Conservation & Heritage Issue 50 Winter 2025/Spring 2026 - Flipbook - Page 132
The Lead Sheet
Tr aining 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 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.
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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 the substance of lead sheet is specified
Lead is made from 100% recycled material.
Lead is 100% recyclable.
Lead has a 50-year lifetime warranty.
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