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Metal thefts encourage lead-free alternatives
An Icopal product story
buildingtalk.com
Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Mar 26, 2009
With lead theft continuing to plague public and private building owners, Icopal is urging designers and contractors to consider lead-free substitutes where possible.
METAL THEFTS DRIVE SWITCH TO LEAD-FREE ALTERNATIVES.
With lead theft continuing to plague public and private building owners, a leading construction products manufacturer is urging designers and contractors to consider lead-free substitutes where possible.
Owen Balaam, Icopal product and market development manager (Formflash), made the call following a resurgence in lead thefts, particularly in the north-east of England, where private houses and church buildings were targeted in February.
So serious has the issue of lead theft from ecclesiastical buildings become that the matter was raised in the House of Commons [February 2009].
"In 2007 and 2008, there were more than 4,500 thefts of metal from Anglican churches, costing some GBP18.5 million," said Mr Balaam.
"Less than two months into 2009 and it is obvious this anti-social activity is set to continue.
However, there are ways to make church buildings, local authority properties and private homes less attractive to thieves by replacing lead flashings, parapet upstands and so on with a lead-free alternative.
"These alternatives hold no scrap value, are environmentally friendly, lighter and cheaper but just as malleable and flexible as lead and with comparable wind uplift performance.
Tradition may drive a preference for lead but forward-thinking specifiers will be doing their clients a massive favour by considering a replacement material that is of no interest to thieves," he added.
"It is also worth considering that while lead may have an attractive unlimited 'in service' lifespan, this is worth nothing if the metal is stolen.
It is not unusual to hear of cases where stolen lead is replaced, only to be removed again within 24 hours".
Lead-free flashings are a proven alternative and have been on the market for a number of years.
The explosion in theft, driven by rising demand and short supply, has pushed alternative products to the fore, with heritage and church bodies giving real consideration to lead substitutes.
Indeed, the issue was the subject of an advice note on changes to roofing material and flashings issued by The Diocese of York in September 2008.
This document advised that 'in some cases' it may be appropriate to replace stolen flashings with modern lead-free alternatives.
"Lead-free flashings have a number of really important advantages over those produced from lead but with none of the disadvantages, such as cost, weight and appeal to thieves.
We feel there is a really compelling case for specifiers and contractors to replace this traditional material with high-performance modern alternatives," said Owen.
"After all, churches and local authorities cannot afford to continually replace lead with like-for-like and home owners do not want the expense or inconvenience of repairing their properties.
A simple change in specification that is adhered to throughout the build process is all that is required to ameliorate this problem," concluded Mr Balaam. |
