LINCOLNSHIRE: John Brash has updated its ‘Pocket Grading Guide for Roofing Battens’, following the recent publication of the new British Standard for roofing battens BS5534:2003 +A1: 2010.

The Grading Guide sets out the latest grading requirements to meet the new Standard, for roofing battens that have not been pre-graded or there is doubt over the grade.

BS5534:2003 +A1: 2010 rectifies an anomaly in the previous standard by making the maximum allowable size of side-knots, or through-knots (a knot appearing on both edges but not on the face) only 5mm, as opposed to the previous version’s 15mm. The new rules on distortion also mean that battens must be straight, with a new maximum tolerance imposed of 5mm measured over a length of 1.2m at a reference moisture content of 20%.

The pocket-sized guide includes easy-to-follow information and diagrams showing how to also check for things like knot size and location, slope of grain and permitted wane. The updated guide from John Brash is therefore an essential reference for roofers and contractors to help them identify non-compliant batten when grading on site.