We are very grateful to Fred Coote of the Lead Sheet Association for keeping us up to date with the following notes on the new BS6915.
The new British Standard BS6915:2001 which has taken three years to complete, has finally been published and supersedes BS6915:1988, which has now been withdrawn.
This standard gives recommendations for the design and construction of lead sheet roof and wallcoveriings as applied to external roof and wall surfaces and fixed in accordance with conventional practice and traditional methods.
The first edition of BS6915 was classified as a specification, but for this revision the British Standards Committee decided that as the content comprises guidance and recommendations, it was appropriate that it should be reclassified as a code of practice.
Leadwork details that are no longer suitable have been removed from this edition, which also shows improved fixing and jointing details in line with current good practice. Steve Hempstock of North West Lead represented the LCA on the BSI Committee, which was Chaired by Fred Coote.
The main changes are:

 
BS1178 milled lead sheet has been changed to BSEN12588 rolled lead sheet for building purposes
Certain inconsistencies in fixing distances and lap dimensions have been corrected
Terms & definitions have been revised and references to other materials updated
Use of ventilation boards as a substrate has been clarified and a new clause on the need for ventilation has been added
Figures have been inserted in the text and some of the drawings revised
Detail of the 40mm drip with anti-capillary groove has been withdrawn in line with Lead Sheet Manual Vol II
Drawing of a roll to drip detail has been added
Copies of the new standard can be purchased from BSI Customer Services (0208 996 9001)