Whitworth Community High School
CASE STUDYThe Department of Education (DfE) has a 10-year Schools Rebuilding Programme which is expected to deliver 30 schools a year, using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). All buildings in the School Rebuilding Programme are designed to be net-zero in operation and more resilient to the effects of climate change. Wates construction was awarded 6 schools in January 2020. Whitworth Community High School is one of the first to be built as part of this programme.
Challenges
Wates employed the method of cross-flow ventilation within the building to achieve a natural method of cooling. This method requires multiple roof penetrations to allow the `stack-effect` flow of air to occur. To avoid the possibility of roof leaks, the weathering details around these openings needed to be carefully considered. In addition, there was a need to introduce controls to close the air-path when not required.
Solutions
Nicholson worked with Wates to de-risk the approach, and as a result ROOFBOX® P-Series modular roof enclosures were utilised.
31no. ROOFBOX® P-Series modules were configured into various length housings arrays; singles, twins, triples, quads and quins. These housings incorporated class A weather louvres to ensure that the openings were robustly weathered. All modules were fitted with an internal damper which was then linked to the building`s BMS control system.
ROOFBOX® was favoured for its compliance with the MMC framework. Units are manufactured off-site and delivered fully assembled.
An emphasis on simple interface details ensured a straightforward on-site installation process.
ROOFBOX® P uses a ‘Fabric First’ strategy to address the well-known challenge of achieving weatherproof roof penetrations.
Find out more about the project in the video…
Location
Rochdale
Architect
Main Contractor
MEP Contractor
Products Used
roof cabinets
The ROOFBOX® weathering system for service penetrations provides a proprietary and guaranteed solution to the inherent problems associated with bringing pipes, cables and ducts through the waterproofing layer at roof level. These insulated aluminium units are powder coated and provide an alternative to the traditional ‘dog kennel’ approach to weathering services as they exit onto the roof.
