Background
British Standard BS 5534: 2003 The Code of Practice for Slating and Tiling is the latest edition. It replaces the edition first published in 1978, later updated in 1990 and 1997. The new British Standard has significant commercial implications for everyone in the construction industry involved with specifying, supplying or fixing slating and tiling battens.
Pre1997: This was the era of under measure battens. The tolerances were misinterpreted and there was widespread use of 22mm thick or 25mm nominal battens.
BS5534:1997, pt1. This brought in type ‘A’ and ‘B’ species, differentiating between the stronger imported species (17% stronger in bending and stiffness than Homegrown Spitka Spruce) and the weaker homegrown ones (mainly Spitka Spruce). There was also the 1st move to 25x50 for single lap tiling, however a calculation method allowed the continued use of Type ‘A’ 25x38. This heralded the use of marked battens. 19x38 is no longer recognized as a standard size.
BS5534:2003. The present. Species are now identified by their code, 25x50 has to be used for single lap tiling and importantly marking is now a requirement. With marking there is also a requirement to identify grade. For the first time quality and the grade of the roofing batten is highlighted.
John Brash & Co Ltd is the UK's leading supplier of quality graded timber battens to the construction industry. It has always advocated the need for quality battens and was the first company to introduce a marking system clearly identifying supplier, species, size, treatment and grade.
Now John Brash is the first company in Europe to offer fully graded battens > John Brash Red
