Marley Eternit says the new Dry Fix Standard is good news for merchants because it will reduce the amount of inferior products on the market and make it easier to differentiate between dry fix systems.
Launched January 31, BS 8612: Dry-fixed Ridge, Hip and Verge Systems for Slating and Tiling sets minimum performance requirements for dry fix products for the first time. The new Standard has been developed by the British Standards Institute, following concerns about inconsistencies in the quality of components used in different dry fix systems.
Stuart Nicholson, Roof Systems Specialist at Marley Eternit, says: “Since the introduction of the revised BS 5534, there has been a significant shift in the market towards the use of dry fix systems. However, the popularity of the products means that there has been a huge increase in the amount of systems on the market. While they may look broadly similar, we have become increasingly concerned about inconsistencies in the durability and weather tightness of some cheaper products, which may have been value engineered to bring the cost down.
“Merchants also need to be aware of changes to dry verge fixing, so that they can sell products to help customers meet the new requirements more easily.”
“We support the introduction of BS 8612 because having specific test methods and requirements to assess all products on an equal basis gives inferior systems little room to hide and should make it much more transparent for those buying and selling dry fix products. It is another positive step forwards in improving the security of pitched roofing in the UK and customers can have peace of mind that Marley Eternit has already put the required dry fix products through rigorous testing to ensure they meet, or exceed, the expectations of the new BS 8612 standard.”
BS 8612 covers dry fixed ridge and hip systems connected to timber ridge/hip battens, ridge boards or hip rafters and dry-fixed verge systems, which are installed with slating and tiling.
Stuart adds: “Unlike the revisions to BS 5534, BS 8612 won’t have a huge impact on merchants, but it does mean they will need to be sure any dry fix systems they sell, that fall under the new standard, either meet the BS 8612 requirements or have BBA certification. They will also need to communicate details of the new Standard to all employees involved in ordering and selling roofing products.”
Merchants also need to be aware of changes to dry verge fixing, so that they can sell products to help customers meet the new requirements more easily. Under BS 8612, dry verge products can no longer be installed just with a nail fixing into the end grain of the batten. Instead, mechanical engagement must be on the faces of the batten.
In anticipation of this change, Marley Eternit has launched a new Batten End Clip, to help roofers ensure that the dry verge is fixed securely into the end of the batten. The new clip requires no nails and has sharp teeth which grip into the batten, making it extremely secure, as well as being very quick to push or hammer into place.
For further advice and information, visit: www.marleyeternit.co.uk/bs8612
