Flat roof solutions for school and academy buildings

Proactive roof management is key in today's education environment to prevent classroom closures and curriculum interruptions. Bauder collaborates with schools, academies, and multi-academy trusts to deliver flat roof waterproofing solutions that meet building requirements within an allocated budget. Bauder provides support to clients including assistance with funding applications, roof surveys, design and planning, system specification, and the handover and sign-off of the roof installation works.

Funding
Bauder assists with all stages of the funding bid process including helping prepare, complete, and submit applications. The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) is a government-allocated budget designed to maintain and improve the condition of school and college buildings. The funding program aims to tackle building issues with significant consequences including poor building condition, building compliance, energy efficiency and health and safety. This funding helps ensure that academic facilities provide a safe, efficient, and conducive learning environment for students and staff.

Roof surveys
In order to establish the exact condition of the current waterproofing system on a roof, a no-obligation flat roof evaluation is carried out without charge by a Bauder area technical manager. Bauder conducts roof surveys with a safety-focused approach so that the school can remain operational causing minimal disruption to staff and students.

The in-depth roof condition survey includes core sampling and moisture mapping to assess the status of the existing roof coverings, structural design, and thermal performance so that informed decisions are made. The survey will also determine if there is no requirement for immediate refurbishment. This approach assures that all necessary due diligence has been carried out.

Moisture mapping
Bauder offers a unique moisture mapping survey that scientifically verifies the specific levels and locations of moisture within any existing waterproofing system to pinpoint water ingress.

From this testing method, the true condition of the roof is identified, plotted, and a visual data report is produced that determines the remedial action needed and ensures that only necessary roofing works are conducted. The report presents data from the moisture mapping survey, demonstrating the scope of necessary works and proposes flat roof waterproofing system options. It identifies if the waterproofing is sound enough to be overlaid entirely without damaging levels of water becoming trapped, or if a full removal of the existing system is required. 

The comprehensive analysis enables accurate cost estimates for budget certainty. The advantages of this report include providing precise costs and a detailed work schedule for submitting a CIF funding application.

Waterproofing system options
Bauder’s technical experts will work closely with clients to choose a roofing solution from Bauder’s advance waterproofing system portfolio to meets exact building requirements including performance, quality and budget. Other factors considered include the configuration of the building’s deck, insulation and details.

There are three main types of roofing technologies that Bauder offers that are suitable for replacing a flat roof for a school or academy building. These include bitumen membranes, cold applied liquid resins, and single ply membranes. The system options deliver a watertight solution and have safe application techniques. 

Future proofing education estates 
As part of the CIF funding application process, schools are expected to consider energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable options in the move towards reducing carbon emissions and future-proofing estates.

Bauder’s portfolio of waterproofing systems can incorporate insulation upgrades to improve the thermal efficiency of buildings for additional energy savings.

Funding is also available to install a solar photovoltaic (PV) system on school's flat roofs for renewable energy generation allowing the building to reduce increasing energy costs. BauderSOLAR F is a flat roof photovoltaic mounting solution that is installed on the roof system without penetration of the waterproofing or deck. The PV system is designed to be used in conjunction with Bauder single ply or bituminous membrane waterproofing solutions.

Delivering safe solutions 
Bauder understands that safety is paramount, particularly when refurbishing school and academy buildings. Therefore, all their high-performance waterproofing solutions are developed with safety in mind and installed using the safest methods possible by their approved contractors. Bauder waterproofing systems achieve fire testing to BROOF(t4) on affirmed combinations and are classified as ‘unrestricted’ in certain circumstances, as verified in Bauder’s BBA certificates.

Bauder approved contractor network
Bauder has a national network of approved contractors that install their waterproofing systems. The installing operatives are provided with training both in-house and on-site. Upon successful assessment, they are issued with an identity badge as proof of their competence. Bauder is on hand throughout the project to provide support and expert advice required for the installer to deliver a high-quality roof installation.

If your school is concerned about a potential flat roof leak and would like to receive a courtesy moisture mapping detection survey, please contact Bauder to arrange a meeting with an area technical manager to discuss your project.

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