Airedale Academy in Castleford recently underwent significant refurbishment to repair its failing flat roofs, which had surpassed their natural life expectancy and were experiencing water ingress. Prior to the work commencing on site, flat roof manufacturer Bauder helped the academy successfully secure £1.5 million of funding for the required works by assisting them with all stages of the application process.

The specification

All of the original waterproofing on the school’s campus was removed and replaced with over 7,800m2 of Bauder's reinforced bitumen system, Bauder Total Roof System, by approved contractor FRS Roofing Services. 20 rooflights were also expertly fitted to give essential daylight to the building’s interior. 

Products applied

BauderPIR FA G16 Tapered
A thermally efficient insulation scheme can offer an alternative, cost-effective method of providing falls to a flat roof, instead of incorporating them into the structure. 

Bauder Rooflights
An effective technical lighting scheme, particularly in conjunction with efficiently controlled artificial lighting, to produce specified illumination levels

Project challenges

A challenging element of this installation was the number of intricate detailing requirements, with the roof possessing over 20 separate roof areas, calling for exceptional levels of workmanship from FRS. There were also some health and safety implications, with asbestos having been found within the building structure. Consequently, specialists were called in to ensure safe removal and some roof areas were overlaid to minimise the possibility of any asbestos debris being dislodged and therefore contaminating the rooms and corridors below. 

The academy remained open and fully operational throughout the works, which caused logistical challenges, however, all deliveries were timed so as not to conflict with vehicles moving in and out of the facility and the team worked closely with the client to agree on working hours to reduce disruption to the students and staff.

Bauder Total Roof System (BTRS)

Advocacy

Mike Leake, Vice Principal at Airedale Academy:

"The expert support we received from Bauder was crucial in helping us secure the necessary funding and the final outcome of the roof refurbishment is outstanding. We are already starting to notice the benefits, including cost savings as a result of the insulation upgrades, and our long guarantee gives us total confidence about the future performance of our roofs.”