•  BirminghamArena Academy
  • Roof Refurbishment – Single Ply Membrane

Project Overview: Arena Academy required a comprehensive roofing solution to bring their ageing roof up to current building regulations while maintaining minimal disruption to the school’s daily activities. The project focused on the installation of a single ply insulated roofing system designed to meet modern energy efficiency standards, enhance the building’s insulation, and improve its overall environmental footprint.

Scope of Work

The scope of work included the following key phases:

  1. Overlay of Existing Metal Deck:
    • Instead of completely removing the old roof, our team performed an overlay onto the existing metal deck. This method allowed us to save time and reduce the amount of disruption to the school while still ensuring a robust, insulated roof system. We carefully prepared the existing metal deck, ensuring that it was structurally sound and fully prepped to accommodate the new Single Ply system.
  2. Installation of Insulated Single Ply Roof System:
    • We installed a high-performance insulated Single Ply roof system, chosen for its durability, thermal efficiency, and water resistance. The system provides a lightweight, flexible solution that effectively manages both heat and water penetration.
    • The new roof not only improved the building’s energy efficiency but also provided long-term sustainability and lower maintenance costs.
  3. Seamless Integration with Existing Infrastructure:
    • During the installation, we ensured that the new roof integrated smoothly with the building’s existing infrastructure. This included coordinating with other contractors and the school’s maintenance team to ensure the new roof met all functional and aesthetic requirements of the academy.
  4. Working During Operational Hours:
    • One of the key challenges was the need to complete the roof installation during live working hours, as the school remained operational throughout the year. We employed careful planning and scheduling to ensure that the work did not disrupt the school’s daily operations, keeping noise and disturbance to a minimum.
    • We took specific precautions, such as working in stages and utilizing safe access routes to ensure that students and staff were not inconvenienced by the construction process.

Challenges and Solutions

The most significant challenge of this project was completing the installation during the school’s active operating hours, which required us to carefully manage both the logistical and safety aspects of the project.

To address these challenges, we implemented the following solutions:

  • Staggered Work Phases:We carefully staged the work so that different sections of the roof were completed at different times, reducing the impact on the school’s daily activities.
  • Safety Protocols:We adhered to strict safety protocols, including ensuring that secure barriers and access points were maintained to protect students and staff from any potential hazards. Work areas were clearly marked, and safety signage was displayed at all times.
  • Communication and Coordination:We maintained regular communication with Arena Academy’s administration to ensure they were fully informed about the work schedule and any potential disruptions. Our team also worked closely with the school to accommodate any special requirements, such as adjusting work hours during key exam periods or events.

Outcome

The project was completed successfully, with the new insulated Single Ply roof system providing Arena Academy with a durable, energy-efficient roofing solution. The high-performance roof is now contributing to improved thermal insulation, reducing energy costs and improving comfort for students and staff within the building.

Despite the challenges of working in a live school environment, the installation was completed on time, with minimal disruption to the school’s daily operations. The careful planning and coordination with Arena Academy ensured that the project progressed smoothly and was completed to the highest standards.

 

Conclusion

Rio’s experience in managing live projects within active environments allowed us to deliver this roofing installation successfully, ensuring that Arena Academy received a high-quality, long-lasting roof without significant disruption to their operations. The new insulated Single Ply roof system not only meets the academy’s immediate needs but also provides enhanced energy efficiency and reduced long-term maintenance.

We are proud to have partnered with Arena Academy on this project and are confident that the new roof will serve the academy well for many years to come.