Overview
Highfield Academy is a major education academy comprising of three separate teaching blocks constructed in 2015. Since completion Vision Ventilation has been routinely maintained the ventilation system to ensure good air quality within the teaching blocks.
The academy is fully naturally ventilated with a series of large roof mounted turrets positioned above the corridors leading to the classrooms on either side. The roof turrets have high performance weather louvres around the perimeter with UPVC volume control dampers positioned on the rear that modulate from open to closed to regulate the air flow in and out of the building maintaining a constant comfortable environment.
The system has been maintained and service twice a year for the last ten years that involves cleaning the 22 windcatcher louvre turrets; testing their operation from the Building Management System that monitors the air temperature and CO2 in each area and then sends a signal to the motors on the volume control dampers to open of close them automatically.
The Problem
For the first five years of service there were no problems with the building or our ventilation system but unfortunately, leaks started to appear in and around the roof turrets. Early investigation found that the roof had insufficient fall to allow water to flow to the rainwater gutter system but instead formed large ponds of water around each turret. It soon became apparent that the roof construction was of poor design and construction. The roof underwent major refurbishment and the majority if the leaks have been solved. however, in recent bad weather additional water ingress has been experienced in a few areas.
The Client, the Main Contractor and Vision were asked to investigate and try and find out where the water was getting in. Over the years the ventilation turrets have not been an issue even under extreme weather conditions, so we decided to eliminate these from the problem whilst investigation was carried out on the roof.
The Solution
The roof turrets in the general location of each of the three leakage points was identified and the turrets completely wrapped to isolate them any possibility of water ingress through the units.
The roof was fully inspected and water tested and was found that small flaws in the roof membrane had caused the constant leaks. The roof was repaired and the weathering protection removed from the turrets. Three months later and all the leaks have been resolved; in addition, we continue to service the ventilation turrets to ensure the school internal climate is comfortable and well maintained.
