Darren Swetman head of the i-Custom team at Invacare UK, says: “This is a huge factory covering 800,000ft2, so replacing the entire roof was not really an option, particularly as it would have caused major disruption to our manufacturing operations.” 

The challenge faced by Bracknell Roofing was ensuring that the building remained watertight during repair work which, considering it was carried out in the severe winter and late spring weather, required an organised approach.

Anthony Jones, contracts manager for Bracknell Roofing, explains: “It was critical to ensure that the old and new single ply elements were joined effectively and that requires specialist knowledge in flat roofs. In some areas we had to take the roof back to its basic structure to ensure a robust joint, although the skills and experience of our team meant we were able to do this quickly and efficiently to avoid rainwater entering the building.” 

Along with replacing elements of the single ply in most need of attention, Bracknell Roofing installed a permanent ManSafe system, including handrails, around the roof perimeter to ensure the safety of future maintenance and access teams.

The work carried out on the Pencoed factory is a reflection of Bracknell Roofing’s ability to act as principal contractor on what was a major refurbishment project requiring multi-disciplined skills and which had to be completed to a strict schedule. The company can also work as sub-contractor and provides a national network of highly competent, experienced professionals covering all aspects of the building envelop.