Jul10
Alumasc BluRoof Stormwater Management System used at University of Bristol
Posted by david.luukas
Alumasc’s pioneering BluRoof Stormwater Management waterproofing system has been used at the new University of Bristol Lecture Theatre.
This marks the first ever BluRoof installation in the UK.
As part of the 400 m2 project, the innovative BluRoof Stormwater Management system was installed by Alumasc’s Registered Contractor M&J Roofing of Bedford, along with a Blackdown fully bio-diverse green roof system also from Alumasc.
The main challenge was to achieve water attenuation despite the constraints placed on the project by planners, as architect, Tim Healy, of Fielden Clegg Bradley Studios, explains:
“It was a planning stipulation that there should be no increase in the amount of excess water that was discharged into the existing drain infrastructure, but due to the site’s location in a conservation area, planners were also adamant that there be no visible ventilation equipment or tanks used on the build. Additionally, Priory Road is subject to very high bedrock which would have meant very expensive excavation to provide hidden water attenuation.”
Speaking about the installation, M&J’s Steve Roche, said:
“This was the first ever installation of Alumasc BluRoof in the UK and we were pleased to have been involved with this revolutionary project. The fitting of both the waterproofing and the green roof element went very smoothly, and we were provided with first class technical support from Alumasc through every step of the project.”
Alumasc’s BluRoof is a new concept in water management, offering the combined expertise of Alumasc Roofing Systems and Harmer Engineered Drainage Systems.
The system uses flat roofing spaces to capture storm water, releasing it at a controlled rate into the drainage network via a flow-restricting device or further attenuation structures – in this case, the bio-diverse green roof.
The combination of Alumasc’s BluRoof and Blackdown Green Roof systems used at Priory Road meant that the retention of storm water in the green roof’s build-up – i.e. the plants, substrate and drainage/reservoir layer – complemented the detention of storm water by the BluRoof, thus providing valuable additional drainage capacity.
The finished roofing system at the Theatre provides a fully warranted, cost effective and visually attractive water attenuation solution, preventing the need for underground attenuation tanks within a highly built up urban section of Bristol City Centre.
For further information or if you would like to discuss our flat roof systems call Alumasc Roofing Systems on +44 (0) 3335 771 500 or email: info@alumasc-exteriors.co.uk
Image Source: Madeleine.McEwan for Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios