General guidance only — all construction work must be overseen by a supervising engineer This handbook is compiled from standards and laws with every source cited, andis being reviewed for certification by engineers Use it to know what to look at, what to ask and what evidence to request on site It is not an engineering determination and can't replace an engineer · Terms of use · Limitations of the handbook

Roofing

Steel roof structure — steel, welds, paint and fixings

Page code P10 · 86 inspection criteria · 9 illustrations

The roof structure is the most expensive part of the house to repair, because to reach the steel you have to strip off the whole roof covering first. And it's the only part that takes sun, rain and salt air 24 hours a day with nothing but a thin paint film to protect it. The good news is that the period…

This page contains
Is the steel delivered to site thinner than ordered?
Welds — what disappears under the paint the moment it's painted over
Touching up paint after welding — four steps that often get reduced to just the last one
Anti-rust paint — the figures depend on how far the house is from the sea and from factories
Applying paint on site — the surface where rust starts first is the one the painter can't see
Pipe ends, sharp edges and spots where water collects
Ridge and rafter ends — pipe openings that catch water at the highest point of the house
Installation and fixing points to the concrete structure
Roof-frame fixing plates — the decision is made one stage earlier
Fire rating of the roof structure — does a detached house fall under it?
Light-gauge prefabricated steel roof trusses — what can't be confirmed yet

Read the full version free — log in first

The full version has step-by-step checks, pass criteria, the source of each criterion and illustrations · available only to logged-in members

This page can't be printed from the browser — use the "Print for site" button on the page (project name and location required)