Great Western hospital, Swindon - IKO Permatec system
Project Overview
IKO, in partnership with Central Roofing South Wales Ltd, delivered critical healthcare roofing solutions for the new Emergency Treatment Centre at Great Western Hospital in Swindon. Completed in just over three months, this time-sensitive project was designed to address the surge in patient capacity following the COVID-19 pandemic, with daily patient intake almost doubling from 90 to 170 patients.
The 1,100m² roofing installation formed part of a wider development by main contractor Vinci Construction Ltd and architect Gilling Dod Architects. The centre’s rapid completion allowed it to open and immediately start alleviating waiting times and pressure on the main Great Western Hospital area during an unprecedented period of demand.
Challenges
The project presented unique logistical and operational challenges due to the live hospital environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. With patient numbers at record levels, the facility was under immense pressure with minimal room for disruption to critical healthcare services.
Access proved particularly challenging, with extremely limited space for crane operations and material storage. The busy Great Western Hospital environment required careful coordination to ensure continuous operation of essential services while maintaining strict health and safety protocols for the workforce and building occupants.
Weather conditions and the time-critical nature of the project added further complexity, demanding flexible scheduling and rapid response to changing site conditions. Elements of the installation included complex detailing around the plant area on top of the building, requiring specialist technical expertise to navigate tricky waterproofing challenges.
Solution
IKO Permatec was selected as the primary waterproofing solution for its proven durability and comprehensive 25-year guarantee. The system’s robust performance characteristics made it ideal for this critical healthcare application where long-term reliability was essential.
For areas requiring complex detailing, a fast-curing cold applied liquid system was deployed to provide seamless waterproof finishes around restricted areas and intricate roof features. This dual-system approach ensured complete coverage while accommodating the varying technical demands across the roof area.
IKO arranged smaller, phased deliveries to overcome the limited site access, ensuring materials arrived precisely when needed without overwhelming the constrained workspace.
With all products manufactured in the UK, production and delivery times could be scheduled to match the installation programme. This logistics coordination gave the installation team maximum room to work while maintaining project momentum.
Solution continued
The installation benefited from IKO’s comprehensive technical support, including expert advice from field engineers. Any obstacles were overcome quickly and effectively through close collaboration with the roofing contractor, keeping the project on track for its critical deadline.
The thermal performance was achieved using 270mm thick IKO enertherm XPS Inverted Insulation, delivering the required U-value of 0.12W/m²K with 56mm thick IKO enertherm Upstand Boards.
This specification ensured the new centre met current energy efficiency standards while supporting Great Western Hospital’s operational needs.
Regular site inspections maintained quality control from start to finish, ensuring installation standards were upheld despite a live hospital environment and a compressed programme. The result is a durable, high-performance roofing system that safeguards the Emergency Treatment Centre for years to come.
Project name and location:
Great Western Hospital Emergency Treatment Centre (Swindon)
Main IKO system:
1,100m² IKO Permatec waterproofing system
Project sector:
Healthcare
Contractor: