Building Regulations, Code of practice & Roofs

• BS 5250 is applicable management of moisture in buildings. It details best practices for ensuring a code of practice for preventing moisture in buildings to minimizing risk to the users 
• BS 5250 gives recommendations for the management of moisture in buildings using an integrated and pragmatic approach. It covers all states of water as gas, liquid and solid, and the interactions between these states. It describes the principal sources of moisture in buildings, its transportation and deposition and provides recommendations and guidance on how to manage those risks during the assessment, design, construction, and operation of buildings. Note: BS 5250 does not cover measures specifically dealing with flooding and escape of water. These are dealt with in BS 85500. 

• BS 5250 on the management of moisture in buildings is useful for designers, builders, and users of any class of building 

Moisture in buildings is a significant cause of many building failures, including some building-related occupant health problems.  

By adapting BS 5250 guidance designers, builders, and users can investigate risks of all sorts from high moisture levels, whether in the building fabric or in indoor air, which can endanger the health and well-being of building occupants and the integrity of the building. 

• BS 5250:2021 supersedes BS 5250:2011+A1:2016, which is withdrawn. 
• BS 5250 is a full revision of the standard, and introduces the following principal changes: 
  • Audience on moisture risk concerning problems other than just condensation has been added
  • A whole-building approach to moisture safe design, introduced in the bsi white paper moisture in buildings [1] is adopted, including prescriptive, modelling and principles based 
  • Approaches considering building context, coherence of design and detailing and interactions, capacity and in-service conditions have been added 
  • A major revision of the content relating to floors (clause 10), walls (clause 11) and roofs (Clause 12) with particular emphasis on managing moisture risks in buildings undergoing Energy saving measures; and 
  • A general update of other parts of the standard

Compliance BS5250 | M Pearson Roofing

• Where relevant and practicable, M Pearson Roofing strive to undertake all roofing work in accordance with BS 5250. 
• However, where our work relates to listed or heritage buildings, and strict adherence to standards is not practical, we will consider alternative solutions relevant to specific Ventilation materials and fix them in accordance with common sense, best practice and where appropriate form customised detailing. 

 This British Standard gives recommendations for the selection of reinforced bitumen membranes, their combination to form reinforced bitumen membrane roofing, and their application to flat and sloping roofs.

It also gives recommendations for mechanically fastened single-layer reinforced bitumen membranes, torch-applied bitumen membranes, and self-adhesive reinforced bitumen membranes for roofing.

The recommendations given for the design, construction and maintenance of new roofs are also applicable to the overlay of existing roofs, subject to confirmation of the suitability of the existing construction.

This code of practice does not address or apply to roofs used for special purposes such as car park areas.

BS 6229 is a British standard specifying a code of practice for flat roofs with continuously supported flexible waterproof coverings. 

This revised edition of BS 6229 describes best current practice in the design, construction, care and maintenance of roofs with a flat or curved surface, at a pitch not greater than 10 degrees to the horizontal, with a continuously supported flexible waterproof covering. The supporting structure is either dense and heavy (such as a concrete slab), or consists of framing members supporting a lightweight deck of metal or of timber-based material. 

Note: Provided that the design conditions are similar, many of the recommendations contained in this code of practice apply to roofs at pitches greater than 10 degrees and to those designed as a Green Roof supporting planting. 

BS 6229 on a code of practice for flat roofs is relevant to:  

• Constructors 
• Designers 

One of the essential methods of keeping your roof in shape is waterproofing it. Waterproofing significantly reduces the amount of exposure your roof gets from outside elements. These elements can cause the decking to decay. Eventually, this rotting and decaying affect the longevity of your flat roof. A flat roof is a roof that is almost level in contrast to the many types of sloped roofs. The slope of a roof is commonly known as its pitch and flat roofs have up to approximately 10°.  

A roof is a very essential part of any home and its maintenance becomes crucial which is why you need certain codes of practice to follow to keep your roof well maintained. BS 6229 provides you with the best code of practice along with the design, construction, care and maintenance of roofs with a flat or curved surface

This British Standard is the sixth in a multi-part series on basic workmanship for conventional types of building work. The series aims to help build a common understanding and ensure better construction quality. BS 8000-6:2023 gives recommendations on basic workmanship on roofs, cladding, wall slating and tiling.

• Roofing contractors and principal contractors
• Roofing operatives
• Roofing surveyors
• Site managers and project managers
• Commercial clients (in specifying criteria for tenders)
• Architects
• Roofing training colleges
• Apprentices

It gives recommendations and guidance on basic workmanship on building sites, both commercial and domestic, and covers those tasks that are frequently carried out in relation to the slating and tiling of roofs and walls of newly constructed buildings or buildings being refurbished and re-roofed.

The recommendations given in BS 8000-6:2023 apply to the laying and fixing of clay and concrete tiles, natural slates, and fibre cement slates and their associated fittings and accessories.

NOTE: The recommendations given are not necessarily comprehensive; particular project documents, e.g. project specifications, might be needed to cover recommendations not dealt with by this code of practice. Some of the recommendations might not apply to specialized projects including historic building conservation or heritage roofing. Why should you use BS 8000-6:2023?

It provides an accessible and usable code of practice for anyone who’s responsible for slating and tiling of roofs and claddings on building sites. It encompasses all aspects of work relating to roofing activities and fills gaps in available information to help users manage risk better, improve their efficiency and develop their expertise. In addition, BS 8000-6:2023 is:

• Reliable: it reflects best practice in roofing and can play a significant role in achieving construction quality and health and safety
• Authoritative: it’s the basis for many specifications for pitched roofing works using slate and tiles including the National Building Specification; and is referenced in Approved Document for Regulation 7 Materials and Workmanship in the Building Regulations (England and Wales), Technical Booklet B (Northern Ireland), Regulation 8 (Scotland), NHBC Technical Standards, LABC Standards and forms the basis of the major roofing trade association guidance documents published by The National Federation of Roofing Contractors

BS 8000-6:2023 contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages and Goal 9 on resilient infrastructure.

This is a revision of BS 8000-6:2013.

1. New clauses have been added to reflect revisions to BS 5534:2014+A2:2018 Slating and tiling for pitched roofs and vertical cladding. Code of practice
2. Clauses have been updated to reflect product innovations, e.g. dry fix systems
3. Sitework practices have been updated to reflect new health and safety legislation
4. Guidance has been added on the installation of solar roof panels. Where reference is made to proprietary products and to manufacturers’ recommendations, the user is advised to obtain evidence that these products and recommendations have been proven by relevant experience or relevant test method data, based on the conditions and methods of use in the UK climate, to be fit for purpose.

The aim is to reduce energy use in buildings. Part L is concerned with the Conservation of Fuel and Power in buildings.

• The Objective of Part L of the Building Regulations 2010 is to reduce the energy use in buildings by at least 25% compared with the 2006 regulations, which themselves were an improvement of 20% over the 2002 regulations.
• The regulations come into effect when 50% or more of the roof area is being refurbished. In simple terms, it means that the whole of that roof must be brought up to the thermal efficiency demanded by the current regulations.
• A strip and re-roof or even just the provision of a new layer of waterproofing, for example when striping and re-felting a flat roof, will usually necessitate the upgrading of the thermal performance of the roof.
• This will, in most refurbishment instances require the provision of additional thermal insulation to achieve an improved thermal efficiency (U value) in accordance with the regulations. If such an upgrade is not technically or functionally feasible or would not achieve a simple payback of 15 years or less, the element should be upgraded to the best standard that can be achieved.

• Before work on a roof is carried out the local council i.e. the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) must be informed of the intention to carry out work.
• Details and extent of the proposed work should be confirmed to the LABC within an application to repair/ renovate.
• Work may begin prior to approval in the case of emergency repairs.
• Local Authority Building Control will inspect the work periodically to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations and with the drawings/ specifications supplied in the application. A completion certificate will be issued at the end of the contract.

• There is a maximum fine of £5000 for each case of non-compliance of the regulations and this would fall on the homeowner and/or the roofing contractor.
• Roof work may be halted if started without the LABC being informed and any work opened up for inspection.
• If work is carried out without a Building Control completion certificate the homeowner will experience difficulties when coming to sell the house.
• The homeowner CANNOT opt out from having their insulation upgraded to Part L. Unless it can be proved that the payback period will be more than 15 years or the work is not technically feasible, but even then the roof must be upgraded to the best standard that is within this criteria.

• Contact NFRC via the phone or the website to obtain a list of specialist contractors in the area.
• Obtain a number of comparative quotations and specifications for the work.
• Through the chosen roofing contractor, ensure the Local Authority Building Control is informed.
• Alternatively, use a contractor who is a member of NFRC-CPS, NFRC’s government approved competent person scheme for roof replacement. NFRC-CPS members are authorised to self-certify their work without having to go through Building Control. However, full compliance with the Building Regulations is still required. For more information go to www.nfrccps.co.uk.
• Remember the so-called “roofer” with a van and a ladder can cost the homeowner dearly if any work carried out is not with the approval of Building Control.

The National Federation of Roofing Contractors Ltd
Roofing House
31 Worship Street
London EC2A 2DY

Tel: 0207 638 7663
Email: info@nfrc.co.uk
www.nfrc.co.uk