Launceston College with Thermaweld

The project included the initial roofing specification of three entirely new buildings as a part of the college’s new, purpose-built Science and Technology Department. 

This new addition to the school consisted of a main flat roof area,  two secondary flat roof areas totalling 1,300 square metres and a canopy roof of 45 square metres, with a total value of £261k. Within a metal frame building, the overall project included the provision of 13 new science laboratories, eight general classrooms and science preparation rooms. 

As a newly constructed building with a standard warm-roof, this project may seem to have been straightforward.  However, Progressive Systems encountered several challenges. 

The main challenge was the addition of tapered insulation. On two of the roofs, there were access doors onto the flat roofs, which meant Progressive Systems needed to pay particular attention to the maximum insulation thickness.

Working alongside Icopal, the team at Progressive Systems also had to carefully manage the logistics around deliveries, work on a live site, and keep to a strict budget. 

All work on the roof was completed to the highest standards, following best practice in accordance with NFRC guidelines. 

Launceston College is now one of the biggest schools in the Duchy of Cornwall, with an increase of almost 30% in student numbers, according to CornwallLive – thanks to an overall £10.5m expansion investment. As a key part of this, the impressive new Science and Technology building will significantly benefit both current and future students in North Cornwall.

Above all, the skill and dedication of the Progressive Systems Ltd team in utilising Icopal’s  Thermaweld FireSmart bituminous waterproofing system, a tried, tested and trusted flat roofing system, has given the college a complete roofing solution of the utmost quality for this important new building - one that will last for decades to come.

Progressive Systems Ltd, a trusted roofing contractor, partnered with BMI Icopal for the technically demanding flat roof project at Launceston College. The expansion of the campus included the construction of a Science and Technology building with 13 laboratories. Progressive Systems Ltd relied on BMI Icopal's expertise and solutions to overcome challenges such as working on a live site, incorporating tapered insulation, and preserving flat roof access doors. The collaboration resulted in the specification of the Thermaweld FireSmart System, ensuring weatherproof roofing without compromising insulation.