BS 8612:2018

What is this standard about?

Currently more than half of the UK’s new and refurbished roofs use dry fixing of ridge and hip systems, yet sometimes there are significant problems with tile security and weather-tightness.

This standard supplies clear and practical advice on fixing security, weather-tightness, durability and where required, ventilation. Its aim is to ensure that dry-fix ridge and hip systems are designed and built in such a way that they fulfil the essential requirements of new and refurbished roofs.

Who is this standard for?

• Architects
• Builders
• Building control officers
• Construction assurance companies
• Roof product designers and manufacturers
• Roofing contractors
• Roofing trade associations

Why should you use this standard?

BS 8612:2018 is the first guidance of its kind in the market. It specifies the performance requirements and methods of test for dry-fixed ridge and hip systems connected to timber ridge/hip battens, ridge boards or hip rafters, and for dry-fixed verge systems installed with slating or tiling.

The standard gives minimum performance requirements, including fixing resistance, weather-tightness, durability and also some guidance on ventilation. Performance tests, calculation methods and associated criteria are all included and the standard covers both new buildings and renovations.

Use of the standard will:

• Allow architects, product manufacturers and roofing contractors to communicate precise requirements for fixing and ventilation of roofs and how that can be achieved
• Provide product designers and manufacturers with minimum performance requirements, calculation methods and test regimes, to ensure that the products fulfil the requirements of the building in which they are installed
• Simplify the purchasing process by supplying architects, house builders and building control officers with a specification that can be used to guide their purchasing decisions
• Result in specifications that will be practical and easy to implement, thereby ensuring the measured ‘as built’ performance achieves the design targets
• Support the implementation of the BS 5534, the code of practice on slating and tiling for pitched roofs and vertical cladding