Case Studies

 

PUR/PIR HELPS TO BRING ANCIENT AND MODERN TOGETHER AT WHITBY ABBEY

High performance CFC/HCFC-free rigid PUR/PIR wall insulation has been used in a £2.8 million project that has successfully blended the old and new at Whitby Abbey in North Yorkshire. A stunning new visitor centre has been built adjacent to the world famous ancient monument by combining the original shell of a nearby derelict 17th century manor house with 21st century materials such as timber, steel and glass. The architects Stanton Williams, commissioned by English Heritage, were faced with a challenge potentially more frightening than Bram Stoker's Dracula story, which was partly set in the picturesque North Yorkshire fishing port of Whitby.

The project involved complex support and underpinning operations to the existing structure that had to take account of strict archaeological and conservation requirements. To achieve this, a steel framed 'cage' was constructed within the shell so that the new build sections of the two level structure contrasted perfectly with the exposed brick and stone of the old house.

PUR/PIR wall insulation was chosen for the partly demolished southern side of the structure from where a curtain of glass and cedar is hung, providing a rich mix of stone, timber and metal which brings old and new together.

The main contractors William Birch & Sons installed 35 mm of PUR/PIR steel frame sheathing insulation boards in the extremely limited cavity space between the metal framework and exterior cladding.

The insulation product, which was developed specifically for timber and steel framing systems, was specified by Alan Stanton, of Stanton Williams, who was responsible for the design of the project. He said: "The PUR/PIR insulation proved to be the ideal option in a situation where space was at a premium. The insulation boards provided minimal thickness while offering a superior level of thermal efficiency."

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A total of 90,000 square metres of PUR/PIR insulation boards were installed by Hathaway Roofing onto the vapour barrier, over a 0.7mm steel liner deck, then the insulation was covered by a mechanically fastened Sarnafil single ply membrane. Steve Price, of Hathaway Roofing, said: "The client's original preference was rock wool roofing insulation. However, we were able to demonstrate that the PUR/PIR product provided a best value solution thanks to its lightweight properties and ease of installation, while meeting superior standards of fire safety."

 

 

High performance tapered PUR/PIR flat roof insulation has provided a smooth finishing touch to an award winning project that has redeveloped the BP site at Sunbury-on-Thames.

The site has been transformed into a major Business and Technology Park to meet the future needs of BP and provide modern and flexible office and laboratory space.

Because the Sarnafil mechanically fixed flat roofing systems of all the new units are visible from taller surrounding buildings, the architects were anxious that the roof surface should display a perfectly smooth finish.

This aesthetically pleasing effect was achieved by the use of PUR/PIR insulation which was chosen in order to avoid the "wrinkles" which can be caused by the method of screeding over a concrete deck.

In excess of 10,000 square metres of PUR/PIR were installed throughout both phases of the project. for which Construction Manager Schal won the Major Project of the Year in the Quality In Construction Awards 2002.  Phase One involved the development of almost 17,000 square metres of office space in three buildings, in addition to a technology building and other facilities.

The second phase comprises four three-storey office buildings, three of which are linked by an amenity facility, together with extensive car parking, major water features and external landscaping.  This phase also involved the demolition of several of the old buildings as the new facilities came on stream.

Brian Hollis, of Briggs Roofing and Cladding who installed the roofing systems throughout the redevelopment project, said: "Both the designers and the client are delighted with the wrinkle-free finish achieved by the use of the PUR/PIR insulation product."

Tapered PUR/PIR insulation products have been developed to prevent the formation of water ponds, the most common cause of failure of flat roofs. Thanks to the design of an adequate fall into the roof, the systems provide effective drainage, thus avoiding the build-up of rainwater which can seriously decrease the life of a flat roof by subjecting the membrane to thermal stress, alkali formation and mould growth.

back to top PUR/PIR ROOFING INSULATION IS IN TUNE WITH THE SAGE GATESHEAD MUSIC CENTRE
	High performance PUR/PIR roof insulation was in perfect tune with the demands of The Sage Gateshead, a purpose built music centre that has created a stunning landmark on the banks of the River Tyne. The design by Foster and Partners has been described as a 'shell' that houses two concert halls and a rehearsal hall in three separate buildings covered by the single spectacular three dimensional curving roof.
Laing O’Rourke were the main contractors for the £70 million centre which has provided a world class public arts and leisure amenity that will be run by the North Music Trust and owned by Gateshead Council. Roofing contractors Met-Clad Flat Roofing, who were responsible for the challenging roof construction and worked closely with Waagner Biro the envelope contractor, installed a total of 9,500 square metres of high performance PUR/PIR insulation. Roger Whitehead, project director for Met-Clad, said: "We were given a generic specification, and chose a PUR/PIR solution because we have used it on many other high profile projects. We were therefore confident it would meet the criteria for superior thermal performance in order to keep running costs down." The PUR/PIR insulation was installed over the polyethylene vapour control layer of the galvanised steel decking and covered by Trocal 'S' PVC waterproofing. The lightweight properties, ease of handling and flexibility of the PUR/PIR boards were particularly appreciated on this project as all of the roof construction, including the insulation, had to be cut around the steel support posts that protruded approximately 500mm above the Trocal roof surface. back to top
PUR/PIR INSULATION IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK FOR ST PANCRAS CHANNEL TUNNEL RAIL LINK TERMINAL

High performance PUR/PIR roof insulation has played a key role in the transformation of St Pancras railway station into the new London terminal for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

The refurbishment and extension of the station is being carried out by the CORBER consortium and is part of the new fast line between London and the Channel Tunnel which will cut Eurostar journey times between London and Paris to 2hrs 20 mins when the £5.2billion project is completed in 2007.

 

 

When the Victorian station opened in the 19th century its roof was the largest of its kind in the world. Now the 20 metre high curved steel roof that will cover the new and extended platforms currently under construction at St Pancras International Station provides St Pancras with a 21st century landmark.

Prater Roofing Ltd, who have been responsible for the roof coverings construction and their design, installed a total of 11,000 square metres of PUR/PIR beneath the Sarna membrane of the completed first phase of the roofing project and covers an area 200 metres long and 54 metres wide.

The second phase of the roofing project is scheduled to commence in 2005.

Sean Neary, Prater Ltd project manager said: "Our experience of using PUR/PIR insulation satisfied us that this product met all of our design requirements.