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BS 5534 Wind Zones — Slating and Tiling
UK wind zones for roof slating and tiling per BS 5534:2014 + A2:2018. Basic wind speed, altitude factors, site exposure and fixing requirements by zone.
Approximate UK Basic Wind Speeds
Reference: BS 5534:2014+A2:2018, derived from BS EN 1991-1-4. These are 3-second gust speeds at 10m height in open terrain.
| Region | Basic Wind Speed (m/s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| London, SE England (inland) | 21 – 23 | Most sheltered areas |
| Midlands, East Anglia (inland) | 22 – 24 | — |
| South coast, Bristol Channel | 24 – 26 | Coastal exposure |
| Wales (inland) | 24 – 26 | — |
| North England (inland) | 24 – 26 | — |
| Wales, Cornwall (coastal) | 26 – 28 | Exposed coastline |
| Scotland (lowland, inland) | 25 – 27 | — |
| Scotland (coastal, west) | 28 – 32 | Most exposed mainland |
| Scotland (highlands) | 28 – 34 | Altitude factor significant |
| Orkney, Shetland, Western Isles | 30 – 36+ | Extreme exposure |
Site Exposure Categories
| Category | Description | Effect on Wind Load |
|---|---|---|
| Sheltered | Dense urban centre, heavily wooded area | Significant reduction |
| Town | Suburban housing estate, small town centre | Moderate reduction |
| Country | Open farmland, scattered villages | Baseline (no reduction) |
| Exposed | Hilltop, coastal, open flat terrain | Increase in wind load |
General Fixing Requirements
| Roof Zone | Low Exposure | Moderate Exposure | High Exposure |
|---|---|---|---|
| General field | Nail every tile | Nail every tile | Nail + clip every tile |
| Eaves course | Nail + clip | Nail + clip | Nail + clip |
| Top course | Nail + clip | Nail + clip | Nail + clip |
| Verge tiles | Nail + clip | Nail + clip | Nail + clip |
| Ridge and hip tiles | Mechanically fixed (dry ridge system) | Mechanically fixed | Mechanically fixed |
Additional Factors
- Altitude: Above 100m AOD, add approximately 1 m/s to the basic wind speed per 100m of altitude (varies by method)
- Topography: Hilltops, ridge crests, and escarpment edges significantly increase local wind speed — apply topography factor per BS EN 1991-1-4
- Roof pitch: Lower pitches generally experience greater uplift. Tiles on pitches below the minimum recommended by the manufacturer may need enhanced fixing
- Roof height: Taller buildings experience higher wind speeds at roof level. The height factor increases wind load on buildings over 10m tall
- Perimeter zones: Corners, eaves, verges and ridges experience higher local wind pressures than the general field of the roof
Note: This is a simplified overview. The actual fixing specification must be determined by a BS 5534 wind load calculation for the specific site, using the tile manufacturer's product-specific data. Many tile manufacturers provide online BS 5534 calculators. Refer to BS 5534:2014+A2:2018 for the full standard.
Related Pages
See the Roof Tile Coverage Rates and the Rafter Span Tables.
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Last updated: April 2026
Verified against UK standards · estimates only, confirm with your supplier.