Technical Specification BS 5534: 2003
There are few recommended species that are suitable for the manufacture of roofing
battens. These are:
|
a) Imported |
b) British Grown |
|
|
|
|
· European Redwood (PNSY) * |
· Larch (WLAD) |
|
· European Whitewood (WPCA) * |
· British Spruce (WPCS) |
|
· Spruce – Pine – Fir (USA, Canada) (WPCE) |
· British Pine (WPNN) |
|
· Southern Pine (USA) (WPNE) |
|
* Our experience shows these are the optimum species for roofing battens.
Table of Sizes
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TABLE 1: Minimum timber batten sizes (roofing and vertical work) | ||||
|
Application |
Basic minimum size of battena,b,c | |||
|
Up to 450mm spand |
Up to 600mm spand | |||
|
Width
(mm) |
Depth
(mm) |
Width
(mm) |
Depth
(mm) | |
|
Slates (double lap) | ||||
|
Natural: sized or random |
50 |
25 |
50 |
25 |
|
Fibre-cement or concrete |
38 |
25 |
50 |
25 |
|
Clay and concrete tiles | ||||
|
Double lap |
38 |
25 |
38 |
25 |
|
Single lap |
38 |
25 |
50 |
25 |
|
a Tolerances on the basic sizes of timber batten should be: width ±3mm
depth -0/+3mm, based on measurement at a reference moisture content of 20% (See Annex C). b These minimum sizes do not apply to battens used to support ridges, hips and valleys. c Batten sizes for other slates, tiles and shingles such as timber shingles and shakes and metal tiles, or other proprietary roofing products, should be in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. d Span is defined as the distance between centres of supports, or the clear distance between the faces of supports plus half the bearing length at each end support, whichever is the lesser. The end bearing length should not be less than 17.5mm | ||||
Table 1 from BS 5534: 2003 is reproduced with permission of BSI under license
number 2003DH0247. British Standards can be obtained from BSI Customer Services,
389 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 4AL. Tel: +44 (0)20 8996 9001. email: cservices@bsi-global.com.
- Each individual batten must be marked identifying the species, size, grade and name of supplier, a system pioneered by John Brash in the late 1990's.
- Battens must also be graded for knots, wane, rate of growth, fissures and splits, insect attack, rot & decay and slope of grain. (the handy John Brash Grading Guide will soon be here)
