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Leak detection methods for liquid roofing

  • Last updated: 28 November 2018
  • Grant rate/tier: £60 (Tier 1)
  • Grant code: GET1831

Overview

The purpose of this standard is to provide the candidate with the knowledge and skills to detect and repair leaks on liquid roofs, using non-destructive methods.
Find a course for this standard

CITB has developed this standard in discussion with industry

Duration

Minimum 1 day of 6 learning hours

Purpose / scope

The purpose of this standard is to provide the candidate with the knowledge and skills to detect and repair leaks on liquid roofs, using non-destructive methods.

The scope of this standard covers:

  • methods of ingress and trapping
  • how to write a survey report
  • how to detect roof leaks using eyes, knowledge, and experience
  • how to detect roof leaks using capacitance (impedance) testing
  • how to detect roof leaks using rainfall simulation
  • how to detect roof leaks using rainwater outlet testing
  • how to plan the work
  • how to map the area
  • how to dewater the roof
  • how to repair small areas of the membrane
  • health and safety.

Occupational relevance

Training delivered against this standard is relevant to the following occupational group(s):

  • operative and craft
  • supervision.

Candidate prerequisites

There are no candidate pre-requisites as part of this standard. However, a basic knowledge of liquid applied membrane roofing terminology and techniques would be beneficial.

Instruction / supervision

As a minimum, course instructors must be able to demonstrate that, in relation to this standard, they have:

  • A train the trainer or instructional techniques course certificate
  • Successfully completed training to this standard 
  • At least 2 years relevant industrial experience
  • A verifiable CV.

Delivery

The following methods may be used in the delivery of this standard:

  • classroom and workshop

All materials and equipment must be of a suitable quality and quantity for candidates to achieve learning outcomes and must comply with relevant legislation.

The class size and candidate/instructor ratio must allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable candidates to achieve the learning outcomes.

This standard is considered to contain 51 per cent or more theoretical learning.

Assessment

For the successful completion of training, candidates must complete an end of course practical assessment or knowledge test that measures the learning outcomes and has a pass or fail criteria.

Quality assurance

Quality assurance against this standard will require initial approval of the training organisation and their content mapped to the standard. 

CITB will also conduct an approval intervention, either desk-based or centre visit, to ensure the training organisation can meet the requirements of the Training Standard. 

Approved training organisations (ATOs) will be required to present information on records of training and assessment upon request to CITB for desk-based analysis. They will also be visited annually by the CITB quality assurance team.

Renewal/refresher

There are no mandatory renewal or recommended refreshment requirements for this standard.

Approval date

November 2018

Review cycle

Either on request or in 3 years from approval date.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes
The candidate will be able to Additional guidance to support learning outcome

Methods of ingress and trapping including:

  • moisture, rain, osmosis, leaks, temperature, traffic, seals, degradation, flashing, movement, pin holes, joints, humidity, substrate, outlets, animals, insects, and timber rot.

Videos/photos of leaks and causes.

How to write a survey report for the:

  • owner, warranty claim, or insurance company

Example reports (with no personal information).

How to detect roof leaks using eyes, knowledge, and experience

Videos/photos of leaks, causes, small repairs

Examples of tools and equipment

Examples of:

  • manufacturer’s instructions
  • roofing drawings

Video in classroom

Practical demonstration in workshop

Candidate practice with coaching

How to detect roof leaks using capacitance (impedance) testing, including tools and equipment:

  • types, use, setting, cleaning, maintenance, storage, and fault finding

How to detect roof leaks using rainfall simulation, including tools and equipment:

  • types, use, setting, cleaning, maintenance, storage, and fault finding

How to detect roof leaks using rainwater outlet testing, including tools and equipment:

  • types, use, setting, cleaning, maintenance, storage, and fault finding

How to plan the work

How to map the area

How to dewater the roof

How to repair small areas of the membrane

Work safely including:

  • follow safe work practices
  • identify hazards
  • reduce/eliminate risks
  • use controls
  • use PPE

Videos of good and bad practice.

Examples of:

  • PPE
  • SDS sheets for COSSH
  • risk assessments
  • safe work practices/procedures
  • spills and clean up
  • environmental/safety legislation

Additional information about this standard

Training at height

  • BS 8454:2006 Code of practice for delivery of training & education for work at height and rescue

Advisory Committee for Roof Safety

Work at Height Safety Association

  • View WAHSA Technical guidance notes.These are a free resource, provided and maintained by WAHSA and its member companies for reference. They assist specifiers, managers, and end users of fall protection equipment.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Working at height guides

HSE guides

Legislation

See relevant legislation

  • Health and Safety at Work etc Act (HSWA) 1974
  • The Work at Height Regulations (WHR) 2005
  • Work at Height (Amended) 2007
  • Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Regulations 2002
  • Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations 1992
  • Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) (1998 UK 1999 NI)
  • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH )2002
  • Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998
  • Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR ) 1995
  • Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) 2015
  • Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996
  • Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 as amended 2002
  • Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
  • Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005

Building regulations

  • Building and Buildings, England and Wales: The Building Regulations 2010.
  • The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004
  • Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland

British standards

View all available British Standards at the BSI website.

  • BS EN 1847: 2009. Flexible sheets for waterproofing. Plastics and rubber sheets for roof waterproofing. Methods for exposure to liquid chemicals, including water.
  • BS 6229: 2003 Flat roofs with continuously supported coverings. Code of practice. 
  • BS 5250: 2011+A1: 2016. Code of practice for control of condensation in buildings. 
  • BS EN 13501-5: 2016. Fire classification of construction products and building elements. Classification using data from external fire exposure to roofs tests.
  • BS 476-3: 2004. Fire tests on building materials and structures. Classification and method of test for external fire exposure to roofs.
  • BS 8000-0:2014. Workmanship on construction sites. Introduction and general principles. BS 8000-1 to 16 are partially replaced/superseded by BS 8000-0:2014.
  • BS 8437:2005 Code of practice for selection, use and maintenance of personal protection systems and equipment for use in the workplace

European technical approvals (ETAs) ETAG 005

  • Part 1 General
  • Part 2: Polymer modified bitumen emulsions and solutions
  • Part 3: Glass reinforced resilient unsaturated polyester resins
  • Part 4: Flexible unsaturated polyesters
  • Part 5: Hot applied polymer modified bitumens
  • Part 6: Polyurethanes
  • Part 7: Bitumen emulsions and solutions
  • Part 8: Water dispersible polymers

National Building Specification (NBS)

  • A multi-volume subscription library of clauses covering most elements of building construction. Liquid applied membrane roofing is in Specification J42.

Building information modelling (BIM)

Liquid Roofing Waterproofing Association (LRWA)

The LWRA provides free downloads of technical information PDFs

LRWA guidance notes

  • No 1 – Roof, balcony & walkway inspection for the specification of liquid applied waterproofing systems
  • No 2 – Substrates for liquid applied waterproofing systems for roofs, balconies & walkways
  • No 3 – Generic types of liquid applied waterproofing systems for roofs, balconies & walkways
  • No 4 – Roof, balcony & walkway refurbishment using liquid waterproofing systems
  • No 5 – Health & safety for liquid applied waterproofing systems on roofs, balconies & walkways
  • No 6 – Safe use of liquid applied waterproofing systems
  • No 7 – Specifier guidance for flat roof falls
  • No 9 – Waterproofing of profiled fibre cement sheet roofing & cladding
  • No 10 – Waterproofing of metal profiled sheet roofing & cladding
  • No 11 – Use of adhesives for liquid flat roof systems
  • No 12 – Termination of waterproofing at cills & thresholds
  • No. 13 – Drying of existing roof substrates prior to installation of liquid waterproofing systems

LRWA detail drawings (roof sketches)

  • 1 - Perimeter kerb detail GRP trim
  • 2 - Upstand termination detail to pre-cut chase
  • 3 - Termination detail to outlet with sump gutter
  • 4 - Insulated upstand to lead flashing
  • 6 – Rooflight detail
  • 7 – Termination bar detail to upstand
  • 8 – Roof pipe penetration detail
  • 9 – Roof expansion joint detail

LRWA codes of practice

  • Roofs, balconies & walkways code of practice
  • Hot melt code of practice
  • Car park code of practice

Grants

Find out how to claim a grant for short duration training courses

ATO course accreditation

Find out how to accredit a training course to a standard.

Related standards

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