Is this New..?

No; 'The Complete Range’ as defined by BSEN12588:2006 is not new. Abbey Metals is simply offering ALL the products as clearly laid out within the standard, not just the heavier sizes.

Why now..?

As a result of the CMA investigation into Roofing Materials (case reference 50477) some institutions have revisited advice previously offered to them by ‘the lead industry’ and as a result, reputable bodies such as the National House Building Council (NHBC) have amended standards to include the correct product description as defined by 12588.

Will other manufactures begin to offer the complete range..?

We believe it is inevitable. However, UK Contractors would probably be justified, supported by their relevant associations, in asking a few searching questions as to why it hadn’t happened prior to Abbey Metals intervention (?).

Example of questions relating to this; these should not be read as the views of Abbey Metals or any of its employees. Rather, it’s our attempt to distil the views/questions of tens of Contractors and Specifiers that we’ve spoken to in the last couple of months:

1. Why now, why not sooner (?)

2. Why, when attending industry training and professional CPD's, whilst referencing 12588, have I not been made aware of the full extent of the Colour Code range (?)

3. How have manufacturing codes, not the Colour Codes as tabled within 12588 ended up in the national standards BS6915 (?)

4. Why is it, when Sustainability is such a hot topic, has the industry not made more of the good that wider choice can do?

5. Why are we not hearing this from other information outlets that claim to speak for the industry?

Note: 

Modernised manufacturing processes and technologies deliver a Rolled Lead Sheet product that is consistent both in terms of its physical and chemical composition.

(1) The accuracy attributed to its chemical composition allows the lead to better deal with issues relating to thermal expansion and contraction and its ability to be ‘worked’.

(2) Rolling precision delivers a thickness of lead sheet that is consistent across the entire sheet resulting in less fatigue related issues.

The dichotomy is that on the one hand, these modern manufacturing techniques and the investment is promoted as a benefit, whilst on the other, its insisted that modern specifications take no account of the same.