Joseph Priestley – University of Huddersfield

Both buildings required comprehensive flat roofing refurbishment to restore the performance and integrity of their roof systems.

At the Joseph Priestley Building, prolonged water ingress had affected the existing bituminous roof, reducing its thermal performance and increasing ongoing maintenance requirements. The roof also contained significant mechanical and electrical plant, alongside ageing drainage and safety systems that required upgrading as part of the wider works.

The Charles Sikes Building presented similar concerns. Its existing single-ply waterproofing system had failed, while redundant rooftop services, restricted maintenance access and the lack of suitable permanent fall protection created additional operational and safety issues.

Rather than continuing with localised repairs, the University chose to undertake a coordinated refurbishment programme designed to improve waterproofing, drainage, safety and future maintenance across both buildings.

The main challenge was delivering technically involved refurbishment works within a live university environment while maintaining safe access for students, staff and visitors.

The Joseph Priestley Building is positioned above a public access road and forms part of one of the University’s principal pedestrian routes. This required extensive segregation, phased working and tightly controlled lifting operations to ensure the surrounding areas remained safe and accessible.

Further coordination was required around live mechanical and electrical services on the roof, with retained plant needing to remain operational throughout key stages of the works. Enhanced fire safety controls were also necessary due to the use of torch-applied waterproofing.

At Charles Sikes, the more confined rooftop environment created its own sequencing challenges. Works had to progress around retained plant and services without affecting essential building systems, while new safety measures and waterproofing were installed.

Careful programming of deliveries, lifting operations and subcontractor activities, supported by continual communication between Central, the University and the wider design team, allowed both projects to progress without interrupting normal university operations.

Detailed condition surveys, intrusive investigations and moisture mapping were undertaken to establish the condition of each roof and inform the refurbishment strategy. This allowed Central and the wider project team to specify solutions according to the requirements of each area rather than applying a single approach across both buildings.

At the Joseph Priestley Building, Central completed a combination of overlay and localised strip-and-replace flat roofing works before installing a Garland two-layer reinforced bituminous waterproofing system. New insulation was incorporated alongside upgraded gutters and drainage to improve both thermal and weathering performance.

The works also included replacement guardrails and roof access systems, together with coordinated mechanical and electrical alterations around the extensive rooftop plant.

At the Charles Sikes Building, the failed single-ply roof was fully stripped and replaced with a Garland two-layer reinforced bituminous system. Redundant rooftop plant was removed, retained services were repositioned and a permanent Mansafe system was installed to provide safer access for future inspection and maintenance.

Logistics were carefully managed across both buildings. GEDA vertical hoists were used to transport roofing materials and M&E equipment to roof level, while crane operations were required for larger items of rooftop plant at the Joseph Priestley Building. As Principal Contractor, Central coordinated the roofing works, specialist subcontractors, access arrangements and health and safety requirements throughout the programme.