• William Murdoch Primary School – Birmingham 

  • Roof Refurbishment – BMI New BUR System

Rio were tasked with re-roofing William Murdoch Primary School in Birmingham as part of a comprehensive roofing upgrade. The project involved replacing the existing roof with a high-performance flat felt system, which was also upgraded with additional thermal insulation to improve the building’s energy efficiency. The project took place during school hours, making it critical to ensure minimal disruption to the school’s daily activities, maintain safe site access, and adhere to the highest standards of safety throughout the project.

Scope of Work

The key elements of the re-roofing project included the following:

  1. Roof Replacement with Flat Felt System:
    • The existing roof was removed and replaced with a new flat felt roofing system, chosen for its durability, weather resistance, and ease of maintenance.
    • The flat felt system was designed to withstand the environmental conditions typical of Birmingham, offering a reliable and long-lasting solution for the school’s roof.
  2. Thermal Insulation Upgrade:
    • To enhance the building’s energy efficiency, a thermal upgrade was incorporated into the new roofing system. This was achieved by installing high-performance insulation materials, which help to regulate indoor temperatures and reduce energy costs, providing a more comfortable learning environment for students and staff.
  3. Safety and Access Management:
    • The project was carried out during the school term, with students and staff present on-site throughout the duration of the works. This required careful planning to ensure that all safety protocols were followed and that school operations were not impeded.
    • Temporary barriers and safety signage were used to protect the school community from any potential hazards, and access to the school was maintained without disruption.
  4. Coordinating with School Operations:
    • Our team worked closely with the school’s administration to ensure that all work was carried out outside of the most sensitive areas, such as classrooms, assembly halls, and playgrounds, to minimize disruption.
    • The project was carefully staged so that different sections of the roof could be completed without exposing the entire roof area at once, ensuring the building remained watertight throughout the work.

Challenges and Solutions

Several challenges were encountered throughout the re-roofing project, most notably the need to complete the work during school hours without disrupting the school’s daily operations. Below are the challenges and how they were managed:

  1. Minimizing Disruption to School Activities:
    • Solution: Work was scheduled in phases and coordinated with the school to avoid any disruptions to important school functions. Noise and dust were kept to a minimum by using the right tools and machinery, and sensitive areas were worked on outside of school hours when necessary.
  2. Maintaining Safety on a Live Site:
    • Solution: A strict safety protocol was followed at all times. We established secure barriers around the work areas to ensure that children and staff were kept a safe distance from construction activities. Our team wore the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and safety briefings were conducted regularly to reinforce best practices.
  3. Access Management:
    • Solution: To ensure the safety of students, staff, and contractors, clear access routes were maintained throughout the site. Any scaffolding or temporary structures were securely positioned to avoid obstructing access to the school buildings. Work zones were carefully managed to ensure that routes for emergency services were not blocked, and access to the main school building remained unaffected.
  4. Weather and Unforeseen Delays:
    • Solution: The roofing work was subject to weather conditions, which could affect the progress. To mitigate any delays, we used weather-resistant materials and planned work around forecasted weather to keep the project on schedule. Our team was flexible and adapted quickly to any challenges, ensuring that the school remained operational and the roof remained protected from the elements.

Outcome

The re-roofing project at William Murdoch Primary School was completed successfully, with a new, high-quality flat felt roofing system and an upgraded thermal insulation layer that will enhance the building’s energy efficiency for years to come. The work was completed on time, with no disruptions to the school’s operations, and the building remained dry and secure throughout the entire process.

The thermal upgrade has also resulted in a more comfortable indoor environment for students and staff, helping to reduce energy consumption and improve overall building performance.

Most importantly, the project was completed with no health and safety incidents, showcasing Rio’s commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards while working in a live educational environment.