Glidevale Throws Light On Roof Construction Compliance

Thousands of new and refurbished roofs could be contravening Regulations because they are not fully fire resistant.

This warning comes from Glidevale Ltd, and the company has published a white paper – “Roof Ventilators and Terminals: Fire Performance’ – to help clarify the issue and ensure compliance.

Alun Price, Glidevale Product Manager, observed: “Building Regulations Approved Document B states that ‘the roof of the building shall adequately resist the spread of fire over the roof and from one building to another’. The Regulations – and National Federation of Roofing Contractors’ Technical Bulletin 20 – apply to all elements of the roof, including accessories such as tile and slate ventilators and terminals. They could catch alight, propagating the fire. The majority of roof ventilator makes used in the UK do not carry appropriate fire rating.

“Only Glidevale’s in-line ventilators have the top AA fire rating as standard, assessed by the Loss Prevention Council/BRE.” The AA (European Class B) rating means Glidevale in-line ventilators can be used on a roof regardless of the proximity of adjacent boundaries and buildings. Ventilators with a lower category fire rating can only be used on roofs at least 6m away from any point on the relevant boundary, increasingly a consideration with brownfield development or refurbishment.

Glidevale offers one of the most comprehensive roof ventilator ranges available, and can match virtually any slate or tile profile, in any colour.

Copies of the white paper are available on request by calling 0161 905 5700, emailing info@glidevale.com or visiting www.glidevale.com/downloads