Learner’s Material
UNIT 9
ROOF
Overview
In this unit we will measure the roof structure and roof covering to a building.
Dimensions will be taken from the building plans. These dimensions will be booked in
the appropriate column in the taking-off sheet and the corresponding descriptions of the
measured items will be written opposite the dimensions as described before.
How does this unit fit into the course?
The Roof is one of the most important elements of a building. In this unit learners will be
introduced to taking-off for a roof structure and roof covering of a building. Learners will
be able to pick up dimensions and book the dimensions into the appropriate column of
the dimension paper.
7.1 UNIT OUTCOMES
Unit Outcomes
Assessment Criteria
At the end of this unit the learners must be
able to measure:
1.1 Read and understand drawings
1. Roof structure and roof covering
1.2 Identify dimensions from drawings
1.3 Pick up necessary dimensions
1.4 Book dimensions in appropriate
column in the taking-off sheet.
1.5 Write appropriate descriptions for each
of the measured item.
7.2 Roof
N Ansary 1
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There are different types of roofs which are constructed with many different materials. In
this unit we will only discuss a timber roof and a pitch roof specifically.
Figure 7.1: Typical section of roof through wall
7.2.1 Roof Members
Wall plate: This is roof member that is laid on top of wall which
distributes the load of the roof to the wall.
N Ansary 2
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King post: A vertical member which connects the ridge and beam of a
roof.
Fascia board: A horizontal board that is nailed vertically to the ends of
roof rafters: sometimes supports a gutter.
Ceiling joist or tie beam: Tie beam is a horizontal member that span
from one wall plate to the other, it provide a support for the ceiling boards.
Rafter – A sloping member in a roof providing the principal structural
support for the roofing material.
Ridge: The highest part (apex) of a roof, which is usually a horizontal
line.
Purlin: Timber used to support roofing sheets, usually fixed on top of
rafters to support the roof covering (Corrugated sheets)
Batten: A small-section timber member of minimum size 38 x 38 mm,
used to support a roof covering of tiles or slates
Brandering: Small section timber member of minimum size 38 x 38 mm,
used to support a fixed ceiling. Brandering is usually fixed directly to the
underside of the rafter or tie beam of a truss.
Eaves: The extension of roof beyond house walls, the portion of a roof
that overhangs the wall.
Sprocket: A framing timber used in eaves construction.
Trusses: A rigid structural component, assembled from timber members
joined together (plates or bolts), which form a pattern of triangles
7.2.2 Pitch Roof
A pitch roof is any roof whose angle of slope to the horizontal is between 10º to 70º. A
simple pitch roof consists of inclined rafter that rest on horizontal wall-plates on top of
each wall as shown in figure 7.2. The top ends of the rafters meet at the horizontal ridge
plate or ridge beam. Horizontal purlins are fixed to the rafters to support the roof
covering. Tie beams or ceiling joists are connected between the lower ends of opposite
rafters to prevent them from spreading and forcing the walls apart. Collar beams or collar
ties may be fixed higher up between opposite rafters for extra strength.
N Ansary 3
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Figure 7.2: Roof section
Wall plate position
Figure 7.3: Roof structure showing wall plate
N Ansary 4
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Figure 7.4: Roof structure showing underlay and battens
7.2.3 Underlay
The underlay as shown in figure 7.5 provides a layer of insulation and an extra
waterproof barrier for any moisture which gets under the roof covering. The felt is held to
the rafters by first nailing direct and then by the wooden battens which are used for fixing
the slates or for locating the nibs on the back of tiles.
7.3 Taking –Off for Roof
The guidelines for taking-off that were mentioned in unit (unit 4) will be applied for all
taking-off tasks in this unit. We will take-off for the roof and roof covering of the
drawings shown below:
N Ansary 5
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Drawing 7.1: Floor Plan
N Ansary 6
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Drawing 7.2: South Elevation
Drawing 7.3: West Elevation
N Ansary 7
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Drawing 7.4: Foundation Details
Drawing 7.5: Section A-A
7.3.1 Specifications
N Ansary 8
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Specification is a clear and detailed written description of the requirements for materials,
equipment, construction systems, standards and workmanship as mentioned in unit 3.
The specifications for the roof in the drawings are as follows:
1. Concrete tiles on
2. 38 x 38mm S.A.P battens at 320mm centers on SABS approved white roofing
underlay on S.A.P trusses at max. 760mm centres on 38 x 114mm sawn S.A.P
wall plates.
3. Tie beam: 38 x 152mm Sawn S.A.P
4. Rafters: 38 x 114mm Sawn S.A.P
5. Struts and Webs: 38 x 114mm Sawn S.A.P
6. Roof pitch: 30º
7.4 Taking –off Process for Roof and Roof Covering
Roof and roof covering will be measured according to the guidelines stated in the
Standard System of Measuring Building Work as mentioned in unit 4.
N Ansary 9
Learner’s Material
STUDIO PROJECT
ROOFS
2/ 9.98 Half brick Beam filling is
0.26 Wall in beam filling. usually three courses
10.420 of brick wall. Each
Less course is 0.085m;
2/220 0.440 three courses will be
9.980 0.255m.
2/ 9.98 38x114 mm SASP
In wall plate
2/ 9.98 Apply one coat of
0.30 creosote wood treatment Painting of the wall
on sawn timber. plate with anti-
2/114 228 termite solution.
2/38 76
304
2/ 14 Roof anchors There will be 14
trusses for the roof
9.980 structure. 14 are
0.760 =13 +1 obtained by dividing
= 14 9.980 which is the
length of the building
The following in No 14 by 0.760m which is
Roof trusses. stated in the
specification to the
38 x152mm Sawn South centres of the trusses.
14/ 6.04 African Pine in 9.980÷0.760 +1 =14
roof in lengths exceeding
3.9m & not exceeding
6.6m
(Tie beam)
6.260
Less
2/1/220 0.220
2 6.040
N Ansary 10
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38x114mm SAP in roofs
14/2/ 4.40 in lengths exceeding 3.9
& not exceeding 6.6m
(Rafters)
14/ 1.88 38 x114mm SSAP in
14/2/ 1.75 roofs in lengths not
14/2 1.40 exceeding 2.4m
14/2 1.30 (King post)
14/2 0.92 (Struts)
Eaves & verge details
14/2/ 0.60 Wrot face on sawn
0.30 timbers
2/3/ 11.02 &
0.15
Knot prime sawn & 3
2/2/11 0.30 coats on timbers @
0.15 eaves
4.4
0.32
2/ 11.02 15x200mm cement fibre
fascia board in H leader
joints fixed to rafters
N Ansary 11
Learner’s Material
2/ 11.02 2 coat of paint on facial
0.43
200
200
15
15
430
2/2/ 4.40 15x200mm cement fibre
Barge board fixed to
ends of battens.
2/2/ 4.40 2coats of PVA on fascia
0.43 & barge bars
Roof covering
2/ 11.02 Concrete roof tiles fixed
4.40 to 38 x 38mm SASP
battens @ 320mm
centres to slope exc.25
pitch incl. approved roof
underlay.
11.02 Concrete roof ridge tile
bedded in cement
N Ansary 12
Learner’s Material
Rainwater Goods
2/ 11.42 100 x 75 0.6mm
galvanized sheet iron
eaves gutters fixed to
fascia board.
10.420
Add
2/0.500 1.000
11.420
4/ 1 Extra over for stop end
2/ 3.22 75mm diameter
rainwater down pipes
2.720
Add
0.500
3.220
2/ 1 Extra over 75mm
rainwater pipe for shoe.
2/ 1 Extra over 75mm
rainwater pipe for bend
N Ansary 13
Learner’s Material
7.5 Check list
At the end of this unit, I Yes No Comments
Can measure:
1. Roof structure
Beam filling
Wall plate
Roof trusses
fascia
2. Roof coverings
Roof covering
Ridge cap
3. Rain water goods
Gutters
Down pipes
Shoes, stop end and angles
7.6 Wrap up
In this unit, we measured roof structure and roof covering of a building. Dimensions were
taken from drawings and those dimensions were booked in the appropriate column of the
taking-off sheet.
7.7 Assignment
Measure the roof structure and roof covering of the drawings shown below. Make all
necessary assumptions if required. (50 marks)
Outcome: Take-off for roof structure and roof covering from building drawings shown
below:
N Ansary 14
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Drawing 7.6: Floor plan
N Ansary 15
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Drawing 7.7: Section
Drawing 7.8: Foundation details
N Ansary 16
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Drawing 7.9: South Elevation
Drawing 7.10: West Elevation
N Ansary 17
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RUBRIC FOR MARKING
Assessment criteria Mark Allocation Mark Obtained
1. Neat presentation of take-off sheet 5
2. Collections of dimensions 10
3. Correct order of measurement 5
4. Accurate booking of dimensions 15
5. Good and detailed descriptions 10
6. Application of guidelines for 5
booking dimensions and writing
descriptions.
Total 50 marks
N Ansary 18