Project description

Pupils at Clarksfield Infants & Junior School in Oldham can be taught on their school roof thanks to the donation of a free green roof from IKO PLC.

The green roof looks and feels like a garden lawn and has been planted on top of the school kitchen. Pupils gain access to the roof from the short stairway and the roof is surrounded with a wrought-iron fence to ensure complete safety.

This project is part of the on-going partnership between Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, IKO PLC and Fulwood Roofing Services (the main subcontractors for this contract) set up under the New Engineering Contract to improve quality while reducing projects costs and procurement timescales.

To date, over £2 million of roofing work has been carried out across the borough, resulting in significant cost savings for the council and improved facilities for the local community.

The donation of the green roof satisfies the partnership commitment to Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council to assist with educational and environmental demands within the borough. The project included a series of seven roofs at different levels and locations around the school.

This required co-ordination to minimise disruption to the school. Particular attention was given to alter details that previously had allowed water to penetrate the roof.

The existing roof coverings were removed down to the concrete decking, which was primed with bituminous primer. The specification included 90mm thick IKO enertherm PIR, IKO Superflex Blue/Grey, IKO Permatorch Anti-Root slate Cap Sheet and IKO Plasfeed 5+1, Filter Fleece, Extensive Growing Substrate and Sedum Blanket.

IKO has a proven track record with Fulwood Roofing Services and understands the corporate objectives of Oldham Metropolitan Council. The company was able to begin planning and design work at a very early stage to spread the workload more evenly and to ensure true value for money was achieved.

The school takes the environment very seriously within its education programme and enjoyed a seminar given by IKO on roof gardens.