part 2 : 1982 Specification for air-entraining admixtures
BS 5075 : Part 3 : 1985 Specification for superplasticizing admixtures
BS 5250 : 1989 Code of practice for control of condensation in buildings
BS 5628 : Code of practice for use of masonry
BS 5628 : Part 3 : 1985 Materials and components, design and workmanship

 BSI 1997 75
BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

BS 5669 : Particleboard
BS 5669 : Part 2 : 1989 Specification for wood chipboard
BS 5669 : Part 3 : 1992 Specification for oriented strand board (OSB)
BS 5669 : Part 4 : 1989 Specification for cement bonded particleboard
BS 5669 : Part 5 : 1993 Code of practice for the selection and application of particleboards
for specific purposes
BS 6100 : Glossary of building and civil engineering terms
BS 6100 : Part 1 : General and miscellaneous
BS 6100 Section 1.3 : Parts of construction works
BS 6100 : Subsection 1.3.1 : 1992 Walls and cladding
BS 6100 : Subsection 1.3.2 : 1989 Roofs and roofing
BS 6367 : 1983 Code of practice for drainage of roofs and paved areas
BS 6399 : Loading for buildings
BS 6399 : Part 1 : 1996 Code of practice for dead and imposed loads
BS 6399 : Part 2 : 1995 Code of practice for wind loads
BS 6399 : Part 3 : 1988 Code of practice for imposed roof loads
BS 6651 : 1992 Code of practice for protection of structures against lightning
BS 8000 : Workmanship on building sites
BS 8000 : Part 6 : 1990 Code of practice for slating and tiling of roofs and claddings
BS 8104 : 1992 Code of practice for assessing exposure of walls to wind-driven
rain
BS EN 311 : 1992 Particleboards. Surface soundness of particleboards, test method
BS EN 313 : Plywood. Classification and terminology
BS EN 313-1 : 1996 Classification
BS EN 313-2 : 1995 Terminology
BS EN 485 Aluminium and aluminium alloys. Sheet, strip and plate
BS EN 490 : 1994 Concrete roofing tiles and fittings. Product specifications
BS EN 491 : 1994 Concrete roofing tiles and fittings. Test methods
BS EN 492 : 1994 Fibre-cement slates and their fittings for roofing. Product
specification and test methods
BS EN 634 : Cement-bonded particle boards. Specification
BS EN 634-1 : 1995 General requirements
BS EN 635 Plywood. Classification by surface appearance
BS EN 988 : 1997 Zinc and zinc alloys. Specification for rolled flat products for
building
BS EN ISO 5167-1 : 1997 Orifice plates, nozzles, and Venturi tubes inserted in circular
cross-section conduits running full

Other publications
[8] Building Regulations, Regulation 7, Materials and Workmanship
[10] BRE Digest No. 108 Standard U-values : 1991
[12] Building Regulations 1991

Informative references

BSI publications
BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION, London
BS 5268 : Structural use of timber
BS 5268 : Part 2 : 1996 Code of practice for permissible stress design, materials and
workmanship
BS 5268 : Part 5 : 1989 Code of practice for the preservative treatment of structural timber
BS 5707 Solutions of wood preservatives in organic solvents
BS 7543 Guide to durability of buildings and building elements, products
and components

76  BSI 1997
 BS 5534 : Part 1 : 1997

BS 7750 : 1994 Specification for environmental management systems

PD 6484 : 1979 Commentary on corrosion at bimetallic contacts and its
alleviation
BS EN 516 : 1995 Prefabricated accessories for roofing. Installations for roof access.
Walkways, treads and steps
BS EN 517 : 1995 Prefabricated accessories for roofing. Roof safety hooks
BS EN 573 Aluminium and aluminium alloys. Chemical composition and
form of wrought products
BS EN ISO 9001 : 1994 Quality systems. Model for quality assurance in design,
development, production, installation and servicing
BS EN ISO 9002 : 1994 Quality systems. Model for quality assurance in production,
installation and servicing
BS EN ISO 9003 : 1994 Quality systems. Model for quality assurance in final inspection
and test
Other publications
[1] Construction Products Regulation 19913)
[2] NFRC Technical Bulletin No. 6
[3] NFRC Technical Bulletin No. 15
[4] BRE Report Thermal insulation: avoiding risks (second edition 1994).
[5] BRE Digest No. 391 Damage to roofs from aircraft wake vortices
[6] NFRC Technical Bulletin No. 7
[7] NFRC Technical Bulletin No. 3
[9] CIBS E A3 Thermal Properties of Building Structures
[11] NFRC Technical Bulletin No. 21
[13] Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989
[14] Noise at Work Regulations 1989
[15] Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations (CAWR) 1987 amended
[16] Road Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances, etc.) Regulations 1986
[17] Asbestos (Prohibition) Regulations 1992
[18] Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985
[19] Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981
[20] Electricity at Work Regulations 1980
[21] Safety Signs Regulations 1995
[22] Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
[23] Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992
[24] Construction (Design and Management Ð (CDM)) Regulations 1994
[25] Protection of Eyes Regulations 1974
[26] Highly Flammable Liquids and LPG Regulations 1972
[27] Fire Precautions Act 1971
[28] Abrasive Wheels Regulations 1970
[29] Offices, Shops and Railway Premises (Lifts and Hoists) Regulations 1968
[30] The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996
[31] Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963
[32] Construction (General Provisions) Regulations 1961
[33] Construction (Lifting Operations) Regulations 1961
[34] Factories Act 1961
[35] Public Health Act 1961
[36] Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1988
[37] Approved Code of Practice, Control of Lead at Work, 1980
[38] Lead Sheet Manual, Volume 1

3) Referred to in the foreword only.

 BSI 1997
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