Alkor Draka approved contractor Tego Roofing (formally known as QRS) installed the charcoal-coloured, profiled Alkorplan system, which was mechanically fixed in some areas and bonded or ballasted in others. Managing Director Darren Corner commented: “In this particular application, design aesthetics were of paramount importance. This is where the Alkorplan system comes into its own, as it not only delivers in terms of performance but also provides a smart, high quality finish to enhance the appearance of a building.”

The structure has a contemporary design, but it has been influenced by the city’s Georgian heritage. Chris Ames, Project Manager for main contractor Warings plc, explained: “As Bath is a World Heritage City, the architectural design considerations were manifold. We had to ensure that the vision created by architects Aaron Evans was followed meticulously, and the combination of the Alkorplan system and the expertise of Tego Roofing has ensured that the building looks clean and modern while still being in keeping with its historical surroundings.”

The building process needed deep and extensive basements, and involved constructing a massive 450 tonne steel frame. Fittingly, the exterior of the building is clad in Bath stone and large sheets of glass, and an elegant glass

central atrium brings light into the heart of the venue. Andrew Maltby of developer Deeley Freed Estates, said: “The eight-screen cinema is run by the Odeon chain and is expected to attract up to 600,000 users a year, while the Cannons health and fitness club features a 20m pool, gym, studios and relaxation centre. This is a first class leisure facility for Bath.”

Leisure complex gets protectionA durable and robust roofing system from Alkor Draka is protecting the new Kingsmead Leisure complex in Bath. Designed by Aaron Evans Architects and built by main contractor Warings plc, the £15 million leisure complex houses Bath’s first all-in-one entertainment centre, with a multiplex cinema, health club, bars and restaurants.

Continued with more photos on back page …

...continued from front page

What’s inside this issue

Brighton’s Eye page 2 Volvo’s new design page 3 Keighley Market pages 4/5 Gillies in Scotland pages 6 Stop worrying and learn to love SPR page 7

Single ply roofing CPD Seminars

Assessed and approved by The Construction CPD Certification Service for its content and quality, the Alkor Draka CPD Seminar presentation, usually given ‘in-house’ over a lunchtime period, considers the “History, Current Use & Future of Synthetic Roof Waterproofing Membranes. Projects, problems and performance issues are addressed including demonstrations of installation methods. Certificates of attendance are issued.

The Seminars will be of particular interest to professionals in the architectural, building, construction and related industries.

Alkor DrakaAlkor Draka is a multinational company producing calendered and extruded PVC foils for the Stationery, Decorative Laminate, Adhesive, Medical and Waterproofing markets. The company operates from 11 factories in 10 countries, and employs 2,200 people who generate a turnover of £350 million pa. Manufacturing Europe’s most comprehensive range of single ply waterproofing membranes, the Alkor Draka product portfolio includes Alkorplan®, Alkorflex®, Alkorplus® and Alkortop® brands of mechanically fastened, bonded, ballasted and green systems for roofs as well as swimming pool liners and lining membranes for canals, lakes, reservoirs, tanks, tunnels and water features. During the last 30 years, Alkor Draka have produced more than 200 million square metres of membranes for waterproofing applications in all types of climatic conditions.

David DavisTechnical ManagerALKOR DRAKA LtdStation Road, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 8AQ

Telephone: 01670 718203Fax: 01670 718367Web: www.alkorproof.com

For further information on any of the projects or products featured please reply to:

featuring projects, products & services from single ply membrane manufacturer

• • • • •

The structure has a contemporary design, but it has been influenced by the city’s Georgian heritage. Fittingly, the exterior of the building is clad in Bath stone and large sheets of glass with an elegant glass central atrium.

Charcoal coloured Alkorplan 35176 roofing membrane, mechanically fixed in some areas and bonded and ballasted in others, was used to protect the complex roof.

www.alkorproof.com

Fully fire tested to BS 476 Part 3:1958 and ideal for fast-track building projects, Alkorplan® is assessed by the British Board of Agrément to have a life expectancy in excess of 30 years.

On top of the world

Situated at a prime waterfront location adjacent to the award-winning ‘The Lowry’ building at Salford Quays, the new Digital World Centre is protected by Alkor Draka roofing technology. The company’s single-ply waterproofing membranes were chosen for the Centre, which has been designed to take office accommodation in Manchester into the digital age and is aimed at companies seeking to be at the cutting edge of

technology. It will also be home to the Digital World Society, a new think tank that will generate innovative projects in digital technologies.

Light grey Alkorplan 35170 unreinforced roofing membrane was used to cover the roof construction, which consists of a mix of concrete and metal decking covered by a vapour control layer and insulation board.

The scheme was fully let prior to completion to Free Spirit, Sports Soccer and Uniqlo, while the 14 split-level loft style apartments with roof terraces were all pre-sold to Bryant Homes.The eye-shaped roof of the duplex apartments is supported by a trapezoidal metal deck fixed to main steel. It is air-sealed and features specially profiled insulation to suit the curve of the design. On top of this, Alkorplan 35179 membrane is adhered to the insulation. Alkor Draka ‘Alpha’ profiles were used to give a distinctive finish. Part of the Alkorplan system, this roofing profile gives the look of a lead roll or standing seam roof but with a lower cost and reduced weight. Where it is not covered by the

footprint of the apartments, the roof of the retail units below is an inverted structure on a concrete deck featuring Alkorplus fleece and Alkorplan 35177 membrane, overlaid with Alkorplan 35121protective membrane. This is topped by extruded polystyrene insulation board, filter fleece and paving slabs on supports. All detailing was completed to Alkor Draka standards.

Gordon Harris of Alkor Draka approved contractor Advanced Roofing & Flooring Ltd commented: “Working closely with the architect and the builder from early in the project programme, we selected the Alkorplan system because it is adaptable, easy to work with, and provides a very attractive finish. Technical and aesthetic requirements made this a challenging project for our team and we were pleased

to demonstrate our expertise on this high profile project.” This was a complicated land assembly of a sensitive town centre site and, despite the need to overcome significant technical hurdles, the project was completed successfully to become a significant addition to Brighton’s bustling town centre.

Giles Walter of main contractor Simons Developments explained, “Demolition of the existing building took longer than anticipated due to the discovery of hidden asbestos. However, reprogramming resulted in minimal slippage of the retail handover. Completion of this landmark retail and residential development emphasises the commitment of Simons Developments to town centre mixed use projects.” The development was funded by Britannic Asset Management.

An adaptable single-ply roofing system from Alkor Draka has been specified for a new Volvo dealership in Basingstoke built by Talbot Design of Aldershot. The Alkorplan system was chosen to protect the roof of Alan Gibson Limited and was installed by Alkor Draka approved contractor Voland Roofing.

The £2.2 million new build project features the Alkorplan F system, with Alkorplan 35170 membrane fixed through insulation boards onto a metal deck on the main roof areas.

The window surround waterproofing consisted of Alkorplan F with separation fleece on timber, using Alkorplan 35176 membrane in a charcoal colour and small PVC extruded profiles.

Known as ‘the dealership specialist’, main contractor Talbot Design has also completed projects for BMW, Jaguar, Mercedes, Lexus and many other car retailers. Site Manager Stuart White said: “We are a medium-sized company that has been specialising in commercial construction and refurbishment since 1978. We employ a combination of our own employees and sub-contractors,

who we know and can trust to meet clients’ standards. Voland Roofing and Alkor Draka have proved to be an excellent partnership, helping us to deliver this smart new showroom to the high specification required.”

For this project, the Alkorplan system was the ideal choice, as it offers durable, robust performance characteristics teamed with a clean, stylish, look that will last for

decades to come.

Managing Director Alan Gibson commented: “We are extremely pleased to announce that we have now moved to a purpose-built state of the art dealership in Basingstoke. The dealership is one of the first in the UK to conform to the latest contemporary Swedish design from Volvo.”

A versatile single-ply waterproofing membrane roofing system from Alkor Draka and installed by the national award winning Advanced Roofing and Flooring company of Ilkeston, has been used to protect the roof of an eye-catching development in Brighton. Designed by local firm Comprehensive Design Architects, part of the CDA Group, the mixed-use development in North Street comprises three retail units on the ground floor and duplex flats above. Looked at from an aerial view, its most distinctive feature becomes apparent – an eye-shaped roof.

Roof with a view

Swede deal for ALKOR DRAKA

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the market hall is protected by Alkorplan 35170 waterproofing membrane, which was fixed through rigid PIR foam insulation boards onto the existing deck. Surrounded by a 2ft brick parapet, this level is topped by a second roof section featuring the ‘North Lights’ configuration, consisting of almost vertical faces incorporating glazing to allow light into the market below, and sloping faces covered in waterproofing material.

Broken glazing was replaced, and metal decking was used to extend and change the shape of the upper section. At the bottom of the glazed face is guttering; rainwater hitting the South face will run down and be channelled away. This ‘North Lights’ section previously featured metal cladding, which failed - so Advanced Roofing and Flooring was called in to see what it could recommend to stop the water ingress. Working to a strict budget, they came up with the idea

of using a composite gutter lined with Alkormetal. Louvered vents, with casings made of Alkormetal, were installed to vertical faces to ensure airflow through the market, while several redundant vents at the end of each bay of the ‘North Lights’ roof configuration were removed, made good and waterproofed over.

Gordon Harris, Managing Director of Advanced Roofing and Flooring, said: “We set a very high standard of workmanship, and achieve satisfactory results by ensuring professionalism and quality at every step of the process. The Alkorplan system was selected for use on this project because it is extremely robust, durable and adaptable, and offers an attractive finish at an affordable price. I went to the handover, along with the client, the architect and the contractor, and they were all delighted with the finished job, and pleased that traders had been able to maintain a working market throughout the re-roofing process. Since it has been completed, there has been no water ingress at all.”

Market Superintendant Julian Daniel said: “Local markets such as this are recognised as being an integral part of any town centre by providing an altern-ative to supermarkets and high street

chain stores. With fresh local produce on sale and a wide choice of goods, Keighley Market looks forward to continuing to provide an excellent service to residents and visitors to the town centre.”

William Saunders Partnership were appointed as the lead consultant and architects to oversee the refurbishment and modernisation of the centre, which will benefit new and existing customers as well as market traders.

Architect Phil Chadwick, designer of the project said: “The brief was to develop a scheme to modernise the building and to improve the environment for traders and shoppers alike. The market stalls will be modernised, the ventilation improved and new heating and lighting is to be provided. In addition to improvements to the building environment, and to bring the building into line with current standards, the work also involves upgrading the building envelope.

A prime concern was the need to keep disruption within the market hall to a minimum because it was to remain open whilst the works were being undertaken. As the loading of the structure was also a problem it was decided that a single ply roofing system offered the most cost effective solution to overcome the issues faced by the design team,” continued Phil Chadwick.

“Alkor Draka was consulted because of past experience and they advised on the roof specification including the

suitability of the insulation to span the corrugations to the cladding. When the main contractor was appointed, the roofing sub-contractor further developed these details after site surveys and liaison with the design team and further consultations with Alkor Draka. The overlaying of the existing asphalt has been taken into account in the production of further details.

At various times during the scheme Alkor Draka visited the site to provide technical assistance and to ensure compliance with their stringent installation procedures, producing reports when necessary. As a result of the careful planning, the roofing works progressed quickly on site and were completed well ahead of schedule and within budget,” Phil Chadwick concluded.

Wallace Sampson, Customer Services Director for Keighley Market, explains: “The re-roofing project marks the start of a council-run programme to upgrade this important facility in consultation with traders and shoppers. It is part of continuing improvements to market facilities in the district.” Alkor Draka approved contractor Advanced Roofing and Flooring carried out the £300,000 renovation of the roof. The flat roof of

ALKOR DRAKA have the market covered

A distinctive refurbishment project in Keighley, West Yorkshire, is keeping shoppers dry with the help of Alkorplan, from Alkor Draka. Re-roofing work has been carried out as the first phase in the projected £1.5 million regeneration of the town’s indoor market hall by the markets division of Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

Each valley between the roof sections features a drainage channel with complicated detailing achieved using Alkormetal trims and flashings.

The market’s existing flat roof is now topped by the new ‘North Lights’ configuration. Louvered vents, with casings made of Alkormetal, were installed to vertical faces on both West and East elevations to ensure through airflow .

Detailing around an intersecting parapet on the North elevation was easily achieved using a combination of welding and bonded techniques incorporating Alkorplan single ply waterproofing membrane and Alkormetal flashings and trims.

Complicated detailing around ‘North Light’ windows and at the roof apex were achieved using Alkormetal trims and flashings.

The completed East elevation.

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Perth store – was designed by Pask & Pask Architects from Newport on Tay. This project features Alkorplan F with insulation to metal deck using Alkorplan 35170 membrane.

Gillies Managing Director Ian Philip explained: “We are always looking to find ways of improving the service offered to our customers. The new stores will convey the appropriate image for us as the north east of Scotland’s leading independent furniture retailer. In Aberdeen in particular, the development has upgraded what was once an eyesore site, spurring further regeneration in this important retail area close to the city centre.”

In 1972, the introduction of synthetic roofing membranes to the UK construction market was not met with any real enthusiasm. Flat roofs always used bitumen and its inherent problems seemed to be accepted by all concerned.

Early promoters of plasticized PVC argued that single ply is lightweight and very elastic, with excellent ability to return to its original shape after being stretched. With outstanding fire performance, it is self extinguishing. Detailing is also very simple, making installation easy and comparatively fast.

To be installed only by trained and approved roofing contractors, each was to be fully supported by a technical service - but even so scepticism reigned!

However, in 1974/5, a breakthrough came when two major UK companies (one in automotive ancillary equipment manufacture, the other in food retailing) did recognise the benefits.

Initially a major factor preventing wider acceptance was cost, but the rapid rise in crude oil from 1980 onwards had quite an adverse impact on bitumen based industries.

The single largest component of PVC is salt (at approximately 53%), so the cost ratio shifted in its favour.

Marketplace promotions, increased sales and technical support and publication of successful case histories all helped to build confidence in PVC system manufacturers and their contractors.

Installations completed to a proven standard with a life expectancy of at least 30 years, meant that the traditional flat roofing industry could not compete.

Also better-insulated buildings and the introduction of lighter structures meant increased thermally and structurally induced movement needed to be coped with. Buildings were more quickly erected, roofing materials in turn had to be installed to tighter programmes with less disruption from the weather – and this was something single ply PVC systems were able to provide.

Legislation was introduced in the late 1970s / early 1980s with the need to comply with CP3, a Code of Practice for wind uplift.

Under the auspices of the SPRA (the Single Ply Roofing Association),

membrane producers were brought together with fastener system manufacturers to improve performance criteria. One vitally important change was the improvement in the corrosion resistance of the fasteners to 25 years, in line with that of the membrane systems.

Building Regulations changed, with the introduction of Parts L1& L2, and liaison with BSI regarding the harmonisation of standards within Europe were handled by the SPRA, who also bought together insulation board, safety equipment and other manufacturers, plus, of course, roofing contractors.

The products and systems are trusted and proven over 32 years; they are cost-effective, easy to maintain, with a life expectancy now in excess of 30 years and, if produced from plasticized PVC, are fully recycleable.

The result – an enlightened marketplace where an increasing number of architects, designers and specifiers are turning to single ply waterproofing system manufacturers to provide high-tech, low cost, yet simple to install and maintain, protective building solutions.

Aberdeen City Council approved the building of the new furniture retail store in Holburn Street, with floor space measuring 26,133 square feet spread over three floors, on a site previously housing a petrol station. The £3 million new build project was designed by architects Kerr Duncan McAllister of Broughty Ferry, and features the Alkorplan F system, with Alkorplan 35170 membrane fixed through insulation boards onto a metal deck on the main roof areas. For the balcony area, the Alkorplan L system was used, with Alkorplan 35177 membrane laid loose onto insulation boards on a concrete deck. Prior to the paving slabs being installed, an Alkor protection layer was loose laid over the membrane.

Briggs Roofing was the Alkor Draka approved contractor that installed the Alkorplan for all of the stores. Branch manager Steve Adams said: “The high standards demanded by our clients are met by ensuring professionalism and quality at every step of the process. This is facilitated by the Alkorplan

system, which offers flexibility, excellent protective capabilities and durable good looks.”

Kerr Duncan McAllister also designed the new build extension to the Broughty Ferry store, whose main roof areas feature Alkorplan F, with Alkorplan 35170 membrane fixed through insulation boards to a metal deck. The window surround waterproofing consisted of Alkorplan F with separation fleece on timber, using Alkorplan 35176 membrane in a charcoal colour and small PVC extruded profiles.

New build project number two – the

Top of the shops “How they learned to stop worrying and love SPR”David Davis, Alkor Draka Technical Manager, discusses the evolution of the single-ply roofing market.

Aberdeen branch

Important legislation in the form of CP3 was introduced to ensure membranes could cope with wind uplift. Corrosion resistance in fasteners was increased to 25 years

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Broughty Ferry flagship store

Perth branch

Alkor Draka single-ply waterproofing membranes are protecting two new department stores in Scotland. Gillies of Broughty Ferry is one of Tayside’s best-known retailers, with over a century’s trading history. Now the retailer has opened two new stores in Aberdeen and Perth, as well as renovating the extension of their flagship store.