Alumasc provided a comprehensive package of high performance roofing products to the Downe Hospital in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland.

Designed by the URS / Scott Wilson Group, Downe Hospital is a £64million state-of-the-art healthcare facility, delivered by the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust to provide a wide range of healing services to the local community.

Hydrotech MM6125 Structural Waterproofing and Derbigum Single Layer membrane were specified by the designers who had a good relationship with Alumasc’s Technical Team, following the successful use of their roofing products on a number of previous projects in Northern Ireland. The package provided a complete waterproofing solution supported by Alumasc’s unrivalled technical expertise and warranties.

13,000m² of Hydrotech MM6125 was installed by approved contractor Grainger Building Services, across various areas of the roof requiring a structural waterproofing solution. Lightweight, tough and flexible, BBA Accredited Hydrotech is ideal for protected roofs, plaza decks, green roofs, water features and access roadways. The system offers a unique formulation combined with reinforcement to guarantee lifetime performance.

9000m² of Derbigum Mineral in a light grey finish was installed on the flat roof areas. Derbigum is BBA Accredited and manufactured under ISO9000 & 14001 Quality and Environmental Management Standards. The system is available in a choice of finishes and colours including the fine mineral chippings specified for the hospital. Its many benefits include flexibility, excellent fire ratings, stronger reinforcement and suitability for all methods of application.

2000m of Alumasc’s Aluminium Skyline Copings have also provided an economical and easily installed finish to the parapets on all the flat roof areas.

For more information on Alumasc’s range of Structural Waterproofing systems, click here

Hydrotech MM6125 Structural Waterproofing from Alumasc has been used on the Titanic Belfast Building – the world’s largest Titanic visitor attraction.

Specified in favour of four competing systems, Hydrotech offered an innovative and practical waterproofing solution for the intricately shaped podium roof on Titanic Belfast, created by Civic Arts/Eric R. Kuhne & Associates and Todd Architects. The distinctive design of the building and surrounding podium roof, situated above an underground car park, presented a number of challenges to Alumasc and their Approved Installer Grainger Roofing which demanded a unique configuration of waterproofing system and expansion joint.

At specification stage, Alumasc demonstrated to the construction and design team how the waterproofing and expansion joint would work together to accommodate the changes of direction and elevation presented by the podium expansion gap.

Hydrotech is the ideal solution for podiums and highly detailed waterproofing schemes such as Titanic Belfast. The high performance bituminous rubber blend allows fast and simple installation at low temperatures, even over complex roof details. The robust system enables details such as up stands to be completed first allowing other trades to proceed. Highly site trafficked areas can be left until last to avoid the need for protection or the possibility of damage.

Opening in March 2012, the 14,000m2 Titanic Belfast building tells the story of RMS Titanic, and houses Northern Ireland’s largest dedicated banqueting facility. The project, built by Harcourt Construction (NI) Ltd, is jointly funded by the Northern Ireland Executive, Belfast City Council, Belfast Harbour and Titanic Quarter Ltd.

For further details on Hydrotech MM6125 please click here.

Hydrotech MM6125 Structural Waterproofing from Alumasc has been chosen for Aberdeen’s latest commercial landmark.

Designed by Richard Murphy Architects, the new Park Inn and adjoining iQ office complex is a £75million mixed-use development, situated on the south side of Justice Mill Lane.  The complex has received both the “Best Commercial Building Award” and the “Commendation for a Hotel Leisure Building” from the Aberdeen Association of Architects.

Alumasc’s approved installer BriggsAmasco installed a total of 5000m² of Hydrotech MM6125 which was specified by Richard Murphy Architects for the building’s impressive multi-level terraced roof.  On the iQ building, Hydrotech was installed to protect the exposed areas between the glazing units on the stunning 4 storey panoramic atrium.

For more information on Hydrotech, click here

Alumasc’s Derbigum Waterproofing system has played a key role in vital refurbishment work carried out on a prestigious London residential scheme.

Boss House is an upmarket warehouse conversion situated in the Shad Thames District of London. The existing 14-year-old roof urgently needed a complete upgrade, requiring Alumasc to work closely with Lamberts Chartered Surveyors to provide an innovative solution which would avoid the displacement of residents for the duration of the works. Whilst conventional approaches such as temporary roofing would have been prohibitively expensive and highly inconvenient for residents, Alumasc rose to the challenge, providing a competitively priced solution enabling everyone to remain in the building throughout.

The proposal involved attaching a new plywood base to the existing standing seam roof using timber packers fixed into the metal structural purlins. Working with the installer Tower Asphalt Ltd, Alumasc carried out tests on the roof to ascertain the correct fixings and to confirm that it would be possible to carry out work with residents still inside the premises. Tower Asphalt installed 1600m² of 4mm Derbigum Mineral Charcoal, and throughout the project Alumasc liaised closely with the building surveyor, to ensure a smooth operation resulting in work being completed ahead of schedule.

Designed for situations requiring high performance and time efficiency, Derbigum Waterproofing was the ideal solution for Boss House, applying the proven durability of Derbigum with speed and ease of installation. Options are available for completely flame-free, high speed spray installation (in excess of 1000sq.m per day) which is BBA approved and fully warranted. The system is suitable for use on warm roofs with metal, concrete or plywood decks, both for re-roofing or new build applications.

For more information on Derbigum, click here

Alumasc has provided a stunning ZinCo green roof for Coworth Park Hotel Spa, the ‘ground breaking’ new eco-luxury spa opened by the Dorchester Collection.

The luxurious spa is situated in Ascot on the borders of Windsor Great Park, buried within the natural contours of the landscape. The building is camouflaged by the ZinCo green roof which is also being used to cultivate thyme, lavender, chamomile and other fragrant herbs for use in natural treatments at the Spa. The pioneering design by architects, Purcell Miller Tritton, has kept the building’s volume and footprint to a minimum whilst intimately relating the spa to its sensitive green belt setting.

Throughout the design and installation, Alumasc liaised closely with Purcell Miller Tritton to find the optimum solution for the unique semi circular design of the Spa’s pitched curved roof.  A total of 700m² of extensive and semi-intensive green roof systems were installed by M&J Flat Roofing over a Derbigum Warm Roof waterproofing system, also from Alumasc.

Click here for further details of Alumasc’s green roofs

Ckick here for further details of Alumasc’s Derbigum Waterproofing Systems

Alumasc have donated  their Firestone RubberGard® EPDM single ply roofing system to Balsall Heath Church Centre in Birmingham as part of a unique refurbishment project.

The Church’s new roof represents the UK’s very first use of  an innovative Photovoltaic System from Advanced Green Technologies (AGT) with Firestone RubberGard® EPDM.

Rubbergard® provides outstanding performance at extremes of both hot and cold temperatures, making it AGT’s system of choice for use with AGT Flexlight solar panels.

Installation of the roof was carried out by Close Building Services of Doncaster and Birmingham, a Firestone Approved Installer who worked closely alongside Jericho Construction for the duration of the project.

Reverend Catherine Grylls of Balsall Heath Church Centre comments, “We are delighted with all the help given to allow this project to go forward. The Centre hopes to be a beacon of environmental sustainability. We will earn useful income for supplying clean electricity which will help to fund our work with local elders and we are delighted that this project will also benefit local unemployed young people through our partnership with the Jericho Foundation. For us as Christians it is vital that we try to live well with creation, locally and globally, and so environmental sustainability and addressing inequality are key issues for us.”

For more information on Firestone RubberGard® EPDM from Alumasc, click here.

Download the brochure here.

Green roofs have been increasingly heralded as solutions to many of the challenges that face the UK’s built environment in today’s climate. Recent urban regeneration has led to increased population densities in the UK’s major towns and cities and the associated reduction in soft landscaped areas has created design issues that require sustainable solutions.

Green roofs can counter many of these threats, however, a lack of credible independent reference literature that is specific to the design and installation of green roofs in the UK, has surely restricted the number of installations across the country.

Alumasc has been heavily involved, with a number of fellow contributors, in the development of the GRO Green Roof Code of Best Practise for the UK 2011.

The Green Roof Organisation (GRO) as a body is facilitated by the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC). The code is a clear concise guide that aims to:

1. Provide specifiers and installers with the requisite understanding of the key issues that affect the design, installation and maintenance of high quality, flourishing green roofs for the long-term;

2. Highlight the implications of different green roof specifications;

3. Standardise and clarify the terminology used to describe green roof issues and components through the publication of definitions for key terms;

4. Enable specifiers to comparatively assess the different manufacturers’ systems through the provision of guidance as to the function and relevant performance characteristics of each component within the build-up;

5. Guarantee a minimum quality standard for systems that comply with the requirements of the Code;

6. Promote the benefits of green roofs and highlight how different green roof build-ups can be tailored to prioritise specific objectives;

7. Highlight important health and safety issues that must be observed at the early design stages of a project;

8. Encourage green roof installers to undergo specialist, structured training courses to gain the expertise that will underpin greater numbers of quality green roof installations;

9. Provide for the long-term success of green roof installations by encouraging entry into maintenance contracts with the installing contractor;

10. Provide a foundation upon which further iterative developments can, in time, be based; leading to green roof guidelines that are as comprehensive as any available, including the publication of standard procedures for the characterisation of components and of required performance levels, so as to underpin the continuous improvement of green roofs in the UK.

For more information on Alumasc’s ZinCo green roof systems,click here

Roof detail at Petchey Academy

With environmental considerations being more commonly incorporated into design specifications for contemporary roofing, our Technical Development Manager Chris Lister explains the increase in the use of our Hydrotech MM6125 Structural Waterproofing system in the Newbuild sector:

Chris comments, “The onus is on modern roofs to provide more than just traditional protection from rainwater. In addition to accommodating familiar performance features such as plant rooms and air conditioning systems, the introduction of green roofs and photovoltaics is now presenting the need for more specialist detail.

“Hot melt systems such as Hydrotech, provide a seamless waterproofing membrane ideal for green roofs and podiums and for highly detailed waterproofing or water feature schemes. The system moulds itself around intricate detailing on high performance roofs and is also the first choice for zero falls waterproofing on inverted green roofs and hard landscaped podium structures in new build applications.

“Due to the recent economic situation, contractors are also increasingly conscious of project deadlines and budgets. Hot melt systems allow fast and simple installation over complex roof details, which in many cases can assist in the timely completion of projects and the avoidance of contractual penalties. For example, Hydrotech was recently chosen to provide a fastrack waterproofing and inverted roofing system to the 2600m² roof at the new Petchey Academy in Hackney. Separate plant areas and a 400m² terrace were completed early, together with 1300mm high waterproofed and insulated perimeter upstands, enabling the efficient installation of associated glazing and cladding to ensure that tight contractor deadlines were met successfully.”

For more information on Hydrotech, click here

Firestone UltraPly TPO™ from Alumasc has been used on a new 800-place secondary school building in Melton Mowbray which has achieved a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’ and an EPC ‘B’ rating.

The John Ferneley College is undergoing a two-phase re-development by the Willmott Dixon Group, the first phase of which boasts an impressive new college building and landscape designed by architects and sustainability consultancy White Design Associates Ltd. The project showcases a number of sustainable features and construction techniques which have contributed to its impressive green credentials.

The Firestone UltraPly TPO waterproofing system was specified for the college roof due to its ease of installation, heat reflective and energy efficient properties. Its light coloured surface reflects sunlight before it can be absorbed and converted into heat energy, thus improving the energy efficiency of the building. The membrane can also be easily recycled, making it the perfect solution for environmentally sensitive applications.

Approved Contractor BriggsAmasco, installed 2500m² of UltraPly TPO Fully Adhered System in Light Grey. The hot-air welded seaming process results in fast, economical installation, which can be carried out all year-round in a variety of weather conditions. The application of UltraPly TPO was part of an ‘enviro-ready’ roof design, enabling the addition of sustainable features such as green roofing and photovoltaics at a later date.

Firestone UltraPly TPO combines aesthetics and outstanding seam strength with strong resistance to ultraviolet radiation and weathering. It contains no plasticizers and no halogen flame retardants resulting in outstanding resistance to UV radiation and ozone. The membrane also exhibits strong resistance to algae and fungi growth and common rooftop chemicals.

For more information on Firestone UltraPly TPO from Alumasc, download the brochure here.

A ZinCo green roof from Alumasc has been chosen for Westfield London – Europe’s largest urban shopping centre.

The excellent track record of the ZinCo systems and Derbigum Rapido waterproofing from Alumasc, made them the natural choice for this prestigious project, meeting the need for a lightweight and commercially competitive waterproofing solution.

Spanning over 149,000m2, Westfield London is a £1.7 billion development featuring an impressive mix of retail, leisure and restaurant space in West London. Westfield worked with international architects Benoy and The Buchan Group, to design and deliver the innovative curved undulating glass roof above the shopping centre, which earned the project a position as finalist in the LABC National Building Excellence Awards.  The award organisers described the roof as “part of a sustainable design that has paved the way for 21st century retail design in the UK.”

Landscape Contract Designs (LCD) of North Yorkshire installed 15,600m² of extensive and bio-diverse green roof onto the structural metal deck roof. The system features sedum plug plants which will flourish over time, offering notable ecological benefits, providing a natural habitat for plants and wildlife, whilst also helping to reduce air and noise pollution, cutting carbon emissions and assisting with rainwater retention and attenuation.

ZinCo green roofs vary from the extensive and biodiverse types used at Westfield – which require minimal irrigation and maintenance – to intensive roofs, which are suited for areas of public and recreational use and require more tending.

Derbigum Rapido waterproofing, also from Alumasc, was installed by leading building envelope contractor Prater Ltd of Surrey, for the warm roof build up.  This high performance single layer membrane gives exceptional long-term performance and durability, warranted for 25 years. Derbigum is BBA Approved and manufactured under the ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management Standards. Furthermore, Derbigum is fire rated F.AA to BS476 Pt3 (EN1187 Pt4), the highest available rating, which allows unrestricted use under Building Regulations.

Throughout the project, Alumasc worked closely with the contractors to ensure that products were supplied to suit available crane time-slots, contributing to the successful completion of the project within deadline and budget.

For more information on ZinCo Green Roof systems, click here

For more information on Derbigum Single Layer Waterproofing, click here