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Roof-Pro’s free standing support system has been used to
support the rooftop services at the University of Reading’s
new state of the art Film, Theatre and TV Department. The
system has enabled roof-mounted services to be installed on
the building without penetrating the roof build-up with
upstands or steelwork – facilitating quick and simple
installation of the waterproofing without difficult roof
detailing. |
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Designed by Stride Treglown Architects of Bristol, the £11
million Film, Theatre and TV centre is known as the
Minghella Building, in honour of the award-winning
playwright, screenwriter and director Anthony Minghella.
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Consulting Engineers, DSSR,
specified the system to support six roof-mounted air
handling units (AHU) and a chiller, each weighing
1,500-3,300kg. The double-stacked AHUs also required high
level access platforms to enable the site services team to
reach the upper fan sections for on-going maintenance.
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Roof-Pro’s solution included the
design of pipe and cable-tray supports with a high-level
‘pipe corridor’ running the length of the main AHU plant
area, giving unimpeded access to the tight plant area for
maintenance teams. |
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The support’s inherent building
clearance allows for any immediate roofing repairs (or
longer term maintenance access) under the services, while
avoiding any unnecessary penetrations to the single-ply
membrane by the project team during installation. Building
services contractor LJJ Ltd of High Wycombe, also found a
key benefit in that the system allowed the main roof to be
water-proofed well ahead of the final M&E design, speeding
up the main build schedule and allowing for any late design
changes in the services. The free-standing supports also
aided repairs to the single-ply membrane that were required
near the completion of the project. |
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At all stages, Roof-Pro’s
technical team worked with the designers and installation
team, providing on-site support to overcome the challenges
of the project. For instance, the concrete deck had a
maximum global loading of 3kN/m2 which needed to be
incorporated into the support design and load management
calculations at the design stage. Roof-Pro provided CAD
drawings, base loads and global loadings to the project
design team and structural engineer for approval. The
designs incorporated appropriately sized steels to support
the AHU sectional breaks and weights, to provide a
professional and stable support frame. |
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In addition, Roof-Pro’s
Technical Surveyor surveyed the plant area and requirements
for the AHU access platforms once all the main services had
been installed. |
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The consulting engineer, Clive
Owen, of DSSR commented: “We looked at a number of systems
but were keen to specify Roof-Pro in this instance. Having
worked with Roof-Pro successfully on other projects, we have
found their systems present several advantages.” |
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“One of the Roof-Pro system’s
major benefits is that it does not interfere with the
waterproofing. The platforms allowed for simple adjustment
to the level and alignment of the roof falls on the
building. The secondary extension legs also gave the
clearance required for re-roofing on part of the building to
be carried out.” |
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Roof-Pro are the leading UK
provider of non-penetrative, free-standing supports for
building services and access platforms on flat roofs.
Providing a complete design service for consultants,
contractors and building owners, Roof-Pro have 15 years’
experience of supporting services and provide a 20 year
warranty for all of their support systems with their 3.Point
Certification. |
