BS5534:2003+A1:2010 Code of Practice for Slating and Tiling, including shingles.
This requires that roofing battens are graded in accordance with Annex ‘C’ and are marked in accordance with section 4.12.5.2. each batten should be indelibly marked with:
- Supplier
- Origin (i.e. species code)
- Graded BS 5534
- Size
Before 2005, factory or pre graded battens were not available and the NFRC published TB33 – Graded Battens for Slating & Tiling, as an interpretation document and guidance note; this formalised the option of grading on site. The June 2011 revision of TB33 recommends that battens should be obtained pre-graded.
The requirement to mark EVERY batten with BS 5534 makes on site grading almost practically impossible.
Until recently, many battens have been incorrectly marked BS 5534 having had scant or no grading; this situation is now improving. BS 5534 recommends that machine graded battens are produced under a UKAS Quality Assurance Scheme. This is good advice for any factory or pre-graded batten, as the method and extent of grading needs to be confirmed.