Sandwell Council's £20 million refurbishment of a West Midlands school includes a 7,000sq m Sika Sarnafil single ply roofing system, installed by Birmingham-based contractor RLW Roofing.

Funded by the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme, the Wednesbury Learning Campus project involved the extensive remodelling of the existing Wodensborough Community Technology College and significant extensions to create a stunning new campus development.

Led by main contractor Interserve and designed by Aedas Architects, the extensive project included the construction of a new two-storey teaching block at the rear of the school and the remodelling of the existing buildings.


With the school remaining open throughout the works, the RLW team had to overcome a number of logistical and safety considerations upon installing the roof, sometimes working out of hours and at weekends to minimise disruption and keep to deadline. Importantly, the Sika Sarnafil system negates the need for hot works – a health and safety hazard when a building remains in use – making the specified G410-12EL and G410-15L membranes, both in Light Grey, ideally suited to this job.

RLW's specialist knowledge was also drawn upon to achieve an innovative solution for a plant room inspection hatch, created with the aid of Sika Sarnafil’s applications department.

Working to Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council’s very tight timescale and quality requirements, the RLW team worked with Aedas and Interserve to deliver the two-phase project on time and on budget. What's more, the new Sika Sarnafil roof boasts an independently assessed BBA-certified life expectancy, which states a life in ‘excess of’ 40 years.

For further information on Sika Sarnafil’s products and services, call 01603 709360, email sarnafilroofing@uk.sika.com or visit www.sarnafil.co.uk.