Timber reaches for the sky with new roof designs

Housebuilders are urged to review their legacy roof designs as the TRA commits to switching to design standard EN 1995 (Eurocode 5) from 1 January 2018.

Roof designs to British Standards (BS 5268) were withdrawn in 2010 but are still in use by some housebuilders, despite not being technically maintained for seven years. By switching to Eurocode 5, TRA members will work with the most up to date codes and better software to give customers a quality service.

From 1 January 2018, TRA members will no longer be accepting work using British Standard designs and all existing designs must be phased out by 1 July 2018.

Current Building Regulations make clear that Eurocode 5 is the primary route to show fitness of design, and that BS 5268 should only be used in exceptional circumstances. Unsurprisingly, newly trained designers and roofing professionals coming into the trussed rafter industry are only being trained to Eurocode 5.

TRA chairman, Jonathan Fellingham, says:

“We are keeping one step ahead of the curve. With the Hackett Review underway, we feel changes to the standards we work to are necessary. This is the right way for the industry to move and the TRA members are fully on board.”

TRA system suppliers, Mitek, Wolf Systems and ITW Construction, have already upgraded and implemented their software and are training TRA members so they are ready for the change in the New Year. Many have already made the change.

With British building regulations under review, the TRA remains committed to working closely with housebuilders to continuously raise standards throughout the industry.