Lead in construction - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 08:38, 22 June 2026

2026-06-22T08:38:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:38, 22 June 2026
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	== Construction applications ==		== Construction applications ==

−	Lead was used for making water pipes in the Roman Empire, and production subsequently expanded throughout Europe and Asia. Across Europe, lead production revived during the eleventh and twelfth centuries, when it was increasingly used for roofing and plumbing~~. From the thirteenth century onwards, lead was also used in the construction of stained-glass windows~~.	+	Lead was used for making water pipes in the Roman Empire, and production subsequently expanded throughout Europe and Asia. Across Europe, lead production revived during the eleventh and twelfth centuries, when it was increasingly used for roofing and plumbing.

	Historically, lead and lead compounds were used for roofs, flashings, cornices, tank linings, electrical conduits, cladding, gutters, parapets and water pipes. Lead was also incorporated into soft solder, an alloy of lead and tin used for joining metals.		Historically, lead and lead compounds were used for roofs, flashings, cornices, tank linings, electrical conduits, cladding, gutters, parapets and water pipes. Lead was also incorporated into soft solder, an alloy of lead and tin used for joining metals.
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	* Acoustic insulation in specialist applications.		* Acoustic insulation in specialist applications.

−	Lead continues to play an important role in the conservation and repair of historic buildings, particularly churches, cathedrals and listed structures where traditional materials and detailing may be required.	+	Lead continues to play an important role in the conservation and repair of historic buildings, particularly churches, cathedrals and listed structures where traditional materials and detailing may be required. Historically, lead-based paints were widely used to protect iron and steel from corrosion. Although their use is now heavily restricted, many older structures still contain lead-based coatings that may require specialist management during maintenance, refurbishment or demolition.
−		+
−	Historically, lead-based paints were widely used to protect iron and steel from corrosion. Although their use is now heavily restricted, many older structures still contain lead-based coatings that may require specialist management during maintenance, refurbishment or demolition.	+
−		+
−	Lead is highly recyclable and can be repeatedly reprocessed without significant loss of performance. Recycled lead is widely used in the manufacture of building products and contributes to the circular economy.	+

	== Health risks ==		== Health risks ==
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	Lead dust, fumes or vapour can be generated when lead-containing materials are cut, heated, abraded, removed or recycled. The body absorbs lead primarily through inhalation and ingestion. Once absorbed, lead circulates in the blood and can accumulate in bones and organs, where it may remain for many years.		Lead dust, fumes or vapour can be generated when lead-containing materials are cut, heated, abraded, removed or recycled. The body absorbs lead primarily through inhalation and ingestion. Once absorbed, lead circulates in the blood and can accumulate in bones and organs, where it may remain for many years.

−	Short-term exposure to elevated levels of lead may cause:	+	Short-term exposure to elevated levels of lead may cause headaches, fatigue, nausea and abdominal pain and anaemia.
−		+
−	* Headaches.	+
−	* Fatigue.	+
−	* Constipation.	+
−	* Nausea and abdominal pain.	+
−	* Loss of appetite.	+
−	* Anaemia.	+

	Long-term or repeated exposure can result in more serious health effects, including:		Long-term or repeated exposure can result in more serious health effects, including:
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	== Lead water pipes ==		== Lead water pipes ==

−	Lead water supply pipes remain present in some older buildings and infrastructure. Although no longer installed for potable water systems, existing lead pipework can contribute to lead contamination of drinking water, particularly where water chemistry promotes corrosion.	+	Lead water supply pipes remain present in some older buildings and infrastructure. Although no longer installed for potable water systems, existing lead pipework can contribute to lead contamination of drinking water, particularly where water chemistry promotes corrosion. Replacement programmes continue across the UK, and building owners may choose to replace lead supply pipes as part of refurbishment or improvement works.
−		+
−	Replacement programmes continue across the UK, and building owners may choose to replace lead supply pipes as part of refurbishment or improvement works.	+

	== Types of lead ==		== Types of lead ==
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	The management of lead is particularly important during work on older buildings, where lead may be present in roofing, flashings, pipework, tanks, solder, stained glass and historic paint systems. Refurbishment and demolition projects should identify potential sources of lead contamination at an early stage and implement appropriate control measures.		The management of lead is particularly important during work on older buildings, where lead may be present in roofing, flashings, pipework, tanks, solder, stained glass and historic paint systems. Refurbishment and demolition projects should identify potential sources of lead contamination at an early stage and implement appropriate control measures.

−	Lead in drinking water is also subject to regulatory control. Although lead pipes are no longer used in new potable water installations, they may remain in older properties and infrastructure. Water suppliers and property owners may undertake replacement programmes to reduce lead concentrations in drinking water and improve public health outcomes.	+	Lead in drinking water is also subject to regulatory control.

	Guidance on the safe use of lead in construction is published by government bodies, health and safety regulators, trade organisations and conservation bodies. Additional guidance is available for specialist applications such as lead roofing, heritage conservation and the management of lead-based paint.		Guidance on the safe use of lead in construction is published by government bodies, health and safety regulators, trade organisations and conservation bodies. Additional guidance is available for specialist applications such as lead roofing, heritage conservation and the management of lead-based paint.

Designing Buildings at 08:32, 22 June 2026

2026-06-22T08:32:06Z

Show changes

Editor at 17:29, 21 January 2022

2022-01-21T17:29:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:29, 21 January 2022
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	Rolled lead sheet is available in a range of codes (generally codes 3-8 for construction) as defined in [http://shop.bsigroup.com/ProductDetail/?pid=000000000030150575 BS EN 12588:2006: Lead and lead alloys. Rolled lead sheet for building purposes]. The code relates to the thickness of the sheet; with code 3 being 1.33 mm thick and code 8 being 3.55 mm thick.		Rolled lead sheet is available in a range of codes (generally codes 3-8 for construction) as defined in [http://shop.bsigroup.com/ProductDetail/?pid=000000000030150575 BS EN 12588:2006: Lead and lead alloys. Rolled lead sheet for building purposes]. The code relates to the thickness of the sheet; with code 3 being 1.33 mm thick and code 8 being 3.55 mm thick.

−	= Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki~~ =	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

	* Aluminium.		* Aluminium.
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	* Soldering.		* Soldering.
	* Spangle.		* Spangle.
		+	* Tin.
	* Types of roof.		* Types of roof.
	* Volatile organic compounds.		* Volatile organic compounds.

Editor at 19:12, 6 July 2021

2021-07-06T19:12:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:12, 6 July 2021
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	* Risk assessment.		* Risk assessment.
	* Soldering.		* Soldering.
		+	* Spangle.
	* Types of roof.		* Types of roof.
	* Volatile organic compounds.		* Volatile organic compounds.

Editor at 18:55, 17 February 2021

2021-02-17T18:55:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:55, 17 February 2021
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	* Paint.		* Paint.
	* Risk assessment.		* Risk assessment.
		+	* Soldering.
	* Types of roof.		* Types of roof.
	* Volatile organic compounds.		* Volatile organic compounds.

Designing Buildings at 06:30, 9 October 2020

2020-10-09T06:30:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:30, 9 October 2020
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	* HSE - [http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/healthrisks/hazardous-substances/lead.htm Hazardous Substances: Lead]		* HSE - [http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/healthrisks/hazardous-substances/lead.htm Hazardous Substances: Lead]

−	[[Category:~~History~~]] [[Category:~~Health_and_safety_/_CDM~~]] [[Category:~~Products_~~/~~_components~~]] [[Category:~~DCN_Product_Knowledge~~]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

Editor at 18:57, 6 March 2019

2019-03-06T18:57:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:57, 6 March 2019
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	Rolled lead sheet is available in a range of codes (generally codes 3-8 for construction) as defined in [http://shop.bsigroup.com/ProductDetail/?pid=000000000030150575 BS EN 12588:2006: Lead and lead alloys. Rolled lead sheet for building purposes]. The code relates to the thickness of the sheet; with code 3 being 1.33 mm thick and code 8 being 3.55 mm thick.		Rolled lead sheet is available in a range of codes (generally codes 3-8 for construction) as defined in [http://shop.bsigroup.com/ProductDetail/?pid=000000000030150575 BS EN 12588:2006: Lead and lead alloys. Rolled lead sheet for building purposes]. The code relates to the thickness of the sheet; with code 3 being 1.33 mm thick and code 8 being 3.55 mm thick.

−	~~= Find out more =~~	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
−		+
−	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===	+

	* Aluminium.		* Aluminium.
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	* Flashing.		* Flashing.
	* Hazardous substances.		* Hazardous substances.
		+	* Lead.
	* Paint.		* Paint.
	* Risk assessment.		* Risk assessment.
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	* Volatile organic compounds.		* Volatile organic compounds.

−	=== External resources ===	+	= External resources =

	* HSE - [http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/healthrisks/hazardous-substances/lead.htm Hazardous Substances: Lead]		* HSE - [http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/healthrisks/hazardous-substances/lead.htm Hazardous Substances: Lead]

−	[[Category:History]] [[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]	+	[[Category:History]] [[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Products_/_components]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]]

Editor at 12:12, 7 June 2017

2017-06-07T12:12:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:12, 7 June 2017
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	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===		=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===

		+	* Aluminium.
	* Asbestos.		* Asbestos.
	* Construction dust.		* Construction dust.

Designing Buildings at 06:04, 21 April 2017

2017-04-21T06:04:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:04, 21 April 2017
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	* Wash hands and forearms thoroughly after working with lead.		* Wash hands and forearms thoroughly after working with lead.
	* Avoid hand-mouth/eye contact when in contaminated areas.		* Avoid hand-mouth/eye contact when in contaminated areas.
		+
		+	= Types of lead =
		+
		+	Lead is typically available as as:
		+
		+	* Rolled lead sheet.
		+	* Machine cast lead.
		+	* Sand cast lead.
		+
		+	Rolled lead sheet is available in a range of codes (generally codes 3-8 for construction) as defined in [http://shop.bsigroup.com/ProductDetail/?pid=000000000030150575 BS EN 12588:2006: Lead and lead alloys. Rolled lead sheet for building purposes]. The code relates to the thickness of the sheet; with code 3 being 1.33 mm thick and code 8 being 3.55 mm thick.

	= Find out more =		= Find out more =

Designing Buildings at 05:57, 21 April 2017

2017-04-21T05:57:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:57, 21 April 2017
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	* Stripping of old lead paint.		* Stripping of old lead paint.
	* Hot cutting in demolition and dismantling operations.		* Hot cutting in demolition and dismantling operations.
−	* Scrap-processing ~~activities~~.	+	* Scrap-processing.
−	* ~~Working with lead of roofs~~.	+	* Lead roofing.
	* Lead smelting, refining, alloying and casting.		* Lead smelting, refining, alloying and casting.
	* Manufacturing leaded glass.		* Manufacturing leaded glass.
−	* Recycling ~~of any~~ lead-containing materials.	+	* Recycling lead-containing materials.

	Some prevention and safety techniques that can be employed when working with lead include:		Some prevention and safety techniques that can be employed when working with lead include:
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	* Leaving lead paint in place if it is in good condition and/or covered by non-leaded paint.		* Leaving lead paint in place if it is in good condition and/or covered by non-leaded paint.
	* Using cold/mechanical cutting instead of hot cutting.		* Using cold/mechanical cutting instead of hot cutting.
−	* ~~Use~~ lower temperatures ~~and don’t use~~ blow-lamps or gas torches ~~to over-heat leaded paint~~.	+	* Using lower temperatures without blow-lamps or gas torches.
−	* Use ~~safer equipment such as~~ chemical paint ~~stripper~~, wet abrasive paper and ~~scraper,~~ infrared equipment.	+	* Use chemical paint strippers, wet abrasive paper, scrapers and infrared equipment.
−	* Wear appropriate respiratory protective equipment ~~and~~ disposable coveralls and gloves.	+	* Wear appropriate respiratory protective equipment, disposable coveralls and gloves.
−	* Prevent spread of dust or fumes with plastic sheeting.	+	* Prevent the spread of dust or fumes with plastic sheeting.
−	* ~~Thoroughly wash~~ and clean surfaces which may have been exposed to dust or fumes.	+	* Wash and clean surfaces which may have been exposed to dust or fumes.
	* Dispose of contaminated waste safely.		* Dispose of contaminated waste safely.
	* Wash hands and forearms thoroughly after working with lead.		* Wash hands and forearms thoroughly after working with lead.