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Disclaimer

Although the information contained in this Code has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, New Zealand Metal Roofing Manufacturers Inc. makes no warranties or representations of any kind (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, currency or completeness of the information, or that it is suitable for the intended use.

Compliance with this Code does not guarantee immunity from breach of any statutory requirements, the New Zealand Building Code or relevant Standards. The final responsibility for the correct design and specification rests with the designer and for its satisfactory execution with the contractor.

While most data have been compiled from case histories, trade experience and testing, small changes in the environment can produce marked differences in performance. The decision to use a particular material, and in what manner, is made at your own risk. The use of a particular material and method may, therefore, need to be modified to its intended end use and environment.

New Zealand Metal Roofing Manufacturers Inc., its directors, officers or employees shall not be responsible for any direct, indirect or special loss or damage arising from, as a consequence of, use of or reliance upon any information contained in this Code.

New Zealand Metal Roofing Manufacturers Inc. expressly disclaims any liability which is based on or arises out of the information or any errors, omissions or misstatements.

If reprinted, reproduced or used in any form, the New Zealand Metal Roofing Manufacturers Inc. (NZMRM) should be acknowledged as the source of information.

You should always refer to the current online Code of Practicefor the most recent updates on information contained in this Code.

Scope

This Code of Practice provides requirements, information and guidelines, to the Building Consent Authorities, the Building Certifier, Specifier, Designer, Licensed Building Practitioner, Trade Trainee, Installer and the end user on the design, installation, performance, and transportation of all metal roof and wall cladding used in New Zealand.

The calculations and the details contained in this Code of Practice provide a means of complying with the performance provisions of the NZBC and the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

The scope of this document includes all buildings covered by NZS 3604, AS/NZS 1170 and those designed and built under specific engineering design.

It has been written and compiled from proven performance and cites a standard of acceptable practice agreed between manufacturers and roofing contractors.

The drawings and requirements contained in this Code illustrate acceptable trade practice, but recommended or better trade practice is also quoted as being a preferred alternative.

Because the environment and wind categories vary throughout New Zealand, acceptable trade practice must be altered accordingly; in severe environments and high wind design load categories, the requirements of the NZBC will only be met by using specific detailing as described in this Code.

The purpose of this Code of Practice is to present both Acceptable Trade Practice and Recommended Trade Practice, in a user-friendly format to ensure that the roof and wall cladding, flashings, drainage accessories, and fastenings will:

  • comply with the requirements of B1, B2, E1 E2 and E3 of the NZBC;
  • comply with the design loading requirements of AS/NZS 1170 and NZS 3604 and with AS/NZS 1562;
  • have and optimised lifespan; and
  • be weathertight.

COP v24.03:Other-Products; Pressed-Metal-Tiles

15.3 Pressed Metal Tiles 

15.3.1 Design 

Metal tiles, shingles and shake panels are press formed to provide a variety of shapes resembling clay tiles, wooden shingles or shakes. They are interlocked or overlapped laterally and longitudinally and are clipped or fastened to timber or steel battens.
Metal tiles, shingles and shakes are metallic coated steel are manufactured from metallic coated steel, although aluminium or other metals can also be used.
Pressed metal tiles made from steel invariably have an additional protective coating applied over the metallic coated steel. This may be an organic paint coating applied by either the steel manufacturer before the tiles are formed or by the tile manufacturer after the tiles are formed. An alternative coating can be provided by applying crushed stone or ceramic granules to the base metallic coated steel and attached by an adhesive coating; normally, a clear acrylic coat is used.
These coatings give protection to the metallic coated steel base, as well as providing a decorative finish.
Pressed metal roofing tiles are installed by fixers, trained and appointed by the manufacturers or their representatives, and they are not normally supplied to other installers.

15.3.1.1 Durability 

The principles behind detailed requirements for fixings, flashings, corrosion, compatibility, and maintenance as described elsewhere in this COP should also be applied to the design and installation of pressed metal tiles.

Exceptions result from the specific differences between tiles and other forms of metal roof cladding, and include the height of laps and specific dimensions of metal shingles and shakes prescribed in this section.

Steel based metal tiles, shakes, and shingles must have hot-dipped galvanised fasteners that are compatible with the base metal and provide a service life equivalent to the durability of the panel.
Panels are fastened to the roof structure by fixing horizontally through the front of the panel; and because the fixings are in shear, they provide wind uplift resistance suitable for very high wind design loads.

 

 

15.3.1.2 Pitch 

Tiles with a minimum upstand of 25 mm must not be laid on roof structures less than 12° unless approved in writing by the tile manufacturer, the B.C.A. or the Territorial Authority.

Tiles, shakes or shingles with an upstand of less than 25 mm must not be laid on roof structures less than 15°.

N.B. The pitch of the roof is not the same as the pitch of the tiles because this varies with the height of the batten and the height of the upstand. If the minimum pitch cannot be complied with, a method approved in writing or a producer statement should be given before work is commenced.

 

15.3.1.3 Underlays 

Permeable self-supporting underlay must be installed on all new roofs as specified in section 4.3. of this Code of Practice.
The underlay must be installed horizontally with a minimum overlap of 75mm.

The first length of underlay should be positioned so that it lays over the eave batten and the fascia, and into the gutter.

When pressed metal tiles are installed, the underlay is laid horizontally on top of the rafters before the battens are fixed, and so there is an air space between the underlay and the tiles, except at the eave.

 

 

15.3.1.4 Roof Framing 

Roof framing should provide support and fixing for the tile battens that will satisfy the design load wind requirements. Installers should check that the framing has been erected to an accurate and even line before roof fixing is started.

An inspection and any rectification to the framing alignment must be carried out before roof fixing is commenced.

 

15.3.1.5 Tiling Battens 

Tiling battens must be:
  • H1.1 boric treated when used in attic roof construction;
  • H1.2 treated when used in skillion roof construction;
  • Douglas fir with a moisture content of less than 20%;
  • KD Pinus Radiata with a moisture content of less than 18%;
  • a minimum of 50 mm x 40 mm for 900 mm rafter spacing; and
  • a minimum of 50 mm x 50 mm for 1200 mm spacing.
Copper preservative timbers must not be used with Zincalume coated tiles. Battens required for rafter spacings greater than 1200 mm must be specifically designed and be spaced to suit the tile module.
Battens at 370 mm centres must be fixed to the rafters or trusses over the underlay using fasteners to comply with Tables 10.1.5.A, B and

N.B. Battens at different centres may require different values.

 

15.3.1.5A Batten Installation

  • Battens must have square cut ends and must be butt jointed over the centre line of the rafter.
  • Adjacent rows of battens must not be joined on the same rafter and must span at least three rafter spacings at the roof edge.
  • A batten must be installed immediately behind the fascia as fixing for the eaves tiles.
  • Eaves tiles must overhang the gutter by a minimum of 30 mm.

Eaves tiles are recommended to overhang the gutter by 40 mm.

Because an eaves-tile batten is installed immediately behind the fascia the position of the next batten up the rafter will be less than that of the normal tile batten spacing. The position of this batten may vary depending on the pitch of the roof.

The edge of the roof should be taken as 20% of the roof width measured from the fascia, barge, hip or ridgeline, and will apply all around the periphery of each roof plane.

The batten layout is marked on the rafters by placing nails at the line of the batten fronts. The roofing underlay is laid over this, onto the rafters. The battens are then laid from the lowest part of the roof upwards, using the marker nails to locate the front edge of the batten. The marker nails are removed before the tiles are laid.

 

15.3.1.5.1 Pullout resistance for different constructions 

15.3.1.5.1A Pullout resistance in kN required for battens for buildings with ceilings

cpe = -0.9, cpi = 0, cp = 0.9

Purlin/ batten sizeMax spanWind Zone 0.61kPaWind Zone 0.61kPaWind Zone 0.82kPaWind Zone 0.82kPaWind Zone 1.16kPaWind Zone 1.16kPaWind Zone 1.50kPaWind Zone 1.50kPa
mm x mmmmLow 32m/sLow 32m/sMedium 37m/sMedium 37m/shigh 44m/shigh 44m/sVery high 50m/sVery high 50m/s
  MPMPMPMP
50 x 409000.20.30.30.40.30.50.50.7
50 x 5012000.20.40.30.50.50.70.60.9
M = main body of the roof P = periphery

 

15.3.1.5.1B Pullout resistance in kN required for buildings without ceilings (but with a permeable
windward wall)

cpe = -0.9, cpi = 0.2, cp = 1.1

Purlin/ batten sizeMax spanWind Zone 0.61kPaWind Zone 0.61kPaWind Zone 0.82kPaWind Zone 0.82kPaWind Zone 1.16kPaWind Zone 1.16kPaWind Zone 1.50kPaWind Zone 1.50kPa
mm x mmmmLow 32m/sLow 32m/sMedium 37m/sMedium 37m/shigh 44m/shigh 44m/sVery high 50m/sVery high 50m/s
  MPMPMPMP
50 x 409000.20.30.30.50.40.60.60.8
M = main body of the roof P = periphery

 

 

15.3.1.5.1C Pullout resistance in kN required for buildings without ceilings (and with a dominant
windward opening)

cpe = -0.9, cpi = 0.8, cp = 1.7

Purlin/ batten sizeMax spanWind Zone 0.61kPaWind Zone 0.61kPaWind Zone 0.82kPaWind Zone 0.82kPaWind Zone 1.16kPaWind Zone 1.16kPaWind Zone 1.50kPaWind Zone 1.50kPa
mm x mmmmLow 32m/sLow 32m/sMedium 37m/sMedium 37m/shigh 44m/shigh 44m/sVery high Very high 50m/s 50m/s 
  MPMPMPMP
50 x 409000.40.50.50.70.710.91.3
50 x 5012000.50.70.60.90.91.31.11.7
M = main body of the roof P = periphery

 

15.3.1.5.1D Tile Batten Fastener Requirements

FastenerSizeNo.kN
Gun nail90 x 3.1510.4
Ringshank nail (gun/hand)90 x 3.210.6
Gun nail90 x 3.1520.7
Twist Shank Nail90 x 3.310.9
Purlin Screw c/s head10g x 10012.5
Type 17 screw14g x 10017.3

 

15.3.2 Valleys 

Valley gutters must be made of the same metal or coating as the roof tiles or a compatible material, and when the roof tile is painted or coated the valleys must also be painted.

Where secret gutters are used or where the flashings are unseen, they must have a durability of 50 years.

The valley must have a minimum upstand of 20 mm, and the fasteners must not penetrate the valley.

For valley sizing, see 5.5.7 Valley Capacity Calculator.

15.3.3 Roof Traffic 

Metal Tiles are classified as a Type B roof cladding as they cannot be walked on indiscriminately without the risk of damage.

Persons authorised to walk on a metal tile roof must walk only in the pan of the tile where the batten supports it, and wear flat, soft-soled shoes to prevent damage to the tiles and surface coatings.
Other trades must be made aware by the contractor or site supervisor of the method of walking on pressed metal tiles without causing damage, and that the cost of repairing damaged tiles is their responsibility.

15.3.4 Valley Installation 

See E Metal Tile Valley

The valley boards installed between the valley jack rafters to support the valley and tile battens are required to be set with their outer edge at a minimum of 90 mm from the centre line of the valley. Valley boards are required to support a point load of 1.1.kN, which is taken to be the weight of a tradesperson with a bag of tools.
Valleys are installed so water discharges over the back and into the eaves gutter. The valleys are held in position by clips specially designed to allow for expansion, or by compatible nails and washers placed alongside the valley or bent over the top lip of the valley.
Under no circumstances must the fasteners penetrate the valley surface.
Joints cannot have an overlap of less than 200 mm.
The top end of the valley should be turned up against the hip or ridge battens to the height of the batten. Where two valleys meet over a dormer, they are cut, shaped, joined, and sealed so that they form a continuous valley.
The tile edge should be bent down to a minimum of 5 mm from the valley floor.
The gap between tiles on opposing sides of the valley must be a minimum of 70 mm.
Valley boards and boards supporting flashings must be H.3 treated, and all metal and timber should be separated by underlay .

15.3.5 Flashings 

Standard flashings are supplied for most locations on a roof, and are in two styles, only one of which is used on any one roof. All flashings and roofing accessories are made of the same base metal as the tiles.

  • Long accessories are 2 m long with fixing holes every 500 mm and there are specific accessories for ridges, hips, barges, aprons and walls.
  • Short accessories are 400 mm long trims and can be used for most flashing applications on a roof.

Special flashings are made as required by the manufacturer or the roofer from uncoated steel, and subsequently factory coated using the same coating process as used for tiles.

 

15.3.5.1 Ridge 

Tiles must be turned up to a minimum of 40 mm against the battens, hip board or where they butt against a vertical or an inclined surface.
The ridge trim cap or side flashings must cover the tile turn-ups by a minimum of 35 mm.

Ridge tiles are bent up and then cut to form a turn-up that fits under the ridge/hip cap or short accessory. To ensure a watertight joint, a tight fit is required between the tile and the ridge cap.

 

 

 

 

 

Hip

15.3.5.2 Hip 

Tiles should be turned up against the battens or hip board by a minimum of 40 mm. See 15.3.5.1A Ridge and Hip: Short Trim Installation and 15.3.5.1B Ridge and Hip: Long Trim Installation.

 

15.3.5.3 Gable Ends 

Tile ends are turned up a minimum of 40 mm and installed against a batten that will be covered by a barge cover or under a metal fascia. If a hidden gutter is used, tile edges should be turned down into the gutter by a minimum of 20 mm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.3.5.4 Flashing Metal Tile to Wall 

The wall cladding flashings must be positioned before the tiles and must be designed so that the turned up tile can be inserted behind the flashing.
All preparatory work of under-flashing, fixing of eaves, gutters and valley gutters must be completed, and all tiling battens must be in place before laying tiles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.3.5.5 Wall To Roof Junctions 

Flashings at the ends of roofs, where the roof does not end past the wall require a stop-end flashing that ensures water is directed into the gutter. Sufficient material should be left standing out from the wall so that cladding installers can ensure a weatherproof finish.

 

15.3.5.6 Penetrations 

Tiles cut for penetrations through the roof should be provided with up-stands and over-flashed for drainage from above without restricting the water flow.

The flashing should finish 15 mm beyond the tile head lap above the penetration and should be wide enough to cover the nearest tile rib or up-stand. When the construction is solid masonry or brickwork, and flashings cannot be installed under the wall cladding, a chase should be cut and an over-flashing installed in the chase to provide weather protection.

15.3.6 Longrun Tiles 

A long-run tile is a hybrid roof cladding providing the appearance of pressed metal tile with the fixing attributes of long-run profiled metal cladding.

The minimum pitch is 8˚, and underlay and battens are fixed in the same manner as for pressed metal tiles.

The module or step size of the profile can be adjusted, and the pitch of the tile can be varied to suit any batten spacing on an existing roof or to alter the roof appearance.

Maximum sheet length is 7 m however transverse laps are possible.

The material is pre-painted metallic coated steel with a yield strength of G250 Mpa. It is fixed with nails or screws at the front of the tile.

Sheets should be back-laid, working from right to left which prevents creep at the gutter line due to the back-step in the underlap of the profile.

Longrun tile can be curved to a 250 mm radius.

 

 

 

15.3.7 Sitework 

The requirements of 13 Site Practice also apply to the installation of metal tiles. In addition all gutters, valleys, roof channels and the roof should be left clean and free from debris on completion of the work.

 

15.3.8 Laying Metal Tiles 

The roofing supervisor will establish when the roof should be installed after all sub-trade work has been completed.

All preparatory work of under-flashing, fixing of eaves, gutters and valley gutters must be completed, and all tiling battens must be in place before laying tiles.

If substantial work, such as texturing walls, is to be carried out on a wall above or adjacent to where metal tiles are to be laid, they should be installed after such work has been completed.

Tiles should be inspected and selected, as tiles of a different colour match should not be installed on the same plane of a roof. If more than one pallet of tiles is required for one job, the colour uniformity should be checked.

Tiles damaged during installation must be removed and replaced, and any deformed tiles or tiles with surface damage must be rejected.

Tiles should be laid from the ridge down to avoid unnecessary traffic and can be laid broken bond or straight down the roof.

The eave gutter tiles should project over the edge of the fascia to ensure that water discharges directly into the gutter system and tiles should be laid so they prevent any water penetrating into the roof cavity.

Before tiles are laid, the direction of lay should be determined by:

  • Taking into account whether the profile can be laid only one way or both ways;
  • Appearance, so that laps face away from the line of sight;
  • Allowing for prevailing weather exposure.

Installation of perimeter tiles (excluding eaves tiles) can be completed before the main body of tiles are laid.

15.3.9 Workmanship 

Graphite pencils must not be used to mark AZ coated steel products as carbon can cause premature corrosion failure of the coating.
Finishing of tile cuts and bends must leave straight lines up the roof section, to provide a true line for flashings.
When cutting tiles for their installation at ridges, hips, valleys and barges, avoid damage to the surface finish by using a guillotine or metal shears. When cutting the tile lengthwise, it must be bent before cutting to reduce the amount of distortion that occurs as the profile is flattened during bending.
Tiles turned up and down for ridges, hips, valleys and barges must be bent using a bender specifically designed for this purpose. Tiles must be turned up at ridges, hips and barges by a minimum of 40 mm, and down into the valleys to a minimum of 5 mm from the valley floor.