With the roof of the impressive Antrim and Newtownabbey Crematorium visible from the road, the requirement for high-quality and durable materials for Northern Ireland’s second crematorium led to the specification and installation of a suite of Soprema waterproofing and insulation across the building’s rooftop to protect it from the elements.
Addressing the growing demand in Northern Ireland for cremation slots due to lack of burial space, the £5m purpose-built facility was designed by AECOM for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. Situated on Doagh Road in Newtownabbey, the 950m2 brick building houses a chapel, staff areas, utility provisions and two cremators and is set in a seasonally landscaped civic parkland setting.
According to AECOM the aim of the design brief was to provide a simple and welcoming building, using high-quality and durable materials to create a dignified setting for grieving families. The natural material palette includes brick, timber, stone, and zinc roofing to create a warm, welcoming modern building.
Soprema worked alongside Belfast-based Contract Services Roofing & Cladding, an approved Soprema installer, to deliver the single-ply element of the roofing package of works for main contractor Ganson Building & Civil Engineering.
STAND-OUT SERVICE
In total, 570 m2 of Soprema fully insulated single-ply PVC membrane was specified and installed, incorporating a range of Soprema products across seven areas of the roof.
To achieve the optimum specification, Soprema supported Contract Services to detail the warm and cold roof spaces, providing technical drawings and thermal calculations, and a bespoke, product plus scope of works specification.
Commenting on the service Soprema delivered Gillian Palmer, Contract Services Roofing Estimator, said:
“Our Soprema contact, was a huge support from start to finish. Adding value from a specification and cost perspective throughout the process. As always with projects things change but Soprema and the team were quick to respond to technical queries and on-site visits, hopping in the car whenever necessary. Right through to dealing with the testing and issuing the warranty.”
BALANCING WATERPROOFING AND INSULATION REQUIREMENTS
The flat roofs are built up from a timber deck to fall substrate. To avoid interstitial condensation that would compromise the roofs’ integrity, a ready-to-use cold-applied bitumen primer, Soprema Elastocol 600 Primer, was applied to increase adherence for the following layer, a self-adhesive bitumen-based waterproofing membrane, Sopravap Stick Alu KSD, which also features composite aluminium reinforcement to complete the vapour control layer.
To achieve the appropriate thermal conductivity value, 100 mm of thick Sopratherm F, a rigid thermal insulation board made of polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam, has been laid with a gas-tight aluminium foil facing, facing up to receive the waterproof covering. The board is mechanically fixed into place to resist wind loads.
Then, a layer of dark grey Flagon SR 150 a reinforced water membrane, is mechanically fixed into place with Flagon S, a flexible PVC membrane and Flagmetal perimeter trim. For the intricate and sensitive detailing, the rapid curing PMMA surface waterproofing resin Alsan 770, with RAL colour finish, has been used where heat-fused membranes are not permitted to provide flexibility, as it adapts to structural movement and is resistant to puncturing.
For the areas of the roof that require access, Soprema 20 Walkway has been installed to allow for maintenance.
‘DRESSING’ CAREFULLY TO ACCOMMODATE SOLAR PV
Photovoltaic panels were installed on the warm roof above the office and store areas to provide on-site electricity generation with heat from the cremator supplementing the building’s heating. In coordination with the solar panel installer, all electrical wiring was dressed to ensure efficient integration of the panel installation with the roofing system so that all the electrical connections are properly managed and protected from the elements.
COLD ROOF FOR THE PORTE-COCHERE
A sheltered space has been created for the transfer of the coffin and entry of family mourners to the building, architecturally known as a porte-cochere. This cold roof construction features a comprehensive Soprema roofing solution, designed for optimal water drainage towards the gutter system. It also incorporates strategically placed upstand rooflights, which introduce natural light underneath the canopy.
Also worth mentioning are the two main 30-degree pitched zinc roofs. The installation of 600m2 of the traditional Rheinzink cladding roofing in a blue-grey colour was undertaken by Contract Services. Because of the natural movement with a zinc roof, a closed-in box gutter was recommended and installed below the zinc as a more reliable drainage solution.
Once the work was complete, Soprema undertook the necessary inspection and testing process, to give assurance that the system was appropriately constructed in accordance with the 20-year warranty provided. The building opened in June 2023.
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