I am pleased to inform all our members and the roofing industry at large that the latest version of the SPRA Design Guide is published this week.
This latest version represents work over the last year to bring together updated information on single ply roofing systems as well as flat roofing in general that aims to deliver the most comprehensive guidance available. I would also like to say a big thank you to all of the SPRA Technical Committee members who contributed to this latest 2020 version.
The SPRA Design Guide is updated every two years and reflects any changes or developments within the single ply roofing since the last version was published. This includes any changes in standards or guidance that is relevant to the single ply Industry.
Since the last version was published in 2018 there have been a number of important updates and additions to include in this year’s version. Some of these are general and affect all in flat roofing and some are specifically developed by and through SPRA based on the latest sound practice.
The construction industry over this recent period has been dealing with changes to guidance on fire as a result of the Grenfell tragedy as well as the flat roofing industry has seen the publication of the reviewed BS 6229:2018. The reviewed standard was well received by the flat roofing industry addressing some key outstanding issues. This has led to some changes and updates in the new SPRA Design Guide.
As well as the new guide reflecting changes brought about by government, industry or other external sources; importantly it highlights and draws attention to other new guidance developed within SPRA. This includes published guidance concerning wind load calculation protocol (Wind loading protocol for calculations: S11b-19). This was a major body of work published towards the end of last year after some time in consideration and development by the SPRA Technical Committee and external industry consultants. The 2020 guide also refers to new guidance by SPRA published at the same time in relation to pull-out testing (Site pull out test protocol for flat roofs: S15-19). On the accessory component front, reference is also made to the new quality standard SPRA has developed for rainwater outlets (Rainwater outlets for use with single ply membrane systems – CQS 11). These internal guidance documents have been published by SPRA since the last SPRA Design Guide was released in 2018
The new SPRA Design Guide 2020 is a modernised, updated and current document that provides a wealth of information that is industry relevant on all matters relating to single ply roofing systems. I hope that specifiers and installers alike will find that the new guide provides them with information that assists in designing and constructing high quality roofing systems providing decades of protection to the nation’s buildings.
Again I’d like to thank all who have contributed to the new guide as well as the other SPRA guidance and quality standard documents that have been published over the last two years.
Dr Ronan Brunton B.Sc MBA GMICE
SPRA CEO