Case StudyBeckley Point

PROJECT: Beckley PointLOCATION: PlymouthCONTRACTOR: Kier ConstructionSUB CONTRACTOR: Stormforce RoofingSYSTEM: BMI Icopal mechanically-fixed bituminous built-up roof (BUR) system

www.bmigroup.com/uk

BMI Crowns the highest building in the West Country

BMI Icopal mechanically-� xed bituminous built-up roof (BUR) systemWith the build-up needing to be able to stand up to the elements, individual product performance was very important. Thermazone Insulation boards, layered between the vapour control layer and the FireSmart® TorchSafeTM MA capsheet, provided a highly e� cient PIR rigid insulation. BMI Icopal’s unique FireSmart® technology also provided a capsheet with a fi re protection layer, which shields the roof from both spread of � ame and fi re penetration.

BACKGROUND

23 storey student accommodation was re-roofed by BMI UK & Ireland. The accommodation has over 12 roof areas, all at di� erent levels, with the highest having a steep pitch of 45 degrees.

CHALLENGE

Beckley Point posed many challenges, fi rstly it's 23 stories high so ensuring the roof was fi re safety compliant was a priority. It is also in a coastal location with exposure to high winds and extreme weather, so the new roof needed to withstand this. Accessibility was also a challenge as the roofs were set at di� erent heights.

SOLUTION

To address these challenges, the roofs had to be built with a highly durable product that would survive the weather conditions, perform to specifi cation and last for many years.

“The specifi cation for the roof went through several iterations from being fully bonded with ballast right the way

through to the fi nal specifi cation of mechanically fi xed felt,” says Simon Kalas, Director, Stormforce Roofi ng. “It had to be the right system for the roofs and take into account that they would never be accessible without spending a lot of money – the sca� olding alone would be prohibitive. So whatever we installed would have to last 40 years.”

Stormforce Roofi ng developed a very highly engineered fi nal specifi cation using a BMI Icopal mechanically-fi xed bituminous built-up roof (BUR) system, with a mineral cap sheet reinforced by adhesive bonding to the insulation beneath.

A further challenge addressed concerns regarding high-rise safety, as the existing façade did not meet fi re protection standards. New cladding was installed during the roofi ng works, so the detailing of the upstands had to be completed ahead of the main roof.

“Installation was in winter during high winds and work could not continue when they became too strong.” Says Simon.

Total Torch Vapour Control Layer, an SBS-modifi ed bituminous membrane reinforced with an extra strong polyester � eece, provided a temporary, weatherproof fi nish to the roof structure before the fi nal waterproofi ng system was applied.

The roofs’ demanding requirements were met by a specifi cation comprising of BMI Icopal Total Torch Vapour Control Layer, Thermazone Insulation and FireSmart® TorchSafeTM Mechanically Adhered (MA).

“Working with the BMI specifi cation team meant that both Kier Construction and our team knew that the roof would withstand both the extreme winds and also the risk of fi re,” Simon adds. “The weekly inspections from the BMI Specifi cation Manager reassured everyone that the project was being carried out as per the specifi cation and the 20-year guarantee also ticked the risk management box on these design and build contracts.”