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 | | COLLEGE PUTS FOAMGLAS® IN A TIGHT SPOT!
| | | FOAMGLAS | | 18/12/2006 | | |
A FOAMGLAS® cellular glass insulation system with Permaphalt asphalt has been installed in a challenging location at St Edmund College, Oxford, which dates back to the 13th Century.
A 470m² terraced roof over the main dining hall forms a central inner quadrangle, which is used both as a function patio and a walkway between accommodation blocks. Almost completely surrounded by buildings and with limited access, it refurbishment was badly needed, but presented significant logistical difficulties to contractors, Oxford Asphalt Company.
The existing roof was laid in 1967 and comprised specially angled and shaped stone slabs which were also mitred to rainwater outlets. These were laid on top of an asphalt waterproof layer, over fibreboard, which had failed and needed to be removed, along with the existing sheathing felt.
The College management laid down two very specific guidelines: firstly, that the stone slabs had to be re-laid in the same pattern as previously and the activities of the College could not be interrupted in any way.
The FOAMGLAS® Permaphalt system is proven to provide a long term solution to flat roofs - the high compressive strength of the cellular glass insulation makes it the ideal base for Permaphalt especially on roofs where there is significant pedestrian traffic.
The existing roof was stripped off down to the cementitious screed, which formed an integral part of the supporting structure. Using a crane to remove debris from the roof and deliver the new material required a restriction to traffic on Oxford High Street - work therefore had to proceed as quickly as possible to minimise the disruption. A polyester based elastomeric membrane was torch bonded onto the screed to create a temporary waterproofing layer. 40mm thick FOAMGLAS® S3 slabs were then bitumen bonded into position, with a layer of glass-fibre based bitumen membrane poured and rolled, fully sealing the surface of the insulation. Two layers of building paper were followed by a layer of sheathing felt, prior to the 25mm two-coat Permaphalt Polymer Modified Asphalt coating, onto which the stone slabs, which had all been numbered according to a plan, were re-laid.
FOAMGLAS® has a coefficient of linear expansion similar to that of concrete, which ensures that normal thermal movement will result in lower stresses to the roof finishes thus enhancing the life of the construction. FOAMGLAS® is non-combustible and cannot contribute to fire nor emit toxic fumes or smoke. It is also totally free from HCFC, HFA and pentane, making it the ecological choice as well as the long-life choice.
Oxford Asphalt won an award for `Challenge' from the Mastic Asphalt Council for this difficult renovation project, made all the more difficult given the logistics involved in removing old and delivering new material.
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