BS EN 12588 is a European standard that has been revised to include improved durability, safe handling and environmental management of the product. It specifies the designation; the requirements for chemical composition; surface condition, and dimensional tolerances for rolled lead sheet. Lead sheet covered by this standard is made by the roll deformation process and is intended for roofs, flashings, weatherings, claddings, pre-formed panels, damp-proof courses and similar building work.
A number of changes have been made, since the previous edition, and include the following:
- Chemical composition
Following extensive research carried out by TNO Institution Holland it was found that higher levels of tin content improved the products resistance to surface corrosion. Therefore the impurity maximum has been increased from 0,005 % to 0,05 %.
- Safety
The product covered in this standard, by definition is heavy. It has been necessary to provide clear guidance on manual lifting of the product.
- Environment
Studies into construction and demolition waste carried out by Enviros Aspinall have shown that the recycling rate of the product is above 90 %. Recommendations have been included within this standard on good management of surplus material during construction.
In this European standard, the performance of the product has been defined as far as possible in terms of a number of type tests.
The performance of a building element made with these products depends not only on the properties of the product as it is required by this European standard, but also on the design and quality of the fabrication of the building element and on the design, construction and behaviour of the part of the building concerned in relation to the environment and conditions of use.
The lead sheet supplied shall be specified and used according to the National Code of Practice, depending on service conditions such as exposure to direct sunlight and the area of the piece of lead to be fixed.
No requirements for supporting construction, design of roof or cladding systems and methods of joining are included.
Contents Include:- Normative references
- Terms and definitions
- Designation
- Material number
- Product
- Ordering information
- Requirements
- Chemical composition
- Dimensions and tolerances
- Surface condition
- Test methods
- Thickness
- Apparatus Procedure
- Chemical analysis
- Sampling
- Declaration of conformity
- Marking, labelling and packaging
- Colour codes for thickness
- Transport, storage and handling
- Safety
- European numbering system for lead and lead alloys
- Details of the system
- Structure of number
BS EN 12588:2006 replaces BS EN 12588:1999, which has been withdrawn.
