British Standards

BS 5534
Slating and tiling

Compliance with British standards is crucial when considering the undertaking of any roofing project.

Details of this standard, and recent amendments, are outlined below.

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What is BS 5534?

• A code of practice for slating and tiling, BS 5534 and amendments outline recommendations for the installation of slates and tiles for roofing applications.

• The code of practice covers the installation of slates and tiles on new build projects.

• Further, it applies to more general re roofing and roof repairs practices.

• Importantly, installations to this standard are not a legal requirement. However, the inclusion within a specification would be upheld in court should a future issue arise.

• Moreover, by following this guidance, compliance with current building regulations is aided.

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The Contents of BS 5534

• Batten selection is among one of the criteria set out by the code of practice. Battens should be graded to comply with BS 5534. Commonly, JB Red roofing battens meet this standard. However, other types are available.

• BS 5534 states that only roofing battens should be used for roofing work.

• Further, fixing specifications are also considered with minimum lengths and thicknesses for nails being set out.

• Examples of this are Copper nails used for slating. Such nails should be 3.35mm gauge and the lengths should be appropriate to the thickness of the slate being used.

• For instance, if you were using a standard Welsh slate, each nailed twice, the appropriate nail choice would be 40mm x 3.35mm copper nails.

• Importantly, manufacturers of roofing products ensure that their installation guides are aligned to BS 5534.

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Warranties and insurance

• Providers of third party insurance backed warranties for roofing work now expect installations of roof coverings to comply with the code of practice.

• Should the code not have been adhered to, such providers of warranty schemes and insurance polices may be reluctant to provide cover.

• Further, BS 5534 provided competent persons schemes, such as The NFRC-CPS with a foundation for best practice.

• Organisations whose members are obliged to uphold certain standards, should have a clear understanding of BS 5534, the latest amendments, and ensure that all products and services are aligned to the code.

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Changes and amendments to BS 5534

• In recent years, driven by changing and more extreme weather patterns, BS 5534 has changed. 

• The main changes, brought about in 2015, surrounded the use of mortar as means of securing roof details such as hips and ridges. 

• The change introduced mechanical fixings in addition to the use of mortar bedding. 

• Further, a requirement to fix twice perimeter details such as verges to cope with higher wind loads was also implemented. 

• As with most alterations to standard practices, a range of products, mainly dry fixed systems, were introduced to minimise the requirement to use mortar. 

• However, some of these products were of variable quality and their role out may arguably have been without full consideration for functionality. 

• This meant that issues with such fixings arose and a further requirement to amend the code came about in 2018. 

• Moreover, there were other changes introduced as part of the code which has become BS 5534:2014 + A2:2018 as follows: 

• The scope of the code was updated to include re roofing work, not just new build roofing, and also roof repairs. 

• Questions as to the appropriateness of the code in relation to heritage roofing projects. BS 5534 and the guidance set out, was not always relevant when it came to certain traditional roofing methods. Further, the code contradicted certain conservation practices as set out by local authority departments responsible for upholding work to heritage and listed structures. 

• BS 5534 was also changed to support BS 8000-0:2014 which considered workmanship standards for slating and tiling. 

• Moreover, guidance on roof underlays, there effectiveness as a primary covering, their resistance to wind and levels of drape between rafters was also considered.

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Compliance with BS 5534 | R&R Roofing Services

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• Where relevant and practicable, R&R Roofing strive to undertake all roofing work in accordance with BS 5534:2014 + A2:2018. 

• 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 roofing materials and fix them in accordance with common sense, best practice and where appropriate form customised detailing. 

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