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What Are The Lead Colour Codes?

What are the Lead Colour Codes?

Imperial and Metric Measurements of Lead Flashing.

The lead colour code is a part of the British Standard 12588 which determines the weight of lead sheet that is being sold. Although it technically measures the weight of the lead sheet in lbs, what the measurements really represent is the thickness of the sheet.

 

This is important as different thicknesses of the lead sheets are used for different purposes, so knowing your lead codes is important. In this lead code guide, we talk you through all of the different lead codes from the British Standard 12588 regulations and their different purposes.

How are lead flashing and lead soaking weighed?

When you are looking at purchasing lead sheeting of any kind then you will quickly find out that all measurements are done in weight per square foot. These measurements were originally used in ‘lbs’, however, they have moved forward with the times and the metric equivalent of thickness is now commonly available.

 

The lead codes are numbered from 3 to 8 and are quite simple to remember as the code number represents the weight in pounds per square foot. Each of the different lead codes is easily identifiable by colour so you can easily recognize the different lead codes from sight. Lead roles are typically sold with a width of 240mm and a total length of 3m. Builders merchants will normally cut these roles to size, allowing you to purchase the amount of lead sheeting required for your project. 

Code 3 - GREEN

As the logic dictates, code 3 lead weighs 3lbs per square foot. In metric measurements, code 3 lead is 15kg per square meter and 1.3mm thick. This is the thinnest lead used on roofs for flashing due to leads great waterproofing properties.

Code 4 - BLUE

The code 4 lead weighs 4lbs per square foot with metric measurements of 20kg per square meter which equates to a standard thickness of 1.8mm. Like code 3 it is most commonly used for flashing on roofing, which is important for waterproofing roofs.

Code 5 - RED

Weighing 5lbs per square foot, code 5 red is the heaviest and thickest lead sheet still used for flashing and soakers on roofing. The metric measurements for this type of lead sheeting are 1m squared equaling 25kg and a standard thickness of 2.2mm. The code 5 lead sheeting is perfect for use in areas that take a large amount of water flow or where a reasonable amount of movement in the roof is expected.

Summary of Different Lead Codes and their Uses

What lead codes do what tasks.

Code 3: Predominantly used for soakers and flashing due to how thin the lead sheeting is. In areas of high pressure or movement, using code 3 lead flashing could lead to tears or rips due to its lack of thickness and strength.

 

Code 4: Used mainly for lead flashing, soakers, hip flashings and lead roof valleys. In addition, it can also be used as cladding on small sections of walls and roofs.

 

Code 5: Can be used for anything that code 3 & 4 lead does such as flashing, soakers and cladding. However, it is more suited to be used in areas of high movement such as valleys and gutters withing roofing where a large amount of water flows.

 

Code 6, 7 & 8: The higher end of the lead code is too thick for use as flashing or soaking. These lead sheets are almost exclusively used for cladding and roof coverings.

The liquid steel is then poured into casts or shaped using various processes and is left to cool until it becomes solid again. To summarise; iron is the base metal in steel, combining with other alloying elements to form different steel types.

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