Issue 48 AUG 25 web - Flipbook - Page 76
The Lead Sheet
Training Academy
The Lead Sheet Training Academy has had an extremely busy year so far with numbers up on both
Lead and Hard Metals courses. By far the most popular courses are the City and Guilds Accredited
Basic Lead and Hard Metal courses which teach candidates the basic techniques required to either
boss and weld lead or shape and solder hard metal. Not only are we delivering these courses at our
training centre, but we are also delivering them UK wide, via mobile courses and at the LSTA Satellite
centres.
Retention on our courses is very high with many of
our candidates going on to sign up for the City and
Guilds Accredited Traditional Intermediate craft courses,
which encompass all lead work and hard metal details for
example, cladding, wood roll roofs/hollow rolls, box
gutters, dormers etc.
• Lead has a 50-year lifetime warranty.
Lead is in the BRE Green Guide – which outlines the
environmental impact of building materials - and is an
A+ or A rated material. Lead’s low melting point means
that it has a lower CO2 carbon footprint from that
of other metals used in roofing. If you were offered a
construction product, that was 100% recycled, that was
100% recyclable, had a 50-year installed warranty and the
waste produced by the manufacturing process was also
recycled, you would, wouldn’t you?
The CITB Specialist Applied Skills Programme level 2 &
3 in Lead and Hard Metals has again proved to be very
popular with 100% take up so far this year. The level 3
has been very popular as it is fully funded. It is a great way
of bringing new entrants into the Lead or hard metals industry and ensures they get the right training from the off,
with industry qualified and experienced tutors. At the end
of the course, they can also apply for the CSCS Skilled
workers card which we know is changing at the end of
December 2024, when the CSCS card rules change.
Why are Lead Codes Important?
Each code has been specifically classified for different
purposes. The most important reason for this is that for
lead to function at the highest standard it is known for, it
must be installed correctly. If the incorrect code is used,
rather than outlasting the building it is put on, the lead
could be made vulnerable to influences that will make it
deteriorate extremely rapidly.
The most challenging aspects of the courses from
candidates tend to be on the lead bossing, this is because
there is a huge amount of technique required for bossing
different codes and details of lead, This requires a lot of
practice not just at the training centre but also practical
on the job experience as what happens in a controlled
environment such as a training centre is very different to
being onsite with factors such as weather, access to the
job, time constraints, codes of lead etc.
What can Happen If I choose the wrong Lead Code?
Incorrect installation when installing lead flashing, it is
more than likely it will need to be folded and worked into
place. If the wrong code is used, this process could very
possibly cause the lead to split and crack. In the best-case
scenario, where you spot this damage, the lead will
become unusable, and you will have wasted money.
However, worst case, if the damage is not found, and the
incorrect installation is completed you will have exposed
your building to water ingress and the mould, mildew and
rot that goes along with it on the buildup of the roof.
Sustainability & Recyclability of Lead
Lead is one of the most recycled materials in widespread
use which has the highest end-of-life recycling rate of all
commonly used metals. This is a result of the physical
chemical properties of the metal and product design,
which makes lead-based products easily identifiable and
economic to collect and recycle. High recycling rates,
coupled with the fact that lead-based products and
architectural lead sheet are manufactured from recycled
material, makes it one of the few products that operate in
a true closed loop. Even the waste material created in the
production process is recycled.
Lead Sheet Specification
Lead sheet for all purposes should conform to BS EN
12588 Rolled Lead Sheet for Building Purposes. This
specifies thickness and chemical composition to produce
a consistent microstructure that provides the required
resistance to creep and thermal fatigue. BS EN 12588
identifies a range of six thicknesses defined in millimetres.
The specified thickness should not vary by more than
±5% throughout the sheet. For easy identification, these
thicknesses have code numbers: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. Thus
• Lead is made from 100% recycled material.
• Lead is 100% recyclable.
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Conservation & Heritage Journal
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