Balerno High School, Edinburgh

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

With damage evident across several areas, the roofs required a full replacement. The council allocated £3.3 million for the entire refurbishment, which included addressing the roofing needs.

Balerno High School's roofing project was substantial, covering 14 different roofs with varying shapes across a total surface area of 7,500m2. The school remained operational throughout the refurbishment, which presented significant challenges in terms of minimising disruption. Additionally, the project took place during the school’s exam season, necessitating strict noise control, while severe snowstorms added further complexities.

Considering the project's specific demands - especially the need for quiet installation due to ongoing school activities - a single-ply membrane system was selected as the most suitable solution.

SIKA SOLUTION

Maxi Construction, the main contractor, and Procladd, the roofing specialist, decided on the Sikaplan® SGK system, specifically the Sikaplan® SGK-15 1.5mm membrane and Sikatherm® PIR insulation boards to meet thermal and regulatory requirements. This choice offered several key advantages for the project.

Firstly, it ensured longevity with a 20-year product guarantee. The system also allows for a quick installation which was pivotal given the tight project timeline, and the option of using spray-applied adhesives meant noise could be significantly reduced. The flexibility of the system also made it an ideal choice, as it could be applied to each different roof’s shapes and details.

The Procladd team faced the challenge of replacing 14 roofs while the school was in full operation. To meet the project’s constraints, the system’s installation process was streamlined, and installations often took place over weekends to meet deadlines without disrupting students and staff.

Given that the school remained operational during the installation, extra precautions were required to ensure the safety of students and staff. This included fencing off all scaffolding to prevent unauthorised access, planning delivery vehicles outside of school hours and carefully planning in day’s tasks to avoid interference with the school’s operations.

To maintain effective communication and ensure smooth progress, weekly meetings were held with Maxi Construction, the principal contractor and Edinburgh City Council. These progress meetings allowed for close monitoring of the project and enabled quick resolution of any issues. In addition, Sika Technical Site Support Engineers made regular site visits, providing on-site technical support and ensuring compliance with specifications.

Thanks to careful planning, a collaborative approach, and the use of the versatile Sikaplan® SGK-15 system, the refurbishment of Balerno High School’s roofs was completed efficiently and to a high standard. Despite the challenges of working around an operational school, Procladd successfully replaced all 14 roofs within the project’s tight time frame, delivering a solution that will serve the school for many years to come.