Alton Park – Roofing and concrete repairs

Key Facts:

Client Name: Alton Park Junior School (Premier Learning Trust MAT)
Location: Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
Type of client: Primary Academy
Services provided by M+C: Building Surveying | Planning Services | Procurement | Funding |Project Management
Value: £669,769
Contractor: Acclaim Contracts Ltd

School Context

Alton Park Junior School is a large four form entry Junior School based in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. The school buildings date from the 1960’s and are now showing signs of wear and degradation. They are looking to address this through a program of works to bring the buildings up to modern standards.

Background and issues

The school contacts M+C and our team of building surveyors in order to carry out a condition survey on their flat roofs. This inspection brought a number of concerns to light.

Firstly, the roof coverings were long past their intended life cycle. Because of this, the roof surface suffered from delamination, blistering and cracking; thus allowing water ingress into the building. Faulty flashing upstands and broken plastic roof lights further compounded this problem.

Secondly, and more alarmingly, the structural concrete roof deck was failing. The risk of a roof failure was significant, risking the health and safety of building inhabitants. Furthermore, the soffits and fascias were, in places, cracking, with chunks of concrete dropping to the ground below.

The failing roof deck was increasing the structural load on the uppermost windows of the building. Not only were these Crittall windows at risk of breakage, they were also generally in poor condition and therefore required immediate replacement.

Solution

M+C and their building surveyors proposed a program of works to address these issues. The recommendation was to repair or replace the concrete roof deck, soffits and fascias, and then to fit a new felt roof covering with associated replacement roof lights, insulation and trim. Finally, it was recommended to undertake the replacement of the uppermost windows. The structural integrity of these windows was poor, having been under an increased load due to the failing roof deck above. Not only that, but it would be difficult to carry out the works to the roof without breaking them.

Like many schools, Alton Park have been suffering from budget cuts in recent times. They therefore found, following the report of the building surveyors, that they were unable to meet the cost of the works so desperately needed from school reserves. They took the decision to apply for CIF funding and requested that M+C support them through the application process. As well as the condition survey already completed, M+C helped the school to gather other evidence they needed to justify the proposed works. Furthermore, he completed a full tender process in order to demonstrate cost certainty as part of the bid process. Acclaim Contracts Ltd submitted the most competitive price, and the school provisionally selected them to carry out the works, pending a successful funding application.

Delivery

With the required funds secured, the school instructed Acclaim Contracts Ltd to start work. Due to the restrictions imposed by the working school day and the intrusive nature of the job, it was necessary to complete as much as possible over the summer break. Because of this relatively tight time frame, a roof covering was specified which was not weather dependent to install. M+C managed the works from start to finish, working closely with Acclaim to deliver a problem free project. As a result, the school’s students and staff commenced the school year under a water tight and safe roof structure.