AU2012201320A1 - A roofing system - Google Patents

Abstract

- 24 A roofing system for a building is disclosed. The roofing system includes a plurality of roof cladding sheets (7) in 5 overlapping relationship and a plurality of concealed clip assemblies that retain the cladding sheets to an underlying roof support structure (5). Each cladding sheet has at least one rib (11) separated by pans (3). Each clip assembly includes an elongate strap member(71), 10 a plurality of clips (3) mounted to an upper surface of the strap member and engaging re-entrant portions of the ribs of one or more sheets, and a plurality of spacer members (55) made of thermally insulating material mounted to a lower surface of the strap member in alignment with 15 the clips and spacing the clips above the underlying structure. 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12 17 / 1 13 2f9 23 57 79 s5 1 7

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s) BLUESCOPE STEEL LIMITED Invention Title: A ROOFING SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: - 2 A ROOFING SYSTEM The present invention relates to roofing systems that include cladding sheets that are retained to 5 underlying roof support structures by concealed clip assemblies. The present invention is concerned with minimising heat transfer via roofing systems from and to 10 the interior of buildings. Typically, roof cladding sheets are roll-formed from painted or unpainted steel strip and include one or more parallel ribs, pan sections, and side edge formations 15 that enable the sheets to be positioned side by side in overlapping relationship. It is known to secure cladding sheets to an underlying roof support structure, such as roof purlins, 20 by fastening the sheets directly to the underlying structure using fasteners, such as roofing nails, that pierce the sheets and penetrate the underlying structure. It is also known to secure cladding sheets to an 25 underlying structure by using clip assemblies that include clips that are secured to the structure by fasteners and are formed to extend into the ribs and engage re-entrant portions of the ribs and thereby retain the sheets to the clips. These clip assemblies are often preferred over 30 nails because they enable concealed fixing of cladding sheets to an underlying structure. There are a number of known concealed fixing retaining clips. The clips include a so-called WG clip 35 disclosed in Australian patent 457099 in the name of Comalco Limited, a clip disclosed in UK patent application in the name of Stramit Industries Limited, and a clip 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12 - 3 disclosed in Australian patent 685102 and other Australian patents and patent applications in the name of Stramit Corporation. 5 In warm climates there is considerable cost in keeping the inside of buildings cool compared to the outside. Many modern buildings are air-conditioned and the 10 cost of air-conditioning is an important cost consideration. In cool climates there is considerable cost in keeping the inside of buildings warm compared to the 15 outside. Many modern buildings are heated and the cost of heating is an important cost consideration. By far the largest amount of heat transfer from and to the interior of a building is through the roofing 20 system of the building. Thus, a roofing system that minimises heat transfer is one option for reducing air conditioning and heating costs. The present invention is concerned with providing 25 a roofing system for a building that minimises heat transfer via the roofing system from and to the interior of the building. The present invention is also concerned with 30 providing a clip assembly of a roofing system for a building that minimises heat transfer via the clip assembly from and to the interior of the building. The present invention provides a roofing system 35 for a building that includes: a plurality of roof cladding sheets in overlapping relationship, each cladding sheet having at least one rib and pans; and a plurality of 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12 - 4 concealed clip assemblies that retain the cladding sheets to an underlying roof support structure, each clip assembly including: 5 (a) an elongate strap member; (b) a plurality of clips mounted to an upper surface of the strap member and engaging re-entrant portions of the ribs of one or 10 more sheets; and (c) a plurality of spacer members made of thermally insulating material mounted to a lower surface of the strap member in 15 alignment with the clips and spacing the clips above the underlying structure. The present invention also provides a roofing system for a building that includes: a plurality of roof 20 cladding sheets in overlapping relationship, each cladding sheet having at least one rib and pans; and a plurality of concealed clip assemblies that retain the cladding sheets to an underlying roof support structure, each clip assembly including: 25 (a) a clip that engages re-entrant portions of the rib; and (b) a spacer member that spaces the clip above 30 the underlying structure. Spacing the clips above the underlying structure by means of the thermally insulating spacer members prevents direct contact between the clips and the 35 structure and this of itself increases the thermal resistance of the clip assembly per se and the roofing system as a whole. 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12 -5 Spacing the clips above the underlying structure also has the effect of spacing the cladding sheets further above the underlying structure than would normally be the 5 case. The additional space may be filled with thermal insulation material or left as an air gap. In either case, there is a contribution to the thermal resistance of the roofing system. 10 Preferably the roofing system includes: (a) a layer of thermal insulation material, such as batts of fibreglass insulation, on the underlying structure; and 15 (b) an air gap between the layer and the cladding sheets. The spacer member may be any suitable member for 20 supporting the clip above the underlying structure. Suitable members include members that have C-shaped and Z shaped transverse sections and are formed by folding metal sheet material. 25 Preferably the spacer members are blocks of thermally insulating material. Preferably the thermally insulating material has a high density to provide support against downward loads. 30 Preferably the height of the spacer members is at least 3 cm. More preferably the height of the spacer member 35 is at least 4 cm. Preferably the roofing system includes a 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12 - 6 plurality of fastening assemblies that secure the clip assemblies to the underlying structure. Preferably each fastening assembly includes a 5 fastener, such as a screw, that has a head and a shank that extends through aligned openings in each of the clip, the strap member, and the spacer member of one of the clip assemblies and into the underlying structure. 10 Preferably the fastener has a small diameter shank. Preferably the clip has a base and the clip opening is in the base and the fastening assembly includes 15 a washer formed from a thermally insulating material that is positioned between the fastener head and the base of the clip. Preferably the washer includes a downwardly 20 depending sleeve that extends into the opening in the base of the clip and separates the fastener shank from the base. Preferably each clip includes a pair of cladding 25 sheet retaining members that extend upwardly from opposite sides of the base. Preferably each cladding sheet retaining member includes an outwardly-turned top flange that has a central 30 upper section and two outer sections that extend downwardly from opposite ends of the upper section, whereby the outer sections of the top flanges of the retaining members contact the re-entrant portions of the rib of the cladding sheet and secure the sheet to the 35 clip. Preferably each cladding sheet retaining member 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12 - 7 includes a main wall element that extends upwardly from the base and terminates in the top flange. Preferably the main wall elements extend 5 transversely to a longitudinal direction of the rib. Preferably the base and the retaining members define a generally U-shape. 10 Preferably each outer section of the flanges of the retaining members has a free edge that contacts one of the re-entrant portions of the rib and secures the cladding sheet to the clip. 15 Preferably each outer section of the flanges of the retaining members extends downwardly and outwardly beyond an upper section of one of the main wall elements and the outer section includes a downwardly facing shoulder that connects the outer section to the main wall 20 element. Preferably each cladding sheet includes a plurality of ribs separated by pans. 25 The present invention also provides a clip assembly of a roofing system for a building as described above, which clip assembly includes: (a) an elongate strap member having an upper 30 surface and a lower surface, the upper surfaces including a plurality of platforms for clips for engaging cladding sheets; and (b) a plurality of spacer members made of 35 thermally insulating material mounted to the lower surface of the strap member at locations that are aligned with the clip 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12 - 8 platforms on the upper surface. According to the present invention there is also provided a clip assembly for a roofing system as described 5 in the preceding paragraph and a plurality of clips for engaging cladding sheets mounted on the platforms. The present invention is described further by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of 10 which: Figure 1 is a partially cross-sectional side elevation of part of one embodiment of a roofing system for a building in accordance with one embodiment of the 15 present invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of an embodiment of a clip assembly of a roof assembly of the type shown in Figure 1; 20 Figure 3 is a top plan view of the clip assembly shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is an exploded section of the part of 25 the clip assembly of the roofing system shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the cladding sheet of the roofing system shown in Figure 1; 30 Figure 6 is an end elevation of the cladding sheet shown in Figure 5; and Figure 7 is an end elevation of the central rib of the cladding sheet shown in Figures 5 and 6. 35 The roofing system for a building shown in the figures includes: 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 S/03/12 - 9 (a) a plurality of roof cladding sheets 7 (only one of which is shown in Figure 1); 5 (b) a plurality of concealed fixing clip assemblies (only one of which is shown in Figures 1 to 4) retaining the cladding sheets to roof support purlins 5; and 10 (c) a layer of fibreglass insulation material 57 (Figure 1 only) occupying part of the roof cavity defined by the cladding sheets 7 and the roof purlins 5. 15 Each concealed fixing clip assembly includes: (a) an elongate strap 71; (b) a plurality of clips 3 mounted to an upper 20 surface of the strap 71 and engaging the cladding sheets 7; and (c) spacer members in the form of high density polystyrene blocks 55 mounted to a lower 25 surface of the strap 71 and spacing the clips 3 above the purlins 5. The straps 71 are a convenient means of mounting a plurality of the clips 3 and the spacer members 55 and 30 thereafter locating the clips 3 at required spacings for engaging the cladding sheets. Each strap 71 is formed from sheet steel and includes a flat central section 77 and downwardly folded 35 sides 79. The sides 79 improve the rigidity of the strap 71. Each strap 71 includes a series of spaced apart mounting platforms 81 for the clips 3. The mounting 31948551 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12 - 10 platforms 81 are flattened sections on which the clips 3 can be mounted. The high density polystyrene block spacer members 5 55 are mounted to the lower surface of the straps 71, for example by means of adhesive or adhesive-backed tape. The spacer members 55 are positioned to be aligned with the clips 3. 10 The spacer members 55 provide support for the cladding sheets 7 against downward loads and have substantially the same insulating properties as the surrounding fibreglass insulation material. Thus, the spacer members 55 provide resistance to heat transfer 15 between the cladding sheets 7 and the interior of the building via the clips 3, the straps 71, and the purlins 5. It is noted that the sides 79 of the straps 71 extend only a relatively short distance down the height of the spacer members 55 so as to maintain a relatively long heat 20 transfer path through the insulating material. Typically, the length of the sides is no more than 30% of the height of the spacer members 55. In addition, the spacer members 55 space the 25 cladding sheets 7 above the layer of fibreglass insulation material 57 so that the roofing system further includes an air gap 59 (Figure 1 only) in the roof cavity between the cladding sheets 7 and the fibreglass insulation material, and thus further improves the resistance to heat transfer 30 provided by the roofing system. The block spacer members 55 may be any suitable shape and dimensions. Typically the spacer members 55 have a square base with a width and length that is not 35 greatly larger than that of the base of the clips 3. The roof system also includes fastening 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12 - 11 assemblies securing the clip assemblies to the purlins 5. Each fastening assembly includes a fastener in the form of a small diameter screw 51 that secures a clip 5 3 to a purlin 5. The shank of the screw 51 extends through the clip 3, and then successively through the underlying mounting platform of the strap 71 and the aligned spacer member 55, and then into the purlin 5. 10 Each fastening assembly also includes a washer 65 that is formed from a thermally insulating material, such as rubber. The washer 65 prevents direct contact between the clip 3 and the head of the screw 51. 15 In addition, the washer 65 includes a downwardly extending sleeve 69 that extends into the opening 63 in the clip 3 and separates the shank of the screw 51 from the clip 3. 20 The applicant has found in experimental work that the combination of the above-described features of the spacer members 55, the air gap 59, the small diameter screws 51, and the washers 65 formed from thermally insulating material reduces heat transfer from the 25 cladding sheets 7 to the purlins 5 and thereby to the interior of a building and vice versa. Each cladding sheet 7 is roll-formed from sheet steel and includes a leading edge 8, a trailing edge 10, a 30 central lengthwise extending rib, generally identified by the numeral 11, and pair of lengthwise extending pans 13 on opposite sides of the rib 11. The cladding sheet 7 may be of any suitable 35 length and width and may include any suitable number of ribs 11 separated by pans 3. 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12 - 12 The rib 11 of the cladding sheet 7 includes an upper clip retaining section, generally identified by the numeral 15, and two downwardly extending shoulders 17 that interconnect the upper clip retaining section 15 and the 5 pans 13. With particular reference to Figure 7, the upper clip retaining section 15 includes a flat upper section 19 that separates two sides, generally identified by the 10 numeral 21. Each side 21 includes a first section 41 that extends outwardly and downwardly from the upper section 19, a second section 43 that extends downwardly and inwardly from the lower edge of the first section 41, and a third section 45 that extends downwardly and outwardly 15 from the second section 43 and merges with the shoulder 17. The second sections 43 of each upper retaining clip section 15 define opposed re-entrant portions of the 20 rib 13 and are hereinafter referred to as "re-entrant portions 43". Each shoulder 17 includes a first part 17a that extends upwardly from the pan 13 and a second section 17b 25 that extends from the first section 17a to the clip retaining section 15. The first part 17a has a steeper slope than the second part 17b. In overall terms, the shoulders 17 are a significant component of the total size of the rib 11. 30 The leading and trailing edges 8, 10 of the cladding sheet 7 are formed as partially-completed ribs in order to facilitate interlocking of successive cladding sheets. These partially-completed ribs are hereinafter 35 referred to as "leading edge formations 8" and "trailing edge formations 10". 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12 - 13 Each clip 3 is formed by folding a flat metal blank into the configuration shown the Figures. With particular reference to Figure 4, each clip 5 3 includes: (a) a flat base 21; and (b) a pair of retaining members, generally 10 identified by the numeral 23, extending upwardly on opposite sides of the base 21, whereby the base 21 and the retaining members 23 form a generally U-shaped member. 15 Each retaining member 23 includes an upstanding main wall element 61 that terminates in an outwardly extending top flange 25. 20 Each top flange 25 includes a central upper section 27 and two opposed sections 29 that slope downwardly from the upper section 27. The downwardly sloping sections 29 terminate in 25 lower edges 31. The downwardly sloping sections 29 extend outwardly and downwardly beyond the upper sections of the main wall elements 61. The sections 29 include downwardly 30 facing shoulders 57 that connect the sections 29 to the main wall elements 61. Each clip 3 also includes an opening 63 to facilitate securing the clip 3 to a purlin 5. 35 In use, a plurality of the clip assemblies is fastened to purlins 5 at spaced intervals along the length 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12 - 14 of the purlins 5 using the screws 51 of the fastening assemblies. Batts of fibreglass insulation material are then 5 positioned on the purlins 5 and arranged to extend beneath the straps 71 to form the layer 57 of insulation material shown in Figure 1. Thereafter, cladding sheets 7 are successively 10 placed over the purlins 5 in overlapping relationship. The cladding sheets 7 are positioned so that the longitudinal direction of the ribs 11 is perpendicular to the planes of the main wall elements 61 of the clips 3. 15 The cladding sheets 7 are then progressively engaged with the clips 3 as the sheets are successively placed over the purlins 5. This is achieved by successively pressing the 20 leading edge formations 8, the ribs 11, and the trailing edge formations 10 of the sheets 7 onto the clips 3 so that the leading edge formations 8, the ribs 11, and the trailing edge formations 10 deflect outwardly and the top flanges 25 of the clips 3 deflect inwardly. 25 This movement allows the leading edge formations 8, the ribs 11, and the trailing edge formations 10 to be positioned on the clips 3 with the lower edges 31 and the shoulders 57 of the flanges 25 engaging the re-entrant 30 portions 43 of the ribs 11 so that the cladding sheets 7 are secured to the clips 3. Many modifications may be made to the preferred embodiment of the roofing system described above without 35 departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12 - 15 In the above-described preferred embodiment of the roofing system there is an air gap 59 in the roof cavity. The present invention is not limited to this arrangement and extends to arrangements in which the air 5 gap is filled with insulation material. 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12

Claims (42)

1. A roofing system for a building that includes: a plurality of roof cladding sheets in overlapping 5 relationship, each cladding sheet having at least one rib and pans; and a plurality of concealed clip assemblies that retain the cladding sheets to an underlying roof support structure, each clip assembly including: 10 (a) an elongate strap member; (b) a plurality of clips mounted to an upper surface of the strap member and engaging re-entrant portions of the ribs of one or 15 more sheets; and (d) a plurality of spacer members made of thermally insulating material mounted to a lower surface of the strap member in 20 alignment with the clips and spacing the clips above the underlying structure.

2. The roofing system defined in claim 1 further including: 25 (a) a layer of thermal insulation material, such as batts of fibreglass insulation, on the underlying structure; and 30 (b) an air gap between the layer and the cladding sheets.

3. The roofing system defined in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the strap member includes a flat central section 35 and downwardly extending sides.

4. The roofing system defined in claim 3 wherein 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12 - 17 the sides of the strap member extend a relatively short distance down the height of the spacer members.

5. The roofing system defined in claim 3 wherein 5 the sides extend no more than 30% down the height of the spacer members.

6. The roofing system defined in claim 3 wherein the sides of the strap member are substantially flush with 10 an upper surface of the spacer members.

7. The roofing system defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the spacer members are blocks of thermally insulating material. 15

8. The roofing system defined in claim 7 wherein the thermally insulating material has a density that enables the spacer members to provide support against downward loads. 20

9. The roofing system defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the height of the spacer members is at least 3 cm. 25

10. The roofing system defined in any one of the preceding claims further including a plurality of fastening assemblies that secure the clip assemblies to the underlying structure. 30

11. The roofing system defined in claim 10 wherein each fastening assembly includes a fastener, such as a screw, that has a head and a shank that extends through aligned openings in the clip, the strap member, and the spacer member of one of the clip assemblies and into the 35 underlying structure.

12. The roofing system defined in claim 11 wherein 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 S/03/12 - 18 the fastener has a small diameter shank.

13. The roofing system defined in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the clip has a base and the clip opening is in 5 the base and the fastening assembly includes a washer formed from a thermally insulating material that is positioned between the fastener head and the base of the clip. 10

14. The roofing system defined in claim 11 wherein the washer includes a downwardly depending sleeve that extends into the opening in the base of the clip and separates the fastener shank from the base.

15 15. The roofing system defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein each clip includes a pair of cladding sheet retaining members that extend upwardly from opposite sides of the base and engage the re-entrant portions of the rib or ribs of one or more cladding 20 sheets.

16. The roofing system defined in claim 15 wherein each cladding sheet retaining member includes an outwardly-turned top flange that has a central upper 25 section and two outer sections that extend downwardly from opposite ends of the upper section, whereby the outer sections of the top flanges of the retaining members contact the re-entrant portions of the rib of the cladding sheet and secure the sheet to the clip. 30

17. The roofing system defined in claim 16 wherein each cladding sheet retaining member includes a main wall element that extends upwardly from the base and terminates in the top flange. 35

18. The roofing system defined in claim 15 wherein the main wall elements extend transversely to a 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12 - 19 longitudinal direction of the rib.

19. The roofing system defined in any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein each outer section of the flanges of the 5 cladding sheet retaining members has a free edge that contacts one of the re-entrant portions of the rib and secures the cladding sheet to the clip.

20. The roofing system defined in any one of claims 10 16 to 19 wherein each outer section of the flanges of the cladding sheet retaining members extends downwardly and outwardly beyond an upper section of one of the main wall elements and the outer section includes a downwardly facing shoulder that connects the outer section to the 15 main wall element.

21. The roofing system defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein each cladding sheet includes a plurality of ribs separated by pans. 20

22. A clip assembly of a roofing system for a building, which clip assembly includes: (a) an elongate strap member having an upper 25 surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a plurality of platforms for clips for engaging cladding sheets; and (b) a plurality of spacer members made of 30 thermally insulating material mounted to the lower surface of the strap member at locations that are aligned with the clip platforms on the upper surface. 35

23. The clip assembly defined in claim 22 wherein the strap member includes a flat central section and downwardly extending sides. 31948551 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12 - 20

24. The clip assembly defined in claim 22 or claim 23 wherein the sides of the strap member extend a relatively short distance down the height of the spacer members. 5

25. The clip assembly defined in claim 22 or claim 23 wherein the sides of the strap member extend no more than 30% down the height of the spacer members. 10

26. The clip assembly defined in claim 22 or claim 23 wherein the sides of the strap member are substantially flush with an upper surface of the spacer members.

27. The clip assembly defined in any one of claims 22 15 to 26 wherein the spacer members are blocks of thermally insulating material.

28. The clip assembly defined in claim 27 wherein the thermally insulating material has a density that enables 20 the spacer numbers to provide support against downward loads.

29. The clip assembly defined in any one of the claims 22 to 28 wherein the height of the spacer members 25 is at least 3 cm.

30. A roofing system for a building that includes: a plurality of roof cladding sheets in overlapping relationship, each cladding sheet having at least one rib 30 and pans; and a plurality of concealed clip assemblies that retain the cladding sheets to an underlying roof support structure, each clip assembly including: (a) a clip that engages re-entrant portions of 35 the rib; and (b) a spacer member that spaces the clip above 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12 - 21 the underlying structure.

31. The roofing system defined in claim 30 wherein the spacer member is a block of thermally insulating 5 material.

32. The roofing system defined in claim 31 wherein the thermally insulating material has a density that enables the spacer member to provide support against 10 downward loads.

33. The roofing system defined in any one of the preceding claims 30 to 32 wherein the height of the spacer member is at least 3 cm. 15

34. The roofing system defined in any one of the claims 30 to 33 further includes a plurality of fastening assemblies that secure the clip assemblies to the underlying structure. 20

35. The roofing system defined in claim 30 wherein each fastening assembly includes a fastener, such as a screw, that has a head and a shank that extends through aligned openings in the clip, a strap member, and the 25 spacer member of one of the clip assemblies and into the underlying structure.

36. The roofing system defined in claim 35 wherein the fastener has a small diameter shank. 30

37. The roofing system defined in claim 35 or claim 36 wherein the clip has a base and the clip opening is in the base and the fastening assembly includes a washer formed from a thermally insulating material that is 35 positioned between the fastener head and the base of the clip. 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12 - 22

38. The roofing system defined in claim wherein the washer includes a downwardly depending sleeve that extends into the opening in the base of the clip and separates the fastener shank from the base. 5

39. A roofing system for a building that includes: a plurality of roof cladding sheets in overlapping relationship and a plurality of concealed clip assemblies that retain the cladding sheets to an underlying roof 10 support structure, each clip assembly including: (a) a clip that includes a base and a pair of cladding sheet retaining members that extend upwardly from opposite sides of the 15 base and engage re-entrant portions of a rib of a cladding sheet; and (b) a spacer member that spaces the clip above the underlying structure. 20

40. A clip assembly for a roofing system for a building including: (a) a clip that includes a base and a pair of 25 cladding sheet retaining members that extend upwardly from opposite sides of the base for engaging re-entrant portions of a rib of a cladding sheet; and 30 (b) a spacer member for spacing the clip above an underlying roof support structure.

41. A roofing system for a building that includes: a plurality of roof cladding sheets in overlapping 35 relationship and a plurality of concealed clip assemblies that retain the cladding sheets to an underlying roof support structure, each clip assembly including: 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12 - 23 (a) an elongate strap member; (b) a plurality of clips mounted to an upper 5 surface of the strap; each clip including a base and a pair of cladding sheet retaining members that extend upwardly from opposite sides of the base and engage re-entrant portions of a rib of a cladding sheet; and 10 (e) a spacer member made of thermally insulating material mounted to a lower surface of the strap member and spacing the clips above the underlying structure. 15

42. A clip assembly for a roofing system for a building including: (a) an elongate strap member; 20 (b) a plurality of clips mounted to an upper surface of the strap member; each clip including a base and a pair of cladding sheet retaining members that extend 25 upwardly from opposite sides of the base for engaging re-entrant portions of a rib of a cladding sheet; and (c) a spacer member made of thermally 30 insulating material mounted to a lower surface of the strap member for spacing the clips above an underlying roof support structure. 35 3194855_1 (GHMatters) P45301.AU.6 5/03/12